Optical pin-and-socket connector and process for manufacturing o

Details Optical pin-and-socket connector and process for manufacturing o Optical pin-and-socket connector and process for manufacturing o

1996-05-24

1998-06-02

Palmer, Phan T. H.

Optical waveguides

With disengagable mechanical connector

Structure surrounding optical fiber-to-fiber connection

385 60, 385 59, G02B 638

Patent

active

057613583

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns an optical pin-and-socket connector with a housing with a main part in which a cable end containing two optical fibers is fixed, and with a front region in which two coupling end-pieces, each with an axial bore to receive one fiber end each, are mounted.


BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In known (EP-A1-0 375 168 and WO 88/05925) optical pin-and-socket connectors of the aforesaid kind, a cable end that contains two optical fibers and a strain relief enters a pin-and-socket connector housing. An end section of the cable end, from which the cable sheath has been stripped, is fastened in the rear main part of the housing with strain relief. The loose fibers extend, in unguided fashion, to a front region of the housing, in which two coupling end-pieces are mounted. The coupling end-pieces have axial bores to receive the fiber ends.
In the manufacture of the known pin-and-socket connector, in an assembly fixture the fiber ends are first introduced into the respective axial bore of the coupling end-piece and immobilized (e.g. by adhesive bonding) therein. Insertion and immobilization of the fiber ends can be accomplished, for example, according to the method made known by EP-A2-0 327 267. Then the cable end, which is already equipped with the coupling end-pieces (prefabricated), is removed from the fixture and inserted into the pin-and-socket connector housing.
Manufacturing the known pin-and-socket connector is relatively complex, since the fiber ends must first be brought into axial alignment with the axial bores of the coupling end-pieces in a separate fixture and while avoiding any bending, torsional, and/or shear stresses. The cable end must be held in the fixture until immobilization (curing of an epoxy resin used for adhesive bonding) is complete; during this period the fixture is unusable. Manufacture is additionally complicated by the fact that the fiber ends with the coupling end-pieces must be carefully removed from the fixture while avoiding stresses on the fibers, and inserted into the housing of the pin-and-socket connector.


OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore the object of the invention to create an optical pin-and-socket connector that can be manufactured easily and with an uncomplicated fixture, with the fibers being protected as completely as possible from stresses and damage during manufacture.
According to the invention this object is achieved, in an optical pin-and-socket connector of the aforesaid kind, in that the front region is configured as a separate front part; that the optical fibers are arranged in the main part in such a way that the fiber ends project at the front part side and extend in axially parallel fashion at a distance corresponding to the distance between the axial bores; that the front part can be slid and positioned, perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the fiber ends and relative to the main part, in such a way that the axial bores align with the longitudinal axes; and that in the aligned position, the front part can be moved toward the main part in the direction of the longitudinal axes, and can be immobilized onto the main part.
An essential advantage of the pin-and-socket connector is that in the manufacture of the pin-and-socket connector, two essential components of the pin-and-socket connector housing (product housing)--namely the main part and the front part--function almost as one. This eliminates the transfer, required in the case of the aforesaid prior art, of the prefabricated cable end into the pin-and-socket connector housing. Immobilizing the front part onto the main part already produces a pin-and-socket connector preassembled to the extent that the sensitive optical fibers are largely protected against external stresses.
An embodiment of the pin-and-socket connector that is preferred in terms of production engineering provides for the front part to be connected to the main part by means of a common housing cover. Preferably the housing cover can be connected by means of snap-fit

REFERENCES:
patent: 4936662 (1990-06-01), Griffin
patent: 5119455 (1992-06-01), Jennings
patent: 5157749 (1992-10-01), Briggs et al.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Optical pin-and-socket connector and process for manufacturing o 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 pin-and-socket connector and process for manufacturing o, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Optical pin-and-socket connector and process for manufacturing o will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1470489