JP2003222760A - Optical connector module - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a new improved connector device, in particular, an optical connector module. <P>SOLUTION: The optical connector module (24) is provided for termination- processing an optical fiber cable (26) having at least one inside optical fiber (54, 110) surrounded by an outside jacket (56). A ferrule (58) is connected to the end of the optical fiber peeling a coating of the jacket. A fixing body part (62) is fixed on the jacket at a rear side of the ferrule. A housing (68) has a front side part (86) attaching the ferrule (58) in the inside and a rear side part (88) attaching the fixing body part (62) in the inside. The front side part has a front side opening end (86a) exposing a joined end of the ferrule. The rear side part has a rear side opening end (88a) in which the optical fiber penetrates and extends. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical fiber transmission technique, and more particularly to an optical connector module.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Optical connectors of a wide variety of designs are used to terminate fiber optic cables and to facilitate the connection of cables to other cables or other fiber optic transmission equipment. Conventional optical connectors have a ferrule that attaches an optical fiber or fibers to the center of the connector. Ferrule
The structure may be made of a material such as ceramic. The ferrule holder or other housing member of the connector may surround the ferrule and may be constructed of a material such as molded plastic. A spring may be arranged in the housing or ferrule holder to bias the ferrule displaceably forward for engagement with another fiber mounted ferrule of the mating connector.

Frequently, a pair of optical connectors or one optical connector and another optical fiber transmission device are joined by an adapter that centers the fiber and gives a low insertion loss. The adapter can be constructed from piping components, or the adapter can be designed to be mountable in openings in panels, backplanes, circuit boards, and the like.

[0004]

In the design of optical connector devices or other connector devices, including applications requiring backplanes, motherboards, daughterboards, etc.,
Various problems continue to occur. Often, such problems arise with efforts to simplify the design of connector devices, especially modules that terminate optical fibers. Traditionally, this design has tended to be overly complex and expensive.

The present invention is directed to solving these problems and making various improvements to connector devices, particularly optical connector modules. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved connector device, especially an optical connector module. Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved fiber optic connector module for terminating a fiber optic cable having at least one inner fiber optic surrounded by a strength member and an outer jacket. Especially.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In an embodiment of the present invention, a module has a ferrule that is connected to the stripped end of an optical fiber in a jacket. The fixed main body is fixed to the jacket on the rear side of the ferrule. The housing has a front side portion inside which the ferrule is attached and a rear side portion inside which the fixed main body portion is attached. The front side portion has a front opening end at which the joining end of the ferrule is exposed. The rear side portion has a rear side open end through which the optical fiber cable extends.

As described above, the front side portion of the housing has the locking means engageable with the ferrule. Therefore, the ferrule and the terminated optical fiber cable can be inserted into the open end of the housing and brought into contact with the locking means. Complementary interengaging latch means are provided between the fixed body and the rear side of the housing to retain the fixed body and the terminated optical fiber within the housing. In the preferred embodiment, latching means are provided by complementary interengaging snap-latch members on the fixed body and housing, and the ferrule and the terminated fiber optic cable are inserted into the housing to abut the locking means. At the same time, it is automatically engageable in response to the insertion of the fixed main body into the housing through the rear open end.

In one configuration of the present invention, the fixed main body portion has a crimp portion extending through the optical fiber, and the strength member and the jacket end are arranged outside the crimp portion. The crimp ring clamps the strength member and the jacket end to the crimp portion of the fixed body.

In another aspect of the invention, a flexible strain relief boot surrounds the fiber optic cable and extends away from the rear side of the housing. Complementary interengaging latch means are provided between the boot and the stationary body. In the preferred embodiment, the latching means are provided by complementary interengaging snap latch members on the boot and stationary body and are automatically engageable upon installation of the boot on the stationary body. . Thus, the fixed body is latched to the housing at one end and to the boot at the other end.

Finally, the housing has a flexible latch arm that holds the connector within a hole in a panel such as a backplane or circuit board. The latch arm has a latch hook on the outside thereof and a serration notch on the outside of the latch arm engageable by an operator's finger. Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description explained with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0011]

1 is a perspective view of a mating connector device according to the present invention, generally designated 10; The splice connector device includes a backplane connector device, generally designated 12, that is matable with a daughterboard connector device, generally designated 14, as shown. The backplane connector device is a board or panel, which in the preferred embodiment is a printed circuit board, or an opening 16 in a backplane 18.
Is attached to. Specifically, backplane 18 can be considered herein as a "motherboard." The daughter board connector device is mounted on the top surface of a second printed circuit board 20, which may be considered a "daughter board" herein.

