OPTICAL CONNECTOR APPARATUS

• US 20110293223A1
• Filed: 02/03/2010
• Published: 12/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry Limited
• Original Assignee: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry Limited
• Inventors: Izaki, Masahiro, Fukayama, Kenzo, Shimazu, Hideto, Tanaka, Yukitaka, Hashiguchi, Osamu
• Granted Patent: US 9,195,010 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/81
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 11/665 with alkali or alkaline earth metals
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3817 containing optical and electrical conductors cables including electrical and optical conductors H01B11/22; G02B6/3816 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3821 with axial spring biasing or loading means G02B6/3847 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3825 with an intermediate part, e.g. adapter, receptacle, linking two plugs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3855 characterised by the method of anchoring or fixing the fibre within the ferrule G02B6/3854 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3869 Mounting ferrules to connector body, i.e. plugs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3874 using tubes, sleeves to align ferrules
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3877 Split sleeves
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3879 Linking of individual connector plugs to an overconnector, e.g. using clamps, clips, common housings comprising several individual connector plugs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3888 Protection from over-extension or over-compression
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3893 Push-pull type, e.g. snap-in, push-on
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4293 hybrid electrical and optical connections for transmitting electrical and optical signals
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/18 by crimping H01R4/01, H01R4/2495 take precedence; for coaxial cables H01R9/0518

Abstract

Provided is an optical connector apparatus comprising a connector which is connected to an electro-optical composite cable including an optical fiber and a metal conductor, and a connection object to be connected. The connector is provided with a ferrule which has a conductive portion on at least a part of the surface thereof. The connection object to be connected is provided with an electrically conductive connection member to be connected to the ferrule. The ferrule and the cable are connected by a crimping structure. When the ferrule is inserted in the connection member, the connector and the connection object to be connected are electrically and optically connected to each other. Provided is also an optical connector apparatus which comprises a connector having a plurality of ferrules having distances between the end of the ferrules and the conductive portions so that the timing of the connection of the connector to the object to be connected is delayed, and thus the optical connector apparatus is capable of hot swapping. The connection object to be connected can be a combination of an adapter and a mating connector, or an optical element and an adapter which holds the same, etc.

Claims

1. An optical connector apparatus comprising:

a first connector connected with a first electro-optical composite cable including a first optical fiber and a first metal conductor;

a second connector connected with a second electro-optical composite cable including a second optical fiber and a second metal conductor; and

an adaptor relaying a connection between the first connector and the second connector,

wherein;

the first connector comprises a first ferrule holding the first optical fiber, at least a part of a surface of the first ferrule having a conductive portion electrically connected with the first metal conductor,

the second connector comprises a second ferrule holding the second optical fiber, at least a part of a surface of the second ferrule having a conductive portion electrically connected with the second metal conductor, and

the adaptor comprises a connection member holding the first ferrule and the second ferrule, at least a part of a surface of the adaptor having a conductivity for making an electrical connection between the conductive portion of the first ferrule and the conductive portion of the second ferrule.

2. The optical connector apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein each of the first ferrule and the second ferrule has an end portion including an end surface, and at least an entirety of the end surface of the end portion has an insulation property, and

wherein the conductive portion is formed in a position apart from the end surface.

3. The optical connector apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein at least each entire surface of the first ferrule and the second ferrule has conductivity.

4. The optical connector apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the connection member grips a part of the surface of the first ferrule and a part of the surface of the second ferrule so as to make an electrical connection between the conductive portion of the first ferrule and the conductive portion of the second ferrule.

5. The optical connector apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the connection member comprises a split sleeve.

6. The optical connector apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein an inner diameter of the split sleeve in an unconnected state is smaller than an outer diameter of each connected portion of the first ferrule and the second ferrule, the connected portion being connected with the split sleeve.

7. The optical connector apparatus as recited in claim 6,

wherein each end surface of the first ferrule and the second ferrule has a diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the connected portion, and

wherein the inner diameter of the split sleeve in the unconnected state is larger than the diameter of each end surface of the first ferrule and second ferrule.

