CN1714307A - Optical connector ferrule designed to minimize manufacturing imperfections and mating misalignments by incorporating exact constraint principles - Google Patents

Abstract

A ferrule assembly is provided. In the preferred embodiment, a first ferrule, a second ferrule and alignment members interact at the mating interface of the first and second ferrules to provide three constraint lines. The first ferrule has a body with at least one channel for receiving at least one optical fiber. The first ferrule body includes a first surface portion for retaining a first alignment member and a second surface portion for retaining a second alignment member, the first and second surface portions being V-shaped. The second ferrule has a body with at least one channel for receiving at least one optical fiber. The second ferrule body includes a first surface portion for retaining the first alignment member and a second surface portion for retaining the second alignment member, the first surface portion being V-shaped and the second surface portion being flat.

Description

Be used for making manufacturing defect and cooperating the minimized optical connector ferrule of misalignment by comprising exact constraint principles

The cross reference of related application

The exercise question that the application requires submit to August 31 calendar year 2001 is the right of priority of the U.S. Provisional Application 60/16,593 of " being used for by comprising the lock pin that the kinematics notion adapts to foozle scope and defective ".

Background technology

The present invention relates to optical connector ferrule.More particularly, the present invention relates to be designed for the optical connector ferrule that supports and aim at accurate optical fiber so that manufacturing defect and cooperation misalignment minimize by exact constraint principles.

Along with the increase of need for bandwidth in society, based on the wired communication system of copper cash since the limitation of data movement capacity be difficult to gradually meet the demands.So the High Speed System with optical fiber transmission path of the light that transmits designate data signal is developed to satisfy the demand of bandwidth.Can be (for example: transmission per second 10G bit) an optical fiber mileage certificate with very high speed.

In order to make optical fiber that so high message transmission rate can be provided, it must be fabricated to has accurate tolerance and is made by special material.Usually, optical fiber is to make with hyperpure silicon, wherein controlledly adds doping agent (as cadmium oxide GeO2).Optical fiber has an inner silica layer, is called " fibre core ", and the fibre core outside is coated with the second layer silicon that comprises the different dopant potpourri, is called " overlayer ".

Because the index difference between fiber core and the overlayer, transmission guides by total internal reflection by the light of fiber core.In fibre core and overlayer, suitably mix doping agent and produce this index difference." monotype " optical fiber that has only a kind of optical fiber of transmission mode to be called, " multi-mode " optical fiber that allows the optical fiber of multiple transmission mode to be called.Single mode fibers transmission data distance is farther, and is less apart from scattering because it has than multi-mode optical fiber.The core diameter of multi-mode optical fiber is bigger, makes that aligning optical fiber is easier in optical conenctor.

In order with the low signal distortion optical fiber to be connected in another optical fiber, correctly to aim at fibre core is necessary, so that allow light to be directed to the next one from a fibre core.For this reason, use optical conenctor or mechanical splice.Usually, optical conenctor comprises that a lock pin is used for optical fiber is fixed on accurate position.For with connected two lock pins, use alignment pin in each lock pin, to guide usually and accurate positioning optical waveguides.In major applications, one of them lock pin is defined as male part, and another is defined as female part.This means that one of them lock pin has accurate register pin, another only has accurate pin-and-hole.This traditional method is not that excessively constraint is exactly to lack constraint to the relative position between the decision optical fiber.

In conjunction with the time aligning parts (pin in the hole) interfere mutually and produce excessively constraint.After the engagement, the elasticity at the interface between the aligning parts or the average effect of plastic yield have determined the relative position and the direction of lock pin.In order to obtain the aligning of high performance reproducibility, aligning parts must be fabricated to has strict size and geometric tolerances, and this has significantly increased production cost usually.Although increased cost and effort, over-constrained systems still can and cooperate misalignment to cause distorted signals owing to defective.

The state that lacks constraint is that pin/hole engages the state that has the gap.In this case, two lock pins random alignment in clearance cross section.If any biasing force is arranged, will influence the position of lock pin.Therefore, the interface generation distorted signals of the common meeting of system between optical fiber that lacks constraint.It should be noted that over-constrained systems can be worn and torn usually becomes the shortage constrained system.

Because the size of employed optical fiber, typically the multi-mode optical fiber diameter is 125 microns (10-6 rice), and core diameter is 50 microns, and the single mode fibers diameter is 125 microns, and core diameter is the 8.6-9.5 micron, therefore keeps the accurate tolerance of lock pin very crucial.Any tiny manufacturing defect or cooperation misalignment all will cause the significant distorted signals in optical fiber interface place.

Many different ferrule design have been proposed.For example, MT (" the mechanical transfer ") lock pin of NTT (Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation) exploitation, the plastic housing that utilizes precision modulding linear glass to fill comes the fiber array in the support belt cable.(the AT﹠amp of American Telephone and Telegraph Company; T) Kai Fa MAC (" multicore array connector ") connector utilizes photolithographic techniques fine etching on silicon chip to go out the center at a distance of 250 microns V-type groove, is used for fiber array in the accommodating belt cable.At the United States Patent (USP) 5 of exercise question for " having the optical conenctor that comprises the resin molded part of relative opening in upper and lower surface ", 416,868, exercise question is the United States Patent (USP) 6 of " alignment adapter of optical conenctor and manufacture method thereof ", 168,317 and exercise question be the United States Patent (USP) 6 of " multiple terminals optical interconnection system ", various ferrule design are disclosed in 328,479, more than all patents be contained in this paper as a reference.But these existing ferrule design are excessively to retrain or be to lack constraint, have above-mentioned shortcoming.

The present inventor has designed a kind of lock pin, has adapted to defective preferably and has cooperated misalignment, thereby made the distorted signals minimum at optical fiber interface place.Ferrule design described here and required for protection is their result of efforts.

Summary of the invention

General purpose of the present invention provides a kind of ferrule design, can adapt to defective and misalignment providing accurately and optical coupled repeatably, thereby make optical fiber interface place distorted signals reduce to minimum.

Of the present invention this realizes by a kind of ferrule assembly that with other purposes in a preferred embodiment, this ferrule assembly comprises that first lock pin, second lock pin and at least two aligning parts are used for aiming at first and second lock pins when cooperating.First lock pin, second lock pin and aligning parts interact so that three constrained lines to be provided at the mating interface place of first and second lock pins.In one embodiment, first lock pin has a main body, and this main body has at least one groove and is used for holding at least one optical fiber.First ferrule body comprises the second surface part that is used to keep the first surface part of first aligning parts and is used to keep second aligning parts, and first and second surface portions are V-types.Second lock pin has a main body, and this main body has at least one groove and is used to hold at least one optical fiber.Second ferrule body comprises the second surface part that is used to keep the first surface part of first aligning parts and is used to keep second aligning parts, and first surface partly is a V-type, and second surface partly is flat.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is the skeleton view of a preferred embodiment of ferrule assembly of the present invention;

Fig. 2 A is the exploded view of one of Fig. 1 ferrule subassemblies;

Fig. 2 B is that ferrule subassemblies among Fig. 2 A is along the end-view of line 2B-2B (not decomposing);

Fig. 3 A is the partial end view of ferrule subassemblies, shows the V-type surface portion;

Fig. 3 B is the same with Fig. 3 A, and wherein the V-type surface portion is " Gothic arch " formula V-type;

Fig. 4 A is the exploded view of another one in Fig. 1 ferrule subassemblies;

Fig. 4 B be among Fig. 4 A ferrule subassemblies along the end-view of line 4B-4B (not decomposing);

Fig. 4 C is that ferrule subassemblies among Fig. 4 A (not having to decompose) cooperates the cross-sectional view of back along line 4C-4C;

Fig. 5 shows the cross-sectional view of another independent ferrule sub-component;

Fig. 6 shows the cross-sectional view of another dependent ferrule sub-component of the independent ferrule sub-component that can be matched with Fig. 5;

Fig. 6 A is the synoptic diagram of the constrained line at optical fiber mating interface place in Fig. 6 dependent ferrule sub-component;

Fig. 7 shows the cross-sectional view of another independent ferrule sub-component embodiment;

Fig. 8 shows the cross-sectional view of another dependent ferrule sub-component of the independent ferrule sub-component that can be matched with Fig. 7;

Fig. 8 A is the synoptic diagram of optical fiber mating interface place constrained line in Fig. 8 dependent ferrule sub-component;

Fig. 9 shows the cross-sectional view of another independent ferrule sub-component embodiment;

Figure 10 shows the cross-sectional view of another dependent ferrule sub-component of the independent ferrule sub-component that can be matched with Fig. 9;

Figure 10 A is the synoptic diagram of the constrained line at optical fiber mating interface place in Figure 10 dependent ferrule sub-component;

Figure 11 represents the another kind of structure of ferrule assembly, and wherein alignment pin only is positioned on one of them ferrule subassemblies;

Figure 12 shows that three kinds of different ferrule assemblies dispose and illustrates that foot is the performance that how to influence ferrule assembly;

Figure 13 represents to be used for alignment pin is remained on another embodiment of the groove of lock pin;

Figure 14 represents to be used for alignment pin is remained on another embodiment of lock pin groove;

Figure 15 demonstration is used for similar in Fig. 2 A, another holding device of the ferrule subassemblies of 2B;

Figure 16 represents the cross-sectional view of the MT lock pin of technology formerly; And

Figure 17 represents to be disclosed in United States Patent (USP) 5,416, the cross-sectional view of the lock pin of technology formerly in 868.

Embodiment

Fig. 1 is the skeleton view of a preferred embodiment of ferrule assembly of the present invention.This ferrule assembly 10 comprises second ferrule subassemblies 50 of the band cable 52 of first ferrule subassemblies 20 of band cable 22 of receiving optical fiber and receiving optical fiber.This ferrule assembly 10 is aimed at the fiber end face 21,51 of the optical fiber 42,72 of first and second ferrule subassemblies 20 and 50.Fig. 2 A and Fig. 4 A show optical fiber 42,72, and Fig. 4 A shows fiber end face 51.

The ferrule assembly of introducing very in detail below of the present invention is preferably utilized and comprised accurate constraint, propose when relative position that retrains two main bodys and direction, the number of rigid constraint should equal the quantity of limited degree of freedom.Term " accurately constraint " means two main bodys neither be subjected to having the shortage constraint that the excessive constraint of too many constraint neither be subjected to having seldom constraint.Be " accurately constraint: utilize the Machine Design of principle of dynamics " at exercise question, ASME publishing house, New York has gone through these principles in this this book of 1999.A specific example about exact constraint principles is the dynamics connector, and it utilizes six rigid constraints that produced by six contact points between two main bodys to limit all six-freedom degrees.The detailed argumentation of dynamics connector can be " Precision Machinery Design " at the exercise question of Alexander H.Slocum, English lattice Wood, and the New Jersey is found in this this book of 1992, and this book is contained in this paper as a reference.

