WO1986000423A1 - Connecteur pour fibres optiques et article le comprenant - Google Patents

Connecteur pour fibres optiques et article le comprenant Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1986000423A1
WO1986000423A1 PCT/US1985/001140 US8501140W WO8600423A1 WO 1986000423 A1 WO1986000423 A1 WO 1986000423A1 US 8501140 W US8501140 W US 8501140W WO 8600423 A1 WO8600423 A1 WO 8600423A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
fiber
connector
terminus
optical fiber
pedestal
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1985/001140
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Thomas Calvin Cannon, Jr.
Arthur Wallace Carlisle
Burce Vaiden Darden
Clyde Jackson Myers
Original Assignee
American Telephone & Telegraph Company
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by American Telephone & Telegraph Company filed Critical American Telephone & Telegraph Company
Publication of WO1986000423A1 publication Critical patent/WO1986000423A1/fr
Priority to KR1019860700096A priority Critical patent/KR860700156A/ko

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Classifications

    • 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
    • G02B6/3874—Connectors using guide surfaces for aligning ferrule ends, e.g. tubes, sleeves, V-grooves, rods, pins, balls using tubes, sleeves to align ferrules
    • G02B6/3877—Split sleeves
    • 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
    • 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
    • G02B6/381—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs of the ferrule type, e.g. fibre ends embedded in ferrules, connecting a pair of fibres
    • G02B6/3818—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs of the ferrule type, e.g. fibre ends embedded in ferrules, connecting a pair of fibres of a low-reflection-loss type
    • 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
    • G02B6/3833—Details of mounting fibres in ferrules; Assembly methods; Manufacture
    • G02B6/3834—Means for centering or aligning the light guide within the ferrule
    • G02B6/3835—Means for centering or aligning the light guide within the ferrule using discs, bushings or the like
    • 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
    • G02B6/3833—Details of mounting fibres in ferrules; Assembly methods; Manufacture
    • G02B6/3847—Details of mounting fibres in ferrules; Assembly methods; Manufacture with means preventing fibre end damage, e.g. recessed fibre surfaces
    • 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
    • G02B6/3833—Details of mounting fibres in ferrules; Assembly methods; Manufacture
    • G02B6/3865—Details of mounting fibres in ferrules; Assembly methods; Manufacture fabricated by using moulding techniques
    • 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
    • G02B6/3874—Connectors using guide surfaces for aligning ferrule ends, e.g. tubes, sleeves, V-grooves, rods, pins, balls using tubes, sleeves to align ferrules
    • G02B6/3878—Connectors using guide surfaces for aligning ferrule ends, e.g. tubes, sleeves, V-grooves, rods, pins, balls using tubes, sleeves to align ferrules comprising a plurality of ferrules, branching and break-out means
    • 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
    • G02B6/42—Coupling light guides with opto-electronic elements
    • G02B6/4292—Coupling light guides with opto-electronic elements the light guide being disconnectable from the opto-electronic element, e.g. mutually self aligning arrangements
    • 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
    • G02B6/381—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs of the ferrule type, e.g. fibre ends embedded in ferrules, connecting a pair of fibres
    • G02B6/3826—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs of the ferrule type, e.g. fibre ends embedded in ferrules, connecting a pair of fibres characterised by form or shape
    • G02B6/3831—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs of the ferrule type, e.g. fibre ends embedded in ferrules, connecting a pair of fibres characterised by form or shape comprising a keying element on the plug or adapter, e.g. to forbid wrong connection
    • 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
    • G02B6/3833—Details of mounting fibres in ferrules; Assembly methods; Manufacture
    • G02B6/3851—Ferrules having keying or coding means
    • 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
    • G02B6/3833—Details of mounting fibres in ferrules; Assembly methods; Manufacture
    • G02B6/3854—Ferrules characterised by materials
    • 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
    • G02B6/3833—Details of mounting fibres in ferrules; Assembly methods; Manufacture
    • G02B6/3855—Details of mounting fibres in ferrules; Assembly methods; Manufacture characterised by the method of anchoring or fixing the fibre within the ferrule
    • G02B6/3861—Adhesive bonding
    • 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
    • G02B6/389—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs characterised by the method of fastening connecting plugs and sockets, e.g. screw- or nut-lock, snap-in, bayonet type
    • G02B6/3891—Bayonet type

