FIELD

The present technology is a receptacle for an optical fiber that aligns and retains the fiber without requiring a connector. More specifically, it is a receptacle that releasably affixes the optical fiber in the correct orientation using a clip that also functions as a shutter to protect a user’s eyes when attaching the optical fiber to the receptacle.

BACKGROUND

There are many designs for attaching optical fibers to one another or to a terminal. Frequently, connectors are used to connect the optical fiber to an adapter. The connectors may include shutters to protect a user’s eyes. The adaptors and connectors may be configured to align the connector in the adapter.

For example, United States Patent 6,099,169 discloses a terminal for at least one fiberoptic cable comprising a housing with a front face having at least one slot therein for receiving an end of a fiberoptic cable, at least one optical transmitter and/or receiver, a fitting element which is movable within the housing by sliding and which has at least one insertion opening for a fiberoptic cable to be joined to the at least one transmitter and/or receiver, and with a cutter which has at least one blade. The at least one insertion opening of the fitting element and an actuating arrangement for sliding of the fitting element between a mounting position for receiving the at least one fiberoptic cable and an operating position in which the at least one fiberoptic cable is joined to the at least one transmitter and/or receiver are at the same side of the housing. The housing is provided with at least one cable duct for discharging cut-off pieces of the at least one fiber optic cable. Additionally, longitudinal ribs can be formed on an inner face of the at least one slot means for relieving strain on a fiberoptic cable pushed into the at least one slot between the longitudinal ribs. This terminal requires the optical fiber to be cut prior to positioning it in the optical system and requires an actuating means with perpendicular force to push down a movable fiber retaining portion, cut the fiber, and hold it in position. The terminal is complex and insertion and removal is not simple. United States Patent 6,461 ,054 discloses an inexpensive and easily manufactured adapter and optical module receptacle which can prevent light from leaking where an optical connector is disconnected, wherein a roughly L-shaped shutter plate is attached in the housing for fitting and insertion of an optical connector by utilizing a supporting plate. In the state where the shutter plate is attached, the roughly L-shaped erectable portion of the shutter plate is erected so as to shield light that is transmitted to the optical connector insertion port of the housing. In the state where an optical connector is fitted in the housing, the corresponding erectable portion is folded by the optical connector to ensure that the corresponding optical connector receives light. Where the optical connector is disconnected from the housing, the abovementioned erectable portion is erected by its resilient restorative force, wherein the light is shielded and is prevented from leaking to the outside of the housing through the optical connector portion. This receptacle requires a connector. Further, the shutter is a separate component to the retainer.

United States Patent 6,731 ,882discloses a transceiver module that has the transmitter and receiver mounted on one side of a leadframe above light passage openings formed therein. A beam deflection receptacle, containing a fiber connection opening, at least one beam splitter and a deflection mirror, is fixed on the other side of the lead frame. The external electrical terminals of the leadframe are bent around a plastic covering and shaped out to form terminal areas, so that the module is suitable for Surface Mounted Technology. This terminal requires a ferrule. It does not protect a user’s eyes during installation.

United States Patent 7,708,470 discloses a ferrule holder and associated fiber optic connector having anti-withdrawal and anti-rotation features. More specifically, the present invention relates to a ferrule holder and an associated fiber optic connector having improved anti-withdrawal and anti-rotation features, such as a twin-threaded configuration, a single-threaded configuration, a splined configuration, a broached configuration, a counter-bored configuration, a dented configuration, a finned configuration, etc. These anti-withdrawal and anti-rotation features assist in holding an optical fiber in secure optical and/or physical contact with a ferrule within the ferrule holder and associated fiber optic connector. The anti-withdrawal and anti-rotation features do not allow for releasable retention of the optical fiber. This terminal requires a ferrule. It does not protect a user’s eyes during installation.

United States Patent 7,699,539 discloses that a plastic optical fiber connector includes an optical fiber connector having a plate body formed therein. On the plate body, a focusing hole is formed, the focusing hole having a holding portion extending outwardly from a side thereof. With provision of the plate body, two reception spaces are formed in the optical fiber connector, with one of which having a seat body on which an optical transceiver is provided therein, wherein a transceiver terminal of the optical transceiver is bonded to the focusing hole on the plate body. Further, a wire seat is sleeved within the optical fiber connector so that the holding portion is allowed to be placed into an optical fiber guiding hole of the wire seat. While this patent states that the connector allows for the precise guidance of the optical fiber into the focusing hole, it simply stops the optical fiber from missing the hole. This terminal requires a transceiver terminal bonded to the other end of the focusing hole and requires a “wire seat” which is a second part that guides and retains the fiber when it is pressed into the housing. It does not protect a user’s eyes during installation.

United States Patent 7,785,018 discloses a fiber optic adapter assembly for mating fiber optic connectors. The fiber optic adapter includes a body, an alignment cap, and a shutter door. The alignment cap and the body together define a space with the shutter door pivotally disposed in the space for inhibiting debris from entering through the opening and into the body. The shutter door is configured to pivot inwardly when contacted by a fiber optic connector being inserted through the at least one opening and into the body. Additionally, the shutter door includes at least one standoff and at least one latch, wherein the latch is configured to engage and assist in retaining a fiber optic connector that is inserted into the fiber optic adapter assembly. This terminal does not have an integrated retention and shielding member. It requires a connector with a precision ferrule for alignment.

United States Patent 9,618,715 discloses an optical fiber adapter that includes a main body, an inner housing, an elastic shutter member and a spring. The main body has an axial accommodation room defined by a first wall, a second wall, a third wall and a fourth wall. The accommodation room has opposing first and second openings in the axial direction. The inner housing is placed within the accommodation room and includes a hollow cylinder extending from the front surface of a flange. The shutter member is positioned within the accommodation room and includes a base portion, a shutter plate and a connecting portion. The connecting portion connects the base portion with the shutter plate. The shutter plate extends from the connecting portion and arrives in front of an opening of the hollow cylinder. The shutter plate is movable with respect to the base portion. The spring is positioned within the accommodation room to push the shutter member toward the first opening of the accommodation room. Due to the limitation of the installation space of the spring, the shading component abuts against the ferrule of the inner housing, and the space between the opening of the optical fiber adapter and the shading component is not sealed by the shading component. This terminal does not have an integrated retention and shielding member. It requires a connector with a precision ferrule for alignment.

United States Patent Application 20190212502 discloses an optical adapter includes a base body, a shutter member, and a supporting base. The shutter member is pivotally connected at an insertion opening of the base body. The supporting base is assembled on a bottom portion of the base body. A surface of the supporting base has an abutting piece inside the base body. One of two ends of the abutting piece includes a fixing portion fixed on the supporting base, and the other end of the abutting piece includes an abutting portion obliquely extending toward the shutter member to abut against a back surface of the shutter member. Therefore, the supporting base can be assembled on the bottom of the base body conveniently. Furthermore, when the abutting piece is pushed and compressed by the shutter member, the abutting piece is not prone to have excessive deformation, prevent the abutting piece from being deformed or damaged easily. This terminal does not have an integrated retention and shielding member. It requires a connector with a precision ferrule for alignment.

United States Patent Application 20180348443 discloses an optical signal and/or optical power in a ferrule-less optical fiber. In certain embodiments, one or more optical detectors are incorporated into an adapter that is configured to interface with a connectorized or non-connectorized ferrule-less optical fiber. The optical detector detects the presence or absence, and/or the optical power level, of the optical signal being transmitted through ferrule-less optical fiber and produces an electrical output representative of the detected optical signal. This terminal does not protect a user’s eyes during installation. There is no disclosure as to how the non-connectorized ferrule-less optical fiber is positioned and retained.

United States Patent Application 20180284362 discloses a fiber optic adapter includes an adapter body defining a port leading to an alignment structure. The optical adapter also defines a platform disposed at the first port. The platform is recessed inwardly from an outer periphery of the adapter body. The platform includes latching members having catch surfaces. A fiber optic connector includes a connector plug body holding an optical fiber. The connector also includes a latching arm having a latching end that defines two rearwardly facing catch surfaces separated by a central webbing, which extends along a length of the latching arm. The rearwardly facing catch surfaces align with the catch surfaces of the latching members when the fiber optic connector is received at the fiber optic adapter. This requires both the connector and the adapter. The terminal does not have an integrated retention and shielding member.

United States Patent Application 20150378109 discloses a fiber optic connector including a connector body (122) having a front end and a rear end. A shutter (74) is mounted at the front end of the connector body (122). The shutter (74) is movable relative to the connector body (122) between an open position and a closed position. The fiber optic connector (69) includes an optical fiber (100) having an end face that is accessible at the front end of the connector body (122) when the shutter (74) is in the open position. The fiber optic connector (69) also includes a cleaning material (501 ) provided at an inner side of the shutter (74) that covers the end face of the optical fiber (100) when the shutter (74) is in the closed position. This terminal does not have an integrated retention and shielding member. It requires a connector.

United States Patent Application 20130279920 discloses a fiber optic cable and connector includes a bundle of optical fibers and a ferrule associated with the bundle. The ferrule has an insertable portion and an external portion, the insertable portion retaining the respective proximal ends of the optical fibers on substantially the same plane with one another, the plane being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal access of the ferrule. A collar around the external portion of the ferrule has a positioning means with a slot, a recess, a hole, a tongue, a pin, a shaft, a bar, a notch, a flat, a detent, a bump, a ridge or a groove. The positioning means engages with at least one positioning element, and provides a repeatable rotational alignment of the fibers with respect to a receiver when engaged with the positioning element. An engagement surface engages with the receiver such that, when so engaged with pressure in a direction normal to the longitudinal axis of the ferrule and towards the receiver, the engagement surface prevents substantial movement of the longitudinal axis of the ferrule with respect to the receiver. A securing sleeve moveably encircles a portion of the fiber optic bundle and has a fastener for secure connection with the receiver. The securing sleeve has a pressure surface for engaging the collar and applying pressure on the collar in a direction normal to the longitudinal axis of the ferrule and toward the receiver. This does not position the optical fiber, but rather, positions the connector. This requires both the connector and the adapter. This terminal does not protect a user’s eyes during installation.

