Optical fiber connector with detection light path

Abstract

This invention provides a fiber optic connector with a detection optical path, comprising: a housing, a parallel light lens, and a non-parallel light lens. The housing has a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is configured to connect to an optical engine, and the second surface is configured to connect an optical fiber cable. The housing also contains a parallel light channel and a non-parallel light channel. The parallel light channel connects the first surface and the second surface, and the non-parallel light channel also connects the first surface and the second surface. The parallel light lens is disposed in the parallel light channel and configured to convert light entering the parallel light channel from the first surface into parallel light, which is then emitted from the second surface. The non-parallel light lens is disposed in the non-parallel light channel and configured to convert light entering the non-parallel light from the first surface into non-parallel light, which is then emitted from the second surface. This fiber optic connector with a detection optical path solves the alignment problem between the optical engine and the lens.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an optical fiber connector, and more particularly to an optical fiber connector with a detection optical path. Background Technology

[0002] like Figure 1 As shown in the prior art, in the field of optical fiber propagation, the purpose of fiber optic connector c is to guide the light generated by an optical engine (such as a laser emitting element) on a circuit board to the end face of optical fiber b. Fiber optic connector c, through an internal lens g, changes the direction of the light path, converting the light generated by the optical engine (usually a point source) into a parallel light path after entering from the incident surface g1, and then emitting parallel light from the exit surface g2 towards the optical fiber. The advantage of a parallel light path is that it can tolerate larger errors that occur during the mating of optical fiber b and fiber optic connector c.

[0003] On the other hand, while parallel optical paths can tolerate errors between fiber optic cable b and fiber optic connector c, the assembler has no way of knowing whether the optical engine and lens g are correctly aligned. Regarding the alignment of the optical engine and lens g, it is often only after the fiber optic connector c is fixedly assembled onto the circuit board and the optical engine is powered on to generate light that the alignment between the optical engine and lens g can be determined through testing. However, by this time, it is too late, and the assembled fiber optic connector c and circuit board with incorrect alignment are rendered unusable. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to solve a number of problems with existing fiber optic connectors and to propose a fiber optic connector that can detect the alignment between the optical engine and the lens before it is fixedly assembled onto the circuit board.

[0005] To achieve the above and other objectives, the present invention provides an optical fiber connector with a detection optical path, comprising: a housing having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface being configured to connect an optical engine, the second surface being configured to connect an optical fiber cable, the housing further comprising a parallel optical channel and a non-parallel optical channel, the parallel optical channel connecting the first surface and the second surface, and the non-parallel optical channel connecting the first surface and the second surface; a parallel optical lens disposed in the parallel optical channel, the parallel optical lens being configured to convert light entering the parallel optical channel from the first surface into parallel light and exiting from the second surface; and a non-parallel optical lens disposed in the non-parallel optical channel, the non-parallel optical lens being configured to convert light entering the non-parallel optical channel from the first surface into non-parallel light and exiting from the second surface.

[0006] Optionally, the non-parallel light lens has a convex lens, which is configured to convert light into focused light.

[0007] Optionally, the parallel light lens has multiple incident surfaces disposed on the first surface and multiple exit surfaces disposed on the second surface, with the incident surfaces of the multiple parallel light lenses arranged side by side and the exit surfaces of the multiple parallel light lenses arranged side by side.

[0008] Optionally, the non-parallel light lens has an incident surface disposed on the first surface and an exit surface disposed on the second surface, the incident surface of the non-parallel light lens being arranged in parallel with the incident surfaces of a plurality of parallel light lenses, and the exit surface of the non-parallel light lens being arranged in parallel with the exit surfaces of a plurality of parallel light lenses.

[0009] Optionally, the parallel light lens and the non-parallel light lens are integrally formed and connected to each other.

[0010] The fiber optic connector with a detection optical path of the present invention uses a parallel optical channel and a parallel optical lens for signal transmission via optical coupling with the optical fiber; the non-parallel optical channel and the non-parallel optical lens are used for detection. The detection method is as follows: Align the parallel optical lens of the fiber optic connector with a detection optical path of the present invention with the optical engine on the circuit board, and then observe the circuit board optically from the exit surface of the non-parallel optical lens. If the field of view is clear, it indicates that the circuit board is located at the focal length of the incident surface of the non-parallel optical lens, and the parallel optical lens parallel to the non-parallel optical lens is also in the correct optical coupling position with the optical engine on the circuit board.

[0011] To further understand the features and technical content of the present invention, please refer to the following detailed description and drawings of the invention. However, these descriptions and drawings are only for illustrating the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the parallel optical path of a fiber optic connector in the prior art;

[0013] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of an optical fiber connector with a detection optical path according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of an optical fiber connector with a detection optical path according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] Figure 4 For along Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of line segment A-A';

[0016] Figure 5 For along Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of line segment B-B'.

[0017] Figure Labels

[0018] 100 Fiber optic connectors with detection optical paths

[0019] 1. Shell

[0020] 11 First page

[0021] 12 Second page

[0022] 13 Parallel optical channels

[0023] 14 Non-parallel optical channels

[0024] 2. Parallel light lens

[0025] 21 Incident plane

[0026] 22 exit surface

[0027] 3. Non-parallel light lens

[0028] 31 Incident plane

[0029] 32 exit surface

[0030] A-A' line segment

[0031] B-B' line segment

[0032] b Fiber

[0033] c Fiber optic connector

[0034] g lens

[0035] g1 Incident surface

[0036] g2 Exit Surface Detailed Implementation

[0037] To fully understand the present invention, the following specific embodiments, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, will provide a detailed description. Those skilled in the art can understand the purpose, features, and effects of the present invention from the content disclosed in this specification. It should be noted that the present invention can be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments, and the details in this specification can also be modified and changed based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the inventive point of the present invention. Furthermore, the accompanying drawings are for simple illustrative purposes only and are not depictions based on actual dimensions. The following embodiments will further describe the relevant technical content of the present invention in detail, but the disclosed content is not intended to limit the claims of the present invention. The following explanation is provided:

[0038] like Figures 2 to 5 As shown, the fiber optic connector 100 with a detection optical path according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a housing 1, a parallel light lens 2, and a non-parallel light lens 3.

[0039] The housing 1 protects the internal lens and is preferably made of a lightweight, robust insulating material, such as plastic; and is preferably manufactured with low tolerances, such as by injection molding. The housing 1 has a first surface 11 and a second surface 12. The first surface 11 is configured to connect to an optical engine (located on a circuit board, not shown), which converts electrical signals into optical signals and directs them toward the first surface 11. The second surface is configured to connect to an optical fiber cable (not shown), coupling the optical signal to the end face of the optical fiber cable. The housing 1 also contains a parallel optical channel 13 and a non-parallel optical channel 14. The parallel optical channel 13 connects the first surface 11 and the second surface 12, and the non-parallel optical channel 14 also connects the first surface 11 and the second surface 12. Generally, the parallel optical channel 13 and the non-parallel optical channel 14 are preferably arranged parallel to each other inside the housing 1, but the invention is not limited thereto.

[0040] like Figure 4 As shown, the parallel light lens 2 is disposed in the parallel light channel 13, and has an incident surface 21 and an exit surface 22. The parallel light lens 2 is configured to convert light entering the parallel light channel 13 from the first surface 11 into parallel light and exiting from the second surface 12. The parallel light lens 2 can be a combination of various lenses. For example, the incident surface 21 can be a convex lens, and the incident surface 21 can be optically coupled to the light engine at the focal length position, so that the point light source is converted into parallel light in the parallel light lens 2 through the incident surface 21 of the convex lens, and then the parallel light is selectively and uniformly emitted from the exit surface 22, which is set as a plane mirror, through reflection or other means. Figure 4 One possible configuration of the parallel light lens 2 is shown, but the invention is not limited thereto.

[0041] like Figure 5 As shown, a non-parallel light lens 3 is disposed in a non-parallel light channel 14, having an incident surface 31 and an exit surface 32. The non-parallel light lens 3 is configured to convert light entering the non-parallel light channel 14 from the first surface 11 into non-parallel light (focused light) and exit from the second surface 12. The non-parallel light lens 3 can be a combination of various lenses. For example, the incident surface 31 can be a convex lens, and the incident surface 31 and the light engine can be optically coupled at the focal length position, so that the point light source becomes parallel light in the non-parallel light lens 3 through the incident surface 31 of the convex lens, and then the light is selectively guided to the exit surface 32 by reflection or other means; the exit surface 32 is also a convex lens, and the parallel light is focused at the focal point through the exit surface 32. Figure 5 One possible configuration of the non-parallel light lens 3 is shown, but the invention is not limited thereto.

[0042] With the above structure, the parallel light channel 13 and the parallel light lens 2 are still used for optical coupling of the optical fiber to transmit signals. The non-parallel light channel 14 and the non-parallel light lens 3 are not used for optical coupling of the optical fiber, but are used for detection. The detection method is as follows: Align the parallel light lens 2 of the optical fiber connector 100 with the detection optical path of the present invention with the optical engine on the circuit board, but do not make a fixed connection (e.g., soldering). Then, using an optical method, such as an optical microscope, observe the circuit board from the exit surface 32 of the non-parallel light lens 3. If the field of view is clear, it means that the circuit board is located at the focal length of the incident surface 31 of the non-parallel light lens 3. Then, the parallel light lens 2, which is parallel to the non-parallel light lens 3, is also in the correct optical coupling position with the optical engine on the circuit board.

[0043] Furthermore, for easier inspection, an easily identifiable inspection pattern can be set on the circuit board at the relative position to the optical engine. If the inspection pattern can be observed from the exit surface 32 of the non-parallel light lens 3, it indicates that the parallel light lens 2 is also in the correct optical coupling position with the optical engine on the circuit board.

[0044] The above-mentioned inspection method does not require fixed assembly and power-on to measure the accuracy of optical coupling. It can be carried out before fixed assembly, which is faster, less energy-consuming and reduces the production cost of scrapping compared with existing technologies.

[0045] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the parallel light lens 2 has multiple incident surfaces 21 disposed on the first surface 11 and multiple exit surfaces 22 disposed on the second surface 12. The incident surfaces 21 of the multiple parallel light lenses 2 are arranged side by side, and the exit surfaces 22 of the multiple parallel light lenses 2 are arranged side by side. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In other embodiments, the parallel light lens 2 having multiple incident surfaces 21 / exit surfaces 22 can be divided into multiple parallel light lenses 2, each independently mounted in the parallel light channel 13.

[0046] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the non-parallel light lens 3 has an incident surface 31 disposed on the first surface 11 and an exit surface 32 disposed on the second surface 12. The incident surface 31 of the non-parallel light lens 3 is arranged side by side with the incident surfaces 21 of the plurality of parallel light lenses 2, and the exit surface 32 of the non-parallel light lens 3 is arranged side by side with the exit surfaces 22 of the plurality of parallel light lenses 2. In this way, the positional relationship between the non-parallel light lens 3 and the parallel light lens 2 is fixed, and the optical coupling status between the parallel light lens 2 and the light engine can be easily calculated.

[0047] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the parallel light lens 2 and the non-parallel light lens 3 are integrally formed and connected. For example, in this embodiment, the main difference between the parallel light lens 2 and the non-parallel light lens 3 lies in the shape of the exit surface 32 of the non-parallel light lens 3. Therefore, the parallel light lens 2 and the non-parallel light lens 3 can be made into the same lens, with only the shape of the exit surface 32 corresponding to the position of the non-parallel light channel 14 being changed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In other embodiments, the non-parallel light lens 3 can be independent of the parallel light lens 2, or is not limited to the type described in this embodiment. Any lens that can convert a light source into non-parallel light falls within the scope of the non-parallel light lens 3 of the present invention.

[0048] The present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments. However, those skilled in the art should understand that the embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. It should be noted that all variations and substitutions equivalent to the described embodiments should be included within the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope defined in the claims.

Claims

1. A fiber optic connector with a detection optical path, characterized in that, The fiber optic connector with a detection optical path includes: The housing has a first surface and a second surface, the first surface being configured to connect to an optical engine and the second surface being configured to connect to an optical fiber cable. The housing also contains a parallel optical channel and a non-parallel optical channel, the parallel optical channel connecting the first surface and the second surface, and the non-parallel optical channel connecting the first surface and the second surface. A parallel light lens, disposed in the parallel light channel, is configured to convert light entering the parallel light channel from the first surface into parallel light and exiting from the second surface; and A non-parallel light lens is disposed in the non-parallel light channel, and the non-parallel light lens is configured to convert light entering the non-parallel light channel from the first surface into non-parallel light and exiting from the second surface.

2. The fiber optic connector with a detection optical path according to claim 1, characterized in that, The non-parallel light lens has a convex lens and is configured to convert light into focused light.

3. The fiber optic connector with a detection optical path according to claim 1, characterized in that, The parallel light lens has multiple incident surfaces disposed on the first surface and multiple exit surfaces disposed on the second surface. The incident surfaces of the multiple parallel light lenses are arranged side by side with each other, and the exit surfaces of the multiple parallel light lenses are arranged side by side with each other.

4. The fiber optic connector with a detection optical path according to claim 3, characterized in that, The non-parallel light lens has an incident surface disposed on the first surface and an exit surface disposed on the second surface. The incident surface of the non-parallel light lens is arranged in parallel with the incident surfaces of a plurality of parallel light lenses, and the exit surface of the non-parallel light lens is arranged in parallel with the exit surfaces of a plurality of parallel light lenses.

5. The fiber optic connector with a detection optical path according to claim 1, characterized in that, The parallel light lens and the non-parallel light lens are integrally connected to each other.

Images