Optical connectors with reversible polarity

• US 10,527,802 B2
• Filed: 11/07/2018
• Issued: 01/07/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SENKO Advanced Components, Inc. (SENKO Group Holdings Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: SENKO Advanced Components, Inc. (SENKO Group Holdings Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Wong, Kimman, Gniadek, Jeffrey, Takano, Kazuyoshi, Ma, Siu Kei
• Primary Examiner(s): Jordan, Andrew
• Application Number:
  US16/182,810
• Publication Number:
  US 20190187387A1
• Time in Patent Office: 426 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3821 with axial spring biasing or loading means G02B6/3847 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3879 Linking of individual connector plugs to an overconnector, e.g. using clamps, clips, common housings comprising several individual connector plugs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3893 Push-pull type, e.g. snap-in, push-on
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/406 of the ferrule type, connecting a plurality of pairs of ferrules

Abstract

Reversible polarity fiber optic connectors are provided having housings at least partially surrounding first and second optical ferrules with walls above and beneath the ferrules. Positioning removable elements such as latches, removable arms, or push-pull tabs on the first wall above the ferrules yields fiber optic connectors with a first polarity type, and positioning the removable elements on the second wall beneath the ferrules yields fiber optic connectors with a second, opposite polarity type. Various engagement mechanisms are provided on either the connector housing walls or on the removable elements, or both, to assist in affixing the removable element to the connector housing.

Claims

1. A reversible polarity fiber optic connector comprising:

at least first and second ferrules;

a connector housing at least partially surrounding the first and second optical ferrules,

the connector housing having a first and a second exterior wall comprising;

a latch coupling surface positioned on each of the exterior walls, and configured to accept a latch recess; and

wherein positioning the latch recess on the first exterior wall of the connector housing yields a fiber optic connector with a first polarity and positioning the latch recess on the second exterior wall of the housing yields a fiber optic connector with a second polarity, the second polarity being opposite to the first polarity.

2. The reversible polarity fiber optic connector according to claim 1,

wherein a longitudinal groove on the first and the second exterior wall is configured to accept the latch recess.

3. The reversible polarity fiber optic connector according to claim 2, wherein the latch recess is formed as part of a removable arm.

4. The reversible polarity fiber optic connector according to claim 3, wherein the removable arm further comprises a projection.

5. The reversible polarity fiber optic connector according to claim 4, wherein the longitudinal groove accepts the projection.

6. The reversible polarity fiber optic connector according to claim 3, wherein the removable arm further comprises a recess.

7. A reversible polarity fiber optic connector resulting in the configuration of claim 1.

8. A method of changing polarity of a reversible polarity fiber optic connector according to claim 7 comprising:

providing the fiber optic connector of claim 7;

detaching a removable arm from the first exterior wall;

attaching the removable arm to the second exterior wall; and

wherein positioning the removable arm on the first exterior wall yields the fiber optic connector with a first polarity and

positioning the removable arm on the second exterior wall yields the fiber optic connector with a second polarity.

9. A reversible polarity fiber optic connector comprising:

at least first and second ferrules;

a connector housing at least partially surrounding the first and second optical ferrules,

the connector housing having a first and a second exterior wall comprising;

a horizontal recess and a longitudinal groove positioned on each of the exterior walls, and

configured to accept a push-pull tab; and

wherein positioning the push-pull tab on the first exterior wall of the connector housing yields a fiber optic connector with a first polarity and positioning the latch recess on the second exterior wall of the housing yields a fiber optic connector with a second polarity, the second polarity being opposite to the first polarity.

10. The reversible polarity fiber optic connector according to claim 9, wherein the push-pull tab has a protrusion.

11. The reversible polarity fiber optic connector according to claim 10, wherein the connector housing has an aperture on the first and the second exterior wall for accepting the protrusion during the polarity change.

12. The reversible polarity fiber optic connector according to claim 10, wherein the connector housing has a first deformable region in the first exterior wall and a second deformable region in the second exterior wall for accepting the protrusion during the polarity change.

13. The reversible polarity fiber optic connector according to claim 9, wherein a first push-pull tab retainer is positioned on the first exterior wall and a second push-pull tab retainer is positioned on the second exterior wall for accepting the push-pull tab during polarity change.

14. The reversible polarity fiber optic connector according to claim 13, wherein the first and second push-pull tab retainers each include a projection.

15. The reversible polarity fiber optic connector according to claim 14, wherein each projection is a clip for receiving a portion of the push-pull tab.

16. A reversible polarity fiber optic connector resulting in the configuration of claim 9.

17. A method of changing polarity of a reversible polarity fiber optic connector comprising

providing the fiber optic connector of claim 16;

detaching the push-pull tab from the first exterior wall;

attaching the push-pull tab to the second exterior wall; and

wherein positioning the push-pull tab on the first exterior wall yields the fiber optic connector with a first polarity and

positioning the push-pull on the second exterior wall yields the fiber optic connector with a second polarity.