FR3118496A1 - Optical connection device comprising non-removable sealing means - Google Patents

Abstract

Optical connection device (16A, 16B), having a front side (F) configured to be detachably coupled to another analogous optical connection device so as to allow transmission of light signals between the devices, and comprising: a body (40) delimiting one or more longitudinal ducts (60) opening on a rear side (R) to each receive an optical contact (20A, 20B), and opening on the front side (F) to transmit light signals forwards from optical contact; a collimator (62) housed in a forward end of each longitudinal conduit (60) and configured to transmit the light signals forward as a collimated expanded beam; and body/contact sealing means (64) irremovably linked to the body (40) and configured to hermetically seal the front end of each longitudinal duct (60). Figure for abstract: Figure 2

Description

Optical connection device comprising non-removable sealing means

The present invention relates to an optical connection device, sometimes referred to as an optical connection, having a rear side intended to receive one or more optical contacts, sometimes referred to as optical tips, each comprising a drilled ferrule for the passage of an optical fiber core and a ferrule holder intended to assemble the ferrule to an optical fiber, and a front side intended to be coupled to another similar connection device so as to allow the transmission of light signals between the optical contact(s) and one or more other optical contacts .

Such a device can be used in particular to connect two bundles to each other, each comprising a multiplicity of optical fibers.

The invention relates more particularly, but not exclusively, to an optical connection device intended in addition to ensure gastightness, also referred to as hermeticity, at the level of an interface between two media. Such a device is sometimes referred to as a “bulkhead fitting”.

State of the prior art

An optical fiber ensures the transmission of a light signal, carrying information, from one point to another.

When the distance between the emission and the reception of the light signal exceeds a given length, or when fibers have to cross a partition separating two media, for example a liquid medium and a gaseous medium, it is necessary to provide connectors to ensure the functional continuity of the two sections of the fibers to be connected.

Such a connector may comprise two optical connection devices intended to be coupled to one another and each comprising a body defining one or more longitudinal ducts emerging from the rear side to each receive an optical contact mounted at the end of a corresponding optical fiber. In the coupled configuration, the optical connection devices thus make it possible to align two-by-two optical contacts so as to ensure transmission of light signals between two corresponding optical fibers. In the terminology adopted in the present description, the assembly constituted by an optical connection device and by the associated optical contact(s) is called “connector assembly”, while two such connector assemblies constitute a connector.

In the case where such a connector is intended to be used at the level of a partition, for example at the interface between two media, one of the optical connection devices, sometimes called "partition crossing connection" or "base" , is intended to be integrated into the partition, while the other optical connection device, sometimes called "optical plug", is intended to be connected in a removable manner to the base, that is to say by a mechanism reversible.

Depending on the area of application, such a connector may be required to provide a liquid-tight or even gas-tight connection.

Hermeticity is measured in leak rate, depending on the standards, applications and environments located on either side of the connector. The hermeticity required is generally between 1x10-5 and 1x10-9 atm.cm3/s. Sealing is measured in “protection index” (designated by the sign “IP”).

The airtightness of such a connector must be ensured in several areas or places, namely:

• between each optical fiber and the ferrule of the associated optical contact, in a known manner by means of an epoxy-type glue or by englazing;
• between the ferrule of each optical contact and the body of the associated optical connection device;
• in the case of a partition crossing, between the partition and the body of the optical connection device, or base, integrated therein, in a known manner by an O-ring interposed between an external part of the body, generally in the form of disk, and partition.

It is also desirable for such connectors to allow the optical contacts to be removed from the optical connection devices in order to carry out maintenance or repair operations.

The document FR3050287B1 describes a sealed and removable connector assembly for optical fibers, ensuring in particular the sealing or hermeticity of the optical connection device and the fibers with respect to the respective environments located on each side, while allowing the disassembly of the optical contacts. for replacement or maintenance.

The ferrule holders of the optical contacts are held on the body of the optical connection device by a generally circular holding plate comprising a central hole intended for the passage of a screw for its fixing on a rear face of the body, the retention abutting against a flange provided on the ferrule holders and bearing itself against a rear face of the body.

Sealing or hermeticity is in particular obtained by means of O-rings interposed between each ferrule holder and the body of the optical connection device.

