阅读说明：本技术 适配器 (Adapter ) 是由 蒋柏林 邓军涛 M·布卢姆-弗拉格 黄琪 于 2018-03-13 设计创作，主要内容包括：我们总体上描述一种光学收发器连接器(100),包括：第一部分(102),包括配置为可释放地容纳光学连接器(202)的第一端口(101)；以及第二部分(104),包括配置为可释放地容纳光学转换器元件(205)的第二端口(103),其中,所述第一端口(101)的开口面向第一方向,所述第一方向与所述第二端口(103)的开口面向的第二方向相反,以及其中,所述第一端口(101)与所述第二端口(103)对齐,用于在要在所述第一端口(101)容纳的所述光学连接器(202)与要在所述第二端口(103)容纳的所述光学转换器元件(205)之间建立可释放的、具有光耦合能力的连接。(We generally describe an optical transceiver connector (100) comprising: a first portion (102) comprising a first port (101) configured to releasably receive an optical connector (202); and a second part (104) comprising a second port (103) configured to releasably receive an optical converter element (205), wherein an opening of the first port (101) faces a first direction, which is opposite to a second direction in which an opening of the second port (103) faces, and wherein the first port (101) is aligned with the second port (103) for establishing a releasable, optically coupling capable connection between the optical connector (202) to be received at the first port (101) and the optical converter element (205) to be received at the second port (103).)

1. An optical transceiver connector (100) comprising:

a first portion (102) comprising a first port (101) configured to releasably receive an optical connector (202); and

a second portion (104) comprising a second port (103) configured to releasably receive an optical transducer element (205),

wherein an opening of the first port (101) faces a first direction, which is opposite to a second direction in which an opening of the second port (103) faces, and

wherein the first port (101) is aligned with the second port (103) for establishing a releasable, optically coupling capable connection between the optical connector (202) to be received at the first port (101) and the optical converter element (205) to be received at the second port (103).

2. The optical transceiver connector (100) of claim 1, wherein the first port (101) comprises a first plurality of ports (101), wherein the second port (103) comprises a second plurality of ports (103), and wherein each of the first plurality of ports (101) is aligned with a corresponding respective one of the second plurality of ports (103) for establishing the releasable, optically coupling capable connection between the optical connector (202) and the optical converter element (205).

3. The optical transceiver connector (100) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first portion (102) and the second portion (104) are separable from each other.

4. The optical transceiver connector (100) of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a closure plate (112) removably arranged on a surface of the second portion (104), wherein the surface faces the second direction, and wherein the closure plate (112) comprises an aperture (402) aligned with the opening of the second port (103).

5. The optical transceiver connector (100) of claim 4, further comprising a resilient member (110) placed in the second port (103), wherein the resilient member (110) is configured to be arranged between the closing plate (112) and a portion (206) of the optical converter element (205) when received by the second port (103).

6. The optical transceiver connector (100) of claim 5 wherein the resilient member (110) comprises a rubber band.

7. The optical transceiver connector adapter (100) of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a concentric sleeve (106) arranged within the second port (103), wherein the concentric sleeve (106) is configured to guide the optical converter element when received by the second port (103).

8. The optical transceiver connector (100) of any one of claims 4-6 or claim 7 when dependent on any one of claims 4-6, wherein the closeout plate (112) comprises an insulating closeout plate plating.

9. The optical transceiver connector (100) of any preceding claim, wherein the second portion (104) comprises an insulating second portion plating.

10. The optical transceiver connector (100) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second portion (104) further comprises a third port (302), the third port (302) having a second opening facing the first direction, wherein the second opening is aligned with the opening of the first port (101), and wherein the third port (302) is configured to releasably receive the optical connector (202) extending through the first portion (102) via the first port (101) and received by the first portion (102).

11. The optical transceiver connector of any preceding claim, wherein the optical connector comprises an LC connector.

Technical Field

The present invention generally relates to optical transceiver connectors configured to establish a releasable, optically coupling capable connection between an optical transducer element and an optical connector. An optical transceiver connector may thus be used in order to connect the optical converter element and the light source to send and receive optical signals between the optical converter element and the optical connector.

Background

Currently, optical transceiver connector adapters use special connector ports that are not easily assembled and have unstable power supplies.

