Optical ferrule and optical plug connector having optical ferrule

Abstract

The invention provides an optical ferrule for aligning an optical waveguide with a mating optical waveguide of an optical mating ferrule, comprising: a fixing region for fixing an axial end portion of the optical waveguide, designed such that a longitudinal axis of the axial end portion of the optical waveguide can be aligned with an insertion direction S of the optical ferrule; the optical area is used for carrying out beam forming between the light beams transmitted in the optical waveguide and the light beams transmitted in a focusing or collimation mode in the free space; and at least one guide region. The optical region axially adjoins the fixed region in the insertion direction S, and a beamforming device is formed within the optical region, the optical axis of which extends in the insertion direction S. The guide regions have a longitudinal extension in the insertion direction S and each have a groove-shaped section. The slot-shaped segments are respectively formed laterally adjacent to the beamforming device, and each slot-shaped segment is configured to align with a rib-shaped segment of a corresponding mating guide region of the optical mating ferrule.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an optical ferrule for fixing and aligning an optical waveguide with an optical mating ferrule.

[0002] The present invention also relates to an optical plug connector having an optical ferrule in a plug connector housing.

[0003] Finally, the present invention also relates to an optical plug-in connection structure consisting of an optical plug-in connector and a corresponding optical mating plug-in connector. Background Technology

[0004] Electrical connection technology remains widely used for data transmission between various components in motor vehicles. However, optical transmission technology is less sensitive to electromagnetic interference than electrical connection technology. Furthermore, optical data networks can transmit data with higher bandwidth and have lighter cabling, resulting in lower cabling costs.

[0005] To date, plastic optical guides have been applied to optical data networks in automotive engineering. Fiber optic guides offer higher data transmission bandwidth than plastic guides and can operate over a wider temperature range, making them significant for high-speed data transmission in future vehicles. The core diameter of plastic guides is approximately 1 mm, while the core diameter of fiber optic guides is significantly smaller, with multimode transmission having a core diameter of approximately 50 μm and single-mode transmission approximately 10 μm.

[0006] Therefore, the alignment requirements for the optical fiber guides to be coupled in an optical plug-in connection structure are much higher than those for plastic guides.

[0007] This situation should be improved. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Against this background, the purpose of this invention is to provide a technical solution for high-precision alignment of optical waveguides in optical connection structures, particularly for alignment of coupled optical waveguides in optical plug-in connection structures.

[0009] According to the present invention, this objective is achieved by means of an optical ferrule.

[0010] The following content is provided accordingly:

[0011] An optical ferrule for aligning an optical waveguide (preferably an optical fiber) with a mating optical waveguide (preferably an optical mating fiber), the optical ferrule having:

[0012] - A fixing region for fixing the axial end portion of the optical waveguide, wherein the fixing region is designed such that the longitudinal axis of the axial end portion of the optical waveguide can be aligned with the insertion direction of the optical ferrule.

[0013] - An optical region for beamforming between a beam group propagating in an optical waveguide and a beam group propagating in free space in a focused or collimated manner, the optical region being axially adjacent to a fixed region along the insertion direction, and

[0014] -A beamforming device, preferably a converging lens, is formed therein for the optical axis of the optical waveguide to extend along the insertion direction, and

[0015] - At least one guide region, the guide region having a longitudinal extension along the insertion direction, and each guide region having a groove-shaped segment.

[0016] -Each slotted segment is formed laterally adjacent to the beamforming device, and

[0017] - Each slot segment is configured to align with the rib segment of the corresponding mating guide area of ​​the optical mating ferrule.

[0018] The discovery / concept of this invention is to achieve optical coupling between the individual optical glass fibers of the optical connector and the corresponding optical glass fibers of the optical mating connector, wherein a beam of light emitted from each optical glass fiber is formed in a focused or collimated manner in the insertion direction of the optical connector structure, and the beam of light formed in a focused or collimated manner from each optical glass fiber is fed into the corresponding optical glass fiber of the optical mating connector without offset and thus without optical loss.

[0019] To this end, the present invention provides an optical ferrule that implements the following three technical measures:

[0020] 1) The fixed region of the optical ferrule, in which each fiber is aligned at its axial end region along the insertion direction of the optical ferrule (i.e., along the longitudinal axial direction of the optical ferrule), so that the beam group is emitted at the fiber end face of the fiber in the form of a light cone with a symmetrical axis in the insertion direction.

[0021] 2) The optical region of the optical ferrule, which axially abuts a fixed region along the insertion direction, and has a beamforming device for each optical fiber, preferably a converging lens; in the beamforming device, a beam group of optical waveguides emitted in the form of an optical cone is emitted as a beam group with an optical axis formed in the insertion direction in a focused or collimated manner in the insertion direction into the free space of the axially adjacent optical region, or, a beam group with an optical axis formed in the insertion direction in a focused or collimated manner from the free space is received and coupled into the optical waveguide, and

[0022] 3) At least one guide region of the optical ferrule, wherein a slotted segment is formed in each guide region for guiding the rib-shaped segment of the optical mating ferrule.

[0023] By utilizing the technical measure of at least one guiding region mentioned last, linear guidance is achieved between the optical ferrule and the optical mating ferrule in the insertion direction, such that when the optical ferrule and the optical mating ferrule are inserted, the longitudinal axis of the optical ferrule stops at the longitudinal axis of the optical mating ferrule. When the optical axes of the beamforming apparatus are parallel to the longitudinal axes of the optical ferrule or the optical mating ferrule and are respectively formed in the same lateral position relative to the longitudinal axes of the optical ferrule or the optical mating ferrule, the optical axes of the beamforming apparatuses of the corresponding optical ferrules and optical mating ferrules coincide.

[0024] Therefore, in the case of unidirectional optical transmission, it can be ensured that the focused or collimated beam groups of each beamforming device of the optical ferrule are completely incident on the corresponding beamforming device of the optical mating ferrule and coupled into the mating ferrule at the fiber end face of the corresponding optical fiber. Similarly, in the case of bidirectional optical transmission, it can be ensured that the beam groups emitted by each beamforming device of the optical ferrule or the optical mating ferrule in a focused or collimated manner are incident on the corresponding beamforming device of the optical mating ferrule or the optical ferrule. In both cases, it is advantageous to achieve a reduction in signal damping or insertion damping and an increase in return flow damping of optical transmission.

[0025] Because there is at least one linear guide between the optical ferrule and the optical mating ferrule, the optical ferrule is aligned with the mating ferrule in two translational dimensions, namely, in a first lateral direction and a second lateral direction. The first lateral direction is orthogonal to the longitudinal axial direction and therefore orthogonal to the insertion direction, and the second lateral direction is orthogonal to the longitudinal axial direction (or insertion direction) and the first lateral direction. Furthermore, the optical ferrule is aligned with respect to the mating ferrule in three rotational dimensions via the at least one linear guide between the optical ferrule and the optical mating ferrule, and therefore cannot rotate or tilt relative to the longitudinal axis and both lateral axes of the optical ferrule. This at least one linear guide provides a degree of freedom of movement only in the longitudinal axial direction (or insertion direction) of the optical ferrule; however, this is not absolutely necessary when the beam group is transmitted in a focused or collimated manner along the longitudinal axial direction between the beamforming device of the optical ferrule and the optical mating ferrule.

[0026] This linear guide not only enables alignment between the optical ferrule and its corresponding optical mating ferrule during insertion, but also allows the rib-shaped segments of the corresponding mating guide regions of the optical mating ferrule to be accommodated in the slot-shaped segments of each guide region of the optical ferrule during insertion.

[0027] This design advantageously prevents axial misalignment between the optical ferrule and its corresponding mating ferrule. Furthermore, this design is insensitive to contaminants in the region between the beamforming device of the optical ferrule and its corresponding mating ferrule. The diameter of the parallel beam in the region between the two opposing beamforming devices is enlarged relative to the diameter of the beam in the optical waveguide (“extended beam”). Therefore, the interference from dust particles in the extended beam group is reduced compared to the non-extended beam group.

[0028] In this context and hereinafter, the optical ferrule should be understood as a component that, in each case, accommodates and secures the axial end regions of the respective optical waveguides and, during insertion with the corresponding optical mating ferrule, aligns the respective optical waveguides relative to the corresponding mating optical waveguides of the optical mating ferrule.

