Module for a fiber optic link

Claim 2

A module for a fiber optical link of the type mateable with a fiber optic plug connector which terminates at a plug end face, said module comprising: a body case molded from a light-shielding material and defining an elongated plug hole for receiving the plug connector which is mateable with the module by axial insertion of the plug connector into the plug hole, said body case also defining a hollow space in communication with the plug hole; a molded member having a front face, said molded member being seated in the hollow space of the body case and being molded from a transparent molding material; a lens element integrally formed with said molded member at a position in coaxial alignment with said plug hole; leads embedded in said molded member and extending exteriorly of said body case; an optoelectronic element mounted on one of the leads embedded in the molded member in a coaxially aligned position with said lens element and said plug hole; and protection means, integral with said molded member, for protecting said lens element by preventing contact between said lens element and said plug end face when the plug connector is mated with said plug hole, said portection means including space-defining means for defining a space which is recessed into said molded member rearwardly of said flat face and coaxially disposed relative to said plug hole, said lens element being extended forwardly into said space towards said plug hole, said space-defining means establishing, at said flat face, a contact surface peripherally of said recessed surface against which said plug end face bears when said plug connector is mated with said plug hole whereby contact between said plug end face and said lens element is prevented.

Claim 3

A module according to claim 1, wherein an IC chip is mounted on one of said leads in said member and is electrically connected to said optoelectronic element and said leads.

Claim 4

A module according to claim 1, wherein said optoelectronic element comprises an LED.

Claim 5

A module according to claim 1, wherein said optoelectronic element comprises a photodiode.

Claim 6

A module according to claim 1, wherein the body case has a projection into which the plug hole is extended.

Claim 7

A module according to claim 1, wherein said body case has a hole which is coaxial with the plug hole and an outer opening of which is closed with a cap.

Claim 8

A module according to claim 1, wherein the molded member is made of a transfer molding material.

Claim 9

A module according to claim 1, wherein the body case is made of an injection molding material.

Claim 10

A module according to claim 1, wherein the molded member is formed into a cylindrical member.

Claim 11

A module for a fiber optical link of the type mateable with a fiber optic plug connector which terminates at a plug end face, said module comprising: a body case molded from a light-shielding material and defining an elongated plug hole for receiving the plug connector and a hollow space in communication with the plug hole; a molded member having a front face and being seated in said hollow space, said molded member being molded from a transparent molding material; a lens element integrally formed with said molded member at a position in coaxial alignment with said plug hole, leads embedded in said molded member and extending exteriorly of said body case; an optoelectronic element mounted on one of the leads and embedded in the molded member so as to be in an axially aligned position with both said plug hole and said lens element; and protection means disposed in said plug hole for protecting said lens element by preventing contact between said lens element and said plug end face when said plug connector is mated in said plug hole, said protection means including means defining a shoulder which is integral with said body case and which protrudes into said plug hole, said shoulder including (a) a forward surface against which said plug end face bears when said plug connector is mated with said plug hole, (b) a rearward surface in contact with at least a portion of said front face of said molded member, and (c) an annular surface connecting said forward and rearward surfaces and defining an annular space which is coaxially disposed between said lens element and said plug hole, said lens element being forwardly extended into said annular space towards said plug hole such that said annular surface laterally surrounds said lens element, whereby said shoulder prevents contact between said plug end face and said lens element to thereby protect said lens element.

Claim 12

A module for a fiber optical link of the type mateable with a fiber optic plug connector which terminates at a plug end face, said module comprising: a body case molded from a light-shielding material and defining an elongated plug hole for receiving the plug connector and a hollow space in communication with the plug hole; a molded member having a front face and being seated in said hollow space, said molded member being molded from a transparent molding material; a lens element integrally formed with said molded member at a position in coaxial alignment with said plug hole, leads embedded in said molded member and extending exteriorly of said body case; an optoelectronic element mounted on one of the leads and embedded in the molded member so as to be in an axially aligned position with both said plug hole and said lens element; and protection means disposed in said plug hole for protecting said lens element by preventing contact between said lens element and said plug end face when said plug connector is mated in said plug hole, said protection means including means defining a shoulder which is integral with said body case and which protrudes into said plug hole, said shoulder including (a) a forward surface against which said plug end face bears when said plug connector is mated with said plug hole, (b) a rearward surface in contact with at least a portion of said front face of said molded member, and (c) an annular surface connecting said forward and rearward surfaces and defining an annular space which is coaxially disposed between said lens element and said plug hole, said lens element being forwardly extended into said annular space towards said plug hole such that said annular surface laterally surrounds said lens element, whereby said shoulder prevents contact between said plug end face and said lens element to thereby protect said lens element.

