DE2824507A1 - CONNECTOR FOR COUPLING OPTICAL FIBER CONDUCTORS - Google Patents

Description

Applicant: Stuttgart, May 31, 1978

Hughes Aircraft Company P 3539 S / kg Centinela Avenue and

l'eale Street

Culver City, Calif., V.St.A »

Representative:

Kohler - Schwindling - Späth patent attorneys
Hohentwielstrasse 41
7000 Stuttgart 1

Connector for coupling optical fiber conductors

The invention relates to a connector for electromagnetic Coupling of optical fiber conductors with two coupling parts that can be mechanically connected to one another, in those of the Faaerleiter standing opposite each other Ends are held.

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The fundamental problem in connecting optical Fiber conductors require the fibers of two conductors to be precisely aligned with one another Another difficulty is the requirement to maintain this alignment during repeated separation and manufacture to maintain the connection «It is desirable that the exact coupling without the application of materials to adjust the refractive index is done because such materials are easily exposed to impurities are and therefore after several separation and coupling azykleη dm. Significantly affect coupling efficiency can. As typical optical fibers ei ^ en Have a diameter of about 0.12 mm, have even the smallest alignment errors between to be coupled Fiber conductors result in considerable transmission loss, so that extremely precise alignment is a mandatory requirement. It is evident that the requirement already exists in the case of individual fibers Ladders represent a very difficult task Alignment between ladders that are made of fiber bundles standing is even more difficult.

There are known connections for optical fibers, It will stated that their losses are between 0.5 and 3 »5 db · Such a fluctuation in the loss factor means that it is not possible to achieve effectively reproducible alignment to achieve.

It is also desirable that contact between the ends of the fiber conductors to be coupled to one another is avoided

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so as not to scratch their end faces. Scratches and other damage cause dispersion of the transmitted light and, as a result, losses in light transmission.

It can furthermore be desirable that the coupling parts, which receive the optical Paserleiter, also in the Are able to simultaneously accommodate common electrical conductors and their contacts, so that a mixture of two devices for the transmission of electromagnetic signals is possible «This would be the advantage - That specialization with regard to the parts is avoided and, as a result, the cost of production and stocks can be reduced if the same coupling parts and other contact devices can be used for the coupling of electrical as well as optical conductors.

Accordingly, the invention is based on the object of providing a plug-in device of the type described at the outset create that ensures proper alignment of the optical fiber conductors and thereby the coupling the fiber conductor with only low attenuation even with frequent disconnection and reconnection enables. Furthermore, the plug-in device should allow such a development that it is next to Paserleitern can also connect electrical conductors

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This object is achieved according to the invention in that a sleeve comprises both fiber conductors and one on top of the other aligns »

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the sleeve is in the form of a slotted sleeve that receives sockets on the ends of the optical fiber conductors are attached «, the optical fibers are received by holes in the sockets, which are exactly concentric are arranged to the outer surface of the sockets. Therefore, both the bushings and the socket be very precisely dimensioned, regardless of whether these components have a circular or polygonal cross-section have »The contour of the sockets and the inner surface of the sleeve has exactly the same shape as the Cross-section of the bores or openings in the bushes, the best possible concentric arrangement and thus alignment between the optical fibers to be coupled To ensure that the sockets are aligned with one another, they are pushed into the slotted sleeve, which acts as a spring sleeve « Alignment of the sockets automatically achieves precise alignment of the optical fibers, which is also achieved when restoring the coupling is retained after repeated disconnections. To get a touch of the ladder to the To prevent interfaces between the sockets, can be arranged in the sleeve a spacer washer or some other spacer that only connects to the sockets

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comes into contact. The optical / '"aserleiter can while being received by contact sleeves which are designed so that they are in common electrical bodies Plug can be used. In this way there is a mixture of optical and electrical Head in the same connector body and thus in the same connector possible

Accordingly, the invention provides an apparatus that has a reliable electromagnetic Coupling between optical fiber conductors is made possible by providing very precise alignment in a simple manner between such optical! fiber conductors guaranteed · The arrangement is such that repeated disconnection and re-coupling does not affect the quality of the alignment. The device is independent of the application of a material used for index adjustment. Furthermore, there is physical contact between the paired optical fiber conductors prevented. Finally, the mixture of optical fiber conductors and electrical cables Ladders possible, so that the same plug-in device for the transmission of electromagnetic signals of different Kind of serve.