[0029] Optical ferrules can be made of optically transparent materials, preferably optically transparent plastics, or optically transparent glass or optically transparent inorganic materials. Thermoplastics, especially polyetherimide (PEI), are particularly suitable for this purpose. Polycarbonate (PC) or polystyrene (PS) can also be used as alternative thermoplastics. All three thermoplastics are transparent, thus transparent in the visible light spectrum and, preferably, the infrared light spectrum, and are commonly used for light transmission in various waveguides, optical ferrule structures, optical ferrules, and corresponding optical mating ferrules. Furthermore, all three thermoplastics offer the advantages of simple plastic injection molding processes and high production precision.

[0030] The optical ferrule is preferably integrally formed. In a second-preferred design, the optical ferrule may also be formed into multiple parts, and these parts may be interconnected by suitable precision joining techniques. The optical ferrule preferably has a substantially cuboid basic geometry.

[0031] The optical ferrule may be coated with an anti-reflective coating, at least in the optically active surface area of ​​the beamforming device or on the entire surface.

[0032] Optical waveguides are preferably formed as optical fibers, and particularly as fibers made of quartz glass, i.e., so-called optical glass fibers. Both graded-index and gradient-index fibers can be used as optical fibers. Optical fibers can transmit multiple modes (so-called multimode fibers) or only a single fundamental mode (so-called single-mode fibers).

[0033] An optical ferrule can accommodate at least one optical waveguide and align it with the optical waveguide of a corresponding mating ferrule. For bidirectional optical transmission, particularly in automotive engineering, optical ferrules preferably accommodate 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, or 2·n optical waveguides (where n is a positive integer). However, for special applications, optical ferrules can also accommodate an odd number of optical waveguides.

[0034] At least one optical waveguide is secured in a fixed region of the optical ferrule and aligned by fastening along the longitudinal axis (or insertion direction) of the optical ferrule. In the case of multiple optical waveguides, each waveguide is secured adjacent to each other in a first transverse direction or first transverse axial direction or orthogonal to the longitudinal axial direction (or insertion direction), and each waveguide is aligned parallel to the longitudinal axial direction (or insertion direction). To align the optical axes of the corresponding optical waveguides (and corresponding beamforming devices) of the optical ferrule and the optical mating ferrule with each other, the waveguides in the fixed region and the beamforming devices in the optical region can preferably be arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the optical ferrule or the optical mating ferrule. The number of optical waveguides to be connected can be increased by arranging them in two second transverse directions (the "upper" and "lower" sides" of the optical ferrule). The number of optical waveguides can be further increased by arranging them in multiple rows or multiple layers (preferably two rows or two layers) in the two second transverse directions. For easier assembly, the waveguides are preferably arranged laterally offset in their respective rows or layers.

[0035] Each optical waveguide is inserted into a corresponding groove within a fixed region. These grooves are formed along the longitudinal axis of the optical ferrule on the side surface of the substantially cuboid optical ferrule. Preferably, the optical waveguides are aligned axially within the grooves such that the fiber end face of the waveguide contacts the optical ferrule at the axial end of the groove. In a less preferred embodiment, the fiber end face of the waveguide may also be slightly separated from the axial end of the groove.

[0036] The cross-sectional profile of the groove is preferably formed in a V-shape or U-shape, such that the optical waveguide is positioned at the center of the groove in a self-connecting and self-aligning manner, and is thus centered relative to the groove in the lateral direction of the optical ferrule or groove. The inner core of the optical waveguide is typically exposed from the cladding, protective coating, and housing at the axial end portion of the waveguide. Preferably, only the exposed inner core of the optical waveguide is inserted into the groove. The optical waveguide preferably terminates at the cable-side end of the groove, which has the cladding, protective coating, and housing.

[0037] Preferably, the optical waveguide is fixed in the corresponding groove of the fixing area by using a thermosetting adhesive, such as an adhesive made of epoxy resin and a curing agent, or a two-component adhesive that can be cured under ultraviolet light. The adhesive is preferably designed to be translucent and therefore transparent in the visible light spectrum and, more preferably, in the infrared light spectrum. The adhesive preferably surrounds the entire circumference of the optical waveguide along the longitudinal extension of the groove, thus enabling the optical waveguide to be fixed to the groove along its longitudinal extension. In this way, refraction of the optical waveguide core can be prevented when vibration-related tension and pressure occur between the optical ferrule and the individual optical waveguides. To prevent undesirable refraction of light emitted from the fiber end face of the optical waveguide in the transition region between the adhesive and the optical ferrule in the event of separation of the fiber end face of the optical waveguide from the optical ferrule, the refractive index of the adhesive is preferably matched to the refractive index of the optical ferrule.

[0038] In the insertion direction of the optical ferrule, the optical region of the optical ferrule is preferably directly adjacent to the fixed region. A corresponding number of optical channels are formed in the optical region according to the number of grooves formed in the fixed region for fixing the optical waveguide. Each optical channel is equipped with a beamforming device that extends light emitted from the input-side optically effective surface of the beamforming device along the insertion direction to the output-side optically effective surface of the beamforming device, and emits an extended and focused or collimated beam group along the longitudinal axial direction (or insertion direction) on the output-side optically effective surface. The beamforming devices formed in the optical region are preferably designed as converging lenses and are preferably integrated with the rest of the optical ferrule. Therefore, a corresponding portion is allocated to each converging lens in the optical region of the optical ferrule, and this corresponding portion extends from the corresponding input-side optically effective surface to the corresponding output-side optically effective surface. The corresponding input-side optical surfaces of the converging lenses implemented in the optical region all form a front surface at the axial end of the groove in the fixed region corresponding to the corresponding converging lens. The corresponding output-side optical surfaces of the converging lenses implemented in the optical region all form front areas, which are formed at the axial ends of the optical region in the insertion direction.

[0039] Each converging lens (also referred to as a positive lens) is preferably formed as a plano-convex converging lens. Therefore, the input-side optically effective surface is formed as a plane, while the output-side optically effective surface is formed as a convex surface. In another embodiment, each converging lens can also be formed as a concave-convex converging lens. In this case, the input-side optically effective surface is a concave surface, while the output-side optically effective surface is a convex surface.

[0040] The refractive index of the optical ferrule and the radius of curvature of the effective optical surfaces on the output side of the respective optical regions corresponding to each converging lens are preferably configured such that the focal length of each converging lens is located on the fiber end face of the corresponding optical waveguide. However, it is also conceivable that, by appropriately replacing the parameters of refractive index and radius of curvature, the focal length may be slightly separated from the fiber end face within the corresponding optical waveguide or in the relevant portion of the optical region belonging to the corresponding converging lens.

[0041] In order to optimize the beam guidance in the optical region of the optical ferrule, in the insertion direction, the optical active surfaces formed by each protrusion on the output side end of the optical region are preferably each formed as an aspherical surface (i.e., having a curvature different from that of a sphere).

[0042] The insertion direction of the fiber optic ferrule is essentially along its longitudinal axis. Therefore, the insertion direction of the mating optical ferrule is essentially oriented along its longitudinal axis; ideally, the mating optical ferrule would be oriented opposite to the insertion direction of the optical ferrule. In reality, the rotational offset between the optical ferrules in the three rotational degrees of freedom, and the translational offset between the longitudinal axis of the optical ferrule and the mating optical ferrule in the three translational degrees of freedom, can only occur within a very small range.

[0043] To align the longitudinal axes of the optical ferrule and the optical mating ferrule during insertion, a linear guide is formed between the optical ferrule and the optical mating ferrule. To form a linear guide with the optical mating ferrule, at least one guide region, each having a slotted segment, is provided within the optical ferrule.

[0044] The slotted segment of the optical ferrule is configured to align itself with the corresponding rib segment of the corresponding mating guide area of ​​the optical mating ferrule.

[0045] In a preferred first embodiment of the optical ferrule, two guide regions may be provided, with an optical region located between the two guide regions, the optical region having all beamforming devices formed therein. In this case, the two guide regions are respectively formed to be laterally adjacent to the optical region in a first lateral direction. The longitudinal axial direction (or insertion direction), the first lateral direction, and the second lateral direction are the extension directions of the optical ferrule, and the three are orthogonal to each other. In this case, the second lateral direction is the direction of the surface vector corresponding to the first guide surface of the plane of each guide region, which will be described below. The two guide regions are directly and immediately adjacent to the laterally adjacent optical region. In particular, the sidewalls of the slotted segments corresponding to each of the two guide regions may be formed by the sidewalls of the optical region, respectively. Furthermore, the two guide regions may also be formed to be laterally adjacent to the fixing region and the receiving region, which will be described laterally.

