WO2019171209A1 - Système de connexion de fibres optiques - Google Patents

Système de connexion de fibres optiques Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2019171209A1
WO2019171209A1 PCT/IB2019/051547 IB2019051547W WO2019171209A1 WO 2019171209 A1 WO2019171209 A1 WO 2019171209A1 IB 2019051547 W IB2019051547 W IB 2019051547W WO 2019171209 A1 WO2019171209 A1 WO 2019171209A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
optical fiber
socket
splice
plug
connection system
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2019/051547
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Nathaniel S. SHONKWILER
William J. Clatanoff
Richard L. Simmons
Donald K. Larson
Daniel J. Treadwell
Laszlo Markos
Original Assignee
3M Innovative Properties 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 3M Innovative Properties Company filed Critical 3M Innovative Properties Company
Priority to CN201980013982.9A priority Critical patent/CN111758058A/zh
Publication of WO2019171209A1 publication Critical patent/WO2019171209A1/fr

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
    • G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
    • G02B6/3809—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs without a ferrule embedding the fibre end, i.e. with bare fibre end
    • 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
    • G02B6/255—Splicing of light guides, e.g. by fusion or 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
    • G02B6/3628—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
    • G02B6/3628—Mechanical coupling means for mounting fibres to supporting carriers
    • G02B6/3648—Supporting carriers of a microbench type, i.e. with micromachined additional mechanical structures
    • G02B6/3652—Supporting carriers of a microbench type, i.e. with micromachined additional mechanical structures the additional structures being prepositioning mounting areas, allowing only movement in one dimension, e.g. grooves, trenches or vias in the microbench surface, i.e. self aligning supporting carriers
    • 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

Definitions

  • the present invention is directed to a ferrule-less optical fiber connection system to interconnect a plurality of first and second plurality of optical fibers comprising a fiber optic plug and a socket.
  • Optical fiber cables are used in the optical network to transmit signals between access nodes to transmit voice, video, and data information.
  • optical fiber cables include optical fiber ribbons that include a coated group of optical fibers that are arranged in a planar array. Optical fibers in the ribbon are disposed generally parallel to each other. Optical fiber ribbons are typically interconnected using multi-fiber optical connectors, for example, MPO/MTP connectors which can be used in data centers or other points in the network where parallel optical interconnections are needed.
  • MPO/MTP connectors which can be used in data centers or other points in the network where parallel optical interconnections are needed.
  • IP Internet protocol
  • Polarity in fiber optic cabling is essentially the matching of the transmit signal (Tx) to the receive equipment (Rx) at both ends of the fiber optic link by providing transmit-to- receive connections across the entire fiber optic system.
  • Polarity is managed by use of transmit and receive pairs (duplex cabling), but becomes more complex with multi-fiber connectivity which support multiple duplex pairs such as MPO/MTP connectors. Higher bandwidth links will require more power to assure signal transmission integrity.
  • heat dissipation from the electronics is already a concern and increasing the power further will amplify the issues that data centers are already facing. This increasing need for more power as well as the desire to install future flexible structured cabling systems is driving interconnection performance to low loss performance (less than 0.1 dB per connection point).
  • Fusion splicing is another conventional interconnection method, which creates low loss permanent reliable splices.
  • handling 250-micron fiber during preparation, fuse, storage can be troublesome.
  • Today, such fusion splices typically require their own splice rack in the data center.
  • a ferrule-less optical fiber connection system configured to interconnect a plurality of first and second optical fibers.
  • the connection system comprises a socket comprising a first splice element configured to hold and align a plurality of first optical fibers of the first optical fiber array and a socket housing having an internal passage way to hold the first splice element and a plug comprising a second splice element to hold at least a plurality of second optical fibers of the second optical fiber array and a plug housing to hold the second splice element.
  • the optical connection is made between first optical fibers in the first optical fiber array and the second optical fibers in the second optical fiber array by the insertion of the plug into the internal passage way of the socket.
  • the first and second splice elements each comprise a splice body having a plurality alignment channels formed in a top surface of splice body to guide, align and/or hold optical fibers from the first and second optical fiber arrays, respectively.
  • the ferrule-less optical fiber connection system comprises a socket comprising a first splice element configured to hold a plurality of first optical fibers of the first optical fiber array and a socket housing having an internal passage way to hold the first splice element and a plug comprising a second splice element to hold and align at least a plurality of second optical fibers of the second optical fiber array and a plug housing to hold the second splice element.
  • the optical connection is made between first optical fibers in the first optical fiber array and the second optical fibers in the second optical fiber array by the insertion of the plug into the internal passage way of the socket.
  • the first and second splice elements each comprise a splice body having a plurality alignment channels formed in a top surface of splice body to guide, align and/or hold optical fibers from the first and second optical fiber arrays, respectively.
  • Figs. 1 A and 1B are two views of an optical fiber connection system according to an aspect of the invention.
  • Figs. 2A-2D are four views of an exemplary socket according to an aspect of the invention.
  • Fig. 3 A-3B are two views of an exemplary splice element useable in the socket of
  • Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a plurality of optical fibers being held between two mated splice elements of the embodiment shown in Figs. 3A-4B.
  • Figs. 5 A and 5B are two views of an element holder according to an aspect of the invention.
  • Figs. 6A-6E are five views of a first embodiment of a plug according to an aspect of the invention.
  • Figs. 7A-7D are four cross-sectional views showing the mating of a plug and a socket forming and an optical fiber connection system according to an aspect of the invention.
  • Figs. 8 A-8C are three views of an alternative optical fiber connection system according to an aspect of the invention.
  • Figs. 9A-9D are an exemplary socket views of an alternative exemplary socket according to an aspect of the invention.
  • Optical communications systems are using more and more fiber optic cables.
  • the glass optical fibers transmit the light carrying data across the network.
  • the incident light intensity injected into the fiber would be extracted from the optical fiber at the opposite end of the communication line.
  • the light intensity can be lost along the transmission line.
  • One potential source for signal loss is when an optical fiber cable has been cut, broken or needs to be connected to another optical fiber.
  • alignment of the fiber cores is essential to minimizing optical loss through the connection.
  • Common methods of aligning optical fibers include ferrule based alignment system in which optical fibers are disposed within precision elements or ferrules which can then be mated together within a precision alignment sleeve.
  • a precision hole(s) is(are) typically formed by drilling, extruding or molding through the centers of the ferrules.
  • the optical fibers are secured within the precision holes by an adhesive and the terminal end of the optical fiber is polished.
  • ceramic or metal ferrules are used in optical fiber connectors in which the precision center holes are drilled.
  • the precision ferrule is a significant contributor to the manufacturing cost of optical fiber connectors.
  • a non-ferruled or ferrule-less connection systems do not utilize the precision ferrule of the ferruled connectors.
  • Precision v-grooves is a ferrule-less means of aligning optical fibers.
  • the exemplary optical fiber connection system described herein comprise a plug and a socket having identical splice elements disposed therein.
  • the splice elements are terminated identically, then assembled into a socket and a plug or bare fiber holder hardware that assist the mating of the two fiber arrays in an end-to end fashion.
  • the unique design of the splice element and termination process enables the optical fibers in the first fiber array to mate with the corresponding optical fiber in the second fiber array (i.e. the first optical fiber in the first array will be mated to the first fiber in the second fiber array all the way through to the nth fiber in the first fiber array mating with the nth fiber in the second fiber array).
  • the socket and plug of the exemplary optical fiber connection system can be independent of polarity alleviating the network design, installation and maintenance issues with managing polarity of connected communication links.
  • Figs. 1 A and 1B shows an optical fiber connection system 100 that provides a ferrule-less interconnection system to optically couple a plurality of first and second optical fibers.
