Integrated optical module for coupling an optical fiber to an optical device

• US 5,631,990 A
• Filed: 08/18/1995
• Issued: 05/20/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Go!Foton Holdings, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nippon Sheet Glass Company Limited
• Inventors: Hashizume, Hideki
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, John D.
• Application Number:
  US08/516,626
• Time in Patent Office: 641 Days
• Field of Search: 385/88-94
• US Class Current: 385/92
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4204 the coupling comprising intermediate optical elements, e.g. lenses, holograms encapsulated active devices H01S5/02208, H01L33/52
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4292 the light guide being disconnectable from the opto-electronic element, e.g. mutually self aligning arrangements

Abstract

An optical module for receiving a plug connected to an optical fiber includes a receptacle having an optical device, a holder composed of a plurality of bodies for gripping the receptacle, the holder having an engaging tongue for engaging the plug when the plug is connected to the receptacle, and a housing combinable with the holder while the holder is gripping the receptacle, whereby the housing, the receptacle, and the holder can jointly make up an integral assembly.

Claims

1. An optical module for receiving a plug connected to an optical fiber, comprising:

a receptacle having an optical device;

a holder composed of a plurality of bodies for gripping said receptacle, said holder having an engaging tongue for engaging the plug when the plug is connected to said receptacle; and

a housing combinable with said holder so as to cover and accommodate said holder and said engaging tongue therein while the holder is gripping said receptacle, whereby said housing, said receptacle and said holder can jointly make up an integral assembly.

2. An optical module according to claim 1, wherein said holder is composed of a pair of half bodies of identical shape, each of said half bodies having said engaging tongue and at least one engaging member, said receptacle having engageable regions for being engaged by the engaging members of the half bodies when the receptacle is gripped between said half bodies.

3. An optical module according to claim 2, wherein said half bodies have respective engageable members, said housing having engaging members engageable with the respective engagable members of said half bodies when the receptacle is gripped between said half bodies.

4. An optical module according to claim 3, wherein said engageable members of said half bodies comprise respective engageable teeth, said engaging members of said housing comprising respective engaging teeth for engaging said engageable teeth of the half bodies.

5. An optical module according to claim 2, wherein said engaging members of said half bodies comprise respective engaging ridges, said engageable regions comprising respective engageable slots for receiving said engaging ridges, respectively.

6. An optical module according to claim 2, wherein said plug has an engaging groove including a tapered surface and a deepest surface continuous thereto, said engaging tongues of said half bodies having respective engaging teeth for engaging in said engaging groove of said plug, the arrangement being such that when said plug and said receptacle are connected to each other, said engaging teeth of said engaging tongues slide down said tapered surface onto said deepest surface in a manner to force said plug in a direction to be connected to said receptacle.

7. An optical module for receiving a plug connected to an optical fiber, comprising:

a receptacle having an optical device;

a holder composed of a pair of bodies, each of said pair of bodies comprising a recess, said holder having an aperture therethrough to receive said receptacle, a perimeter of said aperture formed by said recesses when said pair of bodies is assembled, said holder also having an engaging tongue for engaging the plug when the plug is connected to said receptacle; and

a housing having an hole therethrough to receive said receptacle, said engaging tongue and the plug, said housing closely fittable around said holder so as to push said holder into gripping contact with said receptacle.

8. An optical module for receiving a plug connected to an optical fiber, the module comprising:

a barrel-shaped receptacle having an optical device contained therein, said receptacle having an axis;

a holder formed from a plurality of holder parts, the holder comprising a ridge engageable with said receptacle and adapted to prevent rotation of said receptacle within said holder, and an engaging tongue, said holder having an aperture therein to receive said receptacle; and

a housing adapted to receive said receptacle, said engaging tongue and the plug, and adapted to urge said holder parts axially inwards so as to lockingly engage said holder with said receptacle.

9. The optical module of claim 8, wherein said receptacle comprises a slot perpendicular to said axis to receive said ridge, said holder further comprises a plurality of holder engageable teeth and said housing comprises a plurality of housing engageable teeth, teeth of said plurality of housing engageable teeth each adapted to engage respective teeth of said plurality of holder engageable teeth so as to lock said holder in engagement with said housing.