Removing the optical contacts is easy since all you have to do is unscrew the screw to release the retaining plate, in order to have access to each ferrule holder.

However, when dismantling the connector assembly, and more particularly when unscrewing the fixing screw of the retaining plate, relaxation of the O-rings on the ferrule holders is likely to occur, moreover after the removal of the retaining plate, which can potentially cause a hermeticity defect, including with regard to optical contacts that do not have to be removed from the device.

Document WO2020/104587A1 proposes a solution to this problem by replacing the retaining plate, located at the rear of the body, with individualized fixing of each optical contact by bolting. To this end, each optical contact has a thread provided on a front end of its ferrule holder, and a corresponding nut is screwed onto said front end in order to secure the optical contact to the connection device.

However, in the two aforementioned documents, hermeticity requires the use of optical contacts specifically adapted to cooperate with the O-rings.

The object of the invention is in particular to provide a simple, economical and effective solution to this problem, making it possible to avoid at least in part the aforementioned drawbacks.

The invention proposes for this purpose an optical connection device, having a rear side, and a front side configured to be coupled in a removable manner to another analogous optical connection device so as to allow transmission of light signals between the devices of optical connection, and comprising: a body delimiting one or more longitudinal ducts emerging from the rear side to each receive an optical contact, and emerging from the front side to transmit light signals coming from the optical contact forwards; a collimator housed in a front end of each longitudinal duct and configured to transmit the light signals forward in the form of a collimated expanded beam; and body/contact sealing means irremovably linked to the body and configured to hermetically close the front end of each longitudinal duct.

In general, the use of an irremovable connection mode between the body/contact sealing means and the body of the device makes it possible to guarantee optimal sealing at the interface between the body and the optical contacts.

Preferably, the body/contact sealing means are a sealing window forming a front face of the body of the optical connection device.

Preferably, the device further comprises, for each longitudinal duct, a retention device arranged in the longitudinal duct or at the limit of the latter, behind the corresponding collimator, and configured to cooperate mechanically with the corresponding optical contact within the duct. longitudinal so as to selectively prevent rearward movement of said optical contact to retain the latter in the optical connection device, or allow rearward movement of said optical contact in order to release the latter from the optical connection device.

The location of the retention device(s) within the longitudinal duct(s), behind the collimator(s), and therefore also behind the body/contact sealing means (these means may be separate from or combined with the collimator(s)) , makes it possible to reconcile good performance in terms of sealing or hermeticity, offered by the use of body/non-removable contact sealing means, with the ability to dismantle each optical contact of the optical connection device.

Preferably, the number of longitudinal ducts is greater than or equal to two, and the corresponding retention devices are configured to allow individualized selective release of the optical contacts respectively received in the longitudinal ducts.

Preferably, at least one said retention device is a bayonet attachment mechanism slide, opening at a rear end of the corresponding longitudinal conduit.

Preferably, at least one said retention device comprises at least one deformable latching tab between a rest configuration in which a free end of the latching tab protrudes towards the inside of the corresponding longitudinal conduit, and a configuration under stress in which the free end of the latching tongue is spaced towards a periphery of the corresponding longitudinal duct.

The invention also relates to an optical connector assembly comprising at least one optical connection device of the type described above, and at least one optical contact comprising a drilled ferrule for the passage of an optical fiber core and a ferrule holder intended in assembling the ferrule to an optical fiber and configured to be engaged in a said longitudinal conduit of the optical connection device and to cooperate mechanically with the retention device within the longitudinal conduit so as to selectively prevent a rearward displacement of said optical contact to retain the latter in the optical connection device, or allow a rearward movement of said optical contact in order to release the latter from the optical connection device.

Preferably, the ferrule is slidably mounted in the ferrule holder so as to be movable between a retracted position and an extended position, towards which the ferrule is elastically biased by elastic means.

Preferably, the optical contact comprises an indexing pin which can be moved axially with the ferrule and which projects radially towards the outside of the optical contact.

Preferably, the retention device is configured to cooperate mechanically with the indexing finger.

Preferably, the optical contact is configured so that the indexing finger engages in the slide of the bayonet fixing mechanism forming the retention device and cooperates therewith according to the principle of a bayonet fixing mechanism .

