US20090190881A1 - Parallel Optical Connector - Google Patents
Parallel Optical Connector Download PDFInfo
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- US20090190881A1 US20090190881A1 US12/019,472 US1947208A US2009190881A1 US 20090190881 A1 US20090190881 A1 US 20090190881A1 US 1947208 A US1947208 A US 1947208A US 2009190881 A1 US2009190881 A1 US 2009190881A1
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- Prior art keywords
- optical
- connector
- arrays
- fiber optic
- connector system
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Classifications
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- 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
- G02B6/3882—Connectors using guide surfaces for aligning ferrule ends, e.g. tubes, sleeves, V-grooves, rods, pins, balls using rods, pins or balls to align a pair of ferrule ends
- G02B6/3883—Connectors using guide surfaces for aligning ferrule ends, e.g. tubes, sleeves, V-grooves, rods, pins, balls using rods, pins or balls to align a pair of ferrule ends using rods, pins or balls to align a plurality of pairs of ferrule ends
-
- 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
- G02B6/3869—Mounting ferrules to connector body, i.e. plugs
-
- 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
- G02B6/3885—Multicore or multichannel optical connectors, i.e. one single ferrule containing more than one fibre, e.g. ribbon type
Definitions
- This invention relates to connectors for establishing optical communication links and, in particular, optical connector systems for establishing optical communication links between a parallel array of optical light emitters and/or photodetectors and a parallel array of fiber optic cables.
- optical communication systems information is transmitted in the form of modulated light beams through an optical transmission medium such as an optical fiber.
- the optical signals are produced by a modulated light source which may, for example, be a LED or a laser, and are detected at the receiving end by photodetectors.
- the present invention is concerned with connectors where such light sources and/or photodetectors are coupled to optical fibers.
- Connectors for establishing a connection between light sources or photodetectors and fiber optic cables may involve an array of light sources or photodetectors and an array of optical fiber cable ends.
- the connector acts by aligning the arrays. Certain of these kinds of connectors establish connections between two arrays of light sources and photodetectors and two corresponding arrays of optical fiber ends. It has been found however that the manufacturing tolerances in producing such connectors result in misaligned arrays when the connection is established.
- the invention provides an optical connector for establishing a connection for use in a fiber optic network, said connector comprising a plurality of optical coupling arrays, said arrays comprising light emitters and/or light detectors, or fiber optical cable ends, said arrays being arranged for movement relative to one another.
- Relative movement of the arrays ensures that when an optical connection is established, all of the of the arrays may be properly aligned. This avoids loss or attenuation in signals which pass through the connection due to misaligned arrays.
- the movement of the optical connectors may be provided by a void, or by appropriate flexible material surrounding the array.
- the connector includes registration element associated with each array to ensure that the corresponding array is properly aligned when a connection involving that array is made.
- a further aspect of the invention extends to a connection system comprising at least two mating connectors, wherein one of said connectors includes at least two optical arrays mounted for movement relative to one another.
- the first connector may comprise optical arrays of lasers and/or photodetectors, and the second connector may comprise parallel arrays of fiber optic cables.
- the fiber optic cables may form part of a fiber optic ribbon cable.
- the second connector is provided with separately movable ribbon cable arrays. Therefore, in a connector system comprising both emitter/photodetector and fiber optic connectors, it is preferable that the ribbon cable arrays be mounted for both linear and angular movement or displacement with respect to one another.
- the movement of the array relative to the connector is less than 5 mm in its linear extent. Further preferably the movement is less than 2 mm in its linear extent.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a known optical connector system
- FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a fiber optic connector of the optical connector system of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 2B is a perspective view of a detail of the optical connector system of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of a further known emitter
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of a further known emitter connector
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a known optical connector system incorporating the emitter connector illustrated in FIG. 4 ;
- FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a detail of the optical connector system of FIG. 5 ;
- FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a fiber optic connector according to a first embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a fiber optic connector according to a second embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a fiber optic connector according to a third embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a fiber optic connector according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 1 illustrates an optical connector system 100 known in the art.
- the optical connector system 100 includes a fiber optic connector 200 which engages with an optical transceiver 300 .
- the transceiver 300 comprises light sources and photodetectors and the fiber connector 200 comprises fiber optic cables.
- the connector system functions to establish a connection between these optoelectronic devices and fiber optic cables.
- the fiber optic connector 200 comprises a sleeve 210 connected to the ribbon cable 220 .
- the sleeve 210 therefore acts to anchor the fiber optic connector 200 to the ribbon cable 220 .
