CN1189895A

CN1189895A - Fiber optic connector element

Info

Publication number: CN1189895A
Application number: CN96195157A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 理查德A·帕特森; 亚力山大R·马修斯
Original assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: 3M Co
Priority date: 1995-06-29
Filing date: 1996-06-05
Publication date: 1998-08-05

Abstract

A device for interconnecting the bare ends of two or more optical fibers uses a common receptacle having a fiber clamping element therein and camming surfaces for actuating the element, and at least one plug having a camming finger for engaging one of the camming surfaces. The camming surfaces are located such that, when only one of the camming surfaces is actuated, the clamping element rocks to a side of the pocket opposite the one camming surface and remains in the open state, but when both of the camming surfaces are actuated, the clamping element is forced to the closed state. The plug includes a fiber protector free to slide within the plug housing, substantially enclosing the bare end of the fiber when the plug housing is removed from the receptacle, but retracting when the plug housing is inserted into the receptacle to direct the bare end of the fiber toward said guide tube. A fiber collet biases the terminal end of the fiber toward the forward end of the plug to place a preload condition on the bare end of the fiber. The connector is particularly suited for cleave-and-bevel installations. The receptacle preferably uses a novel clamping element having two plate members with fiber-contacting surfaces, at least one of said fiber-contacting surfaces having a fiber-receiving groove. Edges of the plates are aligned and held together with a split tube spring. At least one of the plate members is provided with a wire-receiving groove and a wire therein which acts as a fulcrum to allow the plates to pivot along an axis defined by the wire. The split tube spring provides a precisely controlled load along the edges of the plates allowing the opposite ends to be clamped together (within the guide tube) by a force sufficient to overcome the controlled load of the split tube spring.

Description

Fiber optic connector

Invention field

The present invention relates generally to connector, more particularly relates to the connector of assembled again of the optical waveguide such as the used optical fiber of telecommunication.

Background technology

The used now discontinuous Optical fiber plug of multiple single mode all has accurate cylindrical ceramic sleeve pipe, and sleeve pipe all is installed in the plug.Naked glass optical fiber all is bonded in these sleeve pipes in the close-fitting axial hole, and optical fiber all polishes to form being connected of low insertion loss and low back-reflection with tube ends.The connector shell that is used for this tubular plug can have the ceramic jacket of opening, and it centers sleeve pipe and aligns when plug inserts the opposite end of shell.The sleeve pipe alignment can make the fibrillar center alignment and relatively low insertion loss is provided.Spring in the plug forces the fiber end face of polishing closely to contact, and lower back-reflection is provided.Ceramic jacket tubular type connector also has various ways, promptly contains angled polishing sleeve pipe/fiber ends, when cooperating with similar plug, can provide low-down back-reflection.

In the past few years, the price with discontinuous fiber optics connector of single mode of porcelain bushing has dropped and performance also increases.This price downward trend is expected to continue, and this is because the cost of porcelain bushing and ceramic alignment bosses descends; It also is limited that but the price of the joints of optical fibre relevant with the lower cost lower limit of porcelain bushing and cover descends.Used equally, now most of single mode porcelain bushing connectors all are loaded in factory on fiber-optic wire or the jumper cable.These connector lead-in wires all are weldings usually or mechanically are spliced on the fiber optic cable.Owing to be difficult to viscose fibre in porcelain bushing, and be difficult to critically polish fiber ends, ceramic jacket tubular type single mode connector is an only a few in on-the-spot the installation.Therefore, the higher cost of single mode porcelain bushing connector and the on-the-spot installation capability of shortage do not cause enough attention as yet in the prior art.

The another kind of pipeline that connects product, adopt a fiber clamping element in particular for the product of permanent joint, promptly making a plurality of grooves of position fibers and alignment and fiber duct with extrusion is characteristics.An example of this product is the Fibrlok joint component, is at present to make (trade mark that Fibrlok is 3M company) by the plasticity aluminium of monolithic.The profile of this element is rectangular usually, and is by made from die-cut this part of its carrier belt.One crooked focusing groove is divided into the rectangular element blank zone or the plate of two equal substantial rectangular.At least one plate has the position fibers and the clamping slot of V-arrangement, and groove is parallel with crooked focusing groove.The degree of depth of V-shaped groove is will expose 50 μ m from groove when the fiber of 125 μ m places this groove.Infundibulate fiber guide groove all is arranged on each end of V-arrangement position fibers groove.Relative plate also has infundibulate fiber guide groove, and leaves that crooked to focus on the distance of groove identical with infundibulate guide groove in first plate.

It is folding that flat Fibrlok blank focuses on groove along bending, be approximated to 5 to 10 angles of spending until a plate and another plate, and form by two structures of constituting of rigid plate basically, wherein have towards interior fiber clamping V-shaped groove, but they connect by the hinge that a knee springing makes plate do to move among a small circle along an edge.When being used for the Fibrlok joint, this folding V-arrangement element is positioned at a plastics chuck, it have with this part in position fibers and clamp the port that V-shaped groove aligns.One vinyl cover covers on the outward flange of open element plate or shank.This lid has the notched region of inclination, should can slide into the outside of this element leg down in the zone when lid is closed, and the two legs portion of this element is moved together, and a pair of fiber is clamped and center in V-shaped groove.

Selecting plasticity aluminium is because of its cost is low as the material of making the Fibrlok element, with and be easy to mold pressing and folding and can not break or fracture.In addition, the plasticity of aluminium makes it be easier to conform to the outside fiber surface, can not apply extra high stress load on fiber when fiber clamp being held in the V-arrangement locating slot.Yet also there are some defectives in this plastic material.For example, owing to fiber repeatedly is clamped in again fiber itself can not be embedded in the alignment slots fully, and be difficult to by making the grip block effect and be not used for reusing this element, and repeat to close again the aspect the element holding force or the alignment of fibers precision that may have reduce.So this element generally is not suitable for a connector that can assemble again.Another weakness of aluminium element is its higher thermal expansivity.This expansion can cause that the fiber end face that is held in fact at high temperature separates.If have little or nothing to do with, be very important if connector is assembled this under low-down temperature though connector is at room temperature assembled this.