For example, solutions for LED converters (optical converter element modules) suffer from corresponding fiber optic connector/LED connections, exhibiting insufficient power uniformity. The inventors have found that the solution of using a lower plate for bonding LEDs thereon (e.g. up to 20 LEDs) is particularly cumbersome, as it may require the use of special metal connectors for connecting the LEDs with the optical fibers. This may result in large power losses in view of any tolerances that may exist when manufacturing the holes/holes and the connectors.

There is therefore a need for an improved optical transceiver connector.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention is set forth in the independent claims. Preferred embodiments of the invention are outlined in the dependent claims.

We describe an optical transceiver connector comprising: a first portion including a first port configured to releasably receive an optical connector; and a second portion comprising a second port configured to releasably receive an optical converter element, wherein an opening of the first port faces in a first direction opposite to a second direction in which an opening of the second port faces, and wherein the first port is aligned with the second port for establishing a releasable, optically couplable connection between the optical connector to be received at the first port and the optical converter element to be received at the second port.

It is noted that any reference to a port configured to releasably receive an optical converter element or some type of connector may relate to the port being shaped to correspond to the shape of the optical converter element or connector, respectively. The optical converter element or connector may thus be received through the port in a snap-fit manner, or another type of coupling may be provided, for example a member is provided on the optical converter element or connector that is pressed against the (inner) wall of the port.

In some example embodiments, the first and second ports of the optical transceiver connector may be provided with standard connector ports to connect the optical converter element and light.

Thus, variations using optical transceiver connectors as described herein advantageously enable standard connectors to be utilized. Furthermore, the exemplary embodiment of the optical transceiver connector is relatively easy to assemble, in particular compared to adapters in which, for example, the individual LEDs are glued and thereby fixed to the lower plate.

Given that the alignment may be achieved when manufacturing the optical transceiver connector according to the examples described herein, in view of the precise alignment between the first and second ports (e.g. based on the central axes of the respective first and second ports which may coincide), the inventors have demonstrated that the performance (e.g. the performance of coupling light into the optical connector) is more stable than, for example, an adapter bonding individual LEDs to a lower plate.

The optical converter element may be, for example, a transmitter, a receiver or a transceiver.

In some variations of the optical transceiver connector, the first port comprises a first plurality of ports, the second port comprises a second plurality of ports, and each of the first plurality of ports is aligned with a corresponding respective one of the second plurality of ports for establishing the releasable, optically coupling capable connection between the optical connector and the optical transducer element.

Embodiments of optical transceiver connectors as described herein may be particularly advantageous because the number of the first and second plurality of ports may be easily varied according to the specific needs and requirements of the optical transceiver connector.

The variant of the optical transceiver connector thus advantageously allows positioning a plurality of optical converter elements on a surface, for example an end of an optical fiber, independently of each other. This may be achieved in a variation of the optical transceiver connector described herein by decoupling the individual connections and the fixed connections in the adapter module. Each of the connectors and each of the optical converter elements may be connected to the connectors independently of each other.

Furthermore, as described herein, example embodiments of optical transceiver connectors may allow for replacement of a single optical converter element (e.g., LED) when the single optical converter element is damaged, without having to replace the entire connection module as is generally the case with adapters heretofore used in the art (particularly adapters used in the art that provide permanent connections using glue). Thus, the modified structure of the optical transceiver connector as described herein also provides a better economical solution.

In some variations of the optical transceiver connector, the first portion and the second portion may be separable from one another (e.g., in the form of the first portion constituting or included in a first component of the optical transceiver connector and the second portion constituting or included in a second component of the optical transceiver connector). Alternatively, the first and second portions may be provided in a single, robust and compact unit, wherein the first and second portions may not be separated from each other. It may be advantageous to provide a variant of the optical transceiver connector in which the first and second parts are separable from each other, in particular when only one of the first or second parts can be replaced, and when required, without having to replace the functional part at the same time. Furthermore, example embodiments in which the first and second portions are separate from one another may advantageously allow for the provision of, for example, a first portion in which one or more (e.g., all) of the first ports may be configured to releasably receive optical connectors rather than a particular single type of optical connector. The optical transceiver connectors may thus be utilized interchangeably to readily allow for connections with optical coupling capabilities using different optical connectors. The first part may thereby be replaced by another first part comprising a port for releasably receiving a different type of optical connector.

