MANAGED FIBER CONNECTIVITY SYSTEMS

• US 20110262077A1
• Filed: 02/11/2011
• Published: 10/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CommScope Technologies, LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Electronics Services GmbH (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Inventors: Anderson, John, Stasny, Jonh, Schroeder, Michael D., Coffey, Joseph C., Petersen, Cyle D., Ogren, Bruce, Brandt, Steven J., Patel, Kamlesh G.
• Granted Patent: US 8,690,593 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/78
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3807 Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3825 with an intermediate part, e.g. adapter, receptacle, linking two plugs
• 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 6/3895 identification of connection, e.g. right plug to the right socket or full engagement of the mating parts keying element on the plug or adapter G02B6/3831; keying element on the ferrule G02B6/3851; keying element for electrical connection H01R13/64
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3897 Connectors fixed to housings, casing, frames or circuit boards G02B6/44528 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/403 of the ferrule type, connecting a pair of ferrules
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0274 Optical details, e.g. printed circuits comprising integral optical means H05K1/0269 takes precedence; coupling light guides with opto-electronic components G02B6/42

Abstract

A communications connection system includes an adapter module defining at least first and second ports and at least one media reading interface mounted at one of the ports. The first adapter module is configured to receive a fiber optic connector at each port. Some type of connectors may be formed as duplex connector arrangements. Some types of adapters may include ports without media reading interfaces. Some types of media reading interfaces include contact members having three contact sections.

Claims

1. A duplex connector kit comprising:

a first connector configured to terminate a first optical fiber, the first connector including a storage device including memory circuitry configured to store physical layer information and at least one contact member electrically connected to the memory circuitry;

a second connector configured to terminate a second optical fiber, the second connector being devoid of memory circuitry and any contact members; and

a duplex clip configured to retain the first and second connectors together.

2. The duplex fiber optic connector arrangement of claim 1, wherein each of the connectors is an LC-type optical connector.

3. The duplex fiber optic connector arrangement of claim 1, wherein the storage device is mounted in a cavity defined in the first connector body.

4. The duplex fiber optic connector arrangement of claim 3, wherein the contact members are accessible through an open top of the cavity.

5. The fiber optic connector of claim 1, wherein the storage device includes at least three contact members.

6. The fiber optic connector of claim 1, wherein the storage device includes four contact members.

7. The duplex fiber optic connector arrangement of claim 1, wherein the duplex clip includes a labeling area.

8. The duplex fiber optic connector arrangement of claim 1, wherein the storage device is mounted at a key area of the first connector.

9. A duplex fiber optic connector arrangement comprising:

a first connector including a first connector body and a first ferrule terminating a first optical fiber;

a storage device coupled to the first connector body, the storage device including memory circuitry configured to store physical layer information and a plurality of contact members electrically connected to the memory circuitry;

a second connector including a second connector body and a second ferrule terminating a second optical fiber, the second connector being devoid of memory circuitry and contact members; and

a duplex clip retaining the first and second connectors together.

10. The duplex fiber optic connector arrangement of claim 9, wherein the duplex clip is non-removably coupled to the first and second connectors.

11. The fiber optic connector of claim 10, wherein the storage device includes at least three contact members.

12. The fiber optic connector of claim 11, wherein the storage device includes four contact members.

13. The duplex fiber optic connector arrangement of claim 9, wherein each of the first and second connectors is an LC-type optical connector.

14. The duplex fiber optic connector arrangement of claim 9, wherein the storage device is mounted at a key area of the first connector.

15. The duplex fiber optic connector arrangement of claim 9, wherein the storage device is mounted in a cavity defined in the first connector body.

