Active device mount assembly with interface mount for push-pull coupling type optical fiber connectors

• US 5,042,891 A
• Filed: 06/21/1990
• Issued: 08/27/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AMP Limited
• Original Assignee: AMP Limited
• Inventors: Warner, Gary N., Schaffer, Ronald R., Mulholland, Denis G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, John D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGO, HUNG NHAT
• Application Number:
  US07/541,675
• Time in Patent Office: 432 Days
• Field of Search: 350/96.2, 350/96.15, 350/96.18, 357/30, 357/72, 357/74
• US Class Current: 385/93
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3825 with an intermediate part, e.g. adapter, receptacle, linking two 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 6/3897 Connectors fixed to housings, casing, frames or circuit boards G02B6/44528 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4292 the light guide being disconnectable from the opto-electronic element, e.g. mutually self aligning arrangements

Abstract

An active device mount assembly 1 comprises an interface mount 4 having front socket 9. Further included is an active device 5. The assembly 1 may also include a focusing element 6. The device 5 has an emission axis aimed along the axis of the optical focusing element. The assembly 4 further comprises a coupler element 7 aligned with the focusing element 6 and inserting into a precise depth into the socket 9 of the mount 4. Further the interface mount 4 provides means for attaching a fiber optic connector 3 where the fiber optic connector 3 has an alignment ferrule 66 and an optical fiber 10 extending therethrough. The alignment ferrule 66 abuts the coupler element 7 with the optical fiber 10 aligned to the center axis of the coupler element 7. The interface mount for attaching the fiber optic connector 36 further comprises a base 28 with an alignment sleeve 29 and at least two resilient catch pieces 30 extending from the base 28. The alignment sleeve 29 has longitudinal axis and axial bore encompassing the alignment ferrule 66 of the fiber optic connector 36. The resilient catch pieces 30 are of cantilever form extending parallel to and on opposing sides of the longitudinal axis of the alignment sleeve 29 and terminating in protrusions 32 and lip structures 33.

Claims

1. An active device mount assembly for disconnectable connection with a fiber optic connector comprising, an active device base and an active device mounted thereto and interface mount for attaching a fiber optic connector having an alignment ferrule and optical fiber extending therethrough, said interface mount comprising:

a base with a front socket extending therefrom and having a longitudinal axis and an axial bore; and

at least two resilient catch pieces of cantilever form extending from the base parallel to and on opposing sides of the longitudinal axis of the front socket and terminating in protrusions and lip structures, the protrusions being constructed to contact respective beveled leading edges of the fiber optic connector and the catch pieces to rise along the leading edges, and causing each lip to travel over ridges of the fiber optic connector behind the leading edges and to seat within slots of the fiber optic connector behind the ridges.

2. The active device mount assembly of claim 1 further including an optical focusing element encompassed within the axial bore of said socket with longitudinal axis of the focusing element aligned with the longitudinal axis of the said axial bore;

and an optical coupler element aligned with the focusing element and inserted to a precise depth into the socket of the assembly mount, and further abutting the alignment ferrule of said fiber optic connector with the optical fiber aligned to the center axis of said coupler element.

3. The active device mount assembly of claim 2 wherein the interface mount further includes an alignment sleeve encompassed by the front socket of said interface mount with longitudinal axis of said alignment sleeve extending parallel with the longitudinal axis of the socket.

4. The active device mount assembly of claim 3 wherein the alignment sleeve has annular beveled front edge.

5. The active device mount assembly according to claim 2 wherein each said catch piece comprises a tab body terminating in said protrusion and lip structure.

6. The active device mount assembly according to claim 2 wherein said base is characterized by at least one nub and one recess for fit to complimentary nub and recess of an attaching element.

7. The active device mount assembly according to claim 2 wherein said interface mount comprises said base additionally having, integral therewith, a shroud partially encompossing said resilient catch pieces.

8. The active device mount assembly of claim 2, 5, 6, or 7 wherein each of the connectors comprises;

an optical fiber plug assembly, the plug assembly including a plug housing with spacing through its body at a surface of a forward section and with defined exterior profile at a rearward section;

a connector assembly accommodated by and substantially within the plug housing, the connector assembly having disposed at one exterior surface thereof, ridge and slot and, in conjunction therewith tab;

said ridge, slot and tab exposed through the spacing at the surface of the forward section of the plug housing, and ferrule for fixing the optical fiber on a center axis thereof and accommodated within the connector assembly.

9. The active device mount assembly according to claim 8 wherein said lip structures are beveled inwardly to facilitate lead-in to the spacing of said plug housing as said fixture is attached to said optical fiber connector.