The exercise question that on November 9th, 2000 submitted to is the notion that the U. S. application 09/711,333 of " forming the method and apparatus that optical fiber connects " discloses the dynamics connector, and this application is contained in this paper as a reference.A limitation of disclosed joints of optical fibre design is that the optical fiber that needs to cooperate closely contacts in this application (transferring the possession of the same assignee in the application).This meaning is for traditional fiber, and the space of two fiber end faces very little (for example being no more than 50 millimicrons) perhaps must use a kind of coupling glue.But if fiber end face actual contact physically, kinematic concepts will be no longer suitable.Work as required to allow principle of dynamics in the space that therefore must keep very little between fiber end face, but this design is very difficult from the angle of producing.

As everyone knows, accurately constrained concept is relevant with this phenomenon usually, that is: no matter (for example: Cartesian coordinates, spherical coordinate use which kind of coordinate system, cylindrical-coordinate system), natural main body (as: joints of optical fibre) has six-freedom degree (" DOF ") each other.For example, in Cartesian coordinates, these six DOF are along each X, Y, the linear movement of Z axle and around each X, Y, the rotatablely moving of Z axle.In the present invention, three critical degree of freedom that influence signal distortion are translation and the rotations in the plane that fiber array cooperates.Therefore the present invention has set up three constraints and has aimed at lock pin, thus restriction and thereby accurately retrain three degree of freedom.

Referring to Fig. 1, first ferrule subassemblies 20 is shown as generally and comprises that first alignment pin, 23, the first alignment pins 23 are held at alignment surface 61 places by second ferrule subassemblies 50.Biasing member 62 relies on alignment surface 61 with first alignment pin, 23 bias voltages.Second ferrule subassemblies 50 is shown as generally to be had second alignment pin, 53, the second alignment pins 53 and is held at alignment surface 24 places by first ferrule subassemblies 20.Biasing member 25 relies on alignment surface 24 with second alignment pin, 53 bias voltages.

With reference to figure 2A, first ferrule subassemblies 20 is shown as decomposing state, is shown as generally to comprise bottom 26 and top 27.Form although the preferred embodiment of first ferrule subassemblies 20 is shown as by several divided portion, obvious to those skilled in the art first ferrule subassemblies 20 also can be made single monolithic unit or multi-disc parts.There are being many V-type grooves 28 bottom 26 on the side 29 at top 27.These grooves 28 are used for receiving optical fiber 42.Show that as Fig. 1 optical fiber 42 is protected in 22 li on band cable.

Preferably, the more pliable and tougher relatively material of top 27 usefulness, plastics for example, and bottom 26 is made by rigid material, for example metal.But if also make with rigid material at top 27, it should do very smoothly so.Be incorporated into the position of the pliable and tough relatively top of the bottom of rigidity regulating optical fiber and help between them, to keep optical fiber 42 by the part that allows rigidity.

27 the side 29 towards the top of bottom 26 has the surface portion 31 that is used to keep first alignment pin 23. Bias piece 32,33 bias voltages first alignment pin 23 of spring members 41 is close proximity to surface portion 31.Spring members 41 is spring clamp preferably.The side 29 of bottom 26 also has the surface portion 24 that is used to keep second alignment pin 53.Biasing member 25 bias voltages second alignment pin 53 is close proximity to surface portion 24.Further describing of maintenance about alignment pin will provide with reference to figure 2B, and Fig. 2 B is the end-view along first ferrule subassemblies 20 of Fig. 2 A center line 2B-2B.

Fig. 2 B shows that the biased parts 32,33 of first alignment pin 23 compress into 31 li of basic surface portions for V-type in advance.First alignment pin 23 is in the contact of point 38,39 places of surface portion 31.Should be understood that to have only when Fig. 2 B sees to be only contact point 38,39, and in fact they are osculatory of part 31 surfacewise.Schematically show biasing member 32,33rd among the figure, volute spring, roughly the center line along V-type surface portion 31 provides a pure biasing force.The X-Y motion as shown in arrow 40 of first alignment pin 23 is constrained in first ferrule subassemblies 20 fully.

In case first alignment pin 23 is restrained to lock pin, it is just as a whole with 20 one-tenth of ferrule subassemblies.Second alignment pin 53 from second ferrule subassemblies 50 shown in Fig. 2 B is only used as diagram.What be fully constrained or integrated in that second alignment pin 53 of second ferrule subassemblies 50 and the relation between first ferrule subassemblies 20 be decided by bottom 26 is the surface portion 24 of V-type substantially.Second biasing member, 25 bias voltages, second alignment pin 53 makes it be close proximity to basic surface portion 24 for V-type at contact point 35,36 places and moves with the X-Y as shown in arrow 37 that retrains pin 53 fully.Be appreciated that to have only when Fig. 2 B sees to be only contact point 35,36, and in fact they are osculatory of part 24 surfacewise.Because when assembling, the alignment pin 23 of ferrule subassemblies 20 and the alignment pin 53 of ferrule subassemblies 50 are constrained in ferrule subassemblies 20 fully, therefore first ferrule subassemblies 20 at this as the independent ferrule sub-component.

With reference to figure 4A, second ferrule subassemblies 50 is shown as decomposing state, is shown as generally to comprise bottom 56 and top 57.Form by several divided portion although the preferred embodiment of second ferrule subassemblies 50 is shown as it, obviously second ferrule subassemblies 50 can be made monolithic or multi-disc to those skilled in the art.57 the side 59 towards the top of bottom 56 has many V-type grooves 58.These grooves 58 are used for receiving optical fiber 72.As shown in Figure 1, optical fiber 72 is protected in 52 li on band cable.

Preferably, the more pliable and tougher relatively material of top 57 usefulness, plastics for example, and bottom 56 is made by rigid material, for example metal.But if the material of rigidity is also used at top 57, it should do very smoothly so.Be incorporated into the position of the pliable and tough relatively top of the bottom of rigidity regulating optical fiber and help between them, to keep optical fiber 72 by rigid element.

57 the side 59 towards the top of bottom 56 has the surface portion 54 that is used to keep second alignment pin 53.Biasing member 55 bias voltages second alignment pin 53 of spring members 60 is close proximity to surface portion 54.Spring members 60 is spring clamp preferably.56 side 59, bottom also has the surface portion 61 of first alignment pin 23 that is used to keep first ferrule subassemblies 20.Biasing member 62 bias voltages first alignment pin 23 is close proximity to surface portion 61.Further describing of maintenance about alignment pin will provide with reference to figure 4B, and Fig. 4 B is the end-view along second ferrule subassemblies 50 of Fig. 4 A center line 4B-4B.

Fig. 4 B shows that the biased parts 55 of second alignment pin 53 compress into 54 li of basic surface portions for V-type in advance.Second alignment pin 53 is in the contact of point 65,66 places of surface portion 54.Should be understood that to have only when Fig. 4 B sees to be only contact point 65,66, and in fact they are osculatory of part 54 surfacewise.Schematically showing biasing member 55 among the figure is volute springs, and roughly the center line along V-type surface portion 54 provides a pure biasing force.The X-Y motion as shown in arrow 67 of second alignment pin 53 is constrained in second ferrule subassemblies 50 fully.

In preferred embodiment shown in Figure 1, each alignment pin utilizes V-type surface portion and biasing member to be fixed in each ferrule subassemblies, as further describing with reference to figure 3A.The alignment pin 82 that the V-type surface portion is 81 li provides accurate constraint under the effect perpendicular to the biasing force 83 of the center line of V-type surface portion 81 on the whole in two linear degree of freedom (X and Y).The surface portion 81 of alignment pin 82 and main body 84 contacts at contact point 85,86 places.Similar, Fig. 3 B represents the alignment pin 92 of 91 li of V-type surface portions, wherein the surface is bent.Shown in arrow 97, the alignment pin 92 that surface portion is 91 li provides accurate constraint under the effect perpendicular to the biasing force 93 of the center line of surface portion 91 on the whole in two linear degree of freedom (X and Y).The surface portion 91 of alignment pin 92 and main body 94 contacts at contact point 95,96 places.(with respect to Fig. 3 A) in this embodiment, making the stress at contact point 95,96 places between pin 92 and the main body 94 reduce rigidity by curved surface increases.

As herein defined, the surface of " V-type " or " substantially for V-type " provides two surfaces, wherein aligning parts by the biasing member bias voltage time along the osculatory surface in contact part in these two surfaces each.It is pointed out that under the definition of " V-type " surface portion, comprise have two with upper surface but the surface portion of two surfaces along osculatory contact float parts wherein only arranged.

In case second alignment pin 53 is restrained to bottom 56, it is just as a whole with 50 one-tenth of ferrule subassemblies.First alignment pin 23 of first ferrule subassemblies 20 shown in Fig. 4 B is only used for diagram.Be restrained to or be integrated in first alignment pin 23 of first ferrule subassemblies 20 and the relation between second ferrule subassemblies 50 and be decided by planar section 61.Biasing member 62 bias voltages first alignment pin 23 makes it be close proximity to planar section 61, thereby sells 23 in point 69 place's contact plane parts 61.Should be understood that to have only when Fig. 4 B sees to be only contact point, and in fact they are osculatory along planar section 61.First alignment pin 23 only is limited in the linear degree of freedom of Y direction, and is as shown in arrow 70.As the dependent ferrule sub-component, and shown in Fig. 4 C, the relation when cooperating between independent ferrule sub-component and the dependent ferrule sub-component is the constrained system of a precision to second ferrule subassemblies 50 at this.

As herein defined, " flat " or " substantially for flat " surface portion only provide one when aligning parts is close proximity to surface portion by the biasing member bias voltage with an aligning parts along surface that an osculatory contacts.。It is to be noted under the definition of " flat " surface portion, comprise having that the surface portion of a surface along osculatory contact float parts still wherein only arranged more than a surface.

Fig. 4 C is that dependent ferrule sub-component 50 and independent ferrule sub-component 20 cooperate the cross-sectional view of back along Fig. 4 A center line 4C-4C.Three points 65,66, the 69 places contact of alignment pin 23,53 on the surface portion 61,54 of dependent ferrule sub-component 50.According to physical force and reacting force principle, each contact point provides a constraining force perpendicular to surface of contact.Like this, contact point 65 has constrained line 73, and contact point 66 has constrained line 74, and contact point 69 has constrained line 75., must limit three degree of freedom and prevent relative motion between ferrule subassemblies 20 and the ferrule subassemblies 50 in the plane at light interface place at optical fiber.Both few one quite a few one of the degree of freedom that the about beam ratio of principle requirement that accurately retrains needs.Be used for accurately retraining three degree of freedom in the plane between ferrule subassemblies 20 and 50 by the system of three represented constraints of the constrained line 73,74,75 that intersects at three differences 76,77,78.The situation that surpasses three constrained lines in the plane between the ferrule subassemblies was called constrained system, and the situation that is less than three constrained lines is called and retrains not pedal system.Although constraint line intersections is necessary for three usually, the number that inventor of the present invention is determined to rare a kind of situation constraint line intersections is two.This situation will go through below.

