Contamination-safe optical coupling device

An optical fiber coupling device comprising:

• a main coupling structure comprising:
• an axial channel extending through the main coupling structure from a first axial end to a second axial end,
• a coupling mechanism configured to couple an optical fiber connector thereto, wherein the coupling mechanism is axially arranged at the first axial end of the axial channel and configured such that, when an optical fiber connector is coupled thereto, light from the optical fiber connector can be transmitted through the axial channel;
• and
• a lid mechanism configured to open and close the axial channel comprising:
• a driver element arranged at least in part on an external side of the main coupling structure, wherein the driver element is movable between a first position and a second position;
• and
• a lid element arranged at least in part within the main coupling structure and movably attached thereto, wherein the lid element is movable between a closed position, in which the lid element closes the axial channel, and an open position, in which the lid element exposes the axial channel,
• wherein the lid element is magnetically coupled with the driver element such that, when the driver element is moved to the first position, the lid element follows a movement of the driver element to the open position driven by the driver element, and when the driver element is moved to the second position, the lid element follows a movement of the driver element to the closed position driven by the driver element;
• and
• wherein an interior of the main coupling structure in which the lid element is arranged is isolated from the external side of the main coupling structure on which the driver element is arranged, such that there is substantially no fluid communication between an exterior of the main coupling structure and an interior of the main coupling structure other than through the axial channel.

An optical fiber coupling device comprising:

• a main coupling structure comprising:
• an axial channel extending through the main coupling structure from a first axial end to a second axial end, a coupling mechanism configured to couple an optical fiber connector thereto, wherein the coupling mechanism is axially arranged at the first axial end of the axial channel and configured such that, when an optical fiber connector is coupled thereto, light from the optical fiber connector can be transmitted through the axial channel;
• and
• a lid mechanism configured to open and close the axial channel comprising:
• a driver element arranged at least in part on an external side of the main coupling structure, wherein the driver element is movable between a first position and a second position;
• and
• a lid element arranged at least in part within the main coupling structure and movably attached thereto, wherein the lid element is movable between a closed position, in which the lid element closes the axial channel, and an open position, in which the lid element exposes the axial channel,
• wherein the lid element is magnetically coupled with the driver element such that, when the driver element is moved to the first position, the lid element follows a movement of the driver element to the open position driven by the driver element, and when the driver element is moved to the second position, the lid element follows a movement of the driver element to the closed position driven by the driver element;
• and
• wherein the lid element is structurally independent from the driver element.