EP0095280A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Fiber optic connector having lens
Assignee: TE Connectivity Corp
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Filing: 1983-05-11
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2003-05-11
Abstract
Abstract A fiber optic connector comprises a resilient ferrule member (10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) having a lens (24, 24A, 24B, 80) at a forward end (12, 14) which communicates with an internal bore (20, 20C, 76) in which a fiber optic transmission member (36, 36A, 36C, 36D) is disposed with the end of the fiber optic transmission member being located substantially at the focal point of the lens. An index-matching material (48) is located in the bore (20, 20C) of the ferrule member (10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) to protect the fiber optic transmission member (36, 36A, 36C, 36D).
Inventors
- 👤 Terry Patrick Bowen
- 👤 Bernard George Caron
- 👤 Ronald Francis Cooper
- 👤 Douglas Wade Glover
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 00:26
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/4292; G02B6/26; G02B6/32; G02B6/322; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4204; G02B6/421
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
199 words
A fiber optic connector of the type for terminating a fiber optic transmission member (36, 36A, 36C, 36D) comprising a ferrule member (10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) of resilient material having a profiled bore (20, 20C) along which the fiber optic transmission member ( 36 ) extends, a front section (12, 14) of ferrule member (10) is profiled and is matable into a profiled bore (50, 70) of a coupling member (52, 72, 72B), and a lens member (24, 24B, 80) as part of the front section (12, 14), characterised in that: said front section (12) is disposable in a complementary section of profiled bore (50, 70) of coupling member (52, 72, 72B) to center the axis of the front section (12) and the lens member (24, 24B, 80) with the axis of the coupling member (52, 72, 72B) as a result of the resiliency of the ferrule member, said bore (20, 20C) extending into a smaller diameter bore (30, 76) to accommodate the fiber optic transmission member (36, 36A, 36C, 36D) so that the end of the fiber optic transmission member (36, 36A, 36C, 36D) is located at the focal point of the lens member (24, 24B, 80).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
199 words
A fiber optic connector of the type for terminating a fiber optic transmission member (36, 36A, 36C, 36D) comprising a ferrule member (10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) of resilient material having a profiled bore (20, 20C) along which the fiber optic transmission member ( 36 ) extends, a front section (12, 14) of ferrule member (10) is profiled and is matable into a profiled bore (50, 70) of a coupling member (52, 72, 72B), and a lens member (24, 24B, 80) as part of the front section (12, 14), characterised in that: said front section (12) is disposable in a complementary section of profiled bore (50, 70) of coupling member (52, 72, 72B) to center the axis of the front section (12) and the lens member (24, 24B, 80) with the axis of the coupling member (52, 72, 72B) as a result of the resiliency of the ferrule member, said bore (20, 20C) extending into a smaller diameter bore (30, 76) to accommodate the fiber optic transmission member (36, 36A, 36C, 36D) so that the end of the fiber optic transmission member (36, 36A, 36C, 36D) is located at the focal point of the lens member (24, 24B, 80).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
A fiber optic connector as set forth in claim 1 characterised in that said lens member (24, 24B, 80) is a separate member and is secured in a lens-receiving bore (22, 78) of said forward section (12, 14).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A fiber optic connector as set forth in claim 1 characterised in that said lens member is an integral part of said ferrule member (10B).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A fiber optic connector as set forth in claims 2 and 3 characterised in that said smaller diameter bore (30) is a stepped bore as part of said lens member (24, 24A, 24B).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A fiber optic connector as set forth in claim 4 characterised in that said lens member (24, 24A, 24B) has an aspherical lens section (28) surrounded by an annular section (26).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A fiber optic connector as set forth in claim 4 characterised in that an outer end (32) of said smaller diameter bore (30) is a surface (32) including a beveled surface (34).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
63 words
A fiber optic connector as set forth in claim 2 characterised in that said lens member (80) is a graded index lens having a sapphire (82) secured to an inner surface of said lens member (80), said sapphire (82) having an opening (84) in alignment with said smaller diameter bore (76) in which the end of the fiber optic transmission member is disposed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
A fiber optic connector as set forth in claim 2 characterised in that said lens member (80) is a graded index tens and said smaller diameter bore (76) is a precision bore, the axis of which is accurately coincident with the axis of said graded index lens.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
A fiber optic connector as set forth in claim 1 characterised in that an inner end of the fiber optic transmission member (36) is secured to a photoactive member (38) of an optical electronic device which is secured in said bore (20).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
62 words
A fiber optic connector as set forth in claim 1 characterised in that said ferrule member (10A, 10B) includes a cylindrical section (66) into which an end of a fiber optic cable including the fiber optic transmission member (36A, 36B) is positioned and a crimping ferrule (68) is crimpable onto said cylindrical section (66) thereby securing the fiber optic cable end therein.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3790791A
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US3999837A
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FR2334969A1
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FR2368727A1
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EP0014960A1
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EP0032722A1
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EP0053914A1
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