JPH0381128B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] The present invention provides a lid (lid, cover) for a terminal of an optical element.
More specifically, the present invention relates to a removable cover for the end of an optical fiber in connection of optical fibers.

Within the chain of optical elements, their end faces are normally exposed for connection with the end faces of a second optical element. Particularly in optical fiber connections, such end faces are usually formed by cleaving the ends of optical elements. In state-of-the-art coupling of components, protective sleeves are often used that form part of the coupler, and such sleeves isolate and protect the fibers from exposure to the outside atmosphere. However, the cleaved ends are commonly exposed when the couplers are not engaged, for example, prior to the actual connection, or when a change in connection is required.
Foreign matter such as dirt and dust then enters the coupler and covers the end face of the optical fiber, causing at least a partial blockage. This occlusion has a significant effect on the light transmission ability of the coupler.

Numerous attempts have been made to provide optical fiber end caps or covers for use in many applications. These conventional devices include shutter-type mechanisms operated by external means. Although such shutter-type mechanisms effectively block light transmission between end-to-end optical elements, they do not provide any protection against external particles or dirt. Furthermore, these prior devices operate with means other than the means of coupling the elements. Therefore, the optical elements are exposed before connection.

Therefore, although prior devices provide end covers or shutters to block light transmission, they do not effectively cover the ends of the fibers to protect them from external dirt and debris. Furthermore, these known devices do not automatically engage when cutting the optical element.

One object of the present invention is to provide an improved lid for an optical device terminal.

A further specific object is to provide a lid for the cleaved end of the optical fiber in the coupler which closes upon cutting.

These and other objects and features are found in accordance with the present invention which provides a lid for an optical device terminal, particularly a canopy for a fiber optic coupler housing. The canopy rests on the coupler housing between two positions: a first position in which the canopy covers and occludes the optical fiber end; and a second position in which the canopy disengages from the optical fiber end. , is movable between. The movement of the canopy is responsive to the interconnection of the coupler and the next optical element. The position of the canopy is such that the fiber ends are open for full light transmission when the coupler is coupled to a second optical element or other coupler. When disengaged, the canopy moves to a position overlying the fiber end, not only blocking light transmission but also protecting the fiber end from external contamination.

Other canopy embodiments are also contemplated, including canopies with holes. In the covered position, the holes are not aligned with the fiber ends, but in the uncovered position, the fiber ends and the holes are aligned.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In FIG. 1, a fiber optic cable coupler is shown at 20, which holds an end of optical cable 10 connected to a like end of a second optical cable carried in a mating coupler, not shown.

A cable coupler is shown as a preferred example of implementing the invention. Regardless of the preferred implementation environment,
The invention disclosed herein is not limited to use with the couplers shown herein or other common couplers, but may be employed with a variety of optical device end devices. For simplicity of description and ease of understanding, this invention is incorporated herein by reference to U.S. Pat. No. 4,378,145, filed March 3, 1980, and assigned to the assignee of this application. is described in connection with a fiber optic cable coupler of the type shown in .

The coupler 20 is an optical fiber cable coupler,
A conventional cable 10 containing an optical fiber 12 is terminated and connected to a second optical fiber. The coupler 20 has an outer housing 3 with a retaining ring 22.
0 and a ferrule 18 around its outer circumference for receiving cables and fibers. An end cap 24 holds the retaining ring and ferrule in place within the housing. A fiber guide 44 is also included within the housing 30 to longitudinally retain and receive the extending fiber 12. Fiber guide 44 is spring loaded by the bias of spring 46 between guide 44 and retaining ring 22 to allow fiber end face 11 to be exposed through hole 44a. An internally threaded coupler 34 is rotatably retained in the housing and extends longitudinally therefrom to define a female socket (not shown) for receiving a second coupler-type end. Ring 38 is coupler 3
4 in a constant rotational position.

In the preferred form, the longitudinal end (tip 44b) of fiber guide 44 is tapered and terminates in an aperture 44a. The fiber guide 44 therefore acts as an insertable element and projects the fiber end face 11 into the desired mating coupler.