Another potential vulnerability of aluminium element is to be difficult to run into when attempt behind various mold pressings and the folding operation is made cleaning to it.When on aluminium element carrying material, forming V-shaped groove and guide cone, often produce tiny aluminium powder, aluminium powder can adhere on the sidewall and edge of V-shaped groove.When folding element, also can focus on groove and produce granule or powdery aluminium along bending.If be inserted in the process of element at bare fibre, any in these aluminium powders or the particle moves, and they will adhere to the part of a fiber end face and its fuse of obstruction so, and seriously loss is inserted in influence.The attempt cleaning is arranged in the V-shaped groove fiber of soft plasticity aluminium through regular meeting's damage or scratch V-shaped groove before folding.Can not adopt abrasive cleaners, because they can be embedded in the soft aluminium sidewall of V-shaped groove.Cleaning element in fact also is impossible in folding back, and this is because the space is very little between the element leg.

Another latent defect of folding aluminium element is to be controlled at the close distance of all shanks of element in the fiber clamping operation very carefully.If all shanks are too far away from getting, the hinge of element can flick, and element just can not gripping fibers in action subsequently.And when adopting the different-diameter fiber in the hinged aluminium element, fiber of possibility gets loose than other fiber clamp, separate with fiber end and cause fiber to slide.So, needing a kind of clamping element of design, it can overcome above-mentioned defective.And have this element can be packed into one can assemble again, the advantage in the bare fibre connector, compare with ferrule connector, assembled bare fibre connector has obviously low initial cost again, and the connector that can provide a kind of single mode to use, its easy-to-use simple steps and at a low price and wieldy on-the-spot erecting tools do on-the-spot the installation, performance identical with existing thimble connector or better performance also can be provided.

Summary of the invention

The invention provides a kind of uncased bare fibre connector, it comprises a socket and two plug-assemblies substantially; Socket comprises a fiber clamp gripping member that can move between the opening and closing state; One has the conduit that holds the holder and a groove on the surface that becomes cam-shaped that is used to start holder; One have holding conduit inside pedestal and be used for the lid that is fixed on holder in the groove and conduit is fixed on base interior.Each plug-assembly is used for cooperating with socket, and comprises a jack shell; One is fixed on the naked end of a fiber part in the jack shell and the naked end of fiber is positioned at the collet chuck of jack shell front end; And one install on the jack shell front end and outward extending from it cam-shaped finger, and its position is that the cam-shaped finger nestles up cammed surfaces forcibly when jack shell is inserted in the socket fully.Preferably have the locking characteristics on jack shell and socket, removably jack shell is fixed on the socket, promptly connector can assemble again.

The size of the socket in the socket conduit can make holder swing in groove, the position of cammed surfaces is when only a described cammed surfaces starts, holder is put a side of the socket relative with cammed surfaces, and stay open state, have only when two cammed surfaces start, holder just is forced to be in closed condition.

Each plug-assembly comprises that preferably one is arranged in jack shell and connection fiber guard member thereon; this guard member can be free to slide in jack shell; when jack shell is left socket; the fiber guard member is sealed the naked end of fiber basically, has only to insert socket when jack shell and just withdraw so that the naked end of fiber is pointed to described conduit.Collet chuck is preferably to the biasing of jack shell front end, to impose a preload state on the naked end at fiber when jack shell is inserted socket.The optional only ability starting cam shape surface when the naked end of fiber has been inserted in the socket fully that gets of the size and dimension of cam-shaped finger.

Connector of the present invention is specially adapted to disconnect and bevel is installed, and the compressive load of cutting oblique fiber end face before clamping can insert the splendid performance of acquisition aspect loss and the back-reflection two.All end faces flexibly mutually relatively flatten, and can get rid of this all air of fiber end face.End face preferably selectively cuts at an angle with the further back-reflection that improves.

Socket can adopt the holder of prior art, and novel element disclosed herein produces additional advantage in the time of can and using in the manufacturing of connector.This new holder has two plates that respectively have a fiber surface of contact, and at least one described fiber surface of contact has the groove that holds fiber that is formed at wherein.The edge of plate all aligns with notch pipe spring and keeps together.Preferably dwindle gradually to fixed edge at least one panel thickness direction, all like this plates separate in the end relative with gripping edge.At least one plate has and holds wire groove and be contained in wherein a tinsel, and parallel with the groove that holds fiber substantially, it can play a fulcrum effect so that plate along pivoting by the axle that tinsel constituted.Notch pipe spring provides accurate controlled load along the plate edge, make the opposite end by a power that is enough to overcome the controlled load of notch pipe spring be clamped together (in conduit).The V-shaped groove that holds fiber can be by sliding another root fiber and making the element action, element is failure to actuate, takes fiber away and formation in advance factory from element then around fiber in holder.Plate can be made by the material with suitable thermal expansivity, to avoid fiber end creep in the temperature cycles process.This new element makes moderate progress the performance that repeats to assemble again; and provide fiber is installed on the device that on the buffer coat, also clamps and eliminate strain; and protect the fiber end face of naked glass optical fiber and disconnection/bevel, and have and guarantee that fiber end can enter the alignment of fibers element and the guiding and the alignment characteristics of the phenomenon that can not occur hanging up.

