Modular fiber optic connection system

• US 7,073,953 B2
• Filed: 07/16/2002
• Issued: 07/11/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Amphenol Corporation
• Original Assignee: Amphenol Corporation
• Inventors: Roth, Richard F., Kiani, Sepehr
• Primary Examiner(s): Pak, Sung
• Assistant Examiner(s): ROJAS, OMAR R
• Application Number:
  US10/195,960
• Publication Number:
  US 20030044127A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,456 Days
• Field of Search: 385/53, 385/56, 385/58, 385/59, 385 88- 89
• US Class Current: 385/88
• 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 6/3849 using mechanical protective elements, e.g. caps, hoods, sealing membranes G02B6/3816 takes precedence; provisionally see H01R13/44
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3878 comprising a plurality of ferrules, branching and break-out means
• 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 6/3882 using rods, pins or balls to align a pair of ferrule ends
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3885 Multicore or multichannel optical connectors, i.e. one single ferrule containing more than one fibre, e.g. ribbon type optical ribbon cable G02B6/4403, G02B6/448
• 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

Abstract

In one embodiment of a fiber optic connection system of the present invention, there is provided a first fiber optic connector attachable to a first printed circuit board and a second fiber optic connector attachable to a second printed circuit board and mateable to the first fiber optic connector. The first fiber optic connector has separable first wafer modules, each of which hold at least one optical fiber, and separable first latching modules removably attached to the separable first wafer modules. The second fiber optic connector includes separable second wafer modules, each of which hold at least one optical fiber, and separable second latching modules removably attached to the separable second wafer modules. The separable second latching modules are engageable to the separable first latching modules to mate the first and second fiber optic connectors. Although not required, the fiber optic connection system can also include a first module carrier, to which is attachable the separable first wafer modules and the separable first latching modules, and a second module carrier, to which is attachable the separable second wafer modules and the separable second latching modules.

Claims

1. A fiber optic connection system comprising:

a first fiber optic connector attachable to a first printed circuit board, the first fiber optic connector including;

a first separable module holding at least one optical fiber;

a second separable module removably attached to the first separable module, the second separable module having an alignment portion and an engagement portion;

a second fiber optic connector attachable to a second printed circuit board, the second fiber optic connector being mateable to the first fiber optic connector and including;

a third separable module holding at least one optical fiber;

a fourth separable module removably attached to the third separable module, the fourth separable module having an alignment portion and an engagement portion;

the alignment portions of the second and fourth separable modules engaging when the first and second fiber optic connectors begin to mate to guide the first and second fiber optic connectors into desired mating position; and

the first separable module coupling to the third separable module to provide optical communication, and the engagement portions of the second and fourth separable modules engaging to mate the first and second fiber optic connectors.

2. The fiber optic connection system of claim 1, wherein the first fiber optic connector further comprises a second separable module support member attached to the first printed circuit board, the second separable module support member slidably engaging the second separable module and providing space between the first and second separable modules and the first printed circuit board such that components may be attached to the first printed circuit board in the space therebetween.

3. The fiber optic connection system of claim 1, wherein the second and fourth separable modules provide float in axis of engagement when the engagement portions are engaged, and the first and third separable modules remain in optical communication throughout the float.

4. The fiber optic connection system of claim 1, wherein the third separable module comprises a biasing member to provide float in axis of engagement when the engagement portions of the second and fourth separable modules are engaged, and the first and third separable modules remain in optical communication throughout the float.

5. A fiber optic connector comprising:

a module carrier, the module carrier having module receiving openings;

at least one separable wafer module holding at least one optical fiber, the separable wafer module receivable by and attachable to one of the module receiving openings of the module carrier the separable wafer module having a mating interface adapted to mate to a second fiber optic connector; and

at least one separable latching module to engage the fiber optic connector with a the second fiber optic connector, the separable latching module receivable by and attachable to one of the module receiving openings of the module carrier, and the separable latching module comprising an alignment portion projecting away from the module carrier beyond the mating interface of the separable wafer module.

6. The fiber optic connector of claim 5, wherein the at least one separable latching module comprises at least three separable latching modules.

7. The fiber optic connector of claim 5, wherein each of the at least one separable wafer module comprises at least one fiber optic ferrule and each of the at least one separable latching modules does not comprise a fiber optic ferrule.

