Hardened Fiber Optic Connection System

• US 20090148104A1
• Filed: 09/03/2008
• Published: 06/11/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2007
• 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 7,762,726 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/72
• 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 6/3826 characterised by form or shape
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3849 using mechanical protective elements, e.g. caps, hoods, sealing membranes G02B6/3816 takes precedence; provisionally see H01R13/44
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3877 Split sleeves
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3887 Anchoring optical cables to connector housings, e.g. strain relief features
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3893 Push-pull type, e.g. snap-in, push-on
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3894 Screw-lock type
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4433 Double reinforcement laying in straight line with optical transmission element

Abstract

A fiber optic connector and a fiber optic adapter are disclosed that are manually connectable and disconnectable with each other by a slideable latching means. The fiber optic connector includes an end defining a plug portion. The plug portion holds a ferrule and also directly engages a port on the fiber optic adapter. The plug portion includes a protrusion which also forms a latch catch. The port of the fiber optic adapter includes a flexible retention latch within a slot. The slot engages the protrusion and thus rotationally aligns the fiber optic connector and adapter. The flexible retention latch snaps into and out of the latch catch when the plug portion of the fiber optic connector is slid into and out of the port of the fiber optic adapter thus providing the slideable latching means. Angled retaining surfaces are provided on the retention latch and the latch catch that engage each other. Angles defining the angled retaining surfaces are chosen to provide desired holding and release characteristics. A sealing means and a threaded connection means are also provided between the fiber optic adapter and connector.

Claims

1. A fiber optic connection system comprising:

a fiber optic adapter including a flexible retention latch having a first retaining surface, the fiber optic adapter also including first threads; and

a fiber optic connector including a connector housing having a plug portion sized to fit within the fiber optic adapter, the plug portion including a latch catch having a second retaining surface that engages the first retaining surface of the flexible retention latch to retain the plug portion within the fiber optic adapter when the plug portion is inserted into the fiber optic adapter, the fiber optic connector including a ferrule positioned at the plug portion of the fiber optic connector, the ferrule defining a connector axis that extends longitudinally through the ferrule, the fiber optic connector also including a threaded retention member including second threads that engage the first threads of the fiber optic adapter to secure the plug portion within the fiber optic adapter, the second retaining surface being oriented at a first oblique angle relative to the connector axis, the first oblique angle being oriented such that the second retaining surface extends radially outwardly from the connector axis as the second retaining surface extends along the connector axis in a direction of insertion of the fiber optic connector.

2. The fiber optic connection system of claim 1, wherein the first oblique angle is in a range of 50 degrees to 70 degrees.

3. The fiber optic connection system of claim 1, wherein the first oblique angle is in a range of 55 degrees to 65 degrees.

4. The fiber optic connection system of claim 1, further comprising a spring positioned within the connector housing for biasing the ferrule in the direction of insertion of the fiber optic connector, wherein the flexible retention latch of the fiber optic adapter and the latch catch of the fiber optic connector are configured to provide a connector retention force that exceeds a biasing force provided by the spring.

5. The fiber optic connection system of claim 1, wherein a sealing member is used to provide a seal between the fiber optic connector and the fiber optic adapter.

6. The fiber optic connection system of claim 5, wherein the sealing member is carried by the fiber optic connector.

7. The fiber optic connection system of claim 6, wherein the sealing member includes an O-ring mounted about an exterior of the connector housing.

8. The fiber optic connection system of claim 1, wherein the latch catch includes a projection that projects outwardly from a first side of the plug portion, and wherein the second retaining surface is included on the projection.

9. The fiber optic connection system of claim 8, wherein the fiber optic adapter includes a slot for receiving the projection when the plug portion is inserted in the fiber optic adapter, the slot being in axial alignment with the flexible retention latch of the fiber optic adapter.

10. The fiber optic connection system of claim 8, wherein the plug portion includes a second side positioned opposite from the first side, wherein the second side includes a rotational alignment slot that is generally parallel to the connector axis, and wherein the fiber optic adapter includes a rotational alignment rail that fits within the rotational alignment slot when the plug portion is inserted into the fiber optic adapter.

11. The fiber optic connection system of claim 10, wherein the rotational alignment slot includes a tapered portion that widens as the rotational alignment slot extends along the connector axis in the direction of insertion of the fiber optic connector.

12. The fiber optic connection system of claim 1, wherein the fiber optic adapter includes a ferrule receiver defining an adapter axis that extends longitudinally through the ferrule receiver, wherein the adapter axis and the connector axis are co-axially aligned when the plug portion of the fiber optic connector is inserted within the fiber optic adapter, wherein the first retaining surface is oriented at a second oblique angle relative to the adapter axis, and wherein the second oblique angle of the first retaining surface is oriented such that the first retaining surface extends radially outwardly from the adapter axis as the first retaining surface extends along the adapter axis in the direction of insertion of the fiber optic connector.

