Connection system for an optical cable

• US 9,170,385 B2
• Filed: 01/23/2012
• Issued: 10/27/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Radiall SA
• Original Assignee: Radiall SA
• Inventors: Van Der Mee, Marnix, Dupeux, Benoit, Valentin, Roxane, Durand, Renaud
• Primary Examiner(s): Doan, Jennifer
• Application Number:
  US13/979,786
• Publication Number:
  US 20130294731A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,373 Days
• Field of Search: 385/53, 385/76, 385/88, 385/92
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4201 Packages, e.g. shape, construction, internal or external details
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4219 Mechanical fixtures for holding or positioning the elements relative to each other in the couplings; Alignment methods for the elements, e.g. measuring or observing methods especially used therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4284 of optical modules with disconnectable electrical connectors latching arms for electrical connectors H01R13/627
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4292 the light guide being disconnectable from the opto-electronic element, e.g. mutually self aligning arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4293 hybrid electrical and optical connections for transmitting electrical and optical signals

Abstract

The present invention provides a plug for mounting on at least one cable having at least one optical conductor, the plug comprising a body and including at least one optoelectronic converter provided with connection means arranged inside the body in a manner that is removable and interchangeable.

Claims

1. A plug for mounting on at least one cable having at least one optical conductor, the plug comprising:

a body; and

at least one transceiver provided with at least one optical contact arranged inside the body in a removable and interchangeable manner.

2. The plug according to claim 1, wherein the at least one optical contact includes:

one end connected to an optical conductor of the cable; and

another end connected to the transceiver.

3. The plug according to claim 1, wherein the body includes:

at least a first housing in which the transceiver is received, and

at least a second housing in which at least one contact other than an optical contact is received.

4. The plug according to claim 3, wherein the first and second housings are separated by a wall providing electromagnetic shielding between the two housings.

5. The plug according to claim 3, wherein the body is configured to be mounted on an optical cable and on a cable other than an optical cable, in particular a power cable, the cables being respectively connected to the at least one optical contact and to the at least one contact other than the at least one optical contact of the plug.

6. The plug according to claim 1, wherein the body includes:

a single housing within which there is arranged a cartridge carrying the transceiver; and

at least one contact other than an optical contact.

7. The plug according to claim 6, wherein the plug is configured to be mounted on a hybrid that includes:

at least one optical conductor; and

at least one conductor other than an optical conductor.

8. The plug according to claim 1, wherein the body includes a single housing in which the transceiver is placed.

9. The plug according to claim 1, wherein the transceiver is an SFP type transceiver.

10. A set of plugs, comprising:

a first plug according to claim 1; and

a second plug other than an optical plug, the second plug having a second body and at least one contact other than an optical contact, the second body and the body of the first plug having substantially the same dimensions.

11. The set according to claim 10, wherein the first and second plugs have means enabling the first plug and the second plug to be secured to each other, optionally in permanent manner.

12. A receptacle configured to connect to the plug according to claim 1, the receptacle comprising:

at least one sub-receptacle configured to connect to;

(i) an electronic circuit card of electronic equipment, and (ii) the transceiver of the plug; and

a locking system configured to lock the receptacle to the plug, the locking system being distinct from the sub-receptacle.

13. The receptacle according to claim 12, wherein the locking system has a rim projecting from a panel associated with the receptacle.

14. The receptacle according to claim 13, wherein the rim is made integrally with the panel or is formed by a part fitted on the panel.

15. The receptacle according to claim 13, wherein the locking system includes at least one removable locking means on the plug, the removable locking means being carried by the rim.

16. The receptacle according to claim 12, including a sub-receptacle configured to be connected to at least one contact other than an optical contact, in particular a power contact.

17. A connection system, comprising:

a plug including;

a body, and

at least one transceiver provided with at least one optical contact arranged inside the body in a removable and interchangeable manner; and

a receptacle according to claim 12, associated with a panel, wherein

the receptacle and the plug are configured such that when the plug and the receptacle are connected together, the transceiver remains at least in part beside the panel in which a major portion of the plug extends.

18. The system according to claim 17, wherein the plug and the receptacle are configured so that the body of the plug, a casing of the transceiver, the panel, a braid of the at least one cable on which the plug is mounted, and the sub-receptacle connected to the transceiver are grounded when the plug is connected to the receptacle.

19. The system according to claim 17, wherein the transceiver is electrically insulated relative to the body of the plug.

20. A method of connecting a plug to a receptacle according to claim 12, the method comprising the following steps:

inserting the plug along an axis at least in part into the opening of a panel carrying the locking system of the receptacle;

aligning an electrical interface of the plug and the electrical interface of the receptacle along a dimension measured parallel to of the axis assisted by the locking system of the receptacle; and

aligning the electrical interface of the plug and the electrical interface of the receptacle in a plane perpendicular to the axis assisted by the sub-receptacle of the receptacle that is configured to be connected to the transceiver, wherein

the plug includes a body and at least one transceiver provided with at least on optical contact arranged inside the body in a removable and interchangeable manner.