公开(公告)号：US10520684B2

公开(公告)日：2019-12-31

申请号：US15763343

申请日：2016-10-04

Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY

Inventor： Michael A. Haase ,  Alexander R. Mathews ,  Terry L. Smith

IPC: G02B6/38

Abstract: An optical ferrule adapted to receive and transmit light is described. The optical ferrule includes first and second alignment features for mating with corresponding alignment features of a mating optical ferrule. One of the first and second alignment features may be compressible, expandable or compliant. An optical ferrule having first and second alignment features is described, wherein the ferrule is adapted such that the mating/unmating to/from a corresponding ferrule can be effected along two orthogonal dimensions of the ferrule. Additionally an optical ferrule having first and second alignment features is described, wherein the first and second alignment features are located at substantially different first and second locations/contact regions along the ferrule mating direction; the contact regions may also be offset along the thickness direction of the ferrule.

公开(公告)号：US10514512B2

公开(公告)日：2019-12-24

申请号：US14420479

申请日：2013-09-27

Applicant: Michael A. Haase ,  Terry L. Smith ,  Barry J. Koch ,  Ding Wang ,  Alexander R. Mathews ,  3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY

Inventor： Michael A. Haase ,  Terry L. Smith ,  Barry J. Koch ,  Ding Wang ,  Alexander R. Mathews

IPC: G02B6/38 ,  G02B6/36 ,  G02B6/00

Abstract: Optical connectors are provided for connecting sets of optical waveguides, such as optical fiber ribbons to each other, to printed circuit boards, or to backplanes. The provided connectors utilize expanded beam optics with non-contact optical mating resulting in relaxed mechanical precision requirements. The provided connectors can have low optical loss, are easily scalable to high channel count (optical fibers per connector) and can be compatible with low insertion force blind mating.

公开(公告)号：US10459173B2

公开(公告)日：2019-10-29

申请号：US15763512

申请日：2016-10-11

Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY

Inventor： Michael A. Haase ,  Terry L. Smith ,  Alexander R. Mathews ,  James M. Nelson

IPC: G02B6/40 ,  G02B6/32 ,  G02B6/38

Abstract: An optical cable subassembly includes one or more optical waveguides, at least light coupling unit comprising a first attachment area permanently attached to the optical waveguides, and at least one cable retainer comprising a second attachment area permanently attached to the optical waveguides and adapted to be installed in a housing. A length of the optical waveguides between the first attachment area and the second attachment area allows a bend in the optical waveguides that provides a predetermined mating spring force at a predetermined angle of the light coupling unit when installed in the housing.

公开(公告)号：US20190094471A1

公开(公告)日：2019-03-28

申请号：US16202190

申请日：2018-11-28

Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY

Inventor： Michael A. Haase ,  Terry L. Smith ,  Barry J. Koch ,  Ding Wang ,  Alexander R. Mathews

IPC: G02B6/38 ,  G02B6/40

Abstract: A connector is disclosed that includes a housing and first and second attachment areas located in the housing and spaced apart from each other along the mating direction of the connector. The second, but not the first, attachment area is designed to move relative to the housing. The connector further includes an optical waveguide that is permanently attached to, and under a first bending force between, the first and second attachment areas. The connector also includes a light coupling unit located in the housing for receiving light from the optical waveguide and transmitting the received light to a mating connector along a direction different than the mating direction of the connector. The mating of the connector to the mating connector causes the optical waveguide to be under a greater second bending force between the first and second attachment areas.

公开(公告)号：US10168486B2

公开(公告)日：2019-01-01

申请号：US15278093

申请日：2016-09-28

Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY

Inventor： Michael A. Haase ,  Terry L. Smith ,  Barry J. Koch ,  Ding Wang ,  Alexander R. Mathews

IPC: G02B6/38 ,  G02B6/40

Abstract: A connector is disclosed that includes a housing and first and second attachment areas located in the housing and spaced apart from each other along the mating direction of the connector. The second, but not the first, attachment area is designed to move relative to the housing. The connector further includes an optical waveguide that is permanently attached to, and under a first bending force between, the first and second attachment areas. The connector also includes a light coupling unit located in the housing for receiving light from the optical waveguide and transmitting the received light to a mating connector along a direction different than the mating direction of the connector. The mating of the connector to the mating connector causes the optical waveguide to be under a greater second bending force between the first and second attachment areas.

公开(公告)号：US20180275354A1

公开(公告)日：2018-09-27

申请号：US15763492

申请日：2016-10-11

Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY

Inventor： Alexander R. Mathews ,  Terry L. Smith

IPC: G02B6/38

CPC classification number: G02B6/3882 ,  G02B6/3652 ,  G02B6/383 ,  G02B6/3853 ,  G02B6/3854 ,  G02B6/3861 ,  G02B6/3865 ,  G02B6/3869 ,  G02B6/387 ,  G02B6/3885 ,  G02B6/4214

Abstract: A multi-piece optical coupling device comprises a first piece that includes one or more first receiving elements configured to receive and secure one or more optical waveguides. The first piece further includes one or more light affecting elements configured to affect one or more characteristics of light from the optical waveguides while propagating the light within the optical coupling device. A second piece is separate from the first piece and includes one or more second receiving elements configured to receive the waveguides, the first receiving elements and the second receiving elements configured to align the second piece and the first piece using the optical waveguides. The second piece also includes one or more mating alignment features configured to engage with a mating optical coupling device and to align the optical coupling device with the mating optical coupling device.

公开(公告)号：US20180067267A1

公开(公告)日：2018-03-08

申请号：US15812219

申请日：2017-11-14

Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY

Inventor： Terry L. Smith ,  Alexander R. Mathews

IPC: G02B6/38 ,  G02B6/36

CPC classification number: G02B6/3833 ,  G02B6/3652 ,  G02B6/3676 ,  G02B6/3851

Abstract: A ferrule has a receiving area for receiving and securing an optical waveguide and an optical element for receiving light from an optical waveguide received and secured at the receiving area and changing at least one of a divergence and a propagation direction of the received light. A plurality of registration features are configured to permit a stacking of the ferrule in a stacking direction such that the ferrules in the stack are aligned relative to each other along a length of the ferrule and along a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction.

公开(公告)号：US09537236B2

公开(公告)日：2017-01-03

申请号：US14685657

申请日：2015-04-14

Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY

Inventor： Steven A. Neu ,  Alexander R. Mathews

IPC: H01R13/62 ,  H01R12/70 ,  H01R13/633 ,  H01R4/24 ,  H01R13/58 ,  H01R13/639 ,  H01R12/79 ,  H01R12/67

CPC classification number: H01R13/62977 ,  H01R4/24 ,  H01R12/675 ,  H01R12/7005 ,  H01R12/7029 ,  H01R12/79 ,  H01R13/5804 ,  H01R13/62 ,  H01R13/633 ,  H01R13/6335 ,  H01R13/639

Abstract: An electrical connector includes an insulative connector housing including a longitudinal bottom wall defining a plurality of contact openings for receiving a plurality of contacts, first and second side walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall at opposing sides thereof, first and second end walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall at opposing ends thereof, first and second pairs of latch openings at opposing ends of the bottom wall, and first and second protrusions extending upwardly from the bottom wall and disposed between respective first and second pairs of latch openings. Each latch opening extends through the bottom wall and through a side wall and is configured to allow a latch to eject a mating connector by moving within the opening. Each of the protrusions is configured to engage a corresponding opening in a latch of a mating connector cover or strain relief assembled to the electrical connector.