- At one end of the transceiver 300 there is provided a locking portion 310 having two snap-fit hooks 312 and 314 which engage with corresponding formations provided on the fiber optic connector 200 (not shown in FIG. 1 ) to ensure that the fiber optic connector 200 securely connects with the transceiver 300 .
- FIG. 2A illustrates the fiber optic connector 200 of FIG. 1 in greater detail.
- the fiber optic connector 200 (shown here without sleeve 210 ) includes a mounting 240 which supports, and to which is mounted, a fiber optic front-end 230 .
- the fiber optic front-end 230 is formed with two receptacles (only one of which, receptacle 232 , is shown in FIG. 2A , the other receptacle being located at a diametrically opposed position to receptacle 232 ). These receptacles receive the snap-fit hooks 312 and 314 of the emitter connector 300 ( FIG. 1 ) to form the connection between fiber optic connector 200 and transceiver 300 .
- Fiber optic ribbon cable 220 (not shown in this Figure) comprises a set of fiber optic strands, the ends of which are arranged in an optical fiber array 203 .
- the optical fiber array 203 is mounted on the front-end 230 .
- Two sockets 201 and 202 are formed in the fiber optic front-end 230 and are provided to either side of the optical fiber array 203 .
- FIG. 2B illustrates a detail of the known optical connector system 100 of FIG. 1 .
- the transceiver 300 of connector system 100 includes an array 330 of vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs).
- the array 330 is mounted in and supported by array support 320 which is part of emitter connector front-end 332 .
- Disposed on either side of the array 330 are two pins 316 and 318 connected to array support 320 .
- pins 316 and 318 engage with respective sockets 201 and 202 .
- FIG. 3 illustrates a further emitter connector 350 known in the art.
- Emitter connector 350 includes two arrays 352 and 354 (e.g. emitters and detectors) which operate in parallel, increasing the throughput of the connection established by the connector 350 in comparison to that established with the connection system 100 of FIG. 1 .
- Emitter connector 350 includes pins 356 and 358 to ensure alignment of each of the arrays 352 and 354 with corresponding fiber optic arrays.
- the problem of alignment is significantly exacerbated where two arrays are involved, and it has been found that the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 3 provides insufficient registration for alignment between the optoelectronic devices of the arrays 352 and 354 and the optical fiber ends of corresponding fiber optic arrays.
- FIG. 4 illustrates a further transceiver connector 360 known in the art. Similar to the transceiver connector 350 illustrated in FIG. 3 , connector 360 includes two arrays 352 and 354 . However, to improve alignment, connector 360 is provided with four pins 362 , 364 , 366 and 368 . As illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 5 , the connector 360 connects to a fiber optic connector 380 to form optical connector system 500 . Optical connector system 500 is illustrated in further detail in FIG. 6 . As illustrated in FIG.
- the fiber optic cable connector 380 is provided with two fiber optic cable arrays 382 and 384 with corresponding sockets 390 and 392 disposed on either side of fiber optic array 382 , and sockets 394 and 396 disposed on either side of fiber optic array 384 .
- the pins 362 , 364 , 366 and 368 engage with respective sockets 392 , 394 , 390 and 396 .
- FIG. 7 illustrates a fiber optic cable connector 700 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
- Connector 700 includes fiber optic module 730 attached to a mounting 740 .
- the mounting 740 is attached to a fiber optic ribbon cable in the manner illustrated with respect to the fiber optic module 200 of FIG. 1 .
- the fiber optic module 730 includes a module front-end 732 .
- Module front-end 732 comprises upper half-cap 734 and lower half-cap 736 .
- Upper half-cap 734 includes a fiber optic array 710 mounted in a fiber optic array support 714 .
- lower half-cap 736 includes fiber optic array 712 mounted in fiber optic array support 716 .
- Lines 740 and 742 show horizontal center lines for the respective fiber optic arrays 710 and 712 .
- Disposed on either side of fiber optic arrays 710 and 712 are respective pairs of sockets: 718 and 720 ; and 722 and 724 .
- a flexible member 750 is provided between upper half-cap 734 and lower half-cap 736 .
- the fiber optic connector 700 may be utilized with the connector 360 illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 .
- the pins 362 and 366 will engage with sockets 720 and 718 to ensure that the VCSEL array 352 aligns with optical fiber array 710 .
- pins 368 and 364 of the emitter connector 360 engage with sockets 722 and 724 to ensure that the photodetector array 354 aligns with optical fiber array 712 .
