Demountable optical fibre connector - uses axial compression generated by buckling fibres with retracting piston in plug to protect fibre when disconnected

摘要

The protective sleeve is stripped back from the fibre and the fibre is threaded progressively into a guiding sleeve positioned centrally to mate the fibre ends together with the required precision. Each of the fibres, in being brought together, is buckled so that the ends are held in contact with an effective but not excessive pressure to ensure good light transmission using the force provided by the elasticity of the fibres themselves. The guide has a cylindrical body with a central channel of diameter close to that of the fibres with conically flared ends. The fibres are guided to slide on the inside of the flare into the channel. The guide is fixed by the flared ends to the body of the connector. The tubular plug has a conical washer which grips the sleeving of the fibre by compression. It contains a sliding piston held by a compression spring positioned by a washer which protrudes to protect the delicate fibre if the connection is removed. The cap of the plug is screwed onto the body of the connector retracting the piston and allowing the fibre to slide into the guiding sleeve. There is a friction washer between the cap and the plug body.