Definitions

  • This invention pertains to means for interconnecting optical fibers, and for connecting optical fiber to optical devices.
  • Optical fiber connectors are used to optically couple one optical fiber to another optical fiber, or an optical fiber to optical devices such as LEDs, lasers or detectors.
  • Such connectors form an essential part of substantially any optical fiber communications system, and the industry has expended a substantial effort on connector development.
  • the art knows a variety of connector types, including the so-called bi-conic connector (U. S. Patent 4,107,242.
  • bi-conic connector U. S. Patent 4,107,242.
  • One of the known connector types comprises two basically cylindrical fiber terminus pieces and mechanical means for maintaining the terminus pieces in substantially coaxial relationship, with the abutting surfaces of the terminus pieces substantially contacting.
  • U. S. Patent 4,140,365, and U. S. Patent 4,283,125 are examples of a connector of this type.
  • connectors of this type rely on the alignment of the outside surface of the terminus pieces to provide fiber alignment.
  • the fiber-receiving capillary bore of a terminus piece is concentric with the outer cylinder surface of the terminus piece.
  • the optical fiber be flush with the mating end face of the terminus piece, and that the two mating end faces in a connector be normal to the fiber axis, to within quite close tolerances. Substantial deviations from these conditions tend to result in added signal loss.
  • Patent 4,221,461 discloses application of a compliant coating to the end face of a fiber terminus piece of a connector.
  • optical fiber connector not only does an optical fiber connector have to maintain the optical fiber ends coaxially aligned, it is also required to maintain the fiber ends in fixed longitudinal relationship, typically contacting or very nearly so, in the latter case often with some index- matching material between the fiber ends. This relationship has to be maintained for all rated longitudinal loads.
  • Optical fiber cables typically comprise strength members, e.g., KEVLAR (an aromatic pol i ⁇ tid) fibers, which are intended to be the primary load-bearing elements in case of longitudinal loading.
  • Optical fiber connectors thus advantageously comprise means for transmitting longitudinal stress between the strength -Tie-fibers of the joined optical cables. Such means are disclosed, for instance, in U. S. Patent 4,283,125.
  • optical fiber connector including a connector of the ferrule- type
  • desirable characteristics of an optical fiber connector are simple construction and, therefore, low price, as well as small size, low loss, short assembly time, environmental stability, and versatility of design, e.g., adaptability of the basic design for simplex (one fiber) duplex (two fibers), or two or more fiber (multiplex) connectors.
  • This application discloses a fiber connector possessing these desirable characteristics. Summary of the Invention
  • an optical fiber connector adapted for being fitted to the end of at least one cabled optical fiber.
  • Cabled fiber is generally enveloped by a sheath comprising an inner jacket, the sheath to be stripped, prior to fitting of the connector to the fiber, from a part of the fiber.
  • the connector comprises a fiber termination comprising a (typically cylindrical) fiber terminus piece having a substantially straight longitudinal bore, adapted for receiving therein the stripped optical fiber, and a first end face.
  • the connector further comprises means for maintaining the fiber terminus piece substantially coaxially aligned with an opposing terminus having a second end face.
  • At least the first end face comprises a protrusion, referred to herein as a pedestal, the pedestal having an end face that is substantially normal to the fiber axis and an area that is substantially smaller than the cross-sectional area of the terminus piece.
  • the pedestal located such that the optical fiber emerges within the pedestal end face, reduces the potential area of contact between the fiber terminus piece and the opposing terminus piece.
  • the pedestal consists substantially of somewhat compliant material, typically material having a modulus of compression between about 10 and about 10 6 psi at 25°C, preferably between 10 5 and 5 5-10 psi.
  • the opposing terminus piece also comprises a pedestal of the described type.
  • the terminus piece and the pedestal can be of different materials, e.g., ceramics and epoxy, respectively.
  • the pedestal with the bore extending therethrough, can be preformed on the end face of the terminus piece.
  • the pedestal can be formed during connector mounting by a molding technique, with the"fiber to be inserted before curing of the pedestal material.
  • the pedestal can also be an integral part of the terminus piece, of the same composition and formed at the same time the terminus piece is formed. Terminus pieces with an integral pedestal can, of course, be made from any suitable material, including filled thermoplastics.
  • the fiber connector comprises a connector body
  • the sheath enveloping the fiber typically comprises, in addition to the inner jacket, at least one strength member, disposed outwardly of the inner jacket.
  • the load-transmitting means comprise a tubular body that is adapted for being partially inserted into the end of the sheath, proximate to the strength member, and to be attached to the strength member and to the connector body by adhesive means, typically by means of thermosetting epoxy. This arrangement can produce a strong connection between the connector body and the cable strength member, in addition to preventing excessive wicking of epoxy. It also serves to position the cable during insertion of the fiber into the terminus piece.
  • Connectors according to the invention terminating an optical fiber cable comprising at least one sheathed optical fiber.
