DEVICE FOR AN OPTICAL-FIBER CONNECTION

Abstract

Device for the coaxial connection of fiber-optic cables, comprising a single-piece coupling housing (10) and a single-piece sleeve mount (20), the sleeve mount (20) being designed with at least one latching nose (21) and the coupling housing (10) being designed with at least one latching mount which complements the at least one latching nose (21), wherein the latching mount is designed with at least one latching hook (14) and at least one stop (15).

Claims

1. A fiber optic coupling for interconnecting first and second fiber optic connectors in coaxial alignment, each connector including a generally cylindrical ferrule holding an end of an optical fiber, the coupling comprising: a coupling housing including an axial passage defined by a top wall, a bottom wall, a right wall, and a left wall, the axial passage extending between a first opening defined at a first end of the coupling housing and a second opening defined at a second end of the coupling housing, the first end configured to receive the first fiber optic connector through the first opening and the second end configured to receive the second fiber optic connector through the second opening for mating with the first fiber optic connector; and a ferrule alignment structure located within the axial passage, the ferrule alignment structure including a sleeve mount defining a first end, a second end, and a center portion, wherein the first end of the sleeve mount is positioned toward the first end of the coupling housing and the second end of the sleeve mount is positioned toward the second end of the coupling housing, the sleeve mount further defining an axial bore that defines a longitudinal axis extending from the first end of the sleeve mount toward the second end of the sleeve mount, the axial bore configured to receive and coaxially align the ferrules of the first and second fiber optic connectors when the connectors are inserted into the fiber optic coupling, wherein the sleeve mount includes a first portion extending from the center portion of the sleeve mount toward the first end of the sleeve mount and a second portion extending from the center portion of the sleeve mount toward the second end of the sleeve mount, each of the first and second portions defines an inwardly extending finger for capturing a ferrule sleeve within the axial bore, the inwardly extending finger of the first portion being positioned around the axial bore at a peripherally offset relationship with respect to the inwardly extending finger of the second portion along the longitudinal axis defined by the axial bore.

2. A fiber optic coupling according to claim 1, wherein each of the first portion and the second portion of the sleeve mount includes three inwardly extending fingers.

3. A fiber optic coupling according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve mount is removably inserted into the coupling housing.

4. A fiber optic coupling according to claim 3, wherein the sleeve mount and the coupling housing are configured such that the sleeve mount is inserted into the axial passage of the coupling housing in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis.

5. A fiber optic coupling according to claim 1, wherein the fiber optic coupling is configured for interconnecting two SC type fiber optic connectors in coaxial alignment.

6. A fiber optic coupling according to claim 1, wherein the coupling housing defines a mounting flange outwardly protruding from each of the right wall and the left wall.

7. A fiber optic coupling according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve mount is configured such that the ferrule sleeve is inserted into the sleeve mount in a direction along the longitudinal axis.

8. A fiber optic coupling according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the sleeve mount defines flexible arms defined around the axial bore of the sleeve mount for receiving a ferrule sleeve, the flexible arms configured to flex out radially to receive the ferrule sleeve into the axial bore.

9. A fiber optic coupling according to claim 8, wherein the at least one portion defines three of the flexible arms.

10. A fiber optic coupling according to claim 8, wherein the flexible arms extend in a direction from the center portion of the sleeve mount toward at least one of the first end and the second end of the sleeve mount.

11. A fiber optic coupling according to claim 10, wherein the inwardly extending fingers are positioned on the flexible arms.

12. A fiber optic coupling according to claim 1, wherein the top wall of the coupling housing defines a keying groove at each of the first and second ends thereof configured to intermate with complementary keying tongues of the first and second fiber optic connectors to orient the first and second fiber optic connectors in a correct orientation.

13. A fiber optic coupling according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve mount includes two latching hooks extending from the center portion of the sleeve mount toward the first end of the coupling housing and two latching hooks extending from the center portion of the sleeve mount toward the second end of the coupling housing, wherein the latching hooks extending toward the first end of the coupling housing are positioned on opposite sides of the axial bore and are configured to flex toward and away from each other to releasably latch the first fiber optic connector to the fiber optic coupling and the latching hooks extending toward the second end of the coupling housing are positioned on opposite sides of the axial bore and are configured to flex toward and away from each other to releasably latch the second fiber optic connector to the fiber optic coupling.

14. A fiber optic coupling according to claim 13, wherein the latching hooks include inwardly extending portions configured to engage the first and second fiber optic connectors.

