Fiber optic connector, tool for assembling fiber optic connector and method of assembling fiber optic connectors

• US 4,842,363 A
• Filed: 12/11/1987
• Issued: 06/27/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Amphenol Corporation
• Original Assignee: Amphenol Corporation
• Inventors: Moore, James E., Margolin, Mark, Grois, Igor
• Primary Examiner(s): Sikes, William L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ullah, Akm E.
• Application Number:
  US07/131,435
• Time in Patent Office: 564 Days
• Field of Search: 350/96.20, 350/96.21, 350/96.22
• US Class Current: 385/84
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3869 Mounting ferrules to connector body, i.e. plugs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3888 Protection from over-extension or over-compression
• 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 6/3898 Tools, e.g. handheld; Tuning wrenches; Jigs used with connectors, e.g. for extracting, removing or inserting in a panel, for engaging or coupling connectors, for assembling or disassembling components within the connector, for applying clips to hold two connectors together or for crimping tools for cleaning, G02B6/3866; tools in general B25B

Abstract

This invention relates to an improvement in a fiber optic connector of the type having a main body to which is secured a ceramic ferrule. The improvement resides in that the mating ferrule is a ceramic ferrule arranged in a press-fit engagement within the recess such that the ferrule does not abut against the bottom of the recess and extends beyond the main body a fixed predetermined distance to be compatible for mating with other like connectors. The requirement for using epoxy to fix the ferrule to the body and later polishing down of the ferrule is eliminated. The invention also resides in a tool for assembling the fiber optic connector and the method of using the tool to assemble the connector.

Claims

1. In a fiber optic connector of the type comprising a main body having a longitudinal passage extending therethrough and having two ends, a first end for attaching a fiber optic cable thereto and a second end for having a mating ferrule secured thereto, and said passage opening at each end and being coextensive with a passage extending through said ferrule, said second end being comprised of a recess having a forward and rearward end in which is secured said mating ferrule, and said mating ferrule being constructed having the fiber of said fiber optic cable extending in a passage therethrough secured therein and terminating at the end of said ferrule, the improvement wherein said mating ferrule is a ceramic ferrule arranged in press-fit engagement within said recess, said press-fit engagement being such that said ferrule does not abut against the rearward end of said recess and extends beyond said forward end of said recess a distance compatible for mating with other like connectors whereby the requirement for using epoxy to fix said ferrule to said body and later polishing down of said ferrule to achieve said distance is eliminated.

2. A connector as in claim 1 wherein said main body is made of metal.

3. A connector as in claim 1 wherein said recess has a diameter of a size equal to or slightly less than that of the ferrule.

4. A tool for assembling a fiber optic connector of the type comprising a main body having a longitudinal passage extending therethrough, and having two ends, a first end for attaching a fiber optic cable thereto and a second end for having a mating ceramic ferrule secured thereto, and said passage opening at each end and being coextensive with a passageway extending through said ferrule, said second end comprising a recess having a forward and rearward end in which is to be secured said mating ferrule, and of such a size that said mating ferrule is to be secured by press-fit engagement, said main body having a radially outwardly extending projection, the tool comprising:

a first body member having a passage extending therethrough and configured for supporting said connector main body in a manner such that the ferrule receiving end extends beyond the end of the first body member;

a second body member receivable in part within the passage opening at one end in said first body member, and having a passage including a first portion in which is received the end of said connector main body extending from said first body member, said first portion of said passage being of a length such that the end of said connector main body terminates at a location adjacent the end of said first portion of said passage, said first portion being coextensive with a second portion of said passage which opens at the other end of the second body member and said second portion being of a size sufficient to permit a ferrule to be inserted therethrough, and said second body member being of predetermined length, such that when assembled with said first body member and a connector main body, a ferrule can be inserted therethrough from the other end into press-fit engagement in said connector main body recess without abutting with the connector body recess rearward end and such that when said ferrule is flush at the end with the end of said second boy member, the distance from the end of the ferrule which is flush with the end of the second body member to the radially outwardly extending projection on the main body corresponds to the length of the second body member such that the ferrule extends from said connector main body by a desired amount so as to be compatible for mating with other like connectors; and

press means for pressing said ferrule into press-fit engagement with said connector main body in a manner such that the end of the ferrule terminates flush with said other end of said second body member.

5. The tool as in claim 4, wherein said second body member abuts against said radially outwardly extending projection on said connector main body where it is received within the passage opening at one end in said first body member.

6. A method of assembling an optical fiber connector having a connector main body and a ceramic ferrite press-fit therein comprising:

inserting into a first body member a connector main body having a longitudinal passage extending therethrough and having two ends, a first end for attaching a fiber optic cable thereto and a second end for having a mating ceramic ferrule secured thereto, said passage opening at each end and being coextensive with a passageway extending through said ferrule, said second end comprising a recess having a forward and rearward end, for receiving said mating ferrule in press-fit engagement, said connector main body having a radially outwardly extending projection, said first body member having a passage extending therethrough and configured for supporting said connector main body in a manner such that the ferrule receiving end extends beyond the first body member.

inserting a second body member into the passage opening at one end in said first body member, said second body member having a passage including a first portion in which is received the end of said connector main body extending from said first body member, said first portion of said passage being of a length such that the end of said connector main body terminates at a location adjacent the end of said first portion of said passage, said first portion being coextensive with a second portion of said passage which opens at the other end of the second body member and said second portion being of a size sufficient to permit a ferrule to be inserted therethrough, and said second body member being of predetermined length,

inserting a ferrule into said second portion of said passage, and

pressing said ferrule into press-fit engagement with said connector main body until the end of the ferrule terminates flush with said other end of said second body member.