  • Optical fiber connection system 100 comprises a socket 120 and a plug 220, each mounted on the terminal end of an optical fiber cable. The plug and socket are mated together to make an optical connection between the optical fiber of the socket’s optical fiber cable and the optical fibers in the plug’s optical fiber cable.
  • Fig. 1A shows the plug and socket in an unmated state while Fig. 1B shows the plug and socket in a mated state.
  • the socket comprises a socket housing 121 having a generally tubular front end l20a that includes a passage way 122 disposed therein.
  • the passage way is sized to allow insertion of plug 220 such that a substantial portion of plug 220 is disposed within the socket when the optical connection is made.
  • the plug and socket can be secured in a mated state by mechanical latched or fasteners or can be permanently connected to one another with an adhesive.
  • Plug 220 and socket 120 each of which manage and protect a fiber array of one or more optical fibers having an exposed glass potion adjacent to the end face or terminal end of the optical fiber(s).
  • the polymer coatings have been removed from at least a portion of the optical fiber(s) circumferential diameter to facilitate alignment during mating a of the exemplary plug and socket to optically interconnect the fiber arrays held by the plug and the socket.
  • optical fiber connection system 100 includes plug 220 and socket 120 that can be field terminated or installed or mounted onto an optical fiber cable or fiber ribbon in the field followed by assembly to form either a semi-permanent or permanent optical connection.
  • the plug 220 and socket 120 can each be factory terminated, installed or mounted onto an optical fiber cable or fiber ribbon and assembled together in the field to make an optical connection.
  • optical fiber connection system 100 is configured as a multi-fiber optical splice connection system.
  • the optical fiber connection system is configured to connect first and second arrays of optical fibers.
  • the optical fiber connection system is configured to connect two 12 fiber arrays.
  • optical fiber connection system 100 can be modified to include fewer optical fibers or a greater number of optical fibers in each fiber array.
  • optical fiber connection system 100 can be modified as a single fiber optical splice connection system.
  • Socket 120 includes a socket housing 121 having a first or lower housing portion 130 and a second or upper housing portion 140 that can be secured together to form the socket housing, a splice element 160 and a cradle or element holder 170 disposed in the socket housing.
  • Socket housing 121 is configured to arrange and hold the remaining components of the socket and to protect the exposed bare glass portion 55 of the optical fibers 54 supported within the sockets.
  • a crimp ring (not shown) can secure the first and second housing portions together.
  • latching features (not shown) can be added to further secure the first and second housings.
  • the first and second housing portions can be adhesively bonded together, secured by a snap fit, or other latching system.
  • the socket housing can have a clam shell configuration having a first housing portion and a second housing portion that are joined by a living hinge. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figs.
  • each of the first and second housing 130, 140 can include a semi-cylindrical anchoring portion 133, 143 formed at their second or back ends 13 Ob, l40b, respectively.
  • the semi-cylindrical anchoring portion 133, 143 form a cylindrical anchoring portion 123 when the first and second housing portions are assembled to form the socket housing 121.
  • the crimp ring can be fitted over and secured to the cylindrical anchoring portion 123 to anchor the cable jacket or strength members of an optical fiber cable to the socket to enhance the cable retention strength in the socket.
  • the cylindrical anchoring portion has a smooth outer surface. In some embodiments, it can be desirable to add teeth or ribs to the outer surface of the cylindrical anchoring portion to further increase the retention force.
  • a strain relief boot 110 can be mounted over the crimp ring to provide strain relief and bend control to an optical fibers or optical fiber cable 50 at the point where the optical fibers enter the socket housing.
  • the first and second housing portions 130, 140 can have a generally open rectangular channel profile having a base 132a, 142a and a pair of parallel walls l32b,l42b extending from the base, the side walls having a top edge l32c, l42c extending along the length of the side walls.
  • the top edge l32c of the first housing portion 130 is joined to a portion of the top edge l42c of the second housing portion 140 when the first and second housing portions are assembled to for the socket housing 121 and creating passage way 122 into which the mating plug will be inserted.
  • Each of the housing portions 130, 140 may include an optional flange portion 136, 146 extending generally perpendicular from the exterior surface of said housing portion.
  • the flange portions will create a mounting flange 126 when the first and second housing portions 130, 140 are assembled together.
  • Mounting flange 126 can be used to secure socket 120 into a faceplate or bulkhead in a patch panel or module (not shown) using mechanical fasteners placed through mounting holes 127 in mounting flange 126.
  • each of the housing portion in the present embodiment includes a flange portion, the entire mounting flange could be integrally formed with one of the housing portions.
  • the flange portions can be disposed at any point along the exterior surface of the housing portions as needed for a particular application.
  • a leaf spring 180 can be attached to first housing portion 140 of socket 120 to provide a vertical mating force (represented by directional arrows 92 in Fig. 7D) on a bottom surface 272d of element holder 270 of a mating plug 220.
  • the first housing portion 130 includes a pair of spaced apart anchor bars 137 formed on the interior surface 131 of the second housing portion.
  • Leaf spring 180 can be fitted into a slot 138 (Fig. 2D) formed in the anchor bars to secure the leaf spring to the first housing portion.
  • the leaf spring can have a generally arched profile comprising two arched arms 182 connected at both ends by a flat footer portion 184. The footer portion fits into the slot formed in the anchor bars to secure the leaf spring to the second housing portion.
  • the leaf spring can be stamped from a piece of spring steel and formed into the leaf spring, shown in Fig. 2B.
  • Socket 120 further comprises a fiber alignment mechanism or splice element 160 that is held by an element holder 170.
  • Splice element 160 is configured to join a plurality of parallel optical fibers 54 when mated with another splice element 260 disposed in a mating plug 220 as described below.
  • Splice elements 160, 260 are structurally equivalent.
  • splice element 160 has a generally rectangular body 161.
  • the shape of the body 161 is a rectangular frustum.
  • the body may have another shape such as a trapezoidal prism, semi-cylindrical solid, bisected prism or other three-dimensional shape having at least one generally flat major surface.
  • the body 161 has a bottom surface l6la, a smaller top surface 16 lb and four sloped side walls l6lc-l6lf extending from the bottom surface to the top surface.
  • the side walls are sloped at an angle between 45° and about 85°, preferably at an angle of about 60° relative to the bottom surface.
  • Splice element 160 has an integral alignment and clamping mechanism for one or more optical fibers in the form of a plurality of alignment channels 165, formed in the top surface l6lb of body 161 between first and second fiber landing areas l67a, l67b disposed adjacent to the first end l6la and the second end l6lb of the splice body, respectively.