The summary of accompanying drawing

Can understand the present invention better by the description of doing below in conjunction with accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is the stereographic map of an embodiment of the joints of optical fibre of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is the side view of connector shown in Figure 1;

Fig. 3 is the vertical view of connector shown in Figure 1;

Fig. 4 is the exploded perspective view of connector shown in Figure 1;

Fig. 5 is according to the present invention and the another kind of fiber alignment that can use with connector shown in Figure 1 and the side view of clamping element;

Fig. 6 is the stereographic map that contains the connector tray of a plurality of connectors shown in Figure 1;

Fig. 7 is the stereographic map that is used for the another kind of connector that panel installs manufactured according to the present invention;

Fig. 8 does duplex design and the stereographic map of another connector of making according to the present invention;

Fig. 9 is the stereographic map of another connector manufactured according to the present invention, and it has a plug and socket to replace two plugs and a shared socket.

The description of preferred embodiment

Consult accompanying drawing below, Fig. 1 and 2 especially, they show an embodiment 10 of the joints of optical fibre of the present invention.Connector 10 total being made up of a shell or socket 12, this socket has two openends that hold plug-

assembly

14 and 16 respectively.In an illustrated embodiment, plug-assembly 14 is for optical fiber 18 design of one 250 μ m, and plug-assembly 16 is for optical fiber 20 designs of one 900 μ m.Although connector 10 is applicable to the interconnected of different fibers, when connecting the fiber of same size, can use too certainly.Connector 10 can be used for the fiber of single model or polytypic.

Fig. 3 and 4 shows the CONSTRUCTED SPECIFICATION of socket 12 and plug-assembly 14 and 16.Plug-assembly 14 comprises fiber guard member 22, a guard member spring 24, a collet chuck 26, a collet chuck shell 28, a collet chuck circle 30, a collet chuck spring 32, a plug body 34, a plug body spring 35, a plug body 38 and of the tubulose cover 40 (Fig. 2 and 3 not shown) that eliminates stress.Except compression spring, all these parts preferably are made of the polymkeric substance that a kind of firm injectable is shaped, for example polyethersulfone (PES), polycarbonate (being called LEXAN on the market), polyarylsulfone (sold by Amoco, the trade mark is RADEL), polybutyleneterephthalate (PBT), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherimide (PEI), liquid crystal polymer or acronitrile-butadiene-styrene.These parts by assembled in sequence shown in Figure 4 together.Fiber guard member 22 can slide into and skid off plug body 34, and is socket 12 biasings by spring 24 towards the front end of plug-assembly 14.Some projectioies or lug 42 protrude in the periphery of fiber guard member 22, and some grooves 44 engagements with on the side that is formed on plug body 34 break away from plug body 34 fully to prevent guard member 22, and prevent guard member 22 rotations.There is a wall end forward of fiber guard member 22, and a hole concentric with the external diameter of front end arranged on this wall, and the diameter in this hole is approximately than the big 0.05mm of diameter of fiber (0.222 ").When plug-assembly 14 inserted socket 12, because guard member 22 shift-in plug body 34, the terminal of fiber 18 can slip over this hole and accurately locate.Enter the structure close alignment on the end of naked fiber and the clamping element, in the process of inserting, to prevent the damage of fiber uncoated end portion.In taking off the process of plug, in the whole retraction guard members of uncoated end portion of having demonstrate,proved fiber before guard member is extracted out from socket of trying hard to keep on the guard member, thus the uncoated end portion of protection fiber.

The fiber buffer of 250 μ m is sandwiched in the three-jaw collet chuck 26 that is contained in collet chuck shell 28 inside.Collet chuck 26 and collet chuck shell 28 can move axially about 1.3mm (0.050 ") in plug body 34 inside, and 32 pairs of collet assemblies of its medi-spring provide the preloading of about 0.9N (0.2lbs) of front end of plug-assembly on one day.Plug body 38 snap-buttons are engaged on the outside of plug body 34, and resist another and preload spring 36 and slide with respect to plug body 34.The cover 40 that eliminates stress can make the fiber buffer that withdraws from the plug rear end eliminate bending stress.

Plug-assembly 16 comprises that a similar fiber guard member 46, a guard member spring 48, a plug body 50, a plug body spring 52, a collet chuck 54, a plug body 56 and another stress eliminates cover 58 (Fig. 2 and 3 not shown).The polymkeric substance that all these parts (equally except that compression spring) also preferably are shaped by injectable constitutes.The same with plug-assembly 14, fiber guard member 46 remains in the plug body 50 by outstanding outwardly snap-button structure, and this fiber guard member 46 can be slided but can not be rotated.Spring 48 promptly is pre-loaded into guard member 46 towards socket 12 towards the front end of 900 μ m plug-assemblies.Collet chuck 54 is contained in the inside of plug body 50, when this collet chuck fully axially enters the rear portion of plug body 50, just clamps 900 μ m fiber buffers.Plug body 56 also snap-button is engaged on the plug body 50, and its slip is restricted, and spring 52 provides one to preload between plug body 56 and plug body 50.

All plug-assemblies have the inner structure that cooperates of part, and these structures allow plug-assemblies to finish assembling in factory, reducing on-the-spot number of spare parts, thereby make the degree that reaches most convenient of installing.These structures allow setters to prepare aforesaid fiber end simply, and it is inserted plug-assembly, and make the promotion collet chuck and the guard member that fiber is fixed to plug-assembly is withdrawn fully with less instrument, thus the termination fiber that will connect.Under the situation of fibre breakage, these structures are shifted by make collet chuck with an assembly tool, and take off fiber, provide folding to remove the means of termination.Can prepare fiber end more then, and reinstall as previously mentioned.

