Linsenstecker zum Aufbau kompakter Freistrahlanordnungen für mehrere Lichtleitfasern

摘要

The invention aims to simplify the structure of compact optical free-beam systems for several optical fibres. To permit simply assembly and automatic adjustment of different optical elements, such as ball lenses, GRIN lenses, lens fields or such like, on an optical axis common with the optical fibres and to achieve high transmission quality the invention provides for a lens connector having two halves, notably a lower part and an upper part. At least one connector half comprises several fibre-centering structures for centering the optical fibres radially and axially parallel. At least one connector half which adjoins the connection-side end of a fibre-centering structure has a lens-receiving structure which serves to house and coaxially align an optical element in relation to the optical fibre. The fibre-centering structures and lens-receiving structures are arranged in at least two planes such that the optical fibres can be housed in the lens connector with a laying length. The fibre-centering structures and the lens-receiving structures are integral parts of the moulded connector halves, which permits inexpensive mass production of the lens connector.