  • Connectors according to the invention can be used advantageously with multimode optical fiber, but can, in principle, also be used with single mode fiber.
  • FIG. 1 schematically shows the outlines of a portion of a connector according to the invention attached to a fiber
  • FIG. 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of a fiber termination portion of an exemplary connector according to the invention
  • FIG. 3 shows schematically, in partially cutaway view, a particular (simplex) embodiment of the inventive connector
  • FIG. 4 similarly shows an exemplary duplex connector according to the invention
  • FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a preferred method for forming the pedestal on a preexisting fiber terminus piece
  • FIG. 6 schematically depicts a further embodiment of the invention, namely, means for coupling optical fiber to an optical device
  • FIG. 7 schematically depicts a further embodiment of the invention comprising an additional sleeve.
  • Like or analogous features in different Figures are denoted by like numerals. Detailed Description
  • FIG. 1 shows a partially completed fiber termination which schematically illustrates this geometry.
  • Fiber termination 10 is part of a complete ferrule-type connector. Sheathed fiber 11 enters connector body 12. Fiber terminus piece 13 is substantially rigidly attached to 12, and the stripped optical fiber is seen to have been threaded through the bore of 13 and to extend through pedestal 14 and beyond.
  • Termination housing 16 partially encloses the connector body, as will be shown below in more detail.
  • a variety of materials are potentially suitable fo u, * ⁇ "i as .terminus pieces, including drawn glass, metal (machined, or die-cast), metal with a plastic insert, transfer molded plastic (e.g., glass filled epoxy), injection molded plastic, and ceramic.
  • transfer molded or injection molded plastic terminus pieces especially such terminus pieces with pedestals integral therewith, can also advantageously be used in connectors according to the invention.
  • the pedestal has truncated-cone-shape and is coaxial with the bore of the terminus piece, as shown in FIG. 1.
  • Typical dimensions of pedestals used by us are 0.020-0.050 inches diameter and about 0.010 inches height, with a relatively small cone angle, e.g., about 10°. Since terminus pieces used by us typically have a circular cross section and a diameter of about 0.1 inches, it is apparent that the pedestal end face area is substantially smaller than the cross-sectional area of the terminus piece, typically at least about 50% smaller.
  • the pedestal can consist of the same material as the terminus piece, or it can consist of different material, as indicated schematically in FIG. 1.
  • An advantageous method for producing an epoxy pedestal on a preexisting (e.g., ceramic) terminus piece with flat end face will be described below.
  • fiber end preparation, especially the polishing thereof tends to be easier with the novel geometry, as compared to prior art flat end face geometry.
  • pedestals consisting of somewhat compliant materials, typically material having a room temperature modulus between about 10 -10 6 psi, preferably between 10 5 and 5 -10 J psi, to be particularly advantageous.
  • Such pedestals can absorb small angular mismatches, thereby providing closer contact between the fiber end faces, which can result in reduced transmission loss, even without use of index matching material.
  • connectors utilizing compliant pedestals are still more tolerant to movements caused by external loading of the connector, and, if consisting of an easily worked material such as epoxy or other plastic material, can make fiber preparation still more easy.
  • FIG. 2 shows a fiber termination 10 that forms part of a connector according to the invention.
  • Sheathed fiber 11 comprises optical fiber 15, surrounded by inner jacket 21 (which can comprise one, two, or even more, different coating layers), which in turn is surrounded by fiber strength members 22, e.g., impregnated KEVLAR fibers, which in turn are enveloped by outer jacket 20.
  • fiber strength members 22 e.g., impregnated KEVLAR fibers, which in turn are enveloped by outer jacket 20.
  • Optical fiber cables comprising sheathed fibers are well known in the art.
  • the sheath is removed from a length of optical fiber, and sleeve 23 (advantageously a stainless steel tube) partially inserted between 21 and 22, with part of the sleeve extending beyond the fiber sheath.
  • Fiber terminus piece 13 is held rigidly in connector body 12, by adhesive means or other appropriate means, e.g., a press fit.
  • Termination housing 16 is held in place by retaining ring 28 and spring 26.
  • Partially filling the empty space 24 between the connector body and the sleeve with epoxy 25 can result, after curing of the epoxy, in a relatively strong bond between the fiber sheath and the connector body.
  • the adhesive e.g., a thermosetting epoxy, typically is transported along the strength members by a wicki.g action, greatly increasing the bonding area between the sleeve member and the strength members.
  • an adhesive typically also thermosetting epoxy
  • an adhesive is injected into the bore of the terminus piece, followed by threading the fiber through the bore, until the sheathed fiber assembly is positioned substantially as shown in the Figure.
  • Lightly crimping the connector body in the region indicated by numerals 29 preliminarily secures the sheathed fiber in the connector body, and prevents wicking past the crimping region.
  • the fiber protruding from pedestal 14 is cut short by any appropriate means, e.g., scribing and breaking, and the fiber end prepared by polishing or other appropriate means. Means for fiber end preparation are well known in the art and need not be reviewed.
  • FIG. 5 shows an advantageous method for forming a pedestal according to the invention.
