WO2015117251A1

WO2015117251A1 - Optical plug that can be assembled at the location of use

Info

Publication number: WO2015117251A1
Application number: PCT/CH2014/000097
Authority: WO
Inventors: Junqing BI
Original assignee: Novobit Ag
Priority date: 2014-02-04
Filing date: 2014-07-09
Publication date: 2015-08-13
Also published as: CH709228A2; CH709228B1

Abstract

The optical plug (1) that can be assembled at the location of use serves for detachable connection of at least one conductor (6) to an optical plug element (15). The conductor (6) can be a fiber optic cable. At least two guide tubes (2, 3) are present, each having an axial guide opening for accommodating a conductor (6) or an optical plug element (15), in particular a conductor section (5) associated with the latter. The guide tubes (2, 3) are arranged in at least one common centering sleeve (4). The conductor (6) accommodated in said centering sleeve and the conductor section (5) run up against each other on the front sides, aligning axially in said centering sleeve. The guide tubes (2, 3) can be held in connection by the force of a spring (10) and/or have a recess for receiving gel. Incorrect assembly or other problems with regard to the radial alignment as well as with the axial positioning of the conductor (6) to be coupled, and data transmission faults caused thereby, are largely eliminated.

Description

Field attachable optical connector

The present invention relates to an optical connector which can be assembled on site.

In particular, it is a plug that is suitable for connecting optical waveguides. The mentioned light is primarily optical signals. The line can be a single glass fiber or consist of a plurality of glass fibers as a light guide cable and have a corresponding cable sheath, a protective layer and / or a sheath. The term glass fiber also means fibers made of plastic. It could also be a rod lens. Ultimately, the exact design of each line depends on the purpose of the plug. In the description and in the patent claims is generally speaking simplistic of line, even if primarily an optical fiber, or glass or plastic fibers are meant. Optical fibers are used for example for data transmission in computers and computer networks and in control devices. You can transmit information safely as well as with a high transmission rate and transmission bandwidth. They are insensitive to electromagnetic interference. If disturbances can occur at all, then where one has to be connected.

According to the current state of the art, an alignment element is used for connecting lines to a plug, in particular in the case of optical fibers or optical waveguides. which consists of two sub-elements. Both sub-elements have a longitudinal groove, wherein these sub-elements are to be placed on each other such that their two longitudinal grooves jointly surround at least one line and thus form a receptacle for this line. To connect the respective line, this is to be placed in the longitudinal groove of the first sub-element of the alignment element, so that the line end and the optical plug-in element of the plug butt against each other. Subsequently, the second Teiliement the alignment element is to be arranged thereon. The alignment element formed from two loose longitudinal halves must be held together non-positively by a corresponding holder or by a sleeve.

In such connectors problems may arise both in terms of the radial orientation and the axial positioning of the line to be connected. Especially when the line which does not strike exactly is an optical fiber, this leads to disturbances in the data transmission. If the longitudinal axis is displaced and / or there is even a distance between the line end and the optical plug-in element, it can lead to harmful reflections. In the worst case, the optical pulse generating optical source could get out of tact. To improve the radial alignment has gone over to form the said longitudinal grooves in cross-section V-shaped, in order to press the respective line in the direction of its longitudinal axis when joining the longitudinal halves of the alignment element. Since, however, optical fibers must not be squeezed under any circumstances, these V-shaped longitudinal grooves are suboptimal and not recommended in every case. In order to bridge any distances, it is also known to press a gel between the line end and the optical plug-in element, that is, a so-called index-matching gel. This fills the gap and has a similar refractive index as the glass fiber, or optical fibers, so that interference is reduced. Based on these findings, the present invention sets the Aufga ^¬ be to create a free assembly on site optical connector in which the above-described disadvantages are largely avoided.

The inventive, can be assembled on site each optical connector corresponds to the characterizing features of claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments of the inventive concept are apparent from the dependent claims.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1 shows an optical connector in longitudinal section;

Fig. 2 shows the same optical connector in exploded view;

Fig. 3 shows an optical connector with a connected

Management;

Fig. 4 shows an enlarged portion A of the optical

Plug according to Fig. 3rd

When presented as an exemplary optical connector 1, the area is first important, where the line 6 to be coupled and the optical plug element 15 collide. For connecting the line 6, which is shown in particular in Fig. 3, at least one guide tube 3 is present. This has an axial guide opening, in which the plug-side end portion of the line 6 is received. The optical plug-in element 15 of the plug 1 is in several parts in the present embodiment and also consists of at least one guide tube 2 and 13th each with an axial guide opening and a line section embedded therein 5.

It goes without saying that the guide tubes 2, 3 and 13 must be made with very small tolerances, both in terms of their outer diameter and in terms of the inner diameter of the guide hole and in particular the centric position thereof. The two adjoining the connection point 9 of the line 6 and the optical plug element 15 guide tubes 2 and 3 are in turn arranged in a centering sleeve 4. This ensures that the line 6 and the line section 5 of the optical plug element 15 radially exactly, that is, axially aligned abutting one another, as can be seen from Figs. 3 and 4. 4 is an enlarged view of this connection point 9.

