CA1251968A - Connector part for detachable connector pairs of optical waveguides - Google Patents
Connector part for detachable connector pairs of optical waveguidesInfo
- Publication number
- CA1251968A CA1251968A CA000456433A CA456433A CA1251968A CA 1251968 A CA1251968 A CA 1251968A CA 000456433 A CA000456433 A CA 000456433A CA 456433 A CA456433 A CA 456433A CA 1251968 A CA1251968 A CA 1251968A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- electroplated
- connector
- precision
- parts
- 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
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
- G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
- G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
- G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
- G02B6/3833—Details of mounting fibres in ferrules; Assembly methods; Manufacture
- G02B6/3855—Details of mounting fibres in ferrules; Assembly methods; Manufacture characterised by the method of anchoring or fixing the fibre within the ferrule
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
- G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
- G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
- G02B6/3833—Details of mounting fibres in ferrules; Assembly methods; Manufacture
- G02B6/3834—Means for centering or aligning the light guide within the ferrule
- G02B6/3835—Means for centering or aligning the light guide within the ferrule using discs, bushings or the like
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
- G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
- G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
- G02B6/3833—Details of mounting fibres in ferrules; Assembly methods; Manufacture
- G02B6/3847—Details of mounting fibres in ferrules; Assembly methods; Manufacture with means preventing fibre end damage, e.g. recessed fibre surfaces
-
- 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
- G02B6/3873—Connectors using guide surfaces for aligning ferrule ends, e.g. tubes, sleeves, V-grooves, rods, pins, balls
- G02B6/3885—Multicore or multichannel optical connectors, i.e. one single ferrule containing more than one fibre, e.g. ribbon type
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
- G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
- G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
- G02B6/3833—Details of mounting fibres in ferrules; Assembly methods; Manufacture
- G02B6/3854—Ferrules characterised by materials
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Optics & Photonics (AREA)
- Mechanical Coupling Of Light Guides (AREA)
- Optical Couplings Of Light Guides (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A precision part for optical waveguide connectors for the purpose of connecting either a cable with single or multiple waveguides characterized by a connector cylinder having a recess for the optical waveguides and an insert, the insert consisting of one or more self-centering electroplated parts with each part having an optical waveguide admission opening of a random geometry for each of the waveguides of the cable. The connecting cylinder is a separtely fabricated connecting cylinder and the electroplated parts are mounted in the recess of the cylinder.
When only a single waveguide is provided in each of the cables, the opening is concentrically arranged. However, when a plurality of waveguides are provided in each of the cables, they are uniformly distributed around the circumference of the part.
A precision part for optical waveguide connectors for the purpose of connecting either a cable with single or multiple waveguides characterized by a connector cylinder having a recess for the optical waveguides and an insert, the insert consisting of one or more self-centering electroplated parts with each part having an optical waveguide admission opening of a random geometry for each of the waveguides of the cable. The connecting cylinder is a separtely fabricated connecting cylinder and the electroplated parts are mounted in the recess of the cylinder.
When only a single waveguide is provided in each of the cables, the opening is concentrically arranged. However, when a plurality of waveguides are provided in each of the cables, they are uniformly distributed around the circumference of the part.
Description
~751~t~B
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a precision part for optical waveguide connectors for the purpose of con-necting of either a single or multiple fibers of cables which precision part includes a connector cylinder having a recess for optical waveguides and an insert received in the recess.
Presently, single optical waveguide connectors are being manufactured which have an optical waveguide fiber admis-sion opening drilled in a bushing consisting of a material hav-ing good machining properties. I'his bushing is pressed into the connector part which is fabricated of low-wear, abrasion-proof material such as disclosed in Gebrauchmuster (German Utility Model) 81 19 993. Published November 5, 1981. However, connectors are also manufactured as a one-piece member consis-ting of a material having the good machining properties.
It has also already been proposed to concentrically adjust and then cement a capillary tube in a connector part by means of adjusting mandrels or pins. In the case of optical waveguide connectors, it is also known for the connector cylin-ders to be aligned according to the fiber cores and cast or sub-sequently machined.