13. The fiber optic connection system of claim 12, wherein the second oblique angle of the first retaining surface matches the first oblique angle of the second retaining surface.

14. A fiber optic connection system comprising:

a fiber optic adapter including a flexible retention latch having a first retaining surface, the fiber optic adapter including a ferrule receiver defining an adapter axis that extends longitudinally through the ferrule receiver, the fiber optic adapter also including first threads;

a fiber optic connector including a connector housing having a plug portion sized to fit within the fiber optic adapter, the plug portion including a latch catch having a second retaining surface that engages the first retaining surface of the flexible retention latch to retain the plug portion within the fiber optic adapter when the plug portion is inserted into the fiber optic adapter, the fiber optic connector including a ferrule positioned at the plug portion of the fiber optic connector, the ferrule defining a connector axis that extends longitudinally through the ferrule, the fiber optic connector also including a threaded retention member including second threads that engage the first threads of the fiber optic adapter to secure the plug portion within the fiber optic adapter; and

wherein the first retaining surface is oriented at an oblique angle relative to the adapter axis, and wherein the oblique angle of the first retaining surface is oriented such that the first retaining surface extends radially outwardly from the adapter axis as the first retaining surface extends along the adapter axis in a direction of insertion of the fiber optic connector.

15. The fiber optic connection system of claim 14, wherein the oblique angle is in a range of 50 degrees to 70 degrees.

16. The fiber optic connection system of claim 14, wherein the oblique angle is in a range of 55 degrees to 65 degrees.

17. The fiber optic connection system of claim 14, further comprising a spring positioned within the connector housing for biasing the ferrule in the direction of insertion of the fiber optic connector, wherein the flexible retention latch of the fiber optic adapter and the latch catch of the fiber optic connector being configured to provide a connector retention force that exceeds a biasing force provided by the spring.

18. The fiber optic connection system of claim 14, wherein a sealing member is used to provide a seal between the fiber optic connector and the fiber optic adapter.

19. The fiber optic connection system of claim 18, wherein the sealing member is carried by the fiber optic connector.

20. The fiber optic connection system of claim 19, wherein the sealing member includes an O-ring mounted about an exterior of the connector housing.

21. The fiber optic connection system of claim 14, wherein the latch catch includes a projection that projects outwardly from a first side of the plug portion, and wherein the second retaining surface is included on the projection.

22. The fiber optic connection system of claim 21, wherein the fiber optic adapter includes a slot for receiving the projection when the plug portion is inserted in the fiber optic adapter, the slot being in axial alignment with the flexible retention latch of the fiber optic adapter.

23. The fiber optic connection system of claim 21, wherein the plug portion includes a second side positioned opposite from the first side, wherein the second side includes a rotational alignment slot that is generally parallel to the connector axis, and wherein the fiber optic adapter includes a rotational alignment rail that fits within the rotational alignment slot when the plug portion is inserted into the fiber optic adapter.

24. The fiber optic connection system of claim 23, wherein the rotational alignment slot includes a tapered portion that widens as the rotational alignment slot extends along the connector axis in the direction of insertion of the fiber optic connector.

25. A fiber optic adapter comprising:

an adapter housing defining a ruggedized port co-axially aligned with a non-ruggedized port, the adapter housing defining internal threads within the ruggedized port;

a ferrule receiver defining an adapter axis that extends longitudinally through the ferrule receiver, the adapter axis also extending though the ruggedized and the non-ruggedized ports;

a first latch structure provided at the non-ruggedized port; and

a second latch structure provided at the ruggedized port, the second latch structure including at least one flexible latch member, the flexible latch member including a first connector retaining surface oriented at an oblique angle relative to the adapter axis, and wherein the oblique angle of the first connector retaining surface is oriented such that the first connector retaining surface extends radially outwardly from the adapter axis as the first connector retaining surface extends along the adapter axis in a direction of insertion of a fiber optic connector.

26. The fiber optic adapter of claim 25, wherein the flexible latch member is integrally formed with the adapter housing.

27. The fiber optic adapter of claim 25, wherein the first latch structure includes a pair of opposing latches at the non-ruggedized port, and wherein the second latch structure includes only one of the flexible latch members.

28. The fiber optic adapter of claim 25, wherein the first latch structure includes a pair of latches provided by a clip mounted within the non-ruggedized port.

29. The fiber optic adapter of claim 28, wherein the pair of latches of the first latch structure includes second connector retaining surfaces aligned at a perpendicular angle relative to the adapter axis.

30. The fiber optic adapter of claim 25, wherein the adapter housing includes a connector alignment slot and a connector alignment rail positioned at the ruggedized port, the connector alignment slot and the connector alignment rail being generally parallel to the adapter axis, the connector alignment slot being positioned at an opposite side of the adapter axis from the connector alignment rail, and the connector alignment slot being axially aligned with the flexible latch member of the second latch structure.