초록 ▼

An optical connector is disclosed which includes self-closing shutters to protect the optical contacts from environmental contamination when male and female portions of the connector are disconnected. The optical connector is comprised of male and female portions having means for permitting intercon

An optical connector is disclosed which includes self-closing shutters to protect the optical contacts from environmental contamination when male and female portions of the connector are disconnected. The optical connector is comprised of male and female portions having means for permitting interconnection while the male and female portions are slightly axially misaligned. Male and female portions of the optical connector each contain one or more spring loaded optical contacts protected by a shutter mechanism and having a body with a spring loaded shutter cap and a shutter disk. The shutter disk contains two apertures which can be made to align with two apertures in the cap of the shutter when the shutter is rotated to an open position. The optical contacts contained in each portion of the optical connector are exposed for interconnection when the male and female portions of the optical connector are joined together. Means are also provided to ensure that the optical connection between contacts contained in the male and female portion of the connector is established even if there is slight misalignment between the male and female portions of the optical connector.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A connector for connecting male and female fiber optic contacts, said male and female fiber optic contacts each carrying optical signals, said connector being comprised of a male portion and a female portion, said male portion having one or more fiber optic male optical c

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A connector for connecting male and female fiber optic contacts, said male and female fiber optic contacts each carrying optical signals, said connector being comprised of a male portion and a female portion, said male portion having one or more fiber optic male optical contacts and said female portion having one or more female optical contacts for interconnection when said male and female portions of said connector are connected together, said male portion of said connector and said female portion of said connector each containing a shutter cap for protecting said female contacts and said male contacts when the female portion of said connector is disconnected from said male portion of said connector, said shutter caps moving from a first position to a second position to expose said male contacts and said female contacts when said male portion of said connector is engaged with said female portion of said connector and said shutter caps returning to said first position when the male portion of said connector is removed from engagement with the female portion of said connector, said shutter caps protecting said male contacts and said female contacts when the male portion of said connector is disengaged from the female portion of said connector.