- the pins and sockets provide registration element to ensure that the respective pairs of VCSELs/photodetectors and optic fiber arrays are aligned.
- the flexible member 750 provides a limited degree of movement between upper half-cap 734 and lower half-cap 736 which, in turn, provides a degree of movement between the two optical fiber arrays 710 and 712 . Therefore when the optical fiber connector 700 engages with the emitter connector 360 , accurate alignment between the respective arrays is ensured.
- a pin and socket arrangement such as pins 368 , 364 and sockets 722 , 724 provide a registration element. As the pins engage with the respective sockets, the arrays will move (as provided for by the flexible members) to provide the required connection between the arrays.
- pins and sockets have been described herein as the means by which the arrays are aligned, other means may other be used. In its simplest form this registration may be provided by any two engaging members where one of the members is attached to the VCSEL/photodetector array (preferably by means of the array support) and the other member to the fiber optic array (preferably also by means of the array support).
- registration is provided by interengaging members such as the snap-fit members previously described or by a guide member which engages with each one of the arrays of corresponding pairs (by means of the array support or otherwise).
- both the VCSEL/photodetector array and the corresponding fiber optic array are mounted for movement. In this case the registration may be provided as previously described.
- the flexible member 750 of FIG. 7 is disposed and constructed so that the movement of fiber optic array 710 relative to fiber optic array 712 is constrained to a total linear movement of 2 mm from a rest position (defined by movement of respective center lines 740 and 742 ). In practice, manufacturing tolerances will vary this degree of relative movement so that certain fiber optic connectors constructed in accordance with the invention may display a linear movement of 4 mm.
- FIG. 8 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention.
- Fiber optic connector 800 comprises a module 830 having a module front-end 832 .
- Front-end 832 comprises upper half-cap 860 and lower half-cap 850 .
- the half-caps 850 and 860 differ from those illustrated in FIG. 7 ( 732 and 734 ) in that the half-caps 850 and 860 each include a respective flexible material member 854 and 864 surrounding respective fiber optic array supports 814 and 816 .
- a rigid support member 852 is attached to the flexible material members 854 and 864 and to module 830 .
- the flexible members 854 and 864 therefore allow the fiber optic arrays 810 and 812 to move relative to one another and relative to the rigid support member 852 .
- FIG. 9 illustrates a fiber optic connector 900 according to a further embodiment of the invention.
- Fiber optic connector 900 includes a fiber optic module 930 having a front-end 932 .
- Front-end 932 includes half end-caps 950 and 960 .
- Upper half-cap 960 includes a fiber optic array 910 mounted in fiber optic array support 914 .
- Lower half-cap 950 includes a fiber optic array 912 mounted in fiber optic array support 916 .
- the embodiment of FIG. 9 differs from that illustrated in FIG. 8 in that the fiber optic connector 900 includes a rigid frame structure 954 disposed around an outer periphery of the front-end 932 .
- the frame structure 954 together with a rigid support member 952 (which is located centrally within the front-end 932 , and which corresponds to the rigid support member 852 of the embodiment of FIG. 8 ), define respective receptacles for flexible members 956 and 964 .
- the flexible members 956 and 964 allow the fiber optic arrays 910 and 912 to move relative to one another and relative to the flexible frame 954 , and support member 952 .
- FIG. 10 illustrates a fiber optic connector 1000 according to a further embodiment of the invention.
- Fiber optic connector 1000 includes a fiber optic module 1030 having a front-end 1032 .
- Front-end 1032 half end-caps 1050 and 1060 .
- Upper half-cap 1060 includes a fiber optic array 1010 mounted in fiber optic array support 1014 .
- Lower half-cap 1050 includes a fiber optic array 1012 mounted in fiber optic array support 1016 .
- the fiber optic connector 1000 includes a rigid frame structure 1054 disposed around an outer periphery of the front-end 1032 .
- the frame structure 1054 defines a receptacle within which flexible members 1056 and 1064 are housed.
- the flexible member 1056 and 1064 provide movement of the fiber optic arrays 1010 and 1012 relative to one another and relative to the frame structure 1054 .
- the flexible members 1056 and 1064 may be replaced by a single flexible member.
- FIG. 10 differs from that illustrated in FIG. 9 in that it lacks a support member corresponding to rigid support member 952 .
- one or more flexible members is provided to allow movement of two fiber optic arrays relative to one another.
- the flexible member or members may be omitted altogether to provide a void instead. It will be realized that a void would also permit relative movement, albeit in a less controlled manner than provided by a flexible member.
