Hardened Fiber Optic Connector Compatible with Hardened and Non-Hardened Fiber Optic Adapters

• US 20100266244A1
• Filed: 06/28/2010
• Published: 10/21/2010
• 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, Standish, Craig M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,414,196 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/60
• 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 6/3888 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
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4433 Double reinforcement laying in straight line with optical transmission element

Abstract

A fiber optic connector is disclosed for use with both a hardened fiber optic adapter and a non-hardened fiber optic adapter. The connector includes a connector housing having an end defining a plug portion. The plug portion includes first and second sets of retaining features for retaining the connector. The first and second retaining feature sets retain the connector within the hardened and unhardened adapters respectively. A threaded member can be included on the connector to threadingly engage and connect the connector to the hardened adapter. A sliding lock can be included on the connector to lock the connector to the non-hardened adapter when slid into a locking position. The sliding lock can be mounted to the threaded member. The sliding lock can include protrusions that engage and lock the non-hardened adapter when in the locking position thereby locking the non-hardened adapter to the connector. The sliding lock can include a positioning latch to maintain it in the locking position. The positioning latch can maintain the locking position by engaging the first set of retaining features on the plug portion.

Claims

1. An optical fiber connection system comprising:

a fiber optic adapter including a pair of flexible retention latches;

a fiber optic connector including a connector housing having a plug portion sized to fit within the fiber optic adapter, the plug portion including oppositely positioned latch catches that engage the flexible retention latches when the plug portion is inserted into the fiber optic adapter to retain the plug portion within 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 central longitudinal axis;

a locking member mounted on the connector housing, the locking member moveable relative to the connector housing between a first position and a second position, wherein when the locking member is in the first position locking portions of the locking member fit inside the fiber optic adapter to prevent the flexible retention latches from flexing to a release position, and wherein when the locking member is in the second position the locking portions of the locking member do not prevent the flexible retention latches from flexing to the release position.

2. The optical fiber connection system of claim 1, wherein the fiber optic connector includes a threaded member positioned around the connector housing and being rotatable relative to the connector housing about the central longitudinal axis, and wherein the locking member is secured to the threaded member by a threaded connection.

3. The optical fiber connection system of claim 1, wherein the locking portions of the locking member are wedge shaped.

4. The optical fiber connection system of claim 1, wherein the oppositely positioned latch catches include latch engagement surfaces that engage the flexible retention latches to retain the fiber optic connector within the fiber optic adapter, the latch engagement surfaces being angled relative to the central longitudinal axis such that the latch engagement surfaces extend radially outwardly relative to the central longitudinal axis as the latch engagement surfaces extend in a direction of insertion of the fiber optic connector.

5. The optical fiber connection system of claim 2, wherein the connector housing includes a plurality of projections spaced apart in an orientation extending along the central longitudinal axis, wherein the locking member includes a positioning latch that engages the projections to retain the locking member in the first and second positions, and wherein the threaded member and the locking member are slid together as a unit along the central longitudinal axis to move the locking member between the first and second positions.

6. A fiber optic connector comprising:

a ferrule aligned along a central longitudinal axis;

a connector housing having a distal end and an opposite proximal end, the distal end forming a plug portion at which the ferrule is located, the plug portion having a first side and an opposite second side, the plug portion also having a third side and an opposite fourth side, the third and fourth sides extending between the first and second sides, the central longitudinal axis being positioned between the first and second sides and the central longitudinal axis also being positioned between the third and fourth sides, the connector housing including a first latch catch positioned at the first side and a second latch catch positioned at the second side;

a threaded member positioned around the connector housing, the threaded member being rotatable relative to the connector housing about the central longitudinal axis; and

a locking member for locking the plug portion within a fiber optic adapter, the locking member including a main body threadingly connected to the threaded member, the locking member also including two opposing locking portions that project distally outwardly from the main body of the locking member, wherein the locking member and the threaded member are slid together as a unit along the central longitudinal axis to move the locking member between a locking position and a non-locking position.

7. The fiber optic connector of claim 6, wherein the connector housing includes a plurality of projections spaced apart in an orientation extending along the central longitudinal axis, and wherein the locking member includes a positioning latch that engages the projections to retain the locking member in the locking and non-locking positions.