MXPA06004936A - Optical fibre splice connector - Google Patents

Abstract

An optical fibre connector (1) for forming a mechanical splice between first and second bare optical fibres stripped of coatings, the connector comprising a connector body that comprises at least two main clamping sections (23A, 23C) dimensioned to clamp directly onto the bare fibre of the first and second optical fibres, the main clamping sections arranged such that the first optical fibre may be clamped by a first of the main clamping sections independently of the second optical fibre, enabling the clamping of the first fibre against rotational and axial movement with respect to the connector body to remain substantially undisturbed by subsequent clamping or unclamping of the second fibre.

Description

OPTICAL FIBER CONNECTOR FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to fiber optic connectors for forming splices between optical fibers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There is a wide variety of designs of fiber optic connectors to form mechanical splices (ie, splices where the fibers are joined together by mechanical means). An example of a type of mechanical splice connector is described in U.S. Patent No. 4,946,249. Each of the connectors disclosed in that document comprises a pair of housing halves, which, when assembled together, provide a housing having an orifice extended therethrough to accommodate the fibers to be spliced. In general, the fibers have coatings that need to be stripped from the end sections of the fibers that are grouped together to form the splice. The hole in the connector housing is wider at the ends of the housing to accommodate the coated sections of the fibers and is narrower in the middle of the housing to accommodate the exposed fibers. Because there is more than one optical thickness typical of an optical fiber coating, some of the connector housings have different hole diameters at the opposite ends of the housing, so that different sizes of fiber can be spliced. There is also a respective connector housing for splicing each size of optical fiber. Consequently, a large variety of connector housings are required. U.S. Patent No. 5,963,699 discloses mechanical fiber optic splice connectors comprising a base and a cover between which the spliced optical fibers are fixed, by means of an external spring fastener that holds the base and lid together. The lid is formed of three separate sections, i.e., a single middle section for securing both exposed portions of the spliced fibers, and two end sections for securing each of the two coated fiber portions. The spring fastener is divided into three sections corresponding to three sections of the lid, so that the clamping force can be adjusted for each lid section independently of the other sections. The present invention provides fiber optic connectors that have more advantages over the known connector systems described above, which include: (i) "half-installation", that is, the ability to install a first optical fiber (or a first group of optical fibers) in a mechanical splice connector, and to install a second optical fiber (or a second group of fibers) to be spliced with the first fiber later; (ii) the ability to close the "half installed" mechanical splice connector, so that the inside of the connector and the installed optical fibers are protected, until the second optical fiber is spliced; (iii) the ability to fix the first optical fiber against movement in the directions x, y and also against rotation, even while the second optical fiber is spliced with the first optical fiber - which allows the orientation of a cut end face at an angle of (or each) of the first fiber to be fixed for later splicing with the second fiber; (iv) the ability of a single mechanical splice connector to accommodate different fiber optic diameters, for example, both 250 μm coated fiber diameter, and 900 μm coated fiber diameter; and (v) the versatility of the mechanical splice connector to not include an exact alignment means for spliced optical fibers (where the numerical aperture of the fibers is such that exact alignment is not required) or to include any of the variety of alignment means, to adapt to the particular requirements. Other advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, a first aspect of the present invention provides an optical fiber connector for forming a mechanical splice between a first and second exposed optical fibers of coatings, the connector comprises a connector body comprising at least minus two of the main fixing sections with dimensions sufficient to be fixed directly on the exposed fiber of the first and second optical fibers, the main fixing sections are arranged in such a way that the first optical fiber can be fixed on the first of the sections main fixing independently of the second optical fiber, allow the fixation of the first fiber against rotational movement and axial with respect to the body of the connector to remain essentially the same after the subsequent fixation or detachment of the second fiber. With the term "exposed optical fibers of coatings" it is intended to explain that the end portions of the fibers to be spliced are stripped from the coatings, or that only the fibers (or at least their end portions) essentially lack of coatings. Bare coatings usually comprise primary coatings and / or cushion coatings. As indicated above, the first aspect of the invention provides a mechanical splicing connector that allows a first optical fiber to be fixed on the connector, and a second optical fiber to be spliced with the first fiber thereafter, without moving the first fiber. This may be required, for example, for the main parts of a fiber optic network to be deployed and then the subscribers to connect to the network whenever necessary. An example of the reason why it is important not to move the first fiber when the second fiber is spliced with it, is that the end face of the first fiber could have been stratified at an angle with respect to the perpendicular (from its axis longitudinal) in order to avoid or at least minimize undesirable reflections back along the fiber from the end face (which may interrupt the transmission of data in the network). A great advantage of the present invention is that it facilitates mechanical splicing of the first fiber when with a second fiber by maintaining the rotation orientation of an angled end face of the first fiber in the mechanical splice connector, and avoiding the need for to move such orientation when the second fiber is introduced. This first aspect allows the fixing of the first fiber to remain essentially motionless by the subsequent fixing or detachment of the second fiber, since the main fixing sections (which have the dimensions to be fixed directly on both exposed optical fibers) comprise at least less two sections arranged in such a way that the first fiber can be fixed by a first of the sections, independently of the second fiber. The connectors disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,963,699 do not have this advantage, since the middle section of the cover of those connectors comprises only a single section with the dimensions to fix both exposed fibers. Accordingly, in order to fix or detach a second fiber after the fixation of a first fiber, it will be necessary to detach the first fiber from the middle section of the cover of such connector. Now, although the connectors disclosed in US 5,963,699 also include separate end sections that independently fix the coated portions of the fibers (and which do not have the dimensions to be directly fixed on the exposed coating fiber), the problem of first fiber detachment it is still not solved, since it is a fact that the optical fiber fixed only by its external coating (and not fixed directly on the exposed fiber itself) usually has the ability to rotate around its axis. In consecuense, the connectors described in US 5,963,699 usually do not have the ability to retain the rotating orientation of the first installed fiber when a second fiber is added or removed from the connector. As described below, connectors in accordance with the present invention can (and preferably should) include additional independent end fixing sections arranged to secure the coated sections of the fibers. The two or more fastening sections arranged to secure the exposed fibers categorically are not equivalent to such additional fastening sections of the present invention or the prior art.

As indicated above, in addition to the two or more main fastening sections configured to directly fix the exposed fiber of the first and second exposed optical fibers, the connector body preferably includes at least one and preferably two sections. of fixings dimensioned / shaped and arranged to be fixed on the coated portions of the optical fibers, ie the portions of the fibers where the coating has not been removed. A second aspect of the invention provides an optical fiber connector for forming a mechanical splice between the first and second optical fibers, the connector comprises a connector body comprising at least four fixing sections configured to fix the first and second optical fibers , the fixing sections are arranged in such a way that the first optical fiber can be fixed by at least one of the fixing sections independently of the second optical fiber, which allows the fixing of the first fiber against the rotation movement and axial with respect to the body of the connector to remain essentially motionless after a subsequent attachment or detachment of the second fiber. Preferably, at least two of the fixing sections of the second aspect of the invention are the two main fixing sections of the first aspect of the invention. At least one, but preferably, at least two of the fastening sections of the second aspect are the preferred additional fastening sections of the first aspect. In the preferred embodiments of the invention, the connector comprises at least five fastening sections. The connector may include at least three securing sections configured to be fixed directly on the exposed optical fiber. A first of the main fastening sections may be arranged to be fixed on the first fiber only, a second of the main fastening sections may be arranged to be fixed on the second fiber only and a third of the main fastening sections may be arranged for look at both of the first and second fibers. The connector body of the connector in accordance with all aspects of the invention, preferably, includes at least one orifice arranged to accommodate the optical fibers. Preferably, the main fixing sections and the orifice of the connector body are configured to fix the exposed fiber of the first and second optical fibers in the hole. The (or each) hole preferably has a first region and a second region of greater diameter than the first region at each end of the first region. More preferably, the hole has a third region of greater diameter than the second region at each end of the second region. Preferably, at least the second and third regions of the hole are essentially circular in cross section. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the connector may include an alignment means for aligning the first and second optical fibers with each other. Preferably, the optical fibers are sufficiently aligned by the alignment means to form a splice that minimizes optical losses, so that any loss has an acceptable level. A preferred alignment means is a hole in the body of the connector, preferably a hole as referred to in the previous paragraph. Preferably, the hole has the dimensions such that the exposed portions of the first and second optical fibers form an airtight fit within the hole. The orifice may comprise a groove in the body of the connector, for example a V-groove, or a U-groove, and / or may comprise an orifice in essentially circular cross-section. In addition or alternatively, the alignment means may comprise an alignment member wherein the first and second optical fibers can be received and aligned. The alignment member may include an alignment hole for receiving and aligning the optical fibers. The alignment member can for example, comprising a tube (or its like), for example, a capillary tube. The tube can be formed of glass. Alternatively, the alignment member may comprise at least one plate, preferably, a pair of plates, each of which has an opening for receiving a respective one of the first and second fibers. One or both plates may include a lens (e.g., a micro-lens) to help adjust the light between the fibers. The plates may be the same or similar to those of the embodiment of Figure 13 of United Kingdom Patent Application No. 0309908.2, filed on April 30, 2003. A third aspect of the invention provides a fiber optic connector to form a mechanical junction between the first and second optical fibers, the connector comprises a connector body that includes an orifice for accommodating the fibers, the orifice has a first region, a second region of greater diameter than the first region at each end of the first region , and a third region of greater diameter than the second region at each end of the second region opposite the adjacent region of the first region, wherein at least the second and / or third regions of! orifice are essentially circular in cross section. As indicated above in the summary of U.S. Patent No. 4,946,249, the optical fibers come in a variety of diameters depending on the size of the coating applied to the exposed fiber. For example, two standard sizes of optical fiber