CA1097964A - Connector for flat ribbon optical fiber cables - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract of the Disclosure A connector for use with a flat ribbon cable con-taining a plurality of optical fibers supported in a flexible matrix. The connector includes a substantially flat housing member having a rear opening corresponding in size and shape to a flat cable to be received. The opening has associated therewith means for anchoring the cable. Passageways through the housing are provided for the individual fibers to be received and anchored within fiber retaining members such that the fiber ends are accessible at the front of the housing to be coupled to fibers within a mated connector. The fiber retaining members are in turn adapted to be received into an abutting relationship within an alignment means which maintains the mated fibers in axial alignment when the connectors are mated. The housing also has associated therewith a latching means on both sides of the flat housing adapted to corres-ponding members of the mated connector to align the respective members and to maintain the abutting relationship when the respective connectors are mated.

Description

91LI,011 97'~

CONNECTOR FOR FLAT ~IBBON OPTICAL FIBER C~BLES

This invention relates to fiber optic connectors and in particular to such connectors adapted for use with flat ribbon cables containing a plurality of optical fibers such as may be particularly useful in data communication systems.
The concept of using optical fibers in data communications is now well established. See~ for example, ` "Fiber Optic Developments Spark Worldwide Interest", R. Gundlach, Electronics~ August 5, 1976. Regardless of the desirable features of interference-free, large band-width communications which are envisioned, the commercial utilization of such data transmitting links has been impeded by the problems of making reliable, inexpensive ~` and low-loss connection between fibers or between a given fiber and an associated optical element such as a light source or photodetector. Such connections must address at least three types of problems, axial allgnment, longitudinal alignment or gap between associated members ` and angular alignment.
Axial alignment is commonly achieved by use of precision sleeves which conform precisely to the outer diameter of the fiber, thereby guiding flbers inserted therein into axial position such that they may then be secured in place. U.S. Patent Nos. 3,972,585, 4,005,522, and 4,oo8,g48 (Dalgleish et al) depict various connectors employing sleeves into which exposed fiber ends are ~ directly inserted. ' :`:

While various systems have been disclosed using fiber optic receiver-transmitter modules, see, for example, U.S. Patent Nos. 3,809,908 (Clanton) and 4,019gO48 (Malone et al), such systems are complex, utilize non-standardized componenks, and may not be amenable to data communication links where a multiplicity of discrete optical fibers are provided for coupling between a given light source and photodetector.
Recently, a fiber opti.cal cable system has been introduced by Quadri Corporation, Tempe, Ari~.ona (Model 2403) which includes a single optical fiber cable connect-ing a transmitter module to a receiver module. That system is designed for use with 12.5 mm centered card cage assemblies and requires separate interfacing receiver and transmitter modules and provides for only one way slgnal flow.
In contrast to prior art optical fiber connectors and communicatlons s~stems in which a bundle of cables are provided or in which isolated fibers are included in a coaxial-like cable, the present invention is directed to a fiber optic data link system based on the use of a flat rib~on cable containing a plurality of optical fibers supported in a flexible matrix. The advantages of such cables in conventional electrical communications links are now well known, and include advantages including low cost construction, ease of installation in existing building, and low profile, thus achieving an inconspicuous appearance.
Despite such known advantages in electrical applications, flat ribbon cables containing optical fibers are not L~3~

commercially avallable.
The de~elopmen~ of such a cable has led to the connector of the present invention, which connector inrlude~, a substantially flat housing member having internal support means defining a passageway corresponding in shape and size to a cable to be used therewith. The passageway provides access for fibers of the cable received into the housing to protrude beyond the support means and in~o a channel wlthin the housing such that the ; 10 ends of the fiber terminate proximate an opening through a front portion of the housing memberO The fiber ends are thus accessible through the opening and ma~ be optically coupled to fibers within a mated connector abutting the front portion.
The connector further includes a plurality of fiber retaining members, each of which is adapted to be positioned within a corresponding channel in the housing member in axial alignment with the fiber. Each of these members have a smooth substantially cylindrical periphery and have a circular bore extending therethrough along the cylindrical axls for receiving an end of a fiber and for permanently anchoring the fiber end therein substantially ~.o-planar with the end of the bore, the ends of the fiber and of the retaining member being substantially normal to the axis of the bore.
- An alignment means is also provided, having a plurality o~ bores extending therethrough of substantially the same size and shape as the cylindrical periphery of the retalning members. Each bore of the allgnment means .