United States Patent Application 20050100284 discloses an optical fiber connector (1) including a housing (10), an insulated body (20), an optical element (30) received in the housing, and a spacer (40) for securing the optical element in the housing. The housing defines a front and a rear receiving spaces (11 , 12). The front receiving space is for receiving the insulated body and an optical plug (60), and the rear receiving space is for receiving the optical element. A partition wall (13) is formed between the front and the rear receiving spaces and defines an aperture (14) thereon. The aperture forms a tapered face (15) at a rear portion thereof for preventing the optical fiber plug from inserting into the optical fiber connector. This terminal requires an optical plug to align the optical fiber. It does not have an integrated shutter and retainer.

United States Patent Application 20030091820 discloses an LED coupled to a large core plastic optical fiber light guide with a tubular connector having a first bore into which the light guide is inserted, a second bore into which the LED and its attached wires are inserted and a third bore adjacent to the first bore, extending between the first and second bores and into which the LED is positioned so that when illuminated the LED transmits light into the guide with the first bore. The connector includes helical threads formed in the first bore into which the guide is threaded to securely retain the guide within the first bore and which form a seal to prevent contaminants from entering the region in the first bore adjacent the LED. Alternatively, the connector includes one or more internal channels extruding around the inner periphery of the bore and into which one or more O- rings are positioned so that the guide is securely retained within the first bore and that a barrier is formed to prevent contaminants from entering the region in the first bore adjacent the LED. The optical fiber is butted up against an end wall. This terminal requires an o-ring or threads to retain the optical fiber and cannot accommodate a range of optical fiber diameters. It does not protect a user’s eyes during installation.

United States Patent Application 20180231722 discloses an optical fiber receptacle, an optical fiber connection device and an optical fiber receptacle module. The optical fiber receptacle comprises a housing, a plurality of positioning hooks and at least one clamping unit. The housing has a rear wall, and at least one slot opened on an opposite side of the rear wall. The rear wall has an inner surface facing the slot and an outer surface opposite to the inner surface, the slot is used to be inserted by an optical fiber plug. The positioning hook protrudes from the outer surface of the rear wall in a column shape, is used to pass through a mounting hole of a panel to latched with a hole edge defining the mounting hole of the panel. The clamping unit is formed to the rear wall corresponding to the slot and comprises a clamping channel penetrating the rear wall and communicated with the corresponding slot for clamping a holding member of the optical fiber joint so that the first ferrule of the optical fiber plug and the second ferrule of the optical fiber joint are connected relative to each other. The optical fiber receptacle of the present disclosure can reduce the volume and greatly reduce the material costs. This relies on an optical plug for positioning of the optical fiber in the receptacle. It does not have an integrated retention and shielding member.

United States Patent Application 20190331860 discloses optical fiber adapter that has a body divided into two accommodation rooms by a partition wall. Two ends of the accommodation room have a first opening and a second opening. Side walls and the partition wall of the body have opposite inner surfaces. A thickened component adjacent to the first opening is formed on the inner surface. An axial guiding portion and a first stopper are formed on the thickened component. A slot is formed on a bottom wall of the body. A second stopper is disposed on the bottom wall in front of the slot. A shutter positioning slot is disposed on a top wall of the body to fix upper movable shutters. Insert slots are formed on a fixing seat to fix lower movable shutters. The fixing seat covers the slot. This optical fiber adapter has shading, dustproof and water-repellent effects. This terminal does not precisely locate the optical cable, nor does it have an integrated retention and shielding member. This relies on an optical plug for positioning of the optical fiber in the receptacle. It requires a connector with a precision ferrule for alignment.

United States Patent Application 20040218872 discloses an optical fiber receptacle and ferrule interconnection system. The interconnection system includes an optical fiber ferrule and a receptacle. The receptacle has a first portion that is attachable to an optical device and a second portion that is connected to the first portion. The second portion has an inner surface that defines a slot for detachably receiving the optical fiber ferrule and for aligning the optical fiber within the optical fiber ferrule with an attached optical device to allow transmission of light therebetween. The slot provides an interference fit with the ferrule. The inner surface of the second portion and an outer surface of the ferrule are adapted to form at least one channel therebetween positioning of the optical, which is retained therein, to position the optical fiber in the receptacle. This terminal does not have an integrated retention and shielding member. It requires a connector with a precision ferrule for alignment.

What is needed is an easy to use, low-cost connector-less fiber optic receptacle for aligning one or more optical fibers in the X, Y and Z plane. It would be preferable if the optical fiber was releasably retained. It would be further preferable if there was a shutter for each optical fiber to protect a user’s eyes when installing the optical fiber. It would be further preferable if the retention mechanism doubled as the shutter. It would be preferable if the receptacle allowed for a plastic optical fiber to be cut to length and simply inserted in the receptacle. The receptacle should hold the fiber securely in the presence of external shock and vibration and pull force loads. It would be preferable if the receptacle could locate the fiber optic core reasonably accurately with respect to X,Y, and Z planes so that an external optical system could efficiently couple light into and/or receive light from the optical fiber. It would be preferable if it could accommodate a wide tolerance in optical fiber jacket diameters. It would be preferable if the receptacle accepted numerous optical fibers into a small housing. It would be further preferable if the receptacle had solder pins that extended from the housing for mounting on a printed circuit board.

SUMMARY

The present technology is a low-cost connector-less fiber optic receptacle for aligning one or more optical fibers in the X, Y and Z plane. The optical fiber is releasably retained. There is a shutter for each optical fiber to protect a user’s eyes when installing the optical fiber. The retention mechanism doubles as the shutter. The receptacle allows for a plastic optical fiber to be cut to length and simply inserted in the receptacle without a special connector termination or tools (no additional parts, no gluing, no polishing). This is especially useful when using plastic optical fiber and there is a desire to cut the fiber to length before making the connection. The receptacle holds the optical fiber securely by its outer jacket in the presence of external shock and vibration and pull force loads. The optical fiber is simply inserted axially and then removed with a pulling and twisting action. The receptacle can locate the fiber optic core reasonably accurately with respect to X,Y, and Z planes so that an external optical system can efficiently couple light into and/or receive light from the optical fiber. The receptacle can accommodate a wide tolerance in optical fiber jacket diameters and core sizes. The receptacle accepts numerous optical fibers into a small housing. The receptacle has solder pins that extended from the housing for mounting on a printed circuit board.

In one embodiment, a connector-less receptacle for releasably retaining an optical fiber is provided, the receptacle including: a housing with one or more receiver units, each receiver unit comprising an optical fiber receiver, which terminates proximally in a mouth, a cavity which is continuous with the optical fiber receiver and includes an upper surface, a base, a proximal side therebetween, a distal side therebetween, and a backstop on the distal side, the backstop including an aperture which is continuous with the cavity; and an integrated retention and shielding member which is housed in the cavity.

In the connector-less receptacle, the integrated retention and shielding member may be a clip which is biased between the upper surface and the base of the cavity, such that the mouth of the optical fiber receiver is occluded by the clip.

In the connector-less receptacle, the clip may include a first section which is adjacent the upper surface of the cavity, a curve which is adjacent the distal side and a second section which terminates in a terminal end which abuts the base of the cavity.

In the connector-less receptacle, the clip may include an obtuse angle proximate the terminal end.

In the connector-less receptacle, the clip may include a notch at the terminal end.

The connector-less receptacle may further comprise pins extending outward from the housing for attachment to a printed circuit board.

The connector-less receptacle may further comprise the printed circuit board.

In the connector-less receptacle, each receiver unit may further comprise an aperture in the housing proximate the mouth and an optical fiber release button, the optical fiber release button proximate the cavity, extending from an ambient environment through the aperture and terminating proximate the clip.

In the connector-less receptacle, each receiver unit may further comprise a chamber, the chamber continuous with the aperture in the backstop, the chamber housing an optical system.

In the connector-less receptacle, the optical system may include a light emitting diode, a dichroic mirror and a lens in a first light path and the lens, a filter and a photodetector in a second light path. The connector-less receptacle may further comprise a tapered bore in the receiver unit to guide and center an optical fiber.

In the connector-less receptacle, each receiver unit may further comprise an optical fiber split sleeve, the optical fiber split sleeve continuous with the aperture in the backstop and extending outward from the housing.

In the connector-less receptacle, the tapered bore may be defined by the optical fiber split sleeve.

In another embodiment, a connector-less receptacle for releasably retaining an optical fiber is provided, the receptacle including: a housing with one or more receiver units and one or more retaining bores, each receiver unit comprising an optical fiber receiver, which terminates proximally in a mouth, a cavity which is continuous with the optical fiber receiver and includes an upper surface to which the retaining bore extends, a base, a proximal side therebetween, a distal side therebetween, the distal side including an precision bore which is continuous with the cavity; and a screw which is releasably retained in the retaining bore in the housing.

The connector-less receptacle may further comprise pins extending outward from the housing for attachment to a printed circuit board.

The connector-less receptacle may further comprise the printed circuit board.

In the connector-less receptacle, each receiver unit may further comprise a chamber, the chamber continuous with the aperture in the backstop, the chamber housing an optical system.

In the connector-less receptacle, the optical system may include a light emitting diode, a dichroic mirror and a lens in a first light path and the lens, a filter and a photodetector in a second light path.

In another embodiment, a combination including a connector-less receptacle and at least one optical fiber is provided, the receptacle including:

-a housing with one or more receiver units, each receiver unit comprising: an optical fiber receiver, each receiver unit terminating proximally in a mouth; a cavity which is continuous with the optical fiber receiver, and includes an upper surface, a base, a proximal side therebetween, and a distal side therebetween; and a backstop on the distal side, the backstop including an aperture which is continuous with the cavity;

-and an integrated shielding and retaining member which is housed in the cavity and releasably retains the optical fiber.

In the combination, the integrated shielding and retaining member may be a clip, which is housed in the cavity, wherein the optical fiber extends from the mouth to the backstop and the clip is biased between the upper surface and the optical fiber, releasably retaining the optical fiber.

In the combination, the clip may include a first section which is adjacent the upper surface of the cavity, a curve which is adjacent the distal side and a second section which terminates in a terminal end which abuts the base of the cavity.

In the combination, the clip may include an obtuse angle proximate the terminal end.

The combination may further comprise pins extending outward from the housing for attachment to a printed circuit board.

In the combination, each receiver unit may further comprise an aperture in the housing proximate the mouth and an optical fiber release button, the optical fiber release button proximate the cavity, extending from an ambient environment through the aperture and terminating proximate the clip.

In the combination, each receiver unit may further comprise a chamber, the chamber continuous with the aperture in the backstop, the chamber housing a light emitting diode, a dichroic mirror and a lens in a first light path and the lens, a filter and a photodetector in a second light path.

In the combination, the clip may be configured to abut the base of the cavity upon release of the optical fiber.

In another embodiment, a method of releasably retaining an optical fiber in a receptacle is provided, the method comprising: -selecting a connector-less receptacle, the receptacle including: a housing with one or more receiver units, each receiver unit comprising an optical fiber receiver, which terminates proximally in a mouth, a cavity which is continuous with the optical fiber receiver and includes an upper surface, a base, a proximal side therebetween, a distal side therebetween, and a backstop on the distal side, the backstop including an aperture which is continuous with the cavity; and an integrated retainer and centerer in the housing; and

-sliding the optical cable into the receptacle until it abuts the backstop, without the aid of a tool, the integrated retainer and centerer positioning the optical cable such that it is centered and releasably retained.

The method may further comprise removing the optical fiber without a tool by twisting it to release it from the integrated retainer and centerer.

In another embodiment, a method of releasably retaining an optical fiber in a receptacle is provided, the method comprising:

-selecting a connector-less receptacle, the receptacle including: a housing with one or more receiver units, each receiver unit comprising an optical fiber receiver, which terminates proximally in a mouth, a cavity which is continuous with the optical fiber receiver and includes an upper surface, a base, a proximal side therebetween, a distal side therebetween, and a backstop on the distal side, the backstop including an aperture which is continuous with the cavity; and an integrated retention and shielding member which is housed in the cavity; and

-sliding the optical cable into the receptacle without the aid of a tool until it abuts the backstop, the retention and shielding member releasably retaining the optical cable.

The method may further comprise removing the optical fiber without a tool by twisting it to release it from the integrated retention and shielding member.

In another embodiment, a clip for releasably positioning and retaining an optical fiber in a receptacle is provided, the clip including a top, a curve which is continuous with the top, a second section which is continuous with the curve and extends downward, a terminal end which terminates the second section, the second section including an obtuse angle proximate the terminal end, a first wall which is attached to the top, a base that is attached to the first wall, wherein the curve and the second section are biased against the base and are free of the first wall.

The clip may further comprise a backstop which includes a depression for accepting an end of an optical fiber, and an aperture within the depression, the backstop continuous with the base and the wall.

The clip may further comprise a second wall which is attached to the backstop and the base and extends upward from the base, opposite the first wall and free of the second section and the curve.

In the clip, the terminal end may include a notch which is configured to position an optical fiber.

The clip may further comprise at least one retention member for attaching the clip to a printed circuit board.

In the clip, the retention members may be solder pins.

FIGURES

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the receptacle of the present technology.

Figure 2A is a longitudinal sectional view through the receptacle of Figure 1 , along lines 2-2 showing a single receiver unit; Figure 2B is the same view as Figure 2A, showing the optical light coupling path into the optical fiber; and Figure 2C is the same view as Figure 2A, showing the optical light return path out of the optical fiber.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a terminal receptacle of the present technology.

Figure 4 is a perspective sectional view through the terminal receptacle of Figure 3, along lines 4-4.

Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view through the terminal receptacle of Figure 3, along lines 4-4 with the optical fiber in place. Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional view through the terminal receptacle of Figure 3, along lines 4-4, with the optical fiber removed.

Figure 7 A is a perspective view showing a bend to retain and position the clip in the cavity; Figure 7B is a perspective view of a detent to retain and position the clip in the cavity; Figure 7C is a side view of the detent feature of Figure 7B; and Figure 7D is a perspective view showing lateral extensions that retain and position the optical fiber.

Figure 8A is a plan view showing one design of the clip; Figure 8B is a plan view showing another design of the clip; Figure 8C is a plan view showing another design of the clip; and Figure 8D is a plan view showing yet another design of the clip.

Figure 9 is a perspective sectional view showing an alternative embodiment of Figure 3.

Figure 10A is a perspective view showing another alternative embodiment of Figure 3; and Figure 10B is a longitudinal section view of Figure 10A along lines 10B-1 OB.

Figure 11 is a longitudinal section view of yet another alternative embodiment of Figure 3.

Figure 12 is a perspective view with a partial cutaway of an alternative embodiment of Figure 7 A.

DESCRIPTION

Except as otherwise expressly provided, the following rules of interpretation apply to this specification (written description and claims): (a) all words used herein shall be construed to be of such gender or number (singular or plural) as the circumstances require; (b) the singular terms "a", "an", and "the", as used in the specification and the appended claims include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise; (c) the antecedent term "about" applied to a recited range or value denotes an approximation within the deviation in the range or value known or expected in the art from the measurements method; (d) the words "herein", "hereby", "hereof, "hereto", "hereinbefore", and "hereinafter", and words of similar import, refer to this specification in its entirety and not to any particular paragraph, claim or other subdivision, unless otherwise specified; (e) descriptive headings are for convenience only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any part of the specification; and (f) "or" and "any" are not exclusive and "include" and "including" are not limiting. Further, the terms "comprising," "having," "including," and "containing" are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to,") unless otherwise noted.

Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. Where a specific range of values is provided, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range, is included therein. All smaller sub ranges are also included. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges are also included therein, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the relevant art. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used, the acceptable methods and materials are now described.

Definitions:

Receptacle - in the context of the present technology, a receptacle may be an optical fiber retention terminal or it may be an optical fiber receptacle which includes an optical system.

Optical system - in the context of the present technology, an optical system may be a light detector, a light emitter, an optical filter or a lens, or any combination thereof.

Integrated retainer and centerer - in the context of the present technology, an integrated retainer and centerer is a structure or bore defined by a structure that both retains and centers the optical fiber.

Detailed Description: As shown in Figure 1 , a receptacle, generally referred to as 8, includes a housing 10 with one or more optical fiber receivers 12. An optical fiber 14 can be seen in one receiver 12. There are mounting apertures 16 for attaching the housing 10 to a printed circuit board (PCB) 18 or a base plate. These are preferably hexagonal and are for retaining hexagonal nuts with screws reaching up to engage the nuts through the bottom of the PCB 18.

Figure 2A shows a receiver unit, generally referred to as 20. In each receiver unit 20, the optical fiber 14 is inserted into the optical fiber receiver 12 until a proximal end 30 abuts a backstop 32. The backstop 32 functions to set the position and focus of the optical fiber 14. Continuous with the optical fiber receiver 12 is a cavity 34. Within the cavity 34 is an optical fiber retention clip 36. It is an integrated shielding and retention member. The clip 36 is U-shaped, when engaged with the optical fiber 14 and has an obtuse angle 38 proximate the terminal end 40. The terminal end 40 holds the optical fiber 14 in place by biting into the outer sheathing 42 of the optical fiber 14 or simply pressing against the optical fiber 14 or optical fiber sheathing 42. The obtuse angle 38 allows for superior retention of the optical fiber 14, reducing the risk of unwanted release. The clip 36 fashioned in this way allows the optical fiber 14 to be easily inserted into the optical fiber receiver 12, but not easily removed because the clip terminal end 40 bites into the outer sheathing 42 of the optical fiber 14 when a retracting force is applied. The clip 36 doubles as a shutter to block light entering or escaping when no optical fiber 14 is present. The backstop 32 includes an aperture 44 which extends from the cavity 34 and a distal end 46 of a chamber 50. The bore 48 leading to the backstop 32 is tapered to guide and center the optical fiber 14. Within the chamber 50 is a lens 52, which is aligned with the backstop 32 and therefore the proximal end 30 of the optical fiber 14. The lens 52 is retained by the inner surface 54 of the chamber 50. Behind (moving proximally) the lens 52 is a dichroic mirror 56, which is also retained by the inner surface 54 of the chamber 50. A light emitting diode (LED) 60 is behind (moving proximally) the dichroic lens 56. An optical filter 62 sits on the bottom 64 of the inner surface 54 and below it is a photodetector 68. The bottom 70 of the housing sits on the PCB 18. Each optical fiber receiver 12 is in communication with a single cavity 34 and a single chamber 50, in other words, there are one or more receiver units 20 per receptacle 8. An example embodiment of an adjacent optical system used in remote sensing applications that both couples light into the optical fiber and detects light emitted from the optical fiber 14 is shown in Figures 2B and 2C. In Figure 2B, for example, a blue LED 60 emits light along an optical path 74 that travels through the dichroic mirror 56 and is focused by the lens 52 into the proximal end 30 of the optical fiber 14, thus coupling blue light into the optical fiber 14. In Figure 2C, red light emitted from the return optical path 76 travels from the optical fiber 14, is focused by the lens 52, reflects off the front face of the dichroic mirror 56, travels through the optical filter 62 and strikes the photodetector 68. Thus, red light signals are detected by the photodetector and accompanying circuit located on the PCB 18. The optical filter 62 blocks blue light from the LED 60 from striking the photodetector 68, thus only the red light from the optical fiber is detected.

