Fiber optic plug probe

Abstract

Fiber optic plug probe characterized in that the probe uses a fiber optic plug, has at least one probe body for light transmission and can be connected to an optical unit via a coupling.

Description

State of the art

[0001] Fiber optic probes serve as input and output coupling elements and are important components in various fields, such as communication, lighting, laser, and measurement technology. They are used to couple radiation from an optical source and / or to deliver coupled radiation to an optical receiver.

[0002] Example from measurement technology: Certain fiber optic sensors use an optical fiber to transport the sensor light to the measuring point and couple it in and out there. Such a fiber optic sensor typically consists of an optical unit and an attached fiber optic probe, which serves as the measuring head.

[0003] Depending on the intended use, the measuring heads can be manufactured in a wide variety of designs. For measurements in bores or gaps, miniaturized measuring heads are required, some of which use the optical fiber itself as the measuring probe (so-called bare-fiber measuring heads). Advantages include a high degree of miniaturization (< 0.1 mm in diameter) and simplified assembly of the measuring head, for example, by eliminating the need for free-jet optics.

[0004] Currently, such measuring heads are typically equipped on the back with a length of connecting fiber of any desired length and a fiber optic connector. The connection to the optical unit is made via the connector. Established standards are used for the fiber optic connectors, such as FC, LC, or E2000 connectors.

[0005] In contrast, some applications require measuring heads that can be changed directly on the measuring machine; the connection to the optical unit is then made via patch cords. The fiber on the measuring head is then shortened accordingly.

[0006] A disadvantage of this solution is that the measuring head itself must first be mounted and laboriously adjusted, and the measuring head fiber must be routed to the coupling of the connecting cable and connected. When replacing the measuring head, the connection to the connecting cable must again be disconnected, and then the measuring head removed before the new measuring head can be installed as described above.

[0007] Besides measurement technology, fiber optic probes are used for lighting, communication and other optical tasks; here too, it can be advantageous that the element can be connected directly, i.e. without a permanently installed fiber, to an optical unit via a coupling. Description of the invention

[0008] It is proposed to design a fiber optic probe in such a way that a permanently installed connecting fiber is eliminated, and the probe body is instead integrated directly into a standard connector. It is further proposed to utilize the high-precision alignment of the standard connector ferrule, resulting from the mechanical connection between the coupling and plug, to eliminate the need for complex probe adjustment, for example, when used as a measuring head. Due to the rigid and direct connection between the plug and probe, the resulting fiber optic element can be described as a plug-in probe. Fig. Figure 1 shows a state-of-the-art fiber optic probe. This includes a fiber optic connector (1), a permanently installed connecting fiber (2) between the connector and the probe, a probe flange (3) and a probe body (4). Fig. Figure 2 shows a state-of-the-art fiber optic coupling (5) and a connecting cable (6). Fig. Figure 3 shows a possible embodiment of a fiber optic connector probe based on an FC standard connector. The connector probe consists of a ceramic ferrule (7), a knurled nut (8), the connector housing (9), and the probe body (4).

[0009] The coupling element is designed so that a glass fiber of defined length is inserted into the ceramic ferrule from the rear and bonded in place. The ceramic ferrule is then polished according to requirements. By machining the glass fiber protruding from the rear, the emission characteristics can be adjusted; for example, different emission directions and / or beam shapes can be set. The glass fiber can serve directly as the probe body or be part of the probe body if a protective tube is fitted over the glass fiber.

[0010] To use a fiber optic probe or the plug-in probe, these are screwed into the coupling, thus establishing a connection to a connecting cable or directly to an optical unit. To ensure the alignment of the measuring head, only the installed coupling is adjusted; adjustment of the actual probe is not required.

Claims

[1] Fiber optic connector probe characterized by that the probe uses a fiber optic connector, has at least one probe body for light transmission and can be connected to an optical unit via a coupling. [2] Fiber optic connector probe according to claim 1 characterized by that the connector is a standard connector such as FC, LC, SC, E2000, SMA or other well-known connector. [3] Fiber optic connector probe according to claim 1 characterized by that the plug is a special plug. [4] Fiber optic connector probe according to claim 1 characterized by that the probe body consists of at least one glass fiber. [5] Fiber optic connector probe according to claim 1 characterized by that the probe body can have a beam forming feature. [6] Fiber optic connector probe according to claim 1 characterized by that the probe body can have a radiation direction. [7] Fiber optic connector probe according to claim 1 characterized bythat the element is used as a measuring head. [8] Fiber optic connector probe according to claim 1 characterized by that the element is used for lighting purposes. [9] Fiber optic connector probe according to claim 1 characterized by that the element is used for other types of optical coupling and decoupling. [10] Fiber optic connector probe according to claim 1 characterized by that the connection between the coupling and the optical unit is made directly or via a connecting element.

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