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is thus adapted to receive one of the retaining members in close fitting relationship at one end~ and to receive another retaining member of a mated connector into the other end so as to butt against the first member, thus optically coupling the fibers. Typically, the optical fibers have a circular cross-section, hence the retaining member will preferably comprise a tube having a circular cross-section, the inside diameter o~ which is slightly larger than the diameter of a fiber to be used therewith such that the fiber may be inserted and anchored therein, such as by a suitable adhesive while yet maintaining the fiber axially centered within. The outside diameter of such tubes are preferably slightly rounded at the end to facilitate insertion into the alignment meansO Further, each retaining member is preferably constructed to include a flange to be fitted into the housing in order to position and anchor the member.
Likewise, in that the bore of each alignment member is adapted to receive the periphery, i.e.~ the out-side diameter, of retaining members in close fittingrelationship, the ends of those bores are preferably sllghtly flared. Preferably, the alignment means comprises a plurality of sleeves having an lnside diameter slightly greater than that of the outside diaméter of the fiber retaining tubes. In such an embodiment, each of the sleeves and tubes preferably include flanges o~ substan-tially the same radial size and shape such that when one end of the retaining member is inserted approximately half-way into the bore of the alignment member, both flanges are ., - 5 -' butted together. The channels in the housing are also : shaped to receive and lock together in axial al,ignment each fiber retaining tube at least partially inserted into one end of its companion sleeve and to position the alignment sleeves such that their ends are accessible through the opening in the front portion of the housing for optical coupling to the mated connector. Preferably, the channels in the housing are provided with cavities corresponding to the dimensions of the butted-up flanges such that the butted-up members inserted into the cavities are anchored within the housing, while yet allowing limited movement bet~een the members to relieve strains on the fibers.
, The connector may be utilized to optically couple : together a pair of flat ribbon cables enclosing a plurality of optical fibers in which case the housings of the conneckor and a mating connector are each shaped to receive and anchor an end of a ribbon cable. Alternatlvely, the connector may also be utiliz,ed to optically couple fibers within a flat ribbon cable to an associated optical element such as a ].ight source or photodetector.
Figure 1 is an exploded view of a connector assembly utili~ing the connector of the present invention '. to couple a flat ribbon optical fiber cable to a termina-, tion connector, Figure 2 is a similar exploded view of connectors o~ the present invention adapted for coupling or splicing ' together flat ribbon optical fiber cables; and Figure 3 is a cross section of the connector ', ' assembly of Figure 1.
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A preferred embodiment of the connector of the present invention is shown in an exploded view ln Figure 1.
The connector 10 is adapted for coupling to a flat ribbon optlcal fiber cable 12 containing a pair of optical fibers 14 and 16, and Gomprises two identical housing members 18 and 20, together with a pair of fiber retaining members 22 and 24, respectively, and a matching pair of alignment sleeves 26 and 28. The housing members 18 and 20 are preferably injection molded of a thermoplastic such as polycarbonate or the like. Each member includes projecting pins such as the pins 30 and 32 on member 20 which mate with corresponding openings in the respective opposite member, such as openings 34 and 36 in member 18 such that when the members are pressed together, the pins are pressed into the holes to maintain the connector halves together in appropriate alignment. The interior of the housing members 18 and 20 are shaped to provide a rear opening 38 into a cable support section 40 which defines a passageway corresponding in size and shape to a cable such as that of the cable 12 which is to be received and anchored in the housing. The section 40 has an extended planar portion into which the flexible matrix of the cable 12 may be inserted. The flat portion is provided with a projecting pin 42 which mates with a similar pin in the half 18 of the housing. When a cable 12 is to be assembled with the connector, a hole 44 is punched between the fibers 14 and 16 through the flexible matrix of the cable 12. This hole `~ thus anchors the cable on the pin 42 wlkhin the housing and relieves strain on the optical fibers should pressure .

be placed on the cable independent of the connector housing.
Furthermore, the positioning of a hole 44 in the end of the cable facilitates subsequent jigging operatlons in order to appropriately position the ends of the fiber within 5 associated connector elements. Extending forward of the passageway 40 and in general alignment with the axis of the optical fibers within the cable ].2 are channel means through which the fibers may extend and which includes a pair of larger cavities 46 and 48, respectively. The channel means thus includes a pair of small openings lead-ing from the passageway 40 into the larger cavities 46 and 48, and larger axial openings 54 and 56 which terminate at a forward portion 58 of the connector housing. Each of the cavities 46 and 48 is adapted to receive one of the retaining members 22 or 24 inserted into one of the align-ment members 26 or 28, respectively.
The fiber retaining members 22 and 24 comprise a short section of stainless steel tubing press fitted into brass flanges 60 and 62 such that a short end protrudes 20 beyond one side of the flanges, facilitating alignment of the members within the small openings from the passageway Lio. Such tubing is commercially obtainable in a variety of inside and outside diametersg and is thus readily selected to provide an inside diameter slightly greater than that of 25 the optical fibers to be utilized therewith. Accordingly, - an optical fiber 14 or 16 may be inserted into the retain-ing members 22 or 24 such that the end of the fiber is subst~ntially co-planar with the end of the retaining member 22 or 24. The fiber is then permanently secured within tlle retaining member such as with an epoxy resin.
The outside diameter of the members 22 and 24 is similarly selected to be received into a close fitting relationship within the alignment members 26 or 28. The radial flanges 5 60 and 62 are of appropriate size to fit within the larger cavities 46 and 48 while allowing for a slight radial and axial movement therein, thereby providing for strain relief for the fibers and limited freedom of movement to opt~mize optical coupling therebetween.
The alignment members 26 and 28 are also prefer-ably constructed of brass and are fabricated to have an inside diameter which is slightly greater than the outside diameter of the retaining sleeves 22 and 24. ~he alignment members 26 and 28 are also provided with radial flanges 64 and 66 of similar size and shape as the flanges 60 and 62 such that when the retaining members 22 and 24 are inserted into the alignment members 26 and 28, the flanges abutt and may be Jointly received into one of the cavities 46 or 48.
The forward portion of each alignment member 26 or 28 is 20 thus adapted to fit into the forward portions of the channels 54 and 56 in axial ali~nment with the cable 12 such that the forward opening portions thereof are accessible through the front portion 58 of the housing.
When thus assembled, the fiber retaining members 22 and 24 25 having the ends of the fibers 14 and 16 permanently anchored coplanar therewith are inserted approximately half-way into the alignment members 26 and 28. These assembled members are received into the cavity such that the forward end of each alignment member 26 and 28 protrudes a slight distance ahead of the front portion 58 of the housing. Each align-ment member 26 and ~8 is preferably flared on botn ends to facilitat.e entry of a retaining member 22 or 24 into the rear opening and to further facilitate entry of a similar retaining member of a mated connector into the front open-ing.
The connector further includes a latch providing means for engaging the connectors such as a pair of resilient fingers 68 and 70, having latching detents 72 and 74 on the forward ends, which fingers are adapted to mate with corresponding members on a mated connector.
The connector halves 18 and 20 are preferably formed of an injection molded plastic and are of identical construction. The upper half 18 thus includes the same cavities as those shown in the lower half 20. When the halves are mated together, portions of each half cooperate to complete the inner cavities. Similarly, the resilient fingers 68 and 70 on the lower half 20 have corresponding counterparts 76 and 77 in the other connector half 18.
In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the connec-tor 10 is adapted for use with a flat ribbon optical fiber cable 12 having a pair of optical fibers approximately .25 mm diameter embedded within an extruded flexible vinyl matrix having an outer width approximately 12.5 mm and approximately 1.5 mm thick. The optical fibers are spaced apart approximately 7 mm. In such an embodiment, the connector housings 18 and 20 are approximately 3mm thick, approximately 25 mm overall width~ and are approximately 32 mm in overall length. The platform 40 is shaped to j4 contain the 7 mm by 1.5 mm cable 12. Accordingly, the platform portion of each half of the housing 18 and 20 comprises a recess approximately .75 mm by 12.5 mm. The projections 42 are similarly shaped to abutt with each other when the housings are assembled so as to mate with a hole 44 punched in the cable 12.
The retaining stainless steel sleeves 22 and 24 have an inside diameter approximately -.33 mm so as to be able to receive the fibers 14 and 16. The fibers are anchored therein by a suitable resin such as epoxy resin Type 96-083 manufactured by Dow Corning Corporation. In the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 1, the ~langes 60, 62 ~ 64 and 66 have an outside diameter approximately 4. 5 mm and inside diameters enabling them to be press fit onto the 15 steel tubing.
The companion mated connector 78 shown in the left portion of ~igure 1 is adapted to provide a termina-tion interface between optical signals on a flber cable such as the cable 12 and corresponding electrlcal signals.
The connector 78 includes a housing formed of two identical molded plastic support members 80 and 82, which members are in turn sandwiched between a base member 84 and a cover plate 86. The connector further includes a circuit board 88 on which are positioned electronic circuit components 25 shown generally as 90 as desired for a given application.
The connector 78 further includes a pair of fiber retaining members 92 and 94 within which may be anchored short optical fibers 96 and 98 to provide optical coupling between associated optical elements within the electronic circuit module 90 and optlcal fibers in the other connector 10. The housing halves 80 and 82 are desirably formed of molded plastic such as a polycarbonate resin or the like.
Each half contains at least one pro~ecting pin 100 and a corresponding opening 102 such that when the halves are assembled, the pin 100 of one half of the housing is received into a corresponding hole such as the opening 104 in the opposite housing half. The cover member 86 is desirably also formed of injection molded plastic and includes a plurality of projecting pins, three of which are shown as elements 106, 108 and 110, respectlvely. These pins are designed to be inserted through matchlng holes shown as elements 112, 114 and 116 in side legs of the members 80 and 82. The base member 84 is similarly provid-ed with a plurality of openings through which the pinscorresponding to elements 106, 108 and ]10 may be inserked when the connector is assembled. Following assemblage, the projecting pins may then be staked to permanently lock the assembly together. A rear end portion 118 on the cover 20 plate 86 closes the rear portion of the termination connector 78 while allowing access for electrical connec-tions 120 to extend from the eleckronic module 90. The fiber retaining members 92 and 94 are subskantially identical to the retaining members 22 and 24 in the firsk recited connector 10 and are made of skainless steel tubing press-fit within brass flanges 124 and 126. These members fit within appropriately shaped recesses 128 and 130 within the support members 80 and 82 such that the front end pro-trudes beyond a front portion 131 Or the members 80 and 82.