Abstract translation: 电连接器包括绝缘连接器壳体，该绝缘连接器壳体包括纵向底壁，所述纵向底壁限定用于容纳多个触点的多个接触开口，在其相对侧从底壁向上延伸的第一和第二侧壁， 在其相对端处的底壁，在底壁的相对端处的第一和第二对闩锁开口，以及从底壁向上延伸并且设置在相应的第一和第二对闩锁开口之间的第一和第二突起。 每个闩锁开口延伸穿过底壁并且穿过侧壁，并且构造成允许闩锁通过在开口内移动来弹出配合连接器。 每个突起构造成接合组装到电连接器的配合连接器盖或应变消除器的闩锁中的对应开口。

公开(公告)号：US09509094B2

公开(公告)日：2016-11-29

申请号：US14364435

申请日：2013-02-05

Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY

Inventor： Alexander R. Mathews ,  Steven A. Neu ,  Steven Feldman

IPC: H01R13/62 ,  H01R13/633 ,  H01R12/79 ,  H01R12/70 ,  H01R13/64 ,  H01R13/627

CPC classification number: H01R13/633 ,  H01R12/7005 ,  H01R12/7029 ,  H01R12/79 ,  H01R13/6271 ,  H01R13/64

Abstract: An electrical connector includes an insulative connector housing. The connector housing includes a longitudinal bottom wall having a plurality of contact openings, first and second side walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall at opposing sides of the bottom wall, first and second end walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall at opposing ends of the bottom wall, and first and second pairs of latch openings at opposing ends of the bottom wall. Each latch opening extends through the bottom wall and through a side wall and is configured to allow a latch to eject a mating connector by moving within the opening.

Abstract translation: 电连接器包括绝缘连接器壳体。 连接器壳体包括具有多个接触开口的纵向底壁，在底壁的相对侧从底壁向上延伸的第一和第二侧壁，在底壁的相对端处从底壁向上延伸的第一和第二端壁 底壁，以及在底壁的相对端处的第一和第二对闩锁开口。 每个闩锁开口延伸穿过底壁并穿过侧壁，并且构造成允许闩锁通过在开口内移动而弹出配合连接器。

公开(公告)号：US09482827B2

公开(公告)日：2016-11-01

申请号：US14420466

申请日：2013-09-16

Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY

Inventor： Michael A. Haase ,  Terry L. Smith ,  Barry J. Koch ,  Ding Wang ,  Alexander R. Mathews

IPC: G02B6/38

CPC classification number: G02B6/383 ,  G02B6/3829 ,  G02B6/3861 ,  G02B6/3869 ,  G02B6/3881 ,  G02B6/3885 ,  G02B6/389 ,  G02B6/3897 ,  G02B6/40

Abstract: Optical connectors are provided for connecting sets of optical waveguides (104), such as optical fiber ribbons to each other, to printed circuit boards, or to backplanes. The provided connectors (100) include a housing (110) that has an attachment area (102) for receiving and permanently attaching a plurality of optical waveguides. Additionally, the provided connectors include a light coupling unit (120) disposed in and configured to move with the housing. The provided connectors also include a second attachment area (108) for receiving and permanently attaching to the plurality of optical waveguides that causes each optical waveguide to be bent between the two attachment areas. The provided connectors utilize expanded beam optics with non-contact optical mating resulting in relaxed mechanical precision requirements. The provided connectors can have low optical loss, are easily scalable to high channel count (optical fibers per connector) and can be compatible with low insertion force blind mating.

Abstract translation: 提供光连接器用于将诸如光纤带彼此的光波导（104）组连接到印刷电路板或背板。 所提供的连接器（100）包括具有用于接收和永久地附接多个光波导的附接区域（102）的壳体（110）。 另外，所提供的连接器包括布置在壳体中并配置成与壳体一起移动的光耦合单元（120）。 所提供的连接器还包括第二连接区域（108），用于接收和永久地附接到多个光波导，其使得每个光波导在两个附接区域之间弯曲。 所提供的连接器利用具有非接触光学匹配的扩展光束光学器件，导致放松的机械精度要求。 所提供的连接器可以具有低光损耗，易于扩展到高通道数（每个连接器的光纤），并且可以与低插入力盲配合兼容。