From German Patent 28 32 303, Published April 8, 1982 a method is known wherein a horological stone is cemented in the connector cylinder and subsequently the connector cylinder after the fiber insertion ls subsequently machined concentrically.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to manufacturing precision parts for single and/or multiple optical waveguide connectors in a more economical fashion than up to the present A
~z~196~3 time. In so doing, primarily their coaxiality between connector cylinder, exterior diameter and the optical waveguide as well as the fiber emission openings is to be very precise. Moreover, it is demanded that diameter tolerances of the connector cylinders and the fiber admission openings are likewise very low in order that a low coupling attenuation between random optical fiber connector pairings is obtained.
To obtain these objects, the present invention is directed to an improvement in a precision part for an optical waveguide connector for the purpose of a connection between cables having either single or multiple waveguides, the precision parts consisting of a connector cylinder having a recess for the optical waveguides and an insert. The improvements are that the insert consist of one or more self-centering electroplated parts, which have been termed by an electroplating process, with each part having an optical waveguide admission opening of random geometry. The connecting cylinder is a separately fabricated connector cylinder and the electroplated parts are mounted in the recess of the connector cylinder.
Through this solution, an extremely precise design is achieved even in the case of mass production. For the manufacturing of flat parts for which, on account of the demands for precision, the chemical etching technique is no longer sufficient, most frequently the electroplating method is utilized. A glass mask with a one-sided metallization in which the image is to be formed is manufactured. Then a negative resist is applied on the side of the metallization and subsequently exposed to ultraviolet light. The non-exposed locations are developed out and the exposed metallization is galvanically coated so that electroplating results. Thereafter, lZS1968 the electroplated portion is detached from the glass mask and cleaned of the resist. The thickness and contour quality of the electroplated portions are restricted by the thickness and the edge qualities of the photoresistant layer. The possible fineness and quality of the resist structure decreases with the resist thickness.
~ ithin the framework of the invention, the electroplated parts can exhibit optical waveguide admission openings which have a square, round or triangular geometry. Through the freely selectable geometry of the fiber emission openings, the fit or play between fiber admission opening and fiber can be kept especially small.
According to a further development of the invention, the admission opening has walls with an angle of slope. The threading-in of the fiber is thereby substantially facilitated by the tapering walls of the opening.
The self-centering electroplated parts, which are inserted in the connector cylinder, are preferably manufactured from copper or nickel.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, the connector cylinder is fabricated from an abrasion-proof material, for example V2A steel and is equipped with precise external and internal diameters. This has the advantage that the connector cylinder does not show any wear even after many or frequent operations or actuations.
The inserts or electroplated parts, for example, are pressed into the connector cylinder of abrasion-proof material and the glass fibers are cemented or soldered into the admission openings. This precision part is the ground and polished at the coupling side. If the admission opening has a form different lZ519~;8 from the fiber form, the cement can more readily penetrate the spaces and can therefore guarantee a reliable fixation of the glass fiber.
According to a further development of the invention, the exterior diameter of the insert assumes the centering of the fiber in the counterpiece. Through this embodiment, the glass fibers are centered in the coupling sleeve directly by the electroplated part.
According to another development of the invention, the part or parts are provided with radially extending side bars or portions which engage in corresponding grooves of the connector cylinder. The radial side bars have a diameter which is greater than or equal to the diameter of the connector cylinder. This embodiment renders it possible to obtain a particularly easy assembly of the parts. Due to the special design of the connector cylinder and the insert, the required precision is achieved solely through the inserts. The connector cylinder can be fabricated with a lesser degree of precision so that this design is particularly economical.
For the connection of multifiber cables with a random number of optical waveguides, the optical waveguide admission openings are preferably arranged annularly on the border of the parts. In addition, to the distribution of the admission openings about the circumference of the part, the part should be provided with at least two larger openings for positioning pins. In this manner, it is possible to connect many fibers in the narrow space. The other connector parts are so designed that the cable length is taken up by the housing and the glass fibers ~Z~19~8 are simple to introduce through the fiber guide slots into the connector.
Within the framework of the invention, the electroplated parts can also be designed with an angular cross-section. In addition, the fiber admission openings can be randomly arranged in the electroplated part.
In summary, it can be stated that the following advantages result from the invention. The electroplated parts of the invention enable an economical mass fabrication of parts with a high precision. The electroplated or electroformed parts provide positive connections in a radial direction between the connector cylinder and inserts and between the fiber emission openings and the glass fibers. The forming of the part by electroplating enables an optimum design of the openings for the fiber, the fiber guide and the fiber precentering. Through stacking of the inserts, greater guide lengths are attainable for the glass fibers than in the case of drilled connectors. The coupling attenuation of the optical waveguide connector pairs is strongly influenced by errors or offsets in alignment, surface roughness and the distance between the fiber cores. The error in the alignment is brought about by the diameter tolerances of the connector cylinders, the fiber admission openings and the optical waveguide fibers as well as by the deviation from the concentricity between the fiber core and connector cylinders.
