Field of the Invention
The invention lies in the field of optical plug-in connector technology, and pertains to an optical plug-in connector with which ends of optical waveguides which are to be optically coupled are (releasably) connected. Usually, ends of optical waveguides to be coupled are held in precision holders, for example connector pins (also known as ferrules). The end face of the optical waveguide is positioned in the holder in such a way that it can be coupled and is aligned extremely accurately with its mating coupling element (for example a further end of an optical waveguide) by means of the precision holder. Both holders which individually receive a single optical waveguide end and holders for a multiplicity of optical waveguide ends are known.
The invention relates to an optical plug-in connector with a main axis running in a plugging direction, at least one optical waveguide end, and at least one locking part with a detent element.
A plug-in connector of the type is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,798,430 (cf. German patent DE 38 18 717 C2) and comprises a plug-in connector housing which bears two connector pins at its end on the coupling side. Optical waveguide ends are accommodated by the connector pins in such a way that their end faces terminate with the end faces of the connector pins.
Locking levers (locking parts) are provided on each of the narrow sides of the housing, each with an outwardly facing detent element. The locking parts are directly molded onto the front end of the housing, so that their rear ends are resiliently deflectable. In the connected state, the detent elements lock with mating detent elements (locking position), which may be formed as locking lugs on a receptacle or socket receiving the plug-in connector. The locking serves for the mechanical fixing of the plug-in connector housing and, if need be, as a counter-bearing for contact forces between mating coupling elements assigned to the connector pins and the optical waveguide ends. This is because the connector pins are usually acted on by a biased spring, in order to have direct firm physical contact with the respective mating coupling element in the connected and plugged state.
To be able to release the plug-in connection as and when necessary, the coupling parts have rear actuating zones. When manual pressure is applied to the actuating zones, the locking parts move towards each other (release position), so that the detent elements disengage from their respective locking lug.
When a plurality of plug-in connectors of this type are arranged adjacently, however, an adequate space to allow the locking parts to be actuated must be provided on both sides of the narrow sides with regard to the release mechanism described above.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,359,686 (European published patent application EP 0 618 468 A1) discloses an interface between a light guide and an integrated circuit. A keyway paired mating makes it possible to position the optical waveguide within the circuit and lock it by means of a snap hook. For the release of the optical waveguide, the snap hook is formed in one piece with a lever, so that, when the lever is actuated, the snap hook is tilted out of the locking position. For exact positioning, the keyway pairing must be produced with very close tolerances, so that there is no play which would lead to the optical waveguide end being moved out of position by the point of action of the snap hook.
It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide an optical plug-in connector, which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices and methods of this general type and which plug-in connector can be manually released from a state wherein it is connected to a mating coupling element and allows a very close arrangement of adjacent plug-in connectors.
With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, an optical plug-in connector, comprising:
a housing defining a plugging direction along a main axis;
at least one optical waveguide end facing in the plugging direction;
at least one locking part formed with a detent element movable between a locking position and a release position;
an actuating element for moving the detent element from the locking position into the release position;
the actuating element having a direction of movement substantially perpendicular to the main axis and different from a direction of movement of the detent element; and
the actuating element being formed separately from the locking part and being arranged, together with the locking part, at the housing.
In other words, the objects of the invention are achieved by an detent element which moves out of a locking position into a release position when the actuating element is actuated, the direction of movement of the actuating element running substantially perpendicular to the main axis and being different from the direction of movement of the detent element, on the one hand, and the actuating element being formed separately from the locking part and in this case both being arranged on a housing of the plug-in connector, on the other hand.
An important aspect of the plug-in connector according to the invention is that a separation of function and a separation of movement is provided between the detent element serving for locking, on the one hand, and the actuating element serving for moving the locking part or the detent element, on the other hand. The unlocking function is realized by actuation of the separate actuating element. In this case, the direction of movement of the actuating element is different from the direction of movement of the detent element. This allows an arrangement of the actuating element that is independent of the design of the locking part and, as a result, can be arranged in a position which is easily accessible in the connected state and does not require a critical installation space.
A mechanically preferred configuration of the plug-in connector according to the invention provides that the directions of movement of the actuating element and detent element are substantially perpendicular (orthogonal) to each other.
The resilient properties of the locking parts and the configuration of the locking arrangement may lead to transverse forces which, in an unfavorable case, increase the tendency for the plug-in connector and consequently the optical waveguide ends to be tilted. To counteract this, it is provided according to an advantageous development of the invention that the plug-in connector has two symmetrically arranged locking parts each with a detent element, and the actuating element moves the two detent elements.
A configuration of the plug-in connector according to the invention which is preferred from production engineering aspects provides that the actuating element and the locking part or the locking parts are resilient levers fastened to the plug-in connector or to a housing of the plug-in connector in the manner of cantilever beams.
A particularly space-saving and easily accessible arrangement of the actuating element is provided according to a preferred development of the invention if the actuating element is arranged in the region of the top side of the plug-in connector.
The action of the actuating element on the locking part or parts for moving the detent elements can be realized in various ways; for example, drivers may be provided on the actuating element, interacting with corresponding guides or slotted links on the locking parts. In accordance with a concomitant feature of the invention, which provides for a mechanically preferred configuration, the actuating element and the locking part or locking parts have co-operating inclined planes.
Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in an optical plug-in connector, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.
The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.