[0046] In a second embodiment that replaces the optical ferrule, a single guide region may be provided, centrally positioned between the two portions of the optical region along the longitudinal axis of the optical ferrule. A slotted segment of this single guide region is formed directly and adjacent to the two portions of the optical region laterally. Specifically, both sidewalls of the slotted segment of the single guide region may be formed from a sidewall of one of the two portions of the optical region. Beamforming devices formed within the optical region are distributed, particularly uniformly, across the two portions of the optical region. Furthermore, the single guide region may also be formed laterally adjacent to the fixing region and the receiving region, which will be described laterally.

[0047] In a third embodiment of the optical ferrule, a single guide region may be provided, which is formed laterally adjacent to the optical region and the fixing region in a second lateral direction. Therefore, this single guide region is formed above the optical region and the fixing region. A slotted segment of this single guide region is arranged between two sidewalls, each formed in the first lateral direction of the optical ferrule.

[0048] The groove segment of each guide region and the corresponding rib segment of the paired guide region preferably each have a rectangular cross-sectional profile. In a preferred design, the extension of the rectangular cross-sectional profile is implemented to remain constant along the longitudinal extension of the groove segment of each guide region and thus constant along the rib segment of the corresponding paired guide region.

[0049] In a further design, the distance between the two sidewalls of the rectangular cross-sectional profile of the slotted segment of the optical ferrule's guide region can gradually decrease in the direction opposite to the insertion direction of the optical ferrule. Correspondingly, the distance between the two sidewalls of the rectangular cross-sectional profile of the rib-shaped segment of the corresponding mating guide region of the optical mating ferrule can gradually decrease along the insertion direction of the optical mating ferrule. In this case, it can be implemented as a stepped, linear, or curved gradual decrease. This design, in addition to its alignment function, also provides a stopping effect along the longitudinal axis of the optical ferrule.

[0050] In the case of a single guide region, the two sidewalls of the rib-shaped segment of the mating guide region of the optical ferrule are guided between the two sidewalls of the slot-shaped segment of the guide region of the optical ferrule in a form-fit manner. In the case of two guide regions, the inner or outer sidewalls of the rib-shaped segments of the two mating guide regions of the optical ferrule are guided between the outer or inner sidewalls of the slot-shaped segments of the two guide regions of the optical ferrule, respectively, in a form-fit manner. In both cases, the optical ferrule and the optical mating ferrule are aligned relative to each other in two first lateral directions (positive first lateral direction and negative first lateral direction).

[0051] In addition to the two sidewalls, each guide region of the optical ferrule has a slotted segment with a planar bottom surface connecting the two sidewalls. Each mating guide region of the optical mating ferrule has a rib-shaped segment with a covering surface connecting the two sidewalls of the rib-shaped segment. During insertion of the optical ferrule and the optical mating ferrule, the bottom surface of the slotted segment of each guide region of the optical ferrule is guided along a second lateral direction on the covering surface of the rib-shaped segment of the corresponding mating guide region of the optical mating ferrule. This second lateral direction is orthogonal to both the longitudinal axial direction (or insertion direction) and the first lateral direction, respectively. Therefore, the optical ferrule and the optical mating ferrule are also aligned relative to each other in the second lateral direction.

[0052] Since each guide region of the optical ferrule (especially the slotted segment of each guide region) and the corresponding pairing guide region of the optical mating ferrule (especially the rib-shaped segment of the corresponding pairing guide region) have obvious longitudinal extensions, the optical ferrule can be prevented from twisting or tilting relative to the optical mating ferrule about the axis in the first transverse direction when the optical ferrule and the optical mating ferrule are in the mated state.

[0053] Since the sidewall of at least one guide region of the optical ferrule is aligned with the sidewall of the corresponding mating guide region of the optical mating ferrule when the optical ferrule and the optical mating ferrule are in the mated state, lateral twisting or tilting of the optical ferrule relative to the optical mating ferrule about the axis in the second lateral direction can be prevented.

[0054] The single pair of lateral extensions, consisting of a guide region and a mating guide region, and particularly the two pairs of symmetrically arranged guide regions and mating guide regions relative to the longitudinal axis of the optical ferrule, align the optical ferrule and the mating optical ferrule with each other during insertion. This ensures that, in the engaged state, the mating optical ferrule has an orientation that is 180° rotated relative to the longitudinal axis of the optical ferrule. Therefore, in the engaged state, it prevents the optical ferrule from twisting or tilting relative to the mating optical ferrule, thus preventing it from deviating from the aforementioned ideal position around the longitudinal axis of either the optical ferrule or the mating optical ferrule.

[0055] The five alignment states (two translational alignment states and three rotational alignment states) of the optical ferrule and the optical mating ferrule in the mating state ensure that, with the optical ferrule or the optical mating ferrule having the best manufacturing precision, the light emitted by the beamforming device of the optical ferrule and the beamforming device of the optical mating ferrule in a focused or collimated manner is incident on the optical mating ferrule or the corresponding beamforming device of the optical ferrule without any optical loss.

[0056] Advantageous embodiments and improvements are derived from the description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0057] Obviously, without departing from the scope of the invention, the above features and the features which will still be described below can be used not only in their respective specified combinations, but also in other combinations or individually.

[0058] In a preferred improvement of the optical ferrule according to the invention, at least one guide region may additionally have a rib segment axially adjacent to the slot segment in the insertion direction. The rib segment of each guide region is configured to align with the slot segment of the corresponding paired guide region.

[0059] Since the longitudinal extension of the rib-shaped segment of each guide region corresponds to the longitudinal extension of the slot-shaped segment of each guide region, the longitudinal extension of the optical ferrule is doubled through this technical measure. Given the manufacturing precision of the optical ferrule, the extension of the ferrule makes it possible to reduce the twisting or tilting between the optical ferrule and the optical mating ferrule relative to the axis in the first transverse direction when they are in the mated state.

[0060] By forming guide regions in each optical ferrule or optical mating ferrule, each having axially adjacent slotted and ribbed segments in the insertion direction, it is advantageous to implement the mechanical interface of the optical ferrule as bidirectionally universal. The mechanical interface of the bidirectionally universal optical ferrule is designed to be identical to that of the bidirectionally universal optical mating ferrule. The mechanical interfaces of the bidirectionally universal optical ferrule and the bidirectionally universal optical mating ferrule can be mated together in opposite insertion directions. In this case, the bidirectionally universal mechanical interfaces of the optical ferrule and the optical mating ferrule rotate 180° relative to each other about a common longitudinal axis during insertion. If the receiving area, fixing area, and optical area of ​​the optical ferrule and the optical mating ferrule are additionally implemented as symmetrical about their respective longitudinal axes, then the optical ferrule and the optical mating ferrule will be formed identically. By using identical components, the production cost of the optical mating connection structure can be reduced.

[0061] The bottom surface of the slotted segment and the covering surface of the rib segment of each guide region of the axially adjacent slotted segment can be joined to each other continuously (in the first and second embodiments of the optical ferrule) or in a stepped manner (in the third embodiment of the optical ferrule). Therefore, the bottom surface of the slotted segment and the covering surface of the axially adjacent rib segment of each guide region of the optical ferrule can each form a planar guide surface, referred to herein and hereinafter as a planar first guide surface. The surface vector of each planar first guide surface is oriented in a second transverse direction. Therefore, during insertion, the first guide surface of each planar optical ferrule can be guided from the front axial end along the entire longitudinal extension of the corresponding mating guide region on the first mating guide surface of the corresponding plane of the optical mating ferrule, and thus can be aligned in the most optimal manner possible.

[0062] The first guiding surface of the plane of each guiding region and the optical axis and / or axial end portion of each optical waveguide of each beamforming device may be located within a first cross-section of the optical ferrule (first and second embodiments of the optical ferrule). Alternatively, the first guiding surfaces of the planes of the slotted and ribbed segments of each guiding region may be located in different planes parallel to the first cross-section (third embodiment of the optical ferrule). For cases where the optical axis and / or axial end portion of each optical waveguide of each beamforming device are located in a single plane or a single row, the first cross-section may be defined by unfolding the optical axis and / or axial end portion of each optical waveguide. Alternatively, the optical waveguides may be fixed to the upper and lower sides of the optical ferrule, so that the optical axis and / or axial end portion of each beamforming device on the lower side of the optical ferrule may be arranged symmetrically with respect to the optical axis and / or axial end portion of each beamforming device on the upper side of the optical ferrule. In this case, the first cross-section may be formed by the symmetrical plane of the optical axis and / or axial end portion of each optical waveguide. Furthermore, since the first guide surfaces of each plane of the optical ferrule slide on the first mating guide surfaces of the corresponding planes of the optical mating ferrule, the optical axes of the beamforming devices of the optical ferrule and the corresponding beamforming devices of the optical mating ferrule are aligned with each other. In the mating state, the first cross-section of the optical ferrule corresponds to the first cross-section of the optical mating ferrule, thereby enabling lossless optical signal transmission between the optical ferrule and the optical mating ferrule.

[0063] In the case of an optical ferrule having two guide regions, to improve mechanical stability, the rib segments of the two guide regions can preferably be connected to each other at the respective rib bottoms by a direct connector, particularly by a plate-like region filling the entire area between the rib segments. However, embodiments of optical ferrules without a direct mechanical connector between the two rib segments are also conceivable.

[0064] The optical ferrule may preferably have a centering surface located in the front portion of a first guide surface of the plane of each rib segment in the insertion direction of the optical ferrule, referred to herein and hereinafter as the first centering surface. The first centering surface may be formed as a chamfer between the first guide surface of the plane and the axial end face of the rib segment of each guide region of the optical ferrule. During insertion, a first coarse centering is achieved through the first centering surface during the first contact between the optical ferrule and the optical mating ferrule. If the distance between the longitudinal axes of the optical ferrule and the optical mating ferrule is too small, the first coarse centering will cause the optical ferrule and the optical mating ferrule to move sufficiently away from each other until the ideal distance is reached between the longitudinal axes of the optical ferrule and the optical mating ferrule in the mated state.

[0065] The slotted and ribbed segments of each guide region of the optical ferrule are manufactured with a certain precision, allowing for axial guidance and thus axial movement between each guide region of the optical ferrule and the corresponding mating guide region of the mating guide region of the optical mating ferrule. Therefore, the optical ferrule and the mating ferrule are manufactured with sufficient precision such that the gap required for the mutual insertion movement between at least one guide region and its corresponding mating guide region is as small as possible. Fine alignment between the optical ferrule and the mating ferrule is necessary for accurate alignment of the optical ferrule and the mating ferrule in the mated state.

[0066] To achieve precise alignment of the optical ferrule and the optical mating ferrule in the second lateral direction, in another preferred design of the optical ferrule, a first alignment support (preferably a single first alignment support) may protrude from a first guide surface in a slotted segment of each guide region. The first alignment support may be formed in the surface region of the slotted segment of the corresponding guide region, where the rib-shaped segment of the corresponding mating guide region of the optical mating ferrule first reaches this surface region in the fully engaged state. Therefore, contact between the single first alignment support of the optical ferrule and the opposing first mating guide surfaces of the optical mating ferrule occurs only in the fully engaged state, and thus only at the end of the insertion movement between the optical ferrule and the optical mating ferrule. Therefore, the first alignment support of each guide region of the optical ferrule may be located on the same cross-sectional line oriented in the second lateral direction. Therefore, the first alignment support may preferably be formed with a small region having an extension relative to the first guide surface of the corresponding plane, and preferably may have a small extension only in the direction of the surface vector of the first guide surface of the corresponding plane.

[0067] For fine alignment between the optical ferrule and the optical mating ferrule in the second lateral direction, a positioning accuracy of less than 800 μm can be achieved.

[0068] In a preferred improvement of the optical ferrule, each guide region in the slotted segment and ribbed segment may each have at least one planar second guide surface, each second guide surface being orthogonal to the corresponding planar first guide surface. In the case of a single guide region, the two sidewalls of the slotted segment and ribbed segment may each be formed as planar second guide surfaces. In the case of two guide regions, the two guide regions may be formed symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis, and the outer sidewall or inner sidewall of the slotted segment and ribbed segment of each guide region may each be formed as a planar second guide surface. During insertion, at least one planar second guide surface of each guide region of the optical ferrule is used to align the optical ferrules with each other in a first transverse direction using the planar second guide surfaces of the corresponding paired guide regions of the optical mating ferrules.

[0069] The second guide surface of at least one plane of the slotted segment can preferably extend in a direction opposite to the second guide surface of at least one plane of the rib segment in each guide region of the optical ferrule, relative to the first guide surface of the corresponding plane. Therefore, in the mating state, a linear guide pair consisting of at least one slotted segment of the optical ferrule and the corresponding rib segment of the optical mating ferrule can be arranged on one side of the first cross-section, and a linear guide pair consisting of at least one ribted segment of the optical ferrule and the corresponding slotted segment of the optical mating ferrule can be arranged on the other side of the first cross-section.

[0070] In another preferred design of the optical ferrule, a centering surface, referred to herein and hereinafter as the second centering surface, can be formed in the forward end portion of the planar second guide surface of each rib segment in the insertion direction. The second centering surface can be formed as a chamfer between the planar second guide surface and the axial end face of the rib segment of each guide region of the optical ferrule. Therefore, during insertion, when the rib segment of at least one guide region of the optical ferrule initially contacts the slotted segment of the corresponding mating guide region of the optical mating ferrule, coarse centering between the optical ferrule and the optical mating ferrule can be achieved in two first lateral directions (positive first lateral direction and negative first lateral direction). The second centering surface can preferably be formed as a chamfer on the second guide surface of the outer planar surface of the rib segment of a single guide region of the optical ferrule. Alternatively or additionally, the second centering surface can also be formed as a chamfer on the second guide surface of the inner planar surface of the rib segment of a single guide region of the optical ferrule.

[0071] Furthermore, in another preferred design of the optical ferrule, an alignment surface, referred to herein and hereinafter as the third alignment surface, can be formed in the forward end portion of the second guide surface of the plane of each slotted segment in the insertion direction. During the insertion of the optical ferrule and the optical mating ferrule, the initial contact between the optical ferrule and the optical mating ferrule occurs between the second alignment surface, which is formed on the optical ferrule, and the corresponding third alignment surface, which is formed on the optical mating ferrule. Therefore, due to the sliding of the second alignment surface and the third alignment surface against each other during insertion, the optical ferrule and the optical mating ferrule achieve coarse alignment in two first lateral directions.

[0072] Preferably, each third pair of centering surfaces can be formed as a chamfer on the second guide surface of the outer plane of the groove-shaped segment of the guide region of the optical ferrule. In the case of a single guide region, the two third pair of centering surfaces can each be formed as a chamfer between the forward end portion of the second guide surface of the groove-shaped segment of the single guide region in the insertion direction and the end face of the adjacent portion of the optical region or the laterally adjacent sidewall. In the case of two guide regions, the two third pair of centering surfaces can each be formed as a chamfer between the forward end portion of the second guide surface of the groove-shaped segment of the guide region in the insertion direction and the end face of the laterally adjacent sidewall of the corresponding guide region.

[0073] Similar to the second centering surface, the third centering surface may also be alternatively or additionally implemented as a chamfer on the second guide surface of the inner plane of at least one guide region of the optical ferrule.

[0074] For precise alignment between the optical ferrule and the optical mating ferrule in the two first lateral directions, the centering support (here and hereinafter referred to as the second centering support) can preferably protrude from the second guide surface of each plane in the slotted segment of each guide region.

[0075] Similar to the first centering support, the second centering supports can be formed in the surface region of the grooved segment of the corresponding guide region, where the rib-shaped segment of the corresponding pairing guide region of the optical ferrule first reaches this surface region in the fully engaged state. Therefore, in the fully engaged state, contact first occurs between the individual second centering supports of the optical ferrule and the opposing planar second pairing guide surfaces of the optical ferrule. Preferably, only one separate second centering support can be formed on each planar second guide surface.

[0076] Therefore, the second centering support for each guide region of the optical ferrule can be located on the same cross-sectional line oriented in the first transverse direction of the optical ferrule. Specifically, the first and second centering supports can preferably be located on a common second cross-section of the optical ferrule. In this case, the second cross-section of the optical ferrule is oriented orthogonally to the first cross-section of the optical ferrule. The above description regarding the first centering surface similarly applies to the extension of the second centering support. Alternatively, a portion of the first or second centering surface of the optical ferrule may not be formed on the second cross-section, but rather, particularly, may be formed in the axial portion of the optical ferrule upstream of the second cross-section in the insertion direction.

[0077] In another preferred embodiment of the optical ferrule, at least one centering device may be formed in the optical ferrule in a first lateral direction, laterally adjacent to each beamforming device or each guide region. The centering device is preferably formed directly at each of the two guide regions in each of the two first lateral directions in the optical ferrule, or directly at the optical region in the case of a single guide region. In a further preferred embodiment, the single centering device may also be centered relative to the longitudinal axis between two portions of the optical region.

[0078] In a single centering device, at least one additional centering surface may be formed, each of which has a first directional component along the insertion direction and a second directional component along the direction opposite to the surface vector of the first guide surface of the plane.

[0079] The individual alignment device of the optical ferrule cooperates with the corresponding mating alignment device of the optical mating ferrule, such that during insertion, each alignment surface of the individual alignment device of the optical ferrule slides along at least one mating alignment surface of the corresponding mating alignment device of the optical mating ferrule. In this case, the distance between the optical ferrule and the optical mating ferrule gradually decreases in the second lateral direction until, in the mating state, the first guide surface of each plane of the optical ferrule is aligned with the first mating guide surface of the corresponding plane of the optical mating ferrule. In the mating state, the individual alignment device also cooperates with the corresponding mating alignment device to achieve a stopping effect in the insertion direction.

[0080] Preferably, two alignment surfaces are formed on a single alignment device, wherein the alignment surface formed axially upstream in the insertion direction is referred to herein and hereinafter as the fourth alignment surface, and the alignment surface formed axially downstream in the insertion direction is referred to herein and hereinafter as the fifth alignment surface. Therefore, preferably, two mating alignment surfaces are formed on a single mating alignment device, wherein the mating alignment surface axially upstream in the mating insertion direction is referred to herein and hereinafter as the fourth mating alignment surface, and the mating alignment surface axially downstream in the mating insertion direction is referred to herein and hereinafter as the fifth mating alignment surface.

[0081] The sliding of the fourth alignment surface of each alignment device onto the fourth pairing alignment surface of the corresponding pairing alignment device results in coarse alignment between the optical ferrules and the optical pairing ferrules in the second lateral direction. Fine alignment between the optical ferrules and the optical pairing ferrules in the second lateral direction is ultimately achieved due to the sliding of the fifth alignment surface of each alignment device onto the fifth pairing alignment surface of the corresponding pairing alignment device. For coarse alignment, the angle between the surface vector of the fourth alignment surface and the insertion direction is preferably between 50° and 70°, and ideally 60°. For fine alignment, the angle between the surface vector of the fifth alignment surface and the insertion direction is ideally 45° to achieve optimal force deflection between the insertion force introduced in the insertion direction and the alignment force in the second lateral direction during insertion. If self-suppression is employed between the fifth alignment surface and the corresponding fifth pairing alignment surface, the angle between the surface vector of the fifth alignment surface and the insertion direction can also be greater than 45°.

[0082] The present invention also relates to an optical mating connector for closing or disconnecting an optical connection with at least one optical waveguide. The optical mating connector has a mating connector housing, which is preferably connected to a mating connector housing of a mating connector via a snap-fit ​​connection or alternatively via a screw connection or bayonet connection. An optical ferrule is preferably floating in the mating connector housing of the optical mating connector, while an optical mating ferrule is fixedly mounted in the mating connector housing of the optical mating connector. Alternatively, the optical ferrule and the optical mating ferrule may be floating in the mating connector housing of the optical mating connector or in the mating connector housing of the optical mating connector, respectively.

[0083] To allow the optical ferrule to be floatingly mounted in the optical connector, the optical ferrule is positioned on the mating side, and a spring axially connected to the optical ferrule is positioned on the cable side within the axial feed passage of the connector housing. The lateral floating mounting of the optical ferrule is achieved through a circumferential air gap between the optical ferrule and the inner wall of the feed passage. Axial floating mounting is achieved by the spring force of a pre-tensioned spring pressing the optical ferrule against the step of the feed passage. When the optical ferrule is engaged with the mating optical ferrule, the optical ferrule separates from the step. The increased spring force from the additional pre-tensioned spring applies sufficient insertion force to the mating pair consisting of the optical ferrule and the mating optical ferrule. To enable the spring to preferably introduce force in the longitudinal axial direction (or insertion direction) to the optical ferrule, an end face that is planar along the insertion direction is formed on the spring, such as the end face of a leaf spring, coil spring, or elastomeric element.

[0084] In the feedthrough portion of the mating connector housing, a mechanical interface is formed on the mating side. This mechanical interface interacts with the mechanical mating interface of the optical mating connector, which is formed on the mating side of the axial feedthrough portion of the mating connector housing. The mechanical interface can preferably be formed as a pin and can be inserted into a socket-shaped mechanical mating interface. However, alternatively, the mechanical interface can also be socket-shaped, while the mechanical mating interface can be pin-shaped.

[0085] On the cable side, the cable is inserted into the feedthrough portion of the optical connector housing and secured to the connector housing by a clamping device. The cable includes an optical waveguide that connects to an optical ferrule. The clamping device can be integrally formed with the connector housing or can be a separate component. Clamping can be achieved using friction locking, form-fitting, or adhesive bonding. Alternatively, each optical waveguide can be guided independently to the optical connector without the cable and secured to the connector housing by a corresponding clamping device.

[0086] This design of an optical connector with a spring acting along the insertion direction and an optical ferrule greatly simplifies the structure and technical function of optical connectors. Unlike traditional optical lens connectors, separate external cable retaining devices, especially those diagonally formed and acting along the longitudinal axis, are unnecessary. The internal spring design allows for more precise setting of the direction and magnitude of the spring force acting on the optical ferrule.

[0087] The technical features, effects, and advantages described above for optical ferrules also apply to optical connectors.

[0088] Finally, the present invention relates to an optical mating connection structure comprising an optical mating connector and a corresponding optical mating connector. The optical mating connector has an optical mating ferrule and a mating connector housing that accommodates the optical mating ferrule, the mating connector housing being connectable to the mating connector housing of the optical mating connector. The optical ferrule and the optical mating ferrule are optically and mechanically coupled to each other, wherein rib-shaped segments of corresponding mating guide regions of the optical mating ferrule are accommodated in slot-shaped segments of each guide region of the optical ferrule.

[0089] This type of optical connector features a simple mechanical guiding mechanism and straightforward optical coupling between the optical ferrule and its mating ferrule. In this way, a safe and precise mating can be achieved between the optical connector and its corresponding mating connector, while minimizing optical loss.

[0090] The technical features, effects, and advantages described above for optical ferrules and optical plug connectors also apply to optical plug connection structures.

[0091] Where appropriate, the above designs and modifications can be combined with each other as needed. Other possible designs, modifications, and implementations of the invention include combinations of features of the invention not explicitly mentioned in connection with the exemplary embodiments described above or below. In particular, those skilled in the art can also add various aspects as improvements or additions to the various basic forms of the invention in this context. Attached Figure Description

[0092] The present invention will now be described in more detail based on exemplary embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. Wherein:

[0093] Figure 1A , Figure 1B , Figure 1C Isometric views, top views, and side views of a first embodiment of the optical ferrule according to the present invention are shown.

[0094] Figure 1D , Figure 1E , Figure 1F A top view, a side view, and a longitudinal sectional view of a first embodiment of an optical ferrule in a non-molded state and an optical mating ferrule are shown.

[0095] Figure 1G , Figure 1H , Figure 1I A top view, a side view, and a longitudinal sectional view of a first embodiment of an optical ferrule and an optical mating ferrule in an engaged state are shown.

[0096] Figure 1J , Figure 1KThe first and second cross-sectional views of a first embodiment of an optical ferrule and an optical mating ferrule in an engaged state are shown.

[0097] Figure 1L , Figure 1M Isometric views of a first embodiment of an optical ferrule and an optical mating ferrule in both non-molded and molded states are shown.

[0098] Figure 2A , Figure 2B Isometric and side views of another embodiment of the optical ferrule according to the present invention are shown.

[0099] Figure 2C , Figure 2D A top view of the optical ferrule and the optical mating ferrule is shown, illustrating another embodiment of alignment in both the non-mating and mating states.

[0100] Figure 3A , Figure 3B , Figure 3C Isometric views, top views, and side views of a second embodiment of the optical ferrule according to the present invention are shown.

[0101] Figure 4A , Figure 4B , Figure 4C Isometric views, top views, and side views of a third embodiment of the optical ferrule according to the present invention are shown, as well as

[0102] Figure 5A , Figure 5B A longitudinal cross-sectional view of an optical connector with an optical ferrule according to the present invention is shown in both the non-molded and molded states.

[0103] The accompanying drawings are provided to aid in a further understanding of embodiments of the invention. They illustrate embodiments and, in conjunction with the description, serve to explain the principles and concepts of the invention. From the drawings, we can also see other embodiments and many of the aforementioned advantages. Elements in the drawings are not necessarily shown to scale.

[0104] Unless otherwise specified, identical, functional, and operational elements, features, and components shall have the same reference numerals in the accompanying drawings.

[0105] The accompanying figures will be described in a coherent and comprehensive manner below. Detailed Implementation

[0106] Figure 1A , Figure 1B and Figure 1C A first embodiment of the optical ferrule 1 according to the present invention is shown, which represents a preferred embodiment of the optical ferrule 1. From Figure 1D , Figure 1E , Figure 1F , Figure 1G , Figure 1H , Figure 1I , Figure 1J , Figure 1K , Figure 1L and Figure 1M The interaction between the first embodiment of the optical ferrule 1 and the associated optical mating ferrule 6 can be inferred from this.

[0107] The optical ferrule 1 has a receiving region 2, a fixing region 4, and an optical region 5 in the insertion direction S. The receiving region 2 is used to house each optical waveguide 3 in the optical ferrule 1. The fixing region 4 is axially adjacent to the receiving region 2 and is used to fix each optical waveguide 3 to the optical ferrule 1. The optical region 5 is axially adjacent to the fixing region 4 and is used to perform beamforming on the beam groups to be coupled to / decoupled from each optical waveguide 3 (see details). Figure 1B and Figure 1D In this case, the insertion direction S of the optical ferrule 1 points to the longitudinal axial direction x of the longitudinal axis L of the optical ferrule 1 (see details). Figure 1A The orientation of the insertion direction S in the xyz coordinate system.

[0108] In a first embodiment of the optical ferrule 1, two guide regions 7 are formed. These two guide regions 7 are used to couple the various beam groups between the optical region 5 of the optical ferrule 1 and the optical region of the corresponding mating optical ferrule 6 in a direction x parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the optical ferrule 1. Both guide regions 7 are implemented as linear guide regions and form linear guidance with the corresponding mating guide region 8 of the mating optical ferrule 6 (see details). Figures 1D to 1I ).

[0109] On each side of the optical region 5, particularly on the side laterally adjacent to the beamforming device 9 formed in the optical region 5, one of the two guide regions 7 of the optical ferrule 1 is formed along a first lateral direction ±y, which is orthogonal to the direction x of the longitudinal axis L. Each guide region 7 is not only laterally adjacent to the optical region 5, but also laterally adjacent to the receiving region 2 and the fixing region 4. Each guide region 7 is laterally adjacent to the receiving region 2, the fixing region 4, and the optical region 5, and is formed as a slot-shaped segment 71 in which the rib-shaped segments 81 of the corresponding mating guide regions 8 of the optical mating ferrule 6 are guided and thus aligned (see details). Figure 1J (See section BB in the diagram). The rib-shaped segment 72 of each guide region 7 is adjacent to the groove-shaped segment 71 of each guide region 7 in the insertion direction S. The rib-shaped segment 72 is guided and thus aligned in the groove-shaped segment 82 of each mating guide region 8 (see details). Figure 1K (Cross section CC).

[0110] The receiving area 2 of the optical ferrule 1 has end face openings 10 for feeding the individual optical waveguides 3. A clamping device (not shown) is typically provided within the receiving area 2 and clamps the individual optical waveguides 3 onto its housing for initial axial and lateral fixation.

[0111] In the fixed region 4 of the axially adjacent receiving region 2, a groove 11 is formed for each optical waveguide 3, the longitudinal extension of which extends along the longitudinal axis L of the optical ferrule 1 in the direction x. To align the individual optical waveguides 3 along the longitudinal axis L, each groove 11 preferably has a V-shaped cross-sectional profile. Figure 1D As can be seen, the axial end portion 12 of the optical waveguide 3 is located within the groove 11 of the fixed region 2. The axial end portion 12 of the optical waveguide 3 is the inner core of the optical waveguide 3, formed as glass fiber, and is exposed from the cladding, protective coating, and outer shell. Figure 1D It can also be seen that the fiber end face 13 of each optical waveguide 3 is located at a position corresponding to the axial end of the corresponding groove 11 in the insertion direction S of the optical ferrule 1. Therefore, the fiber end face 13 of each optical waveguide 3 directly contacts the corresponding optical effective surface 14 of the beamforming device 9 at the input side end 15 of the optical region 5. Each optical waveguide 3 is preferably fixed in the corresponding groove 11 of the fixing region 4 by a transparent adhesive.

[0112] In each of the optical ferrules 1 shown in the figures, for example, two grooves 11 are used to fix one optical waveguide 3. Alternatively, a greater number of grooves 11 can be used to fix a corresponding number of optical waveguides 3. The two optical waveguides 3 preferably transmit optical data signals in different transmission directions. However, it is also conceivable that the two optical waveguides 3 transmit optical data signals in the same transmission direction.

[0113] Multiple beamforming devices 9, corresponding to the number of optically coupled waveguides 3, are formed in the optical region 5 of the optical ferrule 1. Each beamforming device 9 is located in a portion 16 of the optical region 5. Figure 1B Extending from the optical effective surface 15 to the optical effective surface 17 (all shown as dashed lines), the optical effective surface 15 is formed at the input-side end 16 of the optical region 5 in the insertion direction S, and the optical effective surface 17 is formed at the output-side end 18 of the optical region 5 in the insertion direction S. The optical effective surface 14 of each beamforming device 9 at the input-side end 15 of the optical region 5 is preferably formed as a plane or at most a concave surface. The optical effective surface 17 of each beamforming device 9 at the output-side end 18 of the optical region 5 is formed as a convex surface, so as to emit a focused or collimated beam group into free space in the optical region direction of the optical mating ferrule 6, or to focus a focused or collimated beam group received from the optical region of the optical mating ferrule 6 into the free space in the corresponding optical waveguide 3.

[0114] Each guide region 7 of the optical ferrule 1 has a planar first guide surface 19, the surface vector of which points to a second lateral direction z, which is orthogonal to the longitudinal axial direction x (or insertion direction S) of the longitudinal axis L and orthogonal to the first lateral direction y. The planar first guide surface 19 of each guide region 7 extends without steps on the groove segment 71 and rib segment 72 of the corresponding guide region 7. The planar first guide surface 19 of each guide region 7 of the optical ferrule 1, the optical axis of each beamforming device 9 in the optical region 5 of the optical ferrule 1, and / or the optical axis of the axial end portion 12 of each fixed optical waveguide 3 are located at... Figure 1C On the first section 20 of the optical ferrule 1 shown. During insertion, the first mating guide surface 21 of the corresponding plane of the corresponding mating guide region 8 of the optical mating ferrule 6 slides along the first guide surface 19 of the plane of each guide region 7 of the optical ferrule 1.

[0115] In the front end portion 22 of the first guide surface 19 of the plane of each guide region 7 of the optical ferrule 1 in the insertion direction S, the first alignment surface 23 is formed with a chamfer. If the distance between the optical ferrule 1 and the optical mating ferrule 6 in the second transverse direction z is too small, the chamfered first alignment surface 23 of each guide region 7 of the optical ferrule 1 mates with the first alignment surface 23 in the front end portion 22 of the first mating guide surface 21 of the plane of the corresponding mating guide region 8 of the optical mating ferrule 6. In this way, the optical ferrule 1 and the optical mating ferrule 6 are roughly aligned in the second transverse direction z.

[0116] To ensure precise alignment of the optical ferrule 1 and the optical mating ferrule 6 in the second lateral direction z, a first centering support 24 protrudes from a planar first guide surface 19 in the slotted segment 71 of each guide region 7. The corresponding area of ​​the planar first mating guide surface 21 of the corresponding mating guide region 8 of the optical ferrule 6 rests against the first centering support 24 of each guide region 7 of the optical ferrule. Similarly, the first centering support 24 protrudes from a slotted segment 82 of each mating guide region 8, and the corresponding area of ​​the planar first guide surface 19 of the corresponding guide region 7 of the optical ferrule 1 rests against this first centering support 24.

[0117] In each guide region 7 of the optical ferrule 1, a planar second guide surface 25 is formed in both the slotted segment 71 and the ribbed segment 72. The planar second guide surface 25 of each guide region 7 is oriented orthogonally to the planar first guide surface 19 of the corresponding guide region 7. In this case, this is preferably the second guide surface 25 of the outer planar surface of each guide region 7 of the optical ferrule 1. During insertion, the planar second mating guide surface 26 of the corresponding mating guide region 8 of the optical mating ferrule 6 (preferably also formed externally) slides along the planar second guide surface 25 of each guide region 7 of the optical ferrule 1.

[0118] In the front end portion 25' of the second guide surface 25 in the insertion direction S of the plane of the second guide surface 25 in each guide region 7 of the optical ferrule 1, the centering surface 27 is formed with a chamfer. This centering surface is referred to as the second centering surface 27 in this case and hereinafter. The second centering surface 27 in the rib section 72 of each guide region 7 of the optical ferrule 1 mates with a centering surface 28, which is formed with a chamfer in the front end portion 29 of the plane of the second mating guide surface 26 in the insertion direction S of the plane of the slot section 82 in each mating guide region 8 of the optical mating ferrule 6. In this case and hereinafter, this centering surface 28 is referred to as the third centering surface 28.

[0119] In this way, during insertion, the optical ferrule 1 and the optical mating ferrule 6 are roughly aligned in the first lateral direction ±y. The third alignment surface 28 in the front end portion 29 of the second mating guide surface 26 in the groove segment 82 of the mating guide region 8 of the optical mating ferrule 6 corresponds to the third alignment surface 28 in the front end portion 29 of the second guide surface 25 in the groove segment 71 of the guide region 7 of the optical ferrule 1.

[0120] Especially from Figure 1B As can be seen, each guide region 7 of the optical ferrule 1, including the slotted segment 71 and the ribbed segment 72, may also have an inner planar second guide surface 25 as an alternative to or supplement to the outer planar second guide surface 25. The inner planar second guide surface 25 may also have a second centering surface 27 located within the front end portion 25' of the ribbed segment 72, and may have a third centering surface 28 located within the front end portion 29 of the slotted segment 71.

[0121] In each guide region 7 of the optical ferrule 1, a second centering support 30 protrudes from a planar second guide surface 25 within the slotted segment 71. The corresponding mating guide region 8 of the optical mating ferrule 6 rests against the planar second mating guide surface 26, thereby achieving precise centering between the optical ferrule 1 and the optical mating ferrule 6 in the first lateral direction ±y. Similarly, the second centering support 30 resting on the planar second guide surface 25 of the corresponding guide region 7 of the optical ferrule 1 protrudes from the planar second mating guide surface 26 in the slotted segment 82 of each mating guide region 8 of the optical mating ferrule 6. Figure 1B As can be seen, all the first centering supports 24 and all the second centering supports 30 can be arranged in the same axial position within the optical ferrule 1, particularly on the second section 31 of the optical ferrule 1, as shown by the dashed line.

[0122] Furthermore, in the first embodiment of the optical ferrule 1, the centering devices 32 can all be formed laterally adjacent to the two guide regions 7. The sidewalls of each centering device 32 form a second guide surface 25 of the outer plane of the adjacent guide region 7. A fourth centering surface 33 and a fifth centering surface 34 are formed on each centering device 32, each of which has a first direction component along the insertion direction S and a second direction component in the direction opposite to the surface vector of the first guide surface 19 of the plane. Within the centering device 32, the fourth centering surface 33 is formed axially upstream of the fifth centering surface 34 along the insertion direction S.

[0123] Because the distance between optical ferrule 1 and optical mating ferrule 6 in the second lateral direction z is greater, during insertion, firstly, the fourth alignment surfaces 33 of the two alignment devices 32 of optical ferrule 1 contact each other with the fourth alignment surface 35 of the corresponding alignment device 36 of optical mating ferrule 6, resulting in coarse alignment of optical ferrule 1 and optical mating ferrule 6 in the second lateral direction z. Then, because the fifth alignment surfaces 34 of the two alignment devices 32 of optical ferrule 1 contact the fifth alignment surface 37 of the corresponding alignment device 36 of optical ferrule 6, fine alignment between optical ferrule 1 and optical mating ferrule 6 in the second lateral direction z is achieved. For the design of the alignment devices 32 and the corresponding alignment devices 36 in this case, refer to... Figure 1C , Figure 1E and Figure 1HThe fifth centering surface 34 of optical ferrule 1 and the fifth centering surface 37 of optical mating ferrule 6 also serve as a stop between optical ferrule 1 and optical mating ferrule 6 along the longitudinal axial direction x (or insertion direction S). The fourth centering surface 33 and the fifth centering surface 34 of optical ferrule 1 and the fourth centering surface 35 and the fifth centering surface 37 of optical mating ferrule 6 allow optical ferrule 1 and optical mating ferrule 6 to move together in the second transverse direction z.

[0124] exist Figure 1D Top view, Figure 1E Side view and Figure 1F The longitudinal cross-sectional view shows the non-interlocking state between optical ferrule 1 and optical mating ferrule 6. In this case, Figure 1F The longitudinal cross-sectional view is obtained along the longitudinal axis L of the optical ferrule 1 or the optical mating ferrule 6. Figure 1G Top view, Figure 1H Side view and Figure 1I The longitudinal cross-sectional view shows the mating state between optical ferrule 1 and optical mating ferrule 6. In this case, the individual optical waveguides 3 of optical ferrule 1 and the mating optical waveguides 3” of optical mating ferrule 6 converge into the common cable 3' outside of optical ferrule 1 or optical mating ferrule 6, respectively.

[0125] exist Figure 2A and Figure 2B Another embodiment of the alignment of the optical ferrule 1 according to the present invention can be seen in the figure. Figure 2C and Figure 2D The interaction between the optical ferrule 1 and the corresponding paired optical ferrule 6 according to the present invention is shown, as well as another embodiment of the pairing.

[0126] In another embodiment of the alignment, a single alignment device 32 is formed having a fourth alignment surface 33 and a fifth alignment surface 34. This single alignment device 32 is centered within the optical ferrule 1 along the longitudinal axis L, dividing the receiving area 2, the fixing area 4, and the optical area 5 into two parts, each part being laterally adjacent to the alignment device 32. The fourth alignment surface 33 and the fifth alignment surface 34 of the single alignment device 32 of the optical ferrule 1 interact with the fourth alignment surface 35 or the fifth alignment surface 37 of the single pairing alignment device 36 of the optical pairing ferrule 6. The single pairing alignment device 36 of the optical pairing ferrule 6 is also centered within the optical pairing ferrule 6 along the longitudinal axis L.

[0127] In order to form a groove-shaped segment 71 for two guide regions 7 for optical ferrule 1, a wall portion 38 is formed to be laterally adjacent to each of the two guide regions 7, and the wall portion 38 forms a planar second guide surface 25 on its inner side.

[0128] Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 3C A second embodiment of the optical ferrule 1 according to the present invention is shown.

[0129] In a second embodiment of the optical ferrule 1 according to the present invention, a single guide region 7 is provided, which is centrally formed inside the optical ferrule 1 along the longitudinal axis L. The single guide region 7 of the optical ferrule 1 forms a linear guide with a single mating guide region 8 of the optical mating ferrule 6, which is also centrally formed inside the optical mating ferrule 6 along the longitudinal axis L.

[0130] A single guide region 7 divides the receiving region 2, the fixed region 4 and the optical region 5 into two parts, each of which is directly adjacent to the centering device 32.

[0131] Figure 4A , Figure 4B and Figure 4C A third embodiment of the optical ferrule 1 according to the present invention is shown.

[0132] In a third embodiment of the optical ferrule 1 according to the invention, a single guide region 7 is formed symmetrically about the longitudinal axis L. This single guide region 7 forms a linear guide with a single paired guide region 8 of the mating ferrule 6, and the single paired guide region 8 is also formed symmetrically about the longitudinal axis L. The groove-shaped segment 71 of the single guide region 7 is formed transversely to the optical region 5, the fixing region 4, and the receiving region 2 along the second transverse direction z, and is framed by two transversely formed alignment devices 32. The rib-shaped segment 81 of the single paired guide region 8 of the optical mating ferrule 6 is aligned with and received within the groove-shaped segment 71 of the single guide region 7 of the optical ferrule 1.

[0133] Figure 5A and Figure 5B The optical plug-in connection structure 39 is shown in both the non-plugging state and the plugging state. The optical plug-in connection structure 39 has an optical plug-in connector 40 and a corresponding optical mating plug-in connector 41.

[0134] To simplify the illustration, Figure 5A and Figure 5B In this design, the optical ferrule 1, located in the connector housing 42 of the optical connector 40, and the optical mating ferrule 6, located in the connector housing 43 of the optical mating connector 41, are both shown schematically as cuboids. The optical ferrule 1 is floating in the connector housing 42 of the optical connector 40, while the optical mating ferrule 6 is fixed in, for example, the connector housing 43 (see the fixing hook 44 of the connector housing 43 for this purpose). Alternatively, both the optical ferrule 1 and the optical mating ferrule 6 may be floating.

[0135] The optical ferrule 1 is mounted in a floating manner in the insertion-side end region 45 of the feed passage 46 formed axially in the connector housing 42. The floating mounting of the optical ferrule 1 in the lateral direction is achieved by an air gap 47 formed circumferentially between the optical ferrule 1 and the inner wall of the feed passage 46. The axial floating mounting is achieved as follows: the optical ferrule 1 is subjected to the elastic force of a spring 48 pre-tightly mounted in the feed passage 46 in the insertion direction S of the optical connector 40. This spring 48 directly axially abuts the optical ferrule 1 in the direction of the cable-side end region 49 of the feed passage 46. According to… Figure 5A In the non-engaged state of the optical insertion connection structure 39, the optical ferrule is elastically pressed against the step 50 formed in the feedthrough portion 46 by the spring 48. According to... Figure 5B In the engaged state of the optical connector structure 39, the optical ferrule 1 disengages from the step 50 along the direction of the cable-side end 49 of the feedthrough portion 46. Therefore, the additionally compressed spring 48 achieves sufficient axial fixation between the optical ferrule 1 and the optical mating ferrule 6 through its increased elastic force.

[0136] To facilitate the insertion process between the optical ferrule 1 and the optical mating ferrule 6, a mechanical interface 51 is formed on the insertion side of the insertion connector housing 42 of the optical insertion connector 40. This mechanical interface interacts with a mechanical mating interface 52 on the insertion side end 53 of the mating connector housing 43 of the optical mating connector 41. For example, the mechanical interface 51 of the optical insertion connector 40 is formed as a pin and can be inserted into and accommodated in the socket-shaped mechanical mating interface 52 of the optical mating connector 41. Alternatively, the mechanical interface 51 of the optical insertion connector 40 can also be formed as a socket and can be inserted into and accommodated in the mechanical mating interface 52 of the optical mating connector 41, which can be formed as a pin.

[0137] A socket-shaped mechanical mating interface 52 of the mating connector housing 43 is formed at the insertion side end of the feed passage 54 formed axially in the mating connector housing 43. An optical mating ferrule 6 is fixedly mounted in the feed passage 54 of the mating connector housing 43 and fully extends into the socket-shaped mechanical mating interface 52, such that in the mating state, the optical mating ferrule 6 extends into the feed passage 46 of the connector housing 42 and can be inserted with the optical ferrule 1, which is floatingly mounted therein. For this purpose, the optical ferrule 1 is retracted within the feed passage 46 in the pin-shaped mechanical interface 51 region of the connector housing 4.

[0138] At the cable-side end 49 of the feed passage 46 of the optical connector 40, the feed passage 46 is enlarged to accommodate a cable 3' having an optical waveguide 3. The cable 3' is secured to the connector housing 42 by a cable fixing device 55. The cable 3' is secured to the cable fixing device 55 by friction locking (e.g., by compression), form fitting (e.g., by latching), or material bonding (e.g., by adhesive bonding). The cable fixing device 55 can be integrally implemented with the connector housing 42 or implemented as a component separate from the connector housing 42 (e.g., ...). Figure 5A and Figure 5B (As shown). In the latter case, the cable securing device 55 can be secured to the connector housing 42 in a form-fitting manner, for example, by means of a hook 56 formed on the connector housing 42.

[0139] In the cable-side end region 57 of the axial feed passage 54 of the mating connector housing 43, the cable 3' is secured to the mating connector housing 43 in the same manner as the cable is secured in the connector housing 42 by the cable securing device 52, wherein the cable 3' has an optical waveguide 3 received and secured in the optical mating ferrule 6. The connector housing 42 of the optical connector 40 and the mating connector housing 43 of the optical mating connector 41 are typically secured relative to each other via a snap-fit ​​connection through a hook 58 and a snap-fit ​​groove 59 in a resiliently implemented snap-fit ​​tab 60.

[0140] Although the present invention has been fully described above with reference to preferred exemplary embodiments, the present invention is not limited thereto and can be modified in many different ways.

Claims

1. An optical ferrule (1) for aligning an optical waveguide (3) with a mating optical waveguide (3”) of an optical mating ferrule (6), wherein the optical waveguide (3) is preferably an optical fiber, and the mating optical waveguide (3”) is preferably a mating optical fiber, the optical ferrule (1) comprising: - A fixing region (4) for fixing the axial end portion (12) of the optical waveguide (3), wherein the fixing region (4) is designed such that the longitudinal axis of the axial end portion (12) of the optical waveguide (3) can be aligned in the insertion direction S of the optical ferrule (1). - An optical region (5) for beamforming between a beam group transmitted in the optical waveguide (3) and a beam group transmitted in free space in a focused or collimated manner, the optical region (5) being axially adjacent to the fixed region (4) in the insertion direction S, and forming a beamforming device (9) with an optical axis extending along the insertion direction S, preferably a converging lens, and - At least one guide region (7) having a longitudinal extension along the insertion direction S, each guide region (7) having a slotted segment (71), wherein each slotted segment (71) is formed laterally adjacent to the beamforming device (9), and each slotted segment (71) is configured to align itself with the rib segment (81) of the corresponding pairing guide region (8) of the optical pairing ferrule (6).

2. The optical ferrule (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the at least one guide region (7) further includes a rib segment (72) axially adjacent to the groove segment (71) in the insertion direction S, wherein the rib segment (72) is configured to align itself with the groove segment (82) of the corresponding paired guide region (8).

3. The optical ferrule (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that, Each guide region (7) has a groove segment (71) and a rib segment (72) with a planar first guide surface (19) located within or parallel to the first cross section (20) of the optical ferrule (1).

4. The optical ferrule (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first cross section (20) is determined by the unfolding of the optical axis of each beamforming device (9) or formed by the plane of symmetry of the optical axis of each beamforming device (9).

5. The optical ferrule (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, A first centering surface (23), in particular a chamfer, is formed in the forward end portion (22) of the first guide surface (19) of the plane of each rib segment (72) along the insertion direction S.

6. The optical ferrule (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The first centering support (24) for fine alignment between the optical ferrule (1) and the optical mating ferrule (6) both protrude from the first guide surface (19) of the plane in the slotted segment (71) of each guide region (7).

7. The optical ferrule (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that, Each guide region (7) has at least one planar second guide surface (25) in the groove segment (71) and the rib segment (72), and each planar second guide surface (25) is oriented orthogonal to the corresponding planar first guide surface (19).

8. The optical ferrule (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that, A second centering surface (27), in particular a chamfer, is formed in the forward end portion (25') of the second guide surface (25) of at least one plane of each rib segment (72) along the insertion direction S.

9. The optical ferrule (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, A third centering surface (28), in particular a chamfer, is formed in the forward end portion (29) of the second guide surface (25) of at least one plane in each groove segment (71) along the insertion direction S.

10. The optical ferrule (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, A second centering support (30) for fine alignment between the optical ferrule (1) and the optical mating ferrule (6) protrudes from the second guide surface (25) of each plane in the slotted segment (71) of each guide region (7).

11. The optical ferrule (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that, Each first centering support (24) and each second centering support (30) is located on the second section (31) of the optical ferrule (1).

12. The optical ferrule (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that, At least one centering device (32) has at least one additional centering surface (33, 34), each of which has a first directional component along the insertion direction S and a second directional component in the direction opposite to the surface vector of the first guide surface (19) of the plane. The centering devices (32) are formed in the optical ferrule (1) and are transverse to the beamforming device (9) and each guide region (7).

13. The optical ferrule (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that, The at least one additional centering surface (33, 34) is a fourth centering surface and a fifth centering surface, wherein the fourth centering surface (33) is located axially upstream of the fifth centering surface (34) in the insertion direction S, the fourth centering surface (33) is used to coarsely center the optical ferrule (1) and the optical mating ferrule (6) in the second transverse direction z, and the fifth centering surface (34) is used to finely center the optical ferrule (1) and the optical mating ferrule (6) in the second transverse direction z.

14. An optical plug connector (40) comprising an optical ferrule (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, a spring (48) and a plug connector housing (42) accommodating the optical ferrule (1) and the spring (48), wherein the spring (48) is arranged between the plug connector housing (42) and the optical ferrule (1) in an insertion direction S such that the spring (48) is pre-tensioned, and wherein the optical ferrule (1) is arranged such that it can elastically move in the plug connector housing (42) in the insertion direction S by the spring force of the pre-tensioned spring (48).

15. An optical plug connection structure (39) comprising an optical plug connector (40) according to claim 14 and a corresponding optical mating plug connector (41), wherein the optical mating plug connector (41) comprises an optical mating ferrule (6) and a mating plug connector housing (43) accommodating the optical mating ferrule (6), the mating plug connector housing (43) being connectable to a plug connector housing (42), wherein the optical ferrule (1) and the optical mating ferrule (6) are optically and mechanically coupled to each other, wherein a rib segment (81) of a corresponding mating guide region (8) of the optical mating ferrule (6) is accommodated in a slot segment (71) of each guide region (7) of the optical ferrule (1).

Images