OPTICAL COUPLING APPARATUS AND OPTICAL TRANSCEIVER INSTALLING THE SAME

• US 20150185423A1
• Filed: 12/22/2014
• Published: 07/02/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/26/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SEI Optifrontier Co., Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries Limited (Sumitomo Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries Limited (Sumitomo Corporation)
• Inventors: MATSUI, Takashi, KURASHIMA, Hiromi, SHIBATA, Masahiro
• Granted Patent: US 9,213,150 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 6/389 characterised by the method of fastening connecting plugs and sockets, e.g. screw- or nut-lock, snap-in, bayonet type
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3893 Push-pull type, e.g. snap-in, push-on
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4292 the light guide being disconnectable from the opto-electronic element, e.g. mutually self aligning arrangements

Abstract

A simplified optical coupling system having two optical connectors is disclosed. The optical coupling system includes a male connector with a ferrule, a female connector with another ferrule, and a sleeve to receive the ferrules in respective ends thereof. One of connectors provides a latch and a coil spring. The latch engages with a flange of the other connector, and the coil spring put between the flange of the connector having the latch and a base of the latch to secure the engagement of the latch with the flange.

Claims

1. An optical coupling apparatus, comprising:

a first optical connector providing a first ferrule, a first flange and a latch, the first flange being formed in a root portion of the first ferrule, the latch having a U-shape comprised of a base corresponding to a bottom bar of the U-shape and a pair of arms extending from the base;

a second optical connector providing a second ferrule and a second flange, the second flange being formed in a root portion of the second ferrule; and

a sleeve configured to receive the first ferrule and the second ferrule in respective ends thereof,

wherein the base of the latch is set in a position opposite to the first ferrule with respect to the first flange and the arms of the latch engage with the second flange of the second optical connector.

2. The optical coupling apparatus of claim 1,

wherein the first connector further provides a coil spring set between the base of the latch and the first flange, the coil spring pushing the first flange toward the second connector and the base toward a direction opposite to the second optical connector.

3. The optical coupling apparatus of claim 1,

wherein the arms of the latch provide hooks bent inward in respective ends thereof, the hooks being engaged with the second flange of the second optical connector.

4. The optical coupling apparatus of claim 3,

wherein the second flange provides cuts to receive respective arms of the latch.

5. The optical coupling apparatus of claim 4,

wherein the second connector provides a body in a position opposite to the second ferrule with respect to the second flange, the body providing cuts continuous to the cuts of the second flange, the cuts of the body receiving the bent ends of respective hooks.

6. The optical coupling apparatus of claim 3,

wherein the first flange provides cuts to pass respective arms.

7. The optical coupling apparatus of claim 1,

wherein the second ferrule provides a slope in a root portion thereof.

8. The optical coupling apparatus of claim 1,

wherein the arms provide saddles set between the first flange and the second flange.

9. The optical coupling apparatus of claim 1,

wherein the second optical connector provides a cover surrounding the second ferrule, the cover forming a pocket against the second ferrule to receive the sleeve therein.

10. The optical coupling apparatus of claim 9,

wherein the sleeve has a length shorter than a distance between the first flange and the second flange.

11. An optical transceiver that installs optical components and inner fibers optically connecting the optical components, comprising:

an optical coupling apparatus including a first optical connector, a second optical connector, and a sleeve,

wherein the first optical connector has a first ferrule attached in an end of one of the inner fibers, a first flange provided in a root portion of the first ferrule, and a latch having the base and a pair of arms extending from the base,

wherein the second optical connector has a second ferrule attached in an end of another of the inner fibers, and a second flange provided in a root portion of the second ferrule,

wherein the sleeve receives the first ferrule and the second ferrule in respective ends thereof, and

wherein the arms of the latch engages with the second flange, the base and the second flange putting the first flange of the first optical connector therebtween; and

a housing to enclose the optical coupling apparatus and provide a pocket to set the optical coupling apparatus therein,

wherein the pocket of the housing provides a channel to set the sleeve therein and a guide in an end of the channel to receive one of the first flange and the second flange of the optical coupling apparatus.

12. The optical transceiver of claim 11,

wherein the first optical connector further provides a coil spring set between the base of the latch and the first flange, the coil spring pushing the first flange toward the second optical connector and the base toward a direction opposite to the second optical connector.

13. The optical transceiver of claim 11,

wherein the arms of the latch provide hooks bent inward in respective ends thereof, the hooks being engaged with the second flange of the second connector.

14. The optical transceiver of claim 13,

wherein the first flange provides cuts to pass respective arms therethrough and the second flange provides another cuts to receive respective arms.

15. The optical transceiver of claim 11,

wherein the arms provide saddles in a position between the first flange and the second flange.

16. The optical transceiver of claim 11,

wherein the second optical connector provides a cover surrounding the second ferrule, the cover forming a pocket against the second ferrule to receive the sleeve therein, and

wherein the sleeve has a length shorter than a distance between the first flange and the second flange.

17. The optical transceiver of claim 11,

further comprising a presser bar to hold the optical coupling apparatus, in the channel,

wherein the presser bar provides a pocket to receive the arms and the sleeve therein.