The invention also relates to an optical connector, comprising two connector assemblies of the type described above whose respective optical connection devices are configured to be coupled to each other in a removable manner.

The invention also relates to an aircraft, comprising an optical connector of the type described above, of which the respective optical connection devices of the two connector assemblies are coupled to each other in a removable manner.

The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing an optical connection device of the type having a rear side, and a front side configured to be detachably coupled to another similar connection device so as to allow transmission of light signals between the optical connecting devices, the method comprising steps of:

• A) provision of a body delimiting one or more longitudinal ducts emerging from the rear side to each receive an optical contact, and emerging from the front side to transmit light signals from the optical contact forwards; And
• B) installation, in a front end of each longitudinal duct, of a collimator able to transmit the light signals in the form of a collimated expanded beam towards the front of the optical connection device, and connection of sealing means body/contacts irremovably to the body so that said sealing means hermetically close the front end of each longitudinal duct while allowing the passage of light signals.

Preferably, the method further comprises a step C consisting, for each longitudinal duct, in mounting or making a retention device in the longitudinal duct or at the limit of the latter, behind the corresponding collimator, said retention device being configured to cooperate mechanically with the corresponding optical contact within the longitudinal duct so as to selectively prevent rearward movement of said optical contact to retain the latter in the optical connection device, or allow rearward movement of said optical contact in order to release the latter from the optical connection device.

Preferably, the connection of the body/contact sealing means to the body in step B is carried out by glassing, or by welding, a sealing window on the body in front of the front end of each longitudinal conduit, so that said sealing window forms a front face of the body.

The invention will be better understood, and other details, advantages and characteristics thereof will appear on reading the following description given by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the appended drawings in which:

is a schematic side view of an optical connector according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

is a partial schematic view in perspective and in section of a connector assembly belonging to the optical connector of the ;

is a larger scale view of part of the ;

is an even larger scale view of part of the ;

is a larger scale view of another part of the ;

is a schematic perspective view of a collimator forming part of an optical connection device belonging to the connector assembly of the ;

is a schematic side view of a retention device belonging to an optical connection device according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention;

is a partial schematic view in perspective and in section of a connector assembly comprising the optical connection device according to the second embodiment;

is a schematic partial perspective and sectional view on an enlarged scale of the connector assembly of the ;

is a block diagram illustrating the operation of the optical connector according to the invention.

In all of these figures, identical references may designate identical or similar elements.

Detailed Disclosure of Preferred Embodiments

There illustrates an optical connector 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, comprising a first connector assembly 12A and a second connector assembly 12B, designed to be mated so as to provide optical transmission between two optical fibers or, in this case , between two bundles of optical fibers 14A and 14B.

Each of the connector assemblies comprises an optical connection device 16A, 16B and optical contacts (not visible on the ), also called optical tips, respectively mounted at the end of the optical fibers 14A and 14B and connected to the corresponding optical connection device 16A, 16B.

In the example illustrated which corresponds to a particularly advantageous application of the invention, one of the optical connection devices 16A, of the type sometimes referred to as "partition crossing connection" or "base", is configured to be integrated into a partition 18 separating two environments A and B and ensuring sealing or hermeticity with the partition 18, while the other optical connection device 16B, of the type sometimes called "optical plug", is intended to be coupled to the device 16A, so removable, that is to say by a reversible mechanism, from a predetermined side of the partition.

Figures 2 to 8 relate to the first connector assembly 12A comprising the optical connection device 16A, but the following description applies analogously to the second connector assembly 12B comprising the other optical connection device 16B.

There illustrates the optical connection device 16A as well as the optical contacts 20A mounted at the end of the corresponding optical fibers 14A.

The optical connection device 16A generally has a rear side R intended to receive the optical contacts 20A, and a front side F intended to be coupled to the other optical connection device 16B so as to allow the transmission of signals light between the optical contacts 20A mounted in the optical connection device 16A and optical contacts mounted in the other optical connection device 16B ( ).

With joint reference to Figures 2 and 5, each optical contact 20A comprises a ferrule 22 pierced for the passage of a core 24 of a corresponding optical fiber 14A, and a ferrule holder 26 by which the ferrule 22 is assembled to the fiber 14A optical. The latter comprises for example a set of sheaths 28 surrounding the core 24 to insulate and protect it, and having a tip mounted in a rear end of the ferrule holder 26.