Claim 13

A fiber optic link comprising, in combination, (a) an elongated plug connector which terminates at a plug end face, and (b) a module coupled to said plug connector, wherein said module includes: a body case molded from a light-shielding material and defining an elongated plug hole which is mated with a portion of said plug connector by axial insertion of said plug connector into said plug hole, said body case also defining a hollow space in communication with said plug hole; a molded member having a front face and seated in said hollow space of said body case, said molded member being molded from a transparent molding material; a lens element integrally formed with said molded member in coaxial alignment with said plug hole; leads embedded in said molded member and extending exteriorly of said body case; an optoelectronic element mounted on one of the leads embedded in said molded member in a coaxially aligned position with said lens element and said plug hole; and protection means, integral with said molded member, for protecting said lens element by preventing contact between said lens element and said plug end face, said protection means including space-defining means for defining a space which is recessed into said molded member rearwardly of said flat face and coaxially disposed relative to said plug hole, said lens element being extended forwardly into said space towards said plug hole, said space-defining means establishing, at said flat face, a contact surface peripherally of said recessed surface against which said plug end face bears whereby contact between said plug end face and said lens element is prevented.

Claim 14

A fiber optic link comprising, in combination, (a) an elongated plug connector which terminates at a plug end face, and (b) a module coupled to said plug connector, wherein said module includes: a body case molded from a light-shielding material and defining an elongated plug hole which is mated with a portion of said plug connector by axial insertion of said plug connector into said plug hole, said body case also defining a hollow space in communication with said plug hole; a molded member having a front face and seated in said hollow space of said body case, said molded member being molded from a transparent molding material; a lens element integrally formed with said molded member in coaxial alignment with said plug hole; leads embedded in said molded member and extending exteriorly of said body case; an optoelectronic element mounted on one of the leads embedded in said molded member in a coaxially aligned position with said lens element and said plug hole; and protection means, integral with said molded member, for protecting said lens element by preventing contact between said lens element and said plug end face, said protection means including space-defining means for defining a space which is recessed into said molded member rearwardly of said flat face and coaxially disposed relative to said plug hole, said lens element being extended forwardly into said space towards said plug hole, said space-defining means establishing, at said flat face, a contact surface peripherally of said recessed surface against which said plug end face bears whereby contact between said plug end face and said lens element is prevented.

Claim 15

A fiber optic link comprising, in combination, (a) an elongated plug connector which terminates at a plug end face, and (b) a module coupled to said plug connector, wherein said module includes: a body case molded from a light-shielding material and defining an elongated plug hole which is mated with a portion of said plug connector by axial insertion of said plug connector into said plug hole, said body case also defining a hollow space in communication with said plug hole; a molded member having a front face and seated in said hollow space of said body case, said molded member being molded from a transparent molding material; a lens element integrally formed with said molded member in coaxial alignment with said plug hole; leads embedded in said molded member and extending exteriorly of said body case; an optoelectronic element mounted on one of the leads embedded in said molded member in a coaxially aligned position with said lens element and said plug hole; and protection means, disposed in said plug hole between said plug end face and said molded member, for protecting said lens element by preventing contact between said lens element and said plug end face, said protection means including means defining a shoulder which is integral with said body case and which protrudes into said plug hole, said shoulder including (i) a forward surface against which said plug end face bears, (ii) a rearward surface in contact with at least a portion of said front face of said molded member, and (iii) an annular surface connecting said forward and rearward surfaces and defining an annular space which is disposed between said lens element and said plug end face, said lens element being forwardly extended into said space such that said annular surface laterally surrounds said lens element, whereby said shoulder prevents contact between said plug end face and said lens element to thereby protect said lens element.

Claim 16

A fiber optic link comprising, in combination, (a) an elongated plug connector which terminates at a plug end face, and (b) a module coupled to said plug connector, wherein said module includes: a body case molded from a light-shielding material and defining an elongated plug hole which is mated with a portion of said plug connector by axial insertion of said plug connector into said plug hole, said body case also defining a hollow space in communication with said plug hole; a molded member having a front face and seated in said hollow space of said body case, said molded member being molded from a transparent molding material; a lens element integrally formed with said molded member in coaxial alignment with said plug hole; leads embedded in said molded member and extending exteriorly of said body case; an optoelectronic element mounted on one of the leads embedded in said molded member in a coaxially aligned position with said lens element and said plug hole; and protection means, disposed in said plug hole between said plug end face and said molded member, for protecting said lens element by preventing contact between said lens element and said plug end face, said protection means including means defining a shoulder which is integral with said body case and which protrudes into said plug hole, said shoulder including (i) a forward surface against which said plug end face bears, (ii) a rearward surface in contact with at least a portion of said front face of said molded member, and (iii) an annular surface connecting said forward and rearward surfaces and defining an annular space which is disposed between said lens element and said plug end face, said lens element being forwardly extended into said space such that said annular surface laterally surrounds said lens element, whereby said shoulder prevents contact between said plug end face and said lens element to thereby protect said lens element.