The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawing explained «The description and the drawing too

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i ·. ■ ■■ ·. *

gather ligand features may individually or in arbitrary combination be used in other embodiments of the invention find FIG _e

1a and 1b are longitudinal sections through two forming a pair

Connector body, the interconnected contact parts each with a single-fiber optical fiber conductors included, one of which has a larger diameter exhibits than the other,

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one of the

both contact parts according to Pig. 1, in which the assigned optical fiber conductor ends,

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the slotted

Sleeve of the Steckvorricl device according to Fig. 1, the Establishes precise alignment between the coupled optical fiber conductors,

Figo 4- the view of a spacer, the one

Contact between the coupled optical fiber conductors of the connector prevents according to Fig. 1,

Figure 5 di ^s end comprised. A second embodiment of the invention having a hexagonal shaped socket at the end of an optical fiber conductor from a fiber bundle,

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Tig «6 the view of two sockets according to FIG. 5 in Connection with a hexagonally shaped, slotted sleeve for alignment the fiber ends and

7 shows a cross section through a further plug-in device which has both electrical lines as well as optical fiber conductors in a common connector body.

Although in the preferred embodiments described below, the connection of optical fiber conductors largely in the same way as the connection of electrical lines in conventional electrical Plug and socket devices, special applications can require completely different solutions. Therefore it goes without saying that other configurations which are within the scope of the invention should also be covered.

In the embodiment shown in Figs two contact parts 10 and 12 are held in corresponding plug bodies 14 and 16 in any V / eise, for example by means of retaining clips 18 and 20. These retaining clips are located within recesses 22 and of the corresponding contact parts and are in engagement with annular sections 26 and 28 of the plug body.

The two contact parts 10 and 12 each comprise one Contact sleeve 30 or 32 with a pressure-sensitive Wire seal, such as seal 34-,

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is located at the rear end 36 of the contact sleeve 30. Such a pressure sensitive wire seal is described in U.S. Patent 3,792,416 which also has application of retaining clips 18 disclosed, On the opposite or front end 38, the contact sleeve 30 carries a socket 40, which is attached to the end 38 in any way. The socket 4-0 has a precisely dimensioned bore which the end of an optical fiber 42 receives. The diameter of the bore 41 is as possible exactly equal to the diameter of the fiber 42

A spring-loaded spacer tube 43 is supported on the socket 40, the spacer tube 43 facing away from the socket Has end a flange 44 as a stop for a spring. At a distance from the flange 44 is a second spacer ring 46 which rests on a surface 48 of the contact sleeve 30. Between the spacer tube 43 and the ring 46 is a number of spring washers, for example four Belleville washers 50 · The purpose of this Spring washers will be explained later.

The bore 52 of the contact sleeve 30 has in the illustrated, preferred embodiment several sections on, the diameter of which decrease from the rear end 36 and by conical openings 5 ^ and -56 with each other are connected »The bore ends at the front end 38 of the contact sleeve in a hole 58. Therefore, be said that the bore 52 is a small hole 58,

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a front bore portion 60 and an attachment bore portion 62 includes an opening 64 extending extends across the wall of the contact sleeve 30 and opens into the fastening bore section 62, in the fastening B Earlier from section 62 two guide pieces 66 and 68 are also arranged, the bores of which are conical have extended inputs 70 and 72.

To fasten an optical fiber conductor in a coitakt sleeve 30, such a fiber conductor 78 is first prepared. Such a fiber conductor 78 usually has a protective sheath and a kinar sheath. Both sleeves are removed a reasonable distance so that the optical fiber 42 itself is exposed. The protective cover can be removed using a heated blade and the Kinar material3 can be removed using chemical means such as acetone. Thereafter, the bare fiber 42 is cut using a fiber cutting tool such as is described in "The Bell System Technical Journal ¹ , 'Vol. 52, No. 9, November 1973" pages 1579 "to 1588.

After the fiber has been cut cleanly, it is inserted into the contact sleeve 30, whereby it is initially through the pressure sensitive seal 34 is passed through, then the guide pieces 66 and 68 and the bore 58 penetrates and finally penetrates into the precision bore 41 of the socket 40. By the end face 40a of the socket 40 is applied to a stop of a device,

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it is ensured that the end 80 of the optical fiber 42 is precisely aligned with the end face 40a of the socket. A binding agent is then applied through the opening 64 into the Fastening bore section 62 introduced, which is located between the guide pieces 66 and 68 »Such a binding agent can be, for example, an epoxy resin or another adhesive. If necessary, a metal body, made of lead, for example, which is uniformly pressed onto the optical fiber 42 » The contact part 10 is then inserted into the plug body 14, so that a locking between the retaining clip 18 and the annular section 26 takes place.