8. The optical connector apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein the adaptor further comprises an accommodation portion holding the split sleeve so that the inner diameter of the split sleeve is variable.

9. The optical connector apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein the accommodation portion includes (i) an accommodation space accommodating the split sleeve;

(ii) a first insertion opening communicating with the accommodation space and being inserted with the first ferrule; and

(iii) a second insertion opening communicating with the accommodation space and being inserted with the second ferrule, and

wherein each inner diameter of the first insertion opening and the second insertion opening is larger than the inner diameter of the split sleeve and smaller than the outer diameter of the split sleeve.

10. The optical connector apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein the split sleeve is formed with a slit defining a width of split of the sleeve and a cut portion besides the slit.

11. The optical connector apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein a recess portion is formed on the end portion of the first ferrule, and

wherein an end of the first optical fiber is positioned within the recess portion so that the end of the first optical fiber is not projected from the end surface of the first ferrule.

12. The optical connector apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein the recess portion has a fan shape which has a central angle of 180 degrees or less when seen from the front end of the first ferrule.

13. The optical connector apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the first connector further comprises a first bias member biasing the first ferrule toward the second ferrule, and

wherein the second connector comprises a second bias member biasing the second ferrule toward the first ferrule.

48. The optical connector apparatus as recited in claim 47, further comprising:

another optical connector as recited in one of claim 1 as a mating optical connector,

wherein the connection member is an adaptor which connects the optical connector with the mating optical connector.

14. An optical connector apparatus comprising:

an optical element;

a ferrule which holds an optical fiber of an electro-optical composite cable and having a conductive portion electrically connected with a metal conductor of the electro-optical composite cable; and

an adaptor which holds the optical element and which relays a connection between the ferrule and the optical element,

wherein the adaptor comprises a connection member holding the ferrule, at least a part of a surface of the connection member having a conductivity for making an electrical connection with the conductive portion.

15. The optical connector apparatus recited in claim 14, wherein the ferrule has an end portion including an end surface, at least a surface of the end portion having an insulation property, and

wherein the conductive portion is positioned in a position apart from the end surface.

16. The optical connector apparatus as recited in claim 14, wherein the connection member is a sleeve into which the ferrule is inserted.

17. The optical connector apparatus as recited in claim 16, wherein the sleeve has a cut portion cut from an end portion of the sleeve, the end portion being inserted with the ferrule along a ferrule insertion direction.

18. An optical connector apparatus comprising:

a ferrule which holds an optical fiber of an electro-optical composite cable and having a contact portion electrically connected with a metal conductor of the electro-optical composite cable; and

a connection object which makes an optical connection and an electrical connection simultaneously with the ferrule,

wherein the connection object comprises;

a receiving portion receiving an end portion of the ferrule;

a conductive portion provided on at least an end portion of the receiving portion; and

an optical connection portion provided inside the receiving portion,

wherein an end portion of the ferrule is received in the receiving portion so that the optical connection is made by facing an end surface of the optical fiber toward the optical connection portion while the electrical connection is made by contacting the contact portion to the conductive portion.

19. The optical connector apparatus as recited in claim 18, wherein the receiving portion has a tubular shape, and

wherein the conductive portion is provided on an edge portion of the receiving portion.

20. The optical connector apparatus as recited in claim 18, wherein the ferrule has a received portion received by the receiving portion and a large diameter portion having a diameter larger than a diameter of a received portion, and

wherein the contact portion is a contact surface which defines a boundary between the received portion and the large diameter portion.

21. The optical connector apparatus as recited in claim 18, wherein the connection object comprises:

an optical element having the optical connection portion; and

a housing having the receiving portion and holding the optical element.

22. The optical connector apparatus as recited in claim 18, wherein the connection object comprises (i) an optical element having the optical connection portion;

(ii) an insulation housing holding the optical element; and

(iii) a connection member held by the housing and having the conductive portion and the receiving portion.

23. The optical connector apparatus as recited in claim 22, wherein the connection member is made of a conductor.

24. The optical connector apparatus as recited in claim 23, wherein the receiving portion receives an end portion of the ferrule in a predetermined direction, and

wherein the connection member further comprises a spring portion which supports the conductive portion so that the conductive portion is displaceable in the predetermined direction.

