Connector system for optical fibres and assembly device

Abstract

The problem is solved by a connector system for optical fibres, in particular plastics-based optical fibres, which has at least two connectors which can be brought into engagement with one another and which each have at least one connector housing, at least one cable inlet disposed in the connector housing and at least one cover, and which each accommodate at least one fibre receptacle which is introduced at least partially between the connector housing and the cover. The fibre receptacle receives at least two wires of an optical cable, the fibre receptacle being designed with at least one connector region and with at least one coding region. The connector region has at least one wire receptacle for each wire being received and at least one fixing receptacle which is substantially orthogonal to the wire receptacle and into which a wire fixing means for fastening the wires in the fibre receptacle is introduced.

Description

[0001] Title: Optical fiber connector system and mounting device

[0002] Description

[0003] The invention relates to a connector for optical fibers according to the preamble of independent claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to an assembly device for assembling such a connector.

[0004] Such connectors are required to connect optical fiber cables, especially polymer optical fibers. Such cables are primarily used for transmitting data at particularly high data transfer rates. Cables with polymer optical fibers are used primarily in short-distance data transmission.

[0005] State of the art

[0006] The state of the art offers several connectors for connecting optical fibers. However, these typically involve connecting individual optical fibers, which logically requires more space. Especially when using polymer optical fibers, it is important to maintain the most precise spacing possible during the connection, for example, using a connector. A spacing that is too large, in this case a few micrometers, usually results in an undesirably high attenuation rate. If the connection is made "butt-to-end," i.e., fiber end to fiber end, damage can occur due to movement and / or vibration during operation of a corresponding machine, preventing or even preventing data transmission.

[0007] DE 20 2017 100608 U1 discloses a connector comprising an insulating housing and a printed circuit board accommodated in the housing. At least one electro-optical converter is mounted on the printed circuit board. This consists of a converter housing with an electro-optical converter accommodated therein. Furthermore, the connector has at least one opening for receiving at least one optical fiber, as well as at least one electrical contact that is in contact with the printed circuit board. The connector expediently has multiple electrical contacts.

[0008] The disadvantage of such connectors is the use of at least one circuit board and at least one electro-optical converter. Therefore, such connectors are not suitable, or only to a very limited extent, for simple applications, such as extending a cable consisting of several polymer optical fibers.

[0009] The German Patent and Trademark Office has searched the following prior art in the priority application for the present application: WO 2003 / 076997 A1 .

[0010] Task

[0011] The object of the invention is to provide a simple and safely deployable connector system that prevents potential damage to optical fibers, especially polymeric optical fibers. A further object of the invention is to provide an easy-to-use mounting device for such a connector system.

[0012] The problem is solved by the subject matter of independent claim 1.

[0013] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims and the following description.

[0014] The object is achieved by a connector system for optical fibers, in particular plastic-based optical fibers, which has at least two connectors that can be engaged with one another, each having at least one connector housing, at least one cable inlet arranged in the connector housing, and at least one cover, and each accommodating at least one fiber receptacle that is at least partially inserted between the connector housing and the cover. The fiber receptacle accommodates at least two wires of an optical cable, wherein the fiber receptacle is designed with at least one connector region and at least one coding region. The connector region has at least one wire receptacle for each wire to be accommodated and at least one fixing receptacle designed essentially orthogonally to the wire receptacle, into which a wire fixation for fastening the wire in the fiber receptacle is introduced.Plastic-based optical fibers are particularly polymeric optical fibers, also known as POF. The term cable inlet can be understood as recesses in the connector housing, as well as elements inserted into the recess and / or molded onto it, such as cable glands or sealing elements such as sealing lips. The term cover can also be a component that is essentially identical in construction to the connector housing and is used together with it as the connector housing. The coding area of ​​the fiber receptacle can have permanently molded coding elements. Alternatively, flexibly deployable coding elements are conceivable. The coding area can therefore be designed, for example, as a series of blind openings and / or through openings. Coding elements can then be inserted into these openings.

[0015] In a further embodiment, the connector system comprises at least one first connector and at least one corresponding second connector, wherein the first connector accommodates a first fiber receptacle and the second connector accommodates a second fiber receptacle. This embodiment thus allows the use of various connector types, so that according to the invention, both so-called hermaphroditic connectors can be used, as well as the male and female connectors proposed by this extension.

[0016] A clever embodiment proposes that the first fiber receptacle has a first alignment shape and the second fiber receptacle has a second alignment shape, which are brought into engagement with one another in a corresponding manner. The term alignment shape refers to shapes that correspond to one another and simplify and / or facilitate mutual connection. An example here is a chamfer, which is formed on a tongue to engage the connection with a possibly similarly chamfered groove.

[0017] In a further developed embodiment, the first alignment form and second alignment form are shaped in such a way that they interlock, i.e. in the connected state of the connector system, they prevent contact of the accommodated wire and / or at least the optical fibers located in the wire.

[0018] Furthermore, one embodiment provides that the first alignment shape and the second alignment shape are formed as interlocking, at least partially annular projections.

[0019] Furthermore, one embodiment provides that the coding area is designed to accommodate at least one coding element.

[0020] In a clever way, one embodiment proposes that the coding area is arranged on the connector area in a plane that is orthogonal to the plugging direction of the connector.

[0021] A clever embodiment provides that the fiber receptacle is designed to accommodate at least two polymeric optical fibers. A further object of the invention is to provide a mounting device for mounting a connector system according to the invention. The mounting device according to the invention has a substantially flat base plate, wherein the base plate is shaped to accommodate a first connector and a corresponding second connector.

[0022] A clever embodiment of the mounting device provides that the base plate has and / or accommodates at least one corresponding coding element to a coding element of a connector according to claim 1.

[0023] Furthermore, an embodiment proposes that the base plate has mounting shapes corresponding to the alignment shape of a connector, which are suitable for enabling a substantially flush mounting of the fibers located in the core of a cable.

[0024] Example

[0025] An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings and explained in more detail below. They show:

[0026] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a separated plug connection;

[0027] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a connected plug connection, each without a cover;

[0028] Fig. 3 is a perspective sectional view of a connected plug connection;

[0029] Fig. 4 is a detailed view of a connected connector;

[0030] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a mounting device with two corresponding plug-in areas; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a mounting device with two plug-in areas attached thereto and cables to be inserted therein.

[0031] Some of the figures contain simplified, schematic representations. Identical reference symbols are used for similar, but possibly not identical, elements. Different views of the same elements may be scaled differently. Directional references such as "left," "right," "top," and "bottom" are to be understood with reference to the respective figure and may vary in the individual illustrations relative to the object depicted.

[0032] Figure 1 shows a connector system 1 consisting of two connectors 2 and 2'. The connectors 2 and 2' are shown in an unassembled state, separated from one another. The connector system 1 consists of a first connector 2 and a second connector 2'. The connectors 2 and 2' are basically structurally identical, comprising a connector housing 8 and 8' and a cover 3 and 3' connected to it by several fastening elements 4, and cable bushings 6 and 6', which are inserted into the cable inlets 7 and 7' provided in the connector housings 8 and 8'. Fiber receptacles 9 and 9' are inserted between the connector housings 2 and 2' and the associated covers 3 and 3'. The fiber receptacles 9 and 9' differ from one another in that they engage with one another. For example, a fiber receptacle 9 has a groove which is inserted into a corresponding spring in fiber receptacle 9'.The fiber receptacles 9 have a plurality of wire receptacles 91 shaped as through-openings, which receive the wire 10 of an optical cable 5. Furthermore, the fiber receptacles 9 have connector fastenings 12 and 12', which are intended to releasably connect the connectors 2 and 2' of the connector system T. In the illustrated embodiment, a screw connection known and widely used from the prior art is shown. The screw connection is shown in use in Figure 2. Here, the connectors 2 and 2' of the connector system 1 are guided together and screwed to the threaded openings of the connector 2 using the knurled threaded pins of the connector 2'.

[0033] Figure 2 further shows that the correspondingly shaped fiber receptacles 9 and 9' engage with one another. Furthermore, the omission of the covers 3 and 3' clarifies how the fibers 13 and 13' arranged in the wires 10 and 10' are fixed in the fiber receptacles 9 and 9'. The fixing receptacles 92, which are designed orthogonally to the wire receptacles 91 (more clearly visible in Figures 5 and 6), accommodate wire fixations 11 and 11'. In the example shown, the wire fixations 11 and 11' are identical and will not be described separately below. The wire fixations 11 clamp the insulation of the wire 10 without impairing the fiber 13 contained therein.

[0034] Figure 3 shows the longitudinal section of the connector system 1, illustrating the interaction of the aforementioned components in the connectors 2 and 2'. According to the diagram, the cable 5 passes through a cable bushing 6 into a cable inlet 7 of the connector housing 8, which is closed by a cover 3. The wires 10 of the cable 5 are inserted into the fiber receptacle 9 and held in position there by a wire fixation 11. The fibers 13 located in the wires 10 of the cable 5 are connected by the fiber receptacle 9 to the corresponding fiber receptacle 9, so that the fibers 13 and 13' end directly opposite each other.

[0035] An optical signal is now transmitted from fiber 13 to fiber 13' without significant loss. Fibers 13 and 13' do not touch each other to avoid interference or damage from vibrations or similar movements. The connection of the fibers is clearly shown in the detail in Figure 4. Connectors 2 and 2' of connector system 1 are connected to each other; the alignment shapes 93 and 93' of fiber receptacles 9 and 9' interlock, but prevent fibers 13 and 13' from touching each other.

[0036] Figures 5 and 6 show an assembly process for the connectors 2 and 2' according to the invention of the connector system 1. The assembly device 20 initially enables the fiber receptacles 9 and 9' to be accommodated. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the fiber receptacles 9 and 9' have further coding elements which are introduced into the assembly device 20 by corresponding coding forms 23 and 23' or are accommodated by the assembly device 20. The assembly device 20 has assembly molds 24 for a first fiber receptacle 9. These assembly molds 24 enable the wires 10 of the cables 5 to be inserted into the fiber receptacle 9 until the fibers 13 are flush with the alignment mold 93 of the fiber receptacle 9. A flat surface of the base plate 21 enables flush alignment of the fibers 13' in the alignment molds 93' of the corresponding fiber receptacle 9'.As soon as a wire 10 is inserted into the wire receptacle 91 of the fiber receptacle 9, i.e., up to the stop formed by the base plate 21 and / or the mounting form 24, each wire 10 is secured in its position in the fiber receptacle 9 by at least one wire fixation 11. In the illustrated embodiment, the fixation receptacles 92, which are orthogonal to the wire receptacles 91, are offset from one another in two parallel planes. This allows the fiber receptacle 9 to be made narrower, albeit slightly deeper. Applicant: HARTING Electronics GmbH.

[0037] Title: Optical fiber connector system and mounting device

[0038] List of reference symbols

[0039] 1 connector system

[0040] 2 connectors

[0041] 3 lids

[0042] 4 Fastening element

[0043] 5 cables

[0044] 6 Cable entry

[0045] 7 Cable inlet

[0046] 8 connector housings

[0047] 9 Fiber intake

[0048] 10 cores

[0049] 11 Vein fixation

[0050] 12 Connector fastening

[0051] 13 fibers

[0052] 14 Coding element

[0053] 20 Mounting device

[0054] 21 Base plate

[0055] 22 feet

[0056] 23 Coding form

[0057] 24 Mounting form

[0058] 91 Wire holder

[0059] 92 Fixing mount

[0060] 93 Alignment form

Claims

Claims Connector system (1) for optical fibers, in particular plastic-based optical fibers, comprising at least two connectors (2, 2') that can engage with each other, each of which has at least one connector housing (8, 8'), at least one cable inlet (7, 7') arranged in the connector housing (8, 8') and at least one cover (3, 3') and each receives at least one fiber receptacle (9, 9') which is at least partially inserted between the connector housing (8, 8') and the cover (3, 3'), wherein the fiber receptacle (9, 9') receives at least two conductors (10) of an optical cable, characterized in that the fiber receptacle (9) is designed with at least one connector area and with at least one coding area, wherein the connector area has at least one conductor receptacle (91) for each conductor (10) to be received and has at least one fixing receptacle (92) designed substantially orthogonal to the conductor receptacle (91).a conductor fixation (11) is inserted into the fiber receptacle (9) for securing the conductor (10). Connector system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the connector system (1) comprises at least one first connector (2) and at least one corresponding second connector (2'), wherein the first connector (2) receives a first fiber receptacle (9) and the second connector (2') receives a second fiber receptacle (9'). Connector system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first fiber receptacle (9) has a first alignment feature (93) and the second fiber receptacle (9) has a second alignment feature (93'), which are engaged in corresponding engagement with each other. Connector system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first alignment feature (93) and the second alignment feature (93') are shaped such that they interlock and prevent contact between the received fibers (10) and / or at least between the optical fibers (13) located in the fibers (10). Connector system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first alignment feature (93) and the second alignment feature (93') are shaped as interlocking, at least partially annular projections.Connector system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coding area is designed to receive at least one coding element (14). Connector system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coding area is arranged on the connector area in a plane orthogonal to the insertion direction of the connector (2). Connector system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fiber receptacle is designed to receive at least two polymer optical fibers. Mounting device (20) for mounting a connector system (1) according to claim 1, comprising a substantially planar base plate (21), characterized in that the base plate (21) is shaped to receive a first connector (2) and a corresponding second connector (2'). Mounting device (20) according to claim 7, characterized in that the base plate (21) comprises at least one corresponding coding element (23, 23') to a coding element (11) of a connector (2, 2') according to claim 1. Mounting device (20) according to claim 7, characterized in that the base plate (21) has mounting forms (24) corresponding to the alignment shape (93) of a connector (2, 2'), which are suitable for a substantially flush mounting of the to enable the fibers (13) located in a cable (5) (10).

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