Method and apparatus for inspecting end surfaces on optical connectors

• US 20050013579A1
• Filed: 08/17/2004
• Published: 01/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CommScope Technologies, LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ADC Telecommunications Incorporated (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Inventors: Holmquist, Marlon E., Rogers, Charles J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,012,686 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/134
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/9515 Objects of complex shape, e.g. examined with use of a surface follower device measuring contours and curvatures G01B11/24
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/381 of the ferrule type, e.g. fibre ends embedded in ferrules, connecting a pair of fibres
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3863 fabricated by using polishing techniques grinding of the fibre ends B24B19/226

Abstract

Methods and apparatus fix relative rotation between an optical connector about an axis that runs longitudinally through the optical connector and an inspection machine. In one method, an optical connector is releasably secured to a cage member having an extending flange. The optical connector is mounted into an inspection machine by inserting the end surface of the connector into a connector receipt aperture of the machine, and orienting the optical connector with the cage member to position the extending flange within a void of a fixture on the machine. A kit including a cage member and a mounting plate are provided.

Claims

1. A method for inspecting an end surface of an optical connector, the connector including a housing holding an optical ferrule with an optical fiber;

the method comprising;

(a) providing an inspection machine having a connector receipt aperture;

(b) releasably securing the optical connector to a cage member; and

(c) mounting the optical connector into the inspection machine by;

(i) inserting the end surface of the optical connector into the connector receipt aperture.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) the step of providing includes providing an inspection machine having a fixture defining a void;

(b) the step of releasably securing the optical connector to a cage member includes releasably securing the optical connector to a cage member including an extending flange; and

(c) the step of mounting includes;

(i) orienting the optical connector with the cage member to position the extending flange within the void of the fixture.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein:

(a) said step of providing an inspection machine includes providing an inspection machine with a fixture defining a void, wherein the void comprises a slot defining a first width; and

(b) said step of releasably securing the optical connector to a cage member includes securing a cage member having an extending flange;

the flange defining a second width;

(i) the first width being no more than 0.25% larger than the second width.

4. A method according to claim 2 wherein:

(a) said step of releasably securing the optical connector to a cage member includes securing the optical connector to a cage member having a frame and a latch arrangement extending from the frame;

(i) the frame defining a receiving chamber having a longitudinal axis; and

(ii) the extending flange being cantilevered from the frame and oriented generally normal to the longitudinal axis of the receiving chamber.

5. A method according to claim 4 wherein:

(a) said step of releasably securing the optical connector to a cage member includes;

(i) inserting the optical connector into the receiving chamber; and

(ii) latching the cage member to the optical connector with the latch arrangement.

6. A method according to claim 5 wherein:

(a) said step of inserting the optical connector into the receiving chamber includes aligning the optical connector with guiding ribs projecting from the frame into the receiving chamber.

7. A method according to claim 5 further including:

(a) after said step of mounting the optical connector into the inspection machine, unmounting the optical connector from the inspection machine by;

(i) removing the end surface of the optical connector from the connector receipt aperture; and

(ii) removing the extending flange of the cage member from the fixture void; and

(b) after said step of unmounting the optical connector from the inspection machine, removing the cage member from the optical connector by releasing the latch arrangement from the optical connector.

8. A method according to claim 2 wherein:

(a) said step of providing an inspection machine having a connector receipt aperture and a fixture defining a void includes mounting the fixture with the void onto the inspection machine.

9. A cage member for an optical connector for fixing relative rotation between the optical connector and an inspection machine, the connector including a housing holding an optical ferrule with an optical fiber;

the cage member comprising;

(a) a frame;

said frame defining an optical connector receiving chamber having a longitudinal axis;

(i) said frame having a height;

(b) a latch assembly;

said latch assembly extending from said frame and positioned adjacent to said receiving chamber; and

(c) a flange;

said flange being cantilevered from said frame and oriented generally normal to said longitudinal axis;

(i) said frame and said flange defining a continuous, flat, planar end face; and

(ii) said flange having a height that is at least 25% more than said frame height.

10. A cage member according to claim 9 wherein:

(a) said latch assembly extends from said frame in a direction generally parallel to said longitudinal axis.

11. A cage member according to claim 10 wherein:

(a) said latch assembly include a latch member including;

(i) an extension projecting from said frame having a free end; and

(ii) a hook construction at said free end.

12. A cage member according to claim 9 further including:

(a) first and second guide ribs projecting from said frame into said receiving chamber;

(i) said first and second guide ribs opposing each other within said receiving chamber.

13. A cage member according to claim 9 wherein:

(a) said flange includes a pair of parallel sides terminating at a free end.

14. A cage member according to claim 13 wherein:

(a) said flange has a height that is at least 50% more than said frame height.

