Optical connector assembly

• US 9,658,407 B2
• Filed: 04/15/2014
• Issued: 05/23/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Huber + Suhner AG
• Original Assignee: Huber + Suhner AG
• Inventors: Vlker, Michael Lothar, Greub, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): PEACE, RHONDA S
• Application Number:
  US14/784,823
• Publication Number:
  US 20160085035A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,134 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/381 of the ferrule type, e.g. fibre ends embