Assembly tool and optical connector assembly method

US8442375B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY · US

Inventors

• James R. Bylander · Austin, US
• Richard L. Simmons · Leander, US
• Curtis L. Shoemaker · Round Rock, US
• Joseph M. Van Allen · Cedar Park, US
• Donald K. Larson · Cedar Park, US
• Joseph C. Sawicki · Austin, US
• Ronald P. Pepin · Georgetown, US
• Martin G. Afflerbaugh · Austin, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 28, 2010
• Grant date: May 14, 2013
• Expiry date: Jun 7, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T29/49826
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An assembly tool for installing an optical fiber in an optical connector includes a base and a protrusion setting station. The base includes a connector mount disposed in the base. The connector mount can be configured to receive and secure the optical connector on the base where the connector has a housing and a connector ferrule. The protrusion setting station enables the craftsperson to set distance (or protrusion) that a terminal end of the optical fiber extends from an end face of the connector ferrule. The protrusion station includes a light source to illuminate the terminal end of the optical fiber, at least one black body absorber to eliminate unwanted reflected light and a window to visualize the terminal end of the optical fiber protruding from the end face of the connector ferrule.