EP1680697A1

EP1680697A1 - Fibre-optical connector, and single and double coupler for receiving one such connector

Info

Publication number: EP1680697A1
Application number: EP04789980A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Michael Theis
Original assignee: Euromicron Werkzeuge GmbH
Current assignee: Euromicron Werkzeuge GmbH
Priority date: 2003-10-28
Filing date: 2004-10-14
Publication date: 2006-07-19
Also published as: DE112004002592D2; US7488115B2; US20080085082A1; WO2005045497A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a connector for creating an optical waveguide connector-in connection for an optical waveguide cable containing an optical waveguide, said connector comprising a housing, a ferrule holder arranged in the housing, and a locking device arranged outside the housing, on a narrow side thereof. The inventive connector has a housing (3) that has the outer shape of an RJ-45 connector, is open on the front side (12) and the rear side thereof, and has an inner region surrounded by the narrow sides (14) extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the connector-in connection (L), and a catch spring (10) used as a locking device for engaging in a coupling (22,26), the catch spring (10) being elastically connected to the housing (3). Ferrule holders (4) for each of the optical waveguides guided into the inner region through the rear side (13) of the housing (3) are arranged in the inner region, each ferrule holder (4) being respectively provided with a recess (27) for a coupling ferrule (6,6'), on the side thereof facing the front side (12) of the housing (3). The invention also relates to a double coupler and a single coupler, having a housing (1, 26) that is a modified housing of an RJ-45 connector and has a rear engagement (23) in the locking device of the connector, and a coupling insert (2) containing a ceramic sleeve (9) and a coupling ferrule (6, 6').

Description

FIBER-OPTICAL PLUG AND SINGLE AND DOUBLE COUPLING TO RECEIVE A SUCH A PLUG

TECHNICAL FIELD: 5 The invention relates to a plug for producing an optical waveguide plug connection for an optical waveguide cable having at least one optical waveguide, with a housing, in each case a ferrule holder connected to the optical waveguide and arranged in the housing and at least one locking device arranged on the outside on a narrow side of the housing the preamble of claim 1, and a coupling for the front and detachable reception of such a connector according to claims 16 and 19.

State of the art: 5 In order to detachably connect optical fibers to one another, for example on the back of a device or on a bushing through a housing or a wall, plugs and / or sockets matching the plugs are in the form of individual couplings, referred to as receptacle in optical fibers, on the ends of the optical waveguide to be connected and fixed on the optical fibers, for example by clamping, shrinking, gluing, casting or welding, so that subsequently by plugging the plug and socket into one another, light is reliably transmitted from one end of one optical waveguide to the end of the opposite optical waveguide can.

An optical waveguide in optical transmission technology usually has a cross section available for optical transmission, which usually has a diameter of less than 125 μm, only a part of the cross section actually being used for signal transmission. In order to reliably couple an optical signal from one optical waveguide to the other, a certain overlap of the two optical waveguides arranged opposite one another in the double coupling must be achieved. For this purpose, ferrules, preferably made of a ceramic material, are usually arranged in the plugs and sockets at the ends of the optical waveguides, which are planar or convex at their end facing away from the optical waveguide, depending on the type of plug connection, in order to ensure loss-free and against stray light insensitive, front-side coupling of light from one ferrule into the opposite in the other plug or the other socket, to ensure that it is rotated by 180 ° with respect to the first ferrul. The ferrules serve to protect the ends of the optical waveguides against wear and damage and are used in the area of the plug-in connection for easier and, in particular, precise guidance of the optical waveguides. Accordingly, a very precise arrangement of the ferrule in such a plug connection is required for reliable data transmission by light waves.

In order to ensure better interchangeability of the connection cables, in most applications the fiber optic cables, which consist of several individual fiber optics, each of which is surrounded by its own sheathing in the cable sheath, similar to a multiple strand, are designed exclusively with plugs and, for example, device or wall connections with receptacles, wherein for the establishment of an optical connection between two optical fiber cables, for example for extension, the ends of the optical fibers to be connected, which are provided with a connector, are inserted from opposite sides into a double coupling for optical connectors.