The invention, through the special design of the precision part, solves the technical problem of manufacturing two precise cylinders coaxial in one part because the connector cylinder is separately fabricated and subsequently the self-centering electroplated parts which are formed by electroplating are mounted in the connector cylinder. These electroplated parts ~2~1~68 have, for example, quadratic or square optical waveguide openings so tha~ the or play between the glass fiber and the opening can be greatly reduced. In addition, large free spaces result at the corners in which the bonding agent such as a cement or solder can more easily penetrate than in the case of known cylindrical admission openings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. la is a longitudinal cross-sectional view with portions in elevation of a single connector with disk-shaped inserts having different geometry;
FIG. lb is an end view of the device of FIG. la;
FIG. 2a is a longitudinal cross-sectional view with portions in elevation for purposes of illustration of an embodiment of a single connector having inserts;
FIG. 2b is an end view of the connector of FIG. 2a;
FIG. 3a is a longitudinal cross-sectional view with portions in elevation of a connection according to the present invention for coupling cables with multiple fibers together; and FIG. 3b is an end view of a part of the connector in a disconnected condition.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The principles of the present invention are particularly useful in a single connector generally indicated at 50 in FIGS.
la and lb. The connector 50 has a connector cylinder 1 which has a hollow cylindrical cavity or recess 2 which receives a part 51 having a tapering guide core 3 with a cylindrical portion 3a. As illustrated, the part 51 is set in from an end of the cylinder 1 and the space between the end of the cylinder and the member 51 receives a plurality of inserts 5 which as illustrated consist of 12S19~8 four parts. The four parts or inserts are electroplated parts which have concentric openings for receiving a fiber 6 with its coating 7 removed therefrom. As illustrated, the openings in the parts 5 are substantially smaller than the opening 3a of the part 51. As illustrated, the fiber 6 with its coating 7 also is provided with a fiber sheath or shell 8. The threading-in of the glass fiber is facilitated at the innermost part 5' which is provided with tapered bevels 9 at its opening. Thus, the opening with the bevel 9 facilitates guiding the fiber 6 as it is inserted through the remaining admissicn openings such as admission opening 11 illustrated in FIG. lb. As illustrated in FIG. lb, the admission opening 11 has a quadratic or square configuration.
An embodiment of the connector is generally indicated at 53 in FIGS. 2a and 2b. The connector 53 has a connector cylinder la which has a recess 54 large enough to receive the sleeve or coating 7 of the fiber 6. Adjacent the end, the recess 54 has a converging tapered portion or conical portion 55 which approaches the diameter of the fiber 6. The end of the member la has a counterbore portion 56 with three radial slots 57 which receive a series such as four electroplated parts 5a which have a circular portion 58 with three ~adially extending bars or legs 10 as best illustrated in FIG. 2b. Each of the parts 5a has an admission opening such as the opening 12 which is illustrated as having a triangular configuration. The innermost bar 5a' is also provided with converging walls to facilitate guiding the fiber 6 therein.
A coupling generally indicated at 60 in FIGS. 3a and 3b is constructed to handle a cable having a plurality of light waveguides such as glass fibers 19. The device includes a pair of cylindrical connector parts 61 and 62, each of which have a lZSl~
coupling surface 16 and a cylindrical recess such as the recess 63 of the part 62. The recess 63 has step portions 64 opposite a coupling surface 16. As illustrated, the portion 64 of the recess 63 receives a stepped member 65 which has fiber guide slots 20 on its circumference. ~Jext to the part 65 is a part 23 which is a precentering part that is provided with axially extending bores 66 adjacent the periphery and these bores 66 line up with ad~ission openings 13 in a part 18 which along with the part 17 are electroplated parts. The part 18 besides having a plurality of admission openings 13 around the periphery of the part include some large bores 14 (FIG. 3b) which receives positioning or centering pins 15 (FIG. 3a). By utilizing the pins 15, the two parts 17 and 18 are axially aligned with their openings such as 13, which receive the fibers 19, being aligned. As mentioned hereinabove, the cable sleeve which is references 22 has a plurality of optical fibers having a coating 21. These fibers are guided through the guide slots 20 to the precentering part 23, the coating 21 is removed to expose only the fibers 19. The fibers 19 are positioned to extend through the bores 66 of the precentering part 23 and enter into the bores or openings such as 13 of the part 18. After cementing the parts in their various openings such as 13, the fibers are polished to lie in the plane of the surface 16. The two connectors such as 61 and 62 can be brought together by external connecting parts such as 67 and 68 and to prevent axial torsion or twisting between the two parts 61 and 62, a spline such as 24 is provided.
