Optical connector with protective cover and leaf spring

• US 7,283,718 B2
• Filed: 02/18/2003
• Issued: 10/16/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Huber + Suhner AG
• Original Assignee: Huber + Suhner AG
• Inventors: Zaina, Patrick, Frischknecht, Urs
• Primary Examiner(s): Font; Frank G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dupuis; Derek L.
• Application Number:
  US10/514,380
• Publication Number:
  US 20050147358A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,701 Days
• Field of Search: 385 76- 78, 385/88, 385 90- 92, 385/139
• US Class Current: 385/139
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3849 using mechanical protective elements, e.g. caps, hoods, sealing membranes G02B6/3816 takes precedence; provisionally see H01R13/44
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3893 Push-pull type, e.g. snap-in, push-on

Abstract

The invention relates to an optical connector for connecting optical fibers. Said connector comprises a housing which is provided with a first opening for an optical cable comprising an optical fiber to be connected, and a second opening, through which the end of the optical fiber outwardly protrudes from the housing. The second opening can be closed by a lid which can be pivoted between a first position in which it closes the second opening, and a second position in which it frees the second opening. Spring elements are provided for prestressing the lid in the closing direction. The aim of the invention is to simplify the structure and especially the assembly of one such connector. To this end, the spring elements comprise a laminated spring.

Claims

1. An optical connector for connecting optical fibers, with a housing and a cover, wherein the housing comprises:

a first opening for connecting an optical cable with an optical fiber thereto;

a second opening through which an end of the optical fiber protrudes outward from the housing, wherein the second opening is configured to be closed by the cover, wherein the cover is configured to be pivoted about a pivoting axis between a first position, wherein the cover closes the second opening and a second position, wherein the cover frees the second opening; and

spring means for prestressing the cover in a closing direction, wherein the spring means comprise a leaf spring, wherein a free end of the leaf spring presses on the cover.

2. The connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the leaf spring includes a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is restrained on the housing and wherein the second end of the leaf spring is free and is arranged in relation to the cover so that during the pivoting of the cover from the first position into the second position, the leaf spring is bent with the second end out of a position of rest and extending upwardly.

3. The connector as claimed in claim 2, wherein the optical fiber in the connector runs parallel to a connector axis, wherein the cover is configured to be pivoted about a pivot axis lying transversely in relation to the connector axis, and wherein the leaf spring in a position of rest on the housing rests on a supporting surface, wherein the surface is oriented perpendicularly in relation to the pivot axis.

4. The connector as claimed in claim 3, wherein the supporting surface runs parallel to the connector axis.

5. The connector as claimed in claim 3, further comprising actuating elements arranged on the cover, wherein the actuating elements define a circular path during pivoting of the cover and wherein the leaf spring rests with the second end on the actuating elements and is deflected by the actuating elements when the cover is pivoted from the first position into the second position.

6. The connector as claimed in claim 3, further comprising actuating elements arranged on the cover so that a maximum deflection of the leaf spring is achieved when the cover is in a predetermined pivoting position, wherein the predetermined pivoting position lies between the first position and the second position, and wherein the cover is pressed into the second position by the leaf spring when the cover has exceeded the predetermined pivoting position while moving from the first position.

7. The connector as claimed in claim 3, wherein the leaf spring rests with the first end on the supporting surface on the housing and is held down on the supporting surface by hold-down devices arranged above the supporting surface on the housing and extending parallel to the supporting surface.

8. The connector as claimed in claim 7, wherein the leaf spring is configured to be pushed in between the supporting surface and the hold-down devices.

9. The connector as claimed in claim 7, further comprising actuating elements arranged on the cover, wherein the actuating elements define a circular path during pivoting of the cover and wherein the leaf spring rests with the second end on the actuating elements and is deflected by the actuating elements when the cover is pivoted from the first position into the second position.

10. The connector as claimed in claim 7, wherein the leaf spring is secured on the supporting surface by fixing means to prevent lateral displacement.

11. The connector as claimed in claim 10, wherein the fixing means comprise two offsets in the housing, wherein the offsets prevent movement of the leaf spring in the direction of the connector axis.

12. The connector as claimed in claim 10, wherein the fixing means comprise a stop for the cover, wherein the stop protrudes perpendicularly upward out of the center of the supporting surface and extends in a direction of the connector axis, wherein the leaf spring has a slit-like clearance, wherein the slit-like clearance includes an open side and receives the stop when the leaf spring is inserted into the housing, and wherein the hold-down devices are arranged laterally on the stop.

13. The connector as claimed in claim 12, wherein the slit-like clearance in the leaf spring has a funnel-shaped widening toward the open side.

