U.S. patent application number 10/616308 was filed with the patent office on 2005-01-13 for replaceable fiber optic interface module.
Invention is credited to Kamarauskas, Michael R., Rifkin, David S..
Application Number | 20050008300 10/616308 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33564737 |
Filed Date | 2005-01-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050008300 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kamarauskas, Michael R. ; et
al. |
January 13, 2005 |
REPLACEABLE FIBER OPTIC INTERFACE MODULE
Abstract
A replaceable module is provided for attachment to a standard
fiber optic connector and an opto-electronic device on a printed
circuit board. The module is mounted between the internal assembly
and the external assembly of a fiber optic connector. The module is
easily replaceable without requiring access to the interior side of
the mounting panel and without requiring disconnection of the
internal assembly from the opto-electronic device on the printed
circuit board. Use of the replaceable module when connecting to an
external device results in reduced wear on the internal assembly,
thereby enabling an increase in the number of mating cycles that
the internal assembly is able to perform.
Inventors: |
Kamarauskas, Michael R.;
(Bloomingdale, IL) ; Rifkin, David S.; (Aurora,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MOLEX INCORPORATED
2222 WELLINGTON COURT
LISLE
IL
60532
US
|
Family ID: |
33564737 |
Appl. No.: |
10/616308 |
Filed: |
July 9, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
385/55 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02B 6/3846 20130101;
G02B 6/3875 20130101; G02B 6/3897 20130101; G02B 6/3849 20130101;
G02B 6/3825 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
385/055 |
International
Class: |
G02B 006/38 |
Claims
1. A module for engagement with an internal assembly and an
external assembly of a fiber optic connector, comprising: a housing
including a first end and a second end and at least one passageway
extending from the first end to the second end; an optical fiber
extending through the passageway, the optical fiber configured to
carry a signal between the external and internal assemblies,
thereby eliminating direct signal transfer between the assemblies;
wherein the first end of the housing mates with the internal
assembly; wherein the second end of the housing mates with the
external assembly, and the housing being detachable from the
internal assembly and the external assembly such that the module
can be replaced by another module.
2. The module of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises: an
internal portion including a first end and a second end; an
external portion including a first end and a second end; and an
intermediate portion including a first end and a second end,
wherein the first end of the internal portion abuts the second end
of the intermediate portion and the second end of the external
portion abuts the first end of the intermediate portion, and
wherein the passageway extends from the first end of the external
portion to the second end of the internal portion.
3. The module of claim 1, further comprising a spacer having first
and second ends positioned within the passageway, the optical fiber
extending through the spacer.
4. The module of claim 2, wherein the internal portion and the
intermediate portion are configured as a single piece for receiving
a spacer having first and second ends, the spacer also configured
to attach to the external portion for joining the external portion
to the single piece intermediate and internal portions.
5. The module of claim 3, further comprising an external ferrule
positioned at least partially within the spacer proximate the first
end thereof and an internal ferrule positioned at least partially
within the spacer proximate the second end thereof, the optical
fiber extending within the internal ferrule and within the external
ferrule.
6. The module of claim 1, further comprising one or more shutters
mounted on the housing.
7. The module of claim 6, wherein the shutter comprises a thumb
latch.
8. The module of claim 2, wherein the internal portion, the
external portion and the intermediate portion are bonded
together.
9. The module of claim 8 wherein the internal portion, the external
portion and the intermediate portion are bonded through
welding.
10. The module of claim 8, wherein the internal portion, the
external portion and the intermediate portion are bonded with
adhesive.
11. The module of claim 2, wherein the external portion comprises
an end wall, the intermediate portion comprises a first flange and
a second flange; and the internal portion comprises an end wall;
and wherein the end wall of the external portion mates with the
first flange of the intermediate portion and wherein the end wall
of the internal portion mates with the second flange of the
intermediate portion.
12. A module as defined in claim 11, wherein a perimeter of the end
wall of the internal portion and a perimeter of the second flange
are smaller than a perimeter of the first flange and a perimeter of
the end wall of the external portion.
13. A module for engagement with an internal assembly and an
external assembly of a fiber optic connector and for transferring
optical signals between the internal assembly and the external
assembly, comprising: an internal portion comprising at least one
passageway, wherein the internal portion mates with the internal
assembly of the fiber optic connector; an external portion
comprising at least one passageway, wherein the external portion
mates with the external assembly of the fiber optic connector; an
intermediate portion comprising at least one intermediate
passageway wherein the intermediate portion mates with the interior
portion and the exterior portion; the passageway of the interior
portion being in communication with the intermediate passageway and
the intermediate passageway being in communication with the
passageway of the external portion; the intermediate portion being
detachable from the internal assembly and the external assembly;
and an optical fiber mounted within the intermediate passageway,
the optical fiber configured to carry a signal between the external
and internal assemblies, thereby eliminating direct signal transfer
between the internal and external portions.
14. The module of claim 13, further comprising a spacer comprising
a passageway therethrough and having first and second ends, wherein
the spacer is positioned within the intermediate passageway and the
optical fiber extends from the first end to the second end of the
spacer.
15. The module of claim 13, wherein the external portion comprises
an end wall, the intermediate portion comprises a first flange and
a second flange; and the internal portion comprises an end wall;
and wherein the end wall of the external portion mates with the
first flange of the intermediate portion and wherein the end wall
of the internal portion mates with the second flange of the
intermediate portion.
16. The module of claim 13 wherein the internal portion, the
external portion and the intermediate portion are bonded
together.
17. The module of claim 13, wherein the external portion further
comprises a shutter.
18. The module of claim 13, further comprising an external ferrule
having a passageway therethrough and positioned proximate the first
end of the spacer and an internal ferrule having a passageway
therethrough and positioned proximate the second end of the spacer,
the optical fiber extending the passage way of the external ferrule
and in the passageway of the internal ferrule.
19. The module of claim 18, wherein the external ferrule and the
internal ferrule are bonded with the spacer.
20. The module of claim 18, further comprising: an internal sleeve
positioned around a portion of the internal ferrule and partially
positioned within the passageway of the internal portion; and an
external sleeve positioned around a portion of the external ferrule
and partially positioned within the passageway of the external
portion.
21. The module of claim 18, wherein the external ferrule, the
internal ferrule and the spacer float within the intermediate
passageway.
22. The module of claim 21, wherein the end wall of the external
portion and the first flange of the intermediate portion further
include at least one mounting aperture.
23. The module of claim 15, wherein a perimeter of the end wall of
internal portion and a perimeter of the second flange are smaller
than a perimeter of the first flange and a perimeter of the end
wall of the external portion.
24. The module of claim 17, wherein the shutter includes a thumb
latch for opening the shutter.
25. The module of claim 24, wherein: the internal portion includes
at least two passageways; the external portion includes at least
two passageways, the intermediate portion includes at least two
passageways; and the shutter covers the end of the at least two
passageways of the external portion.
26. (cancelled)
27. (cancelled)
28. (cancelled)
29. A fiber optic module assembly comprising: an internal assembly;
an external assembly; a module having first and second ends and at
least one passageway extending from the first end to the second
end, wherein the first end of the housing mates with the internal
assembly and the second end of the housing mates with the external
assembly; an optical fiber positioned within the at least one
passageway, the optical fiber configured to carry a signal between
the external and internal assemblies, thereby eliminating direct
signal transfer between the assemblies; and wherein the module is
detachable from the internal assembly and the external assembly
such that the module can be replaced by another module.
30. The fiber optic module assembly of claim 29, wherein the module
further comprises: an internal portion having first and second
ends; an external portion having first and second ends; and an
intermediate portion having first and second ends, wherein said
first end of the intermediate portion mates with the second end of
the external portion and the second end of the intermediate portion
mates with the first end of the internal portion.
31. The module assembly of claim 30, wherein the internal portion
includes an end wall at its first end, the external portion
includes an end wall at its second end and the intermediate portion
includes a first flange at its first end and a second flange at its
second end and wherein a perimeter of end wall of the external
portion and a perimeter of the first flange of the intermediate
portion are larger than a perimeter of the end wall of the internal
portion.
32. A shutter for attachment to a fiber optic module, the fiber
optic module comprising a plurality of passageways, wherein said
shutter covers the plurality of passageways.
33. The shutter of claim 32, further including a thumb latch for
rotating the shutter.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention is generally directed to a replaceable module
to be used with a connector for connecting one fiber optic device
to another fiber optic device that may reside on a printed circuit
board.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In the optical fiber field, fibers are used in optical
transmission systems to transfer light or optical energy throughout
a system. Optical energy is transmitted between fibers by
connecting the fibers end-to-end. In order to more easily connect
the fibers end-to-end, the fibers are typically terminated in
connector assemblies. The connector assemblies encapsulate and
center the fibers so that the fibers can be easily connected in the
end-to-end manner.
[0003] Prior art fiber optic connectors typically include an
internal opto-electronic assembly which is attached to a printed
circuit board on the interior side of a mounting panel and an
external assembly which is connected to a fiber optic device on the
exterior side of the mounting panel. Each assembly includes one or
more optical fibers. In use, the external assembly is mated with
the internal assembly so that information from the fiber optic
device can be delivered through the mated fibers to the device on
the printed circuit board. Each time the external assembly is mated
with the internal assembly the potential for damage to the fiber
ends exists. Damage can be caused for example as the ends of the
fibers are contacted or if dust or debris collects on the exposed
fiber ends. These problems are exasperated when the fiber optic
devices are repeatedly connected and disconnected from the
connector, such as, for example, when disposable fiber optic
devices are used. Upon completion of use of the fiber optic device,
the device is disconnected from the remainder of the assembly and
then discarded. A new fiber optic device must then be attached to
the remainder of the assembly. The repeated matings of the internal
assembly with multiple external assemblies causes wear and
sometimes damage to the connector and the fibers within the
connector.
[0004] When damage to the fibers or connector occurs, the connector
must be repaired or replaced. Not only is this costly, but it is
also time consuming. In particular, replacement of the internal
assembly can be complicated as it not only requires access to the
interior side of the mounting panel but also requires disconnection
of the interior assembly from the printed circuit board and
therefore must be performed by an individual having necessary
knowledge and skills to perform such a task.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A general object of the present invention is to provide a
replaceable module for use with a fiber optic connector.
[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a
replaceable module which can be easily mounted to and dismounted
from a fiber optic connector.
[0007] Briefly, and in accordance with the foregoing, a module is
provided for mounting between the internal assembly and the
external assembly of a fiber optic connector. The module is easily
replaceable without requiring access to the interior side of the
mounting panel and without requiring disconnection of the internal
assembly from the printed circuit board. Advantageously, the
replaceable module limits the number of mating cycles at the fiber
optic interface. Because repeated mating cycles can damage the
polished fiber ends, a replaceable module at the fiber interface
overcomes such cycling issues. In other words, the internal
assembly will experience only a single mating (when the replaceable
module is discarded) for every "X" number of matings the
replaceable module will potentially experience with external
assemblies.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The organization and manner of the structure and operation
of the invention, together with further objects and advantages
thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following
description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings,
wherein like reference numerals identify like elements in
which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the module of the present
invention mounted to a mounting panel and attached on either end to
a fiber optic connector;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the module of the present
invention;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a module of FIG. 2 mounted
to a mounting panel;
[0012] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the module of FIG.
2;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a the module of FIG. 2 with
a shutter door in an open position; and
[0014] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a spacer and
ferrules of the module of FIG. 2;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a spacer, ferrules and a
optical fiber of the module of FIG. 2;
[0016] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of portions of the module of
FIG. 2 which are shown in cross section;
[0017] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the module of FIG. 2 which
are shown in cross section; and
[0018] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the module of FIG. 2
assembled with an internal cable assembly and dismounted from a
mounting panel.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT
[0019] While the invention may be susceptible to embodiment in
different forms, there is shown in the drawings, and herein will be
described in detail, a specific embodiment with the understanding
that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification
of the principles of the invention, and is not intended to limit
the invention to that as illustrated and described herein.
[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, a replaceable module 20 mates with a
standard fiber optic connector 22, such as, for example, an LC
connector. More specifically, the replaceable module 20 provides
connection between an internal assembly 24 of the fiber optical
connector 22 and an external assembly 26 of the fiber optical
connector 22. The internal and external assemblies 24, 26 are
identical. The internal assembly 24 is provided on the interior
side 28 of a mounting panel 30 and the exterior assembly 26 is
provided on the exterior side 32 of the mounting panel 30. The
internal assembly 24 is connected, through a bundle of individual
optical fibers 34, to internal fiber opto-electronic devices (not
shown), which are mounted on a printed circuit board (not shown). A
latch mechanism 35 is provided for mating the internal assembly 24
and the replaceable module 20. The external assembly 26 is
connected, through a bundle of individual optical fibers 36, to a
fiber optic device, such as, for example, a fiber optic probe (not
shown). A latch mechanism 37 is provided for mating the external
assembly 26 and the replaceable module 20.
[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, the replaceable module 20 includes an
external portion 38, an intermediate portion 40 and an internal
portion 42. As shown in FIG. 3, the external portion 38 is provided
on the exterior side 32 of the mounting panel 30 and the internal
portion 42 is provided on the interior side 28 of the mounting
panel 30. The intermediate portion 40 is positioned between the
external portion 38 and the internal portion 42 and within an
aperture 43 through the mounting panel 30 (See FIG. 10).
[0022] As best shown in FIG. 4, the external portion 38 includes a
fixed end 44 and a free end 46. The intermediate portion 40
includes a first end 48 and a second end 50. The internal portion
42 includes a fixed end 52 and a free end 54. When assembled, the
fixed end 44 of the external portion 38 abuts the first end 48 of
the intermediate portion 40 and the fixed end 52 of the internal
portion 42 abuts the second end 50 of the intermediate portion 40.
Although the external and internal portions 38, 42 are orientated
in opposite manners with respect to the intermediate portion 40,
the external portion 38 and the internal portion 42 are identical
with the exception of particular features that will be
described.
[0023] The external portion 38 includes a generally rectangularly
shaped housing 56. A rectangularly shaped end wall 58 is provided
at the fixed end 44 of the external portion 38. The length and
width of the end wall 58 are larger than the length and width of
the housing 56. The perimeter of the end wall 58 is also larger
than the aperture 43 in the mounting 30 through which the
replaceable module 20 is mounted. Mounting apertures 60 are
provided through the end wall 58 on opposite sides of the end wall
58.
[0024] As shown in FIG. 5, five (5) fiber optic passageways 62
extend through the housing 56 and the end wall 58. The portions 62a
of the passageways 62 through the housing 56 are generally
rectangular and the portions of the passageways 62 through the end
wall 58 are cylindrically shaped. The cylindrically shaped portions
of the passageways 62 are shown on the internal portion 42 in FIG.
4. Inner walls 64 are provided between the fiber optic passageways
62.
[0025] A safety shutter 66 is mounted at the free end 46 of the
external portion 38 by hinges 68. A thumb latch 70 is provided for
opening the safety shutter 66. Preferably, a spring (not shown) is
provided to bias the safety shutter 66 in the closed position (as
shown in FIG. 2). When force is applied to the thumb latch 70, the
safety shutter 66 rotates about the hinges 68 to an open position
as shown in FIG. 5. A safety shutter is not provided at the free
end 54 of the internal portion 42.
[0026] Five (5) rectangularly shaped welding recesses are provided
in the end wall 58 for welding the external portion 38 to the
intermediate portion 40 as will be described herein. The welding
recesses of the external portion 38 are shown on the internal
portion 42 in FIG. 4.
[0027] As best shown in FIG. 4, the internal portion 42 of the
replaceable module 20 includes a generally rectangularly shaped
housing 72 and an end wall 74. Unlike the end wall 58 of the
exterior portion 38, the perimeter of the end wall 74 is smaller
than the aperture 43 through the mounting panel 30. In addition,
the end wall 74 does not include mounting apertures.
[0028] Five (5) passageways 80 are provided through the housing 72
and end wall 74. The passageways 80 are identical to the
passageways 62 through the external portion 38 with a portion
through end wall 74 being cylindrical and a portion through the
housing 72 being rectangular. Each passageway 80 provides alignment
and housing for a single optical fiber. Five (5) rectangularly
shaped welding recesses 82 are provided in the end wall 74 for
welding the internal portion 42 to the intermediate portion 40 as
will be described herein.
[0029] The intermediate portion 40 of the replaceable module 20
includes a generally rectangularly shaped housing 86. A
rectangularly shaped first flange 88 is provided at the first end
48 and a rectangularly shaped second flange 90 is provided at the
second end 50. The perimeter of the first flange 88 is larger than
the aperture 43 through the mounting panel 30 and is larger than
the perimeter of the second flange 90. Mounting apertures 91 are
provided on either side of the first flange 88. The perimeter of
the second flange 90 is smaller than the perimeter of the aperture
43 through the mounting panel 30. Five (5) passageways 92 extend
from the first end 48 to second end 50 of the intermediate portion
40. Protrusions 93 extend from the first flange 88 and the second
flange 90. The protrusions 93 extending from the first flange 88
are aligned with the recesses in the end wall 58 of the external
portion 38. The protrusions 93 extending from the second flange 90
are aligned with the recesses 82 in the end wall 74 of the internal
portion 42.
[0030] The replaceable module 20 includes five spacers 96, five
exterior ferrules 98, five interior ferrules 100, five exterior
sleeves 102, five interior sleeves 104 and five optical fibers 105.
As best shown in FIG. 6, the spacers 96 are generally tubular with
an exterior end 108 and an interior end 110. Each spacer 96
includes a cylindrically shaped passageway 112 that extends from
the interior end 110 of the spacer 96 to the exterior end 108 of
the spacer 96. The exterior ferrules 98 and the interior ferrules
100 are also tubular. Each exterior ferrule 98 includes a first end
114 and a second end 116. A passageway extends from the first end
114 to the second end 116 of the exterior ferrule 98. Each interior
ferrule 100 includes a first end 118 and second end 120. A
passageway extends from the first end 118 to the second end 120 of
the interior ferrule 100. The diameter of the ferrules 98, 100 is
slightly smaller than the diameter of the passageways 112 of the
spacer 96.
[0031] As shown in FIG. 4, the external sleeves 102 are tubular and
include first ends 122 and second ends 124. A cylindrically shaped
passageway extends from the first end 122 to the second end 124 of
each external sleeve 102. Each external sleeve 102 includes a split
that extends from the first end 122 to the second end 124, and
allows the sleeve 102 to expand as will be described herein. The
internal sleeves 104 are tubular and include first ends 128 and
second ends 130. A cylindrically shaped passageway extends from the
first end 128 to the second end 130 of each internal sleeve 104.
Each internal sleeve 104 includes a split which extends from the
first end 128 to the second end 130, and allows the sleeve 104 to
expand as will be described herein.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 7, an optical fiber 105 is positioned
within the passageway 112 of each spacer 96 and extends through the
passageway of external ferrule 98 and through the passageway of the
internal ferrule 100. Each optical fiber 105 has a first end 105a
and a second end 105b.
[0033] To assemble the replaceable module 20, a bonding agent, such
as, for example, epoxy is applied to the second ends 116 of each
external ferrule 98. The external ferrule 98 is then placed within
the passageway 112 proximate the first end 108 of the spacer 96 and
bonded with the spacer 96. A first end 105a of each fiber 105 is
then passed through the passageway 112 of each spacer 96 and the
passageway of the external ferrule 98 and bonded within the
external ferrule 98. Next, a second end 105b of each fiber 105 is
passed through the passageway of an internal ferrule 100. Each
internal ferrule 100 is then placed within the passageway 112
proximate the second end 110 of the spacer 96 and bonded thereto.
The spacer 96 is then filled with a bonding agent such as, for
example, epoxy, to stabilize the fiber 105. Upon assembly of the
fiber 105, the spacer 96 and the ferrules 98, 100, the first end
114 of the external ferrule 98 extends beyond the first end 108 of
the spacer 96 and the second end 120 of the internal ferrule 100
extends beyond the second end 110 of the spacer 96. In addition,
the fiber 105 extends within the external ferrule 98, the spacer 96
and the internal ferrule 100 and the first end 105a of the fiber
105 is proximate the first end 114 of the external ferrule 98 and
the second end 105b of the fiber 105 is proximate the second end
120 of the internal ferrule 100.
[0034] Next the ends 105a, 105b of the fiber 105 are polished and
the fiber 105, spacer 96 and ferrules 98, 100 are placed within the
passageway 92 of the intermediate portion 40. Each spacer 96 and
the assembled ferrules 98, 100 are then positioned within a
respective passageway 92 of the intermediate portion 40 as shown in
FIGS. 8 & 9 by passing each spacer 96 and the assembled
ferrules 98, 100 through the second flange 90 of the intermediate
portion 40 and within the respective passageway 92. The fiber 105,
spacer 96, and the ferrules 98, 100 are allowed to float within the
passageway 92 to enable proper mating forces on the connectors.
[0035] An internal sleeve 104 is placed around the second end 120
of each internal ferrule 100 and is then passed through the second
flange 90 of the intermediate portion 40 and within the respective
passageway 92 until the first end 128 of each internal sleeve 104
abuts the second end 110 of the spacer 96. As the internal ferrule
100 passes within the internal sleeve 104, the slit along the
internal sleeve 104 allows the sleeve 104 to expand to allow the
internal ferrule 100 to slide within the sleeve 104. The second end
130 of each internal sleeve 104 is then positioned within the
passageways 80 of the internal portion 42 until the end wall 74 of
the internal portion 42 abuts the second flange 90 of the
intermediate portion 40. When the end wall 74 of the internal
portion 42 abuts the second flange 90 of the intermediate portion
40, the protrusions 93 extending from the second flange 90 are
positioned within the recesses 82 of the internal portion 42.
[0036] An external sleeve 102 is placed around the first end 114 of
each external ferrule 98 and is then passed through the first
flange 88 of the intermediate portion 40 and within the respective
passageway 92 until the second end 124 of each external sleeve 102
abuts the first end 108 of the spacer 96. As the external ferrule
98 passes within the external sleeve 102, the slit along the
external sleeve 102 allows the sleeve 102 to expand to allow the
external ferrule 98 to slide within the sleeve 102. The first end
122 of each external sleeve 102 is then positioned within the
passageways 62 of the external portion 38 until the end wall 58 of
the external portion 38 abuts the first flange 88 of the
intermediate portion 40. When the end wall 58 of the external
portion 38 abuts the first flange 88 of the intermediate portion
40, the protrusions 93 extending from the first flange 88 of the
intermediate portion 40 will be positioned within the recesses in
the end wall 58 of the external portion 38.
[0037] When the end wall 58 of the external portion 38 abuts the
first flange 88 of the intermediate portion 40 and the end wall 74
of the internal portion 42 abuts the second flange 90 of the
intermediate portion 40, a welding process, such as, for example, a
sonic welding process can be used. As a result of the sonic welding
process the protrusions 93 extending into the recesses 82 on the
end walls 58, 74 of the external and internal portions 38,42 form a
bond between the external portion 38 and the intermediate portion
40 and between the internal portion 42 and the intermediate portion
40. With the external portion 36, the intermediate portion 40 and
the internal portion 42 secured together, the replaceable module 20
can then be handled as a single unit.
[0038] The replaceable module 20 is then connected with the
internal assembly 24 by passing the interior portion 42 and the
intermediate portion 40 of the module through the aperture 43 in
the mounting panel 30 until the first flange 88 of the intermediate
portion 40 abuts the exterior surface 32 of the mounting panel 30.
The internal assembly 24 is then engaged with the second end 54 of
the interior portion 42 of the replaceable module 20 as the latch
35 of the internal assembly 24 engage the housing 72 of the
internal portion 42. The replaceable module 20 is then secured to
the mounting panel 30 by passing fasteners 140, for example screws,
through the mounting apertures 60 in the end wall 58 of the
external portion 38 and the apertures 91 in the first flange 88 of
intermediate portion 40 of the replaceable module 20 and securing
the fasteners 140 to the mounting panel 30.
[0039] With the replaceable module 20 mounted to the mounting panel
30, the replaceable module 20 is ready to receive the external
assembly 22 associated with a fiber optic device. The thumb latch
70 is used to open the safety shutter 66. Upon opening of the
safety shutter 66, each of the five optical fibers 105 within the
replaceable module 20 is exposed. The external assembly 26 is then
aligned with the external portion 38 of the replaceable module 20
and connected thereto. As the external assembly 26 is engaged with
the external portion 56 of the replaceable module 20, the latch 37
of the external assembly 26 engages with the housing 56 of the
external portion 38. With the external assembly 26 engaged with the
replaceable module 20, connection of the fiber optic device to the
internal opto-electronic device by way of the replaceable module 20
is complete. The module 20 allows for passage of optical signals
between the internal assembly 24 and the external assembly 26 with
minimal attenuation of the signal.
[0040] When it becomes necessary to disconnect the fiber optic
device, the latch 37 is pressed down and the external assembly 26
associated with the fiber optic device is pulled until it is no
longer engaged with the external portion 38 of the replaceable
module 20. As the external assembly 26 is pulled away from the
external portion 38 of the replaceable module 20, the spring will
bias the shutter 66 to a closed position (as shown in FIG. 3), to
protect the ends of the optical fibers. Alternatively, if no spring
is provided the user closes the shutter 66 by using the thumb latch
70. The shutter prevents dust and debris from coming into contact
with the optical fibers. In addition, the shutter acts as a safety
mechanism to prevent stray light from exiting the module 20.
[0041] As fiber optic devices are repeatedly connected and
disconnected to the external portion 38 of the replaceable adaptor
20, it is likely that the ends of the optical fibers will become
damaged. When such damage occurs, the module 20 can be easily
replaced.
[0042] To replace the module 20, the user begins by unscrewing the
fasteners 140 from the mounting panel 30. Next, the intermediate
portion 40 and the internal portion 42 of the replaceable module 20
and the internal assembly 24 of the connector are pulled through
the aperture 43 in the mounting panel 30 until the latch 35 of the
internal assembly 24 is accessible, as shown in FIG. 10. The latch
35 is then pressed down and the user grasps the internal portion 42
of the replaceable module 20 and pulls until the internal portion
42 of the replaceable module 20 is disconnected from the internal
assembly 24 of the connector 22. The replaceable module 20 is then
discarded and a new replaceable module 20 is attached to the
internal assembly 24. With the new replaceable module 20 attached
the internal assembly 24, the internal portion 42 and intermediate
portion 40 of the replaceable module 20 are passed through the
aperture 43 in the mounting panel 30 until the first flange 48
abuts the exterior side 32 of the mounting panel 30. The
replaceable adaptor 20 is then mounted to the mounting panel 30 by
fastening mounting screws through the apertures 60 of the external
portion 38 and through the apertures 91 of the intermediate portion
40. The replaceable module 20 limits the amount of mating cycles at
the fiber optic interface. Preferably, the module 20 is replaced
approximately every 500-1000 mating cycles.
[0043] The replaceable module 20 can be used with a standard LC
type connector. However, unlike the standard connector 22, the
replaceable module 20 can easily be removed and replaced as access
to the interior side of the mounting panel 30 is not necessary as
the components can be passed through the aperture 43 in the
mounting panel 30. In addition, the individual is not required to
possess any knowledge regarding the printed circuit board to which
the transceivers are attached as disconnection from and connection
to the printed circuit board is not required.
[0044] While five (5) passageways and connections for fiber optical
fibers are described and shown, it is to be understood that the
module 20 can include any number of passageways and connections
desired in order to accommodate any number of optical fibers to be
connected.
[0045] While preferred embodiments of the present invention are
shown and described, it is envisioned that those skilled in the art
may devise various modifications of the present invention without
departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
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