The line 6 is mechanically held in the guide opening. But it is also possible to stick with a suitable adhesive, such as superglue.

The end of the line 6 and the line end of the line section 5 terminate flush with the mutually facing end faces of the two guide tubes 2 and 3. It is also possible that one or both Eden extends beyond the end face of the respective guide tube 2 and / or 3. In this case, the projecting beyond the end face of the guide tube 3 part of the line 6 could be pressed so far that the line end is wider than the inner diameter of the guide tube 3, so that the line 6 is additionally held in the guide tube 3. The latter depends on the type of line and is not always possible.

The cable end is preferably smooth and polished. The end face of the pipe end can also be cut convex, oblique or rounded and be polished. The same applies to the two ends of the conduit section 5 and to the guide tubes 2 and 13 receiving them.

In addition to the measures described above, in the illustrated optical connector 1, in addition to the axially aligned, ie radial position of the two guide tubes 2 and 3, and their position in the longitudinal direction of the line axis is ensured. For this purpose, the optical connector 1 has at least one locking element 7 and / or 8 in order to lock the guide tubes 2 and 3 in the assembled state so that they can not be axially separated from one another and released at the connection point 9.

In continuation of this idea may also be present at least one spring 10 to at least one of the guide tubes 2 and / or 3 to each other, or to press the connection point 9. This can also be done via intermediate components. In the present case, a spring 10 is provided, which is designed as a compression spring. By this, as soon as a housing cap 1 1 and a housing body 16 are connected to each other, for example by screwing, the line-side guide tube 3 is pressed onto the guide tube 2 of the optical plug element 15.

Between the housing cap 11 and the first, line-side guide tube 3, a sleeve-shaped and corresponding stops having sliding element 12 may be present. This sliding element 12 is coaxial with the line 6. The second, belonging to the optical plug-in element 15 guide tube 2 is prevented by its associated locking element 8 on the retreat. This blocking element 8 is coaxial with the line section 5 and in turn is locked in the housing body 16 of the optical connector 1. For example, by a cross - sectional constriction whose inner cross section is smaller than the outer cross section of Guide tube 2 is. Theoretically, the second blocking element 8 could also be part of the housing body 16 of the optical connector 1.

By the given in any case frictional connection at the connection point 9 is avoided that the connection or the contact between the line 6 and the line section 5 of the optical plug-in element 15 dissolves, or that it comes to disturbances of data transmission. Be it due to mechanical or temperature-induced influences, ie material deformations that could lead to undesirable axial displacements.

Although an undesirable distance between the line end and the optical plug-in element 15 is considerably less likely than in the prior art, it is also possible to use a gel in the present solution, that is to say a so-called index-matching gel. Here, however, there is the distinct advantage that the gel can be introduced into the centering sleeve 4. Unlike, for example, in the case of the aforementioned V-shaped longitudinal grooves, the gel can not escape. Rather, it is protected and sealed in the final state in the area between the two at the junction 9 colliding guide tubes 2 and 3 pressed. This will certainly result in a longer life of the gel and, as a result, the conductive connection.

The mutually facing ends of the two meeting at the junction 9 guide tubes 2 and 3 are chamfered in the present embodiment at its peripheral edge, or bevelled. This can clearly be seen in Fig. 4. This allows the respective guide tube 2 and 3, as known per se, are more easily inserted into the centering sleeve 4. But just when using a gel, this results in a collecting space for excess gel, so that the two ends of these guide tubes 2 and 3 closer let push together. Also, any air pockets could escape here. Both benefit the trouble-free data transmission. It should be noted here that only one of these two guide tubes 2 or 3 could have a chamfering or a differently shaped collecting space or a depression for the gel or excess gel.

This optical connector 1 is suitable for all types of optical waveguides or optical cables. By providing guide tubes 2, 3 and 13 different inner cross-section, and possibly of differently formed optical plug-in elements 15, can be connected at the site lines 6 different cross-sections and any cross-sectional structure. The operations are simple and incorrect assembly largely excluded. In addition, the line 6 at any time easy to solve again from the optical connector 1.

For connecting the optical connector 1 to the line 6, the line 6 is first separated cleanly at its end. Thereafter, it is inserted into the cross-sectional opening of its associated guide tube 3. Thereafter, the merging takes place with the line section 5, or with the guide tube 2 of the optical plug-in element 15. At the end of the housing body 16 and the housing cap 1 1 are screwed together or connected to each other in other ways.

The line section 5 can advantageously already be factory embedded in the optical plug-in element 15 and its ends are polished. As a result, the free end of the optical plug-in element 15, in Figs. 1 and 3 each left, optimally polished factory.