In another embodiment, shown in Figure 3, an optical fiber retention terminal receptacle, generally referred to as 90, has a housing 92 and one or more optical fiber receivers 114. Each optical fiber receiver 114 has a fiber release button 116 located on the front 118 of the housing 92 and which when depressed, releases the optical fiber 14. Solder pins 120 extend from the bottom 122 of the housing 92 (these are not seen in Figure 2A, as the housing 10 is attached to the PCB 18 with mounting screws instead).

Figure 4 shows a perspective sectional view of a single receiver unit, generally referred to as 124. The step in the backstop 132 can be seen. The retention clip 136 is shown in the closed position with no optical fiber inserted. In this position the retention clip 136 prevents light from entering or escaping the receiver 114.

Figure 5 shows a single receiver unit of Figure 3 with the optical fiber 14 installed. In each receiver unit 124, the optical fiber 14 is inserted into the optical fiber receiver 114 until a proximal end 130 abuts the backstop 132. The backstop 132 includes an aperture 144 which extends from the proximal end of the optical fiber receiver 114 to the ambient environment 146. The backstop 132 functions to set the position and focus of the optical fiber 14. Continuous with the optical fiber receiver 114 is a cavity 134. Within the cavity 134 is an optical fiber retention clip 136. The clip 136 is U-shaped with an obtuse angle 138 proximate the terminal end 140. The terminal end 140 holds the optical fiber 14 in place by biting into the outer sheathing 148 of the optical fiber 14, or simply pressing against the optical fiber 14 or optical fiber sheathing 148. The obtuse angle 138 allows for superior retention of the optical fiber 14, reducing the risk of unwanted release. The clip 136 doubles as a shutter to block light entering or escaping when no optical fiber 14 is present. Each optical fiber receiver 114 is in communication with a single cavity 134, in other words, there are one or more receiver units 124 in the housing 92.

As shown in Figure 6, the fiber release button 116 extends through an aperture 117 in the housing 10, 92 and is proximate to the curve or abuts the curve 150 of the optical fiber retention clip 36,136. When pressed, the fiber release button 116 urges the curve 150 upward, thus releasing the terminal end 140 from the optical fiber 14. Accordingly, the fiber release button 116 has a wedge-shaped proximal end 152. This ensures that the terminal end 140 is lifted upward and away from the optical fiber 14. Comparing Figures 2A and 6, one can see that the clip 36, 136 is biased towards the base 154 of the cavity 34, 134. A first section 156 lies on the upper surface 158 of the cavity 34, 134 and extends from a first (proximal) side 160 to the other (distal) side 162 of the cavity 34, 134. The curve 150 lies on the distal side 162. A second section 164 extends downward to the base 154 of the cavity 34, 134 and terminates in the obtuse angle 38, 138. Thus, when the optical fiber 14 is not within the optical fiber receiver 12, 114, the clip 36, 136, which is strap shaped, occludes the optical fiber receiver 12, 114, preventing light from entering or escaping from the mouth 166 of the optical fiber receiver 12, 114.

In an alternative embodiment, the fiber release button 116 is not present, and instead, the aperture 117 through which it extends can be used to insert a screwdriver in order to press on the optical fiber retention clip 36, 136, thereby releasing the optical fiber 14. Similarly, a Deutsch terminal removal tool can be used. The tool includes a sleeve with longitudinal slit that is large enough to allow it to slide over the optical fiber 14 and small enough outside diameter to fit into the optical fiber receiver 12, 114. When inserted over the optical fiber 14, it urges the optical fiber retention clip 36, 136 to disengage from the fiber jacket and the optical fiber 14 can be removed.

