OPTICAL CONNECTION TO BACKPLANES

摘要

Means for effecting a disconnectable optical connection between an optical guide carried by a circuit board and an optical guide carried by or associated with a backplane comprises in combination a two-part plug and socket mechanical connector and a two-part plug and socket optical fibre connector. One part of the mechanical connector is movable to a limited extent with respect to the backplane or circuit board on which it is carried and the other part of the mechanical connector is fixedly secured to a circuit board or to the backplane. One part of the optical fibre connector is housed in and fixedly secured with respect to the fixed part of the mechanical connector and the other part of the optical fibre connector is slidably mounted in and with respect to the movable part of the mechanical connector and is urged by a spring towards the mating end of the movable part of the mechanical connector. The optical connecting means can accommodate any play between a circuit board and the rack in which the circuit board is disposed.