FR2518762A1 - MOBILE CLOSING MEMBER FOR OPTICAL ELEMENTS - Google Patents

Abstract

THE CLOSING ORGAN FOR TERMINATION OF THE OPTICAL ELEMENT, AGENCY FOR ALTERNATIVELY COVERING AND DISCOVERING THE OPTICAL ELEMENT 12, 112 EXPOSED, INCLUDES AN ENVELOPE 50, 150 WHICH COVERS THE CASE CONTAINING THE OPTICAL ELEMENT; THIS ENCLOSURE CAN BE MOVED BETWEEN POSITIONS WHICH OPEN AND CLOSE THE OPTICAL ELEMENT, IN RESPONSE TO THE CONNECTION AND DISCONNECTION OF THE BOX.

Description

Movable closing device for optical elements.

  The present invention relates to closure members

  for terminations of optical elements, and more particularly-

  ment a removable closure member of the end of a

  optical fiber in a fiber optic connection system.

  When it is a question of coupling optical elements, an end face of one of the elements is exposed so as to be coupled to the end face of a second optical element When it is a question in particular of connectors

  optical fibers, these end faces are generally made

  sées by cleavage of the ends of the optical elements For the final connection of the elements, a protective sleeve is often provided which constitutes a part of the connector, this insulating sleeve and protecting the fibers from environmental damage However, when the connectors are not coupled , for example before the actual connection or when it is desired to make a change in the connection, the cleaved ends are usually exposed Foreign materials such as dirt, dust or the like may penetrate the connector, covering or at least partially blocking the face fiber optic terminal This blockage can seriously reduce capacities

  connector optical transmission.

  In the past, attempts have been made to make a cover or cap for the ends of the optical fibers which can be used in a wide variety of applications. These devices of the prior art include shutter type mechanisms which are actuated by external means. Although these shutter-type mechanisms make it possible to effectively block optical transmission between optical elements arranged end to end, they offer only little protection

  against particles and contaminants from outside

  In addition, these devices of the prior art are actuated by a separate operation which is different from

  that of the connection of the elements This results in the exposure

  tion of the optical element to the environment before connection.

  Therefore, the devices of the prior art, bem that they constitute a cover or a flap which cuts the

  optical transmission, do not sufficiently cover the extreme

  miter of the fiber to protect it from contaminants and debris coming from the outside In addition, these known devices do not come into place automatically when there is

  disconnection of the optical elements.

  An object of the invention is to propose a body for

  improved closure for terminations of optical elements.

  Another more specific object is to provide a closure member for the cleaved end of an optical fiber contained in a connector, which closes when there is disconnection. These objects and features, and more, are

  achieved by the present invention the aim of which is to

  ser a closure member for terminations of optical elements, more particularly in an envelope intended for a fiber optic connector housing This envelope is mounted on the connector housing and can be moved in two positions: a first position o the envelope blocks or covers the end of the optical fiber, and a second position where the envelope emerges from the end of the optical fiber The movement of the envelope is linked to

  interconnection of the connector with another optical element.

  The position of the enclosure is such that when the connector

  tor is connected to a second optical element such as another connector, the end of the fiber is exposed in order to obtain total optical transmission.

  the envelope moves to a position that covers the former

  end of the fiber, where not only does it block the trans-

  optical mission, but where it also protects the end

  fiber vis-à-vis environmental contaminants.

  In other words, the device according to the invention

  is characterized in that it comprises: a bootmaker for support

  ter the optical element, this housing comprising an opening for the exposure of the optical element, and means for carrying out the termination of this optical element; an envelope movably attached to the housing, capable of moving between a first position where it covers the opening of the

  bootmaker and a second position where she discovers this open-

  ture; and means responsive to movement at the termination means for moving the envelope from one of said first and second positions to the other of said pre-

first and second positions.

  Other embodiments of the envelope can be

  envisaged, including an envelope including an opening.

  In the overlapping position, the opening is not aligned

  ment with the end of the fiber, and in the non-covering position, the end of the fiber and the opening are in alignment.

  Other objects and features of the invention appear

  will be clearly seen on reading the detailed description-

  which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a

  optical cable connector, comprising a conformal casing

  me to the invention shown in normal recovery position, Figure 2 is a partial view of the connector of Figure 1 shown connected to the boot of another element o 1 tick, the envelope being in the open position, Figure 3 is a longitudinal section view of a

  optical cable connector according to another embodiment

  tion of the casing of the present invention, this casing being shown in the covering position, and FIG. 4 is a partial view of the connector of FIG. 3 when it is connected to another element shoemaker

  optical, the envelope being shown in the open position.

  Referring first to Figure 1, this shows a fiber optic cable connector 20, intended to fix the terminal end of an optical cable 10 for connection with a similar end of a second optical cable, held in a corresponding connector - not

represented.