  • Each alignment channel is configured to guide and support a single optical fiber.
  • the splice element has 12 parallel alignment channels.
  • the exemplary optical fiber slice element can have fewer or more alignment channels depending on the final application and the number of optical fibers to be spliced.
  • the splice element can have a single alignment channel for joining a pair of simplex optical fiber cables.
  • the exemplary splice element can have a larger number of alignment channels.
  • Alignment channels 165 can be substantially flat or planar as they extend from first and second fiber landing areas l67a, l67b of the splice element 160.
  • the alignment channels are continuous structures extending from the first entrance opening 163 a near the first end 161 a of splice body 161 to the second entrance opening l63b near the second end l6lb of splice body 161.
  • the alignment channels can have a characteristic cross-section, such as the trapezoidal profile shown in Fig. 4.
  • alignment channels can have a semi-circular cross-section, a rectangular cross-section, a v-shaped cross-section.
  • the optical fibers can be inserted into the alignment mechanism through entrance openings l63a and l63b.
  • the entrance openings l63a, l63b can comprise a funneling inlet portion formed by the tapering of the partitions 164 between adjacent channels to provide for more straightforward fiber insertion.
  • the entrance apertures can be fully or partially cone or funnel-shaped to guide the insertion of the optical fibers into the alignment channels 165.
  • the alignment channels can have a comb structure 169 adjacent to at least one of the first and second entrance openings to facilitate the insertion of the optical fibers into the alignment channels 165.
  • a portion l64a of partitions or walls 164 between adjacent alignment channels are higher and tapered than the remaining section l64b of partitions 164.
  • the entrance openings l63a, l63b are characterized by a interchannel pitch (i.e. the distance between the centerline of adjacent alignment channels).
  • a interchannel pitch i.e. the distance between the centerline of adjacent alignment channels.
  • the channel pitch at the first end of the splice element is the same as the channel pitch at the second end of the splice element.
  • the interchannel pitch is approximately the same as the inter-fiber spacing in a conventional 12 fiber ribbon.
  • the interchannel pitch at the first end of the splice element and the channel pitch at the second end of the splice element can be different.
  • the channel pitch at the first end of the splice element can be set to the fiber spacing of a conventional optical fiber ribbon, while the channel pitch at the second end of the splice element can be at a different value such as when splicing individual optical fibers or when splicing two or more smaller optical fiber ribbon ribbons or optical fiber modules to a larger ribbon fiber.
  • Alignment channels 165 are configured such that a fiber disposed in the alignment channel will contact each of the sloped channel walls l65a, l65b of the alignment channel along a line of contact 54a, 54b disappearing into the page in Fig. 4 along the length of the fiber disposed within the alignment channel.
  • each optical fiber will have four lines of contact 54a, 54b, 54a’ 54b’ with the splice elements to reliably position and hold said optical fibers.
  • the four lines of contact can be spaced relatively uniformly around the optical fiber.
  • the sloped channel walls of the alignment channels can be disposed at an angle relative to the bottom wall l65c of the alignment channel of between 38° and about 60°, preferably at an angle of about 45° relative to the bottom surface in the embodiment shown in Fig. 4.
  • the alignment channels can be characterized by a characteristic alignment channel width, between the lines of contact extending longitudinally along the sloped channel walls of the alignment channel where the optical fibers contact the alignment channel.
  • the alignment channel width can be between about 85 microns and about 120 microns, preferably between about 95 microns and about 110 microns.
  • Optical fibers can be secured directly to splice element 160 using an adhesive.
  • an adhesive such as a fast-curing UV or visible light initiated adhesive or a thermally activated adhesive, or a hot-melt material can be utilized to secure an array of optical fibers within the comb structure 169 and/or landing area 161 a of the splice element. Securing the optical fibers in this area of the splice element provides the advantage of remotely gripping the optical fibers.
  • Splice element body can be formed from a silica material, especially a net shape, cast and cure silica materials, is described for example in United States Provisional Patent Application Nos. 62/382944 and 62/394547, each of which is incorporated herein in its entirety.
  • the splice element made from net shape cast and cure silica material is transparent.
  • net shape cast and cure silica material can have a transparency of greater than about 90% at a wavelength of light between 430 nm to about 480 nm.
  • Such a transparent net shape cast and cure silica material allows for the use of a visible light source to be directed through the splice element from the outside of the structure to cure the optical adhesive disposed therein.
  • Element holder 170 includes a collar portion 171 which is attached to an element stage 172.
  • collar portion 171 can have a generally cylindrical shape that is configured to receive a portion of a compression spring. As shown in Fig.
  • the collar portion can have an opening 17 lb through an end wall portion l7ld where the element stage attaches to the collar portion.
  • the opening permits passage of the optical fibers through the end wall of the collar portion element holder.
  • Element stage 172 has a base and sidewalls l72b extending from the base.
  • the side walls extend along the longitudinal edges of the base from a second end l70b of the element holder to the collar portion 171.
  • the base has a top surface l72a and a bottom surface l72d.
  • Splice element 160 is anchored to the top surface by element catches 173, 174.
  • the sidewalls can include a protrusion or bump l72c formed on the top of the sidewalls l72b to control the vertical offset between the splice elements held on the element holders during the mating of plug 220 with sockets 120.
  • element stage 172 can include a window 175 that extends through the base of the element stage under the interconnection area on the splice element 160 where the first and second optical fibers are joined end-to-end.
  • a pair of sockets 120 can be permanently joined together by an index matched optical adhesive.
  • An exemplary optical adhesive can be cured with actinic radiation via a rapid and straightforward procedure using an eye-safe visible, e.g., blue, LED light source such as is described in ETnited States Patent Application No. 15/695842, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. The curing radiation can be shined on the adhesive through at least one of the exemplary splice elements through window 175.
  • Collar portion 171 can also include a pall l7lc that extends from the outer surface l7la of the collar portion either side of the collar portion.
  • a translation gap 179 is formed between the pall and the end l72c of the sidewall l72b.
  • Tapered ridges 139, 149 disposed on the interior surface of the first and second housing portions 130, 140 form a track that fits in translation gap 179 to control the relative vertical position of the element holder 170 when two of the exemplary sockets 120 are mated together.
