The subject matter herein relates generally to optical connectors having exposed surfaces through which optical signals propagate.
Optical communication may have advantages over electrical communication in certain applications. Increasingly, both large communication systems and small devices, such as consumer devices, are using optical pathways to transmit data signals through the system or device. The optical pathways may include optical fibers, lenses, and/or other material that permits light to propagate therethrough. When two optical connectors are mated, the optical components (e.g., lenses or fibers) are aligned with each other so that light emitting from one component is received by the other component.
At least some known optical connectors include a ferrule body that optically connects a number of optical fibers to corresponding optical surfaces, such as lenses of a lens array. For example, the ferrule body may include a plurality of channels that each receive and orient a corresponding optical fiber so that the optical fiber is aligned with a corresponding lens of the lens array. The ferrule body may then be positioned adjacent to another optical connector. For instance, each lens of the ferrule body may be aligned with another lens and/or optical fiber of the other optical connector. Optical connectors may be mated with each other in various manners. For some types of optical connectors, the lenses face in the direction of insertion. For example, the lenses may be positioned along a side face of a pluggable optical connector. In other types of optical connectors, however, the lenses may face in a direction that is perpendicular to the insertion direction or perpendicular to the optical fibers.
One challenge that is often confronted by optical connectors is that dust or other debris may exist along the optical surfaces and negatively affect optical transmission. The debris is typically removed using a separate cleaning mechanism. For example, prior to mating the optical connectors, a technician may clean each lens array using a tool. Such a cleaning process could be time-consuming and labor-intensive, which could be expensive.
Accordingly, a need exists for alternative mechanisms or methods of cleaning one or more optical surfaces of an optical connector.
In an embodiment, an optical connector is provided that includes a ferrule body having a side face. The optical connector also includes a transmission surface positioned along the side face. The transmission surface is configured to align with a device surface of a communication device for communicating optical signals therebetween. The optical connector also includes a surface wiper coupled to and extending away from the side face. The surface wiper has a height relative to the side face. The surface wiper is configured to at least one of flex or compress when engaging the device surface of the communication device during a side-mating operation.
In an embodiment, an optical connector is provided that includes a ferrule body having a side face. The optical connector also includes a ferrule lens that is coupled to the ferrule body and positioned along the side face. The ferrule lens is configured to align with a lens of a communication device for communicating optical signals therebetween. The optical connector also includes a surface wiper that is coupled to and extends away from the side face. The surface wiper has a height relative to the side face that is greater than a height of the ferrule lens. The surface wiper is configured to at least one of flex or compress when engaging the lens of the communication device during a side-mating operation.
In an embodiment, an optical arrangement is provided that includes an optical connector having a ferrule body having a side face and a transmission surface that is positioned along the side face. The transmission surface faces in a first direction along a signal axis. The optical arrangement also includes a communication device that has an optical module having a side face and a transmission surface that is positioned along the side face of the optical module. The transmission surface of the communication device faces in a second direction along the signal axis that is opposite the first direction. The optical arrangement also includes a surface wiper that is coupled to the side face of the ferrule body or the side face of the optical module. The optical connector and the communication device are configured to mate with each other during a side-mating operation in which the side faces of the ferrule body and the optical module move parallel to each other along a mating axis that is perpendicular to the signal axis. The surface wiper is configured to wipe the transmission surface of the opposing side face during the side-mating operation.
In an embodiment, an optical arrangement is provided that includes an optical connector having a ferrule body with a side face and a lens that is coupled to the ferrule body and positioned along the side face. The lens faces in a first direction along a signal axis. The optical arrangement also includes a communication device having an optical module with a side face and a lens that is coupled to the optical module and positioned along the side face of the optical module. The lens of the communication device faces in a second direction along the signal axis that is opposite the first direction. The optical arrangement also includes a surface wiper coupled to the side face of the ferrule body or the side face of the optical module. The optical connector and the communication device are configured to mate with each other during a side-mating operation in which the side faces of the ferrule body and the optical module move parallel to each other along a mating axis that is perpendicular to the signal axis. The surface wiper is configured to wipe the lens of the opposing side face during the side-mating operation.
In some embodiments, the pluggable connector 102 is a pluggable input/output (I/O) module in which at least a portion of the pluggable I/O module that is configured to be compliant with certain industry standards, such as, but not limited to, the small-form factor pluggable (SFP) standard, enhanced SFP (SFP+) standard, quad SFP (QSFP) standard, C form-factor pluggable (CFP) standard, and 10 Gigabit SFP standard, which is often referred to as the XFP standard. In some embodiments, the pluggable connector may be configured to be compliant with small form factor (SFF), such as SFF-8644 and SFF-8449 HD. In some embodiments, the cable assemblies described herein may be high-speed cable assemblies that are capable of transmitting data at a rate of at least about four (4) gigabits per second (Gbps), at least about 10 Gbps, at least about 20 Gbps, at least about 40 Gbps, or more. Although the cable assemblies may be high-speed cable assemblies in some embodiments, the cable assemblies may transmit at slower transmission speeds or data rates in other embodiments.