  The cable connectors described are examples

  preferred ples of implementation of the invention But despite this preferred arrangement, the invention described here is not limited & its use with the connector which is

  described, or only with any type of connection

  conventional sensors, and it can be used with various optical element termination devices.

  simplification of the description and making it easier to understand

  sion, the present invention is described with reference to fiber optic cable connectors such as those of the type shown and described in US patent application No. 126,887

  filed March 3, 1980 in the name of the Claimant.

  The connector 20 is a fiber optic cable connector, which constitutes the termination of a conventional cable 10 containing an optical fiber 12, for its connection with a second optical fiber. The connector 20 comprises an external housing 30 which contains a ring. retainer 22, and a ferrule 18 which surrounds the cable and the fiber An end cap 24 holds the retaining ring and the ferrule in place in the housing A fiber guide 44, also contained in the housing 30, receives the end part of the fiber 12 and fixes it in its longitudinal orientation The fiber guide 44 is subjected to the application of a spring 46 mounted between the fiber guide 44 and the retaining ring 22 so as to allow the exposure of the end face 11

  of fiber through the end opening 44 has a member for

  coupling 34 with internal thread is fixed by rotation

  tioni on the housing, and it protrudes in a longitudinal direction to form a female receptacle intended for a

  second connector type termination (not shown).

  The ring 38 holds the coupling member 34 in a

fixed rotating position.

  According to a preferred form, the end part (tip 44 b) of the fiber guide 44 is conical and ends with an opening 44 a. This allows the fiber guide 44 to serve as an element of the plug-in type for perfecting the end face. 11 fiber in

the connector to be coupled -

  According to the invention, an envelope 50 is mounted so

  sliding on the external surface of the fiber guide 44.

  The envelope 50 is made of a resistant and elastic material, preferably beryllium copper or any other suitable material which is shaped according to the shape of the conical tip 44 z of the fiber guide 44 To more easily conform the shape of tip 44 b, envelope can

  be slightly curved along its transverse axis.

  The envelope 50 is fixed to the housing so as to be subjected

  to a stress which keeps it in position For example-

  ple, the envelope 50 can be mounted on a spring 53 which keeps the envelope normally in position, as shown in FIG. 1, the external flange 51 then extending above the opening 44 a and covering it in passing through the transverse end portion of the fiber guide 44 One can envisage other well-known biasing means, the biasing by a spring being presented here only by way of example Another example could be constituted by an envelope 50 made of a material having natural elasticity characteristics, and the envelope would then resiliently return to the position shown in FIG. 1 when it is no longer subjected to external forces. The internal part (which is opposite the external rim 51) of the casing 50 comprises an upwardly facing shoulder 52 and intended to abut against the external part of the case of a second connector, as will be described more far. Figure 2 shows the connector of Figure 1 inserted

  inside a second optical shoemaker and connected to it

  ci In this example, the central boot maker 60 is shown.

  which can be a simple and arbitrary termination device

  connector type sound for connecting two

optical fiber.

  The central boot 60 includes a central opening 60 a defining an external annular surface 61 intended for insertion into the female receptacle formed by the coupling member 34 The central opening 61 therefore receives the fiber guide 44 The external rim of the central boot 60 is threaded for screw connection with the body

  coupling 34 with internal thread of housing 20.

  Having thus described the structure of the device according to the

  present invention, we will now describe how it works.

is lying.

  The envelope 50 being in its normal position and.

  so that the outer rim 51 closes the opening 44 a of the fiber guide 44, the central box 60 can be inserted into the chamber defined by the coupling member 34 By rotating the coupling member 34, it is necessary the central box 60 to move inward due to the engagement by screwing between the two members This inward movement causes the outer annular surface 6 L to abut against the shoulder 52 of the casing 50 When one continues to rotate the coupling member 34, the central box 60 is moved further inward, and the shoulder 52 is then driven and it passes

  the envelope 50 from its normal position to the position shown

  tee in Figure 2 o the opening 44 a is then exposed La

  fiber 12 is then in its connected position.

  As can be seen, the opening 44 a remains covered and protected by the casing 50 until the final connection is established. Similarly, during disconnection, and by removing the central box 60 from the coupling 34 and therefore eliminating the resistance due to the elasticity of the envelope 50, the latter returns to its normal position o it covers the opening 44 a, under the influence of the

  stress exerted by the spring 53.

  Figure 3 shows another embodiment of the present invention The connector, the fiber guide, the housing, etc. are all substantially similar to those which

  have described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 For simpli-

  pride the explanations with regard to Figures 3 and 4, the elements which have the same characteristics are designated by the same reference numerals by adding 100 to the references of Figures 1 and 2 For example, the wire guide 144 of Figures 3 and 4 is similar to the guide

fiber 44 of Figures 1 and 2.