Socket 12 comprises a matrix 60, a lid 62, an inner orientation pipe 64 and a clamping element 66.Matrix 60 and lid 62 have formed the outside of socket together, and they are constructed by the polymkeric substance that any firm injectable is shaped to form.Guide pipe 64 also can be formed by the material that a kind of like this injectable is shaped.Guide pipe 64 snap-buttons fit into the center of socket matrix 60, the circular port of aliging with V-shaped groove in this clamping element 66 when it has in clamping element 66 is installed in guide pipe 64.

Clamping element 66 is preferably gone out by a kind of metal material mold pressing, and it adopts and is similar to United States Patent (USP) the 5th, 189, the V-shaped groove technology shown in 717.Clamping element 66 is that flat plate is formed by two basically, and the edge of the length direction of this two boards is linked together by an elastic hinge.These plates are unlimited slightly around hinge axis usually, and its unlimited angle is preferably between about 1 to 8 °.Wherein the inside surface of a plate alignment of fibers V-shaped groove is arranged and be positioned at each end of V-shaped groove in half chamber (an infundibulate groove) of the importing fiber of this plate outer ledge, described half chamber is at 1/4 place of the width of the about plate of distance hinge.V-shaped groove is parallel to hinge.The inside surface of another piece plate except be flat basically the fiber that aligns at the guiding structure on the relative plate imports second half of funnel.When plug-

assembly

14 and 16 inserted the socket of connectors, the fiber guiding structure had guaranteed that fiber successfully introduces the V-shaped groove in the element.

To in and the V-shaped groove of clamped fibers be on the plate of element, to extrude a degree of depth, make the outer surface of fiber protrude in V-shaped groove, its projecting height is about 20% of its diameter.Like this when each plate of element or supporting leg separately open wide or during disconnected position, have enough spaces between the side of the V-shaped groove in the plane surface of a plate and another plate therein, the end that can make fiber insert V-shaped groove, and along the V-shaped groove slip, resistance is little when sliding.But the adapted space between the surface of V-shaped groove and relative plate is not big to making fiber leave V-shaped groove, or when two fibers of cutting sth. askew during respectively from the relative two ends insertion of V-shaped groove, makes this two fiber of cutting sth. askew overlapping.When the top relative with hinge of two boards is pulled to a time-out, the pitch smaller between V-shaped groove and the relative plate.Loosen under (not being pushed) state at it, the degree of separation of two supporting legs of element is enough to make an optical fiber can insert the opposite end of V-shaped groove, makes connection between these fibers approximately be positioned at the center of element.When element is pushed or close up (as will be described below such), the supporting leg of element is pulled to together around elastic hinge, and then these optical fiber are sandwiched in the V-shaped groove.Also can be provided in the part that holds the fiber groove is arranged on the two boards.Advantageously, can be in factory by a fiber clamp be processed these grooves between two boards, thus the centering of more uniform rooved face smooth finish and fiber is provided.Can form a plurality of grooves to be used for fabric strip.

Fiber shown in Fig. 4 in and clamping element 66 be designed to make by pressing mold for example, die-cut and folding technology by the metal of monolithic or polymeric material.This element is very similar to the part in being used in the Fibrlok fibre-optical splice.But other structure also can be provided, and for example a kind of element of being made up of plate two separation, that linked together by an elastic tube will be described in detail below.

Clamping element 66 is enclosed in the socket 68 at guide pipe 64 tops.On any side of socket 68, the flexible hinge flap is set, on outer ledge on this flap, contains cammed surfaces 70 and 72.When plug is pushed into socket, cammed surfaces 70 with 72 with contact with respective cams shape surface on the promotion finger 74 and 76 that 16 front end is stretched into from plug body 14 respectively.When two plug-

assemblies

14 and 16 all insert socket 12, promote the cammed surfaces contact element cam-shaped flap 70 on the finger 74 and 76 and 72 the outside at plug, and flap is pushed away together.

Position in that they open wide has enough spaces between the bifoldable plate, be used for pivoting about this element or swing, and the angle of passing through preferably is about 5 to 10 °.If have only a plug-assembly to insert, the promotion finger of this plug body is pushed corresponding cam-shaped flap to the center line of socket 68, but because another flap does not contact any surface, element 66 beats are to a side of socket 68, so this element 66 can not crowded around fiber or fiber is clamped in the V-shaped groove.But, when another plug also inserts, its promotion finger can be pushed relative cam-shaped flap to the center line of socket 68 backward, and this moment is owing to this element is forced near living two cam-shaped flaps, so each fiber in the V-shaped groove is crowded around and be clamped in to each plate of element.Like this, in the process that plug inserts and takes off, fiber must carry out protection, guiding, in and clamp operation all in this process, taken place.Locking mechanism on socket matrix 60 outsides and

plug body

38 and 56 removably are fixed to plug-

assembly

14 and 16 on the socket 12.Connector plug inserts socket can make the lug on each

plug body

38 and 56 each side slide in touching the lock portion that discharges locking member.When each lug passed through lock portion, then they moved together backward, thereby the plug body of connector is remained in the interior position of socket.In order to discharge each connector plug, touch locking member towards the plug body direction pressure of connector, the lug on lock portion and the plug body is broken away from, plug body and connector plug body just can withdraw from connector body like this.

The lid 62 of socket is assembled on the socket matrix 60 by locking finger 78, clamping element and pipe 64 snap-buttons in matrix 60 inside, has finished connector receptacle assembly like this.Lid 62 also comprises surface and wall construction 80, and their supportings promote finger 74 and 76 flat, no cam-shaped, relative side, bend outwards because of the contact and the cam-shaped power of crowding around clamping element 66 in case finger is moved in thrust.This embodiment of the present invention allow for example fiber in clamping element, rupture or clamping element in have under the situation of contaminating impurity and take out lid with replacing clamping element 66.Only need a small tool that locking finger 78 is pressed onto together, make them break away from mating holes in each comfortable matrix 60, so that take off lid 62.Socket 12 and plug 14 can be provided with groove line bump 82 and 84 (see figure 1)s respectively, so that the good thumb and the clamping action of finger to be provided.

Consult Fig. 5 below, there is shown a novel clamping element 90, this clamping element is compared with the clamping element 66 of monolithic has several advantages, mainly is that especially this monolithic folding Zhe element 66 has those materials of big wearing quality and hardness because the material of structure clamping element 90 has multiplely.What new clamping element 90 was total is that flat

rectangular slab

92 and 94 form by two basically, and this two boards tilts a little along an edge 96,98.These edges shown in the figure flush each other, although this is preferable, they fully neat not must, as long as the efficient frontier substantial alignment of each plate, the pivotal action that will describe below carrying out is just enough.In the zone that each plate tilts, form narrow V-shaped groove 100 and 102.On the flat rear side of each plate of clamping element and beveled end, form

darker groove

104 and 106 in position near the edge of the beveled end of clamping element.Wherein the plate 92 of a flat clamping element has the position fibers and the clamping slot 108 of a V-arrangement, at each end of V-shaped groove one V-arrangement introducing port is arranged.The plate 94 of the clamping element that another is relative has a pair of paired half-cone fiber lead-in groove 110.Groove 104 and 106 on two supporting leg load plates 92 of the sleeve 112 of one fluting and 94 the rear side keeps together plate 92 and 94.As relevant clamping element 66 is mentioned, can form two grooves, on each piece plate, form one, rather than only form a groove with flat area supported.Sleeve 112 is preferably by making such as copper beryllium alloy or stainless metal material, and opening a little, with the plate of assembling clamping element, and puts in the locating slot.This structure provides preloading of a small amount of power between

plate

92 and 94.

One alignment and pivot tinsel 114 insert the cooperation V-

shaped groove

100 and 102 than thickness portion of the tilting zone that is arranged in the clamping element plate selectively.Tinsel 114 plays the effect of a pivotal axis or rotating hinge, and when two plates in the process that fiber clamps, force together with sloping portion opposite external side edge in, keep two

boards

92 and 94 suitably to align.In its open mode, sleeve pushes away the outside of each plate, forces each plate at hinge tinsel 114 places and also along edge's contact of the thin part of the tilting section of each plate.At open position,

plate

92 and 94 inside edge preferably are positioned as the angle that about 5 degree are arranged each other.This opening degree can insert position fibers V-shaped groove 108 from the opposed edges of two boards easily even as big as making one 125 μ m optical fiber.Between the plane surface of the both sides of V-shaped groove and the cooperation of relative plate, the have an appointment space of 15 to 25 μ m of fiber.This pore volume has guaranteed that fiber end face (end face of especially cutting sth. askew) can contact with V-shaped groove, but does not allow each fiber to pass through each other at the middle part of V-shaped groove in the process of inserting.Half infundibulate fiber guiding structure on the plate of clamping element has guaranteed that each fiber can enter V-shaped groove during insertion easily.

When using fiber that block and that cut sth. askew in connector 10, described that block and the fiber of cutting sth. askew inserts from the opposite end of clamping element 90, and their end face contacts with each other in about center of clamping element.The most handy one longitudinal loading that is about 0.9N (0.2lbs) makes fiber mutually facing to advancing, make the fiber end face that blocks that area reduces each other to supporting elasticity flatten, insert loss and back-reflection thereby reduce.For each fiber is clamped in the V-shaped groove, the unchamfered edge of clamping element plate is pulled to together (as clamping element 66), and

plate

92 and 94 is pivoted around the pivot tinsel at first, so that the motion of the chamfered edge of clamping element separately.At some constantly, draw close when mobile when each plate of clamping element, the gap between the V-shaped groove of clamped fibers and each fiber dwindles, and fiber is clamped.Additional the drawing close at each plate top of clamping element finally makes plate contact with fiber fully, and disengages with the hinge tinsel.At this moment, the clamping force on the accurate controlling fiber of the clamping force of sleeve.Theoretically, can accurately provide the clamping force of any degree, this power to fiber is to provide the power of preferably about 44.5N (10lbs) by the size of formulating sleeve.If some difference of the diameter of each fiber, sleeve is elastic deformation advantageously, and wherein the deformation ratio other end of an end is slightly bigger, to adapt to the inharmonious of fibre diameter.Therefore, for example adopt among the present invention of the blocking of axial prestrain and the fiber of splaying at bare fiber connector, clamping element 90 is useful especially.

Clamping element 90 with particularly be used in naked fiber and be connected existing full aluminium element in the occasion and compare and have many advantages.In present Fibrlok element, hinge and element are one, and make with identical materials.In present element, form this hinge and require the material of element that very strong plasticity is arranged the most at the beginning, subsequently can work hardening, in the very little scope of a motion, to provide the elastic hinge characteristic.This has just limited the material category of the element that can be used for making this structure.In component structure with sleeve and hinge new two boards wiry, can select the element board material according to the characteristic that needs most, these characteristics are can satisfy the processing of eliminating surface particles, prevent that fiber from the wearing quality of impression and hardness, easy to clean, low thermal coefficient of expansion occurring (less than 12 * 10 in V-shaped groove ^-6Inch/inch/°F) and resistance to chemical attack.This structural degree of freedom has been arranged, just can consider the material of element in very big scope.Some material with element 90 desirable characteristics comprises stainless steel, titanium, pottery, glass and the low CTE that some are possible, the polymkeric substance of high rigidity.Element 90 is made easily than existing element, this be because omitted that needed hinge is shaped and folding processing, in the processing that is shaped, almost do not have material require to move and the plane surface of element with very durable and easier cleaning.Even after each plate is by a bigger moving range, crowd around, also require sleeve separately that comparison uniform fibers clamping force is provided.Even this part than closing up of requiring nearer, sleeve 112 also has the ability that required fiber clamping force is provided.Formerly in the component structure of technology, the element that too closes up can make hinge expansion or distortion, produces very big fiber clamping force in first meeting like this.In closing up subsequently, the hinge of distortion just can not provide suitable clamping force to go fiber is clamped in the V-shaped groove.