  • one or both of the housing portions 130, 140 can include a window extending through the base l32a, l42a of said housing portion proximate the interconnection region where the terminal ends of the optical fibers meet to enable curing of an optical adhesive in the interconnection region.
  • Plug 220 has a first housing portion 230 and a second housing portion 240 that can be secured together to form the plug housing 221.
  • Plug housing 221 is configured to arrange and hold the remaining components of the plug and to protect the exposed bare glass portion 55 of the optical fibers 54 supported within the plugs.
  • a crimp ring 250 can secure the first and second housing portions together.
  • additional latching features (not shown) can be added to further secure the first and second housings.
  • the first and second housing portions can be adhesively bonded together, secured by a snap fit, or a latching system.
  • the plug housing can have a clam shell configuration having a first housing portion and a second housing portion that are joined by a living hinge.
  • Each of the first and second housing 230, 240 can include a semi-cylindrical anchoring portion 233, 243 formed at their second ends 230b, 240b, respectively.
  • the semi-cylindrical anchoring portion 233, 243 form a cylindrical anchoring portion 223 when the first and second housing portions are assembled to for the plug housing 221.
  • Crimp ring 250 can be fitted over and secured to the cylindrical anchoring portion 223 to anchor the cable jacket or strength members an optical fiber cable to the plug to enhance the cable retention strength in the plug.
  • the cylindrical anchoring portion has a smooth outer surface.
  • a strain relief boot 210 (Fig. 1 A-1B) can be mounted over the crimp ring to provide strain relief and bend control to an optical fiber or optical fiber cable at the point where the optical fibers enter the plug housing of the plug.
  • the first and second housing portions 230, 240 can have a generally open rectangular channel profile having a base 242a and a pair of parallel walls 242b extending from the base, the side walls having a top edge 242c extending along the length of the side walls.
  • the top edge 232c of the first housing portion 230 is joined to a portion of the top edge 242c of the second housing portion 240 when the first and second housing portions are assembled to for the plug housing 221.
  • a leaf spring 280 can be attached to second housing portion 240 of plug 220 to provide a vertical mating force (represented by directional arrows 92 in Fig. 7D) on a bottom surface l72d of element holder 170 of socket 120.
  • the second housing 240 can include a pair of spaced apart anchor bars 247 formed on the interior surface 241 of the second housing portion.
  • Leaf spring 280 can be fitted into a slot 248 formed in the anchor bars to secure the leaf spring to the second housing portion.
  • the leaf spring can have a generally arched profile comprising two arched arms 282 connected at both ends by a flat footer portion 284. The footer portion fits into the slot formed in the anchor bars to secure the leaf spring to the second housing portion.
  • the leaf spring can be stamped from a piece of spring steel and formed into the leaf.
  • Plug 220 further comprises a fiber alignment mechanism or splice element 260 that is held by an element holder 270.
  • splice element 260 an element holder 270 have the same general structure as splice element 160 an element holder 170, respectively, used in socket 120 described above, although different splice element designs can be used such as the splice elements described in United States Provisional Patent Applications 62/544370, 62/573941, and 62/573946, the splice element configurations are incorporated herein by reference.
  • the optical fibers can be secured directly to splice element 260 using an adhesive.
  • the adhesive can be a fast-curing UV or visible light initiated adhesive or a thermally activated adhesive, or a hot-melt material can be utilized to secure an array of optical fibers within the comb structure 169 and/or landing area l6la of the splice element. Securing the optical fibers in this area of the splice element provides the advantages of remote gripping the optical fibers, but without the need for a separate fiber organizer such as that provided in plugs 120, described above in reference to Figs. 2A-2C.
  • Element holder 270 includes a collar portion 271 which is attached to an element stage 272.
  • Collar portion 271 can have a generally cylindrical shape that is configured to receive a portion of a compression spring 225.
  • the collar portion can have an opening 27 lb through an end wall portion 27 ld where the element stage attaches to the collar portion. The opening permits passage of the optical fibers through the end wall of the collar portion element holder.
  • Element holder 270 is resiliently mounted in the plug housing 221.
  • compression spring 225 can be disposed between the plug housing 221 and the element holder applying a forward force
  • the plug housing can comprise a spring seating area 224 that is formed when the first and second housing portions 230, 240 are assembled together.
  • the socket 120 and the plug 220 can comprise some common parts.
  • the ceramic splice element, the element holder and the leaf spring are used in both socket 120 and plug 220.
  • socket housing 121, plug housing 221 and the element holder can be formed by a plastic injection molding process.
  • optical fiber connection system 100 can utilize the spring forces of the fiber arrays in the plug and the socket, and the main compression spring in the plug to achieve a force balanced to control the axial preload on the first and second optical fibers.
  • Figs. 7A-7D are cross-sectional diagrams showing the mating of the plug and socket to make an optical connection.
  • Fig. 7A shows socket 120 and plug 220 oriented toward each other pre-mating state.
  • the plug is inserted into the passage way 122 at the front end of the socket l20a in the direction indicated by directional arrow 90.
  • the second housing portion 240 of the plug travels along the passageway adjacent to the interior surface of housing portion 140 of the socket.
  • the second housing portion 240 of the plug eventually contacts interior surface of housing portion 140 of the socket, which centers the plug within the socket as shown in Fig. 7B.
  • element holder 170 of the socket is forced between second housing portion 240 of the plug and element holder 270 of the plug.
  • element holder 270 of the plug is forced between housing portion 130 of the socket and element holder 170 of the socket as illustrated in Fig. 7C.
  • protrusions l72c, 272c (Figs. 5 A and 6C) on the element holder 170, 270 of the socket 120 and plug 220 rides along the top surface of the sidewalls of the other connection components element holder controlling the spacing of the element holders guiding the splice elements 160, 260 to minimize the abrasion of the terminal ends of the optical fibers prior to the fiber end face contact.
  • the leaf springs 180, 280 of the socket applies a vertical mating force (represented by directional arrows 92, 92’ in Fig. 7D) to the back surface l72d, 272d of element holders 270, 170 of the other connection component.
  • the vertical forces are centered on the point where the first and second optical fibers 54, 54’ meet to secure and align the fibers in the alignment channels of the splice elements.
  • the combination of the vertical mating forces 92, 92’ ensures the vertical alignment of the ends of the first and second optical fibers, while the sloped walls of the alignment channels in the splice elements 160, 260 provide the lateral alignment of the optical fibers.
  • the first and second optical fibers can be mated as a dry splice (i.e. no optical coupling material present between the end faces of the first and second optical fibers between the first and second optical fibers) to allow for repositioning or remating of the plug and socket.