The backplane connector device 12 has a reference numeral 2 attached to the opening 16 of the mother board 18.
It has an adapter shown at 2. The four optical connector modules indicated by reference numeral 24 are inserted into the adapter 22 through the opening 16 from the front side of the backplane 18. Each optical connector module is terminated in a multi-fiber cable 26. As described below, each cable 26 is a flat or "ribbon" cable having a plurality of optical fibers in a ribbon and surrounded by an outer cladding.

After the daughter board connector device 14 is attached to the daughter board 20, the four optical connector modules indicated by the reference numeral 28 are inserted in the rear side of the connector housing 30. Each module 28 is terminated in a flat multi-fiber cable 32 which is a "bare" fiber optic cable without an outer jacket. The fiber is terminated with a ferrule 34, and the joining end between the ferrule and the fiber is exposed at the joining end 36 of the connector housing 30. The connector housing is attached to the daughter board 20 by suitable fasteners 38. A plurality of guides 40 project to the front of the connector housing 30.

Referring to FIG. 5 in conjunction with FIGS. 1-4, the adapter 22 has a housing 42 which may be constructed of a molded plastic material. The housing includes a front end 42a and a rear end 42b.
Is prescribed. The front-side joint end is open, and the front-side joint end penetrates through the optical connector module 24 (described later).
The ferrule can protrude. Rear end 42b
Opens at 42c to accommodate the connector module 24 in the direction of arrow "A". The housing 42 of the adapter 22 has alignment ribs 44 protruding outward on both sides thereof. The alignment rib extends in the mating direction of the connector device to ride on the slot 46 (FIG. 1) of the side guide 40 of the daughterboard connector housing 30. A pair of cantilevered flexible latch arms 46 are provided on opposite sides of housing 42 for interengaging complementary latching means (not visible in the drawing) within daughterboard connector housing 30. The pair of locking members 48 are the backplane 1
8 through the holes 50 and extend into a pair of locking nuts 52 of the housing 42, and as shown in FIGS.
2a is projected into the hole 16 of the backplane to fix the adapter 22 to the backplane.

The backplane connector device 12 is fixed to the backplane 18, and the daughter board connector device 1
After the 4 is fixed to the daughter board 20, the backplane connector device and the daughter board connector device can be joined in the direction of arrow "B" in FIGS.
6 and 32 are functionally connected in the mated condition of the connectors shown in FIGS. In general, the optical connector module 24 is attached to the adapter 22 before the connector devices are joined.
The optical connector module 28 is inserted into the daughter board connector housing 30.

FIGS. 6-9 show the details and assembly of one optical connector module 24 of the backplane connector device 12. As described above, each module connects to the multi-fiber optical cable 26. The cable includes a multi-fiber ribbon 54 (FIG. 6) surrounded by a strength member (not shown) and an outer jacket 56.
Consists of. The fiber ribbon 54 has a plurality of individual inner optical fibers surrounded by a flat dielectric. The outer jacket 56 is stripped to expose the fiber ribbon and form a jacket end 56a. The ferrule 58 terminates the ends of the individual optical fibers, and the ferrule has an outer peripheral locking shoulder 60 facing the front splicing end 58a of the ferrule.

Further, the optical connector module 24 includes a fixed main body portion indicated by reference numeral 62 and a crimp ring 6.
4, a strain relief boot 66, and a housing designated by the reference numeral 68. 6 to 9 show the order of assembling these members of the optical connector module 24. Before proceeding to the description of the assembly sequence, the members will first be described in more detail.

More specifically, the fixed body 62 is
It has a front end 70 in front of a rectangular flange 72 projecting outward. The elliptical crimp portion 74 has the flange 7
2 projecting backwards. A pair of chamfered or beveled latch bosses 76 are formed on both sides of the front end 70, and it can be seen that the opposite side surface of the fixed body portion 62 is substantially the same as the side surface of the fixed body portion visible in the drawings. . A pair of chamfered or angled latch bosses 78 are provided above and below the crimp portion 74. The entire stationary body is either a one-piece structure that can be molded and constructed of a plastic material or is a zinc alloy die cast.