In some example embodiments, the optical transceiver connector further comprises a closure plate removably disposed on a surface of the second portion, wherein the surface faces the second direction, and wherein the closure plate comprises a hole (aperture) aligned with the opening of the second port. It will be appreciated that in variations where the first portion comprises a first plurality of ports and the second portion comprises a second plurality of ports, the closure plate comprises a plurality of holes (apertures), each aperture in the closure plate being aligned with a respective pair of ports in the first and second portions.

Thus, in some variations, the closure plate may be screwed into a component, for example, the second portion of the optical transceiver connector.

The closing plate advantageously allows the adapter to be easily opened at any desired time, so that any number of optical converter elements can be replaced, for example when damaged and/or when the wavelengths of the light sources are required to be different. Thus, when only one or some of the individual optical converter elements are to be replaced, there is no need to replace the entire optical converter element module.

In some variations, the optical transceiver connector further comprises a resilient member disposed in the second port, wherein the resilient member is configured to be disposed between the closure plate and a portion of the optical transducer element when received by the second port.

The resilient member may be particularly advantageous as it allows to compensate for different tolerances of the (optical) connector. Thus, a secure connection for efficient optical coupling can be achieved despite varying tolerances of the connectors. In some examples, when the resilient member is disposed between the closure plate and the portion of the optical transducer element, the optical transducer element is pushed into position with a force acting on the resilient member and provided by the closure plate such that a stable connection is established when the optical transducer element is releasably received by the second portion. Thus, a stable connection can be achieved without, for example, bonding the optical converter element to the connector.

In some examples of the optical transceiver connector, the elastic member includes a rubber band. This may be advantageous because the rubber band may be easily replaced, is relatively inexpensive, and may provide the desired elastic properties.

In some example embodiments, the optical transceiver connector further comprises a concentric sleeve (sleeve) disposed within the second port, wherein the concentric sleeve is configured to guide the optical transducer element when received by the second port. The concentric sleeve may thus have a shape corresponding to the shape of the connector to be accommodated within the concentric sleeve.

The concentric sleeve may be manufactured with a very high precision (e.g. above a predetermined threshold) so that the ferrule (ferule) of the connector may be located, for example, in the center of the light source. High assembly accuracy (above threshold) can be achieved via the concentric sleeve.

In some example embodiments of the optical transceiver connector, the closure plate comprises zinc 5 alloy (zinc zamak 5). This may be particularly advantageous because zinc alloy No. 5 has relatively high strength and less ductility compared to other materials (e.g., zinc alloy No. 3).

In some variations, the closure plate may include an insulating closure plate plating (plating) based on desired characteristics of the closure plate.

In some examples of the optical transceiver connector, one or both of the first and second portions comprise zinc alloy No. 5. As outlined above with respect to closure plates, zinc alloy No. 5 has relatively high strength and less ductility compared to other materials (e.g., zinc alloy No. 3 or other standard alloys such as brass).

In some variations, the first portion comprises a nickel over copper (nickel over) plating. Such a coating may provide any properties (e.g., electrical and strength properties) desired for the first portion. For the same reason, in some variations, the second portion may include an insulating second portion plating.

In some example embodiments of the optical transceiver connector, the second portion further comprises a third port having a second opening facing in the first direction, wherein the second opening is aligned with the opening of the first port, and wherein the third port is configured to releasably receive the optical connector via the first port and extending through and received by the first portion.

This may be particularly advantageous as an improved guiding of the optical connector through the optical transceiver connector may be provided. Improved optical coupling may also be achieved due to improved alignment of the optical connector with the optical converter element.

The use of standard optical connectors, such as LC connectors, in the adapters described herein allows for a particularly high packing density of the connectors compared to conventional solutions using, for example, ST or SMA connectors. Therefore, the economic feasibility and the installability of the product can be improved.

An adapter as described herein may allow for providing a connection between an optical converter element and a different type of optical connector, which may be used and may also provide for a relatively dense packing of the optical connector when received by the optical transceiver connector.

