Optical waveguides – With disengagable mechanical connector – Structure surrounding optical fiber-to-fiber connection
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-04
2001-06-19
Healy, Brian (Department: 2874)
Optical waveguides
With disengagable mechanical connector
Structure surrounding optical fiber-to-fiber connection
C385S060000, C385S066000, C385S070000, C385S072000, C385S078000, C385S092000, C385S139000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06247851
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an optical connector which connects to an optical fiber connector plug a reception/transmission module (optical module) or optical fiber cable for use as an optical communication terminal.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In recent years, optical communications using optical fibers have been rapidly spread into utilization in the broad range of application fields. The optical fiber is extremely thin and hence difficult to completely couple thereto optical signals (reception/transmission signal). Meanwhile, if the optical fiber is incomplete in coupling, there requires output increase for the light,emitting device or sensitivity increase for the light receiving element. This however will result in cost increase.
In order to push ahead optical communications furthermore, it is desired to provide a high coupling degree of optical coupling to between an optical module or optical fiber cable and an optical fiber connector plug.
For connections between conventional optical fibers, there are prescriptions in JIS C5973-1990 on the shapes of optical connectors.
FIG.
8
(A) illustrates a plug
1
a
. The plug
1
a
has a ferrule
2
held rotatable about an axis thereof by a spring
3
. An optical fiber
4
(FIG.
8
(C)) is held about a center of the ferrule
2
. The ferrule
2
is surrounded around by a frame
5
having a recess
5
a.
On the other hand, an adapter
1
b
, as shown in FIG.
8
(B), has an integrally-formed member
6
having a sleeve holder
6
a
for holding a split sleeve
7
and a claw
6
b
for engagement with the recess
5
a
of the plug
1
a
of the frame
5
. The integrally-formed member
6
is fixed within a case
8
.
By inserting the plug
1
a
into the adapter
1
b
, the recess
5
a
of the frame
5
is fitted with the claw
6
b
. Thereupon, the ferrule
2
is adjusted for angular and positional deviation by the spring
3
, as shown in FIG.
8
(C). Furthermore, the optical fibers
4
are center-aligned by the split sleeve
7
and joined with each other.
In the prior art of
FIG. 8
, the sleeve holder
6
a
is formed separate from the case
8
. Accordingly, the sleeve holder
6
a
in the case
8
is liable to deviate in position or angle.
Also, because the claw
6
b
of the adapter
1
b
is formed integral with the sleeve holder
6
a
, the claw
6
b
is low in positional or angular freedom. Consequently, if the integrally-formed member
6
deviates in position or angle when bonded to the case
8
as stated before, the claw
6
b
will also deviate in position or angle. Due to this, an imbalance force is applied to the plug
1
a
. As a result, the optical fibers
4
are impossible to be center-aligned completely. This results in loss of connection.
Furthermore, although the claw or engagement member
6
b
is formed of a plastic together with the sleeve holder
6
a
, the claw
6
b
requires elasticity for engagement with the recess
5
a
. Consequently, it is impossible for the claw to use a plastic usable at high temperature or employ a glass-fiber reinforced plastic. There accordingly is another problem that the prior art cannot withstand at such elevated temperature as is experienced during a solder reflow process to be conducted for mounting the optical connector onto a printed board.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide an optical connector having a novel structure.
Another object of the invention is to provide an optical connector capable of positively aligning center of optical fibers with connection loss reduced as low as possible.
Another object of the invention is to provide an optical connector capable of withstand high temperature as encountered in solder reflow or the like.
An optical connector according to the present invention is an optical connector having an optical fiber connector plug, to be connected to an optical fiber cable or optical module, having an optical fiber surrounded by a ferrule and a frame encompassing the ferrule and having a fitting portion, comprising: a housing having one end for receiving the optical fiber connector plug; an engagement member movably held in the housing and engaging the fitting portion of the frame in the housing; a split sleeve provided in the housing and receiving therein the ferrule within the housing; and an optical part center-aligned together with the optical fiber in the split sleeve and coupled to the optical fiber.
Within the housing, the engagement member is movably provided. If the optical fiber connector plug is inserted into the housing at one end thereof, the ferrule is inserted into the split sleeve and the engagement member engages the engagement portion of the frame. The split sleeve is previously inserted with the optical part, i.e. for an optical fiber cable a ferrule to protect an optical fiber, or for an optical connector a rod lens. Consequently, the ferrule of the optical fiber connector plug and the optical part are center-aligned in the split sleeve and joined with each other. At this time, because the engagement member is movably held in the housing, a spring force of the split sleeve is applied to the ferrule, thereby moving the ferrule. The force of the split sleeve applied to the ferrule is absorbed by the movability of the engagement member, enabling positive center alignment.
The split sleeve is inserted in a sleeve holder. The sleeve holder is formed in a partition wall formed in and integral with the housing. Due to this, the plug is further stabilized in position, achieving further positive center alignment for the ferrule, etc.
The housing is formed by injection-molding a plastic while the engagement member is formed by press-forming a metal sheet. Specifically, the engaging member includes a bottom plate, a hole formed in the bottom plate and inserted through by the split sleeve, a leg formed extended from the bottom plate, and a fitting portion formed in a tip of the leg to engage the fitting portion, and the housing including a support portion to movably support the engagement member. The engagement member, thus formed of metal, withstand even in a hot atmosphere as will be experienced in a solder reflow process.
The support portion includes a step formed on one surface side of the partition wall. The partition wall supports a bottom plate of the engagement member. A step is provided around the bottom plate. Consequently, the step provides a certain movable range at around the bottom plate. Due to this, the bottom plate, i.e. the engagement member, is allowed to move within the movable range.
For example, a push member as a case for accommodating an optical part previously inserted in the split sleeve is inserted into the housing at the other end thereof to thereby push the engagement member against the partition wall. Due to this, the engagement member is held within the housing. In this state, the engagement member is movable as stated before.
The case is formed, for example, by injection-molding a plastic, and includes a bottom plate, side plates formed at respective ends of the bottom plate and an accommodation space defined by the bottom and side plates. The optical part in a state of previously inserted in the split sleeve is accommodated in the accommodation space.
For example, a support member formed by pressing a metal sheet serves to movably support the optical part. By attaching the support member to the case, the optical member can be movably accommodated in the case. Because the optical member is also movable, it is possible to realize, further positively, center alignment between the ferrule and the optical part in the split sleeve, in addition to providing movability to the engagement member.
In one embodiment, the support member includes a side plate to engage the side plate of the case and a support portion formed extending from the side plate and supporting the optical part for swing and axially displacing, the side plate being engaged with the side plate of the case in a state of supporting the optical part by the support po
Healy Brian
Hoffmann & Baron , LLP
Rohm & Co., Ltd.
LandOfFree
Optical connector employing an optical fiber connector plug 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 employing an optical fiber connector plug, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Optical connector employing an optical fiber connector plug will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2456855