Optical waveguides – Accessories
Reexamination Certificate
2003-04-02
2004-11-23
Prasad, Chandrika (Department: 2839)
Optical waveguides
Accessories
C439S352000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06823126
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention in the field of electronic technology is related to a stripper for removing a connector, which is connected to a connecting part of an electrical or an optoelectronic device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In general, electrical or optoelectronic devices consist of several assembled modules, which input and output electrical and/or optical signals during operation. A signal transfer of electrical signals is performed by cables, and a transfer of optical signals by optical fibers, wherein the cables and the optical fibers are connected to interface ports of the modules by means of connectors. The modules comprise connecting parts which mate with the relevant connectors. Since the signal transfer between electrical or optoelectronic devices can reach a high complexity, it can be necessary to provide numerous interface ports with connector mating parts. In this case, a procedure for connecting the connectors to the connector mating parts can be complicated by the fact that space is limited and the connectors have small dimensions. For example, a typical connector used for these kind of applications is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,574,814.
It is generally known from prior art that especially for the testing of electrical or optoelectronic devices, for example for quality control purposes, the cabling process is performed manually. Also, for maintenance of the electrical or the optoelectronic devices the manual performance of connection and disconnection is common, because automatic assembly machines are usually not available on site. Thereby, many lodge and dislodge steps have to be performed, which is very time-consuming and therefore costly. Furthermore, the accessibility of many connectors is usually restricted, which causes additional retardation during the cabling process. This is aggravated by the fact that workers performing assembly work usually wear gloves due to safety regulations, which reduces their dexterity.
Performing the manual removal of a connector, which is difficult to access, the connector is plugged-off by pulling it or even the cable or the optical fiber. Due to clamping between the connector and the connecting part a force has to be applied in order to pull-off the connector. Caused by this mechanical action, the connecting part has a tendency to distort. As a consequence, the alignment of the connector and the connecting part is disturbed, which might result in a damage of the involved components. This can be avoided only by holding down the connecting part with an appropriate tool, but this is very time-consuming and therefore costly. Furthermore, frequently performed connection and disconnection of connectors result in a reduction of fatigue strength of the involved components. As a consequence, fatigue failure of, for example, connectors, cables or circuit boards can occur.
Optical fibers tend to kink when being bent, due to their brittle material. Hence, during a cabling process optical fibers are exposed to distortion, especially when the accessibility of the connectors is limited. As a consequence, optical fibers damaged during the cabling process have to be replaced, which increases assembly time and cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention, there is provided a connector detacher for removing a connector, which is connected at a connecting portion to a connecting part of an electrical or an optoelectronic device, from said connecting part, wherein the connector detacher comprises a base body which has a recess for receiving the connector, the recess providing a connection passage open to the outside in a direction towards the connecting portion of the connector received within the recess, thereby allowing the connector to be connected at the connecting portion to the connecting part through the connection passage. Furthermore, the connector detacher has holding means for holding the connector within the recess and mechanical linkages arranged on the base body, said mechanical linkages having a sliding block pushing portion, which is moveable relative to the base body in a direction towards the connection passage and which is provided for pushing against the connecting part in order to strip the connector therefrom.
A connector detacher in accordance with the invention has the advantage that it can provide an efficient and economical procedure for connection and disconnection of a connector to a connecting part of an electrical or an optoelectronic device, wherein all components involved remain intact although the procedure is quick and convenient.
According to the invention the connector detacher comprises the base body with the recess for receiving the connector, the holding means holding the connector, and the mechanical linkages with the sliding block pushing portion.
Consequently, the connector detacher forms a single unit because all parts of the connector detacher are fixed together. Furthermore, the connector detacher can have a compact design, which allows that connector detachers to be mounted adjacent to each other. This is the reason why every individual connector of an electrical or an optoelectronic device can be equipped with the appropriate connector detacher. Also, during operation of an electrical or an optoelectronic device, the connectors can be equipped with connector detachers. Therefore, frequent connecting and disconnecting of the connectors are simplified by using the connector detachers. During an assembly process, for instance, this saves time and cost which would be necessary when replacing damaged connectors due to mishandling.
It is conceivable, that a testing device for testing the electrical or the optoelectronic device comprises testing connectors with which the testing is performed, whereby the testing connectors are connected to corresponding connecting parts of the electrical or the optoelectronic device. Before starting a cabling process in the context of connecting the testing device to the electrical or the optoelectronic device every connector can be equipped with a connector detacher. The cabling process, i.e. connecting and disconnecting of the connectors, can be performed by means of the connector detachers. The use of the connector detachers can reduce time and cost due to an efficient cabling process. Furthermore, in case of arrangement changes during testing, a quick action is possible. After finalizing the testing the connector detachers can be kept mounted on the test connectors of the testing device for further testing.
The base body comprises the mechanical linkages, which have a sliding block pushing portion moveable relative to the base body towards the connecting part, wherein the sliding block pushing portion is adjacent to the connecting part. During disconnection of the connector by pulling the base body away from the connecting part, the connecting part has a tendency to distort due to a clamping force between the connector and the connecting part. Thereby, by means of the sliding block pushing portion a countercheck is generated in order to prevent this distortion. As a consequence, the connecting part is held down by the sliding block pushing portion during disconnection of the connector. Therefore, a disconnection of the connector can be performed quickly and conveniently because no additional hold down with an appropriate tool is necessary.
The relative movement of the sliding block pushing portion is parallel to the detaching direction of the connector. Therefore, during detachment action no transverse forces occur at the connector or the connecting part. By virtue of a smooth detachment of the connector from the connecting part, only little force is necessary. Therefore, all components involved are treated with care so that damages caused by uncontrolled pulling can be avoided.
Usually, connectors have small dimensions so that their manual handling can be difficult. According to the invention, the base body comprises the recess for receiving the connector. Thereby, the base body can be used as a handle of the connector, wherein t
Agilent Technologie,s Inc.
Prasad Chandrika
LandOfFree
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