A transition seal 82 is then slid over the sleeve 40 so that it is between the sleeve 40 and the Flange 44 is held on spacer tube 42. Such a transition seal 82 is also in the above U.S. Patent No. 3,792,416 mentioned above.

The contact part 12 can be designed in the same way as the contact part 10. However, it is in this case Design shown differently to illustrate like one fiber guide 90 with another, viz larger diameter can be coupled with the optical fiber guide «In this case the optical Fiber conductor 90 in the contact sleeve 32 at the rear End held by means of a sleeve 94, which is on reinforcement thread 96, which is usually in

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optical fiber conductors are present. One on the side arranged opening 98, which corresponds to the opening 54 in the Contact sleeve 30 corresponds to, allows the introduction of a binding agent to hold the fiber conductor precisely 90 in its place.

The contact part 12 is provided with a socket 100 which is similar to the socket 40, except that the Bushing 100 has an inner bore 102 which is designed ao that it has the front cutout 104 of the optical fiber guide 90 receives. Otherwise, the socket 100 is just like the socket 40 with a Precision bore 106 provided, the diameter of which is exactly the same as the diameter of the optical fiber. That The fiber end in turn cuts off with the end face 100a of the socket.

A sleeve 110 is used to align the sockets 40 and 100 with one another. It is connected to the contact part 12 in any desired manner, for example by means of an indentation 112, which rests against the socket 110, and its end 114, which rests against the spacer ring 116. The spacer ring 116 in turn rests on a shoulder 118 of the contact sleeve 32 and on the retaining clip 20. If desired, the spacer ring 1i6 and the contact sleeve 32 can also be designed as a common part.

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How best from Pig. 3 , the sleeve 110 is provided with a slot 120 extending over its entire length and with a number of openings 122. These openings 122 are intended to loosely receive a spacer washer 124. How special from Pig. 4, the spacer disk 124 has a central opening 125 and lugs 126 which are intended to engage in the openings 122. The sleeve 110 consists of a spring material and has an inner diameter which, when the sleeve is relaxed, is slightly smaller than the diameter of the outer surfaces 40b and 100b of the sockets 40 and _100e, since the outer surfaces of the sockets 40 and 100 are dimensioned with high accuracy so that they are as precisely as possible concentric to the Bohxumgen 41 and 106, the bores 41 and 106 of the sockets are precisely aligned when the sockets are inserted into the sleeve 110, and in turn cause a precise alignment of the Fasex ^ ends.

A touch and thereby a harmful marking or other wear and tear on the ends of the optical fibers To prevent this, the spacer washer 124 rests against the end faces 40a and 100a of the sockets 40 and 100. the central opening 125 allows optical transmission between the pasers.

If the sockets 40 and 100 when joining the Plug bodies 14 and 16 are brought together, a small additional path of about 0.4 mm remains before

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the end faces of the connector bodies come to rest against one another. At the beginning of this path the To yield disc springs 50 and exert a compressive force, which the sockets 40 and 100 constantly press against the spacer 124, so that no Variations in the coupling distance between the ends of the optical fibers is possible.

The foregoing description makes it clear that the invention. The use of an index matching material made unnecessary However, if the use of such a material is desired, it can be used in the opening 125 of the spacer washer 124 will. If this material becomes contaminated or damaged, the sleeve 110 can be removed from the Spacer 124 existing assembly can be replaced by another, same assembly that Contains proper index adjustment material.

The coupling of two multi-fiber optical fiber conductors 130 and 132 is min based on the Pig. 5 and explained. Although the coupling devices at this embodiment are the same as them have been described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 for coupling single-fiber fiber conductors, there is one additional requirement that all fiber ends of a conductor exactly one fiber end of the face other fiber conductors in order to keep transmission losses as small as possible, if not to be avoided altogether.

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It has been proposed that the sheathing for multi-fiber optical fiber conductors have an inner opening in the form of a hexagon, because a hexagon is a simple geometric shape and encloses less unused space than a circle. It has also been suggested that such fiber conductors should comprise nineteen fibers because they would best fit within a hexagonal enclosure. The use of fiber bundles ensures signal transmission even if one or more fibers break exist with a different number of fibers and which make use of sheaths, the bores of which have any other, polygonal or curved cross-section.