The optical connector may be an LC connector, an SC connector, an MU connector, an FC connector, an MPO connector, an MTP connector, or an MTRJ connector.

It will be appreciated that the first ports of the first portion (and optionally the third ports of the second portion) may be shaped such that one or more of the first ports (and optionally the corresponding third ports) may correspond to the shape of a first type of optical connector, while the other one or more of the first ports (and optionally the corresponding third ports) may have a shape corresponding to one or more other types of optical connectors.

Drawings

These and other aspects of the present invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which like reference symbols indicate like parts, and in which:

fig. 1 a-1 d show schematic diagrams of optical transceiver connectors according to some example embodiments described herein;

fig. 2 shows a schematic layout of a first portion of an optical transceiver connector according to some example embodiments described herein;

fig. 3 shows a schematic layout of a second portion of an optical transceiver connector according to some example embodiments described herein;

fig. 4 shows a schematic layout of a closure plate of an optical transceiver connector according to some example embodiments described herein;

fig. 5 a-5 c show schematic layouts of first and second portions of an optical transceiver connector in disassembled and assembled states according to some example embodiments described herein; and

fig. 6 shows a schematic diagram of an optical transceiver connector according to some example embodiments described herein.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1a shows a schematic view of an optical transceiver connector 100 according to some example embodiments described herein. In this schematic diagram, the various components of the optical transceiver connector 100 are shown in an exploded state for illustrative purposes.

In this example, the adapter relates to an optical converter element to LC optical transceiver connector 100. However, it is understood that the various components of the optical transceiver connector 100 may be equivalently implemented in optical transceiver connectors, where the optical connectors may be SC-type connectors, MU-type connectors, and FC-type connectors, MPO-type connectors, and MTP-type connectors or MTRJ-type connectors.

In this example, the optical transceiver connector 100 includes a first portion 102 having a plurality of first ports 101. The plurality of first ports 101 are shaped such that, for example, an LC standard connector (which may have a particular shape) may be received such that the LC standard connector may be inserted into the first ports in a "snug-fit" manner. Throughout this disclosure, such "snug" insertion may refer to insertion of the optical connector without loosening within the port.

The optical transceiver connector 100 also includes a second portion 104. In this example, the second portion 104 includes a plurality of third ports 302 (see fig. 3) that are shaped such that an LC standard connector (or other type of optical connector) may be received (in a "snug fit").

In the present example, the first part 102 and the second part 104 constitute a two-piece (two-piece) HVDC housing.

In this variation, the optical transceiver connector 100 also includes a plurality of concentric sleeves 106. In this example, these tight tolerance and concentric sleeves 106 are provided as separate components of the optical transceiver connector 100.

The concentric sleeve 106 is shaped such that the optical transducer element 205 can be received therein (e.g., in a "snug fit" manner).

In the present example, the optical transceiver connector 100 further comprises a plurality of resilient members 110, which in this variant are provided as O-rings.

In this example, the optical transceiver connector 100 also includes a closing plate 112 having a plurality of holes that align with ports and other components of the optical transceiver connector 100 to allow for an optical coupling capable connection between the light source and the LC connector.

In this example, a plurality of screws 114 are used to releasably mount the closure plate 112 to the second portion 104.

Fig. 1b depicts a schematic diagram of a structure 200 in which a plurality of LC connectors 202 are to be received by the optical transceiver connector 100. Again, for purposes of illustration, the components are shown in an exploded state.

Fig. 1c shows a schematic view of the structure 200, wherein the components are shown in an assembled state.

Fig. 1d also shows the assembled state depicted in fig. 1c, wherein portions of the optical transceiver connector 100 are shown in a cutaway perspective view for illustrative purposes.

As can be seen, in this example, the LC connector 202 includes a member 203, and when the LC connector 202 is received by the first portion 102, the member 203 is bent from an initial unbent state to a bent state. This allows for secure mounting of the LC connector 202 in the optical transceiver connector 100. Other types of members 203 may be provided, such as, but not limited to, springs or other resilient elements or snap-fit members that snap-fit into the ports.