  • a cap 50 typically a plastic cap, is slid over the end face of 13 and maintained thereon by means not shown.
  • the cap contains a mold cavity 51 of a shape designed to yield a pedestal of the desired shape, and a bore 52 which permits passage of fiber 15.
  • Sufficient epoxy e.g., a polyamine- or catalyti ⁇ ally-cured epoxy, neat, or filled to control, inter alia, viscosity, flow, expansion coefficient, or shrinkage
  • a polyamine- or catalyti ⁇ ally-cured epoxy neat, or filled to control, inter alia, viscosity, flow, expansion coefficient, or shrinkage
  • FIG. 3 shows schematically an exemplary connector according to the invention.
  • a fiber-to-fiber connector and more particularly still, a panel-mountable simplex fiber-to-fiber connector.
  • the connector is seen to comprise two fiber terminations 10 of the type described previously, each comprising a fiber terminus piece 13 with a pedestal 14 thereon, a termination housing 16, spring 26 (only one of which is shown), and connector body 12.
  • Alignment means 30 contained within receptacle housing 32. The former is adapted to receiving therein fiber terminus pieces 13, and to maintain them therein in substantially coaxial relationship, by keeping aligned the outer cylinder surfaces of the two terminus pieces.
  • the receptacle body of the exemplary connector of FIG. 3 is panel mountable.
  • the properly terminated and prepared fiber ends are brought together by insertion of the terminus pieces into the sleeve 30, followed by locking in place of the respective fiber terminations by means of bayonet-type locking mechanisms comprising slots 34 in termination housings 16, and pins 34 projecting from the connector body.
  • bayonet-type locking mechanisms comprising slots 34 in termination housings 16, and pins 34 projecting from the connector body. Since relative rotation between the mating pedestal surfaces can possibly result in damage to the fiber ends, it is advantageous to provide means for preventing such rotation. This can, for instance, be accomplished by means of keyway pin 33 projecting from the connector body 12, which is to be received in a keyway slot (not shown) in receptacle housing 32.
  • a panel-mountable duplex connector is schematically illustrated in FIG. 4.
  • the receptacle 40 of this male/female ferrule-type connector can be mounted on a panel by known means, and comprises two spaced apart fiber terminations contained withirf a common housing. In particular, two pedestal-bearing fiber terminus pieces are inserted into sleeves 30.
  • the plug assembly 41 also comprises two fiber terminus pieces 13, positioned such as to be insertable into the spaced apart sleeves.
  • Bayonet- type locking means comprising slot 42 and pin 43 serve to secure the plug assembly to the receptacle assembly.
  • the optical package 67 which is shown schematically as a functional unit, comprises typically a light source or a detector, and can comprise electronics to power the source or detector, transform and/or condition signals, or perform other necessary functions well known to those skilled in the art.
  • the optical package 67 which is shown displaced from the optical axis of the connector for clarity only, is shown to emit radiation 68, and to have electrical terminals 69, by means of which the package can be powered. 67 is inserted into lens housing 64, terminus piece 65 of 64 inserted into alignment sleeve 30, and the device package completed by placing the described assembly into housing 62 and joining cover 63 to the housing. The device package can then be mounted on an appropriate chip carrier or circuit board, or be incorporated into equipment by any other appropriate means.
  • an optical fiber is connected by preparing fiber termination 10, comprising terminus piece 13 and pedestal 14, substantially as described before, inserting 13 into 30 such that pedestal 14 contacts the end face of lens housing 64 (or is in close proximity thereto), and securing 10 to 62, e.g., by means of a bayonet-type mechanism.
  • Keyway pin 60 and keyway slot 61 prevent relative rotation between terminus piece 14 and lens housing 64.
  • Radiation 63, emitted from a source in 67, is focused onto the fiber end face by means of le s 66.
  • FIG. 7 shows a variation of the connector that was illustrated in FIG. 2 and discussed in detail above. The discussion applies substantially also to FIG. 7 and will therefore not be repeated here.
  • the connector of FIG. 7 comprises an outer sleeve 70 that serves to confine fiber strength members 22 between inner sleeve 23 and outer sleeve 70. This arrangement can result in particularly strong bonds between the connector body and the fiber sheath.
  • outer jacket 20 typically is cut back somewhat further than fiber strength members.22 and inner jacket 21, to provide space for outer sleeve 70.
  • the thus exposed fiber strength members are wetted with adhesive, typically heat curable epoxy, and the outer sleeve placed around the strength members.
  • the outer sleeve advantageously is formed from a U-shaped metal part which can be bent in situ into substantially tubular shape. For instance, we have found 20 mil thick aluminum stock to serve well. Before insertion of the fiber into the connector body, epoxy is injected into the bore of terminus piece 13.
  • the thus prepared fiber assembly is inserted into the connector body, with the fiber inserted into the bore of 13, and the connector body lightly crimped in region 29, thereby temporarily securing the sheathed fiber to the connector body.
  • Curing of the termination assembly can result in formation of strong adhesive bonds between inner sleeve 23 and strength members 22, between strength members 22 and outer sleeve 70, and between the latter and the connector body.
  • the connector can be used, for instance, in a connection of the type shown in FIG. 3.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Coupling Of Light Guides (AREA)