In the embodiment according to FIGS. 5 and 6 end the fiber conductors 130 and 132 each in bundles of nineteen fibers, the end faces 134 and 136 of which are shown and from which one or more of the usual protective layers have been removed ·. The end faces 134- and 136 are in the sockets with high accuracy 138 and 140 held, the sockets 138 and 140 correspond the sockets 40 and 100 of the device FIGS. 1 to 4, however, their through holes 142 and 144 have a cross section deviating from the circular shape, in the illustrated embodiment

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a standard hexagonal cross-section. The hexagonal Holes 142 and 144 are very precisely machined so that fiber ends 134 and 136 fit snugly around each to prevent detectable displacement of the end faces. The sockets 138 and 140 also differ from the previously described sockets from the fact that their outer surfaces 146 and 148 are exactly the same from the circular cross-section οπη have different οπη like the holes 142 and 144. In the ßechaeckform shown are all Sides of the hexagonal lateral surfaces 146 and 148 to the hexagonal surfaces of the through holes 142 and 144 arranged exactly parallel and equally spaced, so that the holes to the outer surfaces of the sockets exactly are arranged concentrically and this concentric relationship also to the end faces 134 and 136 of the Fibers consists ,, Accordingly, for example, one is made of five individual fibers 130a bi3 130e exactly to the corresponding middle row, which consists of the five fibers 132a to 132e are aligned.

In order to couple the fibers with one another in a precisely aligned manner, a sleeve 150 made of a resilient material is provided, which exactly corresponds to the shape of the hexagonal outer surfaces 146 and 148 of the sockets. As well as In the case of the bush 110 of the pre-assembly according to FIGS. 1 to 4, the inner dimensions of the bush 150 are somewhat less than the dimensions of the lateral surfaces 146 and 148 of the sockets. Furthermore, the sleeve 150 is also with

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a longitudinal slot 154 provided so that the. Sockets 146 and 148 are inserted into the sleeve 152 can, which are tight with their inner surface 152 applied to the jacket surfaces of the sockets. To with the circumferential surfaces deviating from the circular shape Avoid jamming between the sockets and the sleeve if there is a misalignment the surface sections of the bushings and the sleeve which first come into contact with rounded portions 156 and 158 provided at a small angle of 7 to 8 °, so that a slight rotary movement of about 15 ° around the longitudinal axes between the sockets and the sleeve when Joining is made possible.

To avoid excessive forces being required to rotate a plurality of contacts when the mutually associated sockets and sleeves are not correctly aligned from the outset, eg appropriate be that in addition to the provided fillets 156 and 158 for a relatively accurate Alignment of the sockets with their contacts within the plug body is taken care of. Such Alignment can be achieved by providing the plug body with non-circular openings or by a projection is attached to the contact which engages in an adjacent contact hole in the connector body, to determine the angular position of the contacts and sockets in relation to their holes

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just as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 up to 4 there is also a spacer washer in the I50 socket arranged with non-circular contour, which a physical contact between the to be coupled Prevents fibers of the fiber conductors I30 and 132.

Although the two embodiments described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 and 5 tois 6, the coupling Treat optical fiber conductors, it is particularly advantageous that the connector body has a standard design that make it possible to receive both optical and electrical or other electromagnetic signals to pair. Such a standard design not only enables the same plug body to be used for all forms of coupling of conductors carrying electromagnetic signals, but also permits a Mixing such conductors and their contacts in the same connector body. Such a design is shown in FIG. 7 shown, in which an optical fiber conductor 160 with its contact 162 and an electrical conductor are arranged with its contact 166 in corresponding bores of a common plug body 168. The optical fiber guide 160 and its contact 162 can be in any of the embodiments described above while the electrical conductor 164 and its contact 166 are those described in U.S. Patent No. 3,792,416 mentioned above can have the training described. It goes without saying however, that the invention uses any form of contact and conductor couplings, regardless of whether it

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is precisely about the optical fiber conductors and electrical conductors described here with their contacts or other leaders and contacts that instead lead to a mixed reception in one Plug bodies are suitable.

While the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it should be understood that these embodiments can be modified and modified in many ways, without departing from the scope of the invention.

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Claims (1)