  • a dry splice i.e. no optical coupling material present between the end faces of the first and second optical fibers between the first and second optical fibers
  • an optical coupling material, index matching gel or index matched adhesive can be used in the optical path.
  • An exemplary connection made in accordance with the present disclosure should have an insertion loss of less than 0.1 dB, an acceptable return loss variation when temperature cycled from -lO°C to +60°C and have a pullout strength of greater than 0.45 lbf.
  • the exemplary plug and socket connection system can be used in a wide range of applications where low loss optical connections are needed.
  • the exemplary multifiber devices can be used in fiber optic cassettes, terminals, patch panels, etc. where the splice can be located at a bulkhead or through the wall of an enclosure.
  • the exemplary connection system can be used in an optical cassette, such as is described in United States Provisional Patent Application No. 62/544370, herein incorporated by reference, wherein the optical cassette or terminal comprises an enclosure having a top, a bottom and a plurality of side walls disposed between the top and the bottom, and at least one exemplary connection system of the present disclosure disposed through one of the plurality of sidewalls.
  • a plurality signal paths can exit the cassette or through one of the plurality of sidewalls wherein the plurality signal paths can comprise a connection point at the sidewall where the plurality signal paths exit the cassette.
  • the exemplary optical fiber connection system of the present disclosure can be used for the multifiber connection device and/or for the single fiber connection points.
  • the cassette or terminal can comprise a plurality of paired single fiber connection points, such that the first of the pair of single fiber connection points is designated as a transmit port and the second of the pair of single fiber connection points is designated as a receive port.
  • signals carried by the plurality of outside optical fibers can be reordered within the cassette or terminal such that the signals leaving the cassette are in a different order than they enter the cassette. In some embodiments, this reordering of the signal paths is used to manage the polarity of the send and receive ports.
  • single and/or multifiber versions of the socket can be disposed in the module while the single and/or multifiber plugs can be disposed on patchcords that can be plugged into the sockets in the module.
  • Figs. 8A-8C shows an alternative optical fiber connection system 300 that provides a ferrule-less interconnection system to optically couple a plurality of first and second optical fibers.
  • Optical fiber connection system 300 comprises a socket 320 and a plug 220, each mounted on the terminal end of an optical fiber cable. The plug and socket are mated together to make an optical connection between the optical fiber of the socket’s optical fiber cable and the optical fibers in the plug’s optical fiber cable.
  • Fig. 8 A is an isometric view of optical fiber connection system 300 in a mated state.
  • Fig. 8B shows plug 220 as it is being inserted into passage way 322 of socket 320 to form an optical connection
  • Fig. 8C shows optical fiber connection system 300 in a mated state with plug 220 fully inserted into socket 320.
  • optical fiber connection system 300 is configured as a multi- fiber optical splice connection system that is configured to connect first and second arrays of optical fibers.
  • the optical fiber connection system is configured to connect two 12 fiber arrays.
  • optical fiber connection system 300 can be modified to include fewer optical fibers or a greater number of optical fibers in each fiber array.
  • optical fiber connection system 300 can be modified as a single fiber optical splice connection system.
  • socket 320 shown in Figs 9A-9D, has many common features with socket 120 shown in Figs. 2A-2D.
  • leaf spring 380, splice element 360 and element holder 370 are structurally equivalent to their counterparts in socket 120.
  • any reference numbers used below in reference to these components below correspond to the same aspects in socket 120 described above.
  • the socket 320 comprises a socket housing 321 having a generally tubular front end 320a that includes a passage way 322 disposed therein.
  • the passage way is sized to allow insertion of plug 220 such that a substantial portion of plug 220 is disposed within the socket when the optical connection is made.
  • the plug and socket can be secured in a mated state by mechanical latched or fasteners (not shown) or can be permanently connected to one another with an adhesive.
  • Socket housing 321 differs from socket housing 121 of socket 120 in that socket housing 321 is longer than socket housing 121 and socket housing 321 does not include the integral flange portions as described above.
  • socket 320 has a lower profile (smaller cross-section) than socket 120 making it useful in either high density applications or other applications where a low-profile connection is preferred.
  • connection system 300 comprising socket 320 and plug 120 would be preferred in applications where the connection point needs to be pulled through a conduit or other tight space.
  • Connection system 300 can also be used to repair a cable that has been accidently damaged or cut or in other midspan cable connections where the flange structure is unneeded and/or undesirable.
  • the exemplary optical fiber connection system can be used to make an optical fiber harness assembly.
  • the exemplary optical fiber connection system may be used to directly connect fiber fanout to a continuous transmission portion or cable in either the field or in the factory. This can be especially advantageous when the fanout portion is made in a first location, the transmission portion is made at a second location and where the fanout portion to a continuous transmission portion are brought together at a third location.
  • the longer length of socket 320 provides space for a compression spring 325within socket housing 321.
  • the socket housing 321 has a first housing portion 330 and a second housing portion 340 that can be secured together to form the socket housing, a splice element 360 and a cradle or element holder 370 disposed in the socket housing.
  • Socket housing 321 is configured to arrange and hold the remaining components of the socket and to protect the exposed bare glass portion 55 of the optical fibers 54 supported within the sockets.
  • a crimp ring (not shown) can secure the first and second housing portions together.
  • latching features (not shown) can be added to further secure the first and second housings.
  • the first and second housing portions can be adhesively bonded together, secured by a snap fit, or other latching system.
  • the socket housing can have a clam shell configuration having a first housing portion and a second housing portion that are joined by a living hinge.
  • the first and second housing portions 330, 340 can have a generally open rectangular channel profile having a base 332a, 342a and a pair of parallel walls 332b, 342b extending from the base, the side walls having a top edge 332c, 342c extending along the length of the side walls.
  • the top edge 332c of the first housing portion 330 is joined to a portion of the top edge 342c of the second housing portion 340 when the first and second housing portions are assembled to form the socket housing 321 and creating passage way 322 into which the mating plug will be inserted.
  • each of the first and second housing 330, 340 can include a semi-cylindrical anchoring portion 333, 343 formed at their second or back ends 330b, 340b, respectively.
  • the semi-cylindrical anchoring portion 333, 343 form a cylindrical anchoring portion when the first and second housing portions are assembled to for the socket housing 321.
