Optical fiber connector with centering and floating alignment feature

• US 5,138,679 A
• Filed: 06/12/1991
• Issued: 08/11/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AMP Incorporated (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: AMP Incorporated (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Edwards, Bryan T., Flickinger, Steven L., Zeiders, Jeffrey A., Sonner, David D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Healy, Brian
• Application Number:
  US07/713,910
• Time in Patent Office: 426 Days
• Field of Search: 350/96.20, 350/96.21, 350/96.22, 350/96.23, 250/227.11
• US Class Current: 385/90
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3869 Mounting ferrules to connector body, i.e. plugs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3878 comprising a plurality of ferrules, branching and break-out means
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3887 Anchoring optical cables to connector housings, e.g. strain relief features
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/389 characterised by the method of fastening connecting plugs and sockets, e.g. screw- or nut-lock, snap-in, bayonet type
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3893 Push-pull type, e.g. snap-in, push-on
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3897 Connectors fixed to housings, casing, frames or circuit boards G02B6/44528 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4246 Bidirectionally operating package structures
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4292 the light guide being disconnectable from the opto-electronic element, e.g. mutually self aligning arrangements

Abstract

A connector for joining light transmitting fiber cables through a cover (14) to a transmitter and/or receiver device (3) comprises a plug connector half (6) and a retention frame (48). The plug connector half (6) comprises a plug (8) having profiled passageway (43) for receiving an optical fiber, a transceiver adapter (10 ) adapted to axially receive the plug (8) through the cover (14) and extending forward axially (38) for aligning the plug (8) relative to the transmitter and/or receiver device (3). The retention frame (48) is mounted to the cover (14) and captivates the transceiver adapter (10) with play so as to permit free floating of the transceiver adapter (10) relative to the cover within the retention frame (48). The connector (7) is spring loaded by means of a flexion body (64) positioned between the cover (14) and the captivated transceiver adapter (10). The body (64) substantially encompasses the outer perimeter of the adapter (10) and flexibly maintains the adapter (10) at a first specific orientation, but with reorientation capability, relative to the transmitter and/or receiver device (3).

Claims

1. A connector for joining light transmitting fiber cables through a cover to a transmitter and/or receiver device comprising:

a plug connector half comprising;

a plug having axial extending bore for receiving an optical fiber;

a transceiver adapter adapted to axially receive said plug through said cover and extending axially forward for aligning said plug relative to said transmitter and/or receiver device; and

retention frame mounted to said cover and captivating said transceiver adapter with play of said adapter within said frame so as to permit free floating of said transceiver adapter relative to said cover within said retention frame;

wherein said transceiver adapter is spring loaded and maintained at a first specific orientation through the said cover with play within said cover so as to be capable of reorientation relative to said transmitter and/or receiver device.

2. The connector of claim 1 further comprising a flexion body between said cover and said captivated transceiver adapter, the body substantially encompassing the outer perimeter of the adapter and flexibly maintaining the adapter at a first specific orientation, but with reorientation capability, relative to said transmitter and/or receiver device.

3. The connector of claim 2 wherein said cover comprises a panel having a window and a cover plate attached to said panel having window coextending with the said window of said panel, and wherein said transceiver adapter is aligned with and is fitted therethrough said coextensive windows, from one side of said cover to another side of said cover, so as to axially receive said plug through said panel and said cover plate.

4. The connector of claim 3 wherein said flexion body comprises a plurality of sections interspaced between said cover plate and said captivated transceiver adapter.

5. The connector of claim 4 wherein said flexion body comprises a plurality of sections interspaced between said cover plate and said captivated transceiver adapter, each said section separated from each said adjacent section by spacing permitting relative adjustment of the sections one to the other so as to permit free floating of said transceiver adapter relative to said cover within said retention frame.

6. The connector of claim 5 where each of said sections in the shape of a rectangular parallelogram each with one side of said parallelogram in flat contact with a surface of said transceiver adapter.

7. The connector of claim 6 wherein said flexion body comprises a plurality of sections interspaced between said cover plate and said captivated transceiver adapter and said sections are spring loaded against said transceiver adapter permitting free floating of said transceiver adapter relative to said cover plate within said retention frame.

8. The connector of claim 7 further comprising said cover plate having recesses;

and said sections of the flexion body having complementary recesses paired with the said recesses of the cover plate; and

springs accommodated therewithin each said complementary paired recesses to spring load said flexion body against said transceiver adapter permitting free floating of said transceiver adapter relative to said cover within said retention frame.

9. The connector of claim 2, claim 5 or claim 8 wherein said transceiver adapter is an integral two-part structure comprising;

a transceiver shroud adapted to axially receive said plug and extending axially for forward aligning said plug relative to said transmitter and/or receiver device; and

latching beam mechanism having forward extending latching beams.

10. The connector of claim 9 wherein said latching beam mechanism comprises main body straddling said shroud and secured thereto and having latching beams extending therefrom and side extending flanges which define a gap.

11. The connector of claim 10 wherein each latching beam of said latching beam mechanism is a beam shaped body with forward beveled face and port.

12. The connector of claim 11 further comprising clip connector half attached to and integral with said transmitter/receiver device and having aperture therein beveled to receive said latching beam.

13. The connector of claim 12 wherein each of said latching beams has beveled forward end for interacting with the said beveled aperture of said clip connector half to align said beams to said opening upon mating of said plug half connector to said clip connector half, and wherein each of said latching beams has port toward said forward end.

14. The connector of claim 13 wherein said clip connector half further comprises clip retention window coextensive to each of said aperture through port common to both said retention window and said aperture, and further comprises clip with dimple adapted to clip within said retention window with said dimple biased through said port in said window and into engagement with said latching beam through said port of said beam upon mating of said plug connector half to said clip connector half.

15. The connector of claim 14 wherein said transceiver shroud and said latching beam mechanism are secured together with inter-engaging means to form said integral two part structure.

16. The connector of claim 14 wherein said transceiver shroud and said latching beam mechanism is a molded integral structure characterized by a transceiver shroud portion and a latching beam mechanism portion.