- foam, rubber etc. there are many materials suitable for constructing a flexible member such as foam, rubber etc.
- a connector which comprises arrays of optical fiber.
- the principles of the invention are equally applicable to a connector which alternatively or additionally includes other optoelectronic elements such as arrays of photodetectors and/or of optical emitters such as VCSELs.
- the VCSEL arrays described above may equally be photodetectors arranged in arrays.
Abstract
Description
- This invention relates to connectors for establishing optical communication links and, in particular, optical connector systems for establishing optical communication links between a parallel array of optical light emitters and/or photodetectors and a parallel array of fiber optic cables.
- In optical communication systems information is transmitted in the form of modulated light beams through an optical transmission medium such as an optical fiber. The optical signals are produced by a modulated light source which may, for example, be a LED or a laser, and are detected at the receiving end by photodetectors. The present invention is concerned with connectors where such light sources and/or photodetectors are coupled to optical fibers.
- Advances in technology have resulted in light sources, photodetectors and optical fibers having relatively small cross-sections. It is therefore important when establishing a connection between such a light source or photodetector and an optical fiber that the fiber be correctly aligned with respect to the light source. Misalignment can result in attenuation of the power of the signal transmitted through the optical fiber or a complete break in communication.
- Connectors for establishing a connection between light sources or photodetectors and fiber optic cables may involve an array of light sources or photodetectors and an array of optical fiber cable ends. The connector acts by aligning the arrays. Certain of these kinds of connectors establish connections between two arrays of light sources and photodetectors and two corresponding arrays of optical fiber ends. It has been found however that the manufacturing tolerances in producing such connectors result in misaligned arrays when the connection is established.
- It is an object of the invention to address the aforementioned deficiencies.
- In accordance with a first aspect, the invention provides an optical connector for establishing a connection for use in a fiber optic network, said connector comprising a plurality of optical coupling arrays, said arrays comprising light emitters and/or light detectors, or fiber optical cable ends, said arrays being arranged for movement relative to one another.
- Relative movement of the arrays ensures that when an optical connection is established, all of the of the arrays may be properly aligned. This avoids loss or attenuation in signals which pass through the connection due to misaligned arrays.
- The movement of the optical connectors may be provided by a void, or by appropriate flexible material surrounding the array.
- Preferably, the connector includes registration element associated with each array to ensure that the corresponding array is properly aligned when a connection involving that array is made.
- A further aspect of the invention extends to a connection system comprising at least two mating connectors, wherein one of said connectors includes at least two optical arrays mounted for movement relative to one another. The first connector may comprise optical arrays of lasers and/or photodetectors, and the second connector may comprise parallel arrays of fiber optic cables. The fiber optic cables may form part of a fiber optic ribbon cable.
- Preferably the second connector is provided with separately movable ribbon cable arrays. Therefore, in a connector system comprising both emitter/photodetector and fiber optic connectors, it is preferable that the ribbon cable arrays be mounted for both linear and angular movement or displacement with respect to one another.
- Preferably the movement of the array relative to the connector is less than 5 mm in its linear extent. Further preferably the movement is less than 2 mm in its linear extent.
- By limiting the movement, failure of the respective connector attributable to excessive movement resulting in structural weaknesses may be minimized.
- Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a known optical connector system; -
FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a fiber optic connector of the optical connector system ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 2B is a perspective view of a detail of the optical connector system ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of a further known emitter; -
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of a further known emitter connector; -
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a known optical connector system incorporating the emitter connector illustrated inFIG. 4 ; -
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a detail of the optical connector system ofFIG. 5 ; -
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a fiber optic connector according to a first embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a fiber optic connector according to a second embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a fiber optic connector according to a third embodiment of the invention; and -
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a fiber optic connector according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 1 illustrates anoptical connector system 100 known in the art. Theoptical connector system 100 includes a fiberoptic connector 200 which engages with anoptical transceiver 300. As described below in greater detail, thetransceiver 300 comprises light sources and photodetectors and thefiber connector 200 comprises fiber optic cables. The connector system functions to establish a connection between these optoelectronic devices and fiber optic cables. - The fiber
optic connector 200 comprises asleeve 210 connected to theribbon cable 220. Thesleeve 210 therefore acts to anchor the fiberoptic connector 200 to theribbon cable 220. At one end of thetransceiver 300 there is provided alocking portion 310 having two snap-fit hooks FIG. 1 ) to ensure that the fiberoptic connector 200 securely connects with thetransceiver 300. -
FIG. 2A illustrates the fiberoptic connector 200 ofFIG. 1 in greater detail. The fiber optic connector 200 (shown here without sleeve 210) includes amounting 240 which supports, and to which is mounted, a fiber optic front-end 230. The fiber optic front-end 230 is formed with two receptacles (only one of which,receptacle 232, is shown inFIG. 2A , the other receptacle being located at a diametrically opposed position to receptacle 232). These receptacles receive the snap-fit hooks FIG. 1 ) to form the connection between fiberoptic connector 200 andtransceiver 300. Fiber optic ribbon cable 220 (not shown in this Figure) comprises a set of fiber optic strands, the ends of which are arranged in anoptical fiber array 203. Theoptical fiber array 203 is mounted on the front-end 230. Twosockets end 230 and are provided to either side of theoptical fiber array 203. -
FIG. 2B illustrates a detail of the knownoptical connector system 100 ofFIG. 1 . Thetransceiver 300 ofconnector system 100 includes anarray 330 of vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs). Thearray 330 is mounted in and supported byarray support 320 which is part of emitter connector front-end 332. Disposed on either side of thearray 330 are twopins array support 320. When thetransceiver 300 engages with thefiber optic connector 200, pins 316 and 318 engage withrespective sockets array 330 will align with thefiber optic array 203 so that light beams associated with the VCSELs or detectors ofarray 330 will be received and transmitted by the optical fibers ofarray 203 without significant attenuation in the power of the light beams. -
FIG. 3 illustrates afurther emitter connector 350 known in the art.Emitter connector 350 includes twoarrays 352 and 354 (e.g. emitters and detectors) which operate in parallel, increasing the throughput of the connection established by theconnector 350 in comparison to that established with theconnection system 100 ofFIG. 1 .Emitter connector 350 includespins arrays FIG. 3 provides insufficient registration for alignment between the optoelectronic devices of thearrays -
FIG. 4 illustrates afurther transceiver connector 360 known in the art. Similar to thetransceiver connector 350 illustrated inFIG. 3 ,connector 360 includes twoarrays connector 360 is provided with fourpins FIG. 5 , theconnector 360 connects to afiber optic connector 380 to formoptical connector system 500.Optical connector system 500 is illustrated in further detail inFIG. 6 . As illustrated inFIG. 6 , the fiberoptic cable connector 380 is provided with two fiberoptic cable arrays corresponding sockets fiber optic array 382, andsockets fiber optic array 384. When theconnector 360 engages with thefiber cable connector 380 thepins respective sockets - However, it has been found that the structure described above and illustrated in
FIGS. 5 and 6 provides insufficient alignment between the VCSELs of the VCSEL arrays, and the photodetectors of the photodetector array, and corresponding fiber optic ends of the fiber optic cable arrays. Manufacturing tolerances for such a connector system exceed the required accuracy for establishing efficient optical connections. -
FIG. 7 illustrates a fiberoptic cable connector 700 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.Connector 700 includesfiber optic module 730 attached to a mounting 740. Although not illustrated inFIG. 7 , the mounting 740 is attached to a fiber optic ribbon cable in the manner illustrated with respect to thefiber optic module 200 ofFIG. 1 . - The
fiber optic module 730 includes a module front-end 732. Module front-end 732 comprises upper half-cap 734 and lower half-cap 736. Upper half-cap 734 includes afiber optic array 710 mounted in a fiberoptic array support 714. Similarly, lower half-cap 736 includesfiber optic array 712 mounted in fiberoptic array support 716.Lines fiber optic arrays fiber optic arrays flexible member 750 is provided between upper half-cap 734 and lower half-cap 736. - The