In the present invention, the canopy 50 is slidably retained on the outer surface of the fiber guide 44. Sheath 50 is made of a strong resilient material, preferably beryllium copper or other suitable material, and conforms to the shape of tapered end 44b of fiber guide 44. The canopy 50 may be slightly arcuate along the transverse axis to provide a tighter fit to the shape of the tapered end 44b. The canopy 50 is fixed to the housing with a positional bias. For example, canopy 50 is held in its normal position by spring 53 as shown in FIG. 1, with its outer edge 51 extending beyond the width of fiber guide 44 and covering aperture 44a. The biasing by a spring is shown by way of example only, and various known biasing means may be used. As another example, the canopy 50 itself may be made of a material that has a tendency to deflect so that it will elastically recover the position shown in FIG. 1 upon removal of an external force.

The inner end of the canopy 50 (opposite the outer edge 51) includes an upwardly rising shoulder 52;
This shoulder is constructed to abut the outer end of the second coupler as described below.

FIG. 2 shows the coupler of FIG. 1 in mating connection with a second light housing. In this example, the central housing 60 is shown as the mating coupler;
This can be any simple coupling terminal device for coupling two optical fibers.

Central housing 60 includes a central opening 60a and defines an outer annular surface 61 for insertion into a female socket formed in coupler 34. The central opening 60a thereby receives the fiber guide 44. central housing 60
is threaded on the outside for threaded engagement with an internally threaded coupler 34 of the housing 20.

Since the structure of the present invention has been described above, its handling will be described below.

The outer edge 51 of the cover member 50 of the coupler 20 is
is placed in its normal position so as to close the opening 44a of the fiber guide 44, and the central housing 60 (mating coupler) is inserted into the space created by the coupler 34. Turning the coupler 34 draws the central housing 60 inwardly due to the threaded relationship between the members. This inward movement brings the outer annular surface 61 into contact with the shoulder 52 of the canopy 50. Further rotation of coupler 34 moves central housing 60 further inwardly, driving shoulder 52 to move canopy 50 from its normal position to the position shown in FIG.
4a is exposed. The fibers 12 are now in the coupled position.

As seen here, opening 44a is closed and protected by canopy 50 until final connection is made.

Similarly, when cutting, removing the central housing 60 from the coupler 34 and thus removing the force resisting the tendency of the sheath 50 to deflect, the sheath 50 returns to its normal position by the force of the spring 53 and the opening 4
Block 4a.

When the linker 20 is connected to the mating coupler (center housing 60) in this way, the opening 44a is exposed and the optical fiber 12 is inserted into the opening 44a.
Protruding from the top and prepared for connection. Also, the coupler 20 and the mating coupler (center housing 6
0), the opening 44a is closed and the fiber 12 is retracted from the opening. That is, the optical fiber 12 is inserted into and removed from the opening 44a.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the invention. coupler,
The fiber guide, housing, etc. are substantially similar to those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. For simplicity of description, elements with similar characteristics are indicated by similar reference numerals in FIGS. 3 and 4 with 100 added to the reference numerals in FIGS. 1 and 2. For example, fiber guide 144 in FIGS. 3 and 4 is similar to fiber guide 44 in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The canopy member 150 in the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. Extending. Canopy 1 similar to canopy 50 in Figures 1 and 2
50 matches the fiber guide 144, so
It forms an arc so that it intersects in the horizontal direction.
An opening 157a is provided at the center of the lateral portion 157, and its size is at least as large as that of the fiber guide 14.
It has the same size as the opening 144a of No. 4.

Sheath 150 is pivotally secured to the outer surface of fiber guide 144 at the end of the longitudinal section opposite the lateral section. Longitudinal portion 153 extends substantially the length of fiber guide 144 and lateral portion 15
7 extends laterally across tip 144b. The sheath 150 is attached to the fiber guide 14 by well known means such as spot welding or soldering.
Attached to the outer surface of 4.

