FIELD TERMINABLE OPTICAL FIBER CONNECTOR WITH SPLICE ELEMENT

• US 20110044588A1
• Filed: 05/15/2009
• Published: 02/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Corning Research & Development Corporation (Corning Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Park, Chansool, Larson, Donald K.
• Granted Patent: US 8,573,859 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/81
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3821 with axial spring biasing or loading means G02B6/3847 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3846 with fibre stubs

Abstract

An optical fiber connector includes a housing configured to mate with a receptacle, a collar body that includes a fiber stub and a mechanical splice device, a backbone to retain the collar body within the housing, and a boot. The backbone includes a fiber jacket clamping portion to clamp a jacket portion that surrounds a portion of the terminated optical fiber upon actuation. The boot actuates the fiber jacket clamping portion of the backbone upon attachment to the backbone. The optical fiber connector can be terminated in the field without the need to use a separate termination platform or tool.

Claims

1. An optical fiber connector for terminating an optical fiber, comprising:

a housing configured to mate with a receptacle;

a collar body disposed in the housing, wherein the collar body includes a fiber stub disposed in a first end portion of the collar body, the fiber stub including a first optical fiber mounted in a ferrule and having a first end proximate to an end face of the ferrule and a second end, wherein the collar body further includes a mechanical splice device disposed in a portion of the collar body, the mechanical splice device configured to splice the second end of the fiber stub to a second optical fiber;

a backbone to retain the collar body within the housing, the backbone including a fiber jacket clamping portion to clamp a jacket portion that surrounds a portion of the second optical fiber upon actuation; and

a boot attachable to a portion of the backbone, wherein the boot actuates the fiber jacket clamping portion of the backbone upon attachment to the backbone.

2. The optical fiber connector of claim 1, wherein the boot retains a strength member of the second optical fiber against a mounting portion of the backbone.

3. The optical fiber connector of claim 1, wherein the optical connector is configured to mate with an SC receptacle.

4. The optical fiber connector of claim 1, wherein the mechanical splice device comprises a splice element and an actuating cap.

5. The optical fiber connector of claim 1, wherein the fiber jacket clamping portion comprises a collet-type, split body shape.

6. The optical fiber connector of claim 1, wherein the boot attaches to the backbone view a screw-type mechanism.

7. The optical fiber connector of claim 1, wherein the backbone further comprises a fiber guide.

8. The optical fiber connector of claim 1, wherein the backbone further includes an access area having an opening and a shallow depression formed on the sides thereof to accommodate finger actuation of the mechanical splice device.

9. The optical fiber connector of claim 1, wherein the backbone includes stops formed on an inner surface thereof to prevent passage of a jacketed fiber from further insertion.