EP0410181A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Detachable connecting group for ribbon optical fibers and method of making the same
Assignee: Pirelli and C SpA
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Filing: 1990-07-06
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2010-07-06
Abstract
Abstract It is described a detachable connecting group for ribbon-joined optical fibers comprising two connectors (1, 2) integral to the ends of respective optical fiber ribbons (3, 4), in which each connector (1, 2) consists of a pair of coupled metal plates (5) rigidly fastened to each other, between which two or more optical fibers (7) belonging to a ribbon (3, 4) made of parallel optical fibers are clamped as well as alignment plug means (10), at least a plate (5) in each connector (1, 2) comprising an element made of metallic material in which several housing grooves (6, 9) for the optical fibers (7) of the ribbon (3, 4) and for the alignment plug means (10) are formed by cold plastic deformation using the same punch for all the plates belonging to one series. The method of accomplishing the invention provides the following steps: making several grooved plates (5) by plastic deformation using a single punch; coupling a grooved plate (5) to a second plate and interposing therebetween the optical fibers (7) being part of an optical fiber ribbon (3, 4) and on a length of which the common coating has been removed, partially housing the fibers (7) in the respective grooves (6); inserting a metered amount of hardening adhesive between the plates (5) clamped against the fibers (7); grinding the end surface of the plates (5) from which the fibers (7) issue; and introducing at least an alignment plug (10) into a respective groove (9).
Inventors
- 👤 Bruno Bortolin
- 👤 Paolo Boero
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 17:33
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/381; G02B6/3826; G02B6/383; G02B6/3801; G02B6/3803; G02B6/3833; G02B6/3834; G02B6/3838; G02B6/3839; G02B6/3873; G02B6/3885; G02B6/3628; G02B6/3648; G02B6/3652; G02B6/3855; G02B6/3861
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
279 words
A detachable connecting group for ribbon-joined optical fibers, comprising two connectors (1, 2) integral to the ends of respective optical fiber ribbons (3, 4) consisting of at least two parallel optical fibers (7) enclosed in a single outer coating, each connector (1, 2) being provided with a coupling face in contact with the corresponding face of the other connector, the fibers (7) being in alignment and on which coupling face the ends of the optical fibers (7) of the respective ribbon (3, 4) come out, characterized in that each connector (1, 2) consists of a pair of coupled plates (5) rigidly fastened to each other and clamping two or more optical fibers (7) belonging to a ribbon (3, 4) made of parallel optical fibers as well as an alignment plug means (10), at least one plate (5) in each connector (1, 2) comprising an element made of a plastically deformable metallic material provided with housing grooves (6,9) for the optical fibers (7) of the ribbon (3,4) from which the common coating has been removed and for the alignment plug means (10), which grooves have been formed therein by cold plastic deformation using the same punch (P) for all the plates (5) being part of an interchangeable series, the alignment plugs (10) and the fibers (7) of the fiber ribbon (3, 4) being accommodated within the respective grooves (9, 6) with a portion projecting to the outside of the grooves, an empty space (s) being left between the faced plate surfaces of the connector (1, 2) clamping the fibers (7) and the alignment plugs (10), into which space a metered amount of adhesive resin (12) susceptible of hardening is introduced.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
279 words
A detachable connecting group for ribbon-joined optical fibers, comprising two connectors (1, 2) integral to the ends of respective optical fiber ribbons (3, 4) consisting of at least two parallel optical fibers (7) enclosed in a single outer coating, each connector (1, 2) being provided with a coupling face in contact with the corresponding face of the other connector, the fibers (7) being in alignment and on which coupling face the ends of the optical fibers (7) of the respective ribbon (3, 4) come out, characterized in that each connector (1, 2) consists of a pair of coupled plates (5) rigidly fastened to each other and clamping two or more optical fibers (7) belonging to a ribbon (3, 4) made of parallel optical fibers as well as an alignment plug means (10), at least one plate (5) in each connector (1, 2) comprising an element made of a plastically deformable metallic material provided with housing grooves (6,9) for the optical fibers (7) of the ribbon (3,4) from which the common coating has been removed and for the alignment plug means (10), which grooves have been formed therein by cold plastic deformation using the same punch (P) for all the plates (5) being part of an interchangeable series, the alignment plugs (10) and the fibers (7) of the fiber ribbon (3, 4) being accommodated within the respective grooves (9, 6) with a portion projecting to the outside of the grooves, an empty space (s) being left between the faced plate surfaces of the connector (1, 2) clamping the fibers (7) and the alignment plugs (10), into which space a metered amount of adhesive resin (12) susceptible of hardening is introduced.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
102 words
A detachable connecting group for ribbon-joined optical fibers according to claim 1, characterized in that at least a plate (5) for each connector (1, 2) has a pair of alignment grooves (9) of substantially triangular section on one surface thereof, which grooves are adapted to partially accommodate respective alignment plugs (10), between these alignment grooves (9) being located two or more grooves (6) of substantially triangular section, adapted to partially receive corresponding optical fibers (7) of a fiber ribbon (3, 4) from which the common coating has been removed (bare optical fibers), the grooves (6, 9) being formed by cold plastic deformation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
A detachable connecting group for ribbon-joined optical fibers according to claim 2, characterized in that each plate (5) at one end thereof has a slot (8) adapted to accommodate a length of coated optical fiber ribbon (3, 4) contiguous to the bare fiber (7) length located within the grooves (6).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
A detachable connecting group for ribbon-joined optical fibers according to claim 3, characterized in that the slot (8) in each plate (5) provided with grooves (6, 9) is made at a definite position with respect to the longitudinal orientation of the plate (5) at the moment of forming the grooves (6, 9).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
65 words
A detachable connecting group for ribbon-joined optical fibers according to claim 4, characterized in that the slots (8) in the plates (5) are alternatively formed at either end of the plates (5), depending upon the longitudinal orientation of the plate (5) when the grooves (6, 9) are being formed, an identification means (13) for recognizing this orientation being present on the plates at the forming.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
57 words
A detachable connecting group for ribbon-joined optical fibers according to claim 5, characterized in that the identification means for recognizing the orientation of the plates (5) at the forming consists of marks (13) associated with the plate (5) and independent of the respective grooves (6, 9), said marks comprising side notches, colourings, side asymmetries and the like.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
A detachable connecting group for ribbon-joined optical fibers according to claim 5, characterized in that said means for recognizing the orientation of the plates (5) at the forming are embodied by differently sized grooves (9) designed to house the alignment plugs (10) in each plate (5).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
68 words
A detachable connecting group for ribbon-joined optical fibers according to claim 5, characterized in that the positions of the slots (8) relative to the orientation of the plates (5) define two groups of plates (5), designated as right (D) and left (S) plates respectively, two connectors (1, 2) being coupled to each other with at least a respective right plate (5) in alignment with a left plate (5).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
121 words
A detachable connecting group for ribbon-joined optical fibers according to claim 2, characterized in that each connector (1, 2) is formed with two plates (5) each having a surface provided with grooves (9, 6) adapted to accommodate alignment plugs (10) and optical fibers (7), the plates (5) being coupled to each other so that the respective grooved surfaces are faced and the grooves (6) are in register, the grooves (9, 6) which in each plate are designed to accommodate the plugs (10) and the optical fibers (7) being dimensioned so as to receive said plugs (10) and fibers (7) with the respective axes in coplanar relation overlying the surface of the plate itself in which the grooves (9, 6) are formed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A detachable connecting group for ribbon-joined optical fibers according to claim 9, characterized in that each connector (1, 2) is formed with two, left and right respectively, plates (5).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
59 words
A detachable connecting group for ribbon-joined optical fibers according to claim 9, characterized in that at least the plate grooves (6) adapted to accommodate the optical fibers (7) have sides with flat portions, at least at the area in contact with the fibers (7), forming a dihedral the apex angle (α; β) of which ranges between 80° and 100°.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
49 words
A detachable connecting group for ribbon-joined optical fibers according to claim 1, characterized in that at least a plate (5) for each connector (1, 2) has a hole (11) in the middle for introducing metered adhesive material (12) susceptible of hardening between the plates (5) of the connector itself.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
80 words
A detachable connecting group for ribbon-joined optical fibers according to claim 2, characterized in that a connector (1, 2) is formed with a plate (14, 15) having one surface provided with grooves (17, 16) adapted to receive alignment plugs (10) and optical fibers (7) and coupled and fastened to a plate (19, 20) of identical width having a flat surface in the area overlying the fibers (7), the optical fibers being clamped between the groove sides and said flat surface.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
85 words
A detachable connecting group for ribbon-joined optical fibers according to claim 13, characterized in that the grooves (17, 16) designed to receive the plugs (10) and the optical fibers (7) in each grooved plate (14) can be dimensioned so as to receive the plugs (10) and fibers (7) with a common tangent plane, in each connector (1, 2) the grooved plate (14, 15) being coupled to a plate (19, 20) having one flat surface in contact with the fibers (7) and the alignment plugs (10).
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
43 words
A detachable connecting group for ribbon-joined optical fibers according to claim 13, characterized in that the two connectors (1, 2) coupled to each other have a plate (14, 15) provided with right (D) grooves and a plate provided with left (S) grooves respectively.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
82 words
A detachable connecting group for ribbon-joined optical fibers according to claim 13, characterized in that the grooves (17, 16) adapted to receive the plugs (10) and the optical fibers (7) in each grooved plate (14, 15) are dimensioned so as to accommodate the plugs (10) and optical fibers (7) with the respective axes in coplanar relationship, the grooved plates (14, 15) being each coupled to a plate (20) having recessed surfaces (21) at the respective contact areas with the alignment plugs (10).