8. The fiber optic connector of claim 5, additionally comprising a circuit board to which the fiber optic is mounted to form a subassembly, wherein:

a) the circuit board has a forward edge; and

b) the fiber optic connector is mounted with the portion of each of the separable latching module extending beyond the forward edge.

9. The subassembly of claim 8, additionally comprising electronic components attached to the circuit board.

11. The fiber optic connection system of claim 6, further comprising:

a first module carrier having module receiving openings for receiving the separable first wafer modules and the separable first latching modules; and

a second module carrier having module receiving openings for receiving the separable second wafer modules and the separable second latching modules.

12. The fiber optic connection system of claim 7, wherein at least one of the first and second module carriers is a metal stiffener.

13. The fiber optic connection system of claim 6, wherein the first fiber optic connector further comprises first latching module support members attached to the first printed circuit board, the first latching module support members slidably engaging the first latching modules and providing space between the first wafer modules and latching modules and the first printed circuit board such that components may be attached to the first printed circuit board in the space therebetween.

14. The fiber optic connection system of claim 6, wherein the first and second latching modules provide float in axis of engagement when engaged, and the first and second wafer modules remain in optical communication throughout the float.

15. The fiber optic connection system of claim 6, wherein each of the second latching modules comprises a biasing member to provide float in axis of engagement when the first and second latching modules are engaged, and the first and second wafer modules remain in optical communication throughout the float.

10. A fiber optic connection system comprising:

a first fiber optic connector attachable to a first printed circuit board, the first fiber optic connector including;

separable first wafer modules, each of the separable first wafer modules holding at least one optical fiber; and

separable first latching modules removably attached to the separable first wafer modules;

a second fiber optic connector attachable to a second printed circuit board, the second fiber optic connector being mateable to the first fiber optic connector and including;

separable second wafer modules, each of the separable second wafer modules holding at least one optical fiber; and

separable second latching modules removably attached to the separable second wafer modules, the separable second latching modules engageable to the separable first latching modules to latch the first and second fiber optic connectors.

16. A fiber optic connection system comprising:

a first printed circuit board;

a first fiber optic connector attached to the first printed circuit board, the first fiber optic connector including;

a first module carrier, the first module carrier having module receiving openings;

at least one separable first wafer module holding at least one optical fiber, the separable first wafer module receivable by and attachable to one of the module receiving openings of the first module carrier;

at least one separable first latching module, the separable first latching module receivable by and attachable to one of the module receiving openings of the first module carrier; and

a second printed circuit board;

a second fiber optic connector attached to the second printed circuit board, the second fiber optic connector including;

a second module carrier, the second module carrier having module receiving openings;

at least one separable second wafer module holding at least one optical fiber, the separable second wafer module receivable by and attachable to one of the module receiving openings of the second module carrier;

at least one separable second latching module engageable to the first latching module of the first fiber optic connector, the separable second latching module receivable by and attachable to one of the module receiving openings of the second module carrier, and the separable first latching module having first latching features; and

a second printed circuit board;

a second fiber optic connector attached to the second printed circuit board, the second fiber optic connector including;

a second module carrier, the second module carrier having module receiving openings;

at least one separable second wafer module holding at least one optical fiber, the separable second wafer module receivable by and attachable to one of the module receiving openings of the second module carrier;

at least one separable second latching module, the separable second latching module having second latching features latchable to the first latching features of the first fiber optic connector, the separable second latching module receivable by and attachable to one of the module receiving openings of the second module carrier.

17. A fiber optic connector comprising:

at least one separable wafer module having an actuable engaging member, the separable wafer module holding at least one optical fiber;

at least one separable latching module to latch the fiber optic connector to a corresponding mating fiber optic connector;

a module carrier having module receiving openings with each of the module receiving openings being similarly sized, the wafer module receivable by and attachable to any one of the module receiving openings and the latching module receivable by and attachable to any one of the module receiving openings; and

the actuable engaging member of the separable wafer module engageable to the module carrier to removably attach the wafer module to the module carrier.

18. The fiber optic connector of claim 17, wherein the module carrier includes a first attachment portion and a second attachment portion to which is attachable the latching module.

19. The fiber optic connector of claim 18, wherein the at least one separable wafer module comprises a mating face and the latching module includes at least one protrusion extending beyond the mating face.

20. The fiber optic connector of claim 18, wherein the module carrier defines an opening positioned between the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion for receiving the wafer module.