Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
  • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
  • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
  • G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
  • G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
  • G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
  • G02B6/3873—Connectors using guide surfaces for aligning ferrule ends, e.g. tubes, sleeves, V-grooves, rods, pins, balls
  • G02B6/3874—Connectors using guide surfaces for aligning ferrule ends, e.g. tubes, sleeves, V-grooves, rods, pins, balls using tubes, sleeves to align ferrules
  • G02B6/3878—Connectors using guide surfaces for aligning ferrule ends, e.g. tubes, sleeves, V-grooves, rods, pins, balls using tubes, sleeves to align ferrules comprising a plurality of ferrules, branching and break-out means
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
  • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
  • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
  • G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
  • G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
  • G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
  • G02B6/381—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs of the ferrule type, e.g. fibre ends embedded in ferrules, connecting a pair of fibres
  • G02B6/3818—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs of the ferrule type, e.g. fibre ends embedded in ferrules, connecting a pair of fibres of a low-reflection-loss type
  • G02B6/3821—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs of the ferrule type, e.g. fibre ends embedded in ferrules, connecting a pair of fibres of a low-reflection-loss type with axial spring biasing or loading means
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
  • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
  • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
  • G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
  • G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
  • G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
  • G02B6/3873—Connectors using guide surfaces for aligning ferrule ends, e.g. tubes, sleeves, V-grooves, rods, pins, balls
  • G02B6/3874—Connectors using guide surfaces for aligning ferrule ends, e.g. tubes, sleeves, V-grooves, rods, pins, balls using tubes, sleeves to align ferrules

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a device for connecting / disconnecting two individual optical fibers and a connector-expander for optical fibers.
• the spreader-connector of the present invention is a new device making it possible to individually connect optical fibers grouped in ribbon or in a microgain to individual optical fibers, and this, in a very reduced space.
• individual connectors of optical fibers which comprise two connector elements intended to be mounted each at the end of an optical fiber in order to connect it to another individual optical fiber.
• the present invention aims to provide a space-saving individual connector and to combine these two functions of individual connection and development in a single device having a minimum space requirement.
• the present invention firstly relates to a device for connecting / disconnecting two individual optical fibers comprising:
• connection channel in which the two ferrules can engage opposite
• connection in a direction opposite to its direction of engagement in said channel
• an elastic member pushing one of the ferrules to apply the front faces of the two ferrules against each other during connection, characterized in that it comprises, for disconnection, an unlocking key capable of neutralizing the means axial retention of one of the ferrules and by the fact that the elastic member is arranged for, when the unlocking key neutralizes the retention means, push said ferrule outward from the alignment sleeve and cause disconnection.
• the individual connector according to the invention is original in that it does not comprise means for assembling and separating two connector elements acting on one another, unlike connectors known in which each connector element comprises on the one hand, a means of retaining the ferrule which is permanently operational and on the other hand a separate means of assembly with the other connector which only comes into operation for the connection.
• the invention therefore consists in using the means for retaining the ferrules as means for assembling and separating the optical fibers, thereby eliminating any separate means of assembly.
• the present invention also relates to a device for individually connecting / disconnecting optical fibers grouped in a fiber optic cable such as a ribbon or a microgain with individual optical fibers, characterized in that it comprises:
• an orifice for introducing a fiber optic cable opposite this introduction orifice, a plurality of connection channels opening out of the housing,
• the device further comprising:
• a plurality of internal ferrules each having a front face and being able to be mounted at the end of a fiber - 3 -
• a plurality of external ferrules each having a front face and being able to be mounted at the end of an individual optical fiber and to be engaged in a connection channel from the outside of the housing, opposite an internal ferrule,
• two axial retention means each having the function of limiting the axial displacements of a ferrule relative to the connection channel, in a direction opposite to its direction of engagement in said channel,
• connection channel In each connection channel, an elastic member pushing one of the ferrules in its direction of engagement in the connection channel to apply the front faces of the two ferrules against each other during connection, this elastic member being in in addition arranged for, when the unlocking key neutralizes the axial retention means of an external ferrule, push this external ferrule out of the housing and cause the individual disconnection of the two optical fibers.
• the device according to the invention allows, on the one hand, to develop the optical fibers of a fiber optic cable of the ribbon or microgain type, and, on the other hand, to individually connect each of the flourished fibers from from cable to an individual fiber.
• each connection channel forms an individual connector for an optical fiber.
• This device has a reduced overall size thanks to the fact that each of its connection channels is only equipped with means for retaining an external ferrule, unlocking being ensured by the unlocking key external to the housing, which s 'used individually to release each ferrule, and by the elastic member of each connection channel.
• the retention means consists of a clip provided with elastic fingers with radial clearance and by a shoulder.
• the clip is secured to the connection channel and the shoulder is secured to the ferrule.
• the ferrule has, adjacent to its shoulder, a clearance portion whose cross section is less than that of the axial passage, so that there remains a radial clearance between the ferrule and said passage when the ferrule is introduced into the orifice.
• the unlocking key comprises an end portion in the form of a hollow cylinder split longitudinally, the cross section of which fits into the radial clearance existing between the ferrule and the orifice and which can be slid axially along the ferrule, between the latter and the wall of the axial passage of the body, to move the elastic fingers apart from the clip and thus release the ferrule.
• the ferrule comprises, between its release portion and its end opposite to the front face, a radially hollowed portion, which is bounded by an axial stop in the direction of said opposite end, while the unlocking key comprises, behind its end portion in the form of a split hollow cylinder, a projection which is free from any constraint when it is in line with the radially hollowed-out portion of the ferrule, thus allowing axial movements of the key unlocking with respect to the ferrule, and which is capable of crossing the axial stop by elastic deformation under the effect of an axial thrust exerted by an operator.
• the radially hollowed-out portion of the ferrule is sufficiently long for the unlocking key to be outside the connection channel when its projection crosses the axial stop of the ferrule, the latter being engaged in the channel of connection and retention by the clip.
• the crossing of the axial stop by the projection which realizes the locking of the unlocking key on the ferrule takes place outside the connection channel, which allows the elastic deformation of the key.
• the ferrule can for example be obtained by overmolding on the end of the individual optical fiber.
• the elastic member is a helical spring which acts only on the internal ferrules.
• the device comprises, in each connection channel, an alignment sleeve capable of receiving the front faces of an internal ferrule and an external ferrule opposite to align the latter.
• the device according to the invention has a very small footprint.
• it can be made with ferrules of 1.25 mm in diameter and have a center distance, between two neighboring connection channels, of 3 mm.
• FIG. 1 is a view in axial section of a connection / disconnection device according to a first embodiment of the invention
• FIG. 2 corresponds to the right half of FIG. 1 during the separation of the two fibers
• FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 2 and represents the device at a later stage of separation of the two fibers
• FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a device according to a second embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 5 is a top view of part of the device in FIG. 4,
• FIG. 6 is a view in elevation of an external ferrule of the device of FIGS. 4 and 5,
• FIG. 7 is a view in axial section of the unlocking key of the same device.
• FIGS. 8 to 11 are detailed sectional views of an external ferrule when it is disconnected using the unlocking key. - 6 -
• connection / disconnection device of FIGS. 1 to 3 comprises two ferrules 1,2 which are each overmolded at the end of an optical fiber, shown diagrammatically by an axis line 3,4.
• Each ferrule is in the form of a cylinder comprising a front face 5,6 and a portion 7,8 of larger diameter than the cylinder, defining in particular a shoulder 9, 10 on the side opposite to the front face 5,6, the cylinder extending on either side of the portion 7,8 into two sections 1a, 1b and 2a, 2b.
• the device also comprises an elongated body 11 inside which is reserved a cylindrical connection channel 12, comprising an intermediate part 12a of diameter very slightly greater than the outside diameter of the cylinder constituting each ferrule and two end parts 12b and 12c opening out on the opposite faces 13 and 14 of the body 11 and having a diameter slightly greater than the outside diameter of the portion 7.8 of each ferrule.
• the length of the intermediate part is much less than the sum of the lengths of the ferrule parts located between the large diameter portion 7.8 and the front face 5.6 of each fiber.
• the device comprises a means of axial retention of the corresponding ferrule, this means being constituted by a clip 13, 14, formed by a ring provided with elastic fingers able to deform radially outwards and reducing, in the rest position, the diameter of the free passage of the connection channel.
• a clip 13, 14 is firmly fixed in the corresponding end portion 12b, 12c and is oriented so that its elastic fingers reduce the passage diameter of the end portion to the right of the inner edge of the ring.
• the shoulder 10 bears on the elastic fingers of the clip 14 when the corresponding ferrule 2 is in place in the body 11.
• the elastic fingers and the ring are positioned so that the front face 6 of the locked ferrule is located substantially in the middle of the intermediate part 12a.
• the clip 13 and the shoulder 9 are sufficiently spaced to accommodate a helical spring 17 interposed between the clip and the shoulder around the cylindrical section la. It is understood that the helical spring 17 pushes the ferrule 3 towards the intermediate part 12a. In the absence of the ferrule 2, the larger diameter portion 7 of the ferrule 3 bears against the wall 15.
• the device For the disconnection of the ferrule 2, the device comprises an unlocking key 16 which is constituted by a portion of cylindrical tube whose internal diameter is slightly greater than the diameter of the cylindrical section 2b of the ferrule and whose external diameter is slightly greater than the diameter of the larger diameter portion 8 of the ferrule, but slightly less than the diameter of the straight portion 12c of the connection channel.
• an unlocking key 16 which is constituted by a portion of cylindrical tube whose internal diameter is slightly greater than the diameter of the cylindrical section 2b of the ferrule and whose external diameter is slightly greater than the diameter of the larger diameter portion 8 of the ferrule, but slightly less than the diameter of the straight portion 12c of the connection channel.
• the unlocking key engages in the end portion 12c of the body 11, around the ferrule 2.
• the key 16 is split longitudinally to allow the passage of the optical fiber.
• the key 16 neutralizes the clip by spreading the elastic fingers and comes to bear against the shoulder 10 of the ferrule.
• the device of FIGS. 4, 5, 6 firstly comprises a plastic casing 21 comprising an inlet portion 21a, rectangular, provided with an insertion orifice 22 of a sheath or of a ribbon 23 of optical fibers, an intermediate portion 21b whose width increases from the inlet portion and which delimits an interior flourishing space 24, and an outlet portion 21c which is also rectangular and ends in a front wall pierced with eight channels connection 25.
• the housing 21 is made closed in its outlet portion but has a cover 26 covering its inlet portion 21a and its intermediate portion 21b.
• the outlet portion 21c is better visible in FIG. 5.
• FIGS. 4 and 5 show only four of the eight individual connectors that the device comprises.
• Each guide 27 comprises a first section 27a opening into the development space 24, extended by a second section 27b, of diameter less than the first, opening into the connection channel 25.
• the guide 27 and the connection channel 25 are cylindrical and coaxial.
• a removable comb 28 comprising eight grooves, each of which is located in the axis of a connection channel is placed upstream of each guide 27 by bearing on stops 29 located in the fiber development space 24.
• each open fiber is provided at its end with an internal ferrule constituted by a terminal guide 30 engaged in a sleeve 31 and by a body 32 on which is supported by a helical spring 33 which pushes the assembly towards the connection orifice 25.
• the end guide 30 and the sleeve 31 are then positioned in the second section 27b of the guide 27 while the body 32 and the spring 33 remain in its first section 27a.
• each external ferrule 34 mounted on an individual fiber comprises an end guide 35 which guides the end of the fiber and a rigid body 36 which can be molded onto the fiber and onto the end guide.
• the body 36 of the external ferrule consists of a front section 36a, a flange 36b whose diameter corresponds substantially to that of the connection channel 25, an intermediate section 36b also designated clearance portion, whose diameter is slightly lower than that of the connection channel, so that there remains a clearance between this clearance portion and the connection orifice, and a rear section 36d also designated radially hollowed portion, terminated by a frustoconical part 36e forming a axial stop 36f_ at its base.
• each connection channel 25 comprises locking means constituted by radially elastic blades 37 extending axially in the orifice and comprising a first end 37a directed towards the outside (on the right in the drawing) integral with the wall of the channel 25 and a second end 37b directed inwards (on the left in the drawing) closer to the axis of the channel and able to be displaced, by elastic deformation of the blade, to come into contact with the wall of the orifice.
• the outlet portion 21c of the housing is produced in two parts 2Ici and 21ç.2 joined at the level of the housing of the elastic blades 37.
• the elastic blades 37 can be positioned while these two parts 21ç_l and 21ç2 of the housing are separate, then join the latter for example by gluing to trap the elastic blades 37 in each connection channel 25. - 10 -
• An unlocking key 39 external to the housing, shown in FIG. 7, is constituted by a tube comprising an end portion 39a of cylindrical slit whose internal diameter is very slightly greater than that of the clearance portion 36c from the body of each ferrule external, and whose external diameter is very slightly smaller than that of each connection channel 25.
• the cross section of the end portion of the key fits into the clearance existing between the cross sections of the connection channel 25 and of the clearance portion 36c: of the body of the external ferrule 34.
• the thickness of the end portion 39a of the unlocking key 39 is substantially equal to the difference in thickness between the flange 36b and the clearance portion 36c of the ferrule.
• the unlocking key 39 comprises, projecting from its inner face, an annular groove 39b whose diameter is less than that of the axial stop 36f_ formed by the base of the frustoconical part 36e of the ferrule.
• the groove 39b has two lateral chamfers 39c which allow said groove to pass through the axial stop 36f_ when the unlocking key 39 is subjected to an axial thrust exerted by an operator.
• the groove 39b and the axial stop 36jE constitute cooperating means which make it possible to snap the unlocking key 39 onto the external ferrule 34.
• the unlocking key has a frustoconical external profile. - li ⁇
• the unlocking key can continue its progression in the direction of the connection channel as shown in FIG. 9 without acting on the ferrule.
• the unlocking key is hollow over a length at least equal to the part of the ferrule between its shoulder 38 and its end opposite the front face.
• the unlocking key is also hollow over its entire length.
• the longitudinal slot 40 provided on the unlocking key 39 makes it possible to engage the latter around an individual optical fiber, as shown in FIG. 5, so that it can then slide along the optical fiber until it covers the body of the external ferrule mounted at the end of this optical fiber.
• the key 39 After having been snapped onto the ferrule as already explained with reference to FIG. 8, the key 39 is fully depressed until it comes to abut against the bearing surface 38 of the ferrule, as seen in FIG. 9. It repels then the second end 37b of the elastic blades 37 and thus releases the ferrule which is pushed out of the channel by the spring 33, as has been explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.
• the key can thus be used not only to neutralize the elastic blades but also to handle the plugs during their removal, which is advantageous given their very small size.

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• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Optics & Photonics (AREA)
• Mechanical Coupling Of Light Guides (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=9522267

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (6)

Families Citing this family (7)

Family Cites Families (14)

• 1998
  • 1998-01-28 FR FR9800916A patent/FR2774181B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 1999
  • 1999-01-08 US US09/601,000 patent/US6527452B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1999-01-08 EP EP99900913A patent/EP1049947A1/de not_active Ceased
  • 1999-01-08 WO PCT/FR1999/000025 patent/WO1999039228A1/fr not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1999-01-08 CA CA002319772A patent/CA2319772A1/fr not_active Abandoned
  • 1999-01-08 AU AU20577/99A patent/AU2057799A/en not_active Abandoned

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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