The optical fibers 96 and 98 may be permanently anchored within the retaining members 92 and 94 with a front end of the fibers substantially co~planar with the ends of the members 92 and 94. The rear end of the fibers may then be optically coupled to associated optical elements (not shown) within the electronic module 90~ such as by a trans-parent adhesive, mechanical clips or the like.
The support members 80 and 82 are further shaped to have matching latch means such as the indented portions positioned on the opposite sides of the members, one of which is shown as element 132. The indented portions are thus adapted to receive the ends of the resilient fingers 72 and 74 and 76 and 77 of the first recited connector so as to lock the connectors together and maintain the respective fiber retaining members substantially butted together and in axial alignment within the alignment members 26 and 28.
While the members shown in Figure l may all be formed of injection molded plastic, in a particularly preferred embodiment, the base member 84 may be desirably constructed to include a heat conducting metal or the like having means such as a corrugated outer surface for provid-ing additional heat dissipation. In such an instance, the circuit board 88 may be desirably constructed of an insulating material such as an electronic grade ceramic.
In the connector 10 shown in the right portion of Figure l, the alignment members 26 and 28 are included within the housing members 18 and 20 and the fiber retaln-ing members 22 and 24 are inserted into one end of the ~ 13 -alignment members 26 and 28. When the connectors 10 and 78 are mated, the second set of retaining members 92 and 94 retained within the members 80 and 82 of the mated connector 78 are inserted into the alignment members 26 and 28 such that the front portions of both sets o~ fiber retaining members are abutted together~ thereby optically coupling together the fibers anchored therein. Similarlyg it is within the scope of the present invention that the alignment members 26 and 28 may be positioned in either of the mated connectors, it being essential only that the f'iber retain~
ing members nf each connector be inserted into the align-ment members such that the retaining members become butted together in axial alignment so as to appropriately opti-cally couple the optical fibers retained therein.
In another embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 2, the connectors are adapted to couple or splice together a pair of flat ribbon optical fiber cables.
In such an embodiment, the housinL of connector 134 is formed of inJection molded plastic in identical members 138 and 140, while the housing of connector 136 is inJection molded in two identical members 160 and 162. ~he connector 134 is substantially the same as the connector 10 shown in Figure 1 and includes an opening into a platform 142 having means such as a pro;ection thereon for receiving and anchor-ing a flat ribbon optical fiber cable 144 having a pair ofoptical fibers 146 and 148 therein. The respective housing members 138 and 140 also include a pair of channels into which may be received a pair of fiber retaining members 150 and 152 inserted into and abutted against respective Ei4 ~.

