Fusion splice connector

Abstract

An optical connector that houses and holds a fusion splice, in which a short optical fiber attached to the ferrule of the optical connector is fusion spliced ​​with a buffer optical fiber. One end of a protective sleeve reinforcing the fusion splice is configured to be coupled to the ferrule of the optical connector. The protective sleeve has an inner sleeve and a clamp sleeve, the inner sleeve being configured to be inserted into the clamp sleeve. The end of the inner sleeve distal to the ferrule is configured to have a clamping mechanism that operates when the inner sleeve is inserted into the clamp sleeve.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to fusion-connected fiber connectors, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for protecting fusion-connected fibers within a connector.

Background Art

[0002] To make connections with field fibers using the field-assembly connector method, Panduit currently offers mechanical field-assembly connectors of LC, SC, and ST types under the name Opticam, as detailed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2. The Opticam connector features a ferrule polished in a factory with a stub fiber disposed in an index matching agent inside the connector. For termination, the field fiber is stripped, cleaned, cut to a set length, inserted into the connector, and aligned with the stub fiber through the index matching agent. When the field fiber is aligned, a cam-operated buffer clamp fixes the field fiber in place to prevent any movement. The mechanical field-assembly connector of Opticam has simple termination processing and does not require expensive termination tools. An index matching agent is used for transmitting signals from the field fiber to the stub fiber during termination processing. Since the optical properties of glass and the gel agent are not the same, the mechanical field-assembly connector has high insertion loss.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] What is needed is a field-assembled fusion-spliced ​​connector where glass is heat-fused to provide the lowest loss connector. This type of connector was unpopular in the industry due to the high cost of fusion splicing equipment, but recently the cost of fusion splicing equipment has decreased, making this type of connector more cost-effective for field use. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] An optical connector that houses and holds a fusion splice, in which a short optical fiber attached to the ferrule of the optical connector is fusion spliced ​​with a buffer optical fiber. One end of a protective sleeve reinforcing the aforementioned fusion splice is configured to be coupled to the ferrule of the optical connector. The protective sleeve has an inner sleeve and a clamp sleeve, the inner sleeve being configured to be inserted into the clamp sleeve. The distal end of the inner sleeve from the ferrule is configured to have a clamping mechanism that operates when the inner sleeve is inserted into the clamp sleeve. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0006] [Figure 1] A three-dimensional perspective view of the fusion splice connector assembly 10 is shown. [Figure 2] This is an exploded view of the fusion splice connector 20. [Figure 3] This is an exploded view rotated 180 degrees on the vertical axis, showing the location of detail "A" of the cable buffer clamping end of the protective sleeve 100 and detail "B" of the ferrule assembly 60. [Figure 4] Figure "A" shows a detail of the cable buffer clamping end of the protective sleeve 100, enlarged to show the buffer clamp 150. [Figure 5] This is a magnified detail "B" diagram showing the top keyway 170, side keyway 180, and sleeve retention mechanism 160 of the ferrule assembly. [Figure 6] This is an exploded three-dimensional perspective view rotated 180 degrees around the vertical axis and the axis passing through the connector. [Figure 7]This is a detailed "C" diagram showing the ferrule holder plate 190 on the ferrule holder 80. [Figure 8] This is a three-dimensional perspective view of the protective sleeve 100, showing the inner key plate 200, retaining groove 210, outer key plate 220, and buffer clamp 150. [Figure 9] This is a three-dimensional perspective view of the clamp sleeve 110, showing the key plate 230 and tapered portion 240 of the clamp sleeve. [Figure 10] This is a three-dimensional perspective view of the connector housing 50, showing the key mechanism 290 on the top of the ferrule and the key mechanism 300 on the side of the ferrule. [Figure 11] This is an exploded view showing assembly process 1. [Figure 12] This shows assembly process 2. [Figure 13] This shows assembly step 3. [Figure 14] This shows assembly step 4. [Figure 15] This shows assembly step 5. [Figure 16] This shows assembly step 6. [Figure 17] This shows assembly step 7. [Figure 18] The assembled connector 10 is shown. [Figure 19] This is a top view showing cross-sectional lines 19 and 21. [Figure 20] This is a cross-sectional view taken through line 19 in Figure 19. [Figure 21] Detailed "D" shows the clamp sleeve tapered portion 240 that presses against the buffer clamp 150 at the clamp position on the cable 30. [Figure 22] This is a cross-sectional view along line 21 in Figure 19. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] The present invention is a field-assembled fusion connection connector having an assembled protective sleeve characterized by a mechanical buffer clamp. Although the present invention shown in this specification is for an LC connector, the present invention can be implemented in SC type or ST type optical fiber connectors.

[0008] Figure 1 shows a three-dimensional perspective view of a fusion connection connector assembly 10. The fusion connection connector 20 is terminated to an optical fiber cable 30.

[0009] Figure 2 is an exploded view of the fusion connection connector 20. The fusion connection connector 20 includes a ferrule dust cap 40, a connector housing 50, a ferrule assembly 60, a protective inner sleeve 100, a clamp sleeve 110, a spring 120, a backbone 130, and a boot 140. The ferrule assembly 60 includes a ferrule 70, a ferrule holder 80, and a fiber 90.

[0010] Figure 3 is an exploded view rotated 180 degrees about a vertical axis showing the positions of detail "A" at the end of the cable buffer clamp of the protective sleeve 100 and detail "B" of the ferrule assembly 60.

[0011] Figure 4 is a view of detail "A" at the end of the cable buffer clamp of the protective inner sleeve 100, enlarged to show the buffer clamp 150.

[0012] Figure 5 is an enlarged detail "B" view showing the key groove 170 at the top of the ferrule assembly, the side key groove 180, and the sleeve retaining mechanism 160.

[0013] Figure 6 is an exploded three-dimensional perspective view rotated 180 degrees about a vertical axis and an axis passing through the connector. Detail "C" is referred to in this figure.

[0014] Figure 7 is a detail "C" view showing the flat plate 190 of the ferrule holder on the ferrule holder 80.

[0015] Figure 8 is a three-dimensional perspective view of the protective inner sleeve 100, showing the inner key plate 200, retaining groove 210, outer key plate 220, and buffer clamp 150. During assembly, the flat plate 190 of the ferrule holder aligns with the inner key plate 200 of the protective sleeve to prevent rotation of the protective sleeve, and the retaining groove 210 slides over the sleeve retaining mechanism 160 of the ferrule holder to prevent the sleeve retaining mechanism 160 of the ferrule holder from coming loose.

[0016] Figure 9 is a three-dimensional perspective view of the clamp sleeve 110, showing the key plate 230 and tapered portion 240 of the clamp sleeve. The outer key plate 220 of the protective sleeve is aligned with the key plate 230 of the clamp sleeve to prevent rotation of the clamp sleeve 110. The tapered portion 240 of the clamp sleeve pushes the buffer clamp 150 of the protective inner sleeve 100 toward the fiber cable 30, generating a rigid clamping force.

[0017] Figure 10 is a three-dimensional perspective view of the connector housing 50, showing the ferrule upper key mechanism 290 and the ferrule side key mechanism 300.

[0018] Figure 11 is an exploded view showing assembly process 1. In this process, the boot 140, the main body 130, the spring 120, the clamp sleeve 110, and the protective sleeve 100 are screwed onto the optical fiber cable 30.

[0019] Figure 12 shows assembly step 2. In this step, the buffer is stripped and the glass fibers 250 are cut to the specified length.

[0020] Figure 13 shows assembly step 3. In this step, the ferrule dust cap 40 and the assembled ferrule assembly 60 are fusion-spliced ​​to the glass fiber 250, which has been cut at the fusion splice point 260, using a fusion splicing device.

[0021] Figure 14 shows assembly step 4. In this step, the protective sleeve slides over the ferrule assembly while aligning the inner key plate 200 of the protective sleeve with the flat plate 190 of the ferrule holder. The protective sleeve is pushed all the way in so that the sleeve retaining mechanism 160 engages with the retaining groove 210.

[0022] Figure 15 shows assembly step 5. In this step, the clamp sleeve 110 slides over the protective sleeve 100 while aligning the outer key plate 220 of the protective sleeve with the key plate 230 of the clamp sleeve. The tapered portion 240 of the clamp sleeve presses against the buffer clamp 150 to clamp the cable 30.

[0023] Figure 16 shows assembly step 6. In this step, the ferrule dust cap 40 is removed, and the spring 120 and the main body 130 are assembled with the housing 50 and positioned to engage the latch 280 of the main body within the latch opening 270 of the housing. The key mechanism 290 on the top of the ferrule and the key mechanism 300 on the side of the ferrule of the housing 50 are aligned with the top keyway 170 and the side keyway 180, respectively.

[0024] Figure 17 shows assembly step 7. In this step, the boot 140 is pressed onto the main body 130 to complete the assembly.

[0025] Figure 18 shows the assembled connector 10.

[0026] Figure 19 is a top view showing section lines 19 and 21.

[0027] Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view taken through line 19 in Figure 19.

[0028] Figure 21 is a detail "D" showing the tapered portion 240 of the clamp sleeve that presses against the buffer clamp 150 at the clamp position on the cable 30.

[0029] Figure 22 is a cross-sectional view along line 21 in Figure 19. This shows that the tapered portion 240 of the clamp sleeve is pressing against the buffer clamp 150.

Claims

1. An optical connector that houses and holds a fusion splice portion in which a short optical fiber attached to a ferrule of the optical connector is fusion spliced ​​with a buffer optical fiber, wherein one end of a protective sleeve reinforcing the fusion splice portion is configured to be coupled to a ferrule holder, the protective sleeve comprising an inner sleeve and a clamp sleeve, the inner sleeve configured to be inserted into the clamp sleeve, and further configured to have a clamping mechanism that operates when the inner sleeve is inserted into the clamp sleeve, the optical connector.

2. The optical connector according to claim 1, wherein the clamping mechanism is a buffer clamp on the inner sleeve, and the buffer clamp is actuated by a tapered portion of the clamp sleeve that engages the buffer clamp on the inner sleeve.

3. The optical connector according to claim 1, wherein the ferrule holder has a sleeve retaining mechanism configured to engage with a retaining groove on the inner sleeve.

4. The optical connector according to claim 1, wherein the ferrule holder has a ferrule holder plate configured to engage with an inner key plate on the inner sleeve.

5. The optical connector according to claim 4, wherein the inner sleeve also has an outer key plate configured to engage with the key plate of the clamp sleeve.

Images