CONNECTOR SYSTEM WITH INTERCHANGEABLE CONNECTOR MODULES FOR OPTICAL FIBERS, ELECTRICAL CONDUCTORS, OR BOTH

• US 20160266326A1
• Filed: 07/29/2015
• Published: 09/15/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SENKO Advanced Components, Inc. (SENKO Group Holdings Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: SENKO Advanced Components, Inc. (SENKO Group Holdings Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: GNIADEK, Jeffrey
• Granted Patent: US 9,755,382 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3817 containing optical and electrical conductors cables including electrical and optical conductors H01B11/22; G02B6/3816 takes precedence
• 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 6/3891 Bayonet type
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3894 Screw-lock type
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/625 Casing or ring with bayonet engagement
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/64 Means for preventing incorrect coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/20 Coupling parts carrying sockets, clips or analogous contacts and secured only to wire or cable
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/66 with pins, blades or analogous contacts and secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. to a wall

Abstract

A modular connector system for various types of different fiber optic and/or electrical connectors may include a connector having a housing configured to accommodate various different configurations of inserts that are configured to hold different types of either fiber optic connector, electrical connectors, or a combination of fiber optic and electrical connectors.

Claims

1. A connector system comprising:

a housing; and

an insert removably coupled to the housing;

wherein the insert is removably coupled to a plurality of connectors including at least one of an optical fiber connector and an electrical connector.

2. The connector system of claim 1, wherein the insert is a clip.

3. The connector system of claim 1, wherein the insert includes a catch configured to engage a catch opening of the housing so as to couple the insert to the housing.

4. The connector system of claim 3, wherein the catch is a wedge shaped catch.

5. The connector system of claim 1, wherein an interior surface of the housing is keyed to match a corresponding surface of the insert so as to allow coupling of the insert to the housing in a single orientation.

6. The connector system of claim 1, wherein the insert includes a plurality of channels configured to receive the plurality of connectors.

7. The connector system of claim 6, wherein each of the plurality of channels includes a respective catch configured to engage a recess in a sidewall of a respective one of the plurality of connectors.

8. The connector system of claim 1, wherein the insert includes a respective tab configured to engage an arm of a respective one of the plurality of connectors.

9. The connector system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of connectors is one of a plurality of LC connectors and a plurality of SC connectors.

10. The connector system of claim 1, wherein the insert is a hybrid clip, the plurality of connectors including at least one optical fiber connector and at least one electrical connector.

11. The connector system of claim 10, wherein the at least one optical fiber connector is one of an LC connector, an SC connector and an MPO connector, and the at least one electrical connector is one of a pin contact, an electrical socket and an RJ45 connector.

12. The connector system of claim 10, wherein the hybrid clip includes a protective sheath disposed around the at least one electrical connector.

13. The connector system of claim 10, wherein the hybrid clip is configured so as to hold the at least one optical fiber connector and the at least one electrical connector in a stacked arrangement.

14. The connector system of claim 10, wherein the hybrid clip includes:

a bottom clip portion configured to hold the at least one electrical connector; and

a top clip portion disposed against the bottom clip portion so as to clamp the at least one optical fiber connector therebetween.

15. The connector system of claim 10, wherein the insert includes a plurality of bracket arms configured to hold the at least one optical fiber connector.

16. The connector system of claim 15, wherein the at least one optical fiber connector is an MPO connector.

17. The connector system of claim 1, wherein the housing is configured to removably couple to any one of a plurality of different types of inserts.

18. The connector system of claim 17, wherein the plurality of different types of inserts includes a first insert and a second insert,

the first insert being a hybrid insert coupled to both at least one optical fiber connector and at least one electrical connector, and

the second insert being coupled only to at least one optical fiber connector.

19. The connector system of claim 18, wherein the plurality of different types of inserts further includes a third insert being coupled only to at least one electrical connector.

20. The connector system of claim 1, further comprising a coupling nut disposed around the housing.

21. The connector system of claim 20, further comprising an adapter coupled to the housing by the coupling nut.

22. The connector system of claim 20, further comprising a coupling nut lock ring.

23. The connector system of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a front portion and a rear portion, the rear portion being threaded for receiving a cable strain relief member.

24. The connector system of claim 1, wherein the connector system is an ingress protected connector system, further comprising at least one weather proofing seal.

25. A connector system comprising:

a housing;

an insert removably coupled to the housing; and

at least one connector removably coupled to the insert, the at least one connector including at least one of an optical fiber connector and an electrical connector.

26. The connector system of claim 25, wherein the at least one connector includes at least one of an LC connector, an SC connector, an MPO connector, an electrical pin, an electrical socket and an RJ45 connector.

27. A connector system comprising:

a housing configured to couple to any one of a plurality of different clips; and

at least one clip configured to removably couple to the housing;

wherein each one of the at least one clip includes at least one connector configured to removably couple to said one of the at least one clip, the at least one connector including at least one of an optical fiber connector and an electrical connector.

28. The connector system of claim 27, wherein the at least one connector includes at least one of an LC connector, an SC connector, an MPO connector, an electrical pin, an electrical socket and an RJ45 connector.