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
73 words
A detachable connecting group for ribbon-joined optical fibers according to claim 16, characterized in that the slots (8) in the grooved plates (14, 15) can be alternatively formed at either end of the plates depending upon the longitudinal orientation of the plate (14, 15) when the grooves (16, 17) are formed, two connectors (1, 2) having a right grooved (D) plate and a left grooved (S) plate respectively being coupled to each other.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
44 words
A detachable connecting group for ribbon-joined optical fibers according to claim 16, characterized in that the slots (8) in the grooved plates (14, 15) are formed on the same side relative to the orientation of the plates when the grooves (16, 17) are formed.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
61 words
A detachable connecting group for ribbon-joined optical fibers according to claim 13, characterized in that at least the grooves (16) in the plates (14, 15) adapted to receive the optical fibers (7) have sides with flat portions, at least at the area in contact with the fibers, forming a dihedral the apex angle (β) of which ranges between 50° and 90°.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
64 words
A detachable connecting group for ribbon-joined optical fibers according to claim 13, characterized in that the plate (20) having a substantially flat surface in the area overlying the fibers (7), at its portions (25) designed to overlie the alignment plugs (10) is provided with respective areas (26, 27) having a reduced thickness so as to allow the elastic flexional deformability of said portions (25).
Claim 22
Independent Claim
204 words
A method of accomplishing connectors for detachable connecting groups to be used with ribbon-joined optical fibers, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: making a punch (P) having a predetermined profile comprising several parallel or substantially parallel ridges (C, C′); forming a plurality of plates (5) made of metallic material with said punch by cold plastic deformation, said plates on one face having an impression corresponding to the punch and provided with several parallel or substantially parallel grooves (6, 9); accommodating the optical fibers (7) belonging to an optical fiber ribbon (3, 4), on a length of which their commom coating has been removed, into some of the grooves (6, 9) of one plate (5) inside which they are partially contained; associating a grooved plate (5) with a second plate (5), clamping the fibers (7) between the associated plates; applying a metered amount of adhesive (12) susceptible of hardening between the two plates (5) and keeping the plates clamped against the optical fibers (7) until the adhesive has hardened; grinding the surface of the assembly (1, 2) where the fiber ends come out; and introducing at least an alingment plug (10) into one of said grooves (9) clear of said optical fibers (7).
Claim 23
Independent Claim
204 words
A method of accomplishing connectors for detachable connecting groups to be used with ribbon-joined optical fibers, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: making a punch (P) having a predetermined profile comprising several parallel or substantially parallel ridges (C, C′); forming a plurality of plates (5) made of metallic material with said punch by cold plastic deformation, said plates on one face having an impression corresponding to the punch and provided with several parallel or substantially parallel grooves (6, 9); accommodating the optical fibers (7) belonging to an optical fiber ribbon (3, 4), on a length of which their commom coating has been removed, into some of the grooves (6, 9) of one plate (5) inside which they are partially contained; associating a grooved plate (5) with a second plate (5), clamping the fibers (7) between the associated plates; applying a metered amount of adhesive (12) susceptible of hardening between the two plates (5) and keeping the plates clamped against the optical fibers (7) until the adhesive has hardened; grinding the surface of the assembly (1, 2) where the fiber ends come out; and introducing at least an alingment plug (10) into one of said grooves (9) clear of said optical fibers (7).
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method of accomplishing connectors for detachable connecting groups to be used with ribbon-joined optical fibers according to claim 21, characterized in that the punch (P) at least for one series of grooved plates (5) is unique and common to all the grooved plates (5).
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
54 words
A method of accomplishing connectors for detachable connecting groups to be used with ribbon-joined optical fibers according to claim 21, characterized in that according to it the grooved plates (5) produced by the punch (P) must be periodically controlled, the punch being replaced when the groove sizes come close to the predetermined tolerance values.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
69 words
A method of accomplishing connectors for detachable connecting groups to be used with ribbon-joined optical fibers according to claim 20, characterized in that on the grooved face of a plate (5) before its being joined to the other plate (5) a slot (8) is formed by removal of material at a definite location relative to the orientation of the plate (5) during the formation of the grooves (6, 9).
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
58 words
A method of accomplishing connectors for detachable connecting groups to be used with ribbon-joined optical fibers according to claim 21, characterized in that an identification mark (13) is applied to the grooved plates (5) relative to the position of the slot (8) with respect to the orientation of the plate (5) when the grooves (6, 9) are formed.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
78 words
A method of accomplishing connectors for detachable connecting groups to be used with ribbon-joined optical fibers according to claim 21, characterized in that two grooved plates (5) made with the same punch and in which the slots (8) are located at opposite positions relative to the orientation of the plate (5) when the grooves (6, 9) are formed, are associated with each other, so as to clamp the optical fibers (7) of the optical fiber ribbon (3, 4).
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
66 words
A method of accomplishing connectors for detachable connecting groups to be used with ribbon-joined optical fibers according to claim 21, characterized in that a grooved plate (14, 15) and a plate (19, 20) with a flat surface at least in the area overlying the fibers (7) are associated with each other, so as to clamp the optical fibers (7) of the optical fiber ribbon (3, 4).
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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