GB2086602A - Fibre optic connector - Google Patents

Fibre optic connector Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2086602A
GB2086602A GB8035347A GB8035347A GB2086602A GB 2086602 A GB2086602 A GB 2086602A GB 8035347 A GB8035347 A GB 8035347A GB 8035347 A GB8035347 A GB 8035347A GB 2086602 A GB2086602 A GB 2086602A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
ferrule
elements
connector
optical fibre
bore
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB8035347A
Other versions
GB2086602B (en
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Cannon Electric Great Britain Ltd
Original Assignee
Cannon Electric Great Britain Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Cannon Electric Great Britain Ltd filed Critical Cannon Electric Great Britain Ltd
Priority to GB8035347A priority Critical patent/GB2086602B/en
Publication of GB2086602A publication Critical patent/GB2086602A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2086602B publication Critical patent/GB2086602B/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
    • G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
    • G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
    • G02B6/389—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs characterised by the method of fastening connecting plugs and sockets, e.g. screw- or nut-lock, snap-in, bayonet type
    • G02B6/3893—Push-pull type, e.g. snap-in, push-on
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
    • G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
    • G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
    • G02B6/3833—Details of mounting fibres in ferrules; Assembly methods; Manufacture
    • G02B6/3847—Details of mounting fibres in ferrules; Assembly methods; Manufacture with means preventing fibre end damage, e.g. recessed fibre surfaces
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
    • G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
    • G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
    • G02B6/3873—Connectors using guide surfaces for aligning ferrule ends, e.g. tubes, sleeves, V-grooves, rods, pins, balls
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
    • G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
    • G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
    • G02B6/381—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs of the ferrule type, e.g. fibre ends embedded in ferrules, connecting a pair of fibres
    • G02B6/3826—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs of the ferrule type, e.g. fibre ends embedded in ferrules, connecting a pair of fibres characterised by form or shape
    • G02B6/3831—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs of the ferrule type, e.g. fibre ends embedded in ferrules, connecting a pair of fibres characterised by form or shape comprising a keying element on the plug or adapter, e.g. to forbid wrong connection

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Coupling Of Light Guides (AREA)

