Optical connection device and data processing apparatus fitted with optical transmission means

• US 5,305,401 A
• Filed: 08/21/1992
• Issued: 04/19/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thomson-CSF
• Original Assignee: Thomson-CSF
• Inventors: Becker, Alain, Chazelas, Jean
• Primary Examiner(s): Bovernick, Rodney B.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ngo, John
• Application Number:
  US07/920,577
• Time in Patent Office: 606 Days
• Field of Search: 385/13, 385/39, 385/18, 385/19, 385/24, 385/25, 385/44, 385/45, 385/43, 385/47, 385/50, 385/136, 385/146, 385/48, 250/227.14, 250/227.16
• US Class Current: 385/24
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/2817 using reflective elements to split or combine optical signals
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/382 with index-matching medium between light guides provisionally see G02B6/4212
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/43 Arrangements comprising a plurality of opto-electronic elements and associated optical interconnections

Abstract

An optical connection device includes at least one first rigid element fitted with an end which is preferably pointed; and at least one second element comprising a part made of elastic material such as silicon. Fasteners hold the end of the said first element against the elastic material of the said second element.

Claims

1. Data processing apparatus having optical transmission means for transmission of light information, comprising at least one first light guide with a pointed end made of rigid material;

at least one second light guide fitted with at least one segment of transparent elastic material; and

mechanical fixing means for forcibly applying and holding the said pointed end against a side of the said segment made of transparent elastic material.

2. Data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the above-mentioned light guides is embedded in a structure of a multi-layer printed circuit.

3. Data processing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the second light guide comprises a segment made of transparent elastic material assembled with at least one rigid segment;

the transparent elastic material being compressed by the pointed end.

4. Data processing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the guides have a parallelepiped cross-section, the pointed end, made of rigid material, being in the shape of a dihedron with at least one face covered by at least a semi-reflecting coating.

5. Data processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the pointed rigid end, in the shape of a dihedron, exhibits a ridge which is delimited by two oblique facets, the ridge being offset laterally with respect to a main axis of the first light guide, one of the facets intersecting a surface of the first light guide, the other facet projecting to an intermediate inclined shoulder which intersects another surface of the guide to form a projection.

6. Data processing apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the first light guide is clad with an opaque sheath provided at its end with the said mechanical fixing means;

and with a bearing surface contacting the inclined shoulder in order to transfer, via the opaque sheath and thus to the said mechanical fixing means, a repulsion force exerted on the pointed end of the first light guide by the said elastic segment.

7. Data processing apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 6, together with at least one hybrid sub-assembly including at least the first light guide arranged in at least one row of optical contact elements for linking with other sub-assemblies.

8. Data processing apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 6, together with at least one link module between adjacent first light guides arranged mutually parallel to one another.

9. An optical connector for light information transmission, the connector comprising:

at least a first light guide having a rigid transparent element terminating in a pointed end;

at least one second light guide coupled to the first and including a member of transparent elastic material; and

fastening means for urging the pointed end of the first light guide into continuous compressive contact with the elastic member for ensuring an uninterrupted light path between the guides.

10. The connector set forth in claim 9 wherein the transparent elastic material is a thermoplastic of the silicon elastomer type.

11. The connector set forth in claim 9 wherein the rigid element has a parallelogram cross section, and the pointed end is formed as a dihedron, one surface of which has a coating thereon for at least partially reflecting light.

12. The connector set forth in claim 9 wherein intersecting surfaces of the dihedron pointed end form an end ridge which is laterally offset from a main axis of the rigid element;

one of the intersecting surfaces appending directly from a main portion of the rigid transparent element, another of the intersecting surfaces appending to an intermediate inclined shoulder which, in turn appends to the main portion of the element thereby forming a side projection.

13. The connector set forth in claim 9 wherein the rigid transparent element is embraced by an opaque sheath having a section mounting the fastening means thereto;

the sheath further including a bearing surface contacting the inclined shoulder for facilitating transfer of bias force exerted on the pointed end, by the compressed elastic material, to the fastening means.