Optical fiber connector

• US 4,422,716 A
• Filed: 10/31/1980
• Issued: 12/27/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nippon Electric Company Limited (NEC Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nippon Electric Company Limited (NEC Corporation)
• Inventors: Morimoto, Yoshitaka, Shiga, Tomiji, Ushirogawa, Akio
• Primary Examiner(s): Lieberman, Eli
• Application Number:
  US06/202,631
• Time in Patent Office: 1,152 Days
• Field of Search: 350/96.20, 350/96.21
• US Class Current: 385/78
• 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 6/3835 using discs, bushings or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3854 Ferrules characterised by materials
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3861 Adhesive bonding adhesives in general C09J
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3874 using tubes, sleeves to align ferrules
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3889 using encapsulation for protection, e.g. adhesive, molding or casting resin
• 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 6/3894 Screw-lock type

Abstract

An optical fiber connector includes a cable with an optical fiber and a tube for containing the fiber. The fiber is able to move freely and axially within the tube, and is secured by a device having an internal diameter substantially the same as that of the optical fiber. This securing prevents the axial movement of the fiber held inside the tube. The securing device also has a cylindrical bore for receiving the cable fixed to the securing means.

Claims

1. An optical fiber cable termination assembly for an optical fiber cable comprising:

an optical fiber cable including at least one optical fiber for transmitting a light beam and a protective tubular member for protecting said optical fiber while enabling said optical fiber to move freely and axially therein, a forward part of said optical fiber protruding from the end of said protective tubular member;

a sleeve member abutting against the end of said protective tubular member for fixing a portion of said forward part of said optical fiber therein so that said forward part of said optical fiber does not move into or out of said protective tubular member, an inner diameter of said sleeve member being dimensioned to be substantially equal to the corresponding dimension of said optical fiber;

a glass tube for tightly retaining the remainder of said forward end of said optical fiber; and

termination means having a first bore for receiving said glass tube, a second bore for receiving said sleeve member and a third bore for receiving a protective jacket for said optical fiber including said protective tubular member.

2. The optical fiber cable termination assembly of claim 1, wherein the front end faces of said termination means, said glass tube and said optical fiber have a coplanar surface.

3. The optical fiber cable termination assembly of claim 2, further comprising a tapered portion connecting said second bore to said third bore.

4. The optical fiber cable termination assembly of claim 3, wherein the end of said protective jacket has (is stripped in) a stepwise end (manner) to provide a large contact area with said tapered portion.

5. The optical fiber cable termination assembly of claim 4, wherein (a) the stepwise end of said protective jacket is bonded to said tapered portion.

6. The optical fiber cable termination assembly of claim 4, further comprising absorbing means formed coaxially around said termination means for absorbing the external force exerted by the bending of said optical fiber cable, and means connected to said absorbing means for coupling said connector to another connector having the same structure.