Hardened fiber optic connector

• US 20080175541A1
• Filed: 01/24/2007
• Published: 07/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CommScope Technologies, LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ADC Telecommunications Incorporated (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Inventors: Reagan, Randy, Lu, Yu
• Granted Patent: US 7,572,065 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/62
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3816 for use under water, high pressure connectors provisionally see G02B6/4428
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3821 with axial spring biasing or loading means G02B6/3847 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3825 with an intermediate part, e.g. adapter, receptacle, linking two plugs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3869 Mounting ferrules to connector body, i.e. plugs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3877 Split sleeves
• 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 6/3887 Anchoring optical cables to connector housings, e.g. strain relief features
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3888 Protection from over-extension or over-compression
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3889 using encapsulation for protection, e.g. adhesive, molding or casting resin
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3893 Push-pull type, e.g. snap-in, push-on
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3894 Screw-lock type

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a fiber optic connector for use with a fiber optic adapter. The fiber optic connector includes a connector housing having an end defining a plug portion. A ferrule assembly is mounted at least partially within the connector housing. The ferrule assembly includes a ferrule located at the plug portion of the connector housing. A sealing member is mounted about an exterior of the connector housing for providing a seal between the connector housing and the adapter. The fiber optic connector further includes first and second separate retaining mechanism for retaining the fiber optic connector within the fiber optic adapter.

Claims

1. A fiber optic connector and cable assembly for use with a fiber optic adapter, the fiber optic connector comprising:

a cable including an optical fiber and at least one strength member positioned within a jacket;

a connector housing having an end defining a plug portion;

a ferrule assembly mounted at least partially within the connector housing, the ferrule assembly including a ferrule located at the plug portion of the connector housing, the ferrule receiving an end portion of the optical fiber;

a sealing member positioned about an exterior of the connector housing;

the connector housing including a first end positioned opposite from a second end, the plug portion being located at the first end of the connector housing and the cable being secured to the connector housing at the second end of the connector housing, the connector housing including a one piece main body that extends from the first end of the connector housing to the second end of the connector housing and that completely defines the plug portion of the connector housing;

the connector housing including a cover that mounts to the one piece main body adjacent the second end of the connector housing, the at least one strength member of the cable being secured between the cover and a cable retaining portion of the one piece main body;

a band mounted at the second end of the connector housing, the band positioned over at least a portion of the cover and at least a portion of the cable retaining portion of the one piece main body for assisting in retaining the cover on the one piece main body;

the one piece main body defining an exterior circumferential groove positioned adjacent the plug portion of the connector housing, the sealing member being positioned at least partially within the exterior circumferential groove;

a sealing tube provided at an interface between the cable and the connector housing;

a boot mounted at the second end of the connector housing;

a coupling nut for retaining the fiber optic connector within the fiber optic adapter; and

the one piece main body including an external shoulder forming a stop for one end of the coupling nut.

14. The fiber optic connector of claim 1, wherein the sealing member defines an outer diameter that is less than or equal to 15 mm.

15. The fiber optic connector of claim 1, wherein the sealing member defines an outer diameter that is less than or equal to 12.5 mm.

16. The fiber optic adapter connector of claim 1, wherein the sealing member defines an outer diameter that is less than or equal to 10 mm.

17. The fiber optic connector of claim 1, wherein the plug portion has an end with a truncated, tapered configuration.

2-13. -13. (canceled)

18-39. -39. (canceled)

40. A fiber optic connector and cable assembly comprising:

a fiber optic cable including an optical fiber and at least one strength member;

a connector housing including a main body and a cover, the main body having a unitary one piece construction and including a distal portion and a proximal portion;

the distal portion of the main body defining a plug end of the connector housing, the plug end fully surrounding a passage that passes through the plug end in a proximal to distal direction;

a sealing member for forming a seal against a peripheral surface of the main body;

the cover of the connector housing being mounted to the proximal portion of the main body, the at least one strength member of the fiber optic cable being secured in a region between the proximal portion of the main body and the cover;

a ferrule assembly positioned at least partially within the passage defined by the plug end of the main body, the ferrule assembly including a ferrule that projects outwardly from the plug end of the main body; and

the optical fiber extending through the connector housing in the proximal to distal direction and including an end portion mounted within the ferrule.

41. The fiber optic connector and cable assembly of claim 40, further comprising a band positioned over at least a portion of the cover and at least a portion of the proximal portion of the main body.

42. The fiber optic connector and cable assembly of claim 40, wherein the fiber optic cable includes two strength members, and wherein the cover and the proximal portion of the main body cooperate to define two strength member receivers each receiving one of the strength members.

43. The fiber optic connector and cable assembly of claim 40, wherein the fiber optic cable includes a buffer tube in which the optical fiber is positioned, and wherein the cover and the proximal portion of the main body cooperate to define a central passage in which the buffer tube is received.

44. The fiber optic connector and cable assembly of claim 40, wherein the fiber optic cable includes a jacket surrounding the at least one strength member and the optical fiber, and wherein the connector housing includes two opposing proximal tabs between which an end of the jacket is positioned, the proximal tabs including retention members that engage the jacket.

