Self-aligning rotating optical connector

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11709324-B2
Application number	US-202117366907-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 2, 2021
Priority date	Aug 6, 2020
Publication date	Jul 25, 2023
Grant date	Jul 25, 2023

Abstract

An optical connection includes a plurality of ferrules, an optical contact to allow transfer of light, a mechanical contact to allow torque transfer from the optical connection, and a rotational self-alignment structure to allow optical fibers of different optical connectors to self-rotate into rotational self-alignment upon action of connecting, wherein the ferrules are aligned and engage the torque transfer. The rotational self-alignment structure can be a tooth configuration, a helical thread configuration, a ferrule guide configuration, a spring sleeve configuration, derivatives thereof and combinations therefrom.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An optical connection comprising:
an optical contact to allow transfer of light;
a mechanical contact to allow torque transfer from the optical connection; and
a rotational self-alignment structure to allow optical fibers of different optical connectors to self-rotate into rotational self-alignment upon action of connecting, the rotational self-alignment structure comprising:
a first connector having an exposed ferrule body with an optical face; and
a second connector having a ferrule body with an optical face embedded within a rotational self-alignment sleeve,
wherein, upon connection, the ferrule bodies of the first connector and the second connector are each configured to self-rotate into a rotational self-alignment that allows optical contact of the optical faces and engagement of the torque transfer,
wherein, the optical faces rotate together simultaneously with respect to one another while torque transfer is in action.

2. The optical connection according to claim 1 , wherein the rotational self-alignment structure is selected from the group comprising a tooth configuration, a helical thread configuration, a ferrule guide configuration, a spring sleeve configuration, derivatives thereof and combinations therefrom, to facilitate interconnection of the first connector with a cooperating rotational self-alignment structure of the second connector.

3. The optical connection according to claim 2 , wherein the rotational self-alignment structure is a tooth configuration comprising a plurality of angled and pointed teeth configured to interconnect with a plurality of angled and pointed teeth on another complementary optical connector by rotating the first and second connectors together.

4. The optical connection according to claim 2 , further comprising a friction sleeve configuration comprising a friction sleeve that has a compression fit on and axially aligns and interconnects opposed ferrules.

5. The optical connection according to claim 4 , further comprising a spring,
wherein drive torque is generated using friction from the friction sleeve and the axial forces of the spring,
wherein the spring allows for constant contact of the optical faces during connection.

6. The optical connection according to claim 1 , further comprising at least one optical fiber.

7. The optical connection according to claim 1 , further comprising a housing that extends between two ends, and a flange connected at one end of the housing and a connection ferrule connected at the other end of the housing.

8. The optical connection according to claim 7 , further comprising a multi-piece rod or segmented shaft connected to the flange and extending through the housing between the flange and the connection ferrule.

9. The optical connection according to claim 8 , further comprising a spring and an internal sheath, wherein the spring is contained in the internal sheath of the housing near the flange.

10. The optical connection according to claim 7 , wherein the housing axially and rotationally self-aligns and interconnects a plurality of ferrules that are cooperatively held together with the rotational self-alignment structure.

11. The optical connection according to claim 10 , wherein the rotational self-alignment structure aligns the plurality of ferrules axially to allow light transfer between fibers with low light loss.

12. The optical connection according to claim 10 , wherein the plurality of ferrules are optical ferrules.

13. The optical connection according to claim 10 , wherein the plurality of ferrules comprises a mechanical connection ferrule.

14. The optical connection according to claim 10 , wherein the plurality of ferrules is configured to self-rotate into a rotational self-alignment that allows for contact of optical faces and engagement of the torque transfer.

15. The optical connection according to claim 10 , wherein the plurality of ferrules comprises optical fibers that rotate together simultaneously with respect to one another while motorized.

16. The optical connection according to claim 10 , wherein the plurality of ferrules are optical ferrules that are passively connected in an axial direction.

17. The optical connection according to claim 10 , wherein the plurality of ferrules are optical ferrules that are connected and disconnected by push/pull action.

Assignees

• Canon Usa Inc

Inventors

• Mach Anderson Thi
• Altshuler Alexander
• Yan Xuri

Classifications

• G02B6/3874 Primary

  using tubes, sleeves to align ferrules · CPC title

• G02B6/389

  characterised by the method of fastening connecting plugs and sockets, e.g. screw- or nut-lock, snap-in, bayonet type · CPC title

• G02B6/3825 Primary

  with an intermediate part, e.g. adapter, receptacle, linking two plugs · CPC title

• G02B6/3871

  Ferrule rotatable with respect to plug body, e.g. for setting rotational position (adjusting fibre within the ferrule, G02B6/3843); Fixation of ferrules after rotation · CPC title

• G02B6/4292

  the light guide being disconnectable from the opto-electronic element, e.g. mutually self aligning arrangements · CPC title