The present invention generally relates to a cable assembly, and more particularly to a cable assembly adapted for optical transmitting.
In many of today's processing systems, such as personal computer (PC) systems, there exist universal serial bus (USB) ports for connecting various USB devices. Different standards of USB technology for different bandwidths have been launched by USB-IF supported by some of world largest IT companies. For instance, Universal Serial Bus Specification, revision 1.1 devices are capable of operating at 12 Mbits/second(Mbps). Universal Serial Bus Specification, revision 2.0 devices are capable of operating at 480 Mbps. Universal Serial Bus Specification, revision 3.0 devices are capable of operating at higher speed also accepted by market, gradually. However, as technology progresses engineers are constantly striving to increase operating speeds.
For example, CN Pub. Pat. No. 101345358 published on Jan. 14, 2009 discloses an optical USB connector assembly which has a fiber device added to a USB connector assembly. The fiber device has a number of fibers connected with lenses embedded in the USB connector. Thus, optical signal transmits along a first fiber and is expanded/magnified by a first lens terminated to the first fiber, and then shrunk by a second lens and runs through second fiber of a complementary connector. The fiber needs to be inserted into a mounting hole of the lens so as to achieve better optical coupling therebetween. However, there exists gap between the fiber and the mounting hole of the lens, resulting in optical transmitting loss and further effect signal transmitting. In addition, as the fiber and lens are in relative lose state, also effect signal transmitting.
Hence, an improved cable assembly is highly desired to overcome the aforementioned problems.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a cable assembly reliably transmitting optical signal.
In order to achieve the object set forth, a cable assembly in accordance with the present invention comprises a lens defining a mounting hole, the mounting hole having at least three inner sides connected with each other; a fiber cable having a core portion and a shielding portion enclosing the core portion, the core portion inserted into the mounting hole of the lens and substantially contacting with all of the inner sides thereof; and optical glue applied to the mounting hole and filling grooves between the inner sides and a peripheral of the core portion of the fiber.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to
Each lens 1 has a cylindrical shaped body portion 11. There is a mounting hole 12 defined in a central of the body portion 11 and the mounting hole 12 is a blind hole with a predetermined depth recessed forwardly from a back edge of the body portion 11. The mounting hole 12 is hexagonal shape which has six regular inner sides 121 connected with each other. The mounting hole 12 has a back segment larger than a front segment thereof In addition, there is a tapered transition segment between a back segment and a front segment of the mounting hole 12.
The housing 2 has an elongated main portion. The lenses 2 are arranged in at least one row along the transversal direction and embedded in the housing 2. The lenses 2 are separated from each other along the transversal direction. There are two cavities 20 defined in a back segment of the housing 2. The two cavities 20 are arranged in juxtaposed manner. Each cavity 20 is opened upwardly. There are two positioning grooves 21 defined in a bottom side of each cavity 20. Each positioning groove 21 aligns with a corresponding mounting hole 12 along a front-to-back direction. There are two guiding holes 24 recessed backwardly from lateral sections 22 of a front portion of the housing 2. There is a depression area 26 located in a middle section 23 of the front portion of the housing 2. In addition, there is an alignment cavity 25 located in a center of the depression area 26. The alignment cavity 25 has a broader front opening The lenses 2 are symmetrically arranged with regarding to the alignment cavity 25 and forwardly protrude into the depression area 26.
Each fiber cable 3 has a core portion 31 and a shielding portion 32 enclosing the core portion 31.
Partial of a front segment of the shielding portion 32 is stripped off to expose the core portion 31 exposed outside. The fiber cable 3 is optically coupled to the lens 1. The core portion 31 is inserted into the mounting hole 12 of the lens 1, with a peripheral of the core portion 31 contacting with all the inner sides 121, so as to prohibit the core portion 31 moving excessively along a radial direction. In this embodiment, as the core portion 31 is circular shape, and the core portion 31 circumferentially contacts with middle sections of the inner sides 121, and forming a longitudinal slot (not numbered) between every two adjacent inner sides 121 and the peripheral of the core portion 31. By such arrangement, the core portion 31 is securely and precisely positioned in the mounting hole 12. The shielding portion 32 of the corresponding fiber cable 3 is received in the positioning groove 21.
Optical glue 4 is applied to the mounting hole 12 and fills into longitudinal slots so as to combine the core portion 31 and the corresponding lens 1 together.
Referring to
Each lens 1′ has a cylindrical shaped body portion. There is a mounting hole 12′ defined in a central of the body portion and the mounting hole 12′ is a blind hole with a predetermined depth recessed forwardly from a back edge of the body portion. The mounting hole 12′ is rectangular shape which has four equal inner sides 121′ connected with each other.
The core portion 31 is inserted into the mounting hole 12′ of the lens 1′, with the peripheral of the core portion 31 contacting with four inner sides 121′. In this embodiment, the core portion 31 circumferentially contacts with middle sections of the inner sides 121′, and forming four longitudinal slot (not numbered) between inner sides 121′ and the peripheral the core portion 31. By such arrangement, the core portion 31 is securely and precisely positioned in the mounting hole 12′. Optical glue 4 is applied to the mounting hole 12′ and fills into longitudinal slots so as to combine the core portion 31 and the corresponding lens 1′ together.
The mounting hole of the lens may be triangular shape or other regular polygonal shape in alternative embodiment.
It will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or central characteristics thereof The present examples and embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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099220891 | Oct 2010 | TW | national |