Optical waveguides – With disengagable mechanical connector – Structure surrounding optical fiber-to-fiber connection
Patent
1993-11-22
1996-11-19
Lee, John D.
Optical waveguides
With disengagable mechanical connector
Structure surrounding optical fiber-to-fiber connection
385 59, G02B 638
Patent
active
055771432
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention refers to a multi channel connector for coupling-up the end portions of an in coupled up position opposite each other situated transmission means, such as preferably optical fiber ends, provided with lenses, diodes or the like, and which connector includes two connector parts, shaped for cooperation with a male and a female respectively shaped centering means for each of the transmission means for coaxial guiding and fixation of each transmission means regardless of the other transmission means.
THE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Known multi channel connectors of above mentioned type requires very high tolerances when manufacturing the closed parts, and then in particularly the case of the connector parts and linings, where the parallelism between the control hole for the transmission means to the optical fibers, the diode or the like must be within 0,001 mm, as well as the control hole and guide-pin for centering of connector among themselves. Further, the right angle between the end-surfaces of the connector parts and the longitudinal axis of the guiding holes must lie within .+-.0,002 mm, as well as the partition between the control hole and the guide pin respectively.
In order not to let the transmission means be able to change position, these are fastened permanently in the case of the connector parts by means of, for example forced fit. This implies that if the transmission means should be defective, these can not be exchanged, but the whole multi channel connector must be discarded and replaced with a new one.
Through the German Patent Specification No. 2743626, it is known that a number of optical fibers can be coupled up by means of a connector device. A problem with this connector device is, that the optical fibers consist of extremely thin fibres, with sizes of some micrometers. Because of this, it is extremely important that the centering is absolutely exact, since even very little deviations entails that the fiber ends lie side by, ie. they are not coaxial. When a number of fibers are placed in one channel, as it is the case with the above-mentioned invention, a poor centering is obtained.
THE OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a connector of the type mentioned by way of introduction, where the high demands for exact centering of the fiber end portions are fulfilled with appreciable simpler and cheaper means than earlier, where an exchange of in the connector part closed components, such as transmission means, is easily accomplished, and which connector is formed so that standard components present on the market can be used. Further, it is possible to place the end portions of the optical fibers and one or more LED:s, for cooperation with optical fibers, in one and same connector, and in one hand attain a accurate centering for all in a connector closed optical fibers and in the other attain that the holders consisting of two connector parts, in coupled up position, with their end surfaces come to bearing on each other, which further improves the coaxiality.
These problems are solved by placing the transmission means in the both connector parts in each belonging holder, which is limited extent has as well radial mobility as, by means of a spring, an axial mobility in each or connector parts arranged channels, so that each holder is self-centering regardless of the other holders.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention is explained closer hereinafter with reference to the enclosed drawings, which show an embodiment.
FIG. 1 shows in enlarged scale section through two connector parts of a multi channel connector, according to the invention, whereby both of the connector parts are slightly pulled apart from each other.
FIG. 2 shows a bottom view of one of the connector parts shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 shows a bottom view of a centering-cone, contained in the holder.
FIG. 4 shows a section along the line IV--IV in FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 shows partly in section a complete housing or a multi channel connector, but without holder and transmiss
REFERENCES:
patent: 4140367 (1979-02-01), Makuch et al.
patent: 4217030 (1980-08-01), Howarth
patent: 4252406 (1981-02-01), Ryan, Jr. et al.
patent: 4759599 (1988-07-01), Yamaguchi et al.
Nodfelt Ingvar
Stanitz Bernd
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