Optical connector assembly using partial large diameter alignment features

• US 6,318,902 B1
• Filed: 05/14/1999
• Issued: 11/20/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Meis, Michael A., Henson, Gordon D., Lee, Nicholas A., Igl, Scott A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ullah, Akm E.
• Application Number:
  US09/312,561
• Time in Patent Office: 921 Days
• Field of Search: 385/59, 385/80-88, 385/147
• US Class Current: 385/59
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/362 Vacuum holders for optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3636 the mechanical coupling means being grooves G02B6/3652 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3652 the additional structures being prepositioning mounting areas, allowing only movement in one dimension, e.g. grooves, trenches or vias in the microbench surface, i.e. self aligning supporting carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3696 by moulding, e.g. injection moulding, casting, embossing, stamping, stenciling, printing, or with metallic mould insert manufacturing using LIGA or MIGA techniques shaping the mould surface by machining B29C33/38; moulding techniques B29C39/00, B29C43/00, B29C45/00, B29C48/00, B29C59/00; stamping, printing or embossing techniques B81C1/00444; surface micromachining using LIGA B81C2201/032
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3803 Adjustment or alignment devices for alignment prior to splicing
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3806 Semi-permanent connections, i.e. wherein the mechanical means keeping the fibres aligned allow for removal of the fibres dismountable connectors G02B6/3807
• 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 6/3839 for a plurality of light guides
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3858 Clamping, i.e. with only elastic deformation
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3861 Adhesive bonding adhesives in general C09J
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3869 Mounting ferrules to connector body, i.e. plugs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3882 using rods, pins or balls to align a pair of ferrule ends
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3885 Multicore or multichannel optical connectors, i.e. one single ferrule containing more than one fibre, e.g. ribbon type optical ribbon cable G02B6/4403, G02B6/448
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3887 Anchoring optical cables to connector housings, e.g. strain relief features
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3893 Push-pull type, e.g. snap-in, push-on
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4224 using visual alignment markings, e.g. index methods
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4231 with intermediate elements, e.g. rods and balls, between the elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4249 comprising arrays of active devices and fibres
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4255 Moulded or casted packages
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4261 : Packages with mounting structures to be pluggable or detachable, e.g. having latches or rails
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4274 : Electrical aspects G02B6/4263 and G02B6/4265 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4281 : the printed circuit boards being flexible in general H05K1/147
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4292 : the light guide being disconnectable from the opto-electronic element, e.g. mutually self aligning arrangements

Abstract

A fiber optic connector having improved alignment and manufacturing characteristics over traditional connectors. A fiber optic connector of the present invention has a first connector ferrule and alignment means for aligning the first connector ferrule with a matching second connector ferrule. The fiber optic connector includes a first connector ferrule including a first mating surface. The mating surface defines at least one receiving cavity, and at least one protruding alignment rod is seated in the cavity and extends from the mating surface. The alignment rod has a diameter D₁ and protrudes from the mating surface a protrusion distance p₁, wherein p₁≦2D₁. In an exemplary embodiment the rod has a spherical tip and 0.5D₁≦p₁≦2D₁.

Claims

1. A connector comprising:

a) a first alignment block including

i) a first mating surface;

ii) at least one semi-cylindrical protruding alignment peg extending from the mating surface, the alignment peg having a diameter D₁ and protruding from the mating surface a protrusion distance p₁, 0.5D₁≦

P₁≦

2D₁;

b) a second alignment block having a second mating surface defining a first receiving cavity aligned opposite the first alignment peg, the first receiving cavity having a depth H₁ wherein P₁<

H₁.

2. The connector of claim 1, wherein the alignment peg has a hemispherical tip.

3. The connector of claim 1, wherein the peg is molded as part of the first alignment block.

4. The connector of claim 1, wherein the first alignment block defines a seating orifice and the alignment peg comprises a metal rod seated in the orifice.

5. The connector of claim 1, wherein the first alignment block is a receptacle further comprising an opto-electronic device.

6. The connector of claim 1, wherein the first alignment block is an opto-electronic receptacle further comprising an opto-electronic device aligned with respect to the alignment peg and the second alignment block is an optical fiber ferrule.

7. The connector of claim 1, comprising a second alignment peg extending from one of the alignment blocks and a second receiving cavity defined by the other alignment block, wherein the second receiving cavity is configured to align with and receive the second alignment peg.

8. The connector of claim 7, wherein the second alignment peg is semi-cylindrical, the second alignment peg having a diameter d₂ and protruding from the mating surface of the one alignment block a protrusion distance p₂, wherein p₂≦

2d₂, and wherein the second receiving cavity has a depth H₂, wherein p₂≦

H₂.

9. The connector of claim 8, wherein the first alignment block includes both the first and the second alignment pegs, the first and second alignment pegs having a convex outer edge portion and a non-convex outer edge portion, wherein the non-convex edge portions of the first and second alignment pegs are opposite to each other.

10. The connector of claim 9, further comprising an optical fiber array placed between the opposing non-convex edge portions.

11. The connector of claim 9, further comprising an opto-electronic device placed between the opposing non-convex edge portions.

12. The connector of claim 9, wherein the second alignment block includes the first and the second receiving cavities, the first and second cavities having a concave interior edge portion and a non-concave interior edge portion, wherein the non-concave interior edge portions of the first and second cavities are opposite each other.

13. The connector of claim 12, further comprising an optical fiber array placed between the opposing non-concave interior edge portions.