AU2003201305B2 - An optical fibre connector system - Google Patents

Description

P OPERkAH\p, 1207.02 spc AU r-bd-21 /02200 00 -1- T AN OPTICAL FIBRE CONNECTOR SYSTEM The present invention relates to an optical fibre connector system.

The fibre optic communications industry currently uses a wide variety of different optical Sfibre connector types. The connectors are used to interconnect and disconnect optical fibres used for light transmission. To provide a satisfactory connection requires optical Sconnectors to be high precision mechanical devices, with tolerances on certain parts being (,i on the order of 1 micron. The connectors are difficult to manufacture and many years of engineering effort have been required to perfect and develop the various types of connectors, most of which are manufactured in large quantities. The different types of connectors are essentially all incompatible and, as the industry evolves, new types are being developed with improved characteristics. Despite the wide variety of connector types available, there has been a general lack of user-installable and inexpensive components for adapting between connector types. A number of adaptors for connecting different types of connectors are available but tend to be severely limited in application, due to either excessive cost or limited performance. Some adaptors are used with optical instrumentation, but are usually incorporated into the instrumentation, so that the instrument can only be used to connect to one type of connector. A user purchasing the instrument therefore can only make use of it with one type of optical connector.

It is desired to provide an optical connector system and assembly that alleviate one or more difficulties of the prior art, or at least to provide a useful alternative to existing connector systems.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an optical fibre connector system, including an optical connector disposed therein, a support supporting said optical connector, said support having a recess allowing a through connector to be connected to said optical connector, and an engagement mechanism which acts on said optical connector to prevent release of said through connector when connected to said optical connector, and which is operable to enable release of said through connector.

P 'OPERNRAB\'p,207.O 2 Ipc AU fctOS doc21O2flOOS 00 -1A- SThe present invention also provides an optical fibre connector assembly, including: (Ni an optical connector disposed therein; and an engagement mechanism that acts on said optical connector to prevent release of Vt a through connector when connected to said optical connector and enables release of said through connector, without acting upon said through connector; Swherein said optical connector includes components that are engaged to prevent said release of said through connector, said release being enabled by disengaging only one Sof said components.

The present invention also provides an optical fibre connector assembly, including an optical connector having components that are relatively movable along a longitudinal axis of said connector to enable release of a through connector when connected to said optical connector, wherein said components are normally engaged to prevent release of said through connector, said assembly further including an engagement mechanism that is operable to disengage only one of said components to enable release of said through connector.

P:PER\DBW".27.02 sp AU.dto-I4/03/03 -2- Preferably, said connector system includes a support which includes said recess and holds at least part of said optical connector which includes a terminating part of an optical fibre.

Preferably, said engagement mechanism includes a movable element which normally engages said connector to said support and which is moved to disengage said connector from said support to enable said release of said through connector.

Preferably, said movable element is normally biased.

Preferably, said element is a resilient arm which is attached to part of said connector.

Preferably, said connector system includes a support and a connector assembly having means for reversibly engaging said support.

Preferably, said optical connector includes at least two components that are engaged to prevent said release of said through connector, said release being enabled by disengaging at least one of said components.

Preferably, said components are relatively movable to enable said release, and said release is enabled by disengaging one of said components.

Preferably, said components are engaged with said support to prevent said release, and said release is enabled by disengaging one of said components.

Preferably, said connector assembly includes an inner sleeve assembly for supporting an optical fibre and for reversibly engaging said support to enable said release of said through connector, and an outer sleeve for supporting said inner sleeve and for reversibly engaging said support.

Preferably, said optical connector includes an SC, LC, or MU connector.

P: )PER\DBW\pl207-O 2 sp AU.d.-14I03/03 -3- Preferred embodiments of the present invention are hereinafter described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of an optical fibre connector system; Figure 2 is an isometric view of two of the connector systems and through connectors for connecting optical fibre cables to the systems; Figure 3 is an isometric view of the rear of the connector system, showing separation of a connector assembly and a support assembly of the system; Figure 4 is an isometric exploded view of the support assembly; Figure 5 is an isometric exploded view of the connector assembly; Figure 6 is an isometric cross-section view of an inner sleeve assembly of the connector assembly; Figure 7 is an isometric view of the inner sleeve assembly; Figure 8 is an isometric view of the connector assembly; and Figures 9 and 10 are isometric cross-section views of the connector system connected to a through connector.

Optical fibres connectors are made according to a number of different designs which, although incompatible, have similar characteristics. Standard connector types include, for example, ST, SC, LC, MU, FC, D4, LSA, E2000, EC and SMA, which are made by a number of manufacturers. The connectors are used to make an optical connection between two optical fibres, and are positioned at the ends of an optical fibre, with the fibre tip being polished to provide a desired interconnecting surface. To make a connection between two fibres, two optical connectors are required, together with a through connector which is used to align the optical connectors so that the fibres are properly aligned and light is transmitted from one fibre to the other. A through connector includes an alignment sleeve which is a precision component used to align the optical fibres of the two optical connectors. A spring mechanism may be provided within a connector to provide controlled pressure on the end face of the fibre when a connection is made to improve control optical parameters such as forward loss and return loss.

P:\OPER\DBW\psI207.02 sp, AU.doc-.14103/03 -4- As shown in Figures 1 and 3, an optical fibre connector system includes an SC connector assembly 10 located within a receptacle or support 12. As shown in Figure 4, the support 12 is part of a support assembly 13 that allows the connector system to be mounted on a faceplate or a wall, securing the connector system for use in optical instrumentation or interconnection facilities, as described in Australian Patent No. 726349. As shown in Figures 1, 6 and 7, the tip of an optical fibre 14 is fixed within the connector assembly by a ferrule 16 that provides precise physical positioning of the fibre 14. The ferrule 16 is normally cylindrical with an outer diameter of 2.5 mm and an inner diameter that matches the outer diameter of the fibre 14, which is normally about 125 microns. As shown in Figure 1, the ferrule 16 is supported by an inner sleeve 18 and an outer sleeve 20 of the SC connector assembly 10. The outer sleeve 20 is held within the support 12 so as to provide a recess 22 around the outer sleeve 20. The fibre cable that would normally be seen projecting from the rear of the connector assembly 10 has not been shown for clarity.

As shown in Figures 2, 9 and 10, the recess 22 allows a through connector 24 to be connected to the connector assembly 10 so as to engage with the ferrule 16 and the inner sleeve 18 to secure the through connector 24 to the connector system. As shown in Figure 9, two locking arms 26 laterally disposed about an alignment sleeve 27 within the through connector 24 lock onto locking tabs 64 on the inner sleeve 18 as the through connector 24 is pushed into the recess 22. The through connector 24 cannot be removed from the connector system by pulling on the fibre cable or the through connector 24 without damaging the connectors 10, 24. The through connector 24 can only be safely removed from the connector system by depressing a release arm 28 and pulling the through connector 24 away from the connector system, as described below. The securing of the through connector 24 and the optical connector system prevents accidental disconnection when the cable or fibre is accidentally pulled. Similar features to prevent accidental disconnection are provided by a number of alternative connectors.

A through connector that is used to connect two optical connectors of different types is referred to as a through adaptor, an inter-series adaptor, or an inter-series through adaptor.

For example, the through connector 25 illustrated in Figure 2 is a through adaptor for P:OPER\DBWM I207-02 sp AU.do.-14/03/03 interconnecting an ST optical connector and an SC optical connector.

As shown in Figure 3, the connector assembly 10 is retained within the support 12 by connector assembly locking tabs 29 that engage with walls of openings 32 in the sides of the support 12. The connector assembly locking tabs 29 project from the outer surfaces of two resilient connector assembly release arms 30 of the connector assembly 10. The connector assembly 10 can be removed from the support 12 by squeezing the resilient connector assembly release arms 30 towards each other and withdrawing the connector assembly 10 from the rer opening of the support 12.

As shown in Figure 4, the support 12 is part of a support assembly 13 that further includes a support face plate 36 and a support locking plate 38. The support locking plate 38 is a resilient metal plate in the shape of a platform with oblique projecting arms 40 that engage with ridges 42 formed along the outer sides of the support 12 to secure the support 12 against the support face plate 36.

As shown in Figure 5, the connector assembly 10 includes the outer sleeve 20, and an inner sleeve assembly comprising an inner sleeve 46 and an inner sleeve locking assembly 48.

The inner sleeve locking assembly 48 includes an inner sleeve locking support 50, and an inner sleeve locking nut 52. The inner sleeve locking support 50 includes an inner sleeve locating recess 56, a locking sleeve 58, and the release arm 28.

The inner sleeve 46 is a standard SC optical connector inner sleeve that supports the ferrule 16 and is connected to a boot 54 at the rear. The boot 54 slides through an opening and locating recess 56 in the inner sleeve locking support 50 to nest within the locking sleeve 58. The locking sleeve 58 has a threaded outer surface which mates with the inner thread of the inner sleeve locking nut 52. As shown in Figure 6, a raised annular portion 61 around the outer surface of the locking sleeve 58 causes the end of the locking sleeve 58 nearest the boot 54 to be forced radially inwards to clamp the boot 54 as the inner sleeve locking nut 52 is screwed onto the locking sleeve 58. As shown in Figure 5, two longitudinally disposed slit openings 59 in this end of the locking sleeve 58 facilitate this P:\OPER\DBW\p1207-02 spc AU doc-14/03/03 -6clamping action. Accordingly, the inner sleeve 46 and the inner sleeve locking assembly 48 are secured together to form an inner sleeve assembly, as shown in Figure 7.

The connector assembly 10, as shown in Figure 8, can then be formed by sliding the inner sleeve 46 of the inner sleeve assembly within an opening 62 in the outer sleeve 20. The front portion 63 of the outer sleeve 20 is the same shape as a standard SC outer sleeve and incorporates standard SC connector release features, as described below. This allows the connector assembly 10 to connect to the standard SC through connector 24, and for the through connector 24 to be subsequently released by sliding relative movement of the inner sleeve 46 and the outer sleeve As the through connector 24 is pushed onto the connector assembly 10, the resilient arms 26 within the through connector 24 are deformed around the inner sleeve locking tabs 64 as they slide over the tabs 64. Once past, the arms 26 snap back into position and lockingly engage with the tabs 64 to prevent accidental removal of the through connector 24. In order to release the through connector 24, the inner sleeve 46 is slid forward relative to the outer sleeve 20, so that the sloping tab release guides 66 in the outer sleeve 20 lift the through connector arms 26 away from the inner sleeve locking tabs 64 to release the through connector 24. This requires relative movement of the inner sleeve 46 and the outer sleeve 20. However, the outer sleeve 20 is held in place by the connector assembly locking tabs 29, and the inner sleeve 46, being secured within the inner sleeve locking assembly 48, is held in place by the engagement of a connector release locking tab 60 of the resilient connector assembly release arm 28 against a retaining edge 68 of the support 12, as shown in Figure 10. Thus, the through connector 24 cannot be removed from the connector assembly 10 without damaging the connectors unless the resilient connector assembly release arm 28 is depressed to disengage the connector release locking tab from the retaining edge 68. This releases the inner sleeve assembly and allows it to slide away from the outer sleeve 20 when the through connector 24 is pulled away from the connector assembly 10, thus disengaging the through connector arms 26, as described above. The sliding movement is stopped when a front wall 70 of the inner sleeve locking support 50 meets with the rear wall 72 of the outer sleeve 20. However, the degree of PKOPER\DBW.psI2O7O2 pr AU.d.14/3/03 -7relative movement of the outer sleeve 20 and inner sleeve 46 thus achieved is sufficient to release the through connector 24, as described above, which can then be removed from the connector assembly.

Many modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. For example, although the preferred embodiment of the connector assembly has been described in terms of SC optical connector components, it will be apparent that alternative embodiments could be based on alternative connector types, such as LC or MU connectors.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia.

Claims (19)

1. An optical fibre connector system, including an optical connector disposed therein, a Ssupport supporting said optical connector, said support having a recess allowing a through connector to be connected to said optical connector, and an engagement Smechanism which acts on said optical connector to prevent release of said through connector when connected to said optical connector, and which is operable to enable Srelease of said through connector.

2. The connector system of claim 1, wherein the recess receives a portion of the through connector.

3. An optical fibre connector system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said engagement mechanism includes a movable element which normally engages said connector to said support and which is operable to disengage said connector from said support to enable said release of said through connector.

4. An optical fibre connector system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said movable element is normally biased.

An optical fibre connector system as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein said element is a resilient arm which is attached to part of said connector.

6. An optical fibre connector system as claimed in claim 5, wherein a portion of said arm passes through said support, said portion being movable relative to said support to disengage said arm from said support and thereby enable said release of said through connector from said optical connector.

7. An optical fibre connector system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, including means for reversibly engaging said optical connector to said support. PAOPER4RAB'pS1207.2 spcAU ds d fr Idoc.2jIO12J203 00 -9- C

8. An optical fibre connector system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said Noptical connector includes at least two components that are engaged to prevent said release of said through connector, said release being enabled by disengaging only one t of said components. C,

9. An optical fibre connector system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said components are ~relatively movable along a longitudinal axis of said connector to enable said release, Sand said release is enabled by disengaging only one of said components.

10. An optical fibre connector system as claimed in claim 8 or 9, wherein said components are normally engaged with said support to prevent said release, and said release is enabled by disengaging only one of said components from said support.

11. An optical fibre connector system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein said optical connector is part of a connector assembly of said optical fibre connector system, said connector assembly including an inner sleeve assembly for supporting an optical fibre and for reversibly engaging said support to enable said release of said through connector, and an outer sleeve for supporting said inner sleeve and for reversibly engaging said optical connector to said support.

12. An optical fibre connector assembly, including: an optical connector disposed therein; and an engagement mechanism that acts on said optical connector to prevent release of a through connector when connected to said optical connector and enables release of said through connector, without acting upon said through connector; wherein said optical connector includes components that are engaged to prevent said release of said through connector, said release being enabled by disengaging only one of said components. P'OPERNRAWC.12O-O2 sp.

AU -ros8 do.21/02/2008 00 S13. An optical fibre connector assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein said components are relatively movable along a longitudinal axis of said connector to enable said release.

14. An optical fibre connector assembly as claimed in claim 12 or 13, including a second engagement mechanism that is operable to enable release of said optical connector.

An optical fibre connector assembly, including an optical connector having components that are relatively movable along a longitudinal axis of said connector to enable release of a through connector when connected to said optical connector, wherein said components are normally engaged to prevent release of said through connector, said assembly further including an engagement mechanism that is operable to disengage only one of said components to enable release of said through connector.

16. An optical fibre connector assembly as claimed in claim 15, including a second engagement mechanism that is operable to enable release of said optical connector.

17. (Previously presented) An optical fibre connector assembly as claimed in claim 16, wherein said second engagement mechanism normally acts on a second component of said optical connector to prevent said release of said optical connector.

18. The connector assembly of any one of claims 1 to 17, including two separate optical fibers, and wherein the through connector includes an opening to receive the two separate optical fibers.

19. An optical fibre connector system or assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein said optical connector includes an SC, LC, or MU connector. An optical fibre connector system, substantially as herein described with reference to any of the accompanying drawings. PO"PER\RABpsl2072 pe AU amnds fkbOdoc-21/02/2003 00 O o -11- CD) S21. An optical fibre connector assembly, substantially as herein described with reference to any of the accompanying drawings. O Cci (c