14. The connector as claimed in claim 2, further comprising actuating elements arranged on the cover, wherein the actuating elements define a circular path during pivoting of the cover and wherein the leaf spring rests with the second end on the actuating elements and is deflected by the actuating elements when the cover is pivoted from the first position into the second position.

15. The connector as claimed in claim 14, wherein the actuating elements are arranged on the cover so that a maximum deflection of the leaf spring is achieved when the cover is in a predetermined pivoting position, wherein the predetermined pivoting position lies between the first position and the second position, and wherein the cover is pressed into the second position by the leaf spring when the cover has exceeded the predetermined pivoting position while moving from the first position.

16. The connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the leaf spring is fixedly arranged with one end in the cover, whereby during the pivoting of the cover, the leaf spring slides with a free end along on a sliding surface formed on the housing so that the cover is prestressed in the closing direction.

17. The connector as claimed in claim 16, wherein the leaf spring is fastened to the cover so that when the cover is closed, the cover intercepts radiation emerging from the optical fiber.

18. The connector as claimed in claim 17, wherein metal inserts for intercepting laterally emerging radiation are situated laterally on an inner side in the cover.

19. The connector as claimed in claim 17, wherein a part of the leaf spring that lies in the path of rays of the optical fiber when the cover is closed, is set obliquely in relation to the optical axis of the optical fiber so that radiation impinging on the leaf spring from the optical fiber is not reflected back into the optical fiber.

20. The connector as claimed in claim 19, wherein metal inserts for intercepting laterally emerging radiation are situated laterally on an inner side in the cover.

21. An optical connector for connecting optical fibers, with a housing, wherein the housing comprises:

a first opening for connecting an optical cable with an optical fiber thereto;

a second opening through which an end of the optical fiber protrudes outward from the housing, wherein the second opening is configured to be closed by a cover, wherein the cover is configured to be pivoted about a pivoting axis between a first position, wherein the cover closes the second opening and a second position, wherein the cover frees the second opening; and

spring means for prestressing the cover in a closing direction, wherein the spring means comprise a leaf spring, wherein the leaf spring includes a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is restrained on the housing and wherein the second end of the leaf spring is free and presses on the cover, wherein the second end is arranged in relation to the cover so that during the pivoting of the cover from the first position into the second position, the leaf spring is bent with the second end out of a position of rest and extending upwardly, wherein the optical fiber in the connector runs parallel to a connector axis, wherein the cover is configured to be pivoted about a pivot axis lying transversely in relation to the connector axis, and wherein the leaf spring in a position of rest on the housing rests on a supporting surface, wherein the surface is oriented perpendicularly in relation to the pivot axis and the surface runs parallel to the connector axis, wherein the leaf spring rests with the first end on the supporting surface on the housing and is held down on the supporting surface by hold-down devices arranged above the supporting surface on the housing and extending parallel to the supporting surface.

22. An optical connector for connecting optical fibers, with a housing, wherein the housing comprises:

a first opening for connecting an optical cable with an optical fiber thereto;

a second opening through which an end of the optical fiber protrudes outward from the housing, wherein the second opening is configured to be closed by a cover wherein the cover is configured to be pivoted between a first position, wherein the cover closes the second opening and a second position, wherein the cover frees the second opening; and

spring means for prestressing the cover in a closing direction, wherein the spring means comprise a leaf spring, wherein the leaf spring is fixedly arranged with one end in the cover, whereby during the pivoting of the cover, the leaf spring slides with a free end along on a sliding surface formed on the housing so that the cover is prestressed in the closing direction, wherein the leaf spring is fastened to the cover so that when the cover is closed, the cover intercepts radiation emerging from the optical fiber, and further wherein a part of the leaf spring that lies in the path of rays of the optical fiber when the cover is closed, is set obliquely in relation to the optical axis of the optical fiber so that radiation impinging on the leaf spring from the optical fiber is not reflected back into the optical fiber.

23. An optical connector for connecting optical fibers, with a housing, wherein the housing comprises:

a first opening for connecting an optical cable with an optical fiber thereto;

a second opening through which an end of the optical fiber protrudes outward from the housing, wherein the second opening is configured to be closed by a cover wherein the cover is configured to be pivoted between a first position, wherein the cover closes the second opening and a second position, wherein the cover frees the second opening; and

spring means for prestressing the cover in a closing direction, wherein the spring means comprise a leaf spring, wherein the leaf spring is fixedly arranged with one end in the cover, whereby during the pivoting of the cover, the leaf spring slides with a free end along on a sliding surface formed on the housing so that the cover is prestressed in the closing direction, wherein the leaf spring is fastened to the cover so that when the cover is closed, the cover intercepts radiation emerging from the optical fiber, and further wherein metal inserts for intercepting laterally emerging radiation are situated laterally on an inner side in the cover.