Fig. 5 shows the cross-sectional view of another independent ferrule sub-component 80 be used to aim at fiber end face 81, and this ferrule subassemblies 80 fully constrains in alignment pin 113 84 li of the V-type surface portions of ferrule body 86.Shown in arrow 97, retrain fully by utilizing biasing member 85 bias voltage alignment pins 113 to be close proximity to surface portion 84 and realize so that contact point 95,96 to be provided.As described above with reference to Fig 2 B and 4B, although biasing member 85 is volute springs in Fig. 5, biasing member can adopt any structure so that necessary bias voltage to be provided.

Cooperate the alignment pin 83 of ferrule subassemblies 110 to fully constrain in 91 li of the V-type surface portions of ferrule body 86, wherein this ferrule subassemblies 110 is illustrated among Fig. 6.Shown in arrow 100, retrain fully by utilizing biasing member 92 bias voltage alignment pins 83 to be close proximity to surface portion 91 and realize so that contact point 98,99 to be provided.Although biasing member 92 is volute springs in the drawings, biasing member can adopt any structure so that necessary bias voltage to be provided.The inventor believes that this embodiment is unique, because the point of crossing 106 of the line 102,103,104,105 that extends out from V- type surface portion 84,91 is positioned at the centre of multifiber 81, and represents the center of ferrule subassemblies 80 thermal expansions.The configuration at this thermal expansion center makes because the dislocation minimum that temperature variation produces.

Fig. 6 demonstration is used for the cross-sectional view with another dependent ferrule sub-component 110 of the fiber end face 81 of fiber end face 111 aligning independent ferrule sub-components 80.Dependent ferrule sub-component 110 fully constrains in alignment pin 83 121 li of the V-type surface portions of ferrule body 116.Shown in arrow 130, retrain fully by utilizing biasing member 122 bias voltage alignment pins 83 to be close proximity to surface portion 121 and realize so that contact point 128,129 to be provided.Although biasing member 122 is volute springs in Fig. 6, biasing member can adopt any structure so that necessary bias voltage to be provided.Cooperate the alignment pin 113 of ferrule subassemblies 80 to be constrained in planar section 114 fully, shown in arrow 127.This constraint realizes so that contact point 125 to be provided by utilizing biasing member 115 bias voltage alignment pins 113 to be close proximity to planar section 114.Although biasing member 115 is volute springs in Fig. 6, biasing member can adopt any structure so that necessary bias voltage to be provided.

When ferrule subassemblies 80,110 cooperates optical fiber to the pattern of the constrained line of light interface for dependent ferrule sub-component 110 as shown in Figure 6A.Contact point 125,128,129 between alignment pin 113,83 and the surface portion 114,121 is used for along intersecting at a little 143,144 constrained line 140,141,142 constraint ferrule subassemblies 80,110.Therefore the assembly of ferrule subassemblies 80,110 is accurately constrained in the mating interface plane.Because significant distance (in this embodiment, almost being the whole width of ferrule body 116) by label 145 expressions of two parallel constraint lines 140,142 skews, so they represent unique constraints (uniqueconstraint).It is to be noted in fact because can not realize real parallel lines aborning, thereby constrained line 140,142 finally on direction 146 or direction 147 at space intersection.

Fig. 7 shows the cross-sectional view of another independent ferrule sub-component 160 be used to aim at fiber end face 161, and this ferrule subassemblies 160 fully constrains in alignment pin 163 171 li of the V-type surface portions of ferrule body 166.Shown in arrow 180, retrain fully by utilizing biasing member 172 bias voltage alignment pins 163 to be close proximity to surface portion 171 and realize so that contact point 178,179 to be provided.Although biasing member 172 is volute springs in Fig. 7, biasing member can adopt any structure so that necessary bias voltage to be provided.

Cooperate the alignment pin 193 of ferrule subassemblies 190 to fully constrain in 164 li of the V-type surface portions of ferrule body 166, wherein this ferrule subassemblies 190 is illustrated among Fig. 8.Shown in arrow 177, retrain fully by utilizing biasing member 165 bias voltage alignment pins 193 to be close proximity to surface portion 164 and realize so that contact point 175,176 to be provided.Although biasing member 92 is volute springs in the drawings, biasing member can adopt any structure so that necessary bias voltage to be provided.

Fig. 8 demonstration is used for the cross-sectional view with another dependent ferrule sub-component 190 of the fiber end face 161 of fiber end face 191 aligning independent ferrule sub-components 160.Dependent ferrule sub-component 190 fully constrains in alignment pin 193 194 li of the V-type surface portions of ferrule body 196.Shown in arrow 207, retrain fully by utilizing biasing member 195 bias voltage alignment pins 193 to be close proximity to surface portion 194 and realize so that contact point 205,206 to be provided.Although biasing member 195 is volute springs in Fig. 8, biasing member can adopt any structure so that necessary bias voltage to be provided.Cooperate the alignment pin 163 of ferrule subassemblies 160 to be constrained in planar section 201, shown in arrow 210.This constraint realizes so that contact point 209 to be provided by utilizing biasing member 202 bias voltage alignment pins 163 to be close proximity to planar section 201.Although biasing member 202 is volute springs in Fig. 8, biasing member can adopt any structure so that necessary bias voltage to be provided.

