U.S. patent application number 10/056189 was filed with the patent office on 2002-06-06 for fiber optic connector.
Invention is credited to Uken, William David.
Application Number | 20020067893 10/056189 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23864293 |
Filed Date | 2002-06-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020067893 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Uken, William David |
June 6, 2002 |
Fiber optic connector
Abstract
A connector for terminating optical fibers. The connector
includes first and second housing portions for mating with each
other. When the optical fiber is inserted into the first housing
portion, a strain is pre-applied to the optical fiber. The second
housing portion includes a blade such that when the first and
second housing portions mate, the blade cleaves the optical fiber
without additional preparation of the fiber, for example, without
removal of a portion of the buffer.
Inventors: |
Uken, William David;
(Fremont, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TYCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
MAIL STOP R20/2B
307 CONSTITUTION DRIVE
MENLO PARK
CA
94025
US
|
Family ID: |
23864293 |
Appl. No.: |
10/056189 |
Filed: |
January 23, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10056189 |
Jan 23, 2002 |
|
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09469577 |
Dec 22, 1999 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
385/75 ; 385/53;
385/59; 385/76 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02B 6/3829 20130101;
G02B 6/25 20130101; G02B 6/4292 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
385/75 ; 385/53;
385/59; 385/76 |
International
Class: |
G02B 006/36; G02B
006/38 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A fiber optic connector comprising: first and second housing
portions for mating with each other; means for positioning an
optical fiber in said first housing portion; and a blade housed in
said second housing portion, said blade being configured for
cleaving the optical fiber when said first and second housing
portions are mated.
2. The fiber optic connector as defined in claim 1 wherein said
blade is permanently affixed to said second housing portion.
3. The fiber optic connector as defined in claim 1 wherein said
blade cleaves the optical fiber through a buffer.
4. The fiber optic connector as defined in claim 1 wherein said
means for positioning the optical fiber comprises a curvature
formed on said first housing portion.
5. The fiber optic connector as defined in claim 4 wherein said
curvature provides a predefined radius.
6. The fiber optic connector as defined in claim 1 wherein said
connector is capable of being mated and demated multiple times.
7. The fiber optic connector as defined in claim 6 wherein said
blade engages the optical fiber only during the first mating cycle
for connection with a particular optical fiber.
8. The fiber optic connector as defined in claim 1 further
comprising fiber debris retention means.
9. The fiber optic connector as defined in claim 1 further
comprising means for locating the optical fiber after cleaving.
10. The fiber optic connector as defined in claim 9 wherein said
means for locating the optical fiber comprises a groove disposed in
said second housing portion.
11. The fiber optic connector as defined in claim 10 wherein said
means for locating further comprises a detent disposed in said
first housing portion.
12. The fiber optic connector as defined in claim 1 further
comprising means for sizing the optical fiber including a radius
formed on the first housing portion of a size small enough to
shatter the optical fiber as the fiber is wrapped around the
radius.
13. A method of interconnecting optical fibers comprising:
inserting said fiber into a first housing portion; positioning said
fiber around a curvature formed on said first housing portion to
strain said fiber; and mating a second housing portion with said
first housing portion; cleaving said optical fiber with a blade
positioned in said second housing portion, said fiber strain being
partially relieved by said cleaving; and receiving said fiber into
a groove in said second housing portion.
14. The fiber optic connector as defined in claim 13 wherein the
step of cleaving comprises cleaving the optical fiber through a
buffer.
15. The fiber optic connector as defined in claim 13 wherein the
connector is capable of being mated and demated multiple times.
16. The fiber optic connector as defined in claim 13 wherein said
blade engages the fiber only during the first mating cycle for
connection with a particular optical fiber.
17. The fiber optic connector as defined in claim 13 further
comprises the step of retaining the end of the fiber cleaved within
the connector.
18. The fiber optic connector as defined in claim 13 further
comprises the step of locating the optical fiber after
cleaving.
19. The fiber optic connector as defined in claim 18 wherein the
step of breaking off includes wrapping the optical fiber around a
radius formed on the first housing portion sized small enough to
shatter the optical fiber.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a connector for optical
fibers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Various applications employ optical fibers for data
transmission, including Local Area Networks (LANs), industrial
plants, automobiles and aerospace. Typically, these optical fibers
are constructed of glass with a polymeric buffer sheath. In order
to form a connection between the fibers, and between the fibers and
electro-optical devices, the buffer is stripped and the optical
fiber must then be carefully cleaved and polished in order to form
an acceptable connection. A separate cleaving tool and/or polishing
device is often required which may be costly or require training to
terminate the optical fiber. Additionally, the cleaving tool or
polishing device may be misplaced or otherwise unavailable at the
time of termination. It is a time consuming and craft-sensitive
process to cleave and polish the optical fiber for connection into
existing connectors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] I have developed a connector which is economical and easy to
install. The connector includes first and second housing portions
for mating with each other. When the optical fiber is inserted into
the first housing portion, a strain is pre-applied to the optical
fiber. The second housing portion includes a blade such that when
the first and second housing portions mate, the blade cleaves the
strained optical fiber without additional preparation of the fiber,
for example, without the need for removal of a portion of the
buffer.
[0004] One aspect of the invention comprises a fiber optic
connector comprising:
[0005] first and second housing portions for mating with each
other;
[0006] means for positioning an optical fiber in said first housing
portion; and
[0007] a blade housed in said second housing portion, said blade
being configured for cleaving the optical fiber when said first and
second housing portions are mated.
[0008] Another aspect of the invention comprises a method of
interconnecting optical fibers comprising:
[0009] inserting said fiber into a first housing portion;
[0010] positioning said fiber around a curvature formed on said
first housing portion to strain said fiber; and
[0011] mating a second housing portion with said first housing
portion;
[0012] cleaving said optical fiber with a blade positioned in said
second housing portion, said fiber strain being partially relieved
by said cleaving; and
[0013] receiving said fiber into a groove in said second housing
portion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates portions of the connector of the present
invention including an optical fiber prior to initial mating of the
housing portions.
[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates the connector of the present invention as
the housing portions are mating, immediately prior to cleaving of
the fiber.
[0016] FIG. 3 illustrates the connector of the present invention
upon cleaving of the fiber.
[0017] FIG. 4 illustrates the connector of the present invention
upon being fully mated after cleaving of the fiber.
[0018] FIG. 5 illustrates the connector of the present invention
after demating of the housing portions.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present
invention, an optical fiber is cleaved upon mating of two portions
of a connector. The optical fiber is typically a glass fiber having
a polymeric buffer surrounding the core. The optical fiber is
terminated without additional preparation, such as removing the
buffer prior to mating of the connector portions.
[0020] The connector includes first and second housing portions
that mate with each other. The optical fiber is received by the
first housing portion and a pre-strain is applied to the optical
fiber to facilitate cleaving. The second housing portion includes a
blade and is mated with the first housing portion. The blade
cleaves the optical fibers as the first and second housing portions
mate. In the preferred embodiment, the blade is received in a slot
formed in the first housing portion.
[0021] The optical fiber is inserted into the first housing portion
and positioned such that the strain is created by wrapping the
fiber around a curvature formed on the first housing portion. The
curvature is of a pre-defined radius which properly strains and
positions the optical fiber. To further aid in accurately
positioning the optical fiber, a detent or serpentine path may be
provided in the first housing portion. Because the optical fiber is
cleaved while under strain, the resultant cleaved fiber has a clean
face which need not be polished or otherwise finished to form an
acceptable optical connection.
[0022] Once the fiber is inserted into the first housing portion,
it is preferably sized to avoid an excessive fiber trail. Excess
fiber is removed by wrapping the fiber around a radius formed on an
edge of the first housing portion. The radius is sized small enough
to shatter the optical fiber and facilitate breaking off of the
excess fiber as the fiber is wrapped around the radius. The radius
is formed on an edge of the first housing portion so that, when
excess fiber is removed, a portion of the fiber still extends
beyond the slot formed in the first housing portion.
[0023] The first housing portion is preferably a male connector
portion which slides into the second housing portion, preferably a
female connector portion. In an alternate embodiment of the present
invention, the second housing portion could be a male connector
portion and the first housing portion could be a female connector
portion. It is within the scope of the present invention to provide
a connector which need not include male-female connector housing
portions, but, rather, may include any other type of pairs of
housing portions which mate.
[0024] The first and second housing portions are capable of being
mated and demated multiple times. As will be described below, the
blade engages the optical fiber only during the first mating cycle
with a particular optical fiber. In subsequent matings, the optical
fiber is clear of the blade as the first and second housings
mate.
[0025] The blade can be permanently affixed to the second housing
portion, or may be removable and/or replaceable. The blade is
preferably a carbide blade having an angle of between about 40 and
75.degree., preferably between 55 and 75.degree., more preferably
about 60.degree..
[0026] A second detent may be disposed on the first housing portion
for locating the fiber after cleaving. A groove may also be formed
in the second housing portion for aiding in precisely locating the
optical fiber. When strain is removed from a bent optical fiber, it
tends to return to a straightened condition. Once the fiber is
cleaved, strain is relieved and the fiber moves away from the
curvature formed on the first housing portion, straightening and
moving into a position held by the second detent on the first
housing portion. The optical fiber is also then received in the
groove formed in the second housing portion. When cleaved and
straightened, the fiber clears the slot such that, upon demating
and subsequent re-mating of the first and second housing portions,
the blade will not engage the particular fiber (which has already
been cleaved) a second time. It is noted that another optical
fiber, or the same optical fiber reinserted into the first housing
portion, may again be cleaved when the first and second housing
portions mate.
[0027] The connector preferably includes fiber debris retention
means for retaining the end of the fiber that is cleaved. The fiber
debris retention means may be in the form of a pocket or recess
formed in the second housing portion or gripping means formed in
first housing portion.
[0028] For applications in which vibration or other stress on the
connector is anticipated, it may be desirable to include a
releasable locking mechanism for maintaining the first and second
housing portions in their mated condition. The locking mechanism
may be a snap-fit or other mechanism.
[0029] The second housing portion is preferably optically
functional; however, it may be employed only to cleave the fiber.
In the case of an optically non-functional second housing portion,
the optically non-functional second housing portion would
thereafter be replaced by an optically functional second housing
portion. The optically non-functional second housing portion and
the optically functional second housing portion are formed from the
same mold, the only significant difference being that the
functional housing portion includes components for forming a
connection between fibers or between fibers and an electro-optical
device.
[0030] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a
connector 2 including first housing portion 4 and second housing
portion 6. An optical fiber 8 is inserted into first housing
portion 4 through opening 9 and wrapped around curvature 10.
Optical fiber 8 is received by detent 12 and/or a serpentine path,
if provided in first housing portion 4. The fiber 8 is sized by
being wrapped around radius 14 and shattered. The fiber extends
beyond slot 16 formed in first housing portion 4.
[0031] FIG. 2 illustrates first and second housing portions 4, 6 as
they are in the process of being mated by sliding first housing
portion 4 into second housing portion 6. As blade 20 encounters
optical fiber 8, the fiber is cleaved, strain is relieved and the
fiber begins to straighten, as seen in FIG. 3. Upon straightening,
fiber 8 clears slot 16. Detent 18 catches and locates fiber 8. As
housing portions 4, 6 are fully mated, groove 22 engages and more
precisely locates fiber 8. (See FIG. 4.) Fiber debris retention
means catches waste section 15 of fiber 8 so that the waste section
does not interfere with the connection or a sliver of fiber does
not injure an operator or user of the connector.
[0032] A connection between fiber 8 and an electro-optical device
or another fiber is made at the location shown by device 24. In the
embodiment in which an optically non-functional second housing
portion has been employed, the second housing is removed and
replaced with an optically functional second housing portion that
has a molded body substantially identical in configuration to the
optically non-functioning housing portion.
[0033] First and second housing portions 4, 6 are capable of being
mated and demated multiple times. FIG. 5 shows connector 2 demated,
after fiber 8 has been cleaved and clears slot 16. Blade 20 engages
the fiber only during the first mating cycle with a particular
optical fiber. In subsequent matings, fiber 8 is clear of blade 20
as the first and second housings 4, 6 mate.
[0034] Variations and modifications can be made to the preferred
embodiments of the present invention without departing from the
scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the
following claims.
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