FIBER OPTIC CONNECTORS HAVING A FERRULE WITH AN INTEGRAL FERRULE INSERTION STOP

• US 20170261699A1
• Filed: 03/10/2017
• Published: 09/14/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Corning Optical Communications LLC (Corning Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Corning Optical Communications LLC (Corning Incorporated)
• Inventors: Compton, Brandon Duvall, Isenhour, Micah Colen, Theuerkorn, Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 10,126,508 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 6/3831 comprising a keying element on the plug or adapter, e.g. to forbid wrong connection keying element on the ferrule G02B6/3851; keying element for electrical coupling H01R13/64
• 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 6/3855 characterised by the method of anchoring or fixing the fibre within the ferrule G02B6/3854 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3869 Mounting ferrules to connector body, i.e. plugs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/387 Connector plugs comprising two complementary members, e.g. shells, caps, covers, locked together
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3874 using tubes, sleeves to align ferrules
• 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 6/38875 Protection from bending or twisting
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3888 Protection from over-extension or over-compression
• 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 6/4432 with fibre reinforcements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4477 with means for strain-relieving to interior strengths element

Abstract

A ferrule-based fiber optic connectors having a connector assembly with a ferrule having an integral ferrule insertion stop for limiting the insertion of the ferrule into a ferrule sleeve are disclosed. In one embodiment, the fiber optic connector comprising a connector assembly, a connector sleeve assembly and a female coupling housing. The connector assembly comprises a ferrule and a resilient member for biasing the ferrule forward and the connector sleeve assembly comprises a housing and a ferrule sleeve, where the ferrule of the connector assembly is at least partially disposed in the ferrule sleeve when assembled. The ferrule has an integral ferrule insertion stop that limits the depth that the ferrule may be inserted into the ferrule sleeve.

Claims

1. A fiber optic connector, comprising:

a connector assembly comprising a housing, a ferrule and a resilient member for biasing the ferrule forward, the ferrule comprising an integral ferrule insertion stop;

a first shell and a second shell for securing the connector assembly at a front end of the shells; and

a connector sleeve assembly comprising a housing comprising one or more features configured for attaching to the connector assembly and a passageway between a first end and a second end, and a ferrule sleeve, wherein the ferrule of the connector assembly is at least partially disposed in the ferrule sleeve when assembled.

2. The fiber optic connector of claim 1, the integral ferrule insertion stop being a circumferential ledge about a portion of the ferrule.

3. The fiber optic connector of claim 2, wherein the circumferential ledge is continuous about the portion of the ferrule.

4. The fiber optic connector of claim 2, wherein the circumferential ledge is discontinuous about the portion of the ferrule.

5. The fiber optic connector of claim 1, wherein a diameter of the integral ferrule insertion stop is greater than a diameter of a main portion the ferrule.

6. The fiber optic connector of claim 1, wherein the integral ferrule insertion stop is positioned along a length of the ferrule such that at least a minimum gap is present between an end of the ferrule sleeve closest to the integral ferrule insertion stop and the housing of the connector sleeve assembly.

7. The fiber optic connector of claim 1, wherein the housing of the connector sleeve assembly comprises one or more latch arms for attaching to a portion of the housing of the connector assembly.

8. The fiber optic connector of claim 1, further comprising a crimp band.

9. The fiber optic connector of claim 1, the connector assembly being an SC connector assembly.

10. The fiber optic connector of claim 1 being a portion of a cable assembly further comprising a fiber optic cable attached to the fiber optic connector.

16. The fiber optic connector of claim 1, wherein the integral ferrule insertion stop is positioned along a length of the ferrule such that at least a minimum gap is present between an end of the ferrule sleeve closest to the integral ferrule insertion stop and the housing of the connector sleeve assembly.

11. A fiber optic connector, comprising:

a connector assembly comprising a housing, a ferrule and a resilient member for biasing the ferrule forward, the ferrule comprising an integral ferrule insertion stop;

a first shell and a second shell for securing the connector assembly at a front end of the shells;

a connector sleeve assembly comprising a housing comprising one or more features configured for attaching to the connector assembly and a passageway between a first end and a second end, and a ferrule sleeve, wherein the ferrule of the connector assembly is at least partially disposed in the ferrule sleeve when assembled; and

a female coupling housing comprising an opening for receiving a complimentary connector.

12. The fiber optic connector of claim 11, the integral ferrule insertion stop being a circumferential ledge about a portion of the ferrule.

13. The fiber optic connector of claim 12, wherein the circumferential ledge is continuous about the portion of the ferrule.

14. The fiber optic connector of claim 12, wherein the circumferential ledge is discontinuous about the portion of the ferrule.

15. The fiber optic connector of claim 11, wherein a diameter of the integral ferrule insertion stop is greater than a diameter of a main portion of the ferrule.

17. The fiber optic connector of claim 11, the housing of the connector sleeve assembly further comprising one or more connector sleeve orientation features that cooperate with one or more female coupling housing orientation features.

18. The fiber optic connector of claim 11, wherein the housing of the connector sleeve assembly comprises one or more latch arms for attaching to a portion of the housing of the connector assembly.

19. The fiber optic connector of claim 11, further comprising a crimp band.

20. The fiber optic connector of claim 11, the connector assembly being an SC connector assembly.

21. The fiber optic connector of claim 11 being a portion of a cable assembly further comprising a fiber optic cable attached to the fiber optic connector.

22. A fiber optic connector, comprising:

a connector assembly comprising a housing, a ferrule and a resilient member for biasing the ferrule forward, the ferrule comprising an integral ferrule insertion stop configured as a circumferential ledge about a portion of the ferrule such that a diameter of the integral ferrule insertion stop is greater than a diameter of a main portion of the ferrule;

a first shell and a second shell for securing the connector assembly at a front end of the shells;

a connector sleeve assembly comprising a housing comprising one or more features configured for attaching to the connector assembly and a passageway between a first end and a second end, and a ferrule sleeve, wherein;

the ferrule of the connector assembly is at least partially disposed in the ferrule sleeve when assembled; and

the integral ferrule insertion stop is positioned along a length of the ferrule such that at least a minimum gap is present between an end of the ferrule sleeve closest to the integral ferrule insertion stop and the housing of the connector sleeve assembly; and

a female coupling housing comprising an opening for receiving a complimentary connector.

23. The fiber optic connector of claim 22, the housing of the connector sleeve assembly further comprising one or more connector sleeve orientation features that cooperate with one or more female coupling housing orientation features.

24. The fiber optic connector of claim 22, wherein the housing of the connector sleeve assembly comprises one or more latch arms for attaching to a portion of the housing of the connector assembly.

25. The fiber optic connector of claim 22, further comprising a crimp band.

26. The fiber optic connector of claim 22, the connector assembly being an SC connector assembly.

27. The fiber optic connector of claim 22 being a portion of a cable assembly further comprising a fiber optic cable attached to the fiber optic connector.