16. A connection system comprising:

an adapter module defining at least a first passageway extending between a front and rear of the adapter module, the first passageway defining a first port at the front of the adapter module and a second port at the rear of the adapter module, the adapter module also defining at least a first group of slots adjacent the first port and a second group of slots adjacent the second port, the slots of each group extending between the passageway and an exterior of the adapter module;

a first media reading interface including a plurality of contact members positioned in the first group of slots, each contact member being accessible through the respective slot, wherein the second group of slots is devoid of any media reading interface;

a first connector received at the first port, the first connected engaging the first media reading interface; and

a second connector received at the second port, the second connector not engaging any media reading interface.

17. The connection system of claim 16, wherein the adapter module includes opposing major surfaces extending between opposing minor surfaces, the major and minor surfaces extending between first and second ends of the adapter module.

18. The connection system of claim 17, wherein the first group of slots is defined in a first of the major surfaces and the second group of slots is defined in a second of the major surfaces.

19. The connection system of claim 18, wherein the first and second connectors are MPO-type fiber optic connectors.

20. The connection system of claim 17, wherein the first and second groups of slots are defined in a first of the major surfaces.

21. The connection system of claim 20, wherein the first and second connectors are LC-type fiber optic connectors.

22. The connection system of claim 20, wherein the adapter module defines a plurality of additional passageways extending between first and second ports, the additional passageways being connected to the exterior of the adapter module via additional groups of slots.

23. The connection system of claim 22, wherein a first additional group of slots is defined at the front of the adapter module adjacent the first group of slots and a second additional group of slots is defined at the rear of the adapter module adjacent the second group of slots, the first and second additional groups of slots connecting a first additional passageway to the exterior of the adapter module.

24. The connection system of claim 23, further comprising a second media reading interface positioned at the second additional group of slots.

25. The connection system of claim 24, wherein the first additional group of slots is devoid of any media reading interface.

26. The connection system of claim 25, wherein the first connector forms a duplex connector arrangement with a third connector, the first and third connectors being retained together by a clip, wherein the third connector is received at a front port of the first additional passageway.

27. The connection system of claim 26, wherein the first connector including memory configured to store physical layer information and a plurality of contact members electrically connected to the memory.

28. The connection system of claim 27, wherein the third connector is devoid of any contact members electrically connected to the memory.

29. The connection system of claim 16, wherein each group of slots includes at least three slots.

30. The connection system of claim 16, wherein each group of slots includes four slots.

31. A contact element having a top, a bottom, a first end, and a second end, the contact element comprising:

a body including a circumferential edge extending between two planar sides, the body defining;

a first flexible contact section at the top of the contact element,

a second flexible contact section at the bottom of the contact element, and

a third flexible contact section at the top of the contact element, the third flexible contact section being spaced from the third flexible contact section.

32. The contact element of claim 31, wherein the body comprises:

a base;

a first member extending from the base to a distal end, the first member defining the first flexible contact section;

a second member extending from the base, the second member defining a resilient section, the second flexible contact section, and the third flexible contact section,

the first contact section being located closer to the first end than the second contact section and the third contact section being located closer to the second end than the second contact section, the second contact section facing away from the first and third contact sections.

33. The contact element of claim 32, wherein the second contact section is located between the resilient section and the third contact section, which is defined at the distal end of the second member.

34. The contact element of claim 32, wherein the second member splits into a first leg that defines the third contact section and a second leg that defines the resilient section and the second contact section.

35. The contact element of claim 32, wherein the resilient section includes a spring formed by at least two elongated surfaces joined by at least one bend.

36. The contact element of claim 32, wherein the resilient section is formed by an arced section of the second member.

37. The contact element of claim 32, wherein the resilient section is formed by an multiple springs.

38. The contact element of claim 32, further comprising at least one stationary contact section.

39. The contact element of claim 38, wherein each contact member includes two stationary contact section between which the first member extends.

40. The contact element of claim 32, wherein the edge having a thickness that is no greater than about 0.01 inches (0.25 mm).

41. The contact element of claim 38, wherein a thickness of the edge is about 0.008 inches (0.20 mm).

42-76. -76. (canceled)