~Z51968 Although various minor modifications may be suggested by those versed in the art, it should be understood that we wish to embody within the scope of the part granted hereon, all such modifications as reasonably and properly come within the scope of our contribution to the art.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a precision part for optical waveguide connectors for the purpose of con-necting of either a single or multiple fibers of cables which precision part includes a connector cylinder having a recess for optical waveguides and an insert received in the recess.
Presently, single optical waveguide connectors are being manufactured which have an optical waveguide fiber admis-sion opening drilled in a bushing consisting of a material hav-ing good machining properties. I'his bushing is pressed into the connector part which is fabricated of low-wear, abrasion-proof material such as disclosed in Gebrauchmuster (German Utility Model) 81 19 993. Published November 5, 1981. However, connectors are also manufactured as a one-piece member consis-ting of a material having the good machining properties.
It has also already been proposed to concentrically adjust and then cement a capillary tube in a connector part by means of adjusting mandrels or pins. In the case of optical waveguide connectors, it is also known for the connector cylin-ders to be aligned according to the fiber cores and cast or sub-sequently machined.
From German Patent 28 32 303, Published April 8, 1982 a method is known wherein a horological stone is cemented in the connector cylinder and subsequently the connector cylinder after the fiber insertion ls subsequently machined concentrically.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to manufacturing precision parts for single and/or multiple optical waveguide connectors in a more economical fashion than up to the present A
~z~196~3 time. In so doing, primarily their coaxiality between connector cylinder, exterior diameter and the optical waveguide as well as the fiber emission openings is to be very precise. Moreover, it is demanded that diameter tolerances of the connector cylinders and the fiber admission openings are likewise very low in order that a low coupling attenuation between random optical fiber connector pairings is obtained.
To obtain these objects, the present invention is directed to an improvement in a precision part for an optical waveguide connector for the purpose of a connection between cables having either single or multiple waveguides, the precision parts consisting of a connector cylinder having a recess for the optical waveguides and an insert. The improvements are that the insert consist of one or more self-centering electroplated parts, which have been termed by an electroplating process, with each part having an optical waveguide admission opening of random geometry. The connecting cylinder is a separately fabricated connector cylinder and the electroplated parts are mounted in the recess of the connector cylinder.
Through this solution, an extremely precise design is achieved even in the case of mass production. For the manufacturing of flat parts for which, on account of the demands for precision, the chemical etching technique is no longer sufficient, most frequently the electroplating method is utilized. A glass mask with a one-sided metallization in which the image is to be formed is manufactured. Then a negative resist is applied on the side of the metallization and subsequently exposed to ultraviolet light. The non-exposed locations are developed out and the exposed metallization is galvanically coated so that electroplating results. Thereafter, lZS1968 the electroplated portion is detached from the glass mask and cleaned of the resist. The thickness and contour quality of the electroplated portions are restricted by the thickness and the edge qualities of the photoresistant layer. The possible fineness and quality of the resist structure decreases with the resist thickness.
~ ithin the framework of the invention, the electroplated parts can exhibit optical waveguide admission openings which have a square, round or triangular geometry. Through the freely selectable geometry of the fiber emission openings, the fit or play between fiber admission opening and fiber can be kept especially small.
According to a further development of the invention, the admission opening has walls with an angle of slope. The threading-in of the fiber is thereby substantially facilitated by the tapering walls of the opening.
The self-centering electroplated parts, which are inserted in the connector cylinder, are preferably manufactured from copper or nickel.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, the connector cylinder is fabricated from an abrasion-proof material, for example V2A steel and is equipped with precise external and internal diameters. This has the advantage that the connector cylinder does not show any wear even after many or frequent operations or actuations.