15. In combination, a cage member and an optical connector, the combination comprising:

(a) an optical connector including a housing and a clip projecting therefrom;

(i) said housing holding an optical ferrule with an optical fiber;

(b) a cage member having a frame, a latch arrangement, and a flange;

(i) said frame defining an optical connector receiving chamber having a longitudinal axis;

(A) said housing being operably positioned within said chamber;

(ii) said latch arrangement extending from said frame and positioned adjacent to said receiving chamber;

(A) said latch arrangement being in engagement with said optical connector clip;

(iii) said flange being cantilevered from said frame and oriented generally normal to said longitudinal axis;

(A) said frame and said flange defining a continuous, flat, planar end face; and

(B) said ferrule projecting out of said end face.

16. A combination according to claim 15 wherein:

(a) said latch arrangement includes a latch member including;

(i) an extension projecting from said frame having a free end;

(ii) a hook construction at said free end; and

(b) said clip includes a pair of hooks;

(i) said latch member hook construction being in engagement with said pair of hooks of said clip.

17. A combination according to claim 15 wherein:

(a) said cage member further includes a plurality of guide ribs projecting from said frame into said receiving chamber;

(i) said guide ribs engaging said housing.

18. A combination according to claim 17 wherein:

(a) said flange has a height that is at least 25% more than a height of said frame.

19. A kit for use with an inspection machine for inspecting an end surface of an optical connector, the connector including a housing holding an optical ferrule with an optical fiber;

the kit comprising;

(a) a plate constructed and arranged to be mounted on the inspection machine;

said plate having an edge;

(i) said edge defining a receiving void; and

(b) a cage member constructed and arranged to receive the optical connector;

said cage member including an extending flange;

(i) said extending flange being sized to project into and be received by the receiving void of the plate.

20. A kit according to claim 19 wherein:

(a) said receiving void comprises a slot having first and second sides and an end edge;

(i) said first and second sides being perpendicular to said plate edge; and

(ii) said end edge extending between said first and second sides;

(A) said end edge being spaced from said plate edge by at least 0.1 inch.

21. A kit according to claim 20 wherein:

(a) said plate includes a pair of apertures sized to receive fasteners to secure said plate to the inspection machine;

(i) said slot being centered between said pair of apertures.

22. A kit according to claim 20 wherein:

(a) said cage member includes a frame defining an optical connector receiving chamber having a longitudinal axis;

(i) said flange being cantilevered from said frame and oriented generally normal to said longitudinal axis

(b) a latch assembly;

said latch assembly extending from said frame and positioned adjacent to said receiving chamber.

23. A kit according to claim 22 wherein:

(a) said flange includes a pair of parallel sides terminating at a free end;

(i) said flange parallel sides being received within said slot between said first and second sides of said slot.

24. A kit according to claim 23 wherein:

(a) said slot has a first width extending between said slot first and second sides; and

(b) said flanges has a second width, extending between said flange parallel sides;

(i) the first width being no more than 0.25% of the second width.

25. A kit according to claim 22 wherein:

(a) said latch assembly on said cage member extends from said frame in a direction generally parallel to said longitudinal axis; and

said latch assembly includes first and second spaced latch members;

each of the first and second latch members having an extension projecting from said frame having a hook construction; and

(b) said cage member further includes first and second guide ribs projecting from said frame into said receiving chamber;

(i) said first and second guide ribs opposing each other within said receiving chamber.

26. A fixture for use with an inspection machine for inspecting an end surface of an optical connector, the connector including a housing holding an optical ferrule with an optical fiber;

the fixture comprising;

(a) a plate;

said plate including;

(i) a flat, planar mounting surface;

(ii) a front edge;

(A) said edge defining a receiving void;

(B) said receiving void including an open slot having first and second sides and an end edge;

(1) said end edge extending between said first and second sides;

said first and second sides being perpendicular to said end edge and said front edge;

said end edge being parallel to said front edge; and

(2) said end edge being spaced from said front edge by at least 0.1 inch.

27. A fixture according to claim 26 wherein:

(a) said plate further includes at least one mounting aperture extending therethrough.

28. A mounting arrangement for use with an inspection machine for inspecting an end surface of an optical connector, the connector including a housing holding an optical ferrule with an optical fiber;

the mounting arrangement comprising;

(a) a cradle;

said cradle being adjustable along three axes;

(b) a jig supported by said cradle;

(c) a chuck within said jig;

(d) a fixture mounted on said jig;

said fixture defining a receiving void; and

(e) an optical connector mounted in a cage member;

(i) said optical connector including a housing holding an optical ferrule with an optical fiber;

(A) said optical connector being mounted within, and held by, said chuck;

(ii) said cage member including an extending flange;

(A) said extending flange being received within said receiving void of said fixture.