Of course, it is within the scope of the invention according to claim 1, the optical connector 1 in detail to construct differently than shown in the drawings. That refers to the Mass and proportions of the line 6 and the optical plug-in element 15, the guide tubes 2, 3 and 13 and the centering sleeve 4th

It should be expressly stated that the optical plug-in element 15 also have only one guide tube 2 or could consist of such. Likewise, here theoretically more than two guide tubes 2 and 13 are possible, if not useful. It is also important that the optical plug element 15 associated guide tubes 2 and 13 need not necessarily have the same outer diameter. Rather, there may be applications where the free end of the optical plug element 15 must have a predetermined outer diameter. Also conceivable would be a single guide tube 2 with sections of different outside diameter.

The two, three or more guide tubes 2, 3 and 13 can be made by the way by turning. The inner diameter of the guide tubes 2 and / or 3 meeting at the connection point 9 can have a conical inner bore at their end facing away from the connection point 9, so that the line 6 and / or the line section 5 can be inserted more easily. The guide opening of the centering sleeve 4 may also be formed as a bore. The optical connector 1 may also have more than one centering sleeve 4. Furthermore, the centering sleeve 4 could be designed in several parts, be it by transverse or by longitudinal division. In the latter case, the two parts of the centering sleeve 4 could each have at least one in cross-section V-shaped longitudinal groove, each two longitudinal grooves form a guide opening. The multi-part centering sleeve 4 would be held together in this embodiment either by the housing body 16 or by an additional component.

The remaining, not directly related to the invention components of the optical connector 1, a different geometry respectively. For example, the design of the housing body 16 and the presence or shape of the handle 14 is irrelevant. Finally, it should be pointed out that the optical plug 1 could possibly be designed to connect a plurality of lines 6 running parallel to one another, that is to say also have more than one connecting axis.

Claims

claims

1. An optical connector (1) which can be assembled on site for connecting at least one line (6), characterized by at least two guide tubes (2, 3) with an axial guide opening for receiving in each case an end region of a line (6) or of the line-side end region one of an optical plug-in element (15), associated line section (5) which at least two guide tubes (2, 3) in turn in at least one common centering sleeve (4) are arranged, in which these two guide tubes (2, 3) and each received therein Line (6) and the line section (5) of the optical plug-in element (15) collide axially aligned frontally.

2. Optical plug according to claim 1, characterized in that the optical plug-in element (15) has at least one guide tube (2, 13) or consists of such a guide tube (2, 13).

3. An optical connector according to claim 2, characterized in that the optical plug-in element (15) has two guide tubes (2, 13) through whose guide openings a common line section (5) is guided.

4. An optical connector according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the optical plug-in element (15) has either two guide tubes (2, 13) of different outside diameters or two guide tube sections of different outside diameters.

5. An optical connector according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized by at least one locking element (7, 8) to lock at least one of the guide tubes (2, 3) in its axial position with respect to a line axis, with the purpose of at least two Guide tubes (2, 3) at a connection point (9) to keep the front side in connection.

6. An optical connector according to claim 5, characterized by at least one spring (10) which is in operative connection with at least one guide tube (3) and by the at least one first guide tube (3) on a second guide tube (2) or the connection point (9 ) Of these two guide tubes (2, 3) can be pressed.

7. An optical connector according to claim 6, characterized in that the spring (10) is designed as a compression spring and is in operative connection with a housing cap (11), such that by their attachment or screwing a first guide tube (3) to a second guide tube ( 2) or to the connection point (9) of these two guide tubes (2, 3) can be pressed.

8. An optical connector according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that at least one of the guide tubes (2, 3) in the region of a second guide tube (2, 3) zuwendenden end has a collecting cavities or a recess for receiving gel.

9. An optical connector according to claim 8, characterized in that at least one of the guide tubes (2, 3) chamfered in the region of a second guide tube (2, 3) facing the end, or is chamfered.

10. Optical connector according to one of claims 6 - 9, characterized by a between the at least one spring (10) and the at least one guide tube (3) coaxial with a line axis arranged sliding element (12).

11. An optical connector according to any one of claims 5 - 10, characterized by a blocking element (8) which forms a cross-sectional constriction in a housing of the connecting element (1) whose inner cross section is smaller than the outer cross section of a guide tube (2).

12. An optical connector according to any one of claims 1-11, characterized in that the inner diameter of at least one of the guide tubes (2, 3) at its from an adjacent guide tube (2, 3) averted end has a conical inner bore.

13. Optical plug according to one of claims 3 - 12, characterized in that at least one end of the line section (5) of the optical plug element (15) and / or a line section (5) receiving guide tube (2, 13) has a convex, oblique or rounded cut and polished face has.

14. Optical connector according to one of claims 1-13, characterized in that the at least one centering sleeve (4) is formed divided in length and at least consists of two longitudinal parts, each having at least one longitudinal groove, wherein each two longitudinal grooves a guide opening of Forming centering sleeve (4) and wherein these centering sleeve (4) are held together either by a housing body (16) or by an additional component.