WO1998057208A1 - Multiple alignment connector ferrule - Google Patents

Multiple alignment connector ferrule Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1998057208A1
WO1998057208A1 PCT/US1997/018698 US9718698W WO9857208A1 WO 1998057208 A1 WO1998057208 A1 WO 1998057208A1 US 9718698 W US9718698 W US 9718698W WO 9857208 A1 WO9857208 A1 WO 9857208A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
alignment
connector ferrule
ferrule
connector
ball
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status 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 status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US1997/018698
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Nicholas A. Lee
Scott Anthony Igl
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
3M Co
Original Assignee
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co
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 Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co filed Critical Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co
Priority to JP50235699A priority Critical patent/JP2002504242A/ja
Priority to DE69727591T priority patent/DE69727591T2/de
Priority to AU50808/98A priority patent/AU5080898A/en
Priority to EP97913678A priority patent/EP0988570B1/en
Publication of WO1998057208A1 publication Critical patent/WO1998057208A1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

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
    • G02B6/3801—Permanent connections, i.e. wherein fibres are kept aligned by mechanical means
    • G02B6/3803—Adjustment or alignment devices for alignment prior to splicing
    • 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
    • G02B6/3838—Means for centering or aligning the light guide within the ferrule using grooves for light guides
    • G02B6/3839—Means for centering or aligning the light guide within the ferrule using grooves for light guides for a plurality of light guides
    • 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
    • G02B6/3887—Anchoring optical cables to connector housings, e.g. strain relief features
    • G02B6/3888—Protection from over-extension or over-compression
    • 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
    • G02B6/3893—Push-pull type, e.g. snap-in, push-on
    • 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
    • G02B6/3628—Mechanical coupling means for mounting fibres to supporting carriers
    • G02B6/3632—Mechanical coupling means for mounting fibres to supporting carriers characterised by the cross-sectional shape of the mechanical coupling means
    • G02B6/3636—Mechanical coupling means for mounting fibres to supporting carriers characterised by the cross-sectional shape of the mechanical coupling means the mechanical coupling means being grooves
    • 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
    • G02B6/3801—Permanent connections, i.e. wherein fibres are kept aligned by mechanical means
    • G02B6/3806—Semi-permanent connections, i.e. wherein the mechanical means keeping the fibres aligned allow for removal of the fibres
    • 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
    • G02B6/3821—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 with axial spring biasing or loading 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
    • G02B6/3825—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs of the ferrule type, e.g. fibre ends embedded in ferrules, connecting a pair of fibres with an intermediate part, e.g. adapter, receptacle, linking two 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
    • G02B6/3833—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
    • G02B6/3873—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
    • 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