The inserts or electroplated parts, for example, are pressed into the connector cylinder of abrasion-proof material and the glass fibers are cemented or soldered into the admission openings. This precision part is the ground and polished at the coupling side. If the admission opening has a form different lZ519~;8 from the fiber form, the cement can more readily penetrate the spaces and can therefore guarantee a reliable fixation of the glass fiber.
According to a further development of the invention, the exterior diameter of the insert assumes the centering of the fiber in the counterpiece. Through this embodiment, the glass fibers are centered in the coupling sleeve directly by the electroplated part.
According to another development of the invention, the part or parts are provided with radially extending side bars or portions which engage in corresponding grooves of the connector cylinder. The radial side bars have a diameter which is greater than or equal to the diameter of the connector cylinder. This embodiment renders it possible to obtain a particularly easy assembly of the parts. Due to the special design of the connector cylinder and the insert, the required precision is achieved solely through the inserts. The connector cylinder can be fabricated with a lesser degree of precision so that this design is particularly economical.
For the connection of multifiber cables with a random number of optical waveguides, the optical waveguide admission openings are preferably arranged annularly on the border of the parts. In addition, to the distribution of the admission openings about the circumference of the part, the part should be provided with at least two larger openings for positioning pins. In this manner, it is possible to connect many fibers in the narrow space. The other connector parts are so designed that the cable length is taken up by the housing and the glass fibers ~Z~19~8 are simple to introduce through the fiber guide slots into the connector.
Within the framework of the invention, the electroplated parts can also be designed with an angular cross-section. In addition, the fiber admission openings can be randomly arranged in the electroplated part.
In summary, it can be stated that the following advantages result from the invention. The electroplated parts of the invention enable an economical mass fabrication of parts with a high precision. The electroplated or electroformed parts provide positive connections in a radial direction between the connector cylinder and inserts and between the fiber emission openings and the glass fibers. The forming of the part by electroplating enables an optimum design of the openings for the fiber, the fiber guide and the fiber precentering. Through stacking of the inserts, greater guide lengths are attainable for the glass fibers than in the case of drilled connectors. The coupling attenuation of the optical waveguide connector pairs is strongly influenced by errors or offsets in alignment, surface roughness and the distance between the fiber cores. The error in the alignment is brought about by the diameter tolerances of the connector cylinders, the fiber admission openings and the optical waveguide fibers as well as by the deviation from the concentricity between the fiber core and connector cylinders.
The invention, through the special design of the precision part, solves the technical problem of manufacturing two precise cylinders coaxial in one part because the connector cylinder is separately fabricated and subsequently the self-centering electroplated parts which are formed by electroplating are mounted in the connector cylinder. These electroplated parts ~2~1~68 have, for example, quadratic or square optical waveguide openings so tha~ the or play between the glass fiber and the opening can be greatly reduced. In addition, large free spaces result at the corners in which the bonding agent such as a cement or solder can more easily penetrate than in the case of known cylindrical admission openings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. la is a longitudinal cross-sectional view with portions in elevation of a single connector with disk-shaped inserts having different geometry;
FIG. lb is an end view of the device of FIG. la;
FIG. 2a is a longitudinal cross-sectional view with portions in elevation for purposes of illustration of an embodiment of a single connector having inserts;
FIG. 2b is an end view of the connector of FIG. 2a;
FIG. 3a is a longitudinal cross-sectional view with portions in elevation of a connection according to the present invention for coupling cables with multiple fibers together; and FIG. 3b is an end view of a part of the connector in a disconnected condition.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The principles of the present invention are particularly useful in a single connector generally indicated at 50 in FIGS.
la and lb. The connector 50 has a connector cylinder 1 which has a hollow cylindrical cavity or recess 2 which receives a part 51 having a tapering guide core 3 with a cylindrical portion 3a. As illustrated, the part 51 is set in from an end of the cylinder 1 and the space between the end of the cylinder and the member 51 receives a plurality of inserts 5 which as illustrated consist of 12S19~8 four parts. The four parts or inserts are electroplated parts which have concentric openings for receiving a fiber 6 with its coating 7 removed therefrom. As illustrated, the openings in the parts 5 are substantially smaller than the opening 3a of the part 51. As illustrated, the fiber 6 with its coating 7 also is provided with a fiber sheath or shell 8. The threading-in of the glass fiber is facilitated at the innermost part 5' which is provided with tapered bevels 9 at its opening. Thus, the opening with the bevel 9 facilitates guiding the fiber 6 as it is inserted through the remaining admissicn openings such as admission opening 11 illustrated in FIG. lb. As illustrated in FIG. lb, the admission opening 11 has a quadratic or square configuration.
