公开(公告)号：US11906793B2

公开(公告)日：2024-02-20

申请号：US17435970

申请日：2019-03-26

Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY

Inventor： Cheng Tang ,  Shiwen Chen ,  Changbao Ma ,  Bing Hao ,  Boon K. Lee

IPC: G02B6/38 ,  G02B6/40

CPC classification number: G02B6/3885 ,  G02B6/3825 ,  G02B6/3897 ,  G02B6/387 ,  G02B6/3855 ,  G02B6/403

Abstract: An optical connector assembly (100) includes a housing (110), an optical ferrule (140); and an optical fiber array (150). The housing (110) has a mating end (111) and an opposite cable end (112) and includes: a first housing portion (120) including a front support (122) proximate the mating end (111) and a rear support (124) disposed between the front support (122) and the cable end (112); and a second housing portion (130) assembled to the first housing portion (120) and including a middle support (133) disposed between the front and rear supports (122,124). The ferrule (140) is supported by the front support (122). Front ends of optical fibers of the optical fiber array (150) are received by and attached to an attachment area of the ferrule (140). When the second housing portion (130) is assembled to the first housing portion (120), the middle support (133) of the second housing portion (130) contacts and bends the optical fiber array (150) about the middle support (133). The bend causes the optical ferrule (140) to rotate about the front support (122).

公开(公告)号：US12061363B2

公开(公告)日：2024-08-13

申请号：US17458736

申请日：2021-08-27

Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY

Inventor： Daniel F. Cronch ,  Sergio D. Carranza ,  Boon K. Lee ,  Michael A. Haase ,  Terry L. Smith

IPC: G02B6/38

CPC classification number: G02B6/3823 ,  G02B6/3885

Abstract: Each optical cable includes an array of at least one optical waveguide and at least one optical ferrule attached to the array of optical waveguides. The housing includes a first housing portion and a second housing portion engaged with the first housing portion. The second housing portion comprises at least one carrier and one frame. The carrier and frame of the second housing portion are configured to support the one or more optical cables. The first housing portion and the second housing portion are configured such that mechanical engagement of the first housing portion with the second housing portion moves the carrier relative to the frame. Movement of the carrier relative to the frame causes a bend in each optical waveguide and rotation of each ferrule. The bend provides a predetermined spring force of the optical waveguides at a predetermined angle of the ferrule.

公开(公告)号：US11131813B2

公开(公告)日：2021-09-28

申请号：US16470599

申请日：2017-12-18

Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY

Inventor： Daniel F. Cronch ,  Sergio D. Carranza ,  Boon K. Lee ,  Michael A. Haase ,  Terry L. Smith

IPC: G02B6/38

Abstract: An optical connector (100) comprises one or more optical cables (110) disposed within a housing (120). Each optical In cable (110) includes an array of at least one optical waveguide (111) and at least one optical ferrule (112) attached to the array of optical waveguides (111). The housing (120) includes a first housing portion (121) and a second housing portion (122) engaged with the first housing portion (121). The second housing portion (122) comprises at least one carrier (130) and one frame (140). The carrier (130) and frame (140) of the second housing portion (122) are configured to support the one or more optical cables (110). The first housing portion (121) and the second housing portion (122) are configured such that mechanical engagement of the first housing portion (121) with the second housing portion (122) moves the carrier (130) relative to the frame (140). Movement of the carrier (130) relative to the frame (140) causes a bend in each optical waveguide (111) and rotation of each ferrule (112). The bend provides a predetermined spring force of the optical waveguides (111) at a predetermined angle of the ferrule (112).

公开(公告)号：US20210389527A1

公开(公告)日：2021-12-16

申请号：US17458736

申请日：2021-08-27

Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY

Inventor： Daniel F. Cronch ,  Sergio D. Carranza ,  Boon K. Lee ,  Michael A. Haase ,  Terry L. Smith

IPC: G02B6/38

Abstract: Each optical cable includes an array of at least one optical waveguide and at least one optical ferrule attached to the array of optical waveguides. The housing includes a first housing portion and a second housing portion engaged with the first housing portion. The second housing portion comprises at least one carrier and one frame. The carrier and frame of the second housing portion are configured to support the one or more optical cables. The first housing portion and the second housing portion are configured such that mechanical engagement of the first housing portion with the second housing portion moves the carrier relative to the frame. Movement of the carrier relative to the frame causes a bend in each optical waveguide and rotation of each ferrule. The bend provides a predetermined spring force of the optical waveguides at a predetermined angle of the ferrule.

公开(公告)号：US10989881B2

公开(公告)日：2021-04-27

申请号：US16796420

申请日：2020-02-20

Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY

Inventor： Changbao Ma ,  Boon K. Lee ,  Bing Hao ,  Stephen Paul LeBlanc

IPC: G02B6/38

Abstract: An optical connector includes a housing with a bottom wall defining a window therein, and an optical ferrule disposed in the housing and comprising opposing major top and bottom surfaces. The major bottom surface of the optical ferrule faces the bottom wall of the housing. The major top surface includes a groove and a light redirecting surface configured to receive light along a first direction from an optical fiber received and secured in the groove, and redirect the received light along a different second direction. The redirected light exits the optical ferrule though the bottom surface and exits the housing through the window, such that, when the optical connector mates with a mating optical connector including a mating optical ferrule, the mating optical ferrule prevents any of the light exiting the optical ferrule from exiting the housing of the optical connector.

