Optical fiber connector

• Main Authors: Inagaki, Takeo, Takeda, Kunihiko, Watanabe, Akira, Endo, Shigeru, Tokai, Yoshio
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 09.03.2004

The present invention relates to an optical fiber connector for connecting an optical fiber wire (core, clad sections) to another optical fiber wire according to a fixed type connecting technique or a detachable type connecting technique. In the connection of the optical fiber wires, it is required to align each axis of two optical passages to be connected, to minimize the connection space, and to include a retaining mechanism capable of preventing any invasion of foreign materials, such as dust, vapor and water. A pair of ferrule holders for retaining a pair of optical fiber wires positioned opposed to each other through an adapter B are rotated simultaneously by rotating an outer ring to correct the displacement of the axes of the optical fiber wires. Further, a rotating stopper portion on the shaft of the ferrule holder is moved in conjunction with an elastic rotating stopper plate disposed at the adapter B to retain the corrected position. A silicone low crosslinking-density gel having the refractive index substantially equal to that of the optical fiber wires is filled in a connection space to minimize the connection space The function of the silicone low crosslinking-density gel can cope with any variance of external environment to retain the junction of the optical fiber wires and prevent any deterioration of optical transmittance.