Self-aligning rotating optical connector

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2022043219-A1
Application number	US-202117366907-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 2, 2021
Priority date	Aug 6, 2020
Publication date	Feb 10, 2022
Grant date	—

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:
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 rotationally self-aligned and engage the torque transfer.

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 one connector with a cooperating rotational self-alignment structure of another connector.

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

6 . The optical connection according to claim 5 , wherein the plurality of ferrules comprises optical faces and the at least one spring allows for constant contact of the optical faces during connection.

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 two internally opposed optical 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 ferrules axially to allow light transfer between fibers with low light loss.

12 . The optical connection according to claim 1 , further comprising a rotating optical connector.

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

14 . The optical connection according to claim 1 , wherein the optical connection is configured for rotational self-alignment and torque transfer.

15 . The optical connection according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of ferrules are optical ferrules.

16 . The optical connection according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of ferrules comprises a mechanical connection ferrule.

17 . The optical connection according to claim 1 , 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.

18 . The optical connection according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of ferrules comprises optical fibers that rotate together simultaneously with respect to one another while motorized.

19 . The optical connection according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of ferrules are optical ferrules that are passively connected in an axial direction.

20 . The optical connection according to claim 1 , 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

• G02B6/4292

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

• G02B6/3874 Primary

  using tubes, sleeves to align ferrules · 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