fiber optic connector 700 may be utilized with theconnector 360 illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 6 . In use, when thefiber optic connector 700 is engaged withconnector 360, thepins sockets VCSEL array 352 aligns withoptical fiber array 710. Similarly, pins 368 and 364 of theemitter connector 360 engage withsockets photodetector array 354 aligns withoptical fiber array 712. The pins and sockets provide registration element to ensure that the respective pairs of VCSELs/photodetectors and optic fiber arrays are aligned. Theflexible member 750 provides a limited degree of movement between upper half-cap 734 and lower half-cap 736 which, in turn, provides a degree of movement between the twooptical fiber arrays optical fiber connector 700 engages with theemitter connector 360, accurate alignment between the respective arrays is ensured. - In the embodiment herein described a pin and socket arrangement such as
pins sockets - The
flexible member 750 ofFIG. 7 is disposed and constructed so that the movement offiber optic array 710 relative tofiber optic array 712 is constrained to a total linear movement of 2 mm from a rest position (defined by movement ofrespective center lines 740 and 742). In practice, manufacturing tolerances will vary this degree of relative movement so that certain fiber optic connectors constructed in accordance with the invention may display a linear movement of 4 mm. -
FIG. 8 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention.Fiber optic connector 800 comprises amodule 830 having a module front-end 832. Front-end 832 comprises upper half-cap 860 and lower half-cap 850. The half-caps FIG. 7 (732 and 734) in that the half-caps flexible material member rigid support member 852 is attached to theflexible material members module 830. Theflexible members fiber optic arrays rigid support member 852. -
FIG. 9 illustrates afiber optic connector 900 according to a further embodiment of the invention.Fiber optic connector 900 includes afiber optic module 930 having a front-end 932. Front-end 932 includes half end-caps cap 960 includes afiber optic array 910 mounted in fiberoptic array support 914. Lower half-cap 950 includes afiber optic array 912 mounted in fiberoptic array support 916. - The embodiment of
FIG. 9 differs from that illustrated inFIG. 8 in that thefiber optic connector 900 includes arigid frame structure 954 disposed around an outer periphery of the front-end 932. Theframe structure 954, together with a rigid support member 952 (which is located centrally within the front-end 932, and which corresponds to therigid support member 852 of the embodiment ofFIG. 8 ), define respective receptacles forflexible members flexible members fiber optic arrays flexible frame 954, andsupport member 952. -
FIG. 10 illustrates afiber optic connector 1000 according to a further embodiment of the invention.Fiber optic connector 1000 includes afiber optic module 1030 having a front-end 1032. Front-end 1032 half end-caps cap 1060 includes afiber optic array 1010 mounted in fiberoptic array support 1014. Lower half-cap 1050 includes afiber optic array 1012 mounted in fiberoptic array support 1016. - The
fiber optic connector 1000 includes arigid frame structure 1054 disposed around an outer periphery of the front-end 1032. Theframe structure 1054 defines a receptacle within whichflexible members 1056 and 1064 are housed. As with previous embodiments, theflexible member 1056 and 1064 provide movement of thefiber optic arrays frame structure 1054. In an alternative embodiment, theflexible members 1056 and 1064 may be replaced by a single flexible member. - The embodiment illustrated in
FIG. 10 differs from that illustrated inFIG. 9 in that it lacks a support member corresponding torigid support member 952. - In each of the aforementioned embodiments one or more flexible members is provided to allow movement of two fiber optic arrays relative to one another. Changes to the above embodiments are possible and within the scope of the invention. For example, the flexible member or members may be omitted altogether to provide a void instead. It will be realized that a void would also permit relative movement, albeit in a less controlled manner than provided by a flexible member. A person skilled in the art will realize that there are many materials suitable for constructing a flexible member such as foam, rubber etc.
- It is further to be realized that the aforementioned embodiments have been described with reference to a connector which comprises arrays of optical fiber. However, the principles of the invention are equally applicable to a connector which alternatively or additionally includes other optoelectronic elements such as arrays of photodetectors and/or of optical emitters such as VCSELs. Similarly, the VCSEL arrays described above may equally be photodetectors arranged in arrays.
Claims (20)
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US12/019,472 US7572067B1 (en) | 2008-01-24 | 2008-01-24 | Parallel optical connector |
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US12/019,472 US7572067B1 (en) | 2008-01-24 | 2008-01-24 | Parallel optical connector |
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US20090190881A1 true US20090190881A1 (en) | 2009-07-30 |
US7572067B1 US7572067B1 (en) | 2009-08-11 |
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US12/019,472 Expired - Fee Related US7572067B1 (en) | 2008-01-24 | 2008-01-24 | Parallel optical connector |
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JP2015511727A (en) * | 2012-03-01 | 2015-04-20 | ティコ エレクトロニクス コーポレイション | Keying for MPO systems |
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US20130087690A1 (en) * | 2010-06-01 | 2013-04-11 | Apple Inc. | Optical connection of devices |
JP2015511727A (en) * | 2012-03-01 | 2015-04-20 | ティコ エレクトロニクス コーポレイション | Keying for MPO systems |
US20140034818A1 (en) * | 2012-06-29 | 2014-02-06 | International Business Machines Corporation | Reporting connection failure |
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