Method and system for automatic handling of optical assemblies

Abstract

Systems and methods are used for automatic handling of optical fibers and transporting the same, as well as automatic assembly of the optical fibers into optical devices and transportation of the same. A spool facilitates handling, storing, and transporting of the optical fiber. A cassette receives an electronic module and the optical fiber, with or without a corresponding spool, and presents the fiber in a manner that facilitates automatic assembly of optical assemblies. The cassette also facilitates handling, storing, and transporting of the optical assemblies.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A spool assembly used in connection with automatic assembly equipment for capturing a length of optical fiber comprising: 
 a drum for receiving said length of optical fiber, said length of optical fiber comprising a first end and a second end; and    a spool base, coupled to said drum, comprising at least two fiber end areas for retaining said first end and said second end.    
     
     
         2 . A spool assembly used in connection with automatic assembly equipment for capturing a length of optical fiber comprising: 
 a drum for receiving said length of optical fiber, said length of optical fiber comprising a first end and a second end; and    a spool base, coupled to said drum, comprising: 
 a fiber connector area for retaining said first end and presenting said first end for connection to a light source or light sensor; and  
 a module connection area for retaining said second end and presenting said second end for automatic connection to an electronic module.  
   
     
     
         3 . The spool of  claim 1  or  2  wherein said drum and said spool base comprise a single unit.  
     
     
         4 . The spool of  claim 1  or  2  wherein said drum comprises a central axis and wherein a plurality of said spools are coupled along said central axis.  
     
     
         5 . The spool of  claim 2  wherein at least a portion of said fiber connector area is formed as an insert for coupling to said spool base.  
     
     
         6 . The spool of  claim 2  wherein said fiber connector area comprises a connector clip for capturing said first end.  
     
     
         7 . The spool of  claim 2  wherein at least a portion of said module connection area is formed as an insert for coupling to said spool base.  
     
     
         8 . The spool of  claim 2  wherein said module connection area comprises a fiber end cover.  
     
     
         9 . The spool of  claim 2  wherein said module connection area comprises a fiber end latch for capturing said second end.  
     
     
         10 . The spool of  claim 9  wherein, upon deactivating said fiber end latch, said second end is released for attachment to said electronic module.  
     
     
         11 . The spool of  claim 1  or  2  wherein said spool is configured to facilitate automatic alignment of said length of optical fiber.  
     
     
         12 . The spool of  claim 1  or  2  wherein said spool facilitates transportation of said length of optical fiber.  
     
     
         13 . The spool of  claim 1  or  2  wherein said spool facilitates manipulation of said length of optical fiber by automatic assembly equipment.  
     
     
         14 . The spool of  claim 1  or  2  wherein said spool facilitates storage of said length of optical fiber.  
     
     
         15 . The spool of  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of at least one of said fiber end areas are formed as inserts for coupling to said spool base.  
     
     
         16 . A cassette that facilitates automatic assembly of an electro-optical device, wherein said device comprises at least one length of optical fiber and an electronic module, comprising: 
 an electronic module receiving area that receives said electronic module; and    a fiber receiving area comprising a drum for receiving said at least one length of optical fiber, said length of optical fiber having a first end and a second end;    wherein said fiber receiving area comprises a fiber connector area for receiving said first end and for presenting said first end for connection to a light source or light sensor and a module connection area for receiving said second end and for presenting said second end for automatic connection to said electronic module.    
     
     
         17 . A cassette that facilitates automatic assembly of an electro-optical device, wherein said device comprises at least one length of optical fiber and an electronic module, comprising: 
 an electronic module receiving area that receives said electronic module; and    a spool receiving area that receives at least one spool for carrying said length of optical fiber, said length of optical fiber having a first end and a second end;    wherein said at least one spool comprises a fiber connector area for receiving said first end and for presenting said first end for connection to a light source or light sensor and a module connection area for receiving said second end and for presenting said second end for automatic connection to said electronic module.    
     
     
         18 . The cassette of  claim 17  wherein said electronic module receiving area facilitates automatic connection of said electronic module to an electrical power source.  
     
     
         19 . The cassette of  claim 17  wherein said electronic module receiving area comprises an electronic module cover for securing said electronic module.  
     
     
         20 . The cassette of  claim 17  wherein said fiber connector area is configured to facilitate automatic alignment of said length of optical fiber.  
     
     
         21 . The cassette of  claim 20  wherein said automatic alignment facilitates testing of said length of optical fiber.  
     
     
         22 . The cassette of  claim 17  wherein said cassette facilitates storage of said electro-optical device.  
     
     
         23 . The cassette of  claim 17  wherein said cassette facilitates shipping of said electro-optical device.  
     
     
         24 . A method for automatically assembling a spool that transports of a length of optical fiber, said length of optical fiber having a first end and a second end, wherein said spool comprises a drum and a spool base, wherein said spool base comprises at least two fiber end areas for retaining said first end and said second end, said method comprising the steps of: 
 (A) retaining said first end in one of said fiber end areas;    (B) winding said length of optical fiber around said drum; and    (C) retaining said second end in a second of said fiber end areas.    
     
     
         25 . A method for automatically assembling a spool that transports of a length of optical fiber, said length of optical fiber having a first end and a second end, wherein said spool comprises a drum and a spool base, wherein said spool base comprises a fiber connector area, wherein said fiber connector area comprises a connector clip, and a module connection area, wherein said module connection area comprises a fiber end latch, said method comprising the steps of: 
 (A) inserting said first end into said connector clip;    (B) winding said length of optical fiber around said drum; and    (C) inserting said second end in said fiber end latch.