alignment members 154 and 156, and resilient fingers 194 ~
196, 198 and 200 proximate the side portions of the respec-tive housing members as described in con;unction with Figure 1. A ~ront porti~n 158 of the housing formed from members 138 and 140 is provided with openings through which the front of the alignment members 154 and 156 may protrude, thus allowing access into the retaining members 150 and 152 for optically coupling to the fibers 146 and 148 anchored therein.
In this embodiment, the mated connector 136 is provided with an opening into a platform 164 for receiving and anchoring a cable 166. The platform includes a p.ro;ection 168 which mates with a hole 170 punched between the optical fibers 172 and 174 o~ the cable 166 such that 15 the cable is anchored within the housing when the members 160 and 162 are assembled by inserting the mating projec-tions 188 and 190 into corresponding holes in the opposite members. The connector 136 also includes a pair of fiber retaining members 176 and 178 into which the fibers 172 and 20 174 of the cable 166 may be anchored such that the ends of the fibers are substantially parallel with the front end of the retaining members 176 and 178. When these members are inserted into the corresponding cavities 184 and 186 and the members 160 and 162 are pressed together, the fiber ends of the two cables 144 and 166 may then be coupled by press-ing the connector halves together, such that the ends of the respective sets of fiber retaining means 150 and 152 and 176 and 178, respectively, are butted together within the alignment means 154 and 156. When thus inserted~ the resilient fingers 194, 196, 198 and 200 of the rlght hand connector 134 are received into the indented por~ions 202 of the mated connector 136 so as to lock the respective members substantially butted together and in axial align-ment.
While the connectors shown in Figures 1 and 2 are depicted for use with a flat ribbon cable having a pair of optical fibers contained therein, it ls similarly within the scope of the present in~ention that the connectors may be expanded so as to provide for coupling of any number of optical ~ibers contained within a flat ribbon type cable.
Similarly, while the connectors are depicted as having mechanical means for aligning and maintaining each connector half in an aligned relationship, it is similarly within the scope of the invention that the connector halves may be heat-fused or bonded together adhesively, and may be of dissimilar shapes depending upon the specific applica-tions required. Similarly, while in the embodiments shown in Figures 1 and 2 the housings anchor the optical fibers via a projection mating with holes punched in the cables, it is similarly within the scope of the present invention that other mechanical holding means such as a molded bar across the platform 142 and 164 may similarly be utilized.
The details of the mated connectors adapted ~or coupling a flat ribbon optical cable to a termination module are shown in the cross-sectional view of Figure 3 in which the connectors are slightly spaced apart for improved clarity. In this ~igureg a connector 204 sub-stantially like ~hat of Figure 1, is shown to have secured 6~a , thereto a flat ribbon optical fiber cable 206 in which a pair o~ optical ~ibers 208 and 210 are embedded. The cable is anchored to the housing 204 by means of a projecting pin 212 which protrudes through a similarly shaped opening in the cable 206 between the fibers 208 and 210. The ~ibers 208 and 210 thus protrude in axial alignment with the cable through the channels 213 and 214 and enter a respective fiber retaining member 216 and 218 within which the fiber ends are permanently anchored by means of a suit-able adhesive such as the epoxy resin type 96~083 manu-factured by Dow Corning Corporation.
During assembly of the connector and optical fiber cable, once the opening into which the pro~ecting pln 212 is to be inserted has been punched within the cable 206, such that a suitable length of the cable pro-trudes beyond the location of the hole, the flexible matrix of the cable is then removed such that a suitable length of fibers 208 and 210 extends beyond the end of the flexible matrix. The cable is subsequently inserted into a suitable jig (not shown) having a projecting pin and cavlties into which the cable and the fiber retaining members 216 and 218 are positioned, such that the location of the retaining members may be accurately positioned with respect to the opening through the cable. The optical fibers are inserted into the retaining members and are then cut off slightly projecting beyond the forward ends. The fibers are then permanently anchored therein as described above. The respective ends are ground and polished smooth. Preferably~ the ends of the fibers may .