25. The optical connector apparatus as recited in claim 24, wherein the receiving portion has a tubular shape, and

wherein the spring portion extends in a peripheral direction of the receiving portion.

26. The optical connector apparatus as recited in claim 18, further comprising a bias member which biases the contact portion of the ferrule toward the receiving portion of the housing.

27. The optical connector apparatus as recited in claim 18, wherein the connection object comprises:

a mating ferrule holding an optical fiber of an electro-optical composite cable and having a mating contact portion electrically connected with a metal conductor of the electro-optical composite cable; and

a connection member having the conductive portion and the receiving portion, the connection member further comprising a mating conductive portion and a mating connection portion, the mating connection portion communicating with the receiving portion and being connected with an end portion of the mating ferrule, the mating conductive portion being provided on at least an end portion of the mating connection portion and electrically connected with the conductive portion,

wherein an end portion of the mating ferrule is connected with the mating connection portion so that the mating contact portion is brought into contact with the mating conductive portion and an end surface of a mating optical fiber functions as the optical connection portion.

28. The optical connector apparatus as recited in claim 27, wherein the connection member is made of a conductor.

29. The optical connector apparatus as recited in claim 28, wherein the connection portion is the receiving portion which receives the end portion of the ferrule in the predetermined direction, and

wherein the connection member further comprises a spring portion which supports the conductive portion so that the conductive portion is displaceable in the predetermined direction.

30. The optical connector apparatus as recited in claim 29, wherein the receiving portion has a tubular shape, and

wherein the spring portion extends in a peripheral direction of the receiving portion.

31. The optical connector apparatus as recited in claim 18, wherein a recess portion is formed on the end portion of the first ferrule, and an end of the first optical fiber is positioned within the recess portion so as not to project from an end surface of the first ferrule.

32. The optical connector apparatus as recited in claim 31, wherein the recess portion has a fan shape having a central angle of 180 degrees or less when seen from the front end of the ferrule.

33. An optical connector apparatus comprising:

a first connector connected with a first electro-optical composite cable including a first optical fiber and a first metal conductor;

a second connector connected with a second electro-optical composite cable including a second optical fiber and a second metal conductor; and

an adaptor and relaying a connection between the first connector and the second connector,

wherein;

the first connector comprises a first ferrule holding the first optical fiber, at least a part of a surface of the first ferrule having a first conductive portion, the first conductive portion being connected with the first metal conductor,

the second connector comprises a second ferrule holding the second optical fiber, at least a part of the second ferrule having a second conductive portion, the second conductive portion being connected with the second metal conductor,

the adaptor comprises a connection member which connects the first ferrule with the second ferrule,

an end portion of the first ferrule is provided with a recess portion, and

an end of the first optical fiber is positioned within the recess portion so as not to project from an end surface of the first ferrule.

34. The optical connector apparatus as recited in claim 33, wherein:

the first conductive portion is formed also on the end surface of the first ferrule,

the second conductive portion is formed also on the end surface of the second ferrule, and

the end surface of the first ferrule is brought into contact with the end surface of the second ferrule so that an electrical connection between the first conductive portion and the second conductive portion is made while an optical connection between the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber is made.

35. The optical connector apparatus as recited in claim 33, wherein the recess portion has a fan shape which has a central angle of 180 degree or less when seen from the front end of the first ferrule.

36. The optical connector apparatus as recited in claim 33, wherein the first connector further comprises a first bias member biasing the first ferrule toward the second ferrule, and

wherein the second connector further comprises a second bias member biasing the second ferrule toward the first ferrule.

37. An optical connector apparatus having a connection member connecting ferrules, wherein the connection member is formed by processing a metal sheet having two edge portions so that the connection member has a main body having a tube or a tubular shape, the two edge portions facing each other, and

wherein the main body portion comprises a plurality of ferrule-contact portions, each of the ferrule-contact portions being separated from each other on a perpendicular surface perpendicular to an axis-direction of the connection member and being brought into contact with the ferrule when the connection member holds the ferrule.