In the example illustrated, the optical contacts 20A comply with the ARINC 801 standard, and are for example of the type marketed by the company Radiall under the name Luxcis (registered trademark). In such optical contacts, the ferrule holders 26 are each formed mainly of two parts, namely a proximal part 26P secured to the set of sheaths 28 of the optical fiber, and a distal part 26D secured to the ferrule and mounted sliding relative to the proximal portion 26P. The distal part 26D is biased forwards by elastic means, in this case by a compression spring 30 interposed between a seat of the proximal part 26P and a shoulder 29 of the distal part 26D. It is thus clear that the ferrule 22 of such an optical contact is thus slidably mounted in the ferrule holder 26 so as to be movable between a retracted position and an extended position, towards which the ferrule 22 is elastically biased by the spring of compression 30. The ferrule holder 26 further comprises a cover 31 ( ) secured to the proximal part 26P and surrounding, at least in part, the distal part 26D. The cover 31 has a shoulder 31A facing the distal side (that is to say the rear) of the ferrule holder 26 (FIGS. 3 and 5). Moreover, with joint reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, such optical contacts 20A each comprise an indexing pin 32 secured to the ferrule 22, or more precisely secured to the distal part 26D of the ferrule holder 26, and extending projecting radially outwards from the optical contact, through a longitudinal slot 34 formed in the proximal part 26P of the ferrule holder 26. The indexing pin 32 is thus axially movable with the ferrule 22.

With constant reference to FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, the optical connection device 16A mainly comprises a body 40 comprising an external part 42 and an internal part 44.

The external part 42 is intended for the assembly of the optical connection device 16A to other elements, and comprises for example for this purpose a plate 46 in the form of a disk, of which at least one face 48, intended to be applied against the partition 18, is provided with a groove 50 intended to accommodate a seal to ensure sealing or hermeticity between the device 16A and the partition 18. The plate 46 is for example provided with orifices (not visible on the figures) intended to be crossed by studs integrated into the partition 18. Nuts are for example intended to be mounted on the free ends of the studs in order to ensure a clamping of the plate 46 on the partition 18.

The outer part 42 further comprises, for example, a front socket 52 for assembly with the other optical connection device 16B, and a rear socket 53 for assembly with a rear connection (not visible) provided to guide the optical fibers 14A.

The internal part 44 has through passages 54 forming longitudinal ducts 60 emerging from the rear side R to each receive a corresponding optical contact 20A. These longitudinal ducts 60 also emerge from the front side F to transmit the light signals from the optical contacts 20A forwards, as will appear more clearly in what follows.

In the example illustrated, each through passage 54 is extended rearward, beyond a rear face 55 of the internal part 44 of the body 40, by a corresponding chimney 56 defining a rear part of the corresponding longitudinal duct 60. Such a chimney 56 is for example made up of a sleeve mounted in a rear part 58 of the longitudinal duct 60 widened for this purpose. Alternatively, such a chimney can be integral with the internal part 44 of the body 40.

For each longitudinal duct 60, a collimator 62 is housed in a front end of the longitudinal duct 60 and configured to transmit the light signals in the form of a collimated expanded beam, forward of the optical connection device 16A. Due to the fundamental laws of optics, it must of course be understood that such a collimator transmits light signals propagating in the opposite direction in the form of a narrow beam.

Such a collimator 62, represented alone on the , is for example a gradient index lens, commonly referred to as a GRIN lens, having a cylindrical shape complementary to the internal geometry of the longitudinal duct 60.

In a manner known per se, the implementation of expanded beams, made possible by the use of such a collimator, makes it possible to increase (that is to say to relax) the tolerances in terms of alignment of the fibers optics 14A, 14B and in terms of cleanliness of the optical contacts.

Body/contact sealing means are linked to the body 40, in this case to the internal part 44 of the latter, in an irremovable manner, and are configured to hermetically close the front end of each longitudinal duct 60 while allowing the passage of light signals.

To this end, the body/contact sealing means are preferably a sealing window 64 forming a front face 45 of the body 40. It should therefore be understood that the sealing window 64 simultaneously covers the front ends of all the longitudinal ducts 60.

