Total-internal-reflection fiber optic interface modules with different optical paths and assemblies using same
US-9052478-B2 · Jun 9, 2015 · US
Optical connector
US10168486B2 · US · B2
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Publication number | US-10168486-B2 |
| Application number | US-201615278093-A |
| Country | US |
| Kind code | B2 |
| Filing date | Sep 28, 2016 |
| Priority date | Oct 5, 2012 |
| Publication date | Jan 1, 2019 |
| Grant date | Jan 1, 2019 |
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- Title
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- Abstract
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Abstract
Official abstract text for this publication.
A connector is disclosed that includes a housing and first and second attachment areas located in the housing and spaced apart from each other along the mating direction of the connector. The second, but not the first, attachment area is designed to move relative to the housing. The connector further includes an optical waveguide that is permanently attached to, and under a first bending force between, the first and second attachment areas. The connector also includes a light coupling unit located in the housing for receiving light from the optical waveguide and transmitting the received light to a mating connector along a direction different than the mating direction of the connector. The mating of the connector to the mating connector causes the optical waveguide to be under a greater second bending force between the first and second attachment areas.
First claim
Opening claim text (preview).
What is claimed is: 1. A connector comprising: a housing; first and second attachment areas disposed in the housing and spaced apart from each other along a mating direction of the connector, the second, but not the first, attachment area configured to move relative to the housing; an optical waveguide permanently attached to, and under a first bending force between, the first and second attachment areas; a light coupling unit disposed in the housing for receiving light from the optical waveguide and transmitting the received light to a mating connector along a direction different than a mating direction of the connector, such that a mating of the connector to a mating connector causes the optical waveguide to be under a greater second bending force between the first and second attachment areas. 2. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the first bending force is substantially zero. 3. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the second bending force maintains the mating between the connector and the mating connector. 4. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the light coupling unit rotates when the connector mates with the mating connector. 5. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the first attachment area is farther from a tongue portion of the light coupling unit, and the second attachment area is closer to the tongue portion of the light coupling unit. 6. A connector comprising: a housing; first and second attachment areas disposed in the housing and spaced apart from each other along a mating direction of the connector; a support disposed in the housing; an optical waveguide permanently attached to the first and second attachment areas, the support contacting and bending the optical waveguide between the first and second attachment areas; a light coupling unit disposed in the housing for receiving light from the optical waveguide and transmitting the received light to a mating connector, such that when the connector mates with a mating connector, the optical waveguide further bends causing the optical waveguide to move away from the support. 7. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the support is disposed between the first and second attachment areas.
Assignees
Inventors
Classifications
having fibre bundle mating means · CPC title
Mounting ferrules to connector body, i.e. plugs · CPC title
characterised by the method of fastening connecting plugs and sockets, e.g. screw- or nut-lock, snap-in, bayonet type · CPC title
Multicore or multichannel optical connectors, i.e. one single ferrule containing more than one fibre, e.g. ribbon type (optical ribbon cable G02B6/4403, G02B6/448) · CPC title
using grooves to align ferrule ends · CPC title
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Frequently asked questions
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- What does patent US10168486B2 cover?
- A connector is disclosed that includes a housing and first and second attachment areas located in the housing and spaced apart from each other along the mating direction of the connector. The second, but not the first, attachment area is designed to move relative to the housing. The connector further includes an optical waveguide that is permanently attached to, and under a first bending force …
- Who is the assignee on this patent?
- 3M Innovative Properties Co
- What technology area does this patent fall under?
- Primary CPC classification G02B6/3829. Mapped technology areas include Physics.
- When was this patent published?
- Publication date Tue Jan 01 2019 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) (B2). Legal status and post-grant events are not shown on this page.
- What related patents are in patentsdb?
- We list 3 related publications on this page (citations in our corpus or others sharing the same primary CPC).