is 250 μm and 900 μm in diameter. The 250 μm fiber is usually referred to as the primary coated fiber (due to its relatively thin outer coating) and the 900 μm fiber is usually referred to as the cushion coating fiber (due to its relatively thick outer coating). ). The central fiber itself has a standard diameter regardless of whether it is the primary coated fiber or the coated shock absorber fiber. The standard diameter for the exposed fiber itself is 125 μm. Because optical fibers come in more than one size, it is desirable to have a mechanical splice connector that can accommodate each fiber size in one and the same device. This will avoid the need for a variety of different connectors to accommodate different sizes of fiber and fiber combinations of different sizes to be spliced, as exemplified in U.S. Patent No. 4,946,249. The third aspect of the present invention has the advantage of providing such a connector. Preferably, the first region of the connector hole has the dimensions to accommodate the exposed optical fiber of its coating (eg, the exposed fiber has a diameter of approximately 125 μm) and each second region preferably has the dimensions to accommodate the Primary coated optical fiber (for example, the coated primary fiber has a diameter of approximately 250 μm). Preferably, each third region has the dimensions to accommodate the cushion coated optical fiber (for example, the cushion coated fiber has a diameter of approximately 900 μm). Accordingly, the same connector can accommodate exposed fiber, primary coated fiber and / or cushion coated fiber. Preferably, the second and third regions of the hole have the dimensions to accommodate coated optical fibers of different sizes. Accordingly, by means of the second and third regions of the hole, the connector according to the invention meets the need for an optical fiber connector that can accommodate different sizes of optical fiber (because the fibers have different coating thicknesses). of the exposed fibers) in the same connector device. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the connector body is divided into at least two parts along at least one length thereof, arranged in such a way that the optical fibers can be fixed between the parts. Preferably, the connector also comprises a resilient fixing member arranged to retain the optical fibers in a fixed condition in the body of the connector. Advantageously, the elastic fixing member can be arranged to be retained on the outside of the connector body. The body of the connector can be arranged to retain the connector body parts together, so that the optical fibers are fixed between the body parts of the connector. In some embodiments of the invention, the connector may include a plurality of ferrules or other fastening means, each of which is arranged to be fixed (i.e., pressed) to a respective optical fiber, so that the ferrule or other clamping means is secured in the body of the connector when the fibers are spliced. Such bushes or other fastening means can help retain the desired rotational orientation of their respective fiber in the connector. The connector according to the invention can be advantageously arranged to form mechanical splices between a plurality of first and second optical fibers (e.g., multiple fiber splices). The connector body may comprise a plurality of holes arranged to accommodate the plurality of first and second optical fibers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Some preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates the components of the preferred optical fiber connector according to the invention. Figure 2 illustrates the connector of Figure 1 in an assembled state without the optical fibers installed in the connector. Figure 3 illustrates the connector of Figures 1 and 2 in an assembled state with the optical fibers installed and spliced in the connector. Figure 4 illustrates a base part of the connector of Figures 1 to 3. Figure 5 illustrates a cover part of the connector of Figures 1 to 4. Figure 6 illustrates an elastic member for fixing the connector of the Figures 1 to 5. Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a method for opening the connector of Figures 1 to ia 6, which allows the insertion or removal of the optical fibers inside and outside the connector. Figure 8 illustrates a second preferred embodiment of an optical fiber connector according to the invention; and Figure 9 is a schematic illustration showing three embodiments of the connector alignment means according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Figure 1 illustrates the components of the preferred optical fiber connector according to the invention. The connector 1 comprises a body of the connector comprising two parts 3 and 5, which divide the body of the connector in two along the length of the body of the connector. The two parts 3 and 5 can be considered as half shells of the body of the connector. The first part 3 will be designated as the base part 3, and the second part 5 will be designated as the top part 5. The base part 3 is shown in detail in Figure 4, and the lid part 5 is shown in detail in Figure 5. Each of the parts 3 and 5 includes a longitudinal channel that when the parts come together to close the The connector body defines a longitudinal orifice 7 extended through the body of the connector. The hole 7 functions to accommodate the optical fibers 9 (referred to in Figures 3 and 8) spliced into the connector in use. The hole 7 comprises a first longitudinally central region 11, second regions 13 at each end of the first region 11, and third regions 15 at each end of the second region 13 (opposite the ends adjacent to the first region 11). Each second region 13 has a larger diameter than the first region 11, and each third region 15 has a larger diameter than its second adjacent region 13. As described above, the first region 11 of the orifice 7 has the dimensions to accommodate the bare optical fiber of the coating in an airtight fastening fit when the lid part 5 and the base part 3 of the connector body are firmly fixed together. The exposed optical fiber preferably has an external diameter of approximately 125 μm. As shown in Figure 4, one of the connector body parts, preferably, the base portion 3 includes a semi-circular channel in cross section as its portion of the first region 11 of the hole. The other part of the connector body, preferably, the lid portion 5, as shown in Figure 5, is preferably essentially planar in its first region, differentiated by small recesses 17 that help guide and retain the fiber in your position The fact that the first region of the hole is not circular in cross section, but that includes a flat section helps to fix the fiber firmly exposed in the first region. The second and third regions, however, are essentially circular in cross section, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. One or both of the second and third regions may include one or more retaining members arranged to cut the respective coating of the optical fiber to provide an axial resistance to the pull, especially to counteract the folding that may occur over time. Figures 1 and 4 show retention members 19 in the third regions 15 of the hole 7 of the base part 3. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the connector may include pins 21 arranged to close and preferably seal, the ends of the hole 7 before and during the installation of the fiber optic splice. Preferably, the pins 21 prevent dust or other particles from entering the connector and preferably also prevent water from entering the connector, which can have a damaging effect on the integrity of the splice. The pins can be removed from the hole to allow the optical fibers to be inserted. As shown in Figures 1 and 5, at least one of the body parts of the connector, preferably the lid portion 5, is divided into a plurality of sections 23 and 25. The sections 23 and 25 are sections of Fixing the connector body. As illustrated, there are five fastening sections, comprising three main fixing sections 23 arranged to be fixed directly on the exposed optical fiber in the first region 11 of the hole 7 and two additional fixing sections 25 arranged to be fixed directly on the coated portions. of the optical fibers in the second or third regions of the orifice 7. Figure 5 illustrates the manner in which the securing sections 23 and 25 are divided together along the length of the connector body. There is a continuous strip 27 of the connector body generally extending along one edge of the lid part 5, and each fixing section extends from the strip 27. Different from the contraction by means of the strip 27, each fastening section is separated from each adjacent fastening section by a space, which allows the fastening sections to move and therefore to be fixed independently of each other. As shown more clearly in Figures 1 and 6, the connector also includes an elastic fastening member 29 in the form of an elastic metal member in a U-shaped cross section that is configured to be retained on the outside of the connector body. The elastic fixing member 29 is arranged to retain the lid part 5 and the base part 3 together, so that they are hermetically fixed around the spliced optical fibers. The two generally parallel arms of the elastic fastening member are divided into fixing sections 31, which form part of the respective fastening sections 23 and 25 of the connector body. The fastening sections 31 of the elastic fastening member allow the fastening sections 23 and 25 of the connector to fix the fibers independently of one another. A longitudinally central locking section of the elastic fastening member 29 includes an aperture 33 arranged to receive a projection 35 on the body of the connector to hold the fastening member in place in the body of the connector. Because the body of the connector and the elastic fastening member include three separate main fastening sections, arranged to coincide with the first region 11 of the hole 7, the exposed portions of the two optical fibers spliced into the connector can be fixed in shape. each other Similarly, a first main fixing section 23a fixes only a first exposed optical fiber, a second main fixing section 23b fixes both the first and the second exposed optical fibers. Accordingly, a great advantage of the invention (as described above) is that a first optical fiber can be installed in the connector body prepared to be spliced with a second optical fiber to be installed in the connector body afterwards. The end face of the first optical fiber is preferably cut at an angle not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the fiber, in order to minimize the regressive reflections. As a way to facilitate splicing of the fiber with a second fiber (which also has a non-perpendicular end face) is to determine and retain the orientation of the end face of the first fiber in the connector body. The fact that the second fiber can be introduced into the connector body and spliced with the first fiber without requiring the detachment of the first major fastening section 23a of the first fiber means that the orientation of the first fiber is retained. The connector disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,963,699 does not have this advantage since the exposed fiber sections of both fibers are fixed by the same central attachment section of that connector. The fact that there are separate fastening sections that fix the coated portions of the fibers separately does not help retain the orientation of the fiber, since the fixation of the coating (better than the exposed fiber) does not usually fix the orientation of the fiber against rotation. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional, schematic diagram of an assembled connector, which shows the way in which the base and lid parts 3 and 5 can be slightly separated to facilitate the insertion of the optical fibers to be spliced. The base and lid portions 3 and 5 provide a recess 35 in the open side of the elastic fixing member 29. The recess 35 has inclined side walls 36. When a wedge member 37 is inserted into the recess 35, the inclined side walls 38 of the wedge member 37 cooperate with the side walls 32 of the recess to force the cap and base portions apart a predetermined amount. This facilitates the axial insertion of the optical fiber into the hole 7. The wedge member 37 is adapted to allow the cap and base portions to be selectively opened in the individual connector fastening sections, as described above. Figure 8 shows a variant of the fiber optic connector shown in Figures 1 to 7. In this embodiment of the invention, the second regions 13 of the hole 7 are arranged to receive the pressed bushes 39 (or other fastening means) ( or otherwise fixed) with the respective optical fibers 9. Preferably, the ferrules 39 include projections on their outside, which cut the connector body in regions 13 in order to fix the ferrules, and consequently their respective optical fibers, in a specific rotation orientation. The bushes 39 preferably also axially retain their respective fibers within the connector, to provide resistance to axial pull and / or axial thrust of the fibers with respect to the body of the connector. The lid and base portions of the connector body (of all embodiments of the invention) are preferably formed of a polymer material (e.g., PPS). The elastic fixing member can be formed of a polymer or metal, but generally, the metal is preferred. Preferred metals include stainless steel and copper alloy with 2.25% beryllium. Preferably, the ferrules are formed of a metal, and the pegs preferably are formed of a polymer material. Figure 9 is a schematic illustration showing three embodiments of the means for aligning the connectors according to the invention. In Figure 9 (a), the alignment means is an orifice of the body of the connector and a longitudinally central main fastening section of the connector body (designated "fixation 2") is fixed directly on both of the exposed optical fibers, by which, to alignment of two fibers together. Two main fixing sections (designated "fixing 1" and "fixing 3") on each side of the fixing 2, are fixed only in their respective individual fibers, which allows the independent fixation of these fibers. In each of Figures 9 (b) and 9 (c), there are only two main fastening sections, indicated by fixing 1 and fixing 3, each of which is fixed directly on a respective one of the exposed optical fibers, which allows the independent fixation of the fibers. In addition, in each of these embodiments there is an alignment member located between the two main fixing sections, arranged to align the two fibers together. In Figure 9 (b), the alignment member is a tube, in particular a glass capillary tube. In Figure 9 (c), the alignment member comprises a pair of plates, each having an aperture for receiving a respective optical fiber, and a lens (a microlens) arranged to assist in the efficient coupling of light between the fibers . As mentioned earlier in the specification, the plates may be the same or similar to the embodiment of Figure 13 of United Kingdom Patent Application No. 0309908.2, filed on April 30, 2003.