When ferrule subassemblies 160,190 cooperates optical fiber to the pattern of the constrained line of light interface for for the dependent ferrule sub-component 190 shown in Fig. 8 A.Contact point 205,206,209 between alignment pin 193,163 and the surface portion 194,201 is used for along intersecting at a little 224,223 constrained line 220,221,222 constraint ferrule subassemblies 160,190.Therefore the assembly of ferrule subassemblies 160,190 is accurately constrained in the mating interface plane.Because significant distance (in this embodiment, almost being the whole width of ferrule body 196) by label 225 expressions of two parallel constraint lines 220,222 skews, so they represent unique constraints.It is to be noted in fact because can not realize real parallel lines aborning, thereby constrained line 220,222 finally on direction 226 or direction 227 at space intersection.

Fig. 9 shows the cross-sectional view of another independent ferrule sub-component 230 be used to aim at fiber end face 231, and this ferrule subassemblies 230 fully constrains in alignment pin 233 241 li of the V-type surface portions of ferrule body 236.Shown in arrow 250, retrain fully by utilizing biasing member 242 bias voltage alignment pins 233 to be close proximity to surface portion 241 and realize so that contact point 248,249 to be provided.Although biasing member 242 is volute springs in Fig. 9, biasing member can adopt any structure so that necessary bias voltage to be provided.

Cooperate the alignment pin 263 of ferrule subassemblies 260 to fully constrain in 234 li of the V-type surface portions of ferrule body 236, wherein this ferrule subassemblies 260 is illustrated among Figure 10.Shown in arrow 247, retrain fully by utilizing biasing member 235 bias voltage alignment pins 263 to be close proximity to surface portion 234 and realize so that contact point 245,246 to be provided.Although biasing member 235 is volute springs in the drawings, biasing member can adopt any structure so that necessary bias voltage to be provided.

Figure 10 demonstration is used for the cross-sectional view with another dependent ferrule sub-component 260 of the fiber end face 231 of fiber end face 261 aligning independent ferrule sub-components 230.Dependent ferrule sub-component 260 fully constrains in alignment pin 263 264 li of the V-type surface portions of ferrule body 266.Shown in arrow 277, retrain fully by utilizing biasing member 265 bias voltage alignment pins 263 to be close proximity to surface portion 264 and realize so that contact point 275,276 to be provided.Although biasing member 265 is volute springs in Figure 10, biasing member can adopt any structure so that necessary bias voltage to be provided.Cooperate the alignment pin 233 of ferrule subassemblies 230 to be constrained in planar section 279, shown in arrow 280.This constraint realizes so that contact point 271 to be provided by utilizing biasing member 272 bias voltage alignment pins 233 to be close proximity to planar section 279.Although biasing member 272 is volute springs in Figure 10, biasing member can adopt any structure so that necessary bias voltage to be provided.

When ferrule subassemblies 230,260 cooperates optical fiber to the pattern of the constrained line of light interface for for the dependent ferrule sub-component 260 shown in Figure 10 A.Contact point 275,276,271 between alignment pin 263,233 and the surface portion 264,279 is used for along intersecting at a little 294,293 constrained line 290,291,292 constraint ferrule subassemblies 230,260.Therefore the assembly of ferrule subassemblies 230,260 is accurately constrained in the mating interface plane.Because significant distance by label 295 expressions of two parallel constraint lines 290,292 skews, so they represent unique constraints.It is to be noted in fact because can not realize real parallel lines aborning, thereby constrained line 290,292 finally on direction 296 or direction 297 at space intersection.

Above-described first alignment pin in the independent ferrule sub-component and the configuration of second alignment pin in the dependent ferrule sub-component only be a kind of in the possible configuration.Figure 11 represents another kind of configuration, and wherein two alignment pins 302,303 all are arranged in independent ferrule sub-component 300, and do not have alignment pin in dependent ferrule 310.Another kind of configuration (and do not show) can be that any one ferrule subassemblies is not all assembled alignment pin, but inserts alignment pin when ferrule subassemblies cooperates.Though the preferred embodiment of each ferrule subassemblies is the assembly of the alignment pin of two parts and a detachable column type, obviously also can use other ferrule subassemblies configuration and alignment pin configurations to those skilled in the art.

Figure 12 explicit declaration potential deficiency is the performance that how to influence the optical connector ferrule assembly.In the figure, demonstrate in different ferrule design sensitivity for alignment pin diameter difference.Situation 1 explanation first lock pin (for example: independent ferrule) have vertically two V-type grooves be used to keep alignment pin and second cooperate lock pin (as dependent ferrule) have vertically V-type groove and on a plane of direction of mirror image.In this case, the difference of alignment pin diameter and lock pin have high correlation to the dislocation of lock pin.

Situation 2 explanation first lock pin (for example: independent ferrule) have vertically two V-type grooves and be used to keep alignment pin and second to cooperate lock pin (as dependent ferrule) to have a V-type groove and a plane along non-direction of mirror image.Although this situation does not resemble the situation 1 existing problems aspect the difference of alignment pin diameter, it still can cause the significant distorted signals in optical fiber interface place.Second pin smaller when diameter places in the V-type groove when darker, can produce a very little rotation between two lock pins.

Situation 3 is the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and what its illustrated is that the V-type groove that first lock pin has vertically is used to keep first alignment pin and is used to keep second alignment pin along 45 V-type grooves of spending directions.Second cooperates lock pin also to have vertically a V-type groove is used to keep first alignment pin and is used to keep second alignment pin along a plane of non-direction of mirror image.As scheme to show that this situation has adapted to the difference of alignment pin diameter well, make the distorted signals at optical fiber interface place reduce to minimum.

Figure 13,14,15 have shown other embodiment that are used for keeping at the groove of lock pin alignment pin.In Figure 13, an alignment pin 324 remains in the lock pin groove by a holding member 320 with many openings 321.321 li of each openings, a resilient material 322 is arranged, polyurethane for example, what be connected in it is a metal, pottery or plastic mattress 323.The material selection of pad 323 and resilient material 322 is decided by the compatibility of material and the requirement of aligning.Thereby pad 323 is close to alignment pin 324 alignment pin is remained in the lock pin groove.It should be noted that 322 pairs of connecting pins of resilient material produce an elasticity confining force.

Figure 14 shows that one remains on alignment pin 331 in the lock pin groove by a spring members 330 that is configured to the sheet spring.The sheet spring structure is desirable, for example needs the situation of higher elastic force for short spring length.Figure 15 demonstration is used in and is configured to be similar to as Fig. 1 2A, the spring lever in the lock pin 340 of first lock pin 20 shown in the 2B.Lock pin 340 comprise vertically V-type surface portion 24 and along 45 the degree directions V-type surface portions 31.341 pairs of alignment pins 53 of first spring lever apply a power vertical, prestrain alignment pin 53 is fixed on 24 li of V-type surface portions.342 pairs of alignment pins 23 of second spring lever apply a power oblique, prestrain alignment pin 23 is fixed on 31 li of V-type surface portions.In fact first and second spring levers 341,342 so dispose to provide and are similar to Fig. 2 A, the bias effect bias effect that the biasing member 25,32,33 among the 2B is provided.

Figure 16,17 show the lock pin of technology formerly.What Figure 16 showed is the MT lock pin of describing in the background technology of the present invention.In the MT lock pin, there are two cylindrical holes to hold alignment pin.Because the size in hole is just held alignment pin,, will have problems when two MT lock pins (two lock pins have identical geometry) cooperate so if for example there is alignment pin diameter difference.This will cause the significant distorted signals in optical fiber interface place.It is to be noted that the MT lock pin had restrained condition or the not enough state of constraint according to gap state.

Figure 17 shows the another kind of lock pin of technology formerly.This ferrule design can be at United States Patent (USP) 5,416, sees in 868.In this ferrule design, two cooperate lock pin all to have two V-type grooves to be used to hold alignment pin.When two lock pins cooperate, four constrained lines 350,351,352,353 are arranged in the X-Y plane of mating interface, they at space intersection in four points 354,355,356,357.First and second constrained lines 350 and 351 intersect (354) in the center of first alignment pin.These two constrained lines 350,351 prevent the motion of first alignment pin on X and the linear degree of freedom of Y and X and Y rotary freedom (exceeding this plane).Third and fourth constrained line 352 and 353 intersects (355) in the center of second alignment pin, and the 3rd constrained line 352 and first constrained line 350 intersect at a little 356, the four constrained lines 353 and second constrained line 351 and intersect at a little 357.Because four different constrained lines are arranged, but have only three degree of freedom to need restraint at X-Y plane, therefore this cooperation was the state of constraint, and promptly two connection lock pins all are independently, because they can both fully retrain alignment pin.Because crossing on mating interface retrains, this ferrule assembly causes distorted signals easily at the optical fiber interface place.

Obviously ferrule design and feature are not limited to the embodiments described herein to those skilled in the art.For example, although situation shown in Figure 12 1 and situation 2 are not ideal from the angle of alignment pin diameter difference, perhaps situation 1 and situation 2 shown in Figure 12 is desirable in certain specific application.Therefore, inventor of the present invention not this designing and arranging except that the spirit and scope of the invention.

Further, obvious to those skilled in the art this alignment system can be used for an optical fiber, two optical fiber or surpass two optical fiber.And above-mentioned alignment system can be used for optical fiber linear array (1xN), fiber matrix (MxN) and circular array (Rx θ).And the present invention described here also can be used for a fiber array is connected in single planar laser with vertical cavity (VCSEL) or its array or single detector (typical in diode) or its array.

Claims (38)

1. ferrule assembly comprises:

First lock pin;

Second lock pin;

At least two aligning parts are used for aiming at first and second lock pins when cooperating; And

First lock pin, second lock pin and aligning parts interact so that three constrained lines to be provided at the mating interface place of first and second lock pins.

2. ferrule assembly as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, aligning parts is fixed in first and second lock pins.

3. ferrule assembly as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, three constrained lines intersect at three points.

4. ferrule assembly as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, three constrained lines intersect at two points.

5. ferrule assembly as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, in three constrained lines two fully constrain in one in the aligning parts on two translation freedoms and two rotary freedoms.

6. ferrule assembly as claimed in claim 5 is characterized in that, in three constrained lines one fully constrains in one in other aligning parts on a translation freedoms and the rotary freedom.

7. ferrule assembly as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, has not been constraint at first and second lock pins at mating interface place.

8. ferrule assembly as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, first and second lock pins at the mating interface place are not enough constraint.

9. ferrule assembly comprises:

First lock pin;

Second lock pin has first surface part and second surface part;

At least one first aligning parts and one second aligning parts, be used for when cooperating, aiming at first and second lock pins, first aligning parts remains in second lock pin by being close proximity to the first surface part, and second aligning parts remains in second lock pin by being close proximity to the second surface part; And

The mating interface of first and second lock pins, the contact point summation between all surface part of all aligning parts and second lock pin is three.