  • the crimp ring can be fitted over and secured to the cylindrical anchoring portion to anchor the cable jacket or strength members of an optical fiber cable to the socket to enhance the cable retention strength in the socket.
  • a strain relief boot 310 can be mounted over the crimp ring to provide strain relief and bend control to an optical fibers or optical fiber cable 50 at the point where the optical fibers/optical fiber cable enter the socket housing.
  • each of the first and second housing 330, 340 can include a well portion 331, 341 disposed adjacent the second end of each housing portion.
  • the well portions form a holding well for one end of compression spring 325 when the first and second housing portions are assembled together.
  • the second end of the compression spring fits into the collar portion 371 of element holder 370 such that compression spring can apply a forward force (indicated by directional arrow 93 in Fig. 9D) on the element holder and the splice element disposed thereon.
  • optical fiber connection system 300 can utilize the spring forces of the fiber arrays, and the main compression springs in the plug and the socket to achieve a force balance sufficient to control the axial preload on the first and second optical fibers.
  • a leaf spring 380 can be attached to first housing portion 340 of socket 320 to provide a vertical mating force (represented by directional arrows in Fig. 8C) on a bottom surface 272d of element holder 270 of a mating plug 220.
  • the first housing portion 330 includes a pair of spaced apart anchor bars 337 formed on the interior surface 331 of the second housing portion.
  • Leaf spring 380 can be fitted into a slot formed in the anchor bars to secure the leaf spring to the first housing portion.
  • Element holder 370 includes a collar portion 371 which is attached to an element stage 372.
  • collar portion 371 can have a generally cylindrical shape that is configured to receive a portion of a compression spring.
  • the splice element is disposed on the element stage of the element holder as described previously with respect splice element 160 and element holder 170 shown in Figs. 5A and 5B.
  • Collar portion 371 can also include a pall 37 lc that extends from the outer surface of the collar portion either side of the collar portion.
  • a translation gap 379 is formed between the pall and the end of the element stage 372.
  • Tapered ridges 339, 349 disposed on the interior surface of the first and second housing portions 330, 340 form a track that fits in translation gap 379 to control the relative vertical position of the element holder 370 when two of the exemplary sockets 320 are mated together.
  • optical fiber connection system 300 includes plug 220 and socket 320 that can be field terminated or installed or mounted onto an optical fiber cable or fiber ribbon in the field followed by assembly to form either a semi permanent or permanent optical connection. Alternatively, the plug 220 and socket 320 can each be factory terminated, installed or mounted onto an optical fiber cable or fiber ribbon and assembled together in the field to make an optical connection.
  • the connection system comprises a socket comprising a first splice element configured to hold and align a plurality of first optical fibers of the first optical fiber array and a socket housing having an internal passage way to hold the first splice element and a plug comprising a second splice element to hold at least a plurality of second optical fibers of the second optical fiber array and a plug housing to hold the second splice element.
  • first and second splice elements each comprise a splice body having a plurality alignment channels formed in a top surface of splice body to guide, align and/or hold optical fibers from the first and second optical fiber arrays, respectively.
  • the ferrule-less optical fiber connection system comprises a socket comprising a first splice element configured to hold a plurality of first optical fibers of the first optical fiber array and a socket housing having an internal passage way to hold the first splice element and a plug comprising a second splice element to hold and align at least a plurality of second optical fibers of the second optical fiber array and a plug housing to hold the second splice element.
  • the optical connection is made between first optical fibers in the first optical fiber array and the second optical fibers in the second optical fiber array by the insertion of the plug into the internal passage way of the socket.
  • the first and second splice elements each comprise a splice body having a plurality alignment channels formed in a top surface of splice body to guide, align and/or hold optical fibers from the first and second optical fiber arrays, respectively.
  • socket can include a flange extending from the external surface of the socket housing to connect the socket to one of a patch panel a bulkhead or a wall in a fiber optic module.
  • the first and second splice elements are structurally equivalent.
  • the plurality of alignment channels of the first and second splice elements can extend from a first end to a second end of the splice body.
  • the first and second splice elements can be formed of a low coefficient of thermal expansion silica material.
  • the low coefficient of thermal expansion silica material is a net shape cast and cure silica material.
  • the socket of any of the previous embodiments can further comprises a first element holder to hold the first splice element in the plug housing and/or the plug of any of the previous embodiments can further comprise a second element holder to hold the second splice element in the plug housing.
  • the first and second element holders are structurally equivalent.
  • the plug of any of the previous embodiments can further comprise a second compression spring disposed between the plug housing and the second element holder to exert a forward force on the second splice element and/or the socket of any of the previous embodiments can further comprises a first compression spring disposed between the socket housing and the first element holder to exert a forward force on the first splice element.
  • the plug and the socket can be force balanced to control the axial preload on the first and second optical fibers.
  • the force balance is provided by the second compression spring disposed in the plug and spring forces of the first optical fiber array and the second optical fiber array disposed in the socket and the plug, respectively.
  • the force balance is provided by a first compression spring disposed in the socket, a second compression spring disposed in the plug and spring forces of the first optical fiber array and the second optical fiber array disposed in the socket and the plug, respectively.
  • the force balance is provided by a first compression spring disposed in the socket and spring forces of the first optical fiber array and the second optical fiber array disposed in the socket and the plug, respectively.
  • An optical coupling material disposed between ends of the first optical fiber array and the second optical fiber array in the connection system in any of the previous embodiments.
  • both the plug and the socket of the connection system of any of the previous embodiment are ferruless.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Crystallography & Structural Chemistry (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Coupling Of Light Guides (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un système de connexion de fibres optiques conçu pour interconnecter des première et seconde fibres optiques.
PCT/IB2019/051547 2018-03-07 2019-02-26 Système de connexion de fibres optiques WO2019171209A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CN201980013982.9A CN111758058A (zh) 2018-03-07 2019-02-26 光纤连接系统