Claims (39)

1. A fiber optic connector for forming a mechanical junction between a first and a second exposed optical covering fibers, the connector is characterized in that it comprises a body of the connector comprising at least two main fixing sections sized to be fixed directly on the exposed fiber of the first and second optical fibers, the main fixing sections are arranged in such a way that the first optical fiber can be fixed by a first of the main sections independently of the second optical fiber, which allows the fixing of the first optical fiber. fiber against rotational movement and axial with respect to the body of the connector to remain essentially motionless by the subsequent attachment or detachment of the second fiber.

The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the connector body includes an orifice arranged to accommodate the optical fibers.

The connector according to claim 2, characterized in that the main fixing sections and the hole of the connector body are configured to fix the exposed fiber of the first and second optical fibers in the hole.

The connector according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it also comprises at least one additional fixing section sized to be fixed on a coated portion of one of the optical fibers.

The connector according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises at least two additional fixing sections sized to be fixed on the coated portions of the optical fibers.

6. A fiber optic connector for forming a mechanical connection between a first and a second optical fiber, the connector is characterized in that it comprises a connector body comprising at least four fixing sections configured to fix the first and second optical fibers, the fixing sections are arranged in such a way that the first optical fiber can be fixed by at least one of the fixing sections independently of the second optical fiber, which allows the fixing of the first fiber against the rotation movement and axial with respect to the body of the connector to remain essentially motionless with the subsequent attachment and detachment of the second fiber.

The connector according to claim 6, characterized in that at least two of the fixing sections are the main fixing sections configured to be fixed directly on the exposed fiber of coatings, of the first and second optical fibers.

The connector according to claim 6 or claim 7, characterized in that at least one of the fastening sections is an additional fastening section configured and arranged to be fixed on a coated portion of one of the optical fibers.

The connector according to claims 6 to 8, characterized in that at least two of the fixing sections are additional fixing sections configured and arranged to be fixed on the coated portions of the optical fibers.

The connector according to any of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that it comprises at least five fastening sections.

The connector according to any of claims 1 to 5, or according to claim 7 or any claim dependent thereto, characterized in that it comprises at least three main fastening sections.

The connector according to claim 11, characterized in that a first of the main fixing sections is arranged to be fixed on the first fiber only, a second of the main fixing sections is arranged to be fixed on the second fiber only and a third of the main fixing sections is arranged to be fixed on both of the first and second fibers.