15. A method of manufacturing a fiber optic coupling for interconnecting first and second fiber optic connectors in coaxial alignment, each connector including a generally cylindrical ferrule holding an end of an optical fiber, wherein the fiber optic coupling includes a coupling housing with an axial passage defined by a top wall, a bottom wall, a right wall, and a left wall, the axial passage extending between a first opening defined at a first end of the coupling housing and a second opening defined at a second end of the coupling housing, the first end configured to receive the first fiber optic connector through the first opening and the second end configured to receive the second fiber optic connector through the second opening for mating with the first fiber optic connector and a ferrule alignment structure located within the axial passage, the ferrule alignment structure including a sleeve mount defining a first end, a second end, and a center portion, wherein the first end of the sleeve mount is positioned toward the first end of the coupling housing and the second end of the sleeve mount is positioned toward the second end of the coupling housing, the sleeve mount further defining an axial bore that defines a longitudinal axis extending from the first end of the sleeve mount toward the second end of the sleeve mount, the axial bore configured to receive and coaxially align the ferrules of the first and second fiber optic connectors when the connectors are inserted into the fiber optic coupling, wherein the sleeve mount includes a first portion extending from the center portion of the sleeve mount toward the first end of the sleeve mount and a second portion extending from the center portion of the sleeve mount toward the second end of the sleeve mount, each of the first and second portions defines an inwardly extending finger for capturing a ferrule sleeve within the axial bore, the method comprising: molding the sleeve mount including the inwardly extending finger at each of the first and second portions thereof as a unitary structure; and after molding the sleeve mount, inserting a ferrule sleeve into the axial bore of the sleeve mount from one of the first end and the second end of the sleeve mount.

16. A method according to claim 15, further comprising molding the sleeve mount such that the inwardly extending finger of the first portion is positioned around the axial bore at a peripherally offset relationship with respect to the inwardly extending finger of the second portion along the longitudinal axis defined by the axial bore.

17. A method according to claim 15, further comprising molding the sleeve mount such that at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the sleeve mount defines flexible arms defined around the axial bore of the sleeve mount for receiving the ferrule sleeve, the flexible arms configured to flex out radially to receive the ferrule sleeve into the axial bore after the sleeve mount has been molded.

18. A method according to claim 17, wherein at least one of the first portion and the second portion defines three of the flexible arms.

19. A method according to claim 17, wherein the flexible arms extend in a direction from the center portion of the sleeve mount toward at least one of the first end and the second end of the sleeve mount.

20. A method according to claim 19, wherein the inwardly extending fingers are positioned on the flexible arms.

21. A method according to claim 15, wherein each of the first portion and the second portion of the sleeve mount includes three inwardly extending fingers.

22. A method according to claim 15, wherein the sleeve mount is removably inserted into the coupling housing.

23. A method according to claim 22, wherein the sleeve mount and the coupling housing are configured such that the sleeve mount is inserted into the axial passage of the coupling housing in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis.

24. A method according to claim 15, wherein the fiber optic coupling is configured for interconnecting two SC type fiber optic connectors in coaxial alignment.

25. A method according to claim 15, wherein the coupling housing defines a mounting flange outwardly protruding from each of the right wall and the left wall.

26. A method according to claim 15, further comprising inserting the ferrule sleeve into the sleeve mount in a direction along the longitudinal axis.

27. A method according to claim 15, wherein the top wall of the coupling housing defines a keying groove at each of the first and second ends thereof configured to intermate with complementary keying tongues of the first and second fiber optic connectors to orient the first and second fiber optic connectors in a correct orientation.

28. A method according to claim 15, wherein the sleeve mount is molded to further include two latching hooks extending from the center portion of the sleeve mount toward the first end of the coupling housing and two latching hooks extending from the center portion of the sleeve mount toward the second end of the coupling housing, wherein the latching hooks extending toward the first end of the coupling housing are positioned on opposite sides of the axial bore and are configured to flex toward and away from each other to releasably latch the first fiber optic connector to the fiber optic coupling and the latching hooks extending toward the second end of the coupling housing are positioned on opposite sides of the axial bore and are configured to flex toward and away from each other to releasably latch the second fiber optic connector to the fiber optic coupling.

29. A method according to claim 28, wherein the latching hooks include inwardly extending portions configured to engage the first and second fiber optic connectors.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The invention is explained in more detail hereinbelow with reference to a preferred exemplary embodiment. In the figures:

[0014] FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a coupling for coaxial optical-fiber connection;

[0015] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a sleeve mount;

[0016] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a cut-open coupling housing; and

[0017] FIG. 4 shows a sectional illustration of the coupling housing with the sleeve mount installed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] FIG. 1 shows, schematically, a coupling 1 for the coaxial connection of fiber-optic cables. The coupling 1 comprises a coupling housing 10, in which a concealed sleeve mount 20 is mounted. The end of a fiber-optic cable is designed with a plug-in connector 30, which can be accommodated in the coupling 1 on both connection sides of the concealed sleeve mount 20. The coupling housing 10 is designed with a groove 11. For a good orientation and/or positioning of the plug-in connector 30 in the coupling 1, the plug-in connector 30 is designed with a complementary tongue 31.