38. The optical connector apparatus as recited in claim 37, wherein the ferrule comprises three contact portions positioned on the main body portion at about 120 degree intervals, and each of the contact portions has a linear shape on the perpendicular surface and extends in the axis-direction.

39. The optical connector apparatus as recited in claim 38, wherein the main body portion has an opposed-edges portion constituted of the edge portions positioned opposite to each other, and

wherein one of the ferrule-contact portions is positioned at the opposite side of the opposed-edges portion on the perpendicular surface.

40. The optical connector apparatus as recited in claim 37 further comprises a holder holding the connection member,

wherein the ferrule holds the electro-optical composite cable including a metal conductor and a optical fiber in a state that in the ferrule is electrically connected with the metal conductor, and

wherein the connection member comprises a support portion and a pair of spring portions which is brought into contact with the ferrule.

41. The optical connector apparatus as recited in claim 40, wherein the support portion is positioned between the pair of spring portions on the perpendicular surface.

42. An optical connector comprising a first ferrule having a first end surface and a second ferrule having a second end surface, wherein:

the first ferrule is provided with a first conductive portion,

the second ferrule is provided with a second conductive portion, and

a distance between the first end surface and the first conductive portion is different from another distance between the second end surface and the second conductive portion.

43. The optical connector as recited in claim 42, wherein:

the first ferrule comprises a first end portion having a circular cylinder-like shape, the first end portion having a first outer peripheral surface and the first end surface,

the second ferrule comprises a second end portion having a circular cylinder-like shape, the second end portion having a second outer peripheral surface and the second end surface as an end surface,

the first conductive portion is formed on at least a part of the first peripheral surface, and

the second conductive portion is formed on a part of the second peripheral surface, the location of the second conductive portion being distinct from the second end surface.

44. The optical connector as recited in claim 43, wherein the first conductive portion is formed on the entire part of the first peripheral surface.

45. The optical connector as recited in claim 43, wherein a part of the second peripheral surface between the second end surface and the second conductive portion is made of insulative material.

46. The optical connector as recited in claim 42 further comprising a third ferrule having a third end portion, wherein:

the third end portion comprises a third end portion having a circular cylinder-like shape, the third end portion having a third outer peripheral surface and the end surface,

the third conductive portion is formed on a part of the third outer peripheral surface, the location of the second conductive portion being apart from the third end surface, and

a distance between the third end surface and the third conductive portion is different from either the distance between the first end surface and the first conductive portion or the distance between the second end surface and the second conductive portion.

47. An optical connector apparatus comprising the optical connector as recited in claim 42 and a connection member connected with the optical connector, wherein:

the connection member at least comprises two grip portions having conductivity,

one of the grip portions grips the first conductive portion so as to be electrically connected with the first conductive portion, and

the other one of the grip portions grips the second conductive portion so as to be electrically connected with the second conductive portion.

49. The optical connector apparatus as recited in claim 47, wherein the connection member is a mating connector for the optical connector.

50. A wiring structure for an electro-optical composite cable and a ferrule having conductivity, wherein:

the electro-optical composite cable includes (i) an optical fiber;

(ii) a protection cover covering the optical fiber;

(iii) a metal conductor positioned on an outer circumference of the protection cover and constituting a pipe-shaped outer conductor by disposing a plurality of metal wires without gaps therebetween;

(iv) and an outer jacket covering covering the optical fiber, the protection cover, and the metal conductor,

the ferrule includes (i) a main body portion inserted with the optical fiber and holding the inserted optical fiber in a center part of the ferrule; and

(ii) a wiring portion connected with the metal conductor, the main body portion and the wiring portion of the ferrule having conductivity, the wiring portion having a tubular portion into which the protection cover is inserted, and

the electro-optical composite cable is held by and fixed to the ferrule by positioning the metal conductor on an outer circumference of the tubular portion, the metal conductor and the outer jacket being adjusted so that an outer diameter of the metal conductor is substantially equal to an outer diameter of the outer jacket, followed by inserting the metal conductor and the outer jacket, both having substantially the same outer diameter, into a sleeve, and further followed by crimping the sleeve, thereby the wiring structure is used for an optical transmission, and the metal conductor is electrically connected with the ferrule.

