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US5533159A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Module for optical fiber communication

Assignee: Alps Alpine Co Ltd
•
Filing: 1995-01-10
•
Granted: 1996-07-02
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Expires: 2015-01-10
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Abstract

Abstract A module for optical communication, adapted to prevent light from being reflected on the end surface of an optical fiber when a ferrule is inserted therein, and to increase the precision with which the positioning of an end surface of the optical fiber is performed. In the module, the circumference of an anti-reflection transparent film is held in a groove of a stopper member and is pressed against the inner circumference of an elastic sleeve. When the ferrule is inserted in the sleeve, the film adheres to the end surfaces of the optical fiber and the ferrule closely and securely. Thus, no air layer is formed between the film and the end surface of the optical fiber. Laser light is not reflected on the end surface of the optical fiber. The end surface of the ferrule adheres closely to a positioning face of the stopper member, though the film intervenes therebetween. The position of the ferrule is determined so that an image point, at which an image is formed from laser light, is coincident with the end surface of the optical fiber. Thereby, the precision with which light is input to the optical fiber, can be always increased.

Inventors

  • 👤 Ken Okochi
  • 👤 Kimihiro Kikuchi

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-03 10:58
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4204; G02B6/4207

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim 144 words
A module for optical communication, comprising: a sleeve in which a ferrule holding an optical fiber is inserted; a converging lens placed on an extension line of a center axis of the inserted ferrule; a light emitting or receiving device; an anti-reflection transparent film provided in the sleeve, a part of the film being adapted to bend so as to adhere closely to an end surface of the optical fiber and a surrounding end surface of the ferrule; and a stopper member adapted to adhere closely to the end surface of the ferrule through the transparent film, said stopper member being capable of positioning the ferrule relative to the converging lens at a position where an image point, at which an image is formed from laser light having passed through the converging lens, is nearly coincident with the end surface of the optical fiber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 144 words
A module for optical communication, comprising: a sleeve in which a ferrule holding an optical fiber is inserted; a converging lens placed on an extension line of a center axis of the inserted ferrule; a light emitting or receiving device; an anti-reflection transparent film provided in the sleeve, a part of the film being adapted to bend so as to adhere closely to an end surface of the optical fiber and a surrounding end surface of the ferrule; and a stopper member adapted to adhere closely to the end surface of the ferrule through the transparent film, said stopper member being capable of positioning the ferrule relative to the converging lens at a position where an image point, at which an image is formed from laser light having passed through the converging lens, is nearly coincident with the end surface of the optical fiber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 36 words
The module for optical communication according to claim 1, wherein a groove is formed on an outer circumference of the stopper member and a bent circumferential part of the transparent film is held in the groove.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 44 words
The module for optical communication according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of projections being separated by notches and extending radially from the center of the transparent film are formed in the circumferential part, and the plurality of projections are held in the groove.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 81 words
The module for optical communication according to claim 1, wherein a slit portion is formed in the sleeve and extends in the longitudinal direction thereof, wherein a part of the sleeve is welded and fixed to an outer circumference of the stopper member, wherein the part of the sleeve and an end part of the slit portion are placed on an end surface of the sleeve symmetrically in position with respect to the center of the end surface of the sleeve.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 42 words
The module for optical communication according to claim 1 wherein said stopper member is capable of positioning the ferrule relative to the converging lens at a position where the image point is exactly coincident with the end surface of the optical fiber.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4790618A Cited
JPH0250110A Cited
US5315680A Cited
US5274723A Cited
US5347604A Cited
US5388171A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1999-07-02 2000-01-01 2000-07-02 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2003-07-02 2004-01-01 2004-07-02 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2007-07-02 2008-01-01 2008-07-02 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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