公开(公告)号：US20240361535A1

公开(公告)日：2024-10-31

申请号：US18769865

申请日：2024-07-11

Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY

Inventor： Daniel F. Cronch ,  Sergio D. Carranza ,  Boon K. Lee ,  Michael A. Haase ,  Terry L. Smith

IPC: G02B6/38

CPC classification number: G02B6/3823 ,  G02B6/3885

Abstract: An optical connector comprises one or more optical cables disposed within a housing. Each optical cable includes an array of at least one optical waveguide and at least one optical ferrule attached to the array of optical waveguides. The housing includes a first housing portion and a second housing portion engaged with the first housing portion. The second housing portion comprises at least one carrier and one frame. The carrier and frame of the second housing portion are configured to support the one or more optical cables. The first housing portion and the second housing portion are configured such that mechanical engagement of the first housing portion with the second housing portion moves the carrier relative to the frame. Movement of the carrier relative to the frame causes a bend in each optical waveguide and rotation of each ferrule. The bend provides a predetermined spring force of the optical waveguides at a predetermined angle of the ferrule.

公开(公告)号：US20200278501A1

公开(公告)日：2020-09-03

申请号：US16796420

申请日：2020-02-20

Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY

Inventor： Changbao Ma ,  Boon K. Lee ,  Bing Hao ,  Stephen Paul LeBlanc

IPC: G02B6/38

Abstract: An optical connector includes a housing with a bottom wall defining a window therein, and an optical ferrule disposed in the housing and comprising opposing major top and bottom surfaces. The major bottom surface of the optical ferrule faces the bottom wall of the housing. The major top surface includes a groove and a light redirecting surface configured to receive light along a first direction from an optical fiber received and secured in the groove, and redirect the received light along a different second direction. The redirected light exits the optical ferrule though the bottom surface and exits the housing through the window, such that, when the optical connector mates with a mating optical connector including a mating optical ferrule, the mating optical ferrule prevents any of the light exiting the optical ferrule from exiting the housing of the optical connector.

公开(公告)号：US20220146760A1

公开(公告)日：2022-05-12

申请号：US17435970

申请日：2019-03-26

Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY

Inventor： Cheng Tang ,  Shiwen Chen ,  Changbao Ma ,  Bing Hao ,  Boon K. Lee

IPC: G02B6/38

Abstract: An optical connector assembly (100) includes a housing (110), an optical ferrule (140); and an optical fiber array (150). The housing (110) has a mating end (111) and an opposite cable end (112) and includes: a first housing portion (120) including a front support (122) proximate the mating end (111) and a rear support (124) disposed between the front support (122) and the cable end (112); and a second housing portion (130) assembled to the first housing portion (120) and including a middle support (133) disposed between the front and rear supports (122,124). The ferrule (140) is supported by the front support (122). Front ends of optical fibers of the optical fiber array (150) are received by and attached to an attachment area of the ferrule (140). When the second housing portion (130) is assembled to the first housing portion (120), the middle support (133) of the second housing portion (130) contacts and bends the optical fiber array (150) about the middle support (133). The bend causes the optical ferrule (140) to rotate about the front support (122).

公开(公告)号：US11099331B2

公开(公告)日：2021-08-24

申请号：US16946035

申请日：2020-06-03

Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY

Inventor： Boon K. Lee ,  Alberto DeLosSantos ,  Bing Hao

IPC: G02B6/38 ,  G01M11/00

Abstract: An optical adaptor for inspection of a desired surface of an optical ferrule is provided. The optical ferrule is disposed in, and has a first position relative to, a housing of the optical ferrule. The optical adaptor includes a front portion including an open front end for insertion into the housing of the optical ferrule from an open mating end of the housing and for receiving at least a portion of the desired surface of the optical ferrule. The front portion includes a receiving surface for receiving at least a portion of the optical ferrule and causing the optical ferrule to change its position from the first position to a different second position. An image forming surface forms an image of the desired surface of the optical ferrule, thereby allowing a viewing of the optical ferrule from an open rear end of the optical adaptor.

公开(公告)号：US20210018694A1

公开(公告)日：2021-01-21

申请号：US16946035

申请日：2020-06-03

Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY

Inventor： Boon K. Lee ,  Alberto DeLosSantos ,  Bing Hao

IPC: G02B6/38 ,  G01M11/00

Abstract: An optical adaptor for inspection of a desired surface of an optical ferrule is provided. The optical ferrule is disposed in, and has a first position relative to, a housing of the optical ferrule. The optical adaptor includes a front portion including an open front end for insertion into the housing of the optical ferrule from an open mating end of the housing and for receiving at least a portion of the desired surface of the optical ferrule. The front portion includes a receiving surface for receiving at least a portion of the optical ferrule and causing the optical ferrule to change its position from the first position to a different second position. An image forming surface forms an image of the desired surface of the optical ferrule, thereby allowing a viewing of the optical ferrule from an open rear end of the optical adaptor.