MX2013002734A - Coupling for a fiber optic connector. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a coupler (1) for actively connecting two fiber optic connectors (9). The coupler (1) comprises a housing (2) having two recesses (3) opposite each other in a longitudinal direction (X-direction), for each receiving and latching a fiber optic connector (9). The recesses (3) are separated from each other by a cutoff wall (5). The cutoff wall (5) is designed to support a sleeve holder (6). At least one seal (8) is disposed between an end face (11) of a connector housing (10) and the cutoff wall (5) in the assembled state and produces a sealing connection between the connector (9) and the cutoff wall (5).

Description

COUPLING FOR OPTICAL FIBER CONNECTOR DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention has to do with the field of fiber optic connectors and is related to a coupling for fiber optic connectors.

A fiber optic connection consists of a coupling and two fiber optic connectors inserted into the coupling and thus connected in active connection. Couplings known from the state of the art have the disadvantage that fiber optic connectors offer insufficient protection against external influences such as e. g. dust or moisture This has the consequence that the quality and reliability of the connection suffers. The case of an installation can be presented in which only one of the two connectors is plugged into the coupling and the second connector follows much later in time (weeks or months). It is important here that the surfaces of the fiber ends of the connectors, responsible for the transmission of signals, are not contaminated in the range with dust or dirt. In conventional couplings, the end surfaces frequently have insufficient protection during this time. This can have an unfavorable effect on the quality of the connection or the device has to undergo a complex cleaning process. Various couplings of the state of the art are known for optical fiber connectors. Some are related below.

US5363460 from Diamond SA: was published in 1994 and deals with a coupling for optical connectors. The coupling has a comparatively complicated structure. To prevent the penetration of dirt, the coupling has protective caps that open by pivoting in and thus release the opening for the connector.

US5647043 from Lucent Technologies Inc. was published in 1997 and deals with a coupling for so-called LC connectors having in a box a ratchet arm, performed so as to project obliquely backwardly. The coupling described in US '703 has no measures to protect the connector against external influences. \ US6425694B from the firm olex Inc. was published in 2002 and shows an adapter for fiber optic connectors having on one side a cover that has to be pivoted out before plugging in a connector. The adapter has a comparatively complicated construction.

US2006154529A from Tyco Electronics Corp. was published in 2006 and is related to an adapter for the active connection of two fiber optic connectors. The adapter has a metal box. In the area of a guide sleeve used for the mutual alignment of the ferrules of the two fiber optic connectors, the adapter has an annular insert inside which is described as a guide aid when plugging the connector. The annular insert is disposed at one end inside the guide sleeve.

US5781680A from Siecor Corp was published in 1998 and is related to a sealed adapter for optical connectors. The adapter has a multi-part box enclosing a guide sleeve. The part that directly encloses the guide sleeve is configured in such a way that it seals in front of a bushing of an optic connector plugged in.

The fiber optic couplers known from the prior art have the disadvantage that they have an excessively complicated construction or that they offer insufficient protection.

An object of the invention is to indicate a coupling for fiber optic connectors that offers better protection against external influences.

An inventive coupling for the active connection of two fiber optic connectors (connector) has a box with a longitudinal axis. The outer box has two opposing notches that are separated by a partition extending transverse to the longitudinal axis. The recesses serve to receive in each case a connector inserted in the box parallel to the longitudinal axis. The notches have undercuts, seen in the longitudinal direction, which serve to retain the connectors. The notches are designed in such a way that the connectors are inserted from opposite sides; in these and they engage in undermining when reaching a certain position.

A sleeve support penetrating the partition is arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis inside the box. This sleeve support serves to hold a guide sleeve (sleeve) disposed therein which centers an optical fiber comprising a bushing of the connectors mutually and aligns them axially. The sleeve support is fixed by means of the partition in the outer box. The bridge serves as a partition between the first and the second connector. The sleeve support protrudes on both sides of the partition.

The sleeve support and the outer case are usually made in one piece. . Depending on the design, the sleeve holder may be configured in segments to make it easier to produce. If necessary it is also possible to design the sleeve support and the outer case consisting of two or more parts, which effectively connect to each other during assembly.

An inventive coupling has on at least one side a seal which is arranged around the sleeve support adjacent to the bridge. Depending on the modality, the seal is a sleeve of spongy material, a flat seal or a seal with a flexible sealing lip, which are compressed to insert them. In another embodiment, a flexible bellows is used that allows greater deformation. In another embodiment the seal encloses the sleeve support in its entirety and protects it from external fouling. The seal is deformed when a connector is inserted for the first time in such a way that the sleeve support and the guide sleeve on it are accessible.

The seal is preferably designed in such a way that it can act concurrently with a protective cover. The protective cap can be inserted into the coupling instead of a connector and thus prevents the penetration of dirt.