10. ferrule assembly as claimed in claim 9 is characterized in that the shape of aligning parts is a column type.

11. ferrule assembly as claimed in claim 9 is characterized in that, for second lock pin, first surface partly be V-type and second surface partly is the plane.

12. ferrule assembly as claimed in claim 9, it is characterized in that, first lock pin has two surface portions, and one of aligning parts is retained as a surface portion that is close proximity to first lock pin, and another aligning parts is retained as another surface portion that is close proximity to first lock pin.

13. ferrule assembly as claimed in claim 9, it is characterized in that, mating interface place at first and second lock pins, one of aligning parts is constrained on two translation freedoms and two rotary freedoms, and another aligning parts is constrained on a translation freedoms and the rotary freedom.

14. a lock pin comprises:

A main body has at least one groove and is used to accept at least one optical fiber, and this main body draws an end of optical fiber at the mating interface place;

This main body also has first surface part and second surface part, and first aligning parts is retained as and is close proximity to the first surface part, and second aligning parts is retained as and is close proximity to the second surface part; And

First surface part contacts first aligning parts first aligning parts being constrained on two translation freedoms and two rotary freedoms two positions, and the second surface part contacts second aligning parts second aligning parts is constrained on a translation freedoms and the rotary freedom a position.

15. lock pin as claimed in claim 14 further comprises biasing member, is used for first aligning parts remained being close proximity to first surface part and second aligning parts having been remained and be close proximity to the second surface part.

16. lock pin as claimed in claim 14 is characterized in that, main body comprises a bottom and a top.

17. lock pin as claimed in claim 16 is characterized in that the bottom is made of metal.

18. lock pin as claimed in claim 16 is characterized in that the top is made of plastics.

19. lock pin as claimed in claim 14 is characterized in that main body is made of metal.

20. lock pin as claimed in claim 16 is characterized in that main body is made of plastics.

21. a lock pin comprises:

A main body has at least one groove and is used to accept at least one optical fiber;

This main body also is useful on first surface part that keeps first aligning parts and the second surface part that is used to keep second aligning parts, and first surface partly is a V-type, and second surface partly is the plane;

First biasing member, be provided for first aligning parts remain be close proximity to first surface part first confining force to retrain the motion of first aligning parts; And

Second biasing member, be provided for second aligning parts remain be close proximity to second surface part second confining force to retrain the motion of second aligning parts.

22. lock pin as claimed in claim 21 is characterized in that, main body comprises a bottom and a top.

23. lock pin as claimed in claim 22 is characterized in that, the passage that is used to accept optical fiber is formed by the groove that is positioned at the bottom.

24. lock pin as claimed in claim 22 is characterized in that the bottom is made of metal.

25. lock pin as claimed in claim 22 is characterized in that the top is made of plastics.

26. lock pin as claimed in claim 22 is characterized in that main body is made of metal.

27. lock pin as claimed in claim 22 is characterized in that main body is made of plastics.

28. lock pin as claimed in claim 21 is characterized in that main body is made by pottery.

29. lock pin as claimed in claim 21 is characterized in that, each comprises that all a holding member and elasticity are connected in the pad of holding member first and second biasing members, and pad is posted by corresponding aligning parts.

30. lock pin as claimed in claim 29 is characterized in that pad is made of plastics.

31. lock pin as claimed in claim 29 is characterized in that pad is made of metal.

32. lock pin as claimed in claim 21 is characterized in that main body is made by glass.

33. one kind is used to provide the ferrule assembly that docks coupling between first unjacketed optical fiber and second unjacketed optical fiber, this ferrule assembly comprises:

First lock pin comprises:

First main body is used to accept first unjacketed optical fiber;

This first main body has the second surface part that is used to keep the first surface part of first aligning parts and is used to keep second aligning parts, and first surface partly is a V-type, and second surface partly is a V-type;

First biasing member, be provided for first aligning parts remain be close proximity to first surface part first confining force to retrain the motion of first aligning parts;

Second biasing member, be provided for second aligning parts remain be close proximity to second surface part second confining force to retrain the motion of second aligning parts; And

Second lock pin that can cooperate with first lock pin, second lock pin comprises:

Second main body is used to accept second unjacketed optical fiber;

This second main body has the second surface part that is used to keep the first surface part of first aligning parts and is used to keep second aligning parts, and first surface partly is a V-type, and second surface partly is the plane;

First biasing member, be provided for first aligning parts remain be close proximity to first surface part first confining force to retrain the motion of first aligning parts;

Second biasing member, be provided for second aligning parts remain be close proximity to second surface part second confining force to retrain the motion of second aligning parts.

34. ferrule assembly as claimed in claim 33 is characterized in that, first main body comprises a bottom and a top, and second main body comprises a bottom and a top.

35. ferrule assembly as claimed in claim 34 is characterized in that, the bottom of first lock pin and second lock pin all is made of metal.

36. ferrule assembly as claimed in claim 34 is characterized in that, the top of first lock pin and second lock pin all is made of plastics.

37. ferrule assembly as claimed in claim 34 is characterized in that, the top of first lock pin and second lock pin all is to be made by pottery.

38. ferrule assembly as claimed in claim 33 is characterized in that, each comprises that all a holding member and elasticity are connected in the pad of holding member first and second biasing members of first lock pin and second lock pin, and pad is posted by corresponding aligning parts.

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