The irremovable connection is for example obtained by forming the sealing window 64 by englazing, that is to say by depositing molten glass on the internal part 44 of the body, at the desired location for the sealing window. . As a variant, the irremovable connection can be obtained by glass/metal welding, the internal part 44 of the body being in this case made of an appropriate metal, at least as regards the front region of this internal part on which the window sealing 64, manufactured beforehand, is intended to be applied.

As a variant, the collimators 62 may be irremovably linked to the body 40 and thus themselves constitute the body/contact sealing means, in which case the device may not include the sealing window 64.

In general, the use of an irremovable connection mode between the body/contact sealing means and the body 40 of the device makes it possible to guarantee optimal sealing at the interface between the body 40 and the optical contacts 20A , without requiring adaptation of the configuration of the optical contacts as in known devices in which sealing is provided by seals around the optical contacts.

Furthermore, for each longitudinal duct 60, a retention device 70 is arranged in the longitudinal duct 60 or at the limit of the latter, behind the corresponding collimator 62.

The retention device 70 is configured to cooperate mechanically with the corresponding optical contact 20A within the longitudinal conduit 60 so as to selectively prevent rearward movement of the optical contact to retain the latter in the optical connection device, or allow rearward movement of the optical contact in order to release the latter from the optical connection device.

The location of the retention devices 70 within the longitudinal ducts 60, behind the collimators 62, and therefore also behind the body/contact sealing means (whether it is the sealing window 64, or the collimators themselves as a variant), makes it possible to reconcile good performance in terms of hermeticity, offered by the use of non-removable body/contact sealing means, with the ability to disassemble the 20A optical contacts in the optical connection device 16A.

In the example illustrated, in which the optical connection device 16A comprises several longitudinal ducts 60, the corresponding retention devices 70 are configured to allow individualized selective release of the optical contacts 20A respectively received in the longitudinal ducts 60.

Each retention device 70 is for example configured to cooperate mechanically with the indexing finger 32 of the optical contact 20A received in the corresponding longitudinal conduit 60.

To this end, each retention device 70 consists for example of a slide 72 of bayonet fixing mechanism, opening at a rear end 74 of the corresponding longitudinal conduit 60 . Such a slide 72 appears more clearly on the , which also shows part of a corresponding optical contact 20A, and more particularly the longitudinal slot 34 formed in the proximal part 26P of the ferrule holder 26, and the indexing finger 32.

In the example illustrated, each slide 72 is formed in the chimney 56 delimiting the rear part of the corresponding longitudinal duct 60.

The indexing pin 32 is adapted to be engaged in the slide 72 and to cooperate with the latter according to the principle of a bayonet fixing mechanism. Thus, when assembling an optical contact 20A to the optical connection device 16A, the optical contact is presented in front of a longitudinal duct 60 so as to insert the indexing finger 32 of the contact into the opening of the slideway at the level with the rear end 74 of the longitudinal conduit 60, then the contact is pushed and moved in rotation around its axis, so that the indexing pin 32 moves in the slideway 70 as far as an opposite closed end 75 of this one ( ), pointing slightly to the rear. The biasing of the indexing finger 32 forwards by the compression spring 30 then secures the assembly. Conversely, the dismantling of the optical contact is carried out by pushing the latter and moving it in rotation in the opposite direction until the indexing pin 32 is disengaged from the slide 72.

Alternatively, with reference to Figures 7 to 9 and with constant reference to the for the common elements, the retention device 70 comprises at least one deformable latching tab 80 between a rest configuration in which a free end 80A of the latching tab 80 protrudes inwardly from the corresponding longitudinal conduit 60 of so as to form an abutment vis-à-vis the corresponding optical contact 20A, for example vis-à-vis the shoulder 31A of the cover 31, and a constrained configuration in which the free end 80A of the snap-in tongue 80 is moved away towards a periphery of the longitudinal duct 60 where it no longer constitutes an abutment vis-à-vis the optical contact 20A.

