Method of connecting optical fiber to connection device

Abstract

A method of connecting an optical fiber (100) to a ferrule (110) includes: stripping a portion of a cable sheath (104) of the optical fiber (100) to expose a core portion (102) of the optical fiber; forming a free end surface (108) of the core portion by cleaving, positioning the optical fiber relative to the ferrule such that a longitudinal axis (A-A) of the core portion of the optical fiber is parallel to a longitudinal axis (B-B) of the ferrule; and moving the optical fiber toward the ferrule, or moving the ferrule toward the optical fiber, or moving the optical fiber and the ferrule toward each other such that the longitudinal axis of the core portion of the optical fiber remains substantially parallel to but not aligned with the longitudinal axis of the ferrule until the optical fiber is connected to the ferrule.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a method for connecting an optical fiber to a connection device (e.g., a sleeve). Background Technology

[0002] Fiber optic cables are now widely used, especially in long-distance data communication. They are coupled with various connectors and connection devices to provide fixed or releasable connections to different types of communication and / or data processing devices such as computers and servers. Multiple fibers are connected to these connection devices to form fiber optic patch cords, fiber optic combins, and fiber optic trunk cables.

[0003] Figure 1 A side view of an existing optical fiber, generally designated 10, is shown. This fiber can be connected to a connection device, such as a ferrule. The fiber 10 has an elongated cylindrical inner core portion 12 from which a portion of the cable sheath 14 has been stripped. The inner core 12 (which can be considered the stripped portion of the fiber 10) and the remaining cable sheath 14 (which can be considered the unstripped portion of the fiber 10) share a common central longitudinal axis 16. In this existing arrangement, the free end surface 18 of the inner core portion 12 is formed such that the angle between the free end surface 18 and the longitudinal axis 16 is substantially 82°. To connect this fiber 10 to a connection device such as a ferrule, the fiber 10 must first be oriented relative to the ferrule such that the longitudinal axis 16 of the inner core portion 12 is tilted relative to the longitudinal axis of the ferrule at an angle of, for example, 10° to 20°, before the fiber 10 is connected to the ferrule. This requirement complicates the assembly process and thus increases its cost.

[0004] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a method for connecting optical fibers to a connection device, which mitigates at least one of the aforementioned disadvantages, or at least provides a useful alternative for business and the public. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to the present invention, a method for connecting an optical fiber to a connection device is provided, comprising: stripping a portion of the cable sheath of the optical fiber to expose a core portion of the optical fiber; forming a free end surface of the core portion; positioning the optical fiber relative to the connection device such that the longitudinal axis of the core portion of the optical fiber is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the connection device; and moving the optical fiber toward the connection device, or moving the connection device toward the optical fiber, or moving the optical fiber and the connection device toward each other such that the longitudinal axis of the core portion of the optical fiber remains substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the connection device but not aligned with the longitudinal axis of the connection device, until the optical fiber is connected to the connection device. Attached Figure Description

[0006] A method for connecting an optical fiber to a connection device according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0007] Figure 1 A side view of an existing optical fiber is shown;

[0008] Figure 2 A side view of the optical fiber according to the present invention is shown;

[0009] Figure 3 It shows that Figure 2 The steps involved in connecting the optical fiber to the sleeve; and

[0010] Figure 4 It shows Figure 3 The optical fiber and the sleeve are properly connected. Detailed Implementation

[0011] Figures 2 to 4 A method for connecting an optical fiber to a connection device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 2 A side view of an optical fiber generally designated 100 is shown. Similar to optical fiber 10 described above, optical fiber 100 includes an elongated cylindrical core portion 102 having a common central longitudinal axis AA and a cable sheath 104. The cable sheath 104 is a wider unstripped portion, while the inner core portion 102 is a narrower stripped portion, from which a portion of the cable sheath 104 is stripped to expose the inner core portion 102.

[0012] The free end 106 of the core portion 102 is formed, for example, by cleaving, with a generally flat free end surface 108, which is inclined at an angle α between 82° and 90°, preferably 90°, relative to the longitudinal axis AA. This arrangement makes the process of forming the free end surface 108 more efficient and therefore less costly.

[0013] To connect the optical fiber 100 to a connection device, such as sleeve 110, as... Figure 3 As shown, the optical fiber 100 is positioned relative to the sleeve 110 such that the longitudinal axis AA of the optical fiber 100 is parallel to the longitudinal axis BB of the sleeve 110 but not aligned with it.

[0014] Then, as shown by arrow CC, in a direction perpendicular to the axis AA of the optical fiber 100 and the longitudinal axis BB of the sleeve 100, the optical fiber 100 is moved toward the sleeve 110, or the sleeve 110 is moved toward the optical fiber 100, or both the optical fiber 100 and the sleeve 110 are moved toward each other, such that the optical fiber 100 and the sleeve 110 move toward each other, while the longitudinal axis AA of the optical fiber 100 remains parallel to the longitudinal axis BB of the sleeve 110 but not aligned with it, until the optical fiber 100 is connected to the sleeve 110, as shown by arrow CC. Figure 4 As shown.

[0015] like Figure 4 As shown, when the optical fiber 100 is properly connected to the sleeve 110, the longitudinal axis AA of the optical fiber 100 remains parallel to the longitudinal axis BB of the sleeve 110. The free end surface 108 of the optical fiber 100 is inclined at the same angle α relative to the longitudinal axis BB of the sleeve 110, which is between 82° and 90°, preferably 90°.

[0016] It should be understood that the above only illustrates embodiments in which the invention can be implemented, and various modifications and / or changes can be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention. It should also be understood that, for the sake of brevity, the various features of the invention described in the context of a single embodiment may also be provided individually or in any suitable sub-combination.

Claims

1. A method of connecting an optical fiber to a connection device, comprising: stripping a portion of a cable jacket of the optical fiber to expose a core portion of the optical fiber; forming a free end surface of the core portion; positioning the optical fiber relative to the connection device such that a longitudinal axis of the core portion of the optical fiber is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the connection device; and moving the optical fiber toward the connection device, or moving the connection device toward the optical fiber, or moving the optical fiber and the connection device toward each other, such that the longitudinal axis of the core portion of the optical fiber remains substantially parallel to, but not aligned with, the longitudinal axis of the connection device until the optical fiber is connected with the connection device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, the free end surface is inclined at an angle between 82° and 90° relative to the longitudinal axis of the core portion.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein, the free end surface is inclined at substantially 90° relative to the longitudinal axis of the core portion.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein, the connection device comprises a ferrule.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein, the free end surface of the core portion is formed by cleaving.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein, the free end surface of the core portion is inclined at an angle between 82° and 90° relative to the longitudinal axis of the connection device when the optical fiber is connected with the connection device.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein, the free end surface of the core portion is inclined at substantially 90° relative to the longitudinal axis of the connection device when the optical fiber is connected with the connection device.

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