The crimp ring 64 of the connector module 24 has an oblong shape, and the jacket end 56a is disposed between the crimp portion and the crimp ring to fix the fixed main body portion 6 to each other.
It is dimensioned so that it can abut over the second crimp portion 74. The ring is formed of a deformable material such as metal to clamp the jacket end against the crimp portion, as described below.

The strain relief boot 66 of the connector module 24 is formed of an elastomeric material and is dimensioned to be able to abut over the crimp ring 64 and the crimp portion 74 of the fixed body portion 62, a front open end 80. have. The boot has a rear open end 82 dimensioned to enclose the fiber cable 26. The fiber optic cable extends completely through the boot and out the rear open end of the boot. A pair of latch holes 84 are formed above and below the boot and proximate the front open end for snap-latch engagement with the slanted latch boss 78 of the fixed body 62, as described below.

Housing 68 of connector module 24
Has a front side portion 86 to which the ferrule 58 is attached, and a rear side portion 88 to which the fixed main body portion 62 is attached. The front side portion has a front opening end 86a, and penetrates the front opening end to connect the ferrule to the joining end 5a.
8a is exposed together with the exposed end of the optical fiber. The rear side portion has a rear opening end 88a, and the boot 66 and the optical fiber cable 26 extend through the rear opening end. The housing is a unitary structure that can be made of a plastic material. A pair of locking hooks 9
0 is integrally formed with the front side portion of the housing, and is oriented inward so that it can be engaged with the locking shoulder 60 of the ferrule 58. A pair of latch holes 92 are formed on both sides of the rear side portion 88 of the housing for engaging the latch bosses 76 on both sides of the fixed body portion 62. The opposite side of the housing is substantially the same as the side that can be seen in the drawing. An upwardly stepped latch arm 94 is formed on the upper surface of the housing and has an inclined latch boss 96 spaced from a shoulder 98. In the shoulder 98, the latch boss 96 has a latch hole 100 in the adapter housing.
Front mating end 42b of adapter housing 42 with sufficient clearance to allow interengagement inside (FIG. 5).
(Fig. 5). Finally, sawtooth notch 1
02 is formed on the outside of the latch arm 94, and a serration notch 104 is formed on the outside of the opposite side of the housing for gripping the entire connector module between the operator's fingers.

Next, the assembly of the optical connector module 24 will be described with reference to FIGS. First, FIG.
Referring to FIG. 2, strain relief boot 66 and crimp ring 64 are threaded over fiber optic cable 26 as shown. The outer jacket 56 of the cable may be stripped to remove the fiber ribbon 54, as shown, before or after the boots and crimp rings are installed.
Is exposed to form a jacket end 56a. Next, the fixed body 62 is passed over the fiber ribbon 54. The ferrule 58 is then connected to the individual fibers of the fiber ribbon 54 by known methods.

Before or after connecting the ferrule 58 to the fiber, as shown in FIG. 7, the strength member and the jacket end 56a are sandwiched between the crimp portion and the crimp ring, and the crimp ring 64 is fixed. Part 6
It is disposed on the second crimp portion 74. The deformable crimp ring is then crimped to clamp the jacket end against the stationary body.

The subassembly of FIG. 7 is then inserted into housing 68 in the direction of arrow "C" to the assembly position of FIG. When completely inserted, the locking hook 90 on the front side of the housing 68 abuts on the locking shoulder 60 of the ferrule 58, and the flange 72 of the fixed main body portion 62 abuts on the rear side of the housing. In this fully inserted condition, the slanted latch bosses 76 on both sides of the fixed body are snapped into the latch holes 92 on both sides of the housing.

In the final step, the strain relief boot 66 is arrowed "D" until the latch hole 84 snaps into the slanted latch boss 78 of the fixed body 62, as shown in FIG.
(Fig. 8) is to move forward. Of course, it will be appreciated that the boot 66 may be attached to the fixed body prior to inserting the fixed body and ferrule 58 into the rear open end 88a of the housing 68.