thus become recessed within the ends of the respective retaining members, thereby avoiding subsequent chipping or scratching of the fiber ends. When the fibers and respec-tive retaining members are thus assembled, they are inserted into the alignment members 224 and 226 such that the flanges on both sets of members are butted together. The butted together ~langes are then inserted within the cavities 228 and 230 of the housing assembly and the respective halves of the assembly are pressed together as described herein-above.
In a similar fashion, the termination connector234 includes a housing member which is adapted to mate with the housing of connector 204. Thus the housing 234 includes a front portion 236 which is adapted to mate with the front portion 231 of the first recited connector 204. The connector 234 further includes a pair of retaining members 238 and 240, which members have anchored therein short sections of optical fibers 242 and 244. The fibers 242 and 244 are permanently anchored within the respective retain-ing members 238 and 240 by suitable adhesive means asdescribed hereinbefore such thak the fiber ends are proximate the front portion of the retaining members. The members are then mounted within corresponding cavities within the housing 234 so as to maintain the optical fibers in axial alignment with the front portion 236 of the hous-ing 234. Upon coupling of the connector 234 with the connector 204, the retaining members 238 and 240 are inserted into the alignment members 224 and 226 of the connector 204 so as to cause the optical fibers therewithin 7~

to be optically coupled. The end portions of the fibers 242 and 244 are optically coupled to a light source 246 and to a photodetector 248, respectively, mounted within the elec-tronic module 250. In a preferred embodiment, the light source 246 may be a light emitting diode such as Type FPX-2000, manufactured by Fairchild Semiconductor Corpora-tion. Similarly, in a pref'erred embodiment, the photo-detector 248 may be a photodiode such as Type C-30807 manufactured by RCA Corporation. Electrical inputs and out-puts to and from the light source 246 and photodetector 248may be provided in a conventional manner such as by leads (not shown).
Preferably, the allgnment members 224 and 226 are tapered at both ends to facilitate entry to the respective retaining members 216, 218 and 238, 240. Further, the forward portion 236 of the housing 234 is shaped such that when the retaining members 238 and 240 are inserted into the corresponding cavities there provided, the forward ends of the retaining members protrude beyond the plane of the front portion such that the end of the retaining members and the respective optical f'iber anchored therein may be ground and polished as described hereinabove. ~lso, the front portion 236 is desirably relieved such that the correspond-ing front portion 231 may be entered into the relieved portion 236 to provide a f'irm connection while the resilient fingers 252 and 254 are mated with the corres-ponding indent portions 256 and 258 of the housing 234.
By thus first positioning the optical fibers 242 and 244 within their respective retaining members 238 and 240, t~le other end of the fibers may then be connected to the respective associated optical element to maximize optical coupling. In the event a light emitting diode is used as the light source 246, the positioning may particul-arly be optimized inasmuch as such diodes frequently emitnonuniformly across the light emitting surface. According-ly, the most optimum position for the fiber with respect to the emitting surface of the source 246 may be determined by monitoring the light output at the forward end of the fiber 242 and by then permanently anchoring the fiber adjacent the particular portion of the light emitting surface found to correspond to the maximum light output. When the fibers are permanently anchored such as by means of a suitable light transmitting adhesive, the respective halves of housing 23l1 may be joined as described hereinabove, thus completing the connector assemblies.
In the embodiments described hereinabove, the flat connector housings are shown to include resilient fingers providing means for engaging the respective connectors. It is similarly within the scope of the present invention that such latch means may also include captured screws and associated threaded portions in the mated connector. Likewise, additional sealing means such as rubber and outer shrouds and the like may be included to provide environmental protection. In a further pre-ferred embodiment, the cavity within which the electronic module 250 is positioned may be provided with electrical shielding means to minimize electrical interference.
Having thus described the invention, we claim:

Claims (12)

914,011 The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A connector for use with a flat cable contain-ing a plurality of optical fibers supported in a flexible matrix, and disposed parallel to each other, comprising a) a substantially flat housing member having i) internal support means defining a passageway corresponding in shape and size to a said cable for receiving and anchoring thereat an end of a said cable such that fibers of a cable received into the housing member may protrude beyond said support means, ii) means for securing said flexible matrix for anchoring said cable to said housing member while yet avoiding strain on the fibers such that repeated insertions and withdrawals of the connector is facilitated without weakening the fibers, and iii) channel means in general alignment with said support means for receiving the fibers of a said cable with the ends of the fibers terminating proximate an opening through a front portion of the housing member to enable the fiber ends to be optically coupled to fibers within a mated connector abutting said front portion, b) a plurality of fiber retaining members adapted to be positioned within said channel means in the housing member, in axial alignment with the fibers, each of said retaining members having a smooth substantially cylindrical periphery and circular bore extending there-through along the cylindrical axis and through which an end of an optical fiber of said cable may be inserted and anchored substantially coplanar with one end of the bore, the ends of the fiber and of the retaining member being substantially normal to the axis of the bore, c) an alignment means having bores extending therethrough of substantially the same size and shape as the cylindrical periphery of the retaining members for receiving each said fiber retaining members into one end thereof and for receiving into the other end thereof fiber retaining members of a mated connector enabling the respective received members to be butted together to optically couple fibers enclosed therein while maintaining the thus coupled fibers in axial alignment, and d) engagement means positioned proximate side portions of the housing member having members adapted to be coupled to corresponding members of a said mated connector to cause said retaining members to be aligned with and received into the alignment means and to be main-tained in said abutting relationship within the alignment means.