Abstract

An optical fibre connector arrangement includes two elements which mate, each being of rectangular cross-section with keys (20, 21) and key-ways (22, 23) on the outer surface so that they can be assembled into multi-way connectors. Within each element the fibre optic cables (1, 2) are each terminated by a jewelled ferrule (3, 4). In one element the mating end is a rectangular plug (16) which fits into a rectangular sheath (15) on the other element, the elements being then held together in snap-action manner. In the plug-ended element the ferrule (3) fits into one end of a bore in which it is a close fit, and the other ferrule (4) fits into the other end of the bore when the two elements are mated. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Fibre optic connector This invention relates to optical fibre connectors.
In telecommunications and data processing installations using optical fibres, the need arises for a great number of connectors, which should be cheap and compact, and an object of the invention is to meet the above need.
According to the invention there is provided an optical fibre connector element, which includes a body of an opaque material which is of generally rectangular cross-section, a ferrule for terminating an optical fibre within the element, which ferrule is spring-urged towards the front of the element, so that when two connector elements are mated the ferrules thereof are close to each other and aligned with each other, and projecting portions on certain outer surfaces of the element and holes or recesses of corresponding shape to the projecting portions on others of said surfaces, the arrangement being such that the elements can be stacked with the projecting portions on some of said elements received in the holes or recesses on other of said elements.
An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawing, in which Figures 1 and 2 show in perspective two parts of a two-part connector while Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing how these two parts fit together.
The connector elements shown are each used to receive an optical fibre cable 1,2, each such cable's fibre being terminated by a ferrule 3, 4. Each such ferrule is a metallic tube with one end closed by a watch jewel, the optical fibre end being received in the central hole of the jewel and retained in place in the ferrule by a suitable epoxy material. The end face of the ferrules are each ground flat. Each ferrule is retained in place in a closely-fitting bore in its element, and each is urged forwardly by a spring such as 5, 6.
Each termination has at its rear end an end-cap such as 7 and the fibre optic cable threat passes through a hole in the end-cap, there being a washer 9 against which one end of a spring 10 bears. The other end of that spring bears on an end-flange 11 on the ferrule, so that the spring 10 urges the ferrule forward. The end cap 7 is a snap-fit onto the end of the connector body 12, the snap fit being attained by outwardly-extending ridges on the end-cap each of when the connector element is assembled fits into a slot 13 in the material of the element. In the sectional drawing, Figure 3, it will be noted that the end gaps with the snap fit slots such as 13, are shown turned through 90 with respect to their location in Figures 1 and 2.
Where the two connector elements meet, one element has a receptacle portion 15 while the other has a plug portion 16, which latter has its ferrule 3 in a light-fit bore, with a portion of the bore adapted to receive the other ferrule 4 when the elements engage. When the two elements are mated, it will be seen that the ferrule 4 on the "receptacle" element fits into the bore in the "plug" element to engage the other ferrule, the "plug" end 16 fitting into the "receptacle" portion 15. When mated the two elements are held together by a projecting ridge 17 on the element end 16 which snap fits into a slot 18 on the other element end 15.
Thus the arrangements described above are compact and simple in shape. Where a number of such connectors have to be assembled together advantage is taken by keys and key-ways on the outer surfaces of the elements. Thus the upper surfaces of the elements have keys 20, 21 on the upper surface and key-ways 22, 23 on the lower surface which can fit together. Simiarly one side of each has a key (not shown) while the other side has a key-way 24, 25.
Location is effected accurately with the aid of studs such as 26 and holes such as 27.
1. An optical fibre connector element, which includes a body of an opaque material which is of generally rectangular cross-section, a ferrule for terminating an optical fibre within the element, which ferrule is sprng-urged towards the front of the element, so that when two connector elements are mated the ferrules thereof are close to each other and aligned with each other, and projecting portions on certain outer faces of the element and holes or recesses of corresponding shape to the projecting portions on others of said surfaces, the arrangement being such that the elements can be stacked with the projecting portions on some of said elements received in the holes or recesses on other of said elements.
2. A connector element as claimed in claim 1, and in which at the rear end of the element the optical fibre cable to be terminated is received in a generally rectangular end-cap which is secured to the body of its element in snap-action manner.
3. A connector element as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which at the front end of the element there is a projecting plug-like rectangular portion with a bore therethrough, in which the inner end of said bore received the element's ferrule, and in which the outer end of the bore is adapted to receive a ferrule in a mating element.
4. A connector element as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which at the front end of the element there is a projecting rectangular sheath like portion of such a size as to snugly receive the plug-like portion of an element as clamed in claim 3, and in which within the sheath-like portion there is the projecting end of a ferrule so located as to be snugly received in the bore of the plug-like portion of the element of claim 3.
5. A connector assembly including two connector elements one of which is an element as claimed in claim 3 while the other is an element as claimed in claim 4, and in which the two elements are held together in snap-action manner.
6. An optical fibre connector element substantially as described with reference to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawing.
7. An optical fibre connector element substantially as described with reference to Figure 2 of the
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (8)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Fibre optic connector This invention relates to optical fibre connectors. In telecommunications and data processing installations using optical fibres, the need arises for a great number of connectors, which should be cheap and compact, and an object of the invention is to meet the above need. According to the invention there is provided an optical fibre connector element, which includes a body of an opaque material which is of generally rectangular cross-section, a ferrule for terminating an optical fibre within the element, which ferrule is spring-urged towards the front of the element, so that when two connector elements are mated the ferrules thereof are close to each other and aligned with each other, and projecting portions on certain outer surfaces of the element and holes or recesses of corresponding shape to the projecting portions on others of said surfaces, the arrangement being such that the elements can be stacked with the projecting portions on some of said elements received in the holes or recesses on other of said elements. An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawing, in which Figures 1 and 2 show in perspective two parts of a two-part connector while Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing how these two parts fit together. The connector elements shown are each used to receive an optical fibre cable 1,2, each such cable's fibre being terminated by a ferrule 3, 4. Each such ferrule is a metallic tube with one end closed by a watch jewel, the optical fibre end being received in the central hole of the jewel and retained in place in the ferrule by a suitable epoxy material. The end face of the ferrules are each ground flat. Each ferrule is retained in place in a closely-fitting bore in its element, and each is urged forwardly by a spring such as 5, 6. Each termination has at its rear end an end-cap such as 7 and the fibre optic cable threat passes through a hole in the end-cap, there being a washer 9 against which one end of a spring 10 bears. The other end of that spring bears on an end-flange 11 on the ferrule, so that the spring 10 urges the ferrule forward. The end cap 7 is a snap-fit onto the end of the connector body 12, the snap fit being attained by outwardly-extending ridges on the end-cap each of when the connector element is assembled fits into a slot 13 in the material of the element. In the sectional drawing, Figure 3, it will be noted that the end gaps with the snap fit slots such as 13, are shown turned through 90 with respect to their location in Figures 1 and 2. Where the two connector elements meet, one element has a receptacle portion 15 while the other has a plug portion 16, which latter has its ferrule 3 in a light-fit bore, with a portion of the bore adapted to receive the other ferrule 4 when the elements engage. When the two elements are mated, it will be seen that the ferrule 4 on the "receptacle" element fits into the bore in the "plug" element to engage the other ferrule, the "plug" end 16 fitting into the "receptacle" portion 15. When mated the two elements are held together by a projecting ridge 17 on the element end 16 which snap fits into a slot 18 on the other element end 15. Thus the arrangements described above are compact and simple in shape. Where a number of such connectors have to be assembled together advantage is taken by keys and key-ways on the outer surfaces of the elements. Thus the upper surfaces of the elements have keys 20, 21 on the upper surface and key-ways 22, 23 on the lower surface which can fit together. Simiarly one side of each has a key (not shown) while the other side has a key-way 24, 25. Location is effected accurately with the aid of studs such as 26 and holes such as 27. CLAIMS
1. An optical fibre connector element, which includes a body of an opaque material which is of generally rectangular cross-section, a ferrule for terminating an optical fibre within the element, which ferrule is sprng-urged towards the front of the element, so that when two connector elements are mated the ferrules thereof are close to each other and aligned with each other, and projecting portions on certain outer faces of the element and holes or recesses of corresponding shape to the projecting portions on others of said surfaces, the arrangement being such that the elements can be stacked with the projecting portions on some of said elements received in the holes or recesses on other of said elements.
2. A connector element as claimed in claim 1, and in which at the rear end of the element the optical fibre cable to be terminated is received in a generally rectangular end-cap which is secured to the body of its element in snap-action manner.
3. A connector element as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which at the front end of the element there is a projecting plug-like rectangular portion with a bore therethrough, in which the inner end of said bore received the element's ferrule, and in which the outer end of the bore is adapted to receive a ferrule in a mating element.
4. A connector element as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which at the front end of the element there is a projecting rectangular sheath like portion of such a size as to snugly receive the plug-like portion of an element as clamed in claim 3, and in which within the sheath-like portion there is the projecting end of a ferrule so located as to be snugly received in the bore of the plug-like portion of the element of claim 3.
5. A connector assembly including two connector elements one of which is an element as claimed in claim 3 while the other is an element as claimed in claim 4, and in which the two elements are held together in snap-action manner.
6. An optical fibre connector element substantially as described with reference to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawing.
7. An optical fibre connector element substantially as described with reference to Figure 2 of the accompanying drawing.
8. An optical fibre connector assembly substantially as described with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawing.
GB8035347A 1980-11-04 1980-11-04 Fibre optic connector Expired GB2086602B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8035347A GB2086602B (en) 1980-11-04 1980-11-04 Fibre optic connector