An embodiment of the connector is generally indicated at 53 in FIGS. 2a and 2b. The connector 53 has a connector cylinder la which has a recess 54 large enough to receive the sleeve or coating 7 of the fiber 6. Adjacent the end, the recess 54 has a converging tapered portion or conical portion 55 which approaches the diameter of the fiber 6. The end of the member la has a counterbore portion 56 with three radial slots 57 which receive a series such as four electroplated parts 5a which have a circular portion 58 with three ~adially extending bars or legs 10 as best illustrated in FIG. 2b. Each of the parts 5a has an admission opening such as the opening 12 which is illustrated as having a triangular configuration. The innermost bar 5a' is also provided with converging walls to facilitate guiding the fiber 6 therein.
A coupling generally indicated at 60 in FIGS. 3a and 3b is constructed to handle a cable having a plurality of light waveguides such as glass fibers 19. The device includes a pair of cylindrical connector parts 61 and 62, each of which have a lZSl~
coupling surface 16 and a cylindrical recess such as the recess 63 of the part 62. The recess 63 has step portions 64 opposite a coupling surface 16. As illustrated, the portion 64 of the recess 63 receives a stepped member 65 which has fiber guide slots 20 on its circumference. ~Jext to the part 65 is a part 23 which is a precentering part that is provided with axially extending bores 66 adjacent the periphery and these bores 66 line up with ad~ission openings 13 in a part 18 which along with the part 17 are electroplated parts. The part 18 besides having a plurality of admission openings 13 around the periphery of the part include some large bores 14 (FIG. 3b) which receives positioning or centering pins 15 (FIG. 3a). By utilizing the pins 15, the two parts 17 and 18 are axially aligned with their openings such as 13, which receive the fibers 19, being aligned. As mentioned hereinabove, the cable sleeve which is references 22 has a plurality of optical fibers having a coating 21. These fibers are guided through the guide slots 20 to the precentering part 23, the coating 21 is removed to expose only the fibers 19. The fibers 19 are positioned to extend through the bores 66 of the precentering part 23 and enter into the bores or openings such as 13 of the part 18. After cementing the parts in their various openings such as 13, the fibers are polished to lie in the plane of the surface 16. The two connectors such as 61 and 62 can be brought together by external connecting parts such as 67 and 68 and to prevent axial torsion or twisting between the two parts 61 and 62, a spline such as 24 is provided.
~Z51968 Although various minor modifications may be suggested by those versed in the art, it should be understood that we wish to embody within the scope of the part granted hereon, all such modifications as reasonably and properly come within the scope of our contribution to the art.
Claims (12)
1. In a precision part for optical waveguide connectors for the purpose of connecting cables having at least one fiber, said precision parts including a connector cylinder having a recess for optical waveguides and an insert, the improvements comprising the insert consisting of at least one self-centering electroplated part with each part having an optical waveguide admission opening of random geometry for each fiber of the cable, said connecting cylinder being a separately fabricated connecting cylinder and the electroplated parts being mounted in the recess of the connector cylinder.
2. In a precision part according to claim 1, wherein the electroplated parts exhibit optical waveguide admission openings selected from random geometrical shapes selected from a group consisting of quadratic, square, round and triangular shapes.
3. In a precision part according to claim 1, wherein the insert parts are manufactured with the emission openings having walls with different angles of slope to facilitate inserting a fiber therethrough.
4. In a precision part according to claim 1, wherein the electroplated parts are preferably manufactured from a material selected from the group consisting of copper and nickel.
5. In a precision part according to claim 4, wherein the glass fibers are secured in the emission openings by a material selected from the group consisting of cement and solder.
6. In a precision part according to claim 1, wherein the connector cylinder is fabricated from an abrasion-proof material, for example, V2A steel, with a precision exterior and interior diameter.
7. In a precision part according to claim 1, wherein the exterior diameter of the electroplated part assures the centering of the part in the recess.
8. In a precision part according to claim 7, wherein each of the electroplated parts is provided with a circular center portion with radially extending side bars projecting therefrom, said connector cylinder having slots extending from a cylindrical bore for receiving said side bars and said bars having a diameter which is greater than or equal to the diameter of the connector cylinder.
9. In a precision part according to claim 8, wherein the electroplated part is constructed with an angular cross-section.