To this end, the retention device 70 consists for example of a ring, or a sleeve, having a longitudinal slot 82, and two lamellae each forming a latching tab 80. The two lamellae are defined by cutting in the ring, and are prestressed so as to each have a free end 80A projecting towards the inside of the ring at rest. The ring is also prestressed to require a slight radial compression, authorized by the presence of the longitudinal slot 82, in order to be able to be inserted into one of the longitudinal ducts 60. Thus, once inserted into a longitudinal duct 60, the ring is naturally applied against the inner surface of the duct, tending to regain its rest configuration, so that only the snap-in tabs 80 protrude towards the inside of the duct ( ). In addition, each of the longitudinal ducts 60 advantageously has a shoulder 60A against which the retention device 70 abuts when the latter is put in place.

After insertion of the retention device 70 into a longitudinal conduit 60, an optical contact 20A can be inserted into the longitudinal conduit 60. During such insertion, the cover 31 pushes the snap tabs 80 towards the internal surface of the conduit , in their constrained configuration, until the shoulder 31A reaches beyond the tongues 80, whereby the latter return to their rest configuration and therefore block any backtracking of the optical contact 20A by forming stops at against shoulder 31A ( ).

The removal of an optical contact 20A is carried out by means of a suitable tool (not shown in the figures) capable of being inserted into a space 84 made at the entrance to each longitudinal duct 60, between the internal surface of the duct and the optical contact 20A, and thus making it possible to push the latching tabs 80 towards the inner surface of the conduit so as to free the passage for the shoulder 31A, and therefore for the whole of the optical contact 20A.

Furthermore, with reference to Figures 8 and 9, a guide sleeve 86 can be arranged within each longitudinal conduit 60, between the collimator 62 and the corresponding optical contact 20A, so as to surround a distal end of the ferrule 22 and thus ensuring perfect positioning of the latter. Such a characteristic is of course applicable to all the embodiments of the invention.

There schematically illustrates the operation of the optical connector 10 (with a single optical fiber 14A, 14B connected to each of the optical connection devices 16A, 16B), and shows in particular the optical beam OB coming from an optical contact 20A mounted at the end of an optical fiber 14A, expanded by crossing the collimator 62 of the optical connection device 16A, then successively crossing the sealing window 64 of this device, then the sealing window 64 of the other optical connecting device 16B, before be brought back to its concentrated configuration by crossing the collimator 62 of this other optical connection device 16B, then to enter the other optical fiber 14B by the corresponding optical contact 20B.

A method of manufacturing an optical connection device 16A, 16B of the type described above generally comprises steps of:

• A) provision of the body 40;
• B) installation, in the front end of each longitudinal duct 60, of the corresponding collimator 62, and connection of the body/contact sealing means irremovably to the body; and optionally,
• C) for each longitudinal duct 60, assembly, or production, of the retention device 70 in the longitudinal duct 60 or at the limit of the latter, for example in one of the ways described above.

Preferably, the connection of the body/contact sealing means to the body in step B is carried out by glassing, or by welding, the sealing window 64 on the body 40, in front of the front end of each longitudinal duct 60, so that the sealing window 64 forms a front face of the body.

Although described in a multi-channel application, the invention nevertheless remains applicable and advantageous in the case of single-channel optical connection devices, that is to say, each comprising only a single longitudinal conduit 60 for receiving a single optical contact.

Claims (14)