Also shown, the pluggable connector 102 includes a circuit board 116 that is disposed within a housing cavity 120 defined by the connector housing 104. The circuit board 116 includes a mating edge 122 having an array of electrical contacts 124 disposed therealong. The mating edge 122 is configured to engage an electrical connector (not shown) to establish an electrical connection.
The cable assembly 100 also includes an optical connector 125 that is mounted to the circuit board 116. The optical connector 125 is coupled to the optical fibers 114 and is configured to communicatively couple the optical fibers 114 to a signal converter or another optical component of the pluggable connector 102. The optical fibers 114 may transmit optical signals that are received and converted by the pluggable connector 102 and/or the optical fibers 114 may receive optical signals that are transmitted by the pluggable connector 102. In some embodiments, the optical connector 125 and the communication cable 110 may form an optical sub-assembly 126.
The cable assembly 100 is oriented with respect to mutually perpendicular axes 191, 192, 193, including a mating axis 191, a mounting axis 192, and a lateral axis 193. As shown, portions of the optical fibers 114 extend generally parallel to the circuit board 116 and to the mating axis 191 when near the optical connector 125. The optical connector 125 is configured to re-direct optical signals that propagate through an interface between the optical connector 125 and the circuit board 116. For example, the optical connector 125 is configured to re-direct optical signals that are propagating through the optical fibers 114 and into the circuit board 116 and/or re-direct optical signals that are received from the circuit board 116 into the optical connector 125. More specifically, the optical connector 125 is configured to direct optical signals from the optical fibers 114 in a direction perpendicular to the circuit board 116 and/or receive optical signals from the circuit board 116 in a direction that is perpendicular to the circuit board 116.
Accordingly, the optical connector 125 has an orthogonal relationship with the circuit board 116 such that the optical signals are re-directed (e.g., by about 90°). The optical connector 125 includes a ferrule or optical module 128 that has a mounting side 129 that faces the circuit board 116. In
Also shown in
The optical connector 152 includes a ferrule or optical module 156 and at least one optical fiber 158 that is coupled to the ferrule body 156. Although not shown, the optical connector 152 may include other components. For example, the optical connector 152 may include one or more housing parts (not shown) that at least partially surround the ferrule body 156 and/or the optical fiber 158. In the illustrated embodiment, the ferrule body 156 couples to only a single optical fiber 158. In other embodiments, however, the ferrule body 156 may couple to two or more of the optical fibers 158. For example, the ferrule body 156 may couple to at least 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 32, or 64 optical fibers 158. The ferrule body 156 and each optical fiber 158 may form an optical path for directing data signals 160 in the form of light (hereinafter referred to as optical signals 160). The optical signals are shown as transmitting in both directions. In some embodiments, however, a signal path may be dedicated to transmitting the optical signals 160 in only one direction.
The communication device 154 includes an optical module 162 that is configured to interface with the ferrule body 156 such that the optical signals 160 may be transmitted therebetween along the signal axis 196. The communication device 154 also includes at least one optical fiber 164. The optical fiber 158 is communicatively coupled to the optical fiber 164 such that optical signals 160 propagating through the optical fiber 158 also propagate through the corresponding optical fiber 164. As shown, the optical signals 160 also propagate through a portion of the ferrule body 156 and a portion of the optical module 162. Collectively, a single signal pathway is formed by the optical fiber 158, the ferrule body 156, the optical module 162, and the optical fiber 164. In alternative embodiments, the communication device 154 does not include an optical module 162 or an optical fiber 164. For example, the communication device 154 may include a circuit board (not shown) having a vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) (not shown) that is positioned to emit the optical signals into the ferrule body 156.
