Optical connector

Abstract

An optical connector includes a fusion splice portion in which a short optical fiber fitted on an optical connector ferrule is fused to an optical fiber covered by a buffer layer. One end of a protective sleeve reinforcing the fusion splice portion is configured to be coupled to the optical connector ferrule. The protective sleeve has an inner sleeve and a clamping sleeve, wherein the inner sleeve is configured to be inserted into the clamping sleeve. The end of the inner sleeve remote from the ferrule is configured to have a clamping feature that is activated when the inner sleeve is inserted into the clamping sleeve.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model generally relates to fusion splicing fiber optic connectors, and more specifically, to methods and apparatus for protecting fusion spliced ​​optical fibers in connectors. Background Technology

[0002] To enable connections to field-grown fiber optic cables using fusion splicing technology, Panduit offers mechanical fusion splicers in LC, SC, and ST types, named Opticam, detailed in U.S. patents 7,011,454 and 8,256,970. Opticam connectors feature factory-polished ferrules with a stub fiber housed in an index-matching gel within the connector. For termination, the field fiber is stripped, cleaned, and cut to a predetermined length before being inserted into the connector and aligned with the stub fiber via the index-matching gel. Once aligned, a cam-actuated buffer clip holds the field fiber in place to prevent any movement. Opticam mechanical fusion splicers are easy to terminate and do not require expensive termination tools. They use an index-matching gel to transmit signals from the field fiber to the stub fiber. Due to the different optical properties of glass and gel, mechanical splicing on the connector results in higher insertion loss.

[0003] What is needed is a fusion splice connector, in which glass is thermally fused to provide a connector with minimal loss. This type of connector was not popular in the industry due to the extremely high cost of fusion splicing equipment, but recently the cost of fusion splicing equipment has decreased, making this type of connector cost-effective for field use. Utility Model Content

[0004] An optical connector includes a fusion splice portion in which a short optical fiber mounted on an optical connector ferrule is fused to an optical fiber covered by a buffer layer. One end of a protective sleeve reinforcing the fusion splice portion is configured to be coupled to the optical connector ferrule. The protective sleeve has an inner sleeve and a clamping sleeve, wherein the inner sleeve is configured to be inserted into the clamping sleeve. The end of the inner sleeve remote from the ferrule is configured to have a clamping feature, i.e., the clamping feature is activated when the inner sleeve is inserted into the clamping sleeve. Attached Figure Description

[0005] Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the fusion connector assembly 10 is shown.

[0006] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the fusion connector 20.

[0007] Figure 3This is an exploded view rotated 180 degrees around the vertical axis, showing the position of detail "A" of the cable buffer layer clamping end of the protective sleeve 100 and detail "B" of the ferrule assembly 60.

[0008] Figure 4 This is a detailed "A" view of the cable buffer layer clamping end of the protective sleeve 100, which shows the buffer layer clamp 150 to scale.

[0009] Figure 5 This is a detailed "B" view showing the top bonding notch 170, side bonding notch 180, and sleeve fixing feature 160 of the ring assembly to scale.

[0010] Figure 6 It is an exploded 3D view rotated 180 degrees around the vertical axis and the axis passing through the connector.

[0011] Figure 7 This is a detailed "C" view showing the flat portion 190 of the ring retainer on the ring retainer 80.

[0012] Figure 8 This is a three-dimensional view of the protective sleeve 100, showing the inner bonding flat portion 200, the fixing groove 210, the outer bonding flat portion 220, and the buffer layer 150.

[0013] Figure 9 This is a three-dimensional view of the clamping sleeve 110, showing the clamping sleeve bonding flat portion 230 and the tapered section 240.

[0014] Figure 10 This is a three-dimensional view of the connector housing 50, showing the top bonding feature 290 of the ferrule and the side bonding feature 300 of the ferrule.

[0015] Figure 11 This is an exploded view showing assembly step 1.

[0016] Figure 12 Assembly step 2 is shown.

[0017] Figure 13 Assembly step 3 is shown.

[0018] Figure 14 Assembly step 4 is shown.

[0019] Figure 15 Assembly step 5 is shown.

[0020] Figure 16 Assembly step 6 is shown.

[0021] Figure 17 Assembly step 7 is shown.

[0022] Figure 18The assembled connector 10 is shown.

[0023] Figure 19 This is a top view showing sections 19 and 21.

[0024] Figure 20 Is it through Figure 19 A sectional view taken from section line 19.

[0025] Figure 21 This is a detailed "D" view, showing the clamping position where the tapered section 240 of the clamping sleeve presses the buffer layer clamp 150 onto the cable 30.

[0026] Figure 22 It is along Figure 19 The sectional view taken from line 21 in the figure. Detailed Implementation

[0027] This invention relates to a fusion splice connector having a splice protection sleeve with a mechanical buffer clamp. Here, the invention is shown for an LC type connector, but it can be implemented in SC or ST type fiber optic connectors.

[0028] Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the fusion splice connector assembly 10 is shown. The fusion splice connector 20 is terminated to the fiber optic cable 30.

[0029] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the fusion splice connector 20. The fusion splice connector 20 includes a ferrule dust cover 40, a connector housing 50, a ferrule assembly 60, a protective inner sleeve 100, a clamping sleeve 110, a spring 120, a bracket 130, and a protective cover 140. The ferrule assembly 60 includes a ferrule 70, a ferrule retainer 80, and an optical fiber 90.

[0030] Figure 3 This is an exploded view rotated 180 degrees around the vertical axis, showing the position of detail "A" of the cable buffer layer clamping end of the protective sleeve 100 and detail "B" of the ferrule assembly 60.

[0031] Figure 4 This is a detailed view "A" of the cable buffer layer clamping end of the inner sleeve 100, which shows the buffer layer clamp 150 to scale.

[0032] Figure 5 This is a detailed "B" view showing the top bonding notch 170, side bonding notch 180, and sleeve fixing feature 160 of the ring assembly to scale.

[0033] Figure 6 This is an exploded 3D view rotated 180 degrees around the vertical axis and the axis passing through the connector. Detail "C" is shown in this view.

[0034] Figure 7 This is a detailed "C" view showing the flat portion 190 of the ring retainer on the ring retainer 80.

[0035] Figure 8 This is a three-dimensional view of the protective inner sleeve 100, showing the inner bonding flat portion 200, the retaining groove 210, the outer bonding flat portion 220, and the buffer layer clip 150. During assembly, the ferrule retainer flat portion 190 is aligned with the inner bonding flat portion 200 of the protective sleeve to prevent the protective sleeve from rotating, and the retaining groove 210 slides on the ferrule retainer sleeve retaining feature 160 to prevent it from falling off.

[0036] Figure 9 This is a three-dimensional view of the clamping sleeve 110, showing the clamping sleeve bonding flat portion 230 and the tapered section 240. The outer bonding flat portion 220 of the protective sleeve is aligned with the clamping sleeve bonding flat portion 230 to prevent rotation of the clamping sleeve 110. The tapered section 240 of the clamping sleeve pushes the buffer layer clamp 150 of the inner protective sleeve 100 toward the fiber optic cable 30 to generate a strong clamping force.

[0037] Figure 10 This is a three-dimensional view of the connector housing 50, showing the top bonding feature 290 of the ferrule and the side bonding feature 300 of the ferrule.

[0038] Figure 11 This is an exploded view showing assembly step 1. In this step, the protective cover 140, bracket 130, spring 120, clamping sleeve 110, and protective sleeve 100 are screwed onto the fiber optic cable 30.

[0039] Figure 12 Assembly step 2 is shown. In this step, the buffer layer is stripped and the glass fiber 250 is cut to a specific length.

[0040] Figure 13 Assembly step 3 is shown. In this step, the ferrule assembly 60, which is assembled with the ferrule dust cover 40, is fused to the cut glass optical fiber 250 at the fusion point 260 using a fusion splicing device.

[0041] Figure 14 Assembly step 4 is shown. In this step, the protective sleeve is fitted onto the ferrule assembly, while aligning the bonding flat portion 200 inside the protective sleeve with the ferrule retainer flat portion 190. The protective sleeve is pushed until the sleeve retaining feature 160 engages with the retaining groove 210.

[0042] Figure 15Assembly step 5 is shown. In this step, the clamping sleeve 110 is fitted onto the protective sleeve 100, while aligning the outer bonding flat portion 220 of the protective sleeve with the bonding flat portion 230 of the clamping sleeve. The tapered section 240 of the clamping sleeve pushes the buffer layer clamp 150 to clamp the cable 30.

[0043] Figure 16 Assembly step 6 is shown. In this step, the ferrule dust cover 40, positioning spring 120, and bracket 130 are removed for assembly with the housing 50, thereby engaging the bracket latch 280 in the housing latch window 270. The ferrule top bonding feature 290 and ferrule side bonding feature 300 of the housing 50 are aligned with the top bonding recess 170 and the side bonding recess 180, respectively.

[0044] Figure 17 Assembly step 7 is shown. In this step, the protective cover 140 is pushed onto the bracket 130 to complete the assembly.

[0045] Figure 18 The assembled connector 10 is shown.

[0046] Figure 19 This is a top view showing sections 19 and 21.

[0047] Figure 20 Is it through Figure 19 The sectional view of line 19 in the middle.

[0048] Figure 21 The detail "D" shows the clamping position where the tapered section 240 of the clamping sleeve presses the buffer layer clamp 150 onto the cable 30.

[0049] Figure 22 It is along Figure 19 The cross-sectional view of line 21 shows the crimped sleeve tapered section 240 pressed onto the buffer layer clamp 150.

Claims

1. An optical connector which accommodates and holds a fusion splice in which a stub optical fiber fitted to an optical connector ferrule is fused with a buffered optical fiber, characterized by: One end of the protective sleeve reinforcing the welded portion is configured to be connected to a ferrule retainer, and the protective sleeve includes an inner sleeve and a clamping sleeve, wherein the inner sleeve is configured to be inserted into the clamping sleeve, and further wherein the end of the inner sleeve remote from the ferrule retainer is configured to have a clamping feature that is activated when the inner sleeve is inserted into the clamping sleeve, the ferrule retainer has a ferrule retainer flat portion that is configured to engage with an inner bonding flat portion on the inner sleeve, and the inner sleeve also has an outer bonding flat portion that is configured to engage with a bonding flat portion of the clamping sleeve.

2. The optical connector of claim 1, wherein, The clamping feature is a buffer layer clamp on the inner sleeve, which is activated by a tapered section of the clamping sleeve, and the tapered section engages with the buffer layer clamp on the inner sleeve.

3. The optical connector of claim 1, wherein, The ring retainer has a sleeve fixing feature configured to engage with a fixing groove on the inner sleeve.

Images