Although new component structure is for basic connection occasion designs, also can be applicable to splice in the occasion, promptly optical fiber is forever interconnected.The length of the aluminium element in the previous Fibrlok splicing changes with variation of temperature.Can believe that when the length of element varies with temperature and when changing, this can cause that the fiber end face slightly separately and return and be close together.The refractive index match gel that also can be used in joint that moves forward and backward of same fiber end face flows around fiber end, and might produce bubble or make the gel between the fibre core have dust particle, thereby blocks the light of some transmission.Therefore, the element material that thermal expansivity is very low helps eliminating the potential possibility that gel moves and bubble forms or transmit dust particle between the fiber end of fiber core zone accordingly.Also can give an example, in these examples, the starting efficiency of the assembling joint of prior art descends because of the chip of making in dust or the fiber in the aluminium element clamping V-shaped groove.Can not destroy the number percent that the clamping element such as element 90 that the material of V-shaped groove constitutes can improve the low loss splice that initial efficiency of assembling or increase produce by bearing very strict cleaning.Owing to the scope of the element board material that can be used for the new construction element is wider, can estimate to provide for splicing the element of a kind of " more cleaning ".

Connector of the present invention can have multiple different purposes.Fig. 1-4 shows one and is used for the connector 10 that tray is installed occasion, and two fiber plug is inserted the end of socket.In this embodiment, connector body 12 does not have overhanging mounting edge, but has an inner chamber, and it can block on the erection column 116 that fits on the flat board, connector for example shown in Figure 6 deposits/bottom of fiber management dish in.The outer shape of this dish mounted connector embodiment can keep as far as possible little, and connector can be close mutually like this, and the volume of occupying is very little.Dish 118 can be adorned 4 connectors at most.Pillar 116 can be hollow, and the thin rod shape instrument can insert hollow parts so that connector is lifted from pillar like this, and carries away outside the dish, and is convenient near each connector.This system is specially adapted to family expenses optical fiber and connects.In the design shown in Fig. 1-4 and 6,250 μ m plugs are by the springs preload lotus, and 900 μ m plugs are installed under the plug solid state, and needn't be by the springs preload lotus.Though two plug design differences of Fig. 1-4, they also can have identical design, as long as at least one plug is equipped with and is used for the device of an optical fiber to another preload.This device preferably makes fiber terminal end faces be subjected to the effect of the compressive load of 0.09N at least.The inside of dish 118 can be provided with one or more bobbins that are used to store the undue optical fiber that relaxes.Very thin bobbin can be set, bobbin can be stacked in (not shown) on the common pillar that is molded on trying to get to the heart of a matter, each root fiber can be respectively around to bobbin like this, and the bobbin by removing required fiber top can be near required fiber then, and can disturbance (and may damage) other optical fiber.

Fig. 7 shows the another kind of embodiment 120 of connector of the present invention, has the overhanging mounting flange 122 of band mounting hole 124.Connector 120 is installed on a connector panel (not shown), and this plate can be the part of optical fiber dispensing apparatus.Panel-mount connector 120 can be positioned at the center, so that point near each connector, and can not disturb contiguous connector or its optical fiber.

Fig. 1-4 and 6-7 show according to design of the present invention, and they can be used for the optical fiber that each is single and are installed on each connector plug.Fig. 8 illustrates another kind of design, wherein adopted two with the similar single connector of connector 10 to produce duplex joints of optical fibre 130.

Connector plug

132 and 134 in the duplex connector 130 has dual spring and adds fiber optic protection device, predispersed fiber load device (spring) and the optical fiber clamping device (collet chuck) that cuts.Duplex connector shell or socket 136 have two alignment elements and two groups of inlets of the internal optical fiber targeting part that is used for the duplex connector plug.The optical fiber of this form connector preferably is about 8mm at interval.

The design of Fig. 1-4 and 6-8 all is plug-shell-plug design; Yet also can design a kind of connector according to the present invention, it can adopt the interconnection mode identical with plug-shell-plug, has only a plug and center shell for good and all to become as a whole.Such connector 140 is called plug and the design of seat formula, as shown in Figure 9, comprise substantially and plug 14 or 16 similar single plugs 142, and the function part that contains a clamping and alignment element 90 and another plug all is combined in a socket 144 in the unit.Connector 140 is specially adapted to those situations (for example the place ahead of panel) of only stressing to arrange optical fiber at connector one.The optical fiber of connector opposite side (panel rear) is permanent, need not reset.Plug and the shell combination of aliging to be to form a connector socket, can reduce connector part number, connector size and the connector cost is descended.As employed in claims, " socket " speech has comprised double plug socket 12 and socket 144 these two-layer meanings.

The use of aforementioned any connector all is very direct.After optical fiber was cut sth. askew, cleaned and detects, they were all packed in the connector plug.Cut sth. askew and for example can adopt as U.S. Patent application No.08/122,755 described instruments are finished.At first an empty connector plug that assembles (not containing a cover) is packed in a small-sized operation tool or the anchor clamps.This instrument (not shown) can provide a kind of device, be used for 1) optical fiber of preparation is introduced connector plug, 2) provide the length location for optical fiber connector, naked like this glass optical fiber length in connector plug is suitable, and 3) be operatively connected the interior collet chuck of device plug to clip to fibre buffer, and optical fiber is fixed in the connector plug, and need use bonding or constraint instrument.The optical fiber of preparation inserts the fibre-optical bending strain relief boot, and should slide along optical fiber by cover, and moves to the next door.During the connector plug finished of assembling was packed erecting tools into then, the disconnection of optical fiber and bevel end inserted the rear end of connector plug.Optical fiber is pushed to the fiber optic protection end of connector, runs into until the end of splaying of optical fiber to be positioned at a backstop locating device in fiber optic protection device the place ahead of retraction slightly.When optical fiber is in desired location, the technician handles a handle on the erecting tools, this instrument axially forces collet chuck to enter the collet chuck shell, and enduringly fibre buffer is clipped in the connector plug body or is clipped in the spring-loaded collet assembly, this depends on the type of plug of assembling.

