Mold for fabricating an optical fiber connector | Patent Publication Number 20110256254
US 20110256254 A1Shih-Chieh Yen
A mold for fabricating an optical fiber connector is provided. The mold includes a mold body, a core pin and a positioning block. The mold body defines a molding chamber, and the molding chamber has a lens forming portion for forming a lens. The core pin is configured for insertion into the molding chamber and forming an optical fiber insertion hole. The core pin includes a first portion and a second portion thinner than the first portion. The positioning block is configured for being arranged in the molding chamber. The positioning block includes an engaging hole for engagingly receiving the second portion.
- 1. A mold for fabricating an optical fiber connector, the mold comprising:na mold body defining a molding chamber therein, the molding chamber having a lens forming portion for forming a lens;a core pin configured for insertion into the molding chamber and forming an optical fiber insertion hole, the core pin comprising a first portion and a second portion thinner than the first portion; anda positioning block configured for being arranged in the molding chamber, the positioning block comprising an engaging hole for engagingly receiving the second portion.
- 5. A mold for fabricating an optical fiber connector, the mold comprising:na plurality of core pins configured for forming optical fiber insertion holes;a mold body comprising a core section for receiving the core pins, and a cavity section, the core section and the cavity section cooperatively defining a molding chamber, the molding chamber comprising a plurality of lens forming portions for aligning with the respective core pins and configured for forming a plurality of lenses, each of the core pins comprising a first portion and a second portion thinner than the first portion; anda plurality of positioning blocks configured for being arranged in the core section, each of the positioning blocks comprising a plurality of engaging holes for receivingly engaging the second portions.
- 11. A mold for fabricating an optical fiber connector, the mold comprising:na mold body including a passage and a molding chamber, the molding chamber configured for forming the optical fiber connector;a core pin inserted in the passage and extending into the molding chamber for forming an optical fiber insertion hole in the optical fiber connector, the core pin comprising a first portion and a second portion thinner than the first portion; anda positioning block arranged in the molding chamber for positioning the core pin, the positioning block comprising an engaging hole aligned with the passage for engagingly receiving the core pin.
1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to molds, and particularly to a mold for fabricating an optical fiber connector.
2. Description of Related Art
Optical fiber connectors are widely used at optical fiber communications. Such an optical fiber connector is usually located between two optical fibers where a connection is necessary or located at an end of an optical fiber communication.
A typical optical fiber connector includes an optical fiber insertion hole for receiving an optical fiber, and a lens for receiving and guiding light from the optical fiber. Tolerances for molding the optical fiber connectors, specifically the optical fiber insertion hole is critical, yet difficult to maintain necessary alignment.
What is needed, therefore, is a mold for fabricating an optical fiber connector, which addresses the above mentioned problems.
Many aspects of the present mold can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present mold. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
Embodiments of the present mold will now be described in detail below and with reference to the drawings.
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The mold body 11 includes a core section 13 and a cavity section 15. A parting line 114 is defined between the core section 13 and the cavity section 15. In other embodiments, the core section 13 and the cavity section 15 can be integrally formed. The core section 13 and the cavity section 15 cooperatively define a molding chamber 200 therebetween. The molding chamber 200 is configured for molding the entire optical fiber connector. The core section 13 has a number of passages 132 in communication with the molding chamber 200, and configured for receiving the core pins 12. The molding chamber 200 defines a number of lens forming portion 134 at the cavity section 15 for molding a number of lenses aligned with the respective optical fiber insertion holes. Each of the passage 132 has a corresponding opening 130 defined at an end surface of the core section 13.
The core pins 12 can be inserted into the passages 132 from the openings 130. A shape of each of the core pins 12 is the same as that of the corresponding optical fiber insertion holes. The core pins 12 are configured to cause the molding materials to form around them forming through holes in their place after the core pins 12 are removed from the passages 132, thus obtaining the optical fiber insertion holes.
Each of the core pins 12 has a cylindrical portion (first portion) 122, a stepped-shaped portion (second portion) 121 and a tip 120. The tip 120 protrudes into the lens forming portion 134 and is aligned with the corresponding lens forming portion 134. The tip 120 has a polished surface. The polished surface helps to form a smooth portion between the corresponding optical fiber insertion hole and the corresponding lens, and the smooth portion can reduce transmission loss between the optical fiber and the lens by avoiding discoloration, splay, and/or flow marks for example. The stepped-shaped portion 121 has two steps and gradually reduces in size in steps towards the tip 120. To support the stepped-shaped portion 121 and avoid materials from flexing the core pins 12, the positioning blocks 14, 16 are positioned in the core section 13.
Each of the positioning blocks 14, 16 has two engaging holes 221 formed in a surface 220 thereof. The shape of each of the engaging holes 221 is the same as a corresponding portion of the stepped-shaped portion 121. Each of the engaging hole 221 defines a first hole portion 221a for fittingly receiving the cylindrical portion 122 and a second hole portion 221b having a smaller size than that of the first hole portion 221a for fittingly receiving the stepped-shaped portion 121. Each of the engaging hole 221 further defines a step-shaped hole portion 221c for fittingly receiving a step between the cylindrical portion 122 and the stepped-shaped portion 121. The engaging holes 221 help to stabilize the stepped-shaped portion 121 during the molding process, in order to maintain a straight passage of the molded optical fiber hole.
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It is understood that the above-described embodiments are intended to illustrate rather than limit the disclosure. Variations may be made to the embodiments and methods without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the disclosure.