The ferrule body 156 is configured to hold the optical fiber 158 in a designated position such that the optical signals 160 may propagate through at least a portion of the ferrule body 156. Accordingly, the ferrule body 156 may be at least partially formed from an optically transparent material, such as glass or a polymer material. For example, the ferrule body 156 may be molded to include a fiber cavity 166 that is sized and shaped to receive an end segment 168 of the optical fiber 158. As shown, the optical fiber 158 includes an angled end surface 170. The angled end surface 170 forms a non-orthogonal angle 173 with respect to a direction of propagation through the optical fiber 158 or with respect to the mating axis 195. In the illustrated embodiment, the non-orthogonal angle 173 is 45° such that the optical signals are reflected in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to an incident direction. In some embodiments, the ferrule body 156 and/or a mirror coated on the angled end surface 170 may facilitate the reflection of the optical signals. For example, a material of the ferrule body 156 adjacent to the angled end surface 170 may have a refractive index lower than the refractive index of the optical fiber 158 that facilitates the desired reflection of the optical signals 160.
The ferrule body 156 includes a side face 172 that faces the communication device 154. The side face 172 extends between a front or leading side 174 and a back or trailing side 176 of the ferrule body 156. In the illustrated embodiment, the front side 174 and the back side 176 have planar surfaces that extend perpendicular to the mating axis 195. The ferrule body 156 also includes a top side 178 that is located opposite the side face 172 and extends between the front and back sides 174, 176. The top side 178 may also be defined by a planar surface. In other embodiments, however, one or more of the front side 174, the back side 176, and the top side 178 may have non-planar surfaces. In the illustrated embodiment, the entire ferrule body 156 shown in
Also shown in
The communication device 154 may have a similar configuration as the optical connector 152. In the illustrated embodiment, the communication device 154 is identical to the optical connector 152. For example, the optical module 162 may be identical to the ferrule body 156 and is configured to hold the optical fiber 164 in a designated position such that the optical signals 160 may propagate through at least a portion of the optical module 162. Accordingly, the optical module 162 may be at least partially formed from an optically transparent material. The optical module 162 may include a fiber cavity 202 that is sized and shaped to receive an end segment 204 of the optical fiber 164.
The optical fiber 164 may also include an angled end surface 206 that is configured to direct the optical signals 160 in a designated direction. The angled end surface 206 forms a non-orthogonal angle 208 with respect to the propagating direction through the optical fiber 164. In the illustrated embodiment, the non-orthogonal angle 208 is 45° such that the optical signals are directed in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the optical fiber 164 (or the mating axis 195). In some embodiments, the optical module 162 and/or a resin coated on the angled end surface 206 may facilitate the reflection of the optical signals. For example, a material of the optical module 162 that is adjacent to the angled end surface 206 may have a refractive index relative to the refractive index of the optical fiber 164 that facilitates the desired reflection of the optical signals 160.
The optical module 162 includes a side face 210 that faces the ferrule body 156. The side face 210 extends between a front or leading side 212 and a back or trailing side 214 of the optical module 162. In the illustrated embodiment, the front side 212 and the back side 214 have planar surfaces that extend perpendicular to the mating axis 195. The optical module 162 also includes a bottom side 216 that is located opposite the side face 210 and extends between the front and back sides 212, 214. The bottom side 216 may also be defined by a planar surface. In other embodiments, however, one or more of the front side 212, the back side 214, and the bottom side 216 may have non-planar surfaces. In the illustrated embodiment, the entire optical module 162 shown in
Also shown in
The surface wipers 182, 222 are positioned along the side faces 172, 210, respectively, and spaced apart from each other. In the illustrated embodiment, the surface wiper 182 is positioned between the front side 174 and the ferrule lens 180, and the surface wiper 222 is positioned between the front side 212 and the device lens 220. Each of the surface wipers 182, 222 may comprise one or more flexible or compressible materials. In the illustrated embodiment, the surface wipers 182, 222 are identical in structure and composition, but may have different structures and/or different materials in other embodiments.
Each of the surface wipers 182, 222 may include one or more elements of a flexible or compressible material(s). For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the surface wipers 182, 222 comprise a plurality of flexible bristles or strands 186. In other embodiments, the surface wipers 182, 222 may comprise a compressible material, such as foam or a sponge. As described herein, the surface wiper 182 is configured to slide along and engage the device lens 220 of the communication device 154 during a side-mating operation. The surface wiper 222 is configured to slide along and engage the ferrule lens 180 of the optical connector 152 during the side-mating operation. In alternative embodiments, however, only one of the optical connector 152 or the communication device 154 includes a surface wiper.