  • the present invention relates generally to connectors for optical fibers.
  • the present invention relates to a multiple alignment connector ferrule for an optical fiber cable connector.
  • Optical fiber ribbon cables are well known for the transmission of optical signals.
  • Use of optical cables, including optical fiber ribbon cables, has generally been limited to long haul trunking installations where the improved transmission characteristics of the optical fibers justify the greater expense in typical difficulty associated with their manufacturing and installation.
  • the advantages of using optical cable for transmission of signals across shorter distances or, for interconnecting local devices continues to grow. With this growth has come a need to connect fiber optic ribbon cables to a multiplicity of devices.
  • Much development work has been devoted to the provision of practical, low loss glass materials and production techniques for producing glass fiber cable, such as optical fiber ribbon cables.
  • the present invention is an optical fiber connector ferrule that satisfies the existing need for providing an easy to manufacture, inexpensive optical connector having multiple alignment methods.
  • the present invention is an optical fiber connector ferrule having a fiber engaging and alignment surface for engaging and aligning at least one optical fiber.
  • the ferrule also has a connector engagement surface.
  • the connector ferrule of the present invention is preferably made of standard engineering thermoplastics.
  • the connector ferrule of the present invention has the capability of providing multiple alignment methods for providing compatibility with many different connector devices. Examples of the multiple alignment methods include ball and socket alignment, pin and socket alignment, and edge alignment methods.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of a multiple alignment optical connector according to the present invention.
  • Figure 2 is a perspective view of the connector of Figure 1 having optical fibers contained thereon.
  • Figure 3 is a front view of the connector ferrule according to the present invention.
  • Figure 4 is a perspective view of the connector ferrule according to the present invention prepared for ball and socket alignment.
  • Figure 5 is a perspective view of the connector ferrule according to the present invention prepared for alignment pin alignment.
  • Figure 6 is a front view of the connector ferrule according to the present invention in edge alignment.
  • Figure 7 is a perspective view of a connector ferrule according to the present invention capable of ball and socket, edge, and/or alignment pin alignment.
  • Figure 8 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a multiple alignment connector assembly 10 according to the present invention.
  • Connector assembly 10 is comprised of a connector body 12 and a fiber alignment block, or ferrule 14.
  • Connector body 12 is provided to transition optical fibers from an optical fiber cable (not shown in Figure 1) to ferrule 14.
  • Ferrule 14 on the other hand, is provided to align the optical fibers and to directly interface with other compatible ferrules or with a number of different light emitting components such as LEDs, laser arrays, edge emitting lasers, super luminescent diodes, vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSELs) and other surface emitting devices. Additionally, ferrule 14 may interface with a number of different optoelectronic detectors. -
  • a ferrule cover 15 and a connector body cover 16 are provided for protecting optical fibers positioned there beneath. It should be noted, however, that covers 15 and 16 could be eliminated without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.
  • connector body 12 and ferrule 14 are molded from standard engineering thermal plastics using known injection molding procedures.
  • standard thermal plastics as opposed to other materials commonly used for connector ferrules such as ceramic, the cost of manufacturing ferrule 14 is greatly reduced. Additionally, the finishing steps for alignment details, such as grinding and polishing particularly required with ceramics, are eliminated.
  • Connector body 12 has a front end 22 and a back end 24.
  • a pair of projections 23 project from front end 22 for engagement with ferrule
  • Connector body 12 tapers from front end 22 to back end 24 and begins to taper at bevel line 26. Tapered back end 24 has a transition platform 25 which provides for a gentle transition from a fiber optic ribbon cable to connector body 12. Beneath connector body 16 is a connector body floor 28.
  • Ferrule 14 has a connector body engagement surface (not shown), an optical fiber engaging surface 30, an optical device interface surface 32 and first and second alignment members 34 and 36, respectively.
  • Connector body engagement surface has a pair of receiving cavities (not shown) for receiving projections 23.
  • a plurality alignment grooves 38 are formed in fiber engagement surface 30 for aligning optical fibers.
  • grooves 38 are V-shaped, however, other cross-sectional shapes could be chosen such as semicircular or rectangular without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.
  • alignment grooves 38 are only found in the first few millimeters of ferrule 14. This provides the needed fiber alignment while reducing the cost and difficulty of the mold tooling.
  • alignment grooves 38 may be located along the neutral axis of ferrule 14, thus minimizing the effect of angular misalignment of ferrule 14 on fiber alignment.
  • Figure 2 is a perspective view of connector 10 having a plurality of optical fibers 40 retained beneath ferrule cover 15 and connector body cover 16 and bonded into alignment grooves 38.
  • Bonding materials used in the present invention are commonly known, such as multi-part epoxy, or light curing adhesives such as ABLESTICK LUXTRAKTM LCR
  • Optical fibers 40 may also be potted in grooves 38. As can be seen in Figure 2, optical fibers 40 are allowed to float between connector body floor 28 and connector body cover 16 and between back end 24 of connector body 12 and alignment grooves 38 of ferrule 14. This allows the fibers to buckle and bow without interference which assists in strain relief. For a more detailed discussion of strain relief features, reference may be made to co-pending U.S. Application Serial No. 08/660,296 entitled "Pull Proof Fiber Optic Array Connector," which is assigned to the Assignee of the present invention, the disclosure of which has been incorporated by reference.