[0019] FIG. 2 shows a perspective illustration of the sleeve mount 20. The sleeve mount 20 is designed with a latching nose 21, latching hooks 22, an axial bore 23, and a spacer 24. The latching nose 21 is part of a latching fastening for fixing the sleeve mount 20 in the coupling housing 10, which is illustrated in FIG. 1. The cross section of the latching nose 21 is preferably of rectangular design. This provides for a both straightforward production and a high loading capability of the associated latching fastening. The latching hooks 22 serve for accommodating the plug-in connector 30, which is illustrated in FIG. 1. In order for the plug-in connector 30 to be accommodated by the latching hooks 22, the latching hooks 22 need to move. The sleeve mount 20 is thus to be mounted in the coupling housing 10 (not illustrated in FIG. 2), such that this movement is not obstructed, and a plug-in connector 30 can be accommodated by the latching hooks 22. In addition, good lateral guidance of the sleeve mount 20 in the coupling housing 10 is required. For this purpose, spacers 24 are provided on the sleeve mount 20. The contact location of two plug-in connectors 30 connected by the coupling 1 is located in a sleeve which is not illustrated but can be inserted into a bore 23 of the sleeve mount 20. The material of the sleeve may be selected here in accordance with the connection-quality requirements.

[0020] FIG. 3 shows a perspective illustration of the cut-open coupling housing 10. The coupling housing 10 is designed with flanges 16 on the outsides of two housing walls 12, it being possible for the coupling housing 10 to be attached to a front panel (not used) by means of said flanges. A rectangular through-passage for accommodating the sleeve mount 20, which is illustrated in FIG. 2, is made in the coupling housing 10. In each case, one latching mount, comprising a latching hook 14 and two stops 15, is made on one housing wall 13 and on the opposite housing wall (not illustrated). The latching nose 21 of the sleeve mount 20, said latching nose being illustrated in FIG. 2, can be fixed between the latching hook 14 and the stops 15. The sleeve mount 20 can be installed automatically in the latching direction R in the single-piece coupling housing 10. The latching hook 14 is designed with a slope 141 for the purpose of assisting the latching-in operation. Easy definition of the coupling housing 10 is necessary in the latching operation in order to allow passage beyond the latching hook 14. The housing walls 12 have an accumulation of material in this region on account of the flanges 16 which are usually present. The latching mounts are thus preferably formed on the housing walls 13. By the avoidance of any undercuts, the coupling housing 10 can be produced cost-effectively as a plastic injection molding using a single mold. The contact surfaces 151 of the stops 15, said surfaces being concealed in FIG. 3, can be worked in a precise manner by way of access in the latching direction R. A contact surface 142 of the latching hook 14 can be worked by way of access counter to the latching direction R. There is thus no need for any special tool for follow-up work on the contact surfaces 142, 151.

[0021] FIG. 4 shows the coupling housing 10 with a sleeve mount 20 installed. The designations here correspond to the preceding figures. The sleeve mount 20 is fixed between the latching hook 14 and the stops 15 via the latching nose 21. The fixing of the sleeve mount 20 does not require any further locking elements. The contact surfaces 142, 151 of the latching mount may be produced in a precise manner, with the result that play is avoidable.

[0022] The outer shape of the coupling 1 is determined by way of the given geometry of an installation opening, and it is only the length of the coupling 1 which can be varied within limits. For example, it is possible for the coupling housing 10 to be extended by a connection piece, which provides protection against the emission of laser radiation. In addition, it is also conceivable for dust-protection devices to be positioned on the coupling housing 10 when the plug-in connector 30 is subjected to pulling. For accommodating a connection piece, the housing walls 12 are designed with additional latching noses 17 at terminations of the coupling housing 10. The task of forming the latching noses 17 does not adversely affect the task of forming the latching mount for the sleeve mount. In order to avoid undercuts, the latching noses 17 are arranged in a diagonally offset manner.

LIST OF DESIGNATIONS

[0023] 1 coupling [0024] 10 coupling housing [0025] 11 groove [0026] 12 housing wall [0027] 13 housing wall [0028] 14 latching hook [0029] 141 slope [0030] 142 contact surface [0031] 15 stop [0032] 151 contact surface [0033] 16 flange [0034] 17 latching nose [0035] 20 sleeve mount [0036] 21 latching nose [0037] 22 latching hook [0038] 23 bore [0039] 24 spacer [0040] 30 plug [0041] 31 tongue