Fiber optic connector

Details Fiber optic connector Fiber optic connector

1999-04-16

2001-03-20

Palmer, Phan T. H. (Department: 2874)

Optical waveguides

With disengagable mechanical connector

Optical fiber/optical fiber cable termination structure

C385S072000, C385S060000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06203210

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Optical fiber connectors are commonly used to connect an end of an optical fiber to an end of another fiber to join segments of fiber into longer lengths, or to connect a fiber to a device designed to receive the input provided by the fiber. Optical fiber connectors commonly use ferrule stem assemblies to ensure alignment of fibers to minimize loss of signal between the elements being connected.
One type of optical fiber connector uses ferrule stem assemblies to ensure alignment of fibers in a coupling apparatus where one set of fibers end and another set of fibers begin. One example of a prior art optical fiber connector is shown in FIG.
1
. The connector
10
is a four-piece assembly, comprised of a ferrule stem assembly
12
, a helical spring
26
, a cap
30
, and a C-clip
40
. The ferrule stem assembly
12
has a first end
14
and a second end
16
. The connector
10
is assembled by sliding the helical spring
26
over the first end
14
of the ferrule stem assembly
12
. The cap
30
is then slid over the first end
14
of the ferrule stem assembly
12
. An annular lip
36
on the inside of the cap
30
engages the spring
26
, pushing the spring
26
along the length of the ferrule stem assembly
12
until the spring
26
contacts a spring retainer
24
located on the ferrule stem assembly
12
proximate to the second end
16
. The cap
30
is forced along the ferrule stem assembly
12
, compressing the spring
26
, until the cap
30
clears an annular notch
32
on the outside perimeter of the ferrule stem assembly
12
. The C-clip
40
is inserted into the annular notch
32
and the cap
30
is released. The force of the spring
26
biases the annular lip
36
against the C-clip
40
, with the C-clip
40
retaining the cap
30
on the ferrule stem assembly
12
.
The connector
10
is inefficient to assemble because the cap
30
must be compressed against the spring
26
far enough to expose the annular notch
32
. With the annular notch
32
exposed, the C-clip
40
must be inserted into the annular notch
32
. The insertion of the C-clip
40
into the annular notch
32
is a delicate process which slows down the manufacture of the connector, resulting in a higher manufacturing cost per connector. It would be advantageous to be able to provide a connector which is more efficient to assemble than prior art connectors, thus lowering the cost of manufacture of the connector. This application discloses a fiber optic connector which provides such advantage.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is a connector for terminating an optical fiber cable and for making a connection with a predetermined coupling apparatus. The connector comprises a ferrule stem assembly which has first and second opposed ends and a longitudinal passageway defined therethrough. The passageway is sized to receive an optical fiber or set of fibers. The ferrule stem assembly further has a tab which extends radially outwardly from the ferrule stem assembly proximate to the first end, and a spring retainer which extends radially outwardly from the ferrule stem assembly proximate to the second end. The connector further comprises a cap member which has a bore defined longitudinally therethrough. The bore is sized to receive the ferrule stem assembly. An annular lip circumscribes the bore. The cap member is inserted over the ferrule stem assembly such that the tab retains the cap member on the ferrule stem assembly at the annular lip. The connector further comprises a helical spring which is disposed about the ferrule stem assembly between the ferrule stem assembly and the cap member. The spring is disposed against the spring retainer and biases the annular lip against the tab.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5923804 (1999-07-01), Rosson

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