OPTICAL FIBER CONNECTOR AND OPTICAL COMMUNICATION APPARATUS WITH SAME

The disclosure relates to an optical fiber connector for coupling an optical fiber to a corresponding photoelectric element. The optical fiber connector includes a first end, a second end opposite to the first end, and lens portion. The optical fiber connector defines a fixing hole in the first end for fixing an end of the optical fiber therein and a receiving groove in the second end. The receiving groove forms a bottom surface in the second end of the optical fiber connector, and the bottom surface defines a blind hole. The lens portion is formed on a bottom surface of the blind hole, and a peripheral edge of the lens portion coincides with an inner side surface of the blind hole.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-2show one embodiment of an optical fiber connector100configured for connecting an optical fiber (not shown) to a corresponding photoelectric element (not shown). The optical fiber connector100includes a first end10, a second end20opposite to the first end10, and a lens portion30. The optical fiber is connected to the first end10, and the photoelectric element is connected to the second end and optically aligned with the lens portion30.

The optical fiber connector100defines a fixing hole11in the first end10and a receiving groove21in the second end20. The fixing hole11is configured for receiving and fixing an end of the optical fiber therein. The receiving groove21forms a bottom surface211in the optical fiber connector100. The optical fiber connector100further defines a blind hole212in the bottom surface211. The lens portion30is formed on a bottom surface of the blind hole212, and a peripheral edge of the lens portion30coincides with an inner side surface of the blind hole212. In other words, a shape and size of a cross-sectional surface of the blind hole212is the same shape and size of the peripheral edge of the lens portion30. Therefore, in a concentricity measurement of the optical fiber connector100, the inner side surface of the blind hole212can be caught by a measurement device (not shown) as the peripheral edge of the lens portion30. In the embodiment, the lens portion30is an aspherical lens.

The optical fiber connector100further defines two engaging cutouts22in the second end20. The engaging cutouts engage with the photoelectric element, to prevent the optical fiber connector100and the photoelectrical from rotating. In the embodiment, each cutout22is substantially arch-shaped. The number and shape of the cutouts22can be changed according to different requirements.

In use, an end of an optical fiber (not shown) is received and fixed in the fixing hole11, a photoelectric element (not shown) is engaged with the second end20of the optical fiber connector100, and the photoelectric element is optically aligned with the lens portion30. The optical fiber, the optical fiber connector100, and the photoelectric element cooperatively form an optical transmitting apparatus for transmitting optical signals.

The optical fiber connector100can be molded by an ejection mold (not shown). Because the lens portion30is formed on the bottom surface of the blind hole212with an inner side surface coinciding with the peripheral edge of the lens portion30, the inner side surface of the blind hole212can be caught by the measurement device as the peripheral edge of the lens portion30. Therefore, even if a shape deviation of the peripheral edge occurs because of the viscosity of the melted molding material, a measurement precision of the optical fiber connector100can still be ensured.