It can be seen that in this example, the LC connector 202 is inserted into the optical transceiver connector 100 such that the LC connector 202 extends completely through the first portion 102 into a portion of the second portion 104. The second part 104 thus comprises a port on a side of the second part 104, which side of the second part 104 is mounted to a side of the second part 104 facing away from the closing plate 112, thereby providing a particularly well-aligned connection between the LC connector ferrule and the optical converter element 205. This improved alignment may be achieved due to an improved guiding of the LC connector not only in the first portion 102 but also in (a part of) the second portion 104.

In this example, the optical converter element 205 comprises a portion 206 in optical coupling contact with a corresponding ferrule of the LC connector 202. In the present example, the alignment established between the LC connectors 202 and the respective optical converter elements 205 is such that the ferrule of each of said LC connectors 202 is aligned with the central axis of the corresponding respective optical converter element 205.

As can be seen from fig. 1d, an O-ring (e.g. a rubber ring) 110 may be arranged between the portion 206 of the optical converter element 205 and the closing plate 112. This may allow providing a stable arrangement of the optical converter element 205 within the second portion 104, in particular compensating for different tolerances of the connector (i.e. the shape of the connector)/the optical converter element based on the O-ring 110.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic layout of a first portion 102 of an optical transceiver connector according to some example embodiments described herein. The dimensions of the individual components can be selected according to the respective requirements.

In the present example, the first part 102 comprises a plurality of first ports 101 (see fig. 1a) and a plurality of holes/apertures 128, which may be used, for example, to screw the first part 102 into the second part 104.

The first port 101 may be a standard LC connector port.

In this example, the first portion 102 includes a zinc alloy No. 5 and a copper base nickel plating (for electrical conductivity). In this example, the first portion 102 conforms to RoHS (harmful components Restriction).

Fig. 3 shows a schematic view of the second portion 104. In this example, the second portion 104 includes a first plurality of ports 103 and a second plurality of ports 302. In this example, the second plurality of ports 302 are shaped such that the LC connector 202 may be received therein (e.g., in a "snug fit" manner).

Any information regarding the dimensions and RoHS compliance of the first portion 102 is equally applicable to the second portion 104.

In this example, the second portion 104 includes a No. 5 zinc alloy and an insulating coating.

The second portion 104 depicted in FIG. 3 will eventually be assembled with the first portion 102 and the closure plate 112.

Fig. 4 shows a schematic view of the closing plate 112. In this example, the closing plate 112 includes holes/apertures 402.

In this example, the closure plate 112 includes a zinc alloy No. 5 and an insulating coating.

Any information regarding the dimensions and RoHS compliance of the first portion 102 and the second portion 104 is equally applicable to the closure panel 112.

The closing plate 112 shown in fig. 4 will eventually be disposed on the surface of the second portion 104.

In this example, any sharp edges of the closing plate 112 may be deburred and ground (deburred andbroken). It may be important in some instances to provide a closing plate 112 that is free of silicon and engine oil substances.

Fig. 5a and 5b show schematic views of the first part 102 and the second part 104, respectively. In fig. 5c, the first part 102 and the second part 104 are depicted in an assembled state. Even though the first part 102 and the second part 104 are shown as separate components of the adapter, they may alternatively be designed as a single-piece.

Fig. 6 shows a schematic diagram of an optical transceiver connector 600 according to some example embodiments described herein.

In this example, connector 605 is to be connected to optical transceiver connector 600. The connector 605 may be one or more of an SC connector, an MU connector, an FC connector, an MPO connector, an MTP connector, and an MTRJ connector. One or more of the connectors 605 may also be LC connectors. As will be appreciated, various series (containment) types of connectors 605 may be connected to the optical transceiver connector 600. Corresponding ports may be provided in the first portion 102 and optionally in the second portion 104.

Any variation of the optical transceiver connector as described herein may be used with any type of optical transducer element. Further, at least some examples described herein use 16 ports for LC-to-optical converter element connections. However, as will be appreciated, different numbers may be provided. Furthermore, as described herein, certain types of, for example, metal connectors may be used in variations of the optical transceiver connector.

Any reference to a hole throughout the specification may equally relate to a hole.

Those skilled in the art will undoubtedly envision many other effective alternatives. It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the described embodiments, but encompasses modifications apparent to those skilled in the art lying within the scope of the claims appended hereto.