45. The fiber optic connector and cable assembly of claim 44, wherein the retention members that engage the jacket include retaining teeth.

46. The fiber optic connector and cable assembly of claim 40, wherein the ferrule assembly includes a spring for biasing the ferrule in a distal direction and a spring holder for supporting a proximal end of the spring, the spring holder being positioned at least partially within a receptacle defined by the proximal portion of the main body.

47. The fiber optic connector and cable assembly of claim 40, further comprising a threaded retention member rotatably mounted about the connector housing for use in securing the connector housing to a fiber optic adapter.

48. The fiber optic connector and cable assembly of claim 47, wherein the threaded retention member includes an externally threaded nut, and wherein the main body includes a stop against which one end of the threaded retention member abuts.

49. The fiber optic connector and cable assembly of claim 40, wherein the sealing member is mounted on the main body.

50. A fiber optic connector and cable assembly comprising:

a fiber optic cable including an optical fiber and at least one strength member;

a connector housing including a distal plug end portion and a proximal extension portion that projects proximally from the distal plug end portion, the proximal extension portion being unitarily formed as a single piece with the distal plug end portion, the connector housing also including a cover that mounts to the proximal extension portion, the distal plug end portion fully surrounding a passage that passes through the distal plug end portion in a proximal to distal direction;

the at least one strength member of the fiber optic cable being secured in a region between the proximal extension portion and the cover of the connector housing;

a threaded retention member rotatably mounted relative to the connector housing for securing the connector housing to a fiber optic adapter, the connector housing including a stop surface against which the threaded retention member abuts;

a ferrule assembly positioned at least partially within the passage defined by the distal plug end portion of the connector housing, the ferrule assembly being loaded into the passage through a proximal end of the passage before the cover is mounted to the proximal extension portion of the connector housing, the ferrule assembly including a ferrule that projects distally from the distal plug end portion of the connector housing; and

the optical fiber extending through the connector housing in the proximal to distal direction and including an end portion mounted within the ferrule.

51. The fiber optic connector and cable assembly of claim 50, further comprising a band positioned over at least a portion of the cover and at least a portion of the proximal extension portion.

52. The fiber optic connector and cable assembly of claim 50, wherein the fiber optic cable includes two strength members, and wherein the cover and the proximal extension portion cooperate to define two strength member receivers each receiving one of the strength members.

53. The fiber optic connector and cable assembly of claim 50, wherein the fiber optic cable includes a buffer tube in which the optical fiber is positioned, and wherein the cover and the proximal extension portion cooperate to define a central passage in which the buffer tube is received.

54. The fiber optic connector and cable assembly of claim 50, wherein the fiber optic cable includes a jacket surrounding the at least one strength member and the optical fiber, and wherein the connector housing includes two opposing proximal tabs between which an end of the jacket is positioned, the proximal tabs including retention members that engage the jacket.

55. The fiber optic connector and cable assembly of claim 54, wherein the retention members that engage the jacket include retaining teeth.

56. The fiber optic connector and cable assembly of claim 50, wherein the ferrule assembly includes a spring for biasing the ferrule in a distal direction and a spring holder for supporting a proximal end of the spring, the spring holder being positioned at least partially within a receptacle defined by the proximal extension portion.

57. The fiber optic connector and cable assembly of claim 50, wherein the threaded retention member includes an externally threaded nut.

58. The fiber optic connector and cable assembly of claim 50, further comprising a sealing member retained by a seal receiver defined by an exterior of the connector housing adjacent the distal plug end portion of the connector housing.

59. A fiber optic connector and cable assembly connectable to a fiber optic adapter, the fiber optic connector and cable assembly comprising:

a unitary one piece main body having a first end and a second end, the one piece main body including a distal plug portion at the first end, a circumferential groove adjacent the distal plug portion, a shoulder between the sealing surface and the second end, a proximal extension portion that projects proximally from the distal plug portion, and a first portion of a central passage extending through and surrounded by the distal plug portion;

a fiber optic cable including an optical fiber and at least one strength member connected to the proximal extension portion of the one piece main body;

a ferrule assembly mounted within the first portion of the central passage of the one piece main body, the ferrule assembly terminating the optical fiber of the fiber optic cable; and

a cover that mounts to the proximal extension portion of the one piece main body;

wherein the at least one strength member of the fiber optic cable is positioned between the proximal extension portion of the one piece main body and the cover;

a sealing member positioned at least partially within the circumferential groove, the sealing member providing a seal between the fiber optic connector and cable assembly and the fiber optic adapter;

wherein the shoulder of the one piece main body provides a seat for a coupling nut, the coupling nut provided to retain the fiber optic connector and cable assembly within the fiber optic adapter; and

wherein the first portion of the central passage through the distal plug portion of the one piece main body is continuous with a second portion of the central passage between the proximal extension portion of the one piece main body and the mounted cover;

wherein the optical fiber of the fiber optic cable is within the first and second portions of the central passage.

60. The fiber optic connector and cable assembly of claim 59, wherein the unitary one piece main body is a unitary molded piece.

61. The fiber optic connector and cable assembly of claim 60, wherein the unitary molded piece is a molded plastic piece.