2. A connector according to claim 1, wherein the alignment means comprises at least a pair of sleeves anchored within the channel means of the housing member, one end of which terminates proximate the front portion of the housing member to enable a portion of the fiber retaining members of the first recited connector to be inserted in close fitting relationship and to enable fiber retaining members of the mated connector to be inserted therein and butted against the other fiber retaining members.

3. A connector according to claim 2, wherein the fiber retaining members and the alignment sleeves both include flanges of substantially the same size and shape periphery, the flange on the fiber retaining members being positioned along those members such that when one end of one of those members is inserted approximately half way into the bore of the alignment sleeve, both flanges are butted together, and wherein the channel means of the housing member includes cavities of approximately the same size and shape as the butted together flanges such that the thus assembled members are anchored within the housing member when inserted into the cavities.

4. A connector according to claim 3, wherein the butted together flanges are mated with the cavity within the housing member to allow a slight radial and axial movement of the flanges within the cavity, thereby providing strain relief for the fibers and freedom for movement to optimize optical coupling therebetween.

5. A connector according to claim 1, wherein the engagement means comprises resilient fingers including detent means for mating with corresponding means of the mated connector when at least a predetermined threshold force is applied between the respective connectors.

6. A connector according to claim 1, wherein the internal support means of the housing member includes mechanical holding means adapted to mate with an opening through the cable positioned so as not to interfere with the optical fibers thereof for anchoring said flexible matrix of the cable to the housing while yet avoiding strain on the fibers such that repeated insertions and withdrawals of the respective connectors and associated pressure on the cable is facilitated without weakening of the optical fibers.

7. A connector according to claim 1, wherein said housing member comprises two identical halves, each half having a surface adapted to mate with the other half, said surface having positioned thereon index pins and openings such that the halves may be mated by inserting the pins into corresponding holes to maintain alignment of the respective halves.

8. A connector according to claim 1, wherein said housing is formed of injection molded plastic.

9. A connector according to claim 1, wherein said mated connector comprises another set of fiber retaining means, and another substantially flat housing member having a passageway for receiving at least a pair of optical fibers such that said fibers may protrude into the passageway and may be anchored within said another set of fiber retaining means, said another housing member having an opening at a front portion through which the second set of fiber retaining means may protrude to facilitate mating with the fiber retaining means of the first recited connector, and another engagement means adapted for mating with the latch means of the other connector housing, the connectors inter-acting such that optical fibers inserted into and anchored within associated fiber retaining members are optically coupled when the respective fiber retaining members are inserted into the alignment means such that the ends of the respective retaining members and the fibers therein are butted together with the fiber ends adjacent each other and are maintained in axial alignment upon connection of the mated connectors.

10. A connector according to claim 9, wherein said mated connector includes a housing comprising two identical halves, each half having a surface adapted to mate with the other half, said surface having positioned thereon index pins and openings such that the housing may be assembled by pressing the surfaces together, the pins being received into corresponding holes to maintain alignment of the respective halves.

11. A connector according to claim 1, wherein the mated connector is adapted for terminating an optical data link and comprises another set of fiber retaining means and a housing for receiving and positioning therein said another set of fiber retaining means adapted for receiving and anchoring optical fibers therein and an electronic cir-cuit means including an associated optical element such as a light source or photodetector such that optical fibers anchored within said another set of fiber retaining means provides optical coupling between the associated optical elements and optical fibers of the first recited connector upon connection of the mated connectors.

12. A connector according to claim 10, wherein said housing member of said mated connector includes internal support means proximate said passageway for receiving and anchoring therein an end of another cable containing at least a pair of optical fibers such that said fibers of that cable may protrude into the passageway and be anchored within said another set of fiber retaining means.