10. In a precision part according to claim 8, wherein the fiber admission openings are randomly arranged.
11. In a precision part according to claim 1, wherein said part being utilized to interconnect cables with more than one optical waveguides, wherein the optical waveguide admission openings are preferably angularly arranged on the border of the electroplated part and are uniformly distributed on the circumference thereof, each of said electroplated parts having at least two larger openings, and a positioning pin received in each of said larger openings to align the electroplated part of one connector with the parts of the other connector.
12. In a precision part according to claim 11, wherein the fiber admission openings are randomly arranged.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEP3321643.6 | 1983-06-15 | ||
| DE19833321643 DE3321643A1 (en) | 1983-06-15 | 1983-06-15 | CONNECTOR FOR LESBARABLE CONNECTORS OF FOCUS |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1251968A true CA1251968A (en) | 1989-04-04 |
Family
ID=6201584
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000456433A Expired CA1251968A (en) | 1983-06-15 | 1984-06-13 | Connector part for detachable connector pairs of optical waveguides |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0129134A3 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPS6012519A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1251968A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE3321643A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (11)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS61160708A (en) * | 1985-01-09 | 1986-07-21 | Kawaguchiko Seimitsu Kk | Plug of optical fiber connector and its production |
| JPH0435846Y2 (en) * | 1985-04-04 | 1992-08-25 | ||
| JPS6222606U (en) * | 1985-04-11 | 1987-02-10 | ||
| JPS61185011U (en) * | 1985-05-09 | 1986-11-18 | ||
| JPS61198908U (en) * | 1985-05-31 | 1986-12-12 | ||
| JPS6243312U (en) * | 1985-09-05 | 1987-03-16 | ||
| DE3627803C1 (en) * | 1986-08-16 | 1987-07-09 | Heraeus Gmbh W C | Coupling part of a connector for optical fiber light guides |
| DE4105986A1 (en) * | 1991-02-26 | 1992-09-03 | Ant Nachrichtentech | Optical fibre centering device for optical track-plug - has packing of discs in sleeve with central aligned openings of various diameters to match range of applicable optical fibres |
| DE19951470C2 (en) * | 1999-10-26 | 2002-09-26 | Inst Mikrotechnik Mainz Gmbh | Ferrule for receiving at least one glass fiber and process for its production |
| TWI684038B (en) * | 2017-10-20 | 2020-02-01 | 凌國基 | Optical fiber connector and assembling structure thereof |
| US20230273522A1 (en) * | 2020-07-29 | 2023-08-31 | Soreq Nuclear Research Center | Method and apparatus for aligning arrays of optical fibers |
Family Cites Families (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4076379A (en) * | 1976-07-26 | 1978-02-28 | United Technologies Corporation | Fiber optic connector |
| US4148553A (en) * | 1976-11-22 | 1979-04-10 | International Telephone & Telegraph Corp. | Multifiber cable splicer |
| DE2758964B2 (en) * | 1977-12-30 | 1981-01-08 | Felten & Guilleaume Carlswerk Ag, 5000 Koeln | Plug for optical fibers with clock stone entry |
| FR2424553A1 (en) * | 1978-04-28 | 1979-11-23 | Jaeger | CONNECTION DEVICE FOR OPTICAL FIBERS |
| CA1132387A (en) * | 1979-08-27 | 1982-09-28 | James A. Badolato | Optical waveguide terminal with recessed optical surface |
| SE8005871L (en) * | 1980-08-21 | 1982-02-22 | Rune Lidholt | CENTERING PIECE FOR A PRECISION CONNECTOR FOR OPTICAL FIBERS |
| FR2493952A1 (en) * | 1980-11-13 | 1982-05-14 | Cables De Lyon Geoffroy Delore | OPEN FIBER SEALED |
-
1983
- 1983-06-15 DE DE19833321643 patent/DE3321643A1/en not_active Withdrawn
-
1984
- 1984-06-04 EP EP84106354A patent/EP0129134A3/en not_active Ceased
- 1984-06-13 JP JP12165784A patent/JPS6012519A/en active Pending
- 1984-06-13 CA CA000456433A patent/CA1251968A/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP0129134A3 (en) | 1986-12-30 |
| JPS6012519A (en) | 1985-01-22 |
| EP0129134A2 (en) | 1984-12-27 |
| DE3321643A1 (en) | 1984-12-20 |
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| MKEX | Expiry |