DE3109996C2 - Connectors for fiber optic cables - Google Patents

Abstract

The connector (1) uses a connector body (2) which is provided with a receptacle (3) for two fiber end sleeves (4) and on which two diametrically arranged threaded connections (5) protrude. These each have a union nut (6) with which the end faces of the fiber end sleeves (4) are brought into mutual contact. An elastic coupling is ensured by adding an axially resilient ring (12) between the collar (11) of each fiber end sleeve (4), which e.g. The end faces of the conical fiber end sleeves (4) on the coupling side are brought into congruence by an elastic, radially symmetrical centering arrangement. The latter consists, for example, of a spring-loaded triple ball or a ring (8), the inner diameter of which is smaller than the face diameter of the fiber end sleeves (4) containing the centrally fixed light guides. The centering elements are loosely arranged in a groove (7) running around inside the plug body (2).

Description

Connectors of the type mentioned are common in optical communications technology used for the detachable coupling of the ends of plastic or glass fibers that conduct light waves

From DE-OS 23 14 687 a connecting device for optical fibers is known in which within of a connector housing designed as a screw nut, two metal pressure plates are arranged with a plate made of silicone rubber in between. The plate arrangement penetrates at least one receiving bore, the diameter of which is at least as large is like that of optical fiber. The two bare fiber ends to be coupled to one another are inserted into this receiving bore and the plate arrangement is then pressed together by screwing an externally threaded ring into the connector housing, several into the pressure plates Inserted dowel pins ensure that the elastic plate is compressed plane-parallel. This creates a radial material displacement, which axially aligns and fixes the fiber ends in the receiving bore. Becomes the force acting on the pressure plates removed, the optical fibers can be separated again.

Such connecting devices have gained no economic importance in practice because the hair-fine fiber ends outside the device völ

lig are unprotected and therefore break off easily.

A connector for optical waveguides according to the preamble of claim 1 is already known from EP patent application 0014 936. In this connector design, the sensitive Liditwellen- conductors are fixed centrally within fiber end sleeves, thus providing the necessary mechanical Get protection. A triple ball is used as the centering element for the fiber end sleeves, which in principle

Although to have very good centering properties, a relatively large number is extremely important for its function closely toleranced parts required The production of a number of connector parts with tolerances in the micrometer range is but unusually expensive.

From DE-OS 28 19 259 a connecting device for optical fibers is known in which the fibers are fixed centricch in fiber end sleeves, which in turn are in a radially elastic centering arrangement are aligned in alignment with one another. Therefor a cage arrangement is used, which spanned three of a resilient sleeve at equal intervals Steel pins contains The steel pins form a three-line bearing for two fiber end sleeves inserted into the centering arrangement on opposite sides. By When the steel pins are pressed against the cylindrical outer surfaces of the fiber end sleeves, their end faces and those of the optical fibers are brought into congruence Furthermore, from DE-OS 29 38 166 a Vorrich device for the independent alignment of optical single fibers Lines in connectors can be removed, which has a cylindrical reference surface in the form of a rigid guide sleeve for centering the fiber end sleeves. Each fiber ferrule is also radial with one provided elastically mounted triple balls with which the The optical fiber protruding freely at the end is centered on the axis center of the fiber end sleeve.

Finally, in DE-OS 28 03 670 a connector is described in which two with means of toroidal seals formed elastically Sections of the cylindrical part of the fiber end sleeves are aligned in a rigid centering sleeve on the cylindrical inner surface. In this solution, too, as with the two previously solutions mentioned required a cylindrical reference surface for centering the fiber end sleeves.

The invention is based on the object of providing a connector according to the preamble of claim 1 create, which only causes low manufacturing costs gently and therefore in favor of series production large quantities. This object is achieved according to the invention by the characterizing part of this Claim specified constructive measures solved.

The advantages that can be achieved with the invention are in the

given below. Beneficial

Refinements of the subject matter of claim 1

can be found in the subclaims.

The invention is based on a in a drawing

illustrated embodiment described in more detail as follows. In the drawing shows

F i g. 1 partially shows a connector with coupled optical waveguides fixed in fiber end sleeves cut lengthways;

F i g. 2 an empty sleeve body with a pierced groove for the attachment of a spring washer, in longitudinal section. In Fig. 1 the connector is generally labeled 1

³

Ii distinguished It consists of a two parts fixed to-collar 11 forming spring ring disseminated After% sammengefügten plug body 2, the axially an upward insertion of the ferrules 4 in the plug body receiving bore p interspersed 3 for two ferrules 4 and tightening of the union nuts 6 the plug § The ends of the plug body 2 are already finished as a threaded nut assembly and the plug connector 1 is fully zen 5, each of which has a nut 6 5 working. If necessary, the length dimension can wear %. In the interior of the connector body 1 is also solution of the ferrule 4 are determined so that their ■ $ provided a radially encircling groove. 7 The groove 7 at the rear end far enough out of the union-S is used to accommodate a radially resilient ring 8, the nut 6 protrudes and thus the possibility of forming the centering element, which before fastening a strain relief for the fiber optic cable *! The connector body 2 is inserted loosely. To io offers

Bi be the spring force radially symmetric effective -was partly mentioned before about how, require

r $ let, the inner diameter of the ring 8 is smaller than merely the coupling ends of the fiber end sleeves 4 and the face diameter of the centering element end that can be used on the coupling side a fiber end sleeve 4 having a cone 9, wel- te versions of precision dimensions. Because, however Before the optical fiber of the light guide cable 10 contains 15 the predominant number of individual parts in an advantageous manner Serving as a centering ring 8 consists of ter way with common manufacturing tolerances an elastic O-ring or can be produced in a corresponding ring shape, the plug principle is also suitable for I? ', Shaped spring. Use of line connections between the two

Because the fundamentals of the solution idea are based on, for example, a rack frame and

Ί ·. Consideration is based on the fact that the centering element unfolds its 20 ben or, for printed circuit boards, the most ^{functionally reliable effect in the corresponding structural 1} ^ when it can be inserted from the group frame. In these cases, there is an arrangement that engages radially and elastically; the plug, which is also multi-pole or lined up, can be used either in the stadet (not shown) for cxial alignment of the fiber end sleeves 4 with its centering elements and, of course, a spring-mounted triple ball ). That can be z. B. the traditional part of a device and the other half by realizing that the three balls are encompassed by a Formfe fiber end sleeve 4 in the complementary device that is made of metal or the other half, or vice versa

cut of an elastic tube

can. 1 sheet of drawings

From Fig. 1 shows that the fiber end sleeves 4 with 30 ~~~

each a federal government 11 are provided, between the and the

Union nut 6, an elastic ring 12 is inserted. This ring 12 can also be an O-ring or the

Have the shape of a disc. By screwing in the union nuts 6, the faces of the fa-

Serendhülsen 4 under the spring action of the elastic ring

Vl ge 12 for mutual investment. Here the in the

Groove 7 of the plug body 2 bearing ring 8 widened, :: whereby its centering force arises which the sleeves

aligns on a common mechanical axis

F i g. 2 shows a sleeve body 13 into which the light guide cable 10 is inserted using suitable adjustment methods is glued in such a way that its optical fiber assumes a central position with respect to the sleeve cone 9 The sleeve body 13 is provided with a circumferentially cut into its lateral surface groove 14, which for A spring washer is used to receive a spring washer. The spring washer is fastened by being pressed into the groove 14 and forms the collar 11 of the finished fiber end sleeve 4.

The connector 1 offers various advantages. Its individual parts can be used inexpensively as automatic turned parts produce or are commercially available parts, such as the elastic rings 8, 12 or the collar 11 used spring washers. For the manufacture of the sleeve body 13 pipe pieces are sufficient, one end of which is simply pressed conically. High manufacturing accuracy is only required for the cone diameter The outer surface is therefore ground. All dimensions of the remaining individual parts can be made with generally accepted tolerances getting produced. Nevertheless, the coupling region is prevented from penetrating by the elastic rings 8, 12 protected from dust and moisture. After gluing the fiber optic cable 10 into the sleeve body 13 The following connector assembly is not only possible and very easy for the manufacturer, but also for the user easily manageable. On each sleeve body 13 are only first the nut 6, then the elastic ring 12 pushed and then the the

Claims (5)

Patent claims: 1. Connector for fiber optic cables, consisting of from a plug body firmly joined together from two parts with a receptacle for two fiber end sleeves, each with a cone on the plug side, those of two, seated on the corresponding threaded connector of the connector body and on one collar each of the fiber end sleeve acting cap nuts are held in the advanced position, with their End faces of one arranged in the interior of the plug body in a radially circumferential groove Centering element, which acts simultaneously on both conical surfaces of the fiber end sleeves, for cover are brought, characterized in that the centering element consists of a radially resilient Ring (8), the inside diameter of which is smaller than the end face diameter of the fiber end sleeves (4). 2. Connector for light guides according to claim 1, characterized in that the ring (8) used as a centering element consists of an elastic O-ring 3. Connector for light guide according to claim 1, characterized in that the ring (8) used as a centering element is a shaped spring 4. connector for light guide according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that between the collar (11) of each fiber end sleeve (4) and the Union nut (6) an elastic ring (12) is inserted 5. Connector for light guide according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the The collar (11) of the fiber end sleeve (4) consists of a spring ring which is snapped into a groove (14) in the sleeve body (13).