To obtain the desired elasticity, the canopy 150 is fabricated from a material that has natural longitudinal elasticity or the ability to return to its original shape when external pressure is removed. for example,
If you use something like beryllium copper, it will return to its original position even if you bend it around the pivot point.

In the normal position, the canopy 150 is attached to the longitudinal member 1
53 is held at a pivot point 153a and extends upwardly at an angle from the longitudinal axis of fiber guide 144. The cross member 157 then extends downwardly so that its lower edge 157b covers the opening 144a of the fiber guide 144. Therefore, the opening 144a and the opening 157a are not aligned.

FIG. 4 shows that the coupler 120 is connected to the central housing 160.
Indicates that it is connected to (the mating coupler). Shroud 150 is pushed downwardly by central housing 160 so that opening 157a is aligned with opening 144a. The operations in FIGS. 3 and 4 are as follows.

First, the canopy 150 in the normal position is connected to the central housing 160 which is the mating coupler to be connected.
engage with. The inner wall of the central housing 160 is adjacent the longitudinal portion of the canopy 150, and rotation of the coupler 134 moves the central housing inwardly toward the fiber guide 144 and displaces the canopy downwardly. When the central housing is securely connected to the coupler 120, the longitudinal portion 153 of the canopy 150 snaps against the outer surface of the fiber guide 144. The transverse member 157 moves correspondingly, and the opening 144a and the opening 157a are aligned, exposing the optical fiber 112 in a connected state.

Similarly, when cutting, i.e., if the central housing 160 holding the sheath 150 to the fiber guide 144 is removed, the sheath 150 will elastically return to its original position, so that the aperture 144a is
Since it is no longer in line with 57a, it is blocked.

Again, upon coupling and uncoupling the coupler 120 with the mating coupler (center housing 160), the optical fiber 112 protrudes and retracts from the aperture 144a for coupling.

Although specific embodiments have been described by way of illustration and illustration, this is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is as indicated in the claims.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an optical cable coupler including a canopy according to the invention in a normally closed position, and FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the optical cable coupler including another embodiment of the canopy according to the invention in the closed position, and FIG. 4 is a partial view of the coupling of FIG. FIG. 4 is a partial view of the coupler of FIG. 3 coupled to the optical element housing and showing the canopy in an open position; [Explanation of symbols of main parts], 20, 120...
Optical fiber cable coupler, 10... optical cable, 12, 112... optical fiber, 30... outer housing, 44, 144... fiber guide,
44a, 144a... opening, 34, 134... coupler, 11... fiber end surface, 50, 150
...Oil, 53...Spring, 51...Outer edge, 6
0,160...Central housing (mating coupler),
52...Canopy shoulder, 153...Longitudinal portion,
157... Lateral portion, 157a... Opening, 15
3a...Pivot point.

Claims (1)

Claims: 1. A device for coupling optical fibers, comprising an elongated housing-type coupler having a central axial hole extending therethrough for receiving one end of said optical fiber. wherein said housing includes an end having an end opening in axial alignment and communication with said bore; and said housing is connected to a mating coupler having a second optical fiber. a coupling means comprising said end of said housing for coupling; and a resilient cover member attached to said housing, said cover member being adapted to engage upon coupling said housing to said mating coupler. said cover member has an engaging portion proximate to said hole which is adapted to be engaged with said cover member, said opening being closed upon engagement of said engaging portion, thereby preventing access to said hole; elastically movable from a first position for preventing intrusion of contaminants to a second position in which the opening is open, at which the cover member further comprises: a longitudinal portion flexibly mounted at one end to a pivot point on an outer surface of the elongated housing; and a lateral portion extending across an opening in the housing at the other end of the longitudinal portion. , the lateral portion is not aligned with the opening in the housing in the first position, and the lateral portion is in the second position.
an aperture in the sheathing member disposed in alignment with the aperture in the housing, and the optical fiber is removable with respect to the housing aperture, and the optical fiber is retractable with respect to the housing aperture. Upon connection to a coupler, and when the cover member is in the second position, a distal end of an optical fiber in the elongate housing is exposed for connection through the housing opening. A device for connecting optical fibers.