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8035347A GB2086602B (en) 1980-11-04 1980-11-04 Fibre optic connector

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB2086602A true GB2086602A (en) 1982-05-12
GB2086602B GB2086602B (en) 1985-11-27

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Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0156397A2 (en) * 1984-03-30 1985-10-02 Nec Corporation Optical fiber connector
US4605281A (en) * 1984-01-17 1986-08-12 Hellewell Byron A Self-aligning fiber optic connector
US4898446A (en) * 1988-10-28 1990-02-06 American Telephone And Telegraph Company, At&T Bell Laboratories Optical fiber connector
US5633969A (en) * 1995-09-27 1997-05-27 General Motors Corporation Automotive fiber optic cable splice
US6076976A (en) * 1998-03-27 2000-06-20 General Motors Corporation Fiber optic cable connector

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4605281A (en) * 1984-01-17 1986-08-12 Hellewell Byron A Self-aligning fiber optic connector
EP0156397A2 (en) * 1984-03-30 1985-10-02 Nec Corporation Optical fiber connector
EP0156397A3 (en) * 1984-03-30 1986-02-12 Nec Corporation Optical fiber connector
US4898446A (en) * 1988-10-28 1990-02-06 American Telephone And Telegraph Company, At&T Bell Laboratories Optical fiber connector
EP0366346A2 (en) * 1988-10-28 1990-05-02 AT&T Corp. Optical connector
EP0366346B1 (en) * 1988-10-28 1994-12-28 AT&T Corp. Optical connector
US5633969A (en) * 1995-09-27 1997-05-27 General Motors Corporation Automotive fiber optic cable splice
US6076976A (en) * 1998-03-27 2000-06-20 General Motors Corporation Fiber optic cable connector

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2086602B (en) 1985-11-27

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PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee