FIBER INSPECTION TOOL

Abstract

The purpose of this invention is to create a low cost, easy to use, fiber end face and or connector inspection tool component that easily adapts and converts most all mobile communication devices with camera, screen and software capabilities into a microscope. The invention encapsulates and holds firm a fiber connector body and or fiber connector bodies and or ferrule housing or ferrule housings for the purpose of viewing the cleanliness and quality of the fiber end face and or faces. A Fiber end face is the component area and or areas the embodies the fiber core and or fiber cores, fiber ferrule end and or ferrule ends and fiber related end component and or components that are instrumental in the mating with other like components with fiber connector plug end faces and or related optical fiber components for the purpose connectors and splices prior to connecting and or join optical fibers where a connect/disconnect capability is required.

Claims

1. A module housing case comprising: a fiber optic component housing defining a cavity, said cavity sized to receive a fiber optic connector; and said cavity formed at least partially into said module housing case.

2. The module housing case of claim 1 further comprising: a ferrule guide disposed within said cavity.

3. The module housing case of claim 1 further comprising: a magnification component disposed at least partially within said cavity.

4. The module housing case of claim 1 further comprising: a plurality of cavities formed at least partially into said module housing case.

5. The module housing case of claim 1, wherein said cavity includes a mating component coupled thereto, said mating component structured for receiving said fiber optic connector.

6. The module housing case of claim 5, wherein said mating component is selected from the group consisting of: a guide, a locking component, and a locking guide.

7. The module housing case of claim 1 further comprising: a camera lens alignment feature coupled to said module housing case.

8. The module housing case of claim 7, wherein said camera lens alignment feature is selected from a group consisting of: a snap on mechanism, a slide on mechanism, a partial case, a full case, an adhesive, and a spring attached case.

9. The module housing case of claim 1, further comprising: a cover for said cavity.

10. A module housing case comprising: a plurality of interchangeable fiber optic component housings defining a plurality of cavities, said plurality of cavities structured to receive a respective fiber optic connector; and said plurality of cavities formed at least partially into said module housing case.

11. The module housing case of claim 10, wherein each of said plurality of cavities include a respective mating component coupled thereto, each of said respective mating components structured for receiving said respective fiber optic connector.

12. The module housing case of claim 10 further comprising: a camera lens alignment feature coupled to said module housing case.

13. The module housing case of claim 12, wherein said camera lens alignment feature is selected from a group consisting of: a snap on mechanism, a slide on mechanism, a partial case, a full case, an adhesive, and a spring attached case.

14. A module housing case comprising: a plurality of interchangeable fiber optic component housings defining a plurality of cavities, each of said plurality of interchangeable fiber optic component housings sized to receive a fiber optic connector and retain said fiber optic connector with a frictional force; and said plurality of cavities formed at least partially into said module housing case.

15. The module housing case of claim 15, wherein each of said plurality of cavities includes a respective mating component structured for receiving a respective fiber optic connector.

16. The module housing case of claim 15, wherein said mating component is selected from the group consisting of a guide, a locking component, and a locking guide.

17. The module housing case of claim 14 further comprising: a camera lens alignment feature coupled to said module housing case.

18. The module housing case of claim 17, wherein said camera lens alignment feature is selected from the group consisting of: a snap on mechanism, a slide on mechanism, a partial case, a full case, an adhesive, and a spring attached case.

19. The module housing case of claim 14 further comprising: a ferrule guide coupled to at least one of said pluralities of cavities.

20. The module housing case of claim 14 further comprising: a magnification component coupled to at least one of said pluralities of cavities.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The purpose of this invention is to create and adaptive system that will convert the typical cell phone with a camera into a microscope that can accurately secure a fiber cord connector plug-in to eliminate any end face movement which could cause incorrect readings on the end face or end faces.

[0021] The other purpose of this invention is to allow the cell phone to act through its circuitry as a focal meter to adjust the clarity of the end phase when looking through the cell phone screen. Example is if one were to hold fiber connector in face up against the camera on the cell phone there are two problems. First problem is any movement of the connector across the lands would dictate false readings or an accurate reading. The other problem that would occur is that you don't have enough hands to be able to focus the cell phone screen to give a clear picture of the interfaces while trying to hold the fiber connector in a steady position to indicate a clear reading.

[0022] This invention eliminates the need for one to hold the fiber connectors physically over the camera lense on the cell phone when trying to project the end face of the fiber connectors with the use of a cell phone or equivalent type of phone.

[0023] This tool incorporates a fiber connector socket in conjunction with a microscope lens in conjunction with a lighting system to shine on the end faces with the complete package being able to be slide onto or over and or adhere to or clamped onto the cell phone housing and or cell camera lens while holding in place the fiber connector and or end-faces.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0024] FIG. 1 is a first perspective view of the cell phone microscope slide on adapter with built-in fiber optic plug jack cavities showing the application of said invention and its mating with a cell phone camera and multi-function LED.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of the cell phone microscope slide on adapter with built-in fiber optic plug jack cavities showing the application mentioned in FIG. 1 with the addition of a hinged/opening and closure function to protect the fiber jack connector cavity and or cavities from dust and or debris when not in service.

[0026] FIG. 3 is the detail perspective view of the cell phone microscope adapter with built in with fiber optic jacks showing the application of said invention molded in a full-size protective cell phone case.

[0027] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a version of a slide on half case.

[0028] FIG. 5A is a detail perspective view from the underside of the adhesive base version and application with ancillary snap-in microscope and light source.

[0029] FIG. 5 B is a second detail perspective view of FIG. 5 (A) with an internal built-in magnifying lens and LED or an equivalent light source and or light reflector.

[0030] FIG. 5C is a perspective view of 5A or 5B applied to cell phone case.

[0031] FIG. 5D Is a perspective view of 5A or 5B attached to tablet.

[0032] FIG. 5E Is a perspective view of 5A or 5B attached to a laptop Computer.

[0033] FIG. 6 Is a cross sectional view of the module outlined in the claims of this patent with the fiber plug cavities molded into an insert and or inserts that can be exchanged while not removing the module body from its permanent or semipermanent placement.

[0034] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional perspective view of the female fiber optic plug cavities and or cavity module with a larger internal cavity shown in a dotted line for the purpose of supporting and housing components shown in FIGS. 8A and B and supported in FIGS. 5A and 5B.

[0035] FIG. 8A is a cross sectional view of the module with the internal cavity outlined in FIG. 7 to support and contain internal components to illuminate and or magnify said fiber end faces when aligned in position with said ancillary equipment camera lens.

[0036] FIG. 8B is a cross sectional view of the module showing the same as FIG. 8A but with the addition of an inserted fiber connector pictured and outlined in description 22 and 16.

[0037] FIG. 8C is a cross sectional view of the module with the internal cavity outlined in FIG. 7 to support and contain an aftermarket devise to illuminate and or magnify said fiber end faces when aligned in position with said ancillary equipment camera lens.

[0038] FIG. 9A is a perspective view presentation of a male plug fiber plug ready for insertion into said invention outlined in the figures above.

[0039] FIG. 9B is a perspective view presentation of the male fiber single plug inserted/mated to said invention described above.

[0040] FIG. 9C is a perspective view of a duplex (double) fiber ready for insertion. After insertion and initial insertion said duplex (dual) plug. Duplex fiber plug must be removed, rotated 180 degrees and reinserted for visual inspection of said second fiber end faces. 14a allows for this function.

[0041] FIG. 10 is a schematic overhead view of the cavity floor 14 with the ferrule alignment guide 15 with magnification lens 10 positioned below while the second fiber cavity support system on the right is a storage cavity during duplex plug inspection.

[0042] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a cell phone screen displaying a fiber plug-in end face 17 picture magnified 400× to present clear fiber end face visual 24 of the fibercore, the cladding and the ferrule 18 for the purpose inspection.

[0043] FIG. 12 is a schematic view of a clean fiber end face on a monitor screen 24a.

[0044] FIG. 13 Is a schematic view of a dirty fiber end face on a monitor screen 24b that needs to be cleaned.

[0045] FIG. 14 is a schematic view of a scratched fiber end face on a monitor screen 24c that need to be replaced.

[0046] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a version of a simplex (single) fiber plug 22 that displays alignment guide and locking guide 29 affixed to the plug body of the connectorized fiber plug, with ferrule 16 and fiber end face 17 displayed.

[0047] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a version duplex (dual) fiber plugs 23 that displays alignment guide and locking guides 29 affixed to the plug bodies of the connectorized plug. Also shown on the lower right side of FIG. 16 is one of many new style fiber plug types that house numerous fibers but features a larger end face 17 with multiple fibers. The alignment concept 29 is still necessary in this and future fiber plug body housings of the purpose of fiber count and location identification on multiple fiber core plugs.

EXPLANATION OF NUMBERED PICTURE DESCRIPTIONS IN FIGURES

[0048] 1) Slide on module housing with female insert cavities [0049] 2) Slide on module housing with dust cover with female insert cavities [0050] 3) Slide on full phone case module housing with female insert cavities [0051] 4) Slide on half case module housing with female insert cavities [0052] 5) Adhesive backed module housing with female insert cavities [0053] 6) Cell phone [0054] 7) Fiber component female insert/inserts [0055] 8) After market device module [0056] 9) Module component cavity [0057] 10) Magnification lens [0058] 11) Light sources [0059] 12) Battery [0060] 13) Push on/off switch [0061] 14) Fiber plug cavity support mechanism [0062] 15) Ferrule alignment guide system [0063] 16) Ferrule [0064] 17) Fiber end face [0065] 18) Fiber core, cladding, ferrule [0066] 19) Cell phone camera [0067] 20) Camera lens [0068] 21) Cell Phone light source [0069] 22) Connectorized fiber plug-ins “simplex” single plug [0070] 23) Connectorized fiber plug-ins “duplex” single and or dual plug [0071] 24) End face visuals (includes 24a, 24b, 24c depicted in FIG. 11-14 [0072] 25) Cell phone camera picture [0073] 26) Modular inserts male [0074] 27) Modular insert housing module [0075] 28) Spring clip [0076] 29) Align guides/locking and non-locking