Clip connector for use in an optical communication coupling system

• US 7,600,925 B2
• Filed: 12/27/2006
• Issued: 10/13/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Alameh, Rachid M., Barabolak, Mark A., Zeiger, David R., Sehmbey, Maninder S.
• Primary Examiner(s): ROJAS, OMAR R
• Application Number:
  US11/616,470
• Publication Number:
  US 20080159698A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,021 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 385/89
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/262 Optical details of coupling light into, or out of, or between fibre ends, e.g. special fibre end shapes or associated optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3801 Permanent connections, i.e. wherein fibres are kept aligned by mechanical means splices by bonding G02B6/255; fusion splices G02B6/2551
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/43 Arrangements comprising a plurality of opto-electronic elements and associated optical interconnections

Abstract

An optical communication coupling system (206) for use in a device is provided. The optical communication coupling system (206) includes an optical fiber (208) and a clip connector (302). The optical fiber (208) is capable of conveying light between a first optical communication element (202) and a second optical communication element (204). The clip connector (302) is capable of receiving the optical fiber (208) and altering it to create an access point, which allows for a transfer of light between the optical fiber (208) and one of the first optical communication element (202) and the second optical communication element (204).

Claims

1. An optical communication coupling system for use in a device, the optical communication coupling system comprising:

an optical fiber capable of conveying light between a first optical communication element and a second optical communication element; and

a clip connector capable of receiving and retaining the optical fiber and, as part of receiving the optical fiber, altering the optical fiber to create an access point, the access point allows for a transfer of the light between the optical fiber and one of the first optical communication element and the second optical communication element, while the optical fiber is being retained by the clip connector;

wherein the clip connector comprises an abrasive surface capable of abrading a first surface of the optical fiber, and wherein the first surface is in contact with at least one of the first optical communication element and the second optical communication element; and

wherein the clip connector includes an intruding surface, where a second surface of the optical fiber opposite to the first surface of the optical fiber is intruded through contact with the intruding surface of the clip connector in connection with the clip connector receiving the optical fiber, and wherein the second surface deflects the light inside the optical fiber.

2. An optical communication coupling system of claim 1 further comprising:

a notch-cut on the optical fiber, wherein the notch-cut is located opposite to the first surface; and

a reflective surface, wherein the reflective surface is provided to the intruding surface of the clip connector in contact with the notch-cut, and wherein the reflective surface deflects the light escaping through the notch-cut inside the optical fiber.

3. An optical communication coupling system of claim 1, wherein the clip connector comprises an aperture capable of conveying the light through the first surface from the at least one of the first optical communication element to the optical fiber and from the optical fiber to the second optical communication element.

4. An optical communication coupling system of claim 1, wherein the optical fiber is provided with an increased diameter to at least one terminal of the optical fiber, and wherein the increased diameter enables the clip connector to couple the optical fiber to at least one of the first optical communication element and the second optical communication element.

5. An optical communication coupling system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first optical communication element and the second optical communication element is selected from the group comprising a light emitting diode, a vertical-cavity surface emitting laser, an edge-emitting diode, a PIN diode and a photo-diode.

6. An optical communication coupling system of claim 1, wherein the optical fiber is selected from the group comprising an acrylic-fiber, a plastic optical fiber and a glass optical fiber.

7. An optical communication coupling system of claim 1, wherein the optical fiber comprises a covering of one of a cladding, paint and a reflective material.

8. An optical communication coupling system of claim 1, wherein the optical communication coupling system provides an optical coupling for supporting intra-device optical communication between one and more optical communication element.

9. A device comprising:

a first optical communication element;

a second optical communication element; and

an optical communication coupling system comprising;

an optical fiber capable of conveying light between the first optical communication element and the second optical communication element; and

a clip connector capable of receiving and retaining the optical fiber and, as part of receiving the optical fiber, altering the optical fiber to create an access point, which allows for a transfer of light between the optical fiber and one of the first optical communication element and the second optical communication element, while the optical fiber is being retained by the clip connector;

wherein the clip connector comprises an abrasive surface capable of abrading a first surface of the optical fiber, and wherein the first surface is in contact with at least one of the first optical communication element and the second optical communication element; and

wherein the clip connector includes an intruding surface, where a second surface of the optical fiber opposite to the first surface of the optical fiber is intruded through contact with the intruding surface of the clip connector in connection with the clip connector receiving the optical fiber, and wherein the second surface deflects the light inside the optical fiber.

10. A device of claim 9, wherein the optical communication coupling system further comprises:

a notch-cut on the optical fiber, and wherein the notch-cut is located opposite to the first surface;

a reflective surface, wherein the reflective surface is provided to the intruding surface of the clip connector in contact with the notch-cut, and wherein the reflective surface deflects the light escaping through the notch-cut inside the optical fiber.

11. A device of claim 9, wherein the clip connector comprises an aperture capable of conveying the light through the first surface from at least one of the first optical communication element to the optical fiber and from the optical fiber to the second optical communication element.

12. A device of claim 9, wherein the optical fiber is provided with an increased diameter to at least one terminal of the optical fiber, and wherein the increased diameter enables the clip connector to couple the optical fiber to at least one of the first optical communication element and the second optical communication element.

13. A device of claim 9, wherein the optical communication coupling system provides an optical coupling for supporting intra-device optical communication between one and more optical communication element.

14. A device of claim 9, wherein the device is a wireless communication device.

15. A clip connector enabling optical communication between an optical fiber and an optical communication element, the clip connector comprising:

an abrasive surface capable of abrading a first surface of the optical fiber when the optical fiber is inserted into the clip connector;

an intruding surface capable of intruding a second surface of the optical fiber, the second surface of the optical fiber being opposite to the first surface of the optical fiber, through contact with the intruding surface of the clip connector in connection with the optical fiber being inserted into the clip connector, wherein when intruded the second surface deflects the light inside the optical fiber; and

an aperture capable of conveying light through the first surface between the optical communication element and the optical fiber, wherein the resulting abrasion occurring as part of insertion is aligned with the aperture and at least one of a light emitting and a light receiving capability of the optical communication element, when the insertion of the optical fiber into the clip connector is completed and maintained.

16. A clip connector of claim 15 further comprising a retention element, wherein the retention element is capable of at least partially gripping the optical fiber, when the optical fiber is inserted into the clip connector so as to resist removal of the optical fiber.