Abstract

Connecteur pour fibres optiques comprenant une pièce de terminaison de la fibre (13) possédant un trou longitudinal à travers lequel est introduite une fibre dénudée (15). La pièce de terminaison de la fibre, contenant une fibre préparée de manière appropriée, est maintenue en alignement coaxial avec une pièce de terminaison correspondante. La pièce de terminaison de la fibre comprend, sur sa surface de couplage, un "piédestal" (14), possédant généralement une forme tronconique, s'étendant vers l'extérieur depuis le plan de la face, la fibre se terminant dans la face du piédestal, ce qui réduit considérablement la surface de contact potentiel entre les pièces de terminaison correspondantes. Le matériau du piédestal est avantageusement quelque peu élastique et présente un module de compression compris entre environ 104 et 106 psi à 25oC, de préférence entre environ 105 et 5.105 psi. La nouvelle géométrie se traduit par une amélioration des performances, par rapport aux connecteurs de l'art antérieur possédant des surfaces de couplage plates. Sont également décrits des connecteurs comprenant des organes de transfert des charges axiales depuis un organe de résistance du câble au corps du connecteur.
PCT/US1985/001140 1984-06-22 1985-06-14 Connecteur pour fibres optiques et article le comprenant WO1986000423A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
KR1019860700096A KR860700156A (ko) 1984-06-22 1986-02-19 광섬유 연결자 및 그를 포함하는 제품

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US06/623,727 US4634214A (en) 1984-06-22 1984-06-22 Optical fiber connector and article comprising same
US623,727 1984-06-22

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1986000423A1 true WO1986000423A1 (fr) 1986-01-16

Family

ID=24499187

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1985/001140 WO1986000423A1 (fr) 1984-06-22 1985-06-14 Connecteur pour fibres optiques et article le comprenant

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US4634214A (fr)
EP (1) EP0186701A1 (fr)
JP (1) JPS61502496A (fr)
KR (1) KR860700156A (fr)
WO (1) WO1986000423A1 (fr)

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1987001464A1 (fr) * 1985-08-29 1987-03-12 Amp Incorporated Organe a virole pour terminer un organe de transmission a fibres optiques
WO1987007035A1 (fr) * 1986-05-14 1987-11-19 Amp Inc Connecteur pour fibres optiques
EP0278507A2 (fr) * 1987-02-13 1988-08-17 Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Module optique à semi-conducteur
EP0297439A2 (fr) * 1987-06-30 1989-01-04 AT&T Corp. Connecteur à fibre optique
US4842363A (en) * 1986-08-04 1989-06-27 Amphenol Corporation Fiber optic connector, tool for assembling fiber optic connector and method of assembling fiber optic connectors
EP0330231A2 (fr) * 1988-02-26 1989-08-30 Nippon Telegraph And Telephone Corporation Connecteur enfichable
WO1990003586A1 (fr) * 1988-09-29 1990-04-05 Amp Incorporated Connecteur optique avec virole d'alignement en plastique
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EP0572174A2 (fr) * 1992-05-27 1993-12-01 AT&T Corp. Embout d'un connecteur à fibre optique avec des moyens d'ajustage
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KR860700156A (ko) 1986-03-31
JPS61502496A (ja) 1986-10-30
US4634214A (en) 1987-01-06
EP0186701A1 (fr) 1986-07-09

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