Optical waveguides – With disengagable mechanical connector – Optical fiber to a nonfiber optical device connector
Patent
1990-06-27
1992-11-10
Lee, John D.
Optical waveguides
With disengagable mechanical connector
Optical fiber to a nonfiber optical device connector
385 88, G02B 642
Patent
active
051631091
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to an optical connector assembly employable for a signal sending apparatus wherein electrical signals are converted into optical signals and the converted optical signals are then sent via an optical fiber or a signal receiving apparatus wherein optical signals received via an optical fiber is converted into electrical signals and the converted electrical signals are then taken out of the signal receiving apparatus.
BACKGROUND ART
An optical connector assembly is an essential device required for constituting an optical communication system, an optical measuring system or the like system wherein various instruments, apparatuses, equipments or optical circuit components are connected to each other via optical fibers. A main function of the optical connector assembly is to connect an optical fiber to an optical element (in the form of a light emitting element or a light receiving element) and moreover connect the optical fiber to an electrical circuit or electrical circuits.
FIGS. 1 and 2 typically show a conventional optical connector assembly by way of a perspective view, respectively.
The optical connector assembly as shown in FIG. 1 comprises an optical connector X.sub.1 having end parts A.sub.1 and A.sub.2 of a two-core type optical fiber A protruded therefrom to firmly hold the optical fiber A and a photoelectric converting module X.sub.2 including a photoelectric converting element. With this conventional optical connector assembly, connecting of the optical connector X.sub.1 to the photoelectric converting module X.sub.2 is carried out by fitting the optical connector X.sub.1 to the photoelectric converting module X.sub.2 and then actuating a locking mechanism P.sub.2. In addition, electrical/mechanical connection of the photoelectric converting module X.sub.2 to a printed-circuit board G is carried out by using a lead frame P.sub.1 which is arranged below the photoelectric converting module X.sub.2.
On the other hand, the conventional optical connector assembly as shown in FIG. 2 includes an integrated type optical module X.sub.3 in which a photoelectric converting element is received so that the foremost end of an optical fiber A comes in contact with a light emitting surface or a light receiving surface of the photoelectric converting element. An electric plug P.sub.2 is attached to the end surface of the optical module X.sub.3 so that the optical module X.sub.3 is coupled to an electrical module X.sub.4 by fitting the electrical plug P.sub.2 into an electrical jack (not shown). Connection of the electrical module X.sub.4 to a printed-circuit board G is carried out by using a lead frame P.sub.1 in the same manner as described above with reference to FIG. 1.
In this manner, connecting/disconnecting of the conventional optical connector assembly is accomplished by a simple fitting operation for the aforementioned respective components.
Thus, the conventional optical connector assembly can be used without any particular problem for an apparatus or an equipment installed in a calm and dustless environment, e.g., an audio apparatus, an apparatus for hospital, office or the like facilities. However, when the conventional optical connector assembly is used for an apparatus or an equipment operable in a severe environment including vibration, noisy sound, various contaminated material, moisture or dust, e.g., facilities in a factory, an industrial machine or the like, there arise problems that electrical noise is generated due to vibration, noisy sound or the like, a connector falls down naturally, and a running life of a connector and associated components is shortened due to the presence of oily contaminated material, dust or the like foreign material.
In addition, since no seal is employed for connecting/disconnecting locations in components constituting the conventional optical connector assembly, there arises another problem that no optical communication can be made because oil, dust or the like foreign material enters the interior of the optical conne
REFERENCES:
patent: 4606603 (1986-08-01), Cairns
patent: 4616900 (1986-10-01), Cairns
patent: 4678264 (1987-07-01), Bowen et al.
patent: 4915470 (1990-04-01), Moore et al.
Moritoki Masakazu
Okugawa Minoru
Suzuki Yasuyoshi
Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho
Lee John D.
LandOfFree
Optical connector assembly does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Optical connector assembly, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Optical connector assembly will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2300748