After assembling the four modules as described above, the four optical connector modules 24 are inserted into the adapter 22 in the direction of arrow "E" (FIG. 1). The backplane connector device 12 can then be mated with the daughterboard connector device 14 in the direction of arrow "B" (FIGS. 1 and 2). Alignment pin 10 extending from the ferrule of the daughter board connector device at the time of joining
6 (FIG. 1) is the alignment hole 108 (FIG. 9) of the joining end 58a of the ferrule 58 of the backplane connector device.
Enter. Further, in FIG. 9, the optical fiber cable 26
A plurality of or linear optical fiber ends 110 are shown extending from the fiber ribbon 54 of FIG.

It will be appreciated that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. Therefore,
This example is considered to be illustrative in all respects and should not be limited, and the present invention should not be limited to the following detailed description.

[Brief description of drawings]

The features of the invention believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, together with its objects and advantages, will be best understood by referring to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like components.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mating connector device according to the present invention with the assembly unbonded.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the connector device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the connector device of FIG. 1 in a joined state.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the connector device in the joined state of FIG.

5 is an exploded perspective view of the backplane connector device as viewed from the left side of FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG.

6 is a continuous view showing the details and assembly of one optical connector module of the backplane connector device of FIG.

7 is a continuous view showing the details and assembly of one optical connector module of the backplane connector device of FIG.

8 is a continuous view showing details and assembly of one optical connector module of the backplane connector device of FIG.

9 is a sequence diagram showing the details and assembly of one optical connector module of the backplane connector device of FIG.

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Wen Zhong Chen             Naperville, Illinois, United States               Anist Pleasure Drive 959 (72) Inventor Igor Grois             North Bull, Illinois, United States             Ck green acre drive 4010 F-term (reference) 2H036 JA01 QA03 QA31 QA32 QA33                       QA49 QA57

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. At least one inner optical fiber (54, 110) surrounded by an outer jacket (56).
An optical connector module (24) for terminating an optical fiber cable (26) having: a ferrule (58) connected to an end of the jacketed optical fiber; A fixed body portion (62) fixed to the jacket, a front side portion (86) inside which the ferrule (58) is attached, and a rear side portion inside which the fixed body portion (62) is attached (88), the front side portion has a front open end (86a) through which the joining end (58a) of the ferrule is exposed, and the rear side portion is penetrated by the optical fiber cable (26). Rear open end (88a) extending
An optical connector module (24) comprising a housing (68) having a. 2. The front side (8) of the housing (68).
6) has locking means (90) engageable by the ferrule (58) to insert the ferrule and the terminated fiber optic cable into the rear open end (88a) of the housing. The locking means (90)
The optical connector according to claim 1, which can be brought into contact with the optical connector. 3. Between the fixed body (62) and a rear side (88) of the housing (68) for retaining the fixed body and a terminated fiber optic cable within the housing. To the complementary interengaging latch means (7
6. The optical connector according to claim 1, further comprising: 4. The latch means is provided for the fixed body portion (6).
2) and complementary interengaging snap latch members (76, 92) on the housing (68) for insertion of the fixed body portion into the housing through the rear open end (88a). 4. The optical connector according to claim 3, wherein the optical connector can be automatically engaged. 5. The fixed body portion (62) comprises a crimp portion (7) extending through the at least one optical fiber.
4) having a jacket end (56) on the outside of the crimp portion.
Optical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that a) is arranged and has a crimp ring (64) for clamping the jacket end against the crimp part. 6. A flexible strain relief boot (66) surrounding the fiber optic cable (26) and extending in a direction away from a rear side (88) of the housing (68). The optical connector according to claim 1. 7. Complementary interengaging latch means (7) between the boot (66) and the fixed body (62).
8. The optical connector according to claim 6, further comprising: 8. The boot means (66) comprises the latch means.
And complementary interengaging snap latch members (78, 84) on the fixed body (62), which are automatically engageable upon attachment of the boot to the fixed body. The optical connector according to claim 7, which is characterized in that. 9. The housing (68) includes a flexible latch arm (9) that holds the connector within an opening in the panel.
The optical connector according to claim 1, further comprising 4). 10. The latch arm (94) has a latch hook (96) on the outside thereof and a sawtooth notch (102) on the outside of the latch arm engageable by an operator's finger. The optical connector according to claim 9, which is characterized in that.