Single fiber connector for pluggable card or module optical interconnections
First Claim
1. An optical fiber connector assembly, adapted for use with an optical module unit that is retained by a connector arrangement mounted on a module unit support structure, for joining a first optical fiber associated with said optical module unit in abutting end-to-end relationship with a second optical fiber associated with said module unit support structure comprising:
- a first optical fiber connector subassembly adapted to be mounted on one of said optical module unit and said module unit support structure so as to possess an amount of play relative to said one of said optical module unit and said module unit support structure and thereby to an axis along which said first and second optical fibers are to be joined together, said first subassembly retaining therein said first optical fiber; and
a second optical fiber connector subassembly adapted to be mounted on the other of said optical module unit and said module unit support structure, said second subassembly retaining therein said second optical fiber; and
whereinsaid first and second optical fiber connector subassemblies are positioned on said one and said other of said unit and structure so that as said optical module unit is joined to said module unit support structure, said first subassembly is permitted to undergo displacement relative to its mounting on said one of said optical module unit and said module unit support structure and thereby to said axis, whereby said first and second subassemblies are caused to be connected together and urge said first and second optical fibers into abutting end-to-end relationship.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A single fiber connector for a pluggable card or module optical interconnection is formed of a connector socket that may be mounted to a printed circuit card or optical module and a connector pin that is attached to a housing or a suitable bulkhead by which the printed circuit card or optical module is to be supported. Each of the connector socket and the connector pin has an internally threaded axial bore for receiving and retaining a single optical fiber cable coupler from the end of which an optical fiber strand extends. Each pin and socket includes a further precision bore through which the fibers pass to abut end-to-end in the precision bore of the socket. The socket further has a tapered end male section that is inserted into a corresponding tapered end female section of the pin, with the fiber held by the pin being automatically guided into the precision bore of the male section of the socket as the printed circuit card or module is inserted into the connector on the bulkhead. To effect this automatic guidance of the fibers together, a bracket is mounted on the printed circuit card for holding the connector socket. The bracket is dimensionally positioned relative to the end of the card so that when the card is mounted on the bulkhead through associated hardware, such as electrical pin connector support units, the optical fiber connector and socket will be properly dimensionally located for alignment and fiber coupling.
64 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An optical fiber connector assembly, adapted for use with an optical module unit that is retained by a connector arrangement mounted on a module unit support structure, for joining a first optical fiber associated with said optical module unit in abutting end-to-end relationship with a second optical fiber associated with said module unit support structure comprising:
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a first optical fiber connector subassembly adapted to be mounted on one of said optical module unit and said module unit support structure so as to possess an amount of play relative to said one of said optical module unit and said module unit support structure and thereby to an axis along which said first and second optical fibers are to be joined together, said first subassembly retaining therein said first optical fiber; and a second optical fiber connector subassembly adapted to be mounted on the other of said optical module unit and said module unit support structure, said second subassembly retaining therein said second optical fiber; and
whereinsaid first and second optical fiber connector subassemblies are positioned on said one and said other of said unit and structure so that as said optical module unit is joined to said module unit support structure, said first subassembly is permitted to undergo displacement relative to its mounting on said one of said optical module unit and said module unit support structure and thereby to said axis, whereby said first and second subassemblies are caused to be connected together and urge said first and second optical fibers into abutting end-to-end relationship. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. For use in an optical fiber connector assembly, adapted for use with an optical module unit that is retained by a connector arrangement mounted to a module unit support structure, for joining a first optical fiber associated with said optical module unit in abutting end-to-end relationship with a second optical fiber associated with said module unit support structure, an optical fiber connector subassembly comprising:
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first means for retaining therein one of said first and second optical fibers, second means, adapted to be coupled to one of said optical module unit and said module unit support structure, for supporting said first means while providing an amount of play therebetween so that said first means is displaceable relative to said second means and thereby to an axis along which said first and second optical fibers are to be joined together, whereby, during the joining of said optical module unit to said module unit support structure, said first means is permitted to undergo a displacement relative to said second means and thereby to said axis, thereby causing the optical fiber retained thereby to be urged into abutting end-to-end relationship with the other of said first and second optical fibers retained by the other of said optical module unit and said module unit support structure. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification