WO1983004318A1 - Apparatus for mutually aligning the ends of two optical fibres that are to be connected - Google Patents

Apparatus for mutually aligning the ends of two optical fibres that are to be connected Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1983004318A1
WO1983004318A1 PCT/SE1983/000207 SE8300207W WO8304318A1 WO 1983004318 A1 WO1983004318 A1 WO 1983004318A1 SE 8300207 W SE8300207 W SE 8300207W WO 8304318 A1 WO8304318 A1 WO 8304318A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
rods
plane surfaces
channel
rod
symmetry
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/SE1983/000207
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Hans Roland Serrander
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson AB
Original Assignee
Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson AB
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson AB filed Critical Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson AB
Priority to DE8383901746T priority Critical patent/DE3366750D1/en
Priority to FI834763A priority patent/FI834763L/en
Publication of WO1983004318A1 publication Critical patent/WO1983004318A1/en
Priority to DK0361/84A priority patent/DK36184D0/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
    • G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
    • G02B6/3801—Permanent connections, i.e. wherein fibres are kept aligned by mechanical means
    • G02B6/3806—Semi-permanent connections, i.e. wherein the mechanical means keeping the fibres aligned allow for removal of the fibres
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
    • G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
    • G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
    • G02B6/3833—Details of mounting fibres in ferrules; Assembly methods; Manufacture
    • G02B6/3834—Means for centering or aligning the light guide within the ferrule
    • G02B6/3841—Means for centering or aligning the light guide within the ferrule using rods, balls for light guides
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
    • G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
    • G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
    • G02B6/3873—Connectors using guide surfaces for aligning ferrule ends, e.g. tubes, sleeves, V-grooves, rods, pins, balls
    • G02B6/3882—Connectors using guide surfaces for aligning ferrule ends, e.g. tubes, sleeves, V-grooves, rods, pins, balls using rods, pins or balls to align a pair of ferrule ends

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an apparatus for mutually aligning the ends of two optical fibres which are to be connected, comprising at least three parallel rods adapted to form between themselves a channel for accommodating the ends of the two fibres, and means for keeping the rods together and clamping the fibre ends in the channel between the rods.
  • the object of the present invention is to bring about an aligning apparatus for aligning optical fibres of different diameters, which apparatus is simple and cheap to manufacture.
  • Figure 1 is an end view of a first embodiment of the aligning apparatus in accordance with the invention
  • Figure 2 is an end view of a second embodiment of said apparatus.
  • Figure 1 schematically illustrates an end view of a first embodiment of the aligning apparatus in accordance with the invention.
  • This embodiment includes three hexagonal rods 1, 2 and 3 of metal, glass, plastics or the like.
  • the rods extend mutually parallel and are placed upon each other such that they between themselves form a channel 4 for accommodating the ends of two fibres which are to be connected, one of said fibres being shown in section and denoted by the numeral 5.
  • a rod-like member with circular section can be inserted beforehand between the rods, said member being removed in conjunction with the insertion of one of the fibres between the rods.
  • the rods 1, 2 and 3 are kept together by an unillustrated elastic means, e g a number of rubber O-rings.
  • each rod shall have two plane surfaces intersecting along a longitudinal edge, and the rods shall be so laid upon each other that one of the plane surfaces of each rod bears against one of the plane surfaces of an adjacent rod, such that said longitudinal edges of the rods along which said two plane surfaces intersect extend parallel to, and are distributed round a longitudinal axis of symmetry 6.
  • the plane surface 7 of rod 1 bears against the plane surface 8 of rod 2
  • the plane surface 9 of rod 2 bears against the plane surface 10 of rod 3
  • the plane surface 11 of rod 3 bears against the plane surface 12 of rod 1.
  • the rods 1, 2 and 3 are mutually d ⁇ splaceable relative to the axis of symmetry 6 by sliding between the plane surfaces that bear against each other to form the channel A for the fibre ends.
  • the means for displacing the rods relative to the axis of symmetry 6 are not part of the invention and are therefore not illustrated on the drawing.
  • the rods 1, 2 and 3 From an initial position, in which the rods 1, 2 and 3 either are completely brought together so that the opening area of the channel 4 is practically zero, or are displaced a predetermined distance relative to each other to be able to 5 accommodate fibres up to a predetermined diameter in the channel, e g with the aid of the aforementioned rod-like member, the rods can be displaced into engagement with their plane surfaces 8, 10 and 12, respectively, against the fibres inserted into the channel 4.
  • the fibre ends Upon splicing the fibres the fibre ends must be cut off uniformly and square and
  • the clamping means may consist of e g a key joint. To provide this, the rods are tapered towards both ends and unillustrated
  • sleeves with tapered central hol ⁇ s are threaded onto the respective ends of the rod bundle, and displaced towards each other for clamping the rods in a direction towards the axis of symmetry 6.
  • the sleeves suitably comprise the same material as the rods.
  • a welding means can also be
  • FIG. 2 An embodiment of the aligning apparatus in accordance with the invention, having four rods 13, 14, 15 and 16 of square section, is illustrated in Figure 2.
  • the aligning apparatus is assumed to be provided with unillustrated means for keeping the rods 13, 14, 15 and 16 together, and clamping the fibre ends in the channel 4 between the rods.
  • the splicing or connecting operation can be supervised visually.
  • the rods can be made from magnetic material and can be magnetized such that they are kept together in order to further facilitate the connecting operation.
  • Apparatuses of this kind can be made such that they enable alignment of several fibres at the same time.
  • an apparatus for simultaneously aligning four fibres will be obtained, the number of rods per fibre thus being reduced.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Coupling Of Light Guides (AREA)
  • Manufacture, Treatment Of Glass Fibers (AREA)
  • Nonwoven Fabrics (AREA)
  • Optical Couplings Of Light Guides (AREA)

Abstract

The apparatus comprises at least three parallel rods (1, 2, 3) adapted to form between themselves a channel (4) for accommodating the ends of the two fibres, and means for keeping the rods together and clamping the fibre ends in the channel between the rods. In accordance with the invention, each rod (1, 2, 3) has two plane surfaces (7, 12; 8, 9; 10, 11) intersecting along a longitudinal edge. One of these plane surfaces on the respective rods bears against one of these plane surfaces on an adjacent rod such that said longitudinal edges of the rods extend parallel to, and are distributed round a longitudinal axis of symmetry (6). The rods are further mutually displaceable relative to the axis of symmetry (6) by sliding between the plane surfaces bearing against each other to form the channel (4) for accommodating the fibre ends.

Description

APPARATUS FOR MUTUALLY ALIGNING THE ENDS OF- TWO OPTICAL FIBRES THAT ARE TO BE CONNECTED
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to an apparatus for mutually aligning the ends of two optical fibres which are to be connected, comprising at least three parallel rods adapted to form between themselves a channel for accommodating the ends of the two fibres, and means for keeping the rods together and clamping the fibre ends in the channel between the rods.
BACKGROUND ART
It is known to align two optical fibres with the aid of three cylindrical rods, for example, which between themselves form a channel, from either end of which the respective fibre end is inserted. Accurate alignment is obtained only when the rods bear against each other to form the channel. This means that rods of different diameters are required for different fibre diameters.
In DE-OS 2917679 there is proposed an aligning apparatus with three rods, with which fibres of different diameters can be aligned by having the rods provided with a plane surface and made rotatable to form a channel with variable opening area between the plane surfaces of the rods. The design of this aligning apparatus is complicated, however, which makes it expensive and difficult to manufacture.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to bring about an aligning apparatus for aligning optical fibres of different diameters, which apparatus is simple and cheap to manufacture.
This object is achieved by the aligning apparatus in accordance with the invention having been given the characterizing features disclosed in the claims.
OMPI BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING
The invention will now be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawing, on which Figure 1 is an end view of a first embodiment of the aligning apparatus in accordance with the invention, and Figure 2 is an end view of a second embodiment of said apparatus.
BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Figure 1 schematically illustrates an end view of a first embodiment of the aligning apparatus in accordance with the invention. This embodiment includes three hexagonal rods 1, 2 and 3 of metal, glass, plastics or the like. The rods extend mutually parallel and are placed upon each other such that they between themselves form a channel 4 for accommodating the ends of two fibres which are to be connected, one of said fibres being shown in section and denoted by the numeral 5. For bringing the rods in the right position relative to each other and to facilitate the insertion of the fibres between the rods, a rod-like member with circular section can be inserted beforehand between the rods, said member being removed in conjunction with the insertion of one of the fibres between the rods. The rods 1, 2 and 3 are kept together by an unillustrated elastic means, e g a number of rubber O-rings.
In accordance with the invention, each rod shall have two plane surfaces intersecting along a longitudinal edge, and the rods shall be so laid upon each other that one of the plane surfaces of each rod bears against one of the plane surfaces of an adjacent rod, such that said longitudinal edges of the rods along which said two plane surfaces intersect extend parallel to, and are distributed round a longitudinal axis of symmetry 6.
In thε case with three rods according to Figure 1, the plane surface 7 of rod 1 bears against the plane surface 8 of rod 2, while the plane surface 9 of rod 2 bears against the plane surface 10 of rod 3, and the plane surface 11 of rod 3 bears against the plane surface 12 of rod 1. The rods 1, 2 and 3 are mutually dϊsplaceable relative to the axis of symmetry 6 by sliding between the plane surfaces that bear against each other to form the channel A for the fibre ends. The means for displacing the rods relative to the axis of symmetry 6 are not part of the invention and are therefore not illustrated on the drawing.
From an initial position, in which the rods 1, 2 and 3 either are completely brought together so that the opening area of the channel 4 is practically zero, or are displaced a predetermined distance relative to each other to be able to 5 accommodate fibres up to a predetermined diameter in the channel, e g with the aid of the aforementioned rod-like member, the rods can be displaced into engagement with their plane surfaces 8, 10 and 12, respectively, against the fibres inserted into the channel 4.