  The envelope 150 according to this second embodiment of the invention which is represented in FIG. 3 has substantially the shape of an L and it comprises a longitudinal part 153

25187 2

  and a transverse part 157 which extends from the rim

  external of the longitudinal part 153 As for the envelope

  pe 50 of Figures 1 and 2, the envelope 150 can be curved in its longitudinal part so as to conform to the shape of the wire guide 144 In the transverse part 157-and in its center is formed an opening 157 a which is at least as large as the opening 144a of the fiber guide 144. The envelope 150 is pivotally fixed by its longitudinal edge which is opposite its transverse part on the external surface of the fiber guide 144 -The longitudinal part 153 extends substantially over the length of the fiber guide 144 and the transverse part 157 extends

  transversely and crosswise on the point 144 b The

  veloppe 150 can be fixed to the external surface of the fiber guide 144 by any known fixing means such as welding

by point or soldering.

  To obtain the desired elasticity characteristics, the envelope 150 is made of a material known for its natural longitudinal elasticity, or to have the capacity to return to its original shape when the external pressure which is applied to it is removed. for example, beryllium copper can be used which, after having been deflected

  around the pivot point, returns to its original position

gine.

  In the normal position, the envelope 150 is arranged so that its longitudinal part 153 which is fixed to the pivot point 153 a is raised and forms an angle with the longitudinal axis of the fiber guide 144 Thus, the opening

  144 a and opening 157 a are not aligned.

  FIG. 4 shows the connector 120 connected to the central box 160 The casing 150 which is biased downwards by the central box 160 is * in the open position,

  the opening 157 a being in alignment with the opening 144 a.

  This variant which is shown in Figures 3 and 4

works as follows.

  The casing 150 being in the normal position described above is introduced into the central box 160 for connection. The internal wall of the casing 160 abuts against the longitudinal part of the casing 150 and biases it downwards against the fiber guide 144 when

  makes the central box penetrate inward, this movement

  being determined by the rotation of the coupling member 134 When the central box has been tightened against the connector 120, the longitudinal part 153 of the casing is placed relatively flat against the external surface of the fiber guide 144 The corresponding movement of

  -10 the transverse part 157 causes the alignment of the opening-

  ture 144 a and opening 147 a, which exposes the fiber

  optical 112 for connection -

  Similarly, during disconnection, that is to say when the central box 160 is removed, which holds the envelope 150 against the fiber guide 144, the elasticity of the envelope 150 returns it to its normal position. , and it covers

  opening 144 has the fact that it is no longer aligned

with opening 157 a.

  As is obvious, and as already follows from the above, the invention is in no way limited to those of its

  embodiments, no more than those of embodiments

  sation of its various parts, having been more specially

  considered; on the contrary, it embraces all the

laughing.

-2518762

Claims (9)

  1 Optical element termination device, character-   characterized in that it comprises: a housing (30) for supporting the optical element (12, 112), this housing comprising an opening (44 a, 144 a) for the exposure of the optical element, and means (20, 120) for carrying out the termination. of this optical element; an envelope (50, 150) fixed movably to the housing, capable of moving between a first position where it covers the opening of the housing and a second position where it discovers this opening; and means responsive to movement at the termination means for moving the envelope from one of said first and   second positions to the other of said first and second positions.   2 Device according to claim 1, characterized in that   that the envelope (50, 150) is made of an elastic material   tick and in that the means of movement comprise   the elasticity of said envelope material.   3 Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the displacement means comprise a spring (53) fixed at one end to the housing (30) and at the other end to the casing (50, 150), and in that the spring is biased so as to move the envelope between said first and second positions.   4 Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the termination means comprise a second element   optic for its connection with the first optic element   that (12, 112) and in that the displacement means are sensitive to the connection and disconnection of said first and second optical elements.   5 Device according to claim 4, characterized in that said first and second optical elements are optical fibers and in that the housing (30) comprises a fiber optic connector.   6 Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the envelope (150) further comprises an elongated part (153) fixed to the external surface of the housing and a lateral part depending on the other end of the elongated part and disposed at across the opening of the case, this   lateral part (157) comprising an opening (157 a) practical   quée in the envelope and provided not to be aligned   ment with the opening (144 a) of the case in the first position and be in alignment with the opening of the case in the second position.   7 Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the casing (150) is flexibly mounted on a pivot point at said end of the elongated part (153), and in that the displacement means comprise the   inherent flexibility of said envelope.   8 Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the optical element comprises an optical fiber (12, 112)   contained in a cable (10), in that the housing (30) comprises   takes an optical cable connector, and in that the termination means comprise a second optical fiber contained in a cable and a connector for connection with the first optical fiber, the displacement means being sensitive to the connection and to the disconnection of said first and second optical connectors.   9 Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the envelope (50, 150) can be moved to the first position when connecting said optical elements, and to the second position when disconnecting said optical elements.   Device according to claim 8, characterized in   what the envelope can be moved-in the first posi-   tion when connecting said first and second optical fibers, and towards the second position when disconnecting said optical fibers.