Multi-fiber fiber-optic connector with switchable polarity key
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A multi-fiber fiber optic connector (“
- connector”
) for connecting to a multi-fiber adapter (“
adapter”
) and having a field-switchable polarity, comprising;
a ferrule configured to support multiple optical fibers;
an inner housing surrounding an outside portion of the ferrule, the inner housing having a front end, a back end, and top and bottom sides with respective top and bottom surfaces, the top and bottom surfaces having formed therein respective top and bottom recesses, the top and bottom recesses being laterally offset relative to a vertical centerline that passes through a central axis of the connector, the inner housing further having top and bottom latching features operably arranged relative to the respective top and bottom recesses; and
a polarity key configured to be removably secured within either the top recess by the top latching feature or within the bottom recess by the bottom latching feature to respectively define either a top-side keying configuration or a bottom-side polarity keying configuration.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A multi-fiber fiber optic connector is configured to include a switchable polarity key that can be used to define first and second polarity configurations for the connector. The connector has a multi-fiber ferrule surrounded by an inner housing. The inner housing has top and bottom recesses sized to accommodate the polarity key. The polarity key is removably secured in either a top or bottom recess using a latching feature. The polarity of the connector can be switched by moving the polarity key from one position in the connector to the other rather than having to disassemble the connector.
-
Citations
14 Claims
-
1. A multi-fiber fiber optic connector (“
- connector”
) for connecting to a multi-fiber adapter (“
adapter”
) and having a field-switchable polarity, comprising;a ferrule configured to support multiple optical fibers; an inner housing surrounding an outside portion of the ferrule, the inner housing having a front end, a back end, and top and bottom sides with respective top and bottom surfaces, the top and bottom surfaces having formed therein respective top and bottom recesses, the top and bottom recesses being laterally offset relative to a vertical centerline that passes through a central axis of the connector, the inner housing further having top and bottom latching features operably arranged relative to the respective top and bottom recesses; and a polarity key configured to be removably secured within either the top recess by the top latching feature or within the bottom recess by the bottom latching feature to respectively define either a top-side keying configuration or a bottom-side polarity keying configuration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
- connector”
-
9. A method of switching the polarity of a connection between a multi-fiber fiber optic connector (“
- connector”
) having first and second polarity keying configurations and a multi-fiber adapter (“
adapter”
) having a polarity keying configuration that is complementary to both first and second polarity keying configurations of the connector, the method comprising;removing a polarity key from a first removably secure position within the connector that defines the first polarity keying configuration associated with a first polarity; arranging the polarity key in a second removably secure position within the connector that defines the second polarity keying configuration associated with a second polarity, wherein the polarity key has an offset position relative to a connector axis in each of the first and second polarity keying configurations; and connecting the connector to the adapter. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
- connector”
Specification