As shown in Figure 7A, a clip extension 170 on the clip 36, 136 may be used to position and retain the clip 36, 136 in the cavity 34, 134 in the Y plane. The clip 36, 136 may further include a base 172 which is attached to a side 174. The side 174 is also attached to the top 176 of the clip 36, 136. The solder pins 178 extend from the base. The side 174 and top 176 bias the curve 150 and the second section 164 of the clip 36, 136. Thus, in this embodiment, the cavity 34, 134 that houses the clip 36, 136 may be a slot with the backstop 32, 132, sides and the mouth 166 in the front 118 of the housing 10, 92. In other words, the cavity lacks an upper surface 158 and a base 154. When the clip 36, 136 includes the centerer (notch 202), the optical fiber 14 is held firmly in place and lateral movement is restricted or eliminated. In another embodiment, the solder pins are replaced with another type of retention member for attaching the clip 36, 136 to the PCB 18. As shown in Figures 7B and 7C, a detent 180 may be used to position and retain the clip 36, 136 in the cavity 34, 134 in the Y plane. These assist in locking the clip 36, 136 in a rigid position within the housing cavity 34, 134, thereby substantially reducing the movement of the optical fiber 14 when subject to vibration or other externally applied loads. As shown in Figure 7D, in an alternate embodiment, an integrated shielding and retention clip 196 is a channel with four sides 190. Flexible lateral extensions 192 extend distally from the sides 190 at a slightly acute angle and have shutters 198. The lateral extensions 192 assist in retaining and centering the optical fiber 14 in the X plane. The integrated shielding and retention clip 196 is housed in the cavity 34, 134. The lateral extensions 192 have sharp edges. The lateral extensions 192 accommodate a large tolerance in optical fiber diameters. The slightly acute angles of the extensions 192 permit the optical fiber 14 to be easily inserted in one direction, but not easily removed if the optical fiber 14 is pulled out in reverse because the sharp edges of the lateral extensions 192 bite into the jacket of the optical fiber 14 and prevent it from pulling out. If the optical fiber 14 is rotated while being pulled out, the optical fiber 14 can be easily removed because these lateral extensions 192 act as teeth similar to threads in a tapped hole, and the fiber simply unscrews.

It should be noted that any combination of similar features can be arranged to either bias the optical fiber 14 to one side or keep it centered within one or more planes.

As shown in Figures 8A to 8D, the clip 36, 136 has a terminal end 40, 140 which can be straight (Figure 8A), have an angle 200 (Figure 8B) to allow for easier release of the optical fiber 14 when the optical fiber 14 is threaded out as described above, or have a notch 202 (Figure 8C and 8D) to center the optical fiber 14 in one plane, thus acting as a positioner. The angle 200 preferably is from about 5 to about 20 degrees.

In another embodiment, shown in Figures 9, a split sleeve 250 extends outward from the proximal end 252 of the housing 10, 92, and defines a tapered bore 254 that accepts the optical fiber 14. The tapered bore 254 expands as the optical fiber 14 is inserted into it. The split sleeve 250 thus grips the optical fiber 14 and holds it steady when exposed to external loads or vibrations.

In an alternative embodiment, shown in Figures 10A and 10B, a flexible member 220 is disposed between the optical fiber 14 and the mouth 166 of the optical fiber receiver 114. The flexible member 220 contributes to correct placement and clamping of the optical fiber 14 in position. Screws 222 are disposed in retaining bores 224 to secure the optical fiber 14 in the optical fiber receiver 114 of the terminal receptacle 90. The flexible member 220 protects the jacket of the optical fiber 14. It has a slot 226 which determines the maximum travel upon compression when the screw 222 is tightened. These features combined prevent the optical fiber core from being damaged when the screw is tightened and the optical fiber jacket is clamped. Unscrewing the screw 222 allows for removal of the optical fiber 14 from the terminal receptacle 90. The optical fiber sheath 42 is stripped and the proximal end 270 of the optical fiber core 268 is inserted through a precision bore 264 flush with the back surface 272 of the housing 92. The proximal end 270 of the optical fiber 270 is thus retained and aligned in respect of X, Y, and Z planes for coupling to any attached optical system.

In another embodiment shown in Figures 11 , screws 222 abut metal inserts 262 to clamp the optical fiber 14 in position. Over tightening of the screw 222 is limited by the retaining bore (counterbore) 228 where the head sits to prevent damage to the optical fiber 14. Unscrewing the screw 222 allows for removal of the optical fiber 14 from the terminal receptacle 90. The optical fiber sheath 42 is stripped and the proximal end 270 of the optical fiber core 268 is inserted through a precision bore 264 flush with the back surface 272 of the housing 92. The proximal end of the optical fiber 270 is thus retained and aligned in respect of X, Y, and Z planes for coupling to any attached optical system. Yet another embodiment of the clip, generally referred to as 300, is shown in Figure 12. The clip 300 has a curve 302, a front wall 304 (which is shown as a partial wall, but may be a full wall), a backstop 306 with an aperture 308, a back wall 310 which is attached to the backstop 306, the base 312 and the top 314. The back wall 310 and the top 314 bias the curve 302 and the second section 316 of the clip 300 against the base 312. The backstop 306 includes a depression in which the end of the optical fiber abuts. The front wall 304 and the base 312 are not directly attached to the curve 302 and the second section 316 of the clip 300. The housing for this embodiment lacks the backstop, but includes an aperture through the back, and the cavity lacks both an upper surface 158 and a base 154.

As would be known to one skilled in the art, in alternative embodiments, the features of the optical fiber retention terminal receptacles 90 may be integrated into the receptacle 8.

While example embodiments have been described in connection with what is presently considered to be an example of a possible most practical and/or suitable embodiment, it is to be understood that the descriptions are not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the example embodiment. Those skilled in the art will recognize or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific example embodiments specifically described herein. Such equivalents are intended to be encompassed in the scope of the claims, if appended hereto or subsequently filed.