51. A wiring structure for an electro-optical composite cable and a ferrule having conductivity, wherein:

the electro-optical composite cable includes (i) an optical fiber strand;

(ii) a metal conductor positioned on an outer circumference of the optical fiber strand and constituting a pipe-shaped outer conductor by disposing a plurality of metal wires without gaps therebetween; and

(iii) an outer jacket covering the optical fiber strand and the metal conductor,

the ferrule includes (i) a main body portion inserted with the optical fiber strand and holding the inserted optical fiber strand in a center part of the ferrule; and

(ii) a wiring portion connected with the metal conductor and holding and fixing the outer jacket, the main body portion and the wiring portion of the ferrule having conductivity,

the wiring portion includes (i) a first tubular portion having a first inner radius corresponding to a length between the center part of the optical fiber strand and an outer circumference of the metal conductor; and

(ii) a second tubular portion having a second inner radius corresponding to a length between the center part of the optical fiber strand and an outer circumference of the outer jacket, and

the electro-optical composite cable is held by and fixed to the ferrule by inserting the electro-optical composite cable into the wiring portion, and followed by crimping the wiring portion, thereby the wiring structure is used for an optical transmission, and the ferrule is electrically connected with the metal conductor.

52. A wiring structure for an electro-optical composite cable and a ferrule having conductivity, wherein:

the electro-optical composite cable includes (i) an optical fiber strand;

(ii) a metal conductor positioned on an outer circumference of the optical fiber strand and constituting a pipe-shaped outer conductor by disposing a plurality of metal wires without gaps therebetween; and

(iii) an outer jacket covering the optical fiber strand and the metal conductor,

the ferrule includes (i) a main body portion inserted with the optical fiber strand and holding the inserted optical fiber strand in a center part of the ferrule; and

(ii) a wiring portion connected with the metal conductor and holding and fixing the outer jacket, the main body portion and the wiring portion of the ferrule having conductivity, and

the electro-optical composite cable is held by and fixed to the ferrule by inserting the metal conductor into a sleeve so that an outer diameter of the sleeve is substantially equal to an outer diameter of outer jacket, followed by inserting the electro-optical composite cable into the wiring portion, and further followed by crimping the wiring portion, thereby the wiring structure is used for an optical transmission, and the ferrule is electrically connected with the metal conductor.

53. A wiring structure for an electro-optical composite cable and a ferrule having conductivity, wherein:

the electro-optical composite cable includes (i) an optical fiber;

(ii) a protection cover covering the optical fiber;

a metal conductor positioned on an outer circumference of the protection cover and constituting a pipe-shaped outer conductor by disposing a plurality of metal wires without gaps therebetween; and

an outer jacket covering the optical fiber, the protection cover, and the metal conductor,

the ferrule includes (i) a main body portion inserted with the optical fiber and holding the inserted optical fiber in a center part of the ferrule; and

(ii) a wiring portion connected with the metal conductor and holding and fixing the outer jacket, the main body portion and the wiring portion of the ferrule having conductivity,

the electro-optical composite cable is held by and fixed to the ferrule by inserting a sleeve between the protection cover and the metal conductor so that an outer diameter of the metal conductor is substantially equal to an outer diameter of the outer jacket, followed by inserting the electro-optical composite cable into the wiring portion, and further followed by crimping the wiring portion, thereby the wiring structure is used for an optical transmission, and the ferrule is electrically connected with the metal conductor.