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201862639588P 2018-03-07 2018-03-07
US62/639,588 2018-03-07

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2019171209A1 true WO2019171209A1 (fr) 2019-09-12

Family

ID=65911217

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IB2019/051547 WO2019171209A1 (fr) 2018-03-07 2019-02-26 Système de connexion de fibres optiques

Country Status (2)

Country Link
CN (1) CN111758058A (fr)
WO (1) WO2019171209A1 (fr)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4186997A (en) * 1977-02-14 1980-02-05 Amp Incorporated Overlap type waveguide connector assembly and method
US20060159402A1 (en) * 2003-07-31 2006-07-20 Huber + Suhner Ag Method for releasably connecting two groups of optical fibers, and plug-in connector for carrying out said method
US20110198324A1 (en) * 2010-02-18 2011-08-18 De Jong Michael Methods for laser processing arrayed optical fibers along with splicing connectors
WO2017066138A1 (fr) * 2015-10-12 2017-04-20 3M Innovative Properties Company Dispositif de couplage optique à positionnement assisté par guide d'ondes
US20170299831A1 (en) * 2012-09-07 2017-10-19 Commscope Technologies Llc Manufacturing and using ferrule-less multi-fiber connectors

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4186997A (en) * 1977-02-14 1980-02-05 Amp Incorporated Overlap type waveguide connector assembly and method
US20060159402A1 (en) * 2003-07-31 2006-07-20 Huber + Suhner Ag Method for releasably connecting two groups of optical fibers, and plug-in connector for carrying out said method
US20110198324A1 (en) * 2010-02-18 2011-08-18 De Jong Michael Methods for laser processing arrayed optical fibers along with splicing connectors
US20170299831A1 (en) * 2012-09-07 2017-10-19 Commscope Technologies Llc Manufacturing and using ferrule-less multi-fiber connectors
WO2017066138A1 (fr) * 2015-10-12 2017-04-20 3M Innovative Properties Company Dispositif de couplage optique à positionnement assisté par guide d'ondes

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN111758058A (zh) 2020-10-09

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US11194100B2 (en) Optical fiber connection system
US20230266552A1 (en) Flexible optical circuit, cassettes, and methods
US11397297B2 (en) Optical assembly with cable retainer
US10215933B2 (en) Systems and methods for optically connecting fiber arrays with paired transmit and receive fibers
US11906789B2 (en) Optical waveguide positioning feature in a multiple waveguides connector
US20220381993A1 (en) Optical fiber connection system
US11561357B2 (en) Fiber optic connection modules
US20190011640A1 (en) Fiber connecting device with mechanical element and integrated fiber sensor, fiber connecting device module, and method of connecting two fibers
US20200386950A1 (en) Optical fiber connection system
US20060067636A1 (en) Connector and splice holder device
JPH0750229B2 (ja) 光ファイバコネクタ装置
US10649153B2 (en) Dust mitigating optical connector
US10942316B1 (en) FAU connectors and assemblies employing pin-to-pin alignment
US20220171135A1 (en) Fiber optic adapter holder; assembly; and method
CN212915694U (zh) 用于拼接多根第一光纤和多根第二光纤的多光纤拼接装置
US20200049899A1 (en) Sc low profile connector
US6234681B1 (en) Apparatus and method for interconnecting optical fibers
WO2019171209A1 (fr) Système de connexion de fibres optiques
US20200386951A1 (en) Dual ferrule optical connector signal testing converter and method of use
US20230314722A1 (en) Multi-fiber semi-permanent splicing systems
EP0636910B1 (fr) Jonction des fibres optiques du type quasi-reversible
JP2000081543A (ja) 光ファイバ接続器
JPH0777617A (ja) 光導波路型光スターカプラ

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 19713570

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 19713570

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1