Claims 1. Plug device for the electromagnetic coupling of optical fiber conductors iait with each other mechanically connectable coupling parts in which the fiber conductors are held with opposite ends, characterized in that a sleeve (110, I50) comprises both fiber conductors (42, 90 or 130, 132) and aligns with one another. 2 «plug-in device according to claim 1, characterized in that that the fiber conductors (42, 90 or 130, 1o2) have reinforcements (40, 100 or 138, 140) at their ends have, which have a very precisely dimensioned lateral surface and which are also very precisely dimensioned Inner surface of the sleeve (110, I50) are adapted. 3ο plug-in device according to Anspimch 1 or 2, thereby characterized in that the sleeve (HO, I50) consists of a consists of elastic material, has a longitudinal slot (120, I54-) and has internal dimensions, which are slightly smaller than the corresponding dimensions of the fiber conductors or their reinforcement en ο 4 ", plug-in device according to claim 2 or 3" thereby characterized that each reinforcement consists of one Socket (40, 100 or 138, 140). 809850/0984 OR'G'N'A! .. 5ο plug-in device according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that between the reinforcements (40, 100 or 138, 140) a spacer (124) arranged that a contact between the hands of the fiber conductor (42, 90 or 130, 13 '°) impede. 6e plug-in device according to claim 5 »characterized in that that the ends dex * fiber conductors (42, 90 resp. 130, 132) cut off flush with the end faces of the reinforcements (40, 100 or 13 ", 140). 7e plug-in device according to claim ¹ ) or 6, characterized in that the spacer (124) is in the sleeve (110, 1 ^ .0) g ^ rt. 8. Plug device according to claim 7 »characterized in that that the spacer (124) has radially projecting lugs (126) which are in corresponding Openings (122) of the sleeve (110, 150) engage loosely. 9. Plug device according to one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the Iviuffe (HO) and the sockets (40, 100) are cylindrical. 10. Plug device according to one of claims 4 to 9j characterized in that the fiber conductors (42, 90) each penetrate a contact sleeve (30, 32) the front ends (38, 99) of which the sockets (40, 100) are attached. 8098B0 / 0984 282A507 <►! Plug device according to claim 10, characterized in that that the sockets (40, 100) each have a through hole (4-1, 106), the diameter of which is exactly the same as the diameter of the optical fiber guide (42, 90) and that at its rear The end has a conical extension (41a, I05), which faces the bore (52, 91) of the separate contact sleeve (30, 32) " 12e plug-in device according to claim 10 or 11, characterized characterized in that the optical fire escape (42, 90) in each case in the bore (52, 91) of the separate contact sleeve (30, 32) by a fastening means are held in a the wall of the contact sleeve laterally penetrating opening (64, 98) engages. 13 plug-in device according to claim 12, characterized in that that the fastener consists of a hardenable adhesive or a uniform on the optical fiber conductor consists of pressed metal part., 14. Plug device according to one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that for at least one optical fiber conductor (42) with two guide pieces (66, 68) in at least one of the contact sleeves (30) Are arranged at a distance from each other, which have through bores, the diameter of which is substantially the diameter of the fiber conductor (42) is the same and the conical extensions at their rear ends own,, 809850/0984 -se- 15 «plug-in device according to claims 12 and 14, characterized in that the lateral opening (64) in the V / and the contact sleeve (30) and the fastening means between the "two guide pieces (66, 68) are arranged. 16. Plug device according to one of claims 10 to 15, characterized in that the contact sleeves (30, 32) with the sockets (49, 100) are each associated with one Plug body (14, 16) are attached and at least on one of the contact sleeves (30) two spacer sleeves (43, 46) are arranged, of which one spacer sleeve (46) is essentially rigid the contact sleeve (30) and the plug body (14) is supported, and that between the two spacer sleeves (43, 46) a compression spring (50) is arranged which exerts compressive forces when the bushings (49, 100) in the plug bodies (42, 14) when establishing the electromagnetic coupling between the fiber conductors (42, 90) come to rest against each other. 17 «plug-in device according to one of claims 2 to 16, characterized in that the optical fiber conductors (130, 132) each consist of a fiber bundle exist and the reinforcements (138, 140) each have a precisely shaped, non-circular opening (142, 144) have, in which the fiber bundle ends, that the contour (146, 148) of each reinforcement exactly the shape its non-circular opening follows to a concentric one 809850/0984 Arrangement of the fiber bundles in relation to the jacket surfaces to ensure the reinforcement, and that the inner surface (152) of the sleeve (15Ο) also exactly the shape of the non-round openings (142, 144) follows » 18. Plug device according to claim 17, characterized in that the inner surface (152) of the sleeve (15Ο) and the jacket surfaces (142, 148) of the reinforcements have rounded edges (156 »158) at their ends, a slight twisting of the reinforcements (138, 140) against each other for alignment when manufacturing the Allow pairing. 19. Plug device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in one Plug body (168) at least two bores (170) are arranged, of which one bore a fiber conductor (I6O) and sleeve comprising optical Contact means (162) and the other one with electrical conductors (164) connected electrical Contains contact device (166). 20. Plug device according to claim 19, characterized in that the bores (1? O) of the plug body (168) have essentially the same dimensions and for the optional inclusion of optical and electrical Ilontakteinrichtung are formed. 609850/0984