Upon splicing the fibres the fibre ends must be cut off uniformly and square and
10 be provided with cement or a refractive index-matching liquid before they are brought together in the channel 4. Thε rods can then be clamped together with the aid of an unillustrated clamping means for locking the fibres in. the channel
4 between the rods 1, 2 and 3. The clamping means may consist of e g a key joint. To provide this, the rods are tapered towards both ends and unillustrated
15 sleeves with tapered central holεs are threaded onto the respective ends of the rod bundle, and displaced towards each other for clamping the rods in a direction towards the axis of symmetry 6. The sleeves suitably comprise the same material as the rods. By an unillustrated orifice through one of the rods 1,
2 and 3, directed towards the axis of symmetry 6, a welding means can also be
20 inserted for welding the fibre ends inserted into the channel 4.
An embodiment of the aligning apparatus in accordance with the invention, having four rods 13, 14, 15 and 16 of square section, is illustrated in Figure 2. The two plane surfaces of the rods that are intended to bear against one of the plane surfaces of each adjacent rod, intersect at an angle of 90 and 25 consequently the cross section of the channel 4 formed between the rods will be • square. In this case as well, the aligning apparatus is assumed to be provided with unillustrated means for keeping the rods 13, 14, 15 and 16 together, and clamping the fibre ends in the channel 4 between the rods.
In the embodiments illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the angles are the same
30 between the two surfaces of the respective rod, that are intended to bear against a corresponding surface of the adjacent rods. In the case of four rods, the angles between these surfaces on all rods do not however need to be the.
__. j.
_Cr, .'71 same, but may be thε same in pairs, the cross-sectional' shape of the channel then being rhombic.
It is of course also possible to use five or more rods. The essential thing is that tthhee ssuumm ooff tthhee aanngglleess ddiissppoosseedd aarroouunndd ttbhe axis of symmetry 6 in the position when thε rods are brought together, is 360 o
With the aligning apparatus in accordance with the invention it is thus possible to align fibres of different diameters. By the rod surfaces bearing against each other the whole time a very good aligning accuracy is obtained.
By making at least onε of the rods of a transparent material, e g glass, the splicing or connecting operation can be supervised visually. In the embodiment according to Figure 2, the rods can be made from magnetic material and can be magnetized such that they are kept together in order to further facilitate the connecting operation.
Apparatuses of this kind can be made such that they enable alignment of several fibres at the same time. By adding three further rods to the embodi¬ ment illustrated in Figure 1, an apparatus for simultaneously aligning four fibres will be obtained, the number of rods per fibre thus being reduced.
CMPI

Claims

1 Apparatus for mutually aligning the ends of two optical fibres (5) which are to be connected, comprising at least three parallel rods (1, 2, 3) adapted to form between themselves a channel (4) for accommodating the ends of the two fibres (5), and means for keeping the rods (1, 2, 3) together and clamping the
*•*" fibre ends in the channel between the rods, characterized in that each rod (1, 2, 3) has two plane surfaces (7, 12; 8, 9; 10, 11) intersecting along a longitudinal edge, that one of said plane surfaces of each rod bears against one of said plane surfaces of an adjacent rod such that said longitudinal edges extend parallel to, and are distributed round a longitudinal axis of symmetry (6), and that the rods 10 (1, 2, 3) are mutually displaceabie relative to the axis of symmetry (6) by sliding between the plane surfaces bearing against each other to form the channel (4).
2 Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the angles between the two plane surfaces of the respective rods are the same on each rod.
3 Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the angles between the two plane surfaces of the respective rods are thε same in pairs.
4 Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1-3, characterized in that the rods (l, 2, 3) are tapered towards their ends, and that sleeves with tapered central holes are threaded over the ends of the rods bearing against each other, said sleeves being displaceabie in a direction towards each other for clamping the rods together in a direction towards the axis of symmetry (6).
A
^j HEA G PI >roo
PCT/SE1983/000207 1982-05-27 1983-05-25 Apparatus for mutually aligning the ends of two optical fibres that are to be connected Ceased WO1983004318A1 (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE8383901746T DE3366750D1 (en) 1982-05-27 1983-05-25 Apparatus for mutually aligning the ends of two optical fibres that are to be connected
FI834763A FI834763L (en) 1982-05-27 1983-05-25 ANORDNING FOER INBOERDES CENTERING AV AENDARNA AV TVAO OPTISKA FIBRER, SOM SKALL SKARVAS.
DK0361/84A DK36184D0 (en) 1982-05-27 1984-01-26 INHIBITOR CENTER FOR THE END OF TWO OPTICAL FIBERS TO BE CONNECTED

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SE8203303-6 1982-05-27
SE8203303A SE431131B (en) 1982-05-27 1982-05-27 DEVICE FOR INBOARD CENTERING OF THE END OF TWO OPTICAL FIBERS TO BE CUTTED DEVICE FOR INBOARD CENTERING OF THE END OF TWO OPTICAL FIBERS TO BE CUTTED

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1983004318A1 true WO1983004318A1 (en) 1983-12-08

Family

ID=20346914

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/SE1983/000207 Ceased WO1983004318A1 (en) 1982-05-27 1983-05-25 Apparatus for mutually aligning the ends of two optical fibres that are to be connected

Country Status (11)

Country Link
US (1) US4697872A (en)
EP (1) EP0109424B1 (en)
JP (1) JPS59500930A (en)
CA (1) CA1244272A (en)
DE (1) DE3366750D1 (en)
DK (1) DK36184D0 (en)
FI (1) FI834763L (en)
IT (1) IT1163397B (en)
NO (1) NO840265L (en)
SE (1) SE431131B (en)
WO (1) WO1983004318A1 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2162959A (en) * 1984-08-03 1986-02-12 American Telephone & Telegraph Optical fiber connector
US4707072A (en) * 1984-12-18 1987-11-17 U.S. Philips Corp. Auto-aligning optical fiber connector

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4725117A (en) * 1984-11-13 1988-02-16 Raychem Corporation Optical fiber contact and method of terminating an optical fiber using same
JP3710083B2 (en) * 1999-03-17 2005-10-26 日本板硝子株式会社 Manufacturing method of glass component for optical fiber connection

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4181401A (en) * 1978-03-24 1980-01-01 S. C. Cabling, Inc. Fiber optic waveguide connector
GB1576336A (en) * 1977-11-09 1980-10-08 Post Office Optical waveguide connectors
DE2757216B2 (en) * 1976-12-27 1981-07-09 Western Electric Co., Inc., 10038 New York, N.Y. Optical fiber connectors
DK143620B (en) * 1974-06-20 1981-09-14 Comp Generale Electricite CONNECTOR FOR OPTICAL FIBERS

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5370835A (en) * 1976-12-07 1978-06-23 Fujitsu Ltd Optical fiber connector
NL184342C (en) * 1978-05-05 1989-06-16 Philips Nv REMOVABLE COUPLING FOR LIGHT-CONDUCTING FIBERS.
GB2045454B (en) * 1979-03-31 1983-02-09 Ferranti Ltd Connecting optic fibres
FR2475748A1 (en) * 1980-02-07 1981-08-14 Socapex Optical fibre centering clamp with multiple jaws - has two plane parallel pressing surfaces on each jaw to respectively clamp cylindrical projection and fibre
US4391487A (en) * 1981-01-07 1983-07-05 Gte Laboratories Incorporated Optical fiber centering device
US4486072A (en) * 1982-01-12 1984-12-04 Augat Inc. Optical connector and splicing device using double diameter resilient rods

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DK143620B (en) * 1974-06-20 1981-09-14 Comp Generale Electricite CONNECTOR FOR OPTICAL FIBERS
DE2757216B2 (en) * 1976-12-27 1981-07-09 Western Electric Co., Inc., 10038 New York, N.Y. Optical fiber connectors
GB1576336A (en) * 1977-11-09 1980-10-08 Post Office Optical waveguide connectors
US4181401A (en) * 1978-03-24 1980-01-01 S. C. Cabling, Inc. Fiber optic waveguide connector

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2162959A (en) * 1984-08-03 1986-02-12 American Telephone & Telegraph Optical fiber connector
US4707072A (en) * 1984-12-18 1987-11-17 U.S. Philips Corp. Auto-aligning optical fiber connector

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
IT1163397B (en) 1987-04-08
US4697872A (en) 1987-10-06
FI834763A0 (en) 1983-12-23
NO840265L (en) 1984-01-24
DK36184A (en) 1984-01-26
DK36184D0 (en) 1984-01-26
DE3366750D1 (en) 1986-11-13
SE431131B (en) 1984-01-16
FI834763A7 (en) 1983-12-23
CA1244272A (en) 1988-11-08
EP0109424A1 (en) 1984-05-30
EP0109424B1 (en) 1986-10-08
FI834763L (en) 1983-12-23
SE8203303L (en) 1983-11-28
IT8321310A0 (en) 1983-05-26
JPS59500930A (en) 1984-05-24

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