Optical connection device (16A, 16B), having a rear side (R), and a front side (F) configured to be detachably coupled to another analog optical connection device (16B, 16A) so as to allow a transmission of light signals between the optical connection devices (16A, 16B), and comprising: a body (40) delimiting one or more longitudinal ducts (60) emerging from the rear side (R) to each receive an optical contact (20A, 20B ), and emerging from the front side (F) to transmit forward light signals from the optical contact; a collimator (62) housed in a front end of each longitudinal duct (60) and configured to transmit the light signals forward in the form of a collimated expanded beam; and body/contact sealing means (64) irremovably linked to the body (40) and configured to hermetically seal the front end of each longitudinal duct (60). Optical connection device according to claim 1, in which the body/contact sealing means is a sealing window (64) forming a front face (45) of the body (40) of the optical connection device (16A, 16B) . Optical connection device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising, for each longitudinal duct (60), a retention device (70) arranged in the longitudinal duct or at the limit of the latter, behind the corresponding collimator (62). , and configured to mechanically cooperate with the corresponding optical contact (20A, 20B) within the longitudinal duct (60) so as to selectively prevent rearward movement of said optical contact to retain the latter in the optical connection device (16A, 16B), or allow movement towards the rear of said optical contact in order to release the latter from the optical connection device. Optical connection device according to claim 3, in which the number of longitudinal ducts (60) is greater than or equal to two, and the corresponding retention devices (70) are configured to allow individualized selective release of the optical contacts (20A, 20B ) respectively received in the longitudinal ducts. An optical connection device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein at least one said retention device (70) is a bayonet mechanism slider (72) opening at a rear end (74) of the corresponding longitudinal duct (60). An optical connection device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein at least one said retention device (70) comprises at least one snap tab (80) deformable between a rest configuration in which a free end (80A) of the snap tab (80) projects inwardly from the corresponding longitudinal duct (60), and a constrained configuration in which the free end (80A) of the snap tab (80) is spread toward a periphery of the corresponding longitudinal duct. Optical connector assembly (12A, 12B) comprising at least one optical connection device (16A, 16B) according to any one of Claims 3 to 6, and at least one optical contact (20A, 20B) comprising a ferrule (22) for the passage of an optical fiber core (24) and a ferrule holder (26) intended to assemble the ferrule (22) to an optical fiber (14A, 14B) and configured to be engaged in a said longitudinal conduit (60 ) of the optical connection device (16A, 16B) and cooperate mechanically with the retention device (70) within the longitudinal conduit (60) so as to selectively prevent rearward movement of said optical contact (20A, 20B ) to retain the latter in the optical connection device, or allow a rearward movement of said optical contact in order to release the latter from the optical connection device. An optical connector assembly according to claim 7, wherein:

• the ferrule (22) is slidably mounted in the ferrule holder (26) so as to be movable between a retracted position and an extended position, towards which the ferrule is elastically biased by elastic means (30),
• the optical contact (20A, 20B) comprises an indexing finger (32) which can be moved axially with the ferrule (22) and which projects radially outwards from the optical contact, and
• the retention device (70) is configured to mechanically cooperate with the indexing finger (32).

An optical connector assembly according to claim 8, wherein the optical connection device (16A, 16B) is according to claim 5, and the optical contact (20A, 20B) is configured such that the index finger (32) is engages in the slide (72) of the bayonet fixing mechanism forming the retention device (70) and cooperates therewith according to the principle of a bayonet fixing mechanism. Optical connector (10), comprising two connector assemblies (12A, 12B) according to any one of claims 7 to 9 whose respective optical connection devices (16A, 16B) are configured to be coupled together removable way. Aircraft, comprising an optical connector (10) according to claim 10, of which the respective optical connection devices (16A, 16B) of the two connector assemblies (12A, 12B) are detachably coupled to each other. Method of manufacturing an optical connection device (16A, 16B) of the type having a rear side (R), and a front side (F) configured to be detachably coupled to another similar connection device (16B, 16A ) so as to allow transmission of light signals between the optical connection devices (16A, 16B), the method comprising the steps of:

• A) provision of a body (40) delimiting one or more longitudinal ducts (60) emerging from the rear side (R) to each receive an optical contact (20A, 20B), and emerging from the front side (F) to transmit forward light signals from the optical contact; And
• B) positioning, in a front end of each longitudinal duct (60), of a collimator (62) able to transmit the light signals in the form of a collimated expanded beam towards the front of the optical connection device, and connection of body/contact sealing means (64) in an irremovable manner to the body (40) so that said sealing means hermetically close the front end of each longitudinal duct (60) while allowing the passage of light signals.

Method according to claim 12, further comprising a step C consisting, for each longitudinal conduit (60), in mounting or making a retention device (70) in the longitudinal conduit or at the limit of the latter, behind the collimator (62 ) corresponding, said retention device being configured to cooperate mechanically with the corresponding optical contact (20A, 20B) within the longitudinal duct (60) so as to selectively prevent rearward movement of said optical contact to retain the latter in the optical connection device, or allow movement towards the rear of said optical contact in order to release the latter from the optical connection device. Method according to claim 13, in which the connection of the body/contact sealing means to the body in step B is carried out by glassing, or by welding, a sealing window (64) on the body (40). in front of the front end of each longitudinal duct (60), so that said sealing window forms a front face (45) of the body.