Such a connector usually consists of a housing, into which an optical fiber cable leads on the rear side, and a respective ferrule connected to an optical fiber, which protrudes from the connector on the end face opposite the rear side. The Ferrul is unprotected and can easily be damaged if you handle it carelessly.

A known plug for a plug connection for optical fibers consists, for example, of an around the front end of an optical fiber or around a ferrule arranged at the end face of the end of the optical waveguide, concentrically radially spaced and open in the direction of the end end of the optical waveguide, which has an undercut for coupling arms arranged on the counterpart to the plug. The counterpart to the previously described plug, for example a double coupling or a receptacle, has an inner receptacle housing with a receptacle opening for the optical waveguide or the Ferrul, at least two opposite one another parallel to the receptacle housing by a gap which corresponds in its width to the thickness of the plug-side coupling housing , spaced-apart coupling arms, and a protective housing accommodating the coupling arms and the receiving housing. When the plug and the double coupling or socket are plugged into one another, the end of the optical waveguide or the ferrule is pushed through the receiving opening into the receptacle housing, the receptacle housing being pushed into the gap between the optical waveguide or ferrul and the coupling housing, and the coupling housing engaging in the rear engagement Clutch swing is enclosed at least on two sides. The entire plug connection is enclosed and protected by the protective housing, which can also be made from a metallic material.

From DE 199 30 062 A1, a connector for optical fibers is known, with a connector housing, on the elongated narrow sides of which longitudinal release levers are attached, which actuate resilient latching lugs which, when plugged in, engage in a coupling counterpart in the locking openings thereof and by pressing on them Unlock the unlocking lever in the area of the actuation zones from the locking openings, the connector housing having recesses in the area of the unlocking lever, into which the unlocking lever can be moved in order to pull the plug. A locking attachment can be plugged onto the rear part of the plug, which covers the unlocking levers with its housing walls and the cover part and which has locking elements which lock the locking attachment against manual removal from the connector housing, the locking elements using a tool which can be plugged onto the locking attachment and the unlocking ment elements, can be unlocked. The locking attachment also has an apron which extends over the locking openings of the coupling counterpart. A disadvantage of this connector is that, in addition to the complex structure, it requires special tools to solve the connection.

A plug connection is known from EP 0 599 784 B1, in which concealed locking devices are arranged in a double coupling, which are actuated for unlocking by means of rockers arranged on the plug that can be inserted into the double coupling on both sides. A disadvantage of this plug connection is that, regardless of the complex internal structure of the plug connection, a rotatably mounted rocker must be arranged on each plug, as a result of which a high outlay is involved, which leads to unacceptable manufacturing costs for a mass product such as a plug.

From WO 00/37979 a connector for optical waveguides is known which has a connector housing, at one end of which an optical fiber cable is inserted and at the opposite end ferrules emerge, each of which is encapsulated in a first ferrule individual housing, which has locking means on the outside of its housing carries, each cooperating with a locking counter element of a male counter coupling. The inner ferrule single housings are each captured in an outer ferrule single housing and relatively movable within it in the axial direction, which is accommodated in a motion-coupled manner in the plug housing and has means with which the locking between the inner ferrule single housing and the locking counter-element of the male counter coupling by axially displacing the outer ferrule single housing against the inner one Single ferrule housing can be detached in the direction of the cable entry. A motion-coupled connection, which can be an additional housing, is formed between the optical fiber cable and the inner ferrule housing. A disadvantage of this plug connection is the likewise very complex mechanism which is intended to ensure that the plug connection is locked and unlocked. Another plug connection is known from DE 298 13 475 U1, in which a tool is also required in order to release the connection.

From the large number of known connectors and couplings for optical connectors, it can be seen that it has not yet been possible to develop a satisfactory standard for this important area in modern data transmission technology. In addition, the fiber optic plug connections, which have been developed independently from manufacturer to manufacturer, do not allow components or even cables from different manufacturers to be used.

Technical object of the invention:

The invention is therefore based on the object of developing a plug and a matching coupling, in particular a double coupling, which on the one hand has the best known, compact and simple shape, ensures a proven reliable, easily lockable and unlockable plug connection, and moreover is as simple as possible.

Disclosure of the invention and its advantages:

To achieve the object, the plug for producing an optical waveguide connector of the type mentioned in claim 1 is characterized according to the invention by a housing together with the locking device having the outer shape of an RJ45 plug, at least on its front side and on its rear side at least partially open of the protected inner space enclosed parallel to the longitudinal axis of the plug connection, at least one detent spring arranged on the outside of the housing on at least one narrow side parallel to the longitudinal axis of the plug connection as a locking device, in each case one ferrule holder arranged in the inner space for everyone through the rear of the housing in the interior guided optical waveguide, the ferrule holder on its side facing the end face of the housing having a recess for a K arranged in a coupling corresponding to the plug upplungsferrul and a parallel to the longitudinal axis of the connector from its side facing the rear of the housing in the center of the recess has running bore for receiving the optical waveguide, through which the optical waveguide can be passed to the recess serving to receive the coupling ferrule, the optical waveguide being inserted into the bore with or without a sheath through the bore in the ferrule holder until the front end of the optical waveguide is flush opens at the bottom of the recess and can be connected to the ferrule holder, for example by gluing or potting, and the opening on the end face of the housing serves to carry out the at least one coupling ferrule - one for each optical waveguide to be connected to the plug connection - to the ferrule holder. The ferrule holder is made of plastic, in particular because of the simpler processing. RJ45 plugs are known, for example, as plugs for telephone cables in ISDN telephone systems and, in particular, as plugs for network cables in EDP technology and offer the advantage of widespread use and a high level of awareness and high reliability when establishing a detachable cable connection, especially for data transmission. Due to the known format of an RJ45 plug or an associated socket, which is already installed in most of the devices that are used for data transmission or processing, there is a known or at least estimable space requirement for one in such a device for the manufacturers of such devices to be integrated optical fiber connector, which significantly reduces the development risk for the integration of an optical connection.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the ferrule holder is spring-loaded and displaceable axially in the interior in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the plug by means of a compression spring, and the spring load presses the ferrule holder in the direction of the end face of the housing. By means of the compression spring, the ferrule holder in the rest position can be arranged somewhat further towards the end face than would be required if the plug was inserted into a coupling, so that when the plug is inserted into a coupling, the coupling ferrule arranged in the coupling and projecting into the housing, the ferrule holder pushes something against the spring force into the connector in order to keep the shortest possible free transmission path between the ends opposite to ensure each other arranged coupling ferrule and from the rear through the bore flush with the bottom of the recess arranged in the ferrule holder for the coupling ferrule opening optical waveguide.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a stop limiting the axial displacement in the direction of the end face is arranged on the ferrule holder, the housing on its side facing the end face having a recess in its interior which, together with the stop arranged on the ferrule holder, limits the axial displaceability of the ferrule holder ,

An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that a rocker is arranged at the free end of the detent spring, which, when the plug is inserted into a socket or a coupling, protrudes from the plug connection for actuating, in particular for releasing, the detent spring.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the housing and the detent spring and optionally the rocker are made in one piece.

Another advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the bore running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the plug connection in the ferrule holder is stepped at least once in diameter in the longitudinal axis of the plug connection for receiving the optical waveguide cable. The partially stripped optical fiber is inserted and glued into the stepped bore. An optical fiber usually has a sheath made of a plastic as a protective sheath, which is partially removed at the front end, which is inserted into the ferrule holder arranged in the connector. The foremost, bare part of the fiber of the optical waveguide is in the foremost, thinnest part of the hole adjoining the recess for receiving the ferrule, followed by the middle part of the hole in which the fiber with protective sheath is usually inserted, followed by the third part the hole with the largest diameter, which is poured around the optical fiber with a hardening adhesive. Welding the ferrule holder and optical fiber directly during manufacture is also conceivable. The optical fiber can also be two have different protective sheaths made of plastic, then the fiber is stepped twice and glued into the hole. For example, the diameter of the bore in its area facing the rear of the housing can be dimensioned such that a sheathing directly enveloping the optical waveguide, such as, for example, the insulation of a single strand in a multiple cable, can be clamped in the bore between the ferrule holder and the optical waveguide is so that the sheathing can be connected to the ferrule holder, for example to relieve the strain on the optical waveguide between the ferrule holder and the strain relief arranged on the housing and acting on the casing of the optical waveguide cable, which contains several individual optical waveguides.

Another advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the optical waveguide cable has two optical waveguides and two ferrule holders for receiving two coupling ferrules, one for each optical waveguide, are arranged in parallel next to one another in the plug.

Another advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the ferrule holder and a spring exerting the spring load on the ferrule holder have an opening in the housing for opening the coupling ferrule in the direction of the front side of the housing and an opening for carrying out the coupling ferrule Implementation of the optical fiber inner housing are arranged, wherein the inner housing is inserted from the rear of the housing into the housing, which has at least on a narrow side in the area facing the back a recess that is elastically pressed apart when inserting the inner housing and then when the inner housing, for example, abuts against a stop edge arranged on the housing so that it lies in its desired position in the housing, springs back behind the inner housing, so that the inner housing is fixed in the housing. Other conceivable possibilities for introducing the inner housing into the housing are, for example, the double-shell design of the housing or the insertion of the inner housing through a gap beginning at the end face on one of the narrow sides, preferably the lower one, opposite the catch spring Narrow side. A separate inner housing is provided for each ferrule holder with the associated spring arranged in the housing.

Another advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that all of the ferrule holders arranged in the plug with the associated springs are arranged in a common inner housing which surrounds the interior and is arranged in the housing, the common inner housing on its side facing the front and rear sides has a sufficient number of openings for the coupling ferrule and the optical waveguide, a coupling ferrule having to be able to protrude into the housing for each ferrule holder when the plug connection is plugged together.

An additional, advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the inner housing is designed with two shells, for easier assembly of the ferrule holder and the optical waveguide.

An additional, advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the inner housing on its inner side facing the ferrule holder has a recess on the side facing the end face, which together with the stop arranged on the ferrule holder limits the axial displaceability of the ferrule holder in the direction of the end face. An equivalent solution is represented by a groove with a rectangular cross-section which is limited in the direction of the end face and into which a nose arranged on the ferrule holder engages, so that as a path limitation the nose abuts the limitation of the groove.

A particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized by a strain relief arranged in the inner housing and acting on the sheathing of the optical waveguide cable. The strain relief can consist, for example, of a direct connection to the sheath of the optical waveguide cable and, in particular, an essentially T-shaped anchoring and a recess receiving the T-shaped anchoring in the lower and / or the upper shell of the inner housing. An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the detent spring is arranged to run parallel to the respective narrow side and is preferably connected to the housing in a spring-elastic manner at its end facing the front end face of the housing and running parallel to the end face, so that the detent spring is for example for releasing the connector can be pressed resiliently perpendicular to the narrow side

Another particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized by a modified RJ45 plug with a detent spring arranged on the outside of the plug and a rocker arranged on the detent spring as a housing, the modification being that an inner housing is arranged in the RJ45 plug housing is arranged in each case a ferrule holder for receiving one each with a plugged connector consisting of plug and coupling plug connection from the front end protruding into the RJ45 plug coupling ferrule for each optical fiber guided through the rear of the housing into the inner housing. Thanks to the RJ45 geometry for the housing, additional components can be easily produced by modifying components that are compatible with the RJ45 geometry, e.g. double couplings, for connecting and extending two fiber optic cables, simply by inserting one with the modified optical connector and the transmission path between the compatible insert in the double coupling is inserted into the respective largely unchanged housing.

An additional, particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized by a connector ferrule arranged in the bore of the ferrule holder and connected to the optical waveguide.

A double coupling for a plug for producing an optical waveguide plug connection of the type mentioned in claim 16 is characterized according to the invention in that the coupling housing is a modified coupling housing of an RJ45 double coupling, the modification being that there is an undercut for the locking device having coupling housing, a coupling insert is arranged, which from the point of view of the plug forms the rear wall of the socket serving to receive the plug and limits the path of a plug inserted into the socket in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the plug connection, with at least one cylindrical lead-through opening in the coupling insert one for each optical fiber arranged in a modified RJ45 connector; a hollow cylindrical ceramic sleeve is arranged within the cylindrical through opening, as well as a coupling ferrule arranged in the ceramic sleeve on each side, which collide in the middle of the bushing, the ceramic sleeve having an inside diameter corresponding to the outside diameter of the individual coupling ferrule. Due to the arrangement of the ferrule in the coupling, as a coupling ferrule, these are protected within the coupling against an arrangement on the plug, from which they would otherwise have to protrude, against contamination and damage. However, if the coupling or socket is a receptacle or a single coupling, only one coupling ferrule is arranged within the hollow cylindrical ceramic sleeve.

An advantageous embodiment of the double clutch according to the invention provides that the coupling insert is divided perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the plug connection, each half of the coupling insert being pressed into one half of the coupling housing divided on the same plane.

Another advantageous embodiment of the double coupling according to the invention provides that the coupling ferrule is divided perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the plug connection.

A single coupling designated as receptacle for the front-side, releasable connection of a plug with an oppositely arranged optical fiber cable according to claim 19 is characterized in that the receptacle housing is a modified socket housing of an RJ45 socket, the modification being that there is an undercut for the socket housing comprising the locking device, a coupling insert is arranged, with at least one arranged in the coupling insert. Neten, cylindrical feed-through opening and a hollow cylindrical ceramic sleeve arranged in the feed-through opening, which has an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of a coupling ferrule, and a coupling ferrule arranged in the ceramic sleeve and secured against displacement in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the plug connection, with a coupling ferrule in the direction The end face of the connector is arranged flush with the optical waveguide which closes the coupling ferrule and leads out of the coupling ferrule on the side facing away from the plug. Here, too, the arrangement of the ferrule in the coupling - coupling ferrule - leads to reliable protection against contamination and damage compared to an arrangement on the plug from which it should protrude.

An advantageous embodiment of the simple coupling or receptacle according to the invention provides that the coupling insert is divided perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the plug connection.

Brief description of the drawing, showing:

1 shows a plug connection consisting of two RJ45 plugs according to the invention for optical waveguides inserted into a double coupling according to the invention, in a top view,

2 shows the plug connection from FIG. 1 in a section along the section line A -A, FIG. 3 shows a detailed view of section B of the plug connection from FIG. 2, FIG. 4 shows a plug connection consisting of two RJ45 plugs according to the invention for optical waveguides inserted into a double coupling according to the invention View, and Figure 5 shows a connector consisting of an inserted in a receptacle according to the invention, RJ45 connector for optical fibers in plan view.

WAYS OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION:

A connector shown in Figure 1 for releasably connecting two

Optical fiber cable consists of two plugs 20 that are rotated by 180 ° opposite sides are inserted into a double clutch 22. For this purpose, the double coupling 22 has on each of its two sides orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the plug connection L a socket 21 for one RJ45 plug modified for the light wave transmission. The plugs each have, on one of their narrow sides 14 of the RJ45 plug housing 3 modified as an optical waveguide plug, arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis of the plug connection L, a resilient spring 10 which is resiliently arranged parallel to the respective shawl side 14, on the free rear side 13 of the RJ45 plug Housing 3 facing side a rocker 11 is arranged, which protrudes from the coupling housing 1 when the plug 20 is inserted into the double coupling 22. With the rocker 11, the detent spring 10 can be used to release the plug

20 are depressed from the double clutch 22.

In particular, it can be seen in FIG. 2 that, in the case of plugs 20 arranged in the double coupling 22, the coupling ferrules 6, 6 ′ arranged in the modified coupling housing 1 of an RJ45 double coupling, which are necessary for the mutual coupling of light and light transmission, end around the optical waveguides guided through the bores 25 Are arranged 180 ° opposite. In order to ensure an exact positioning of the clutch ferrule 6, 6 ', a clutch insert 2 is arranged in the clutch housing 1, which has a lead-through opening 18 for each clutch ferrule 6, 6', in each of which a hollow cylindrical ceramic sleeve 9 is arranged, into which left and on the right a coupling ferrule 6, 6 'is inserted, which abut one another with their mutually facing end faces 19. The ceramic sleeve 9 in connection with the coupling ferrules 6, 6 'inserted therein prevents undesired material connections or displacements of the overlapping light spots over a wide temperature range, moreover mechanical abrasion on the material surfaces sliding directly on one another in the critical area of the transmission path between the End faces of the coupling ferrule 6, 6 ¹ and the optical fibers almost impossible. When the plug 20 is removed, the coupling ferrules 6, 6 'do not protrude beyond the socket

21 so that they are effectively protected against dirt and damage. In Figure 2, as well as in Figure 3, is also among other things recognize how the detent springs 10 engage in a rear engagement 23 arranged on the clutch housing 1.

In Figure 3, the construction of a connector 20 is shown, which consists of a modified RJ45 connector housing 3, which is modified by the installation of an inner housing 24, consisting of an inner housing lower shell 7 and an inner housing upper shell 8, in which Inner housing 24 is arranged in the longitudinal axis of the plug connection L axially displaceable ferrule holder 4, which is spring-loaded by a spring 5 in the direction of the end face 12 of the housing 3 parallel to the longitudinal axis of the plug connection L. The ferrule holder 4 has at its end facing the end face 12 a recess for receiving a coupling ferrule 6 arranged in a coupling corresponding to the plug and on its side facing the rear side 13 of the housing 3 a receptacle in the form of a bore 25 for an optical waveguide, not shown , The bore 25 runs parallel to the longitudinal axis of the plug connection L from the rear 13 through the ferrule holder 4 into the recess for receiving the coupling ferrule 6, 6 ', the bore 25 being stepped three times in the longitudinal direction of the plug connection, so that the optical waveguide with it Sheathing can be pushed into the ferrule holder 4 from the rear 13 and the optical waveguide can be guided through the bore 25 without the sheathing until it is flush with the bottom of the recess for the coupling ferrule 6, 6 ', the optical waveguide being fixed can be connected to the ferrule holder 4, for example by gluing. A stop 15 is arranged on the ferrule holder 4, which limits the axial displaceability of the ferrule holder 4 by the spring 5 in the direction of the end face 12 by striking against a recess 16 formed on the inner housing 24. The ferrule holder 4 is arranged in the rest position somewhat further towards the end face 12 than in the position shown when the plug 20 is pushed into a coupling, so that the spring arranged when the plug 20 is inserted into a coupling places the coupling in and into it modified RJ45 connector housing 3 projecting coupling ferrules 6, 6 'pushes the ferrule holder 4 somewhat against the spring force into the connector 20 in order to provide a precise arrangement of coupling ferrules opposite one another on the end face 6, 6 'and optical waveguide and to ensure the shortest possible free transmission path between the coupling ferrule 6, 6' inserted into the recess of the ferrule holder 4 and the optical waveguide which opens flush into the recess from the other side.

In order to prevent the inner housing 24 arranged in the modified RJ45 connector housing 3 from sliding out in the direction of the rear side 13, a stop edge 17 is formed on the RJ45 connector housing 3, which together with the corresponding narrow sides 14 is resilient after the insertion of the assembled and connected to the optical fiber inner housing 24 snaps behind the inner housing 24. In the RJ45 plug housing, two ferrule holders 4 are arranged in parallel in a common inner housing 24, one for each in a common or in two separate optical fiber cables. When the plug 20 is inserted into the double coupling 22, the coupling ferrule 6, 6 'arranged in the hollow cylindrical ceramic sleeve 9, which is adjacent to the plug 20 to be inserted, slides into the front recess on the ferrule holder 4 until it hits the bottom of the recess and presses at Further insertion of the plug 20 into the double coupling 22 brings the spring 5 together, so that the ferrule holder 4 with the optical waveguide arranged therein is supported by the spring force in the desired position opposite the end face of the coupling ferrule 6, 6 'arranged in the double coupling 22. The precise axial alignment of the clutch ferrules 6, 6 'arranged in the double clutch 22 takes place through the precise arrangement in the ceramic sleeve 9 arranged in the through opening 18, which can be designed as a precision part with respect to the clutch ferrules 6, 6' abutting within the ceramic sleeve 9.

FIG. 4 again illustrates how the plugs 20 are inserted into the double coupling 22. The stop edge 17, which secures the inner housing 24, can be seen on the modified RJ45 connector housing 3 shown in the foreground and open on its rear side 13. The inner housing 25 is almost complete from the narrow sides 14 of the modified RJ45 connector housing 3 enclosed, the remaining openings serve for easy accessibility of the interior space occupied by the inner housing 24, in particular for assembly and maintenance purposes. The rockers 11 for actuating the detent springs 10 protrude from the double clutch 22 on both sides in order to be able to release the plug connection by pressing the rockers down.

FIG. 5 shows a receptacle housing 26, a single socket, into which a plug 20 is inserted. On the opposite side of the receptacle housing 26 from the plug, a plurality of individual optical waveguide cables, which have optical fibers connected to the inside of the receptacle housing 26 and each with a coupling ferrule, emerges for further connection.

Industrial applicability:

The invention is commercially applicable in particular for the production of plug connections in optical fiber technology and data transmission technology using optical fiber technology.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 coupling housing 2 coupling insert 3 modified RJ45 connector housing 4 ferrule holder 5 spring 6 6 'coupling ferrule 7 inner housing - lower shell 8 inner housing - upper shell 9 ceramic sleeve 10 detent spring 11 rocker arm 12 front 13 rear 14 narrow side 15 stop 16 recess 17 stop edge 18 feed-through opening 19 end faces 20 Plug 21 socket 22 double coupling 23 rear engagement 24 inner housing 25 bore 26 receptacle housing 27 recess L longitudinal axis of the plug connection A -A section line B cutout

Claims

claims:

1. Plug for producing an optical waveguide connector for an optical waveguide cable having at least one optical waveguide, with a housing, in each case one ferrule holder connected to the optical waveguide and arranged in the housing and at least one locking device arranged on the outside on a narrow side of the housing, characterized by a together with the locking device (10, 11) the outer shape of an RJ45 connector, at least partially open at least on its end face (12) and on its rear side (13) with a narrow side (3) running from the parallel sides to the longitudinal axis of the plug connection (L) 14) enclosed interior, at least one detent spring (10) arranged on the outside of the housing (3) on at least one narrow side (14) as a locking device for engaging in a coupling (22, 26), the detent spring (10) being connected to the housing (3 ) is resiliently connected, one in each Ferrule holder (4) arranged in the interior for each optical waveguide led through the rear side (13) of the housing (3) into the interior, the ferrule holder (4) having a recess (27) on its side facing the end face (12) of the housing (3). for each of a coupling ferrule (6, 6 ') and a bore (25) running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the plug connection (L) from its side facing the rear side (13) of the housing (3) in the middle of the recess.

2. Plug according to claim 1, characterized in that the ferrule holder (4) in the interior axially in the longitudinal direction of the plug connection (L) by means of a compression spring (5) is arranged spring-loaded and displaceable, and the compression spring (5) the ferrule holder (4) presses in the direction of the end face (12) of the housing (3).

3. Plug according to claim 2, characterized in that a stop (15) is arranged on the ferrule holder (4), and that the housing (3) on its side facing the end face (12) has a recess (16) which, together with the stop (15) arranged on the ferrule holder (4), limits the axial displacement of the ferrule holder (4).

4. Plug according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that a rocker (11) is arranged at the free end of the detent spring (10).

5. Plug according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the housing (3) and the detent spring (10) and optionally the rocker (11) are made in one piece.

6. Plug according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bore (25) in the ferrule holder (4) in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the plug connection (L) is at least once graduated in diameter.

7. Plug according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the optical fiber cable has two optical fibers and in the connector (20) two ferrule holders (4) are arranged in parallel next to each other.

8. Plug according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ferrule holder (4) and a spring load (5) on the ferrule holder (4) exerting spring (5) in a in the housing (3) arranged in the direction of the end face (12) of the housing (3) there is an opening for the passage of the coupling ferrule (6, 6 ') and in the direction of the rear (13) of the housing (3) there is an opening for the passage of the inner waveguide (24, 7, 8) ,

9. Plug according to claim 8, characterized in that all of the ferrule holder (4) arranged in the plug (20) with the associated springs (5) are arranged in a common inner housing (24, 7, 8) arranged in the housing, wherein the common inner housing (24, 7, 8) on its side facing the front (12) and rear (13) is sufficient Has number of openings for the implementation of the coupling ferrule (6,6 ') and the optical waveguide.

10. Plug according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the inner housing (24, 7, 8) is double-skin.

11. Plug according to claim 8, 9 or 10, characterized in that the inner housing (24, 7, 8) on its inside facing the ferrule holder (4) on the end face (12) facing a recess (16) which together with the stop (15) arranged on the ferrule holder (4) limits the axial displacement of the ferrule holder (4).

12. Connector according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized by a in the inner housing (7, 8) arranged, acting on the sheathing of the optical fiber cable strain relief.

13. Plug according to claim 1 to 12, characterized in that the detent spring (10) is arranged parallel to the respective narrow side (14) and preferably on its the front end face (12) of the housing (3) facing and parallel to the end face (12) extending end is resiliently connected to the housing (3)

14. Plug according to one of claims 8 to 13, characterized by a modified RJ45 plug as the housing (3), the modification being that an inner housing (24, 7, 8) in the housing (3) of an RJ45 plug is arranged, in each of which a ferrule holder (4) for receiving a coupling ferrule (6, 6 ') protruding from the front side (12) into the RJ45 plug for each through the rear side (13) of the housing (3) in the inner housing (24, 7, 8) guided optical waveguide is arranged.

15. Plug according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized by a in the bore (25) of the ferrule holder and connected to the optical waveguide plug ferrule.

16. Double coupling for the front, releasable connection of two oppositely arranged plugs according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling housing (1) is a modified coupling housing of an RJ45 double coupling, the modification being that in which an undercut ( 23) a coupling insert (2) is arranged for the coupling device (1) having the locking device (10), with at least one cylindrical through opening (18) arranged in the coupling insert (2) and one hollow cylindrical ceramic sleeve (18) arranged in the through opening (18) 9), and in each case a coupling ferrule (6, 6 ') arranged on the left and right in the ceramic sleeve, the ceramic sleeve (9) having an inside diameter corresponding to the outside diameter of the coupling ferrule (6, 6'), which is located inside the ceramic sleeve (9) face each other with their end faces (19).

17. Double coupling according to claim 16, characterized in that the coupling insert (2) is divided perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the plug connection (L).

18. Double coupling according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that the coupling ferrule (6, 6 ') is divided perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the plug connection (L).

19. Single coupling, receptacle, for the front, detachable connection of a plug according to one of claims 1 to 15 with an oppositely arranged optical fiber cable, characterized in that the receptacle housing (26) is a modified socket housing of an RJ45 socket, the modification consisting in that a coupling insert (2) is arranged in the socket housing (26) which has an engagement (23) for the locking device (10), with at least one cylindrical through opening (18) arranged in the coupling insert (2) and one in the through opening (18 ) arranged, hollow cylindrical ceramic sleeve (9), which has an inside diameter corresponding to the outside diameter of a coupling ferrule (6, 6 '), and a coupling ferrule (6, 6') arranged in the ceramic sleeve and secured against displacement in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the plug connection, wherein in the coupling ferrule ( 6,6 '), an optical waveguide which is flush with the coupling ferrule (6,6') at the end in the direction of the plug and which leads out of the coupling ferrule on the side facing away from the plug.

20. Single coupling, receptacle, according to claim 19, characterized in that the coupling insert (2) is divided perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the plug connection (L).