In an exemplary embodiment, the surface wipers 182, 222 are molded with the ferrule body 156 and the optical module 162, respectively. For example, a base portion 228 of the corresponding surface wiper may be disposed within a mold cavity prior to the material of the corresponding body flowing into the mold cavity. The base portion 228 may be coupled to and/or formed with the ferrule body 156 or the optical module 162. The base portion 228 has a fixed position with respect to the corresponding ferrule body 156 or the corresponding optical module 162. Alternatively, the base portion 228 may be coupled to the corresponding ferrule body or optical module using an adhesive. In yet another alternative embodiment, the surface wiper may include a block of material (not shown) as a wiper base and the bristles 186 (shown in
As shown, the side face 172 and the side face 210 oppose each other during the side-mating operation. The surface wiper 182 extends away from the side face 172 and has a height 240 that is measured relative to the side face 172 along the signal axis 196. The ferrule lens 180 has a height 242 that is measured relative to the side face 172. As shown, the height 240 is greater than the height 242. By way of example, the height 240 may be at most 10 millimeters (mm). In some embodiments, the height 240 may be at most 8 mm or, more specifically, at most 6 mm. In particular embodiments, the height 240 may be at most 5 mm or at most 4 mm. In more particular embodiments, the height 240 may be at most 3 mm or at most 2 mm. In some embodiments, the height 242 is less than one-half (½) the height 240. The surface wiper 222 extends away from the side face 210 and has a height 244 that is measured relative to the side face 210. The device lens 220 has a height 246 that is measured relative to the side face 210. As shown, the height 244 is greater than the height 246. The height 244 may have similar dimensions as the height 240. In some embodiments, the height 246 is less, than one-half (½) the height 244.
Although not shown in
After the surface wipers 182, 222 clear each other during the side-mating operation, the surface wipers 182, 222 may engage the device lens 220 and the ferrule lens 180, respectively. Each of the device lens 220 and the ferrule lens 180 has a lens surface 230 that includes a curved contour that protrudes away from the respective side face. In the illustrated embodiment, the surface wiper 182, the surface wiper 222, the device lens 220, and the ferrule lens 180 are positioned relative to one another such that the surface wipers 182, 222 respectively engage the device lens 220 and the ferrule lens 180 concurrently or simultaneously. In other embodiments, however, the surface wipers 182, 222 may engage the corresponding lenses during non-overlapping time periods. For example, the surface wiper 182 may engage and wipe the device lens 220 prior to the surface wiper 222 engaging and wiping the ferrule lens 180.
As the surface wiper 182 engages the device lens 220, the surface wiper 182 flexes and/or compresses to allow the device lens 220 to move therethrough while simultaneously wiping the corresponding lens surface 230. As the surface wiper 222 engages the ferrule lens 180, the surface wiper 222 flexes and/or compresses to allow the ferrule lens 180 to move therethrough while simultaneously wiping the corresponding lens surface 230. The surface wipers 182, 222 slide along and wipe the respective device lens 220 and ferrule lens 180 to remove debris, such as dust, oil, contaminants, and the like.
Returning briefly to
The optical connector 252 may include components and features that are similar to the optical connector 152 (
As shown in
The optical connector 252 may also include a surface wiper 282. The surface wiper 282 is configured to wipe the device lens 292 during a side-mating operation. The surface wiper 282 may be similar or identical to the surface wiper 182 (
As shown in
During the side-mating operation, the surface wiper 322 may wipe the ferrule lens 310 and the surface wiper 312 may wipe the signal lens 320. When the signal lens 320 and the ferrule lens 310 are aligned as shown in
The lens array 410 may also be referred to as an optical array. In other embodiments, the optical array 410 may include a plurality of transmission surfaces in which the transmission surfaces are planar or convex.
The optical connector 452 may include components and features that are similar to the optical connector 152 (
The optical connector 452 also includes a surface wiper 482. The surface wiper 482 is configured to wipe a transmission surface 492 of the communication device 454 during a side-mating operation. The surface wiper 482 may be similar or identical to the surface wiper 182 (
In an embodiment, an optical connector is provided that includes a ferrule body having a side face. The optical connector also includes a transmission surface positioned along the side face. The transmission surface is configured to align with a device surface of a communication device for communicating optical signals therebetween. The optical connector also includes a surface wiper coupled to and extending away from the side face. The surface wiper has a height relative to the side face. The surface wiper is configured to at least one of flex or compress when engaging the device surface of the communication device during a side-mating operation.
In one aspect, the transmission surface is shaped to form a convex ferrule lens. Optionally, the height of the surface wiper is greater than a height of the ferrule lens.
In an embodiment, an optical connector is provided that includes a ferrule body having a side face and a ferrule lens coupled to the ferrule body and positioned along the side face. The ferrule lens is configured to align with a lens of a communication device for communicating optical signals therebetween. The optical connector also includes a surface wiper coupled to and extending away from the side face. The surface wiper has a height relative to the side face that is greater than a height of the ferrule lens. The surface wiper is configured to at least one of flex or compress when engaging the lens of the communication device during a side-mating operation.