54. A wiring method for an electro-optical composite cable and a ferrule having conductivity, wherein the electro-optical composite cable includes (i) an optical fiber;

(ii) a protection cover covering the optical fiber;

(iii) a metal conductor positioned on an outer circumference of the protection cover and constituting a pipe-shaped outer conductor by disposing a plurality of metal wires without gaps therebetween; and

(iv) an outer jacket covering the optical fiber, the protection cover, and the metal conductor, and the ferrule includes (i) a main body portion inserted with the optical fiber and holding the inserted optical fiber in a center part of the ferrule; and

(ii) a wiring portion connected with the metal conductor, wherein the wiring method is comprises;

exposing the metal conductor and removing the outer jacket;

cutting the exposed metal conductor into a predetermined length and exposing the protection cover;

exposing the optical fiber and removing the protection cover;

inserting the protection cover into a tubular portion of the wiring portion and positioning the metal conductor on an outer circumference of the tubular portion;

inserting the outer jacket and the metal conductor positioned on the outer circumference of the tubular portion into a sleeve; and

crimping the sleeve.

55. A wiring method for an electro-optical composite cable and a ferrule, wherein:

the electro-optical composite cable includes (i) an optical fiber strand;

(ii) a protection cover covering the optical fiber strand;

(iii) a metal conductor positioned on an outer circumference of the optical fiber and constituting a pipe-shaped outer conductor by disposing a plurality of metal wires without gaps therebetween; and

(iv) an outer jacket covering the optical fiber strand, the protection cover, and the metal conductor,

the ferrule includes (i) a main body portion inserted with the optical fiber strand and which holds the inserted optical fiber in a center part of the ferrule; and

(ii) a wiring portion connected with the metal conductor and holding and fixing the outer jacket,

the wiring portion includes (i) a first tubular portion having a first inner radius corresponding to a length between the center part of the optical fiber strand and an outer perimeter of the metal conductor; and

(ii) a second tubular portion having a second inner radius corresponding to a length between the center part of the optical fiber strand and an outer circumference of the outer jacket, and

wherein the wiring method comprises;

exposing the metal conductor and removing the outer jacket;

cutting the exposed metal conductor into a predetermined length and exposing the protection cover;

exposing the optical fiber strand and removing the protection cover;

inserting the electro-optical composite cable into the wiring portion; and

crimping the wiring portion inserted with the electro-optical composite cable.

56. A wiring method for an electro-optical composite cable and a ferrule, wherein:

the electro-optical composite cable includes (i) an optical fiber strand;

(ii) a protection cover covering the optical fiber strand;

(iii) a metal conductor positioned on an outer circumference of the optical fiber and constituting a pipe-shaped outer conductor by disposing a plurality of metal wires without gaps therebetween; and

an outer jacket covering them,

the ferrule includes (i) a main body portion inserted with the optical fiber and which holds the inserted optical fiber in a center part of the ferrule; and

(ii) a wiring portion connected with the metal conductor and holding and fixing the outer jacket, and

wherein the wiring method comprises;

exposing the metal conductor and removing the outer jacket;

cutting the exposed metal conductor into a predetermined length and exposing the protection cover;

exposing the optical fiber strand and removing the protection cover;

inserting the exposed metal conductor into a sleeve having an outer diameter substantially equal to an outer diameter of the outer jacket;

inserting the electro-optical composite cable attached with the sleeve into the wiring portion; and

crimping the wiring portion inserted with the electro-optical composite cable attached with the sleeve.

57. A wiring method for an electro-optical composite cable and a ferrule, wherein:

the electro-optical composite cable includes (i) an optical fiber;

(ii) a protection cover covering the optical fiber;

(iii) a metal conductor positioned on an outer circumference of the optical fiber and constituting a pipe-shaped outer conductor by disposing a plurality of metal wires without gaps therebetween; and

(iv) an outer jacket covering the optical fiber, the protection cover, and the metal conductor, and

the ferrule having a main body portion inserted with the optical fiber and holding the inserted optical fiber in a center part of the ferrule; and

a wiring portion connected with the metal conductor and holding and fixing the outer jacket, and

wherein the wiring method comprises;

exposing the metal conductor and removing the outer jacket;

cutting the exposed metal conductor into a predetermined length and exposing the protection cover;

exposing the optical fiber and removing the protection cover;

inserting the sleeve between the protection cover and the metal conductor so that an outer diameter of the metal conductor is substantially equal to an outer diameter of the outer jacket;

inserting the electro-optical composite cable attached with the sleeve into the wiring portion;

crimping the wiring portion inserted with the electro-optical composite cable attached with the sleeve.