Device for making a non-permanent connection between two optical fibers,

Abstract

A device makes a non-permanent connection between two optical fibers each fixed into a respective fiber holding device from which a bared end of the fiber protrudes. The device comprises a socket member featuring a guide member to accommodate the aligned bared fiber ends. A clamp member in line with the guide member immobilizes the bared fiber ends by clamping them against the guide member. Two mobile plug members are each adapted to interlock nesting fashion with the socket member, one on each side of the guide member. Their axes are at a predetermined angle to the guide member. Each plug member comprises a front surface through which it comes into an abutting and supporting relationship with the other plug member. At a rear end of a central channel in the plug member is a receptacle for the fiber holding device. There is an orifice at the front end of this channel slightly larger than the diameter of the bared fiber end. The length of the central channel is sufficient to allow part of the bared fiber end to protrude after the fiber holding device is fitted into the receptacle. The width of the central channel is sufficient to allow limited flexing of the bared fiber end in response to loads applied to its protruding part. Plugging the plug members into the socket member brings the end surfaces of the two fibers into contact inside the guide member. Flexing of the fiber in the central channel produces reaction forces to pressurize the contact. It also allows displacement of the mating plane defined by the contacting end surfaces relative to the median plane of the device.