13. The connector in accordance with claim 6 or any claim dependent thereon, characterized in that the connector body includes an orifice arranged to accommodate the optical fibers.

The connector according to claim 2 or any claim dependent thereon or in accordance with claim 13, characterized in that the orifice has a first region, and a second region of greater diameter than the first region at each end of the first region.

The connector according to claim 14, characterized in that the orifice has a third region of greater diameter than the second region at each end of the second region.

16. A fiber optic connector for forming a mechanical splice between a first and a second optical fiber, the connector is characterized in that it comprises a connector body that includes a hole for accommodating the fibers, the orifice has a first region, a second region of greater diameter than the first region at each end of the first region and a third region of greater diameter than the second region at each end of the second region opposite the adjacent region of the first region, wherein at least the second and / or third regions of the hole are essentially circular in cross section.

The connector according to any of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that the first region of the orifice has the dimensions to accommodate the exposed optical fibers of coatings in an airtight fastening fit.

The connector according to claim 17, characterized in that the exposed optical fiber has an external diameter of approximately 125 μm.

19. The connector according to any of claims 14 to 18, characterized in that the second regions of the orifice have the dimensions to accommodate the primary coatings of the optical fibers in an airtight fastening fit.

The connector according to claim 17, characterized in that the primary coated optical fiber has an external diameter of approximately 250 μm.

21. The connector according to any of claims 15 to 20, characterized in that the third regions of the orifice have the dimensions to accommodate the shock absorbing coatings of the optical fibers in an airtight fastening fit.

22. The connector according to claim 21, characterized in that the absorber coated optical fiber has an external diameter of approximately 900 μ.

The connector according to claim 15 or any claim dependent thereon or in accordance with claim 16, or any claim dependent thereto, characterized in that the second and third regions of the hole have the dimensions to accommodate the optical fibers coated in different sizes.

24. The connector according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connector body is divided into at least two parts along at least part of the length thereof, arranged in such a way that the optical fibers can fix between the parties.

25. The connector according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises an elastic fastening member. arranged to retain the optical fibers in a fixed condition in the body of the connector.

26. The connector according to claim 25, characterized in that the elastic fixing member is arranged to be retained on the outside of the body of the connector.

The connector according to claim 26, when dependent on claims 24 and 25, characterized in that the elastic fixing member is arranged to retain the connector body parts together, so that the optical fibers are fixed between the parts .

28. The connector according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it also comprises a plurality of fixing members, each of which is arranged to be fixed, ie pressed, in a respective optical fiber, so that the fixing member is secured in the body of the connector when the fibers are spliced.

The connector according to claim 28, characterized in that each fixing member allows the retention of a desired rotation orientation of its respective fiber in the connector.

The connector according to claim 28 or claim 29, characterized in that each fixing member allows the axial retention of its respective fiber in the connector.

The connector in accordance with claim 1 or claim 13, or any claim dependent on claim 1 or claim 13, characterized in that it further comprises at least one pin arranged to close one end of the hole when no one is installed. optical fiber at that end of the hole.

The connector according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is arranged to form mechanical splices between a plurality of first and second optical fibers.

The connector according to claim 32, characterized in that the connector body comprises a plurality of holes arranged to accommodate the plurality of first and second optical fibers.

The connector according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it includes an alignment means for aligning the first and second optical fibers with each other.

35. The connector according to claim 34, when dependent on any of claims 2, 13 or 16 or any claim dependent thereon, characterized in that the alignment means comprises a hole in the body of the connector.

36. The connector according to claim 34, characterized in that the alignment means comprises an alignment member wherein the first and second optical fibers can be received and aligned.

37. The connector according to claim 36, characterized in that the alignment member comprises a tube.

38. The connector according to claim 36, characterized in that the alignment member comprises at least one plate, preferably a pair of plates, each plate having an opening therein for a respective one of the first and second fibers.

39. The connector according to claim 38, characterized in that each plate includes a lens to aid in coupling the light between the first and second optical fibers.