In one aspect, the height of the surface wiper is at most four (4) millimeters.
In another aspect, the ferrule body is shaped to include the ferrule lens. The optical signals propagate through the ferrule body during operation of the optical connector.
In another aspect, the optical connector includes an optical fiber having an end segment that is coupled to the ferrule body. Optionally, the optical fiber includes an angled end surface that is configured to reflect the optical signals in a predetermined direction that is generally transverse to the end segment of the optical fiber. Optionally, the ferrule lens faces along a signal axis. The optical fiber extends parallel to the signal axis.
In another aspect, the ferrule body has a leading side and a trailing side that face in opposite directions along a mating axis. The side face extends between the leading and trailing sides along the mating axis. The leading side is configured to lead the optical connector during the side-mating operation. Optionally, the surface wiper is positioned between the leading side and the ferrule lens.
In another aspect, the surface wiper includes a plurality of flexible strands that project away from the side face.
In an embodiment, an optical arrangement is provided that includes an optical connector having a ferrule body having a side face and a transmission surface that is positioned along the side face. The transmission surface faces in a first direction along a signal axis. The optical arrangement also includes a communication device that has an optical module having a side face and a transmission surface that is positioned along the side face of the optical module. The transmission surface of the communication device faces in a second direction along the signal axis that is opposite the first direction. The optical arrangement also includes a surface wiper that is coupled to the side face of the ferrule body or the side face of the optical module. The optical connector and the communication device are configured to mate with each other during a side-mating operation in which the side faces of the ferrule body and the optical module move parallel to each other along a mating axis that is perpendicular to the signal axis. The surface wiper is configured to wipe the transmission surface of the opposing side face during the side-mating operation.
In an embodiment, an optical arrangement is provided that includes an optical connector. The optical connector includes a ferrule body having a side face and a lens that is coupled to the ferrule body and positioned along the side face. The lens faces in a first direction along a signal axis. The optical arrangement also includes a communication device. The communication device has an optical module including a side face and a lens that is coupled to the optical module and positioned along the side face of the optical module. The lens of the communication device faces in a second direction along the signal axis that is opposite the first direction. The optical arrangement also includes a surface wiper coupled to the side face of the ferrule body or the side face of the optical module. The optical connector and the communication device are configured to mate with each other during a side-mating operation in which the side faces of the ferrule body and the optical module move parallel to each other along a mating axis that is perpendicular to the signal axis. The surface wiper is configured to wipe the lens of the opposing side face during the side-mating operation.
In one aspect, the surface wiper is a first surface wiper that is coupled to the side face of the optical connector. The optical arrangement also includes a second surface wiper that is coupled to the side face of the communication device. The first surface wiper is configured to wipe the lens of the communication device, and the second surface wiper is configured to wipe the lens of the optical connector during the side-mating operation.
In another aspect, the first and second surface wipers and the lenses of the optical connector and the communication device are positioned relative to each other such that the first and second surface wipers concurrently engage the corresponding lenses during the side-mating operation.
In another aspect, the height of the surface wiper is at most four (4) millimeters with respect to the side face that the surface wiper is coupled to.
In another aspect, the ferrule body is shaped to include the lens. The optical signals propagate through the ferrule body during operation of the optical connector.
In another aspect, the optical connector includes an optical fiber having an end segment that is coupled to the ferrule body. Optionally, the optical fiber includes an angled end surface that is configured to reflect the optical signals in a predetermined direction that is generally transverse to the segment of the optical fiber. Optionally, the optical fiber extends parallel to the signal axis.
In another aspect, the ferrule body has a leading side and a trailing side that face in opposite directions along a mating axis. The side face extends between the leading and trailing sides along the mating axis. The leading side is configured to lead the optical connector during the side-mating operation.
In another aspect, the surface wiper includes a plurality of flexible strands that project away from the corresponding side face. The surface wiper is configured to at least one of flex or compress when engaging the corresponding lens during the side-mating operation.
In another aspect, the surface wiper is coupled to the side face of the optical connector and has a height relative to the side face of the optical connector that is greater than a height of the lens of the optical connector.
It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Dimensions, types of materials, orientations of the various components, and the number and positions of the various components described herein are intended to define parameters of certain embodiments, and are by no means limiting and are merely exemplary embodiments. Many other embodiments and modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
As used in the description, the phrase “in an exemplary embodiment” and the like means that the described embodiment is just one example. The phrase is not intended to limit the inventive subject matter to that embodiment. Other embodiments of the inventive subject matter may not include the recited feature or structure. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, in the following claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in means—plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. §112(f), unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statement of function void of further structure.