Optical waveguides – Optical transmission cable – With electrical conductor in the same cable
Reexamination Certificate
2002-11-08
2004-01-13
Prasad, Chandrika (Department: 2839)
Optical waveguides
Optical transmission cable
With electrical conductor in the same cable
C439S577000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06678448
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
Plug-in optical connector systems are known, in which two light guides, of which one is provided with a mechanical plug and the other is provided with a receptacle corresponding to the plug, are brought into mechanical connection and subsequently maintained in mechanical connection via a spring brace. In the connected condition optical signals can be transmitted from one light guide to the other light guide. For release, the spring brace is released and the two parts of the optical connector system are separated from each other.
2. Description of the Related Art
This type of electrical connector system is known for example from domestic applications, where a plug for a device is introduced into a receptacle of an electrical distribution network and a transmission of electrical signals or electrical energy from the receptacle to the plug is made possible. This type of system can either transmit optical or electrical signals.
From German patent DE 197 10 504 C2 an opto-electronic module is known, which includes an optical interface or disconnect point and an electrical interface or disconnect point. The interfaces are connected with each other essentially via a dimensioned quadrilateral circuit board. A range of electronic components is provided on the circuit board. The circuit board is covered over on both sides via respectively one essentially right-angled housing part. Thereby there results an opto-electronic module with substantial size.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the task of the present invention to provide an opto-electronic connector system with plug and receptacle, which makes possible a simple and secured mechanical connection and which makes possible a transformation of optical into electrical signals or the reverse. Therein a space saving as possible design of the connector system should be made possible.
This task is solved by a plug for an opto-electronic system with the characterizing features of claim 1, a plug receptacle for an opto-electronic connector system with the characterizing features of claim 10 as well as an opto-electronic connector system with the characterizing features of claim 14.
Advantageous further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.
The inventive plug for an opto-electronic connector system includes a tube shaped housing, in which an area is provided for the input or the output of an optical signal. In this area an optical signal can be introduced into the inside of the housing, there it is directed via an optical element which serves as a wave guide and wave deflector, to an electro-optical or opto-electronic transformer or converter. By this optical element, which is comprised or one or more optical lenses, mirrors or other optical components, it is guaranteed, that an efficient transmission of the optical signal to the opto-electronic transformer or the electro-optical transformer is accomplished through this area towards outside. Besides the transformer or transformers, there is provided within the tube shaped housing an amplifier stage for preparing the electrical signal, which on the one hand is connected to the transformer and on the other hand is connected with the electrical contacts for input or output of an electrical signal. By the inventive selection of the tube shaped housing it is made possible, with small external dimensions, to make available a sufficient volume for arrangement or provision of the components necessary for a reliable transformation of the optical into electrical signals or the reverse.
As electro-optical transformer LEDs, laser diodes or other light emitting diodes can be utilized, while as opto-electronic transformers, photo or PIN diodes can be employed. Besides the diodes, also suitable would be appropriate transistor devices. Preferably these transformers are in the form of unhoused diodes or transistors and are connected electrically by means of bond techniques. Thereby it is made possible to keep the required volume in the tube shaped housing in the area of the input or the output of the optical signal as small as possible and thereby to keep the external dimension of the connector as small as possible.
Besides this it is possible, in addition to an amplification stage, also to provide further electrical switch or circuit components, such as for example the decoders, equalizers or rectifiers, noise suppression stages or drivers, which make possible the reliable and efficient operation of the plug with its transformer function for optical into electronic signals and/or the reverse.
Preferably, on the outside of the tube shaped housing, mechanical guide elements are provided, which enable a reliable guided introduction of the tube shaped housing into the receptacle, wherein by appropriate selection of the guide elements there is provided protection against incorrectly rotated insertion. Preferably the guide elements are provided with detent elements, in particular with spring loaded detent elements, so that a detention of the plug in the appropriate receptacle is made possible and an undesired releasing of the connector system is prevented even in the case of impact or damage.
It is of advantage, when the tube shaped housing is shaped cylindrically or truncated conically, since thereby in particularly advantageous manner the possibility is provided, given the predetermined internal volume, to provide very limited external dimensions of the housing of the plug. By the narrowing or tapering design of the tube with a truncated conical design of the housing an introduction of the plug into an associated receptacle is made easier by the aligning effect and the associated focusing of the plug in the corresponding recess of the receptacle. Thereby a simplified manipulation of the opto-electronic connector system including a secure or reliable design of the connector system with respect to the plug is made possible.
According to a particularly preferred design of the invention the electrical contacts or as the case may be the area for introduction or output of the optical signals is provided in the area of the end surfaces of the tube shaped housing. Thereby the electrical contacts extend through the planar end surfaces. Therein it has been found to be a particularly desirable design, when the electrical contacts are integrated in the end surface, while in the other oppositely lying end surface the area for the introduction or as the case may be output of the optical signal is integrated. Thereby, a very slender plug is provided. By the spatial breakdown therein of the functional areas, in particular by the opposing arrangement of the optical or as the case may be electrical inputs or as the case may be outputs, it is made possible, to provide a very reliable and efficient construction of the plug with the transformer function from optical into electrical or as the case may be the reverse signals. By this slender design with the tube shaped housing a good manipulability of the plug for an opto-electronic connector system is provided.
If this arrangement of the contacts and the area for the input or as the case may be output of the optical signal follows standardized fixed dimensions, for example according to the industrial standards, such as DIN 42162, then it is made possible to create a universally employable connector system, which on the basis of the standardization can be widely used independent of the location of employment. By the widespread utilization of the standards a connection of the plug in other stationary receptacles in a different location is possible without difficulty and thereby a particularly simple and reliable operation of the connector system is achieved.
It has been found to be particularly preferable, to spatially separate the electrical contacts and the amplification stage from each other, and to separate the zones of the components of the plug which conduct the optical signals, that is, in particular, the area for the introduction or as the case may be output of the optical signals, the optical element and the o
Huber Hans-Peter
Moisel Jörg
Rode Manfred
Pendorf & Cutliff
Prasad Chandrika
LandOfFree
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