  • Figure 3 is a front view of connector ferrule 14 of the present invention.
  • first and second alignment members 34 and 36 are octagonally shaped members having bottom alignment edges 42 and 44 and side alignment edges 46 and 48, respectively. It should be noted, that first and second alignment members 34 and 36 could be many other shapes besides octagonal while still retaining the bottom and side alignment features without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention such as hexagonal or rectangular. As can be seen in Figure 3, first and second alignment members 34 and 36 have first and second alignment faces 50 and 52, respectively, for alignment purposes as will be described in detail below.
  • Figure 4 is a perspective view of ferrule 14 according to the present invention prepared for ball and socket alignment.
  • a first receiving cavity 54 is formed in first alignment face 50 and a second receiving cavity 56 is formed in second alignment face 52.
  • First receiving cavity 54 is configured to form a chamfer for receiving and having secured inside it a portion of an alignment ball 58, as seen in Figure 7.
  • Second receiving cavity 56 is sized to receive a substantial portion of an alignment ball, as will be described in detail below.
  • alignment ball 58 is bonded into receiving cavity 54.
  • Alignment ball 58 is provided to precisely align ferrule 14 which in turn precisely aligns the individual optical fibers.
  • Alignment ball 58 is preferably a highly precise steel ball bearing but could also be formed from other materials having the precision of a steel ball bearing such as tungstoncarbide, ceramic, metal or plastic, such as liquid crystal polymer, without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.
  • alignment ball 58 is bonded into receiving cavity 54. The bonding can be achieved by commonly known adhesives.
  • Figure 5 illustrates a perspective view of connector ferrule 14 according to the present invention prepared for alignment pin alignment.
  • a first alignment pin receiving cavity 60 is provided in first alignment face 50 while a second alignment pin receiving cavity 62 is provided in second alignment face 52.
  • first alignment pin receiving cavity 60 is formed to receive and have bonded therein an alignment pin (not shown).
  • Second receiving cavity 62 is sized to slidingly receive an alignment pin.
  • Figure 6 is a front view of connector ferrule 14 according to the present invention in edge alignment.
  • ferrule 14 is aligned utilizing first and second bottom alignment edges 42 and 44 and first side alignment edge 46.
  • First and second bottom alignment edges 42 and 44 and first and second side alignment edges 46 and 48 are formed within the same mold portion as alignment grooves 38, thus maximizing the positional accuracy of V-grooves 38 relative to the ferrule edges and thus allowing ferrule 14 to be aligned based on its external geometry.
  • ferrule 14 is very versatile. The same ferrule can be used for applications needing edge alignment and for connecting to a MTTM Connector having cylindrical alignment pins. Another ferrule equipped for alignment ball alignment may also be used for edge alignment.
  • Figure 7 is a perspective view of connector ferrule 61 adapted as a universal ferrule capable of edge alignment, ball and socket alignment and pin alignment.
  • Ferrule 14 contains features previously described, and thus like elements are correspondingly identified. In this embodiment, a single ferrule may be adapted for use in any of the three above-identified alignment methods.
  • alignment ball 58 is bonded into first receiving cavity 54.
  • an alignment pin 63 is inserted into first alignment pin receiving cavity 60. Pin 63 may be bonded in receiving cavity if desired.
  • ferrule 61 may utilize edge alignment in the same manner as illustrated and described with respect to ferrule 14 in Figure 6.
  • Ferrule 61 has the benefit of being adapted as a universal ferrule capable of the three alignment techniques described above. Therefore, a supplier would need only to stock ferrule 61 to accommodate a request from customers for edge alignment, ball and socket, or pin alignment.
  • FIG 8 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
  • a ferrule 65 is illustrated in Figure 8 which contains many features of ferrule 14, and thus like elements are correspondingly identified.
  • ferrule cover 15 has become an integrally formed portion of ferrule 65.
  • Grooves 38 have been removed and have been replaced with a plurality of holes 67.
  • optical fibers are inserted through back end 69, and inserted through the length of ferrule 65, until the ends of the fibers are positioned co-planar to optical device interface surface 32.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Coupling Of Light Guides (AREA)
PCT/US1997/018698 1997-06-13 1997-10-10 Multiple alignment connector ferrule Ceased WO1998057208A1 (en)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP50235699A JP2002504242A (ja) 1997-06-13 1997-10-10 複数の位置決め方法を有するコネクタフェルール
DE69727591T DE69727591T2 (de) 1997-06-13 1997-10-10 Steckerstift der auf mehrere Arten ausgerichtet werden kann
AU50808/98A AU5080898A (en) 1997-06-13 1997-10-10 Multiple alignment connector ferrule
EP97913678A EP0988570B1 (en) 1997-06-13 1997-10-10 Multiple alignment connector ferrule

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US08/874,243 1997-06-13
US08/874,243 US5920670A (en) 1996-06-07 1997-06-13 Multiple alignment connector ferrule

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1998057208A1 true WO1998057208A1 (en) 1998-12-17

Family

ID=25363307

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1997/018698 Ceased WO1998057208A1 (en) 1997-06-13 1997-10-10 Multiple alignment connector ferrule

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US5920670A (enExample)
EP (1) EP0988570B1 (enExample)
JP (1) JP2002504242A (enExample)
AU (1) AU5080898A (enExample)
DE (1) DE69727591T2 (enExample)
TW (1) TW498172B (enExample)
WO (1) WO1998057208A1 (enExample)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69727591T2 (de) 2004-12-16
EP0988570B1 (en) 2004-02-11
US5920670A (en) 1999-07-06
DE69727591D1 (de) 2004-03-18
EP0988570A1 (en) 2000-03-29
AU5080898A (en) 1998-12-30
TW498172B (en) 2002-08-11
JP2002504242A (ja) 2002-02-05

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