The invention relates in one embodiment to a coupling for the active connection of two fiber optic connectors. The coupling has a box with two notches opposite each other in the longitudinal direction (direction x) which serve for receiving and latching respectively a fiber optic connector. The notches are separated by a partition. The partition serves as a holder for a sleeve support. At least one seal is arranged in an assembled state between a front face of a connector housing and the partition and establishes a sealed connection between the connector and the partition. The seal can be made in case i necessary in part or totally on the connector side. Thus, for example, there is the possibility of arranging a second seal on the connector side. In a preferred embodiment, the seal is disposed adjacent the partition. The seal can be arranged in the sleeve holder. The seal can be superimposed, for example, on the sleeve support during assembly. For better protection it is possible for the seal to enclose the sleeve holder completely and be designed in such a way that it breaks at the first active connection of a connector and thus releases the sleeve holder. When the connector is plugged in, the seal is then pushed onto the sleeve support in the direction of the septum and forms a tight connection between the front face of the connector housing and the septum in the assembled state. Depending on the field of application, the seal is produced from an elastomer or spongy material. The seal can be made e. g. as a ring at 0 or having a sealing lip projecting forward, towards the connector. Also other conditioning is possible. Depending on the modality, the box can be made in several parts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Exemplary embodiments are described. It shows: Fig. 1 a coupling and two fiber optic connectors; Fig. 2 detail A according to figure 1; 3 shows the coupling according to FIG. 1 in a front view; Fig. 4 the coupling according to figure 1 in a sectioned representation; Fig. 5 different types of seals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Figure 1 shows a first one; embodiment of an inventive coupling 1 in a perspective view obliquely from above. Figure 2 shows detail A of figure 1 in an enlarged representation. The coupling 1 is represented partially sectioned in figures 1 and 2, so that its interior is appreciated. Figure 3 shows the coupling 1 in a front view. Figure 4 shows the coupling 1 in a sectioned representation along the line of section BB according to figure 3: Figure 5 shows different embodiments of seals 8 in a perspective representation.

The coupling 1 has a box 2 with two recesses 3 which are arranged opposite each other and separated from each other by a partition 5 that is transverse relative to the longitudinal direction (direction x). In the embodiment shown, on each side two notches are disposed one next to the other. Other modalities are possible.

In the variant shown, respectively a sleeve holder 6 connects two opposing notches. The sleeve supports 6 have an opening 4 in their interior and perforate the partition 5 in the direction I longitudinal (direction x). In the interior of the sleeve support 6, respectively, of the opening 4, a guide sleeve 7 (sleeve) is arranged in each case. Adjacent to the partition 5 can be seen on each side of the partition 5 a seal 8 which, in the embodiment shown, is arranged seated in the sleeve holder 6 coaxial with it and having a sealing lip 16 conical design. The seal 8 serves to seal a connector 9 actively connected to the coupling 1. Depending on the mode, a seal can also be provided on only one side.

By inserting a connector 9 into a notch 3, the seal 8 is compressed, as shown in an enlarged representation in FIG. 2- between a front end (front face 11) of a connector housing 10 and the partition 5 and seal so the inside of the connector 9 against external influences. The connectors 9 shown are so-called LC connectors. These have a ratchet arm 12 projecting from the connector housing 10 obliquely back and up which serves in the active connection with the coupling 1 for latching the connector 9 with the coupling 1. By tightening the ratchet arm 12 against the box connector 10 can be unlocked connector 9 again. The connectors 9 have a bushing 13 which is arranged in an opening 14 of the connector box 10. In the connection: active with the coupling 1 the bushing 13 is inserted, which wraps the light-wave conductor that transmits the information ( it can not be seen more closely), on the guide sleeve 7 and it is connected on the front face | with the opposite connector. In Figure 1, the connector 9 shown on the right is completely inserted in it; coupling 1 and snap-in with it through the ratchet arm 12. The connector 9 shown on the left side is only partially inserted in the coupling 1 and not yet actively connected with it.

Through the inventive configuration there is also the possibility of modernizing existing couplings 1 with appropriately configured seals 8. Depending on the mode and area of application of the coupling 1, seals 8 are inserted on both sides or only on one side in the recesses 3. The seals 8 can be formed in the box 2 e. g. by means of injection molding, or be designed as separate parts. Depending on the field of application, the seals are produced from rubber and have e. g. a sealing lip projecting obliquely forward which is adjusted during insertion of a connector 9 into the coupling 1 flexibly to the front face 11 thereof.

In the embodiment shown, the sleeve holder 6 is segmented on one side and has three arms 15 extending in the axial direction. These are designed flexibly so that the guide sleeve 7 can simply be inserted in the axial direction between them and snapped together. The arms 15 are arranged at an angle of 120 ° to each other. Thanks to the inventively designed filling - unlike the state of the art - these modalities can also be reliably sealed. On the opposite side at the opposite end the sleeve holder 6 is designed in an annular manner, so that it can be easily produced and unmoulded in the longitudinal direction.

The box 2 has, in the embodiment shown, laterally disposed fixings 17 which serve for fixing the coupling 1 in a box of a device.

Figure 5 schematically shows different sealing arrangements 8. [Variant a) shows a seal that is produced from spongy material and comparatively strong compresses in the axial direction during the active connection. Variant b) shows a seal with a sealing lip 16 with a tapered contour projecting obliquely forward and upward and opening during the connection of a connector. Variant c) shows a rubber seal which is reminiscent of a ring at 0. Variant d) shows a sealing bellows which is also comparatively strong compressed in the axial direction. Other upgrades are possible.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS Coupling Box Slitting Second notch: Partition Sleeve support Guide sleeve (sleeve) Obturation Connector (fiber optic connector Connector box Front face Ratchet arm Cap Opening for the cap Arm (sleeve support) Shutter lip Fixation

Claims (8)

1. Coupling, for the active connection of. two fiber optic connectors having a box with two recesses opposite each other in the longitudinal direction (direction x) for the reception and seaming of respectively a fiber optic connector, the notches being separated by a partition used to fix a support and at least one seal that establishes, in the assembled state, arranged between a front face of a connector housing and the partition, a sealed connection between the connector and the coupling housing.

2. Coupling according to claim 1, characterized in that the seal is arranged directly adjacent to the partition.

3. Coupling according to one of the; preceding claims, characterized in that the seal is disposed in the sleeve holder. :

4. Coupling according to claim 3, characterized in that the seal wraps around the sleeve holder completely and is designed in such a way that it breaks at the first active connection of a connector and then forms a tight connection between the front face of the connector housing and the partition.

5. Coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seal consists of elastomer or spongy material.

6. Coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seal has a sealing lip projecting forward.

7. Coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seal is made as a bellows.

8. Coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the box is made in several parts.