Optical waveguides – With disengagable mechanical connector
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-03
2001-10-16
Sikder, Mohammad (Department: 2874)
Optical waveguides
With disengagable mechanical connector
C385S054000, C385S055000, C385S056000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06302590
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to connectors for optical fibers, and more specifically for an integral mechanical alignment feature contained therein.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A typical MT-type connector for an optical multi-fiber cable includes two or more metal pins that engage or plug into housings containing optical and electrical components. Generally the pins are disposed in the plug, outside of the region where the ends of optical fibers are located, and the pins are used to align the ends of the optical fibers with optical components in the housing.
Conventionally, the pins for MT-type connectors have been made of metal and are inserted into the connector housing during or after the molding process. However, because the pins and the connector are made of two different materials and are assembled later, it is difficult to maintain the pins in the proper alignment during the manufacturing process. For example, during assembly of a conventional connector great effort must be made to insure that the pins extend the same distance from the connector; and that the pins do not tilt either vertically or horizontally from the connector; and maintaining precise spacing between pins is also an issue. Because the connector and pins may have different thermal expansion coefficients, the pins in the connector may loosen due to thermal cycling of the device. Additionally, the connector must include a considerable region of solid material to provide structural integrity to the anchoring regions for the pins.
Therefore, an improved MT-type connector is needed which either reduces or eliminates the difficulties associated with the manufacturing process and thermal cycling of the produced device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an optical connector in which alignment pins are an integral part of the connector.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an optical connector that may be easily manufactured.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an optical connector in which the alignment of the pins is easily controlled during manufacture.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an optical connector that does not require additional material fed anchoring alignment pins to the connector.
In all of the above embodiments, it is an object to provide a connector that reduces or eliminates thermal expansion effects due to thermal cycling of the device.
Finally, it is an object of the invention to provide a simple yet non-obvious pin configuration that takes advantage of the molding process to create a pin integral with the connector.
According to one broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical connector comprising: a housing portion including: a first bay for engaging a first plug having a waveguide, the first bay being at least partially open at a proximal end and having a wall at a distal end of the first bay; a chamber adjoining the first bay at the wall and having an optical pathway therein; at least two external passive alignment pins integrally formed with the first bay for engaging recesses in the first plug when the first plug is engaged with the first bay; the external passive alignment pins for passively aligning the waveguide to the optical pathway; and an opening in the wall for allowing transmission of an optical signal along the optical pathway between the first plug and the chamber.
According to another broad aspect of the invention, there is provided an optical connector comprising: a housing portion including: a first bay for engaging a first plug having a waveguide, the first bay being at least partially open at a proximal end and having a wall at a distal end of the first bay; a chamber adjoining the first bay at the wall and having an optical pathway therein; at least two external passive alignment pins integrally formed with the first bay for engaging recesses in the first plug when the first plug is engaged with the first bay; the external passive alignment pins for passively aligning the waveguide to said optical pathway; an opening in the wall for allowing transmission of an optical signal along the optical pathway between the first plug and the chamber; and at least two internal passive alignment pins within the chamber for engaging an optical sub-assembly, the internal passive alignment pins for passively aligning an optical axis of the optical sub-assembly with the optical pathway.
According to yet another broad aspect of the invention, there is provided an optical connector comprising: a housing portion including: a first bay for engaging a first plug having a waveguide, the first bay being at least partially open at a proximal end and having a wall at a distal end of the first bay; a chamber adjoining the first bay at the wall and having an optical pathway therein; and an opening in the wall for allowing transmission of an optical signal along the optical pathway between the first plug and the chamber, the opening having a first diameter d
1
proximal to the first bay and a second diameter d
2
distal from the first bay, wherein d
1
≠d
2
, the opening for passively aligning an optical axis of the optical sub-assembly with the optical pathway.
Other objects and features of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4383729 (1983-05-01), Suzuki et al.
patent: 5155784 (1992-10-01), Knott
patent: 5611013 (1997-03-01), Curzio
Jagtiani & Associates
Picolight Incorporated
Sikder Mohammad
LandOfFree
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