US 6,550,977 B2 · Apparatus for connecting optical connectors and printed circuit board, unit mounting the same

Abstract

An optical-connector-adapter assembly for optically connecting a pair of optical fiber connectors includes a fixed base mounting one of the optical fiber connectors and a slidable base mounting an adapter for mounting the other connector. The slidable base can slide relative to the fixed base; one of the optical fiber connectors is fixed on the fixed base; and the other connector is inserted into the adapter mounted on the slidable base. The optical fiber connectors can be coupled or uncoupled optically when the slidable base, respectively, advances to of retreats from the base. Further, the slidable base can be inclined relatively to the fixed base at a position in which the optical fiber connectors are apart from each other. Accordingly, with the optical fiber connector adapter in an inclined position, the other optical fiber connector can be inserted into the adaptor and then the optical fiber connector adapter with the other connector, inserted therein, can be returned to an original, aligned direction relatively to, and connected with, the optical fiber connector mounted on the fixed base by moving the adapter axially to the fixed base. Therefore, the optical fiber connectors are optically coupled via the optical adapter without any requirement to check the position of the first optical fiber connector.

Claims22

Dependent claims

An apparatus, comprising:

a first base having a first holder, holding a first optical connector, and a slit;
and
a second base having a second holder, holding a second optical connector, and a shaft, the shaft being engaged in the second holder and extending through the slit in the first holder and coupling the first and second holders together, the second base being moveable relatively to the first base, sliding the shaft along the slit thereby to selectively, optically connect and disconnect the second optical connector to, and from, the first optical connector.

An apparatus to optically connect a pair of optical fiber connectors, comprising:

a first base to mount a first optical fiber connector;
a second base to mount a second optical fiber connector;
an adapter to retain each of the optical fiber connectors and to align respective optical fibers within the first and second optical fiber connectors, said adapter being mounted on the second base;
a guide to guide said second base during axial movement of said second base near to or apart from said first base, said guide including a shaft mounted on said second base and engaged in a guiding portion of said first base, wherein the shaft is in a clearance fit with the guiding portion permitting movement of said second base near to or apart from said first base in an axial direction guided by the shaft and the guiding portion, and said second base is selectively rotatable around an axis of the shaft in a direction to increase an angle of inclination of said second base relatively to the axial movement of said second base, as guided by said guide, when said second base is positioned at a predetermined position such that said adapter is apart from the first optical fiber connector mounted on said first base;
and
a force applying element, mounted on said first base, to apply a force on said second base in such direction so that said first and second bases move near each other, and in such direction so that said second base is rotated until the inclination of said second base is prevented by said first base.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus for connecting optical connectors and printed circuit board, unit mounting the same

Life of this patent

Apparatus for connecting optical connectors and printed circuit board, unit mounting the same

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22