It is preferable that connector of the present invention is used to connect the optical fiber that its end face splayed.The oblique angle preferably is about 45 °, is that angle is about 90 °, though angle can be in 30 ° to 160 ° scopes.Splaying to stay a flat center on fiber end face, its diameter is preferably between 20 and 120 μ m.Core can be angled, promptly with shaft axis of optic fibre be not quadrature to reduce back-reflection.

Connector plug is from moving tool up away, and can adopt the constraint ring etc. of standard any reinforcement (Kevlar support) directly to be fixed on the plug body of connector plug of 900 μ m types.The design of 250 μ m connector plugs also can be used with enhanced optical cable type, considers that of loading in clamping place in the collet chuck and the optical fiber between the connector rear end at spring is arc, and plug body must enlarge.This fiber bow zone is necessary, this be because spring-loaded collet chuck overcomes 0.9N (0.20 pound) spring force that adds in advance by pusher in connecting body, to produce the size of desired compression pre-tension at optical fiber connector.One long plug body (not shown) can provide enough inner space to hold additional fiber lengths, as a fiber bow part, when optical fiber is clipped in the connector plug rear portion securely, insert in the shell procedure in connector inside by pusher at plug then.The final step of optical fiber installation procedure is to make strain relief boot sliding support optical fiber, and it is pressed onto on the Hollow Pillar, and its buffered optical fiber is passed through this Hollow Pillar at the rear portion of connector plug body.Aforesaid, disconnect and need to change or disconnect again and during bevel, cushion collet chuck and can throw off connection in that connector is inner when optical fiber takes place, and removable optical fiber.

Connector plug just prepares and inserts in a connector socket or the socket then.First plug (for example 149) inserts socket, bottom the socket until fiber optic protection spare enters and touch conduit 64 in.The continuous motion of plug can make fiber optic protection spare overcome and slide in the plug body after the compression spring effect makes fiber optic protection spare, and makes and disconnect and the optical fiber of bevel enters in the V-shaped groove in this element.The additional promotion that plug enters shell causes optical fiber to continue to slip in the element, slightly exceeds this part center until optical fiber connector.Carve at this moment, the connector plug body aligns with the front of the socket that aligns.Continue to promote the connector plug lid and can make the cam-shaped finger of covering on the front portion push this element operation wing to this element, thereby on optical fiber, close this part with cam.If other plug is not installed in the opposite side of socket, the fibre clip gripping member will only be put the side in the groove 68, and the glass optical fiber of bevel end just is not held in this part.Plug body (for example 38) is pushed to socket, and the snap close on socket cooperates to be locked with the locking plate of plug body side.

When other plug (for example 16) inserted the socket opposite end, its fiber optic protection device touched the end, and optical fiber is introduced the end of this part 90.Relatively the plug continuous motion that enters shell promotes the V-shaped groove of its optical fiber along this part, and towards the end of other optical fiber.When two optical fiber connectors were run in V-shaped groove mutually, the compression spring that is pressed on the slip optical fiber collet chuck in plug began compression, and optical fiber connector is pre-loaded to required load.Continuation adds prestrain on optical fiber, concordant with the end of the socket that aligns until the plug body of other connector plug.Carve at this moment, optical fiber mutually facing to prestrain, does not just clamp in this part V-shaped groove.The jack shell of other plug will continue to move this moment, and make its operation finger immigration shell center and close on prestrain and the static optical fiber with this part of cam driven.When the snap fit of other plug, finish the connection between the optical fiber.

900 μ m plugs 16 have been designed to have a selectable tensile property, and it can be operated between finger on the plug body 50 and conduit 64.These parts all have the cooperation flexible fingers, and they can be worked in coordination when plug body enters 900 μ m ends of socket fully.These finger are locked into plug body on the alignment socket, and make 900 μ m plug ends tensions of connector.The connector other end also can have this tension characteristics, and just plug body should extend so that the arcuate section in the optical fiber is contained between spring-loaded collet chuck, prestrain assembly and the connector plug rear end.

Though more than specific embodiments of the invention are described, these are described and not to be meaned limitation of the invention.Those of ordinary skill in the art also can be made multiple variation and make alternate embodiment with reference to foregoing description the present invention.So will be understood that these changes in the spirit or scope of the present invention all drop on appended claims and limited.

Claims

1. aim at and fix the product of the terminal of two optical fiber for one kind, it comprises:

One first plate, it has a fiber surface in contact and an edge;

One second plate, it has a fiber surface in contact and an edge, be formed with a fiber receiving slit at least one described fiber surface in contact, the described fiber surface in contact of described first plate is arranged to the described fiber surface in contact of described second plate adjacent, the described edge of described first plate roughly with the described justified margin of described second plate;

The device that described plate is vertically clamped along their described edge.

2. product as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that:

Described first plate has a fiber surface in contact opposed outer surface described with it, has the groove of a longitudinal extension on the described outside surface of described first plate in contiguous its described edge;

Described second plate has a fiber surface in contact opposed outer surface described with it, has the groove of a longitudinal extension on the described outside surface of described second plate in contiguous described edge; And

Described clamp device comprises a notch pipe spring, and this spring has first and second edges, and they are embedded in respectively in the described groove on the described outside surface of described first and second plates.

3. product as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, the thickness of at least one described plate diminishes towards its described edge direction, and described two plates separate at the other end place at described edge.

4. product as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, at least one described plate has point device, allows described plate to pivot around an axis that is roughly parallel to described fiber receiving slit.

5. product as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, each described plate by thermal expansivity less than 12 * 10 ^-6Inch/inch/°F material constitute.

6. product as claimed in claim 3 is characterized in that, described clamp device provides the load of accurate control along described edge, is held on together by a power that is enough to overcome described clamp device to allow the described plate described end relative with described edge.

7. product as claimed in claim 4 is characterized in that, each described plate has an end relative with its described edge, when the described edge of two described plates each other fully against the time, an angle in 1 ° to 8 ° scope is opened in two described ends.

8. product as claimed in claim 6 is characterized in that:

Described first plate has a fiber surface in contact opposed outer surface described with it, has the groove of a longitudinal extension on the described outside surface of described first plate in contiguous described edge;

Described second plate has a fiber surface in contact opposed outer surface described with it, has the groove of a longitudinal extension on the described outside surface of described second plate in contiguous described edge;

9. product as claimed in claim 8, it is characterized in that, when the described edge of two described plates each other fully against the time, angle in 1 ° to 8 ° scope of the described end flare up of two described plates, the size of described fiber receiving slit and space are made for when open as described above the described end of described plate, there are enough allowances to insert a fiber therein, are enough to prevent that two fiber end faces of splaying from passing over each other the other side in groove but the described allowance of described fiber receiving slit is still very little.

10. socket with two optical fiber interconnections, it comprises:

One shell;

One is positioned at the clamping element of described shell, and described clamping element comprises: one first plate, this plate have a fiber surface in contact, an edge and an end relative with described edge; One second plate, this plate also has a fiber surface in contact, an edge and an end relative with described edge, be formed with a fiber receiving slit at least one described fiber surface in contact, the described fiber surface in contact of described first plate is arranged to the described fiber surface in contact of described second plate adjacent, the described edge of described first plate roughly with the described justified margin of described second plate; With two described plates are vertically clamped along their described edge, make two described end separating become first clamp device of open configuration; And

Be positioned at described shell, the described end clips of two plates be held in second clamp device that described clamping element is become close up state.

11. socket as claimed in claim 10 is characterized in that:

Described first clamp device comprises a notch pipe spring, and this spring has first and second edges, and they are embedded in respectively in the described groove on the described outside surface of described first and second plates.

12. socket as claimed in claim 11 is characterized in that, the thickness of at least one described plate diminishes gradually towards its described edge direction.

13. socket as claimed in claim 12, it is characterized in that, when the described edge of two described plates each other fully against the time, angle in 1 ° to 8 ° scope of the described end flare up of two described plates, the size of described fiber receiving slit and space are made for when described plate opens as described above, there are enough allowances to insert a fiber therein, are enough to prevent that two fiber end faces of splaying from passing over each other the other side in groove but the described allowance of described fiber receiving slit is still very little.

14. socket as claimed in claim 13, it is characterized in that, the described fiber receiving surface of at least one of described plate has a tinsel receiving slit that is roughly parallel to described fiber receiving slit, and comprise that one is arranged in the tinsel of described tinsel receiving slit, described tinsel enough can play point action greatly, allows described plate to pivot around the axis that described tinsel limited.

15. socket as claimed in claim 14 is characterized in that:

Described shell comprises a base element and a cover piece, and they detachably are connected in described base element, and described shell allows by pulling down described cover piece near described clamp device;

After described cover piece was pulled down from described shell, clamping element can unload from described shell.

16. the socket with two optical fiber interconnections comprises:

One can open and close up between the state clamping element that moves, and it has described and closes up the device that state is fixed into the exposed end of fiber the optics connection status;

One shell, described clamping element is positioned at described shell, described shell comprises that a base element and detachably is connected in the cover piece of described base element, described shell allows by pulling down described cover piece near described clamp device, after described cover piece was pulled down from described shell, clamping element can unload from described shell;

Be positioned at described shell, be used to drive the device of described clamping element.

17. socket as claimed in claim 16 is characterized in that, described clamping element also comprises:

One first plate, it has a fiber surface in contact, an edge and an end relative with described edge;

One second plate, it also has a fiber surface in contact, an edge and an end relative with described edge, be formed with a fiber receiving slit at least one described fiber surface in contact, the described fiber surface in contact of described first plate is arranged to the described fiber surface in contact of described second plate adjacent, the described edge of described first plate roughly with the described justified margin of described second plate;

Described plate is vertically clamped along their described edge, make two described end separating become the device of open configuration.

18. socket as claimed in claim 17 is characterized in that:

Described clamp device comprises a notch pipe spring, and this spring has first and second edges, and they are embedded in respectively in the described groove on the described outside surface of described first and second plates;

The thickness of at least one described plate diminishes gradually towards its described edge direction;

At least one described plate has point device, allows described plate to pivot around an axis that is roughly parallel to described fiber receiving slit.

19. socket as claimed in claim 18 is characterized in that:

Described clamp device provides the load of accurate control along described edge, be held on together by a power that is enough to overcome described clamp device with the described end relative with described edge that allow described plate;

When the described edge of two described plates each other fully against the time, angle in 1 ° to 8 ° scope of the described end flare up of two described plates, the size of described fiber receiving slit and space are made for when described plate opens as described above, there are enough allowances to insert a fiber therein, are enough to prevent that two fiber end faces of splaying from passing over each other the other side in groove but the described allowance of described fiber receiving slit is still very little.

20. socket as claimed in claim 19 is characterized in that, each described plate by thermal expansivity less than 12 * 10 ^-6Inch/inch/°F material constitute.