Hybrid connector assembly for electrical conductors and fiber optic data conductors

• US 6,533,466 B1
• Filed: 09/07/2000
• Issued: 03/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Smith, Gordon James
• Primary Examiner(s): Sanghavi, Hemang
• Assistant Examiner(s): KNAUSS, SCOTT A
• Application Number:
  US09/656,918
• Time in Patent Office: 922 Days
• Field of Search: 385/75-77, 385/78, 385/64, 439/106, 439/107, 439/577, 439/651
• US Class Current: 385/75
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3817 containing optical and electrical conductors cables including electrical and optical conductors H01B11/22; G02B6/3816 takes precedence

Abstract

A combination or hybrid connector, for connecting both an electrical connection and an optical signal connection simultaneously, incorporates a fiber optic conductor aligned with and contained within the ground pin of an electrical power plug. A fiber optic conductor is contained within a mating receptacle unit to which the electrical power is plug connected. The fiber optic conductor of the plug extends beyond the ground pin to enter, be aligned and interface with a fiber optic conductor within the receptacle unit. The end of the fiber optic conductor in the plug is shielded and the shield is retractable upon engagement with the alignment device. The alignment device is fabricated to have a converging interior space which receives the fiber optic conductor of the plug and gently bends the plug fiber optic conductor to an aligned position to place the end thereof closely juxtaposed with the end of the fiber optic conductor of the receptacle. The shield is self-restoring so that upon disengagement of the plug from the receptacle the shield extends or restores to its original form again to shield the fiber optic conductor extending from the ground pin.

Claims

1. A combination fiber optic and electrical connector comprising:

a plug further comprising;

a pair of electrically conductive blades connected to a first pair of electrical conductors;

a ground pin connected to a third electrical conductor;

a fiber optic conductor housed within one of said conductive blades and said ground pin and extending therefrom;

a plug housing enclosing ends of a second pair of electrical conductors, ends of said blades, a ground conductor and a fiber optic conductor, and supporting said ground pin, said blades, said electrical and fiber optic conductors,

whereby electrical and ground connections and an optical connection are effected upon insertion of said plug into a compatible receptacle;

said compatible receptacle comprising;

a pair of engageable contacts for engaging said blades;

a contact member for engaging said ground pin;

a fiber optic member having an end; and

an alignment member surrounding said end of said fiber optic member for aligning said fiber optic member with said fiber optic conductor upon insertion of said plug into said receptacle further comprising three frustro-conical members forming a convergent passage with one end of said passage reduced to a size to accept and confine said fiber optic member and said fiber optic conductor.

2. The combination fiber optic and electrical connector of claim 1 wherein said alignment member forms at least one surface engageable by said fiber optic conductor, progressively moving said fiber optic conductor toward an aligned position with progressive insertion of the fiber optic conductor therein.

3. The combination fiber optic and electrical connector of claim 2 wherein said alignment member is comprised of a plurality of frustro-conical surfaces.

4. The combination fiber optic and electrical connector of claim 3 wherein said frustro-conical interior surfaces converge to circumscribe a diameter substantially equal to a diameter of said fiber optic conductor.

5. The combination fiber optic and electrical connector of claim 1 wherein said ground pin further comprises a deformable protective member enclosing said fiber optic conductor and said alignment member projects beyond an end of said fiber optic member and engages and deforms fiber optic conductor.

6. The combination fiber optic and electrical connector of claim 2 wherein said frustro-conical members are in mutual contact along lengths of said frustro-conical members to form said converging surface.

7. A combination electrical and fiber optic outlet assembly comprising:

a pair of electrical contacts engageable with blades of an electrical plug;

a third electrical contact engageable with a ground pin of said electrical plug, and having an axis of connection along which said ground pin may be inserted;

a first fiber optic conductor end disposed proximate to said third electrical contact and aligned with said axis of connection;

an alignment member surrounding said first fiber optic conductor and engageable with a second fiber optic conductor insertable therein whereby upon insertion of a compatible plug into said outlet assembly, said electrical contacts and said first fiber optic conductor are aligned and connected respectively to said blades and said second fiber optic conductor carried by an electrical plug,

said alignment member comprised of a plurality of at least three frustro-conical surfaces in mutual contact.

8. The combination electrical and fiber optic outlet assembly of claim 7 wherein said alignment member forms at least one surface engageable by said second fiber optic conductor for progressively moving said second fiber optic conductor toward an aligned position with progressive insertion of the second fiber optic conductor therein.

9. The combination electrical and fiber optic outlet assembly of claim 8 wherein said alignment member is comprised of a plurality of rod members arranged in a converging manner.

10. The combination electrical and fiber optic outlet assembly of claim 9 wherein said frustro-conical surfaces converge to a diameter substantially equal to a diameter of said fiber optic conductor.

11. A combination electrical and fiber optic outlet assembly of claim 8 wherein said alignment member projects beyond an end of said first fiber optic conductor and is engageable with a protective member on an exposed end of a ground pin, thereby to expose a portion of said second fiber optic conductor.

12. The combination electrical and fiber optic outlet assembly of claim 9 wherein said converging rod members are tapered over substantially their entire length to form said converging arrangement.

13. An electrical and optical connector assembly comprising:

a male electrical plug assembly;

a female electrical receptacle assembly;

a first fiber optic conductor projecting from said plug assembly;

a second fiber optic conductor recessed within said receptacle assembly;

a means for aligning said first fiber optic conductor with said second fiber optic conductor comprising a plurality of at least a portion of three frustro-conical surfaces in mutual contact defining a passage of progressively decreasing dimension, progressing into said receptacle assembly, said means for aligning said first fiber optic conductor with said second fiber optic conductor circumscribing a portion of said second fiber optic conductor, providing an increasingly confining passage for said first fiber optic conductor upon insertion thereinto;

a means for further aligning a light signal projecting from an end of one of said fiber optic conductors onto another of said fiber optic conductors,

whereby a fiber optic conductor data signal connection and an electrical connection is made whenever said plug assembly is inserted and seated into said receptacle assembly.

14. The electrical and optical connector assembly of claim 13 wherein said means for aligning said light signal comprises a member having a hollow converging interior surface surrounding said second fiber optic conductor and encircling said end thereof and engageable with said first fiber optic conductor to align ends of both fiber optic conductors.

15. The electrical and optical connector assembly of claim 14 wherein said means for aligning said light signal further comprises a lens disposed intermediate said fiber optic conductors.

16. The electrical and optical connector assembly of claim 14 wherein said plug assembly comprises a ground pin and said first fiber optic conductor projects from a projecting end of said ground pin.

17. The electrical and optical connector assembly of claim 16 wherein said end of said first fiber optic conductor is shielded by a displaceable shield member supported by said ground pin.

18. The electrical and optical connector assembly of claim 13 wherein said end of said first fiber optic conductor is shielded by a displaceable shield member supported by said plug assembly.

19. The electrical and optical connector assembly of claim 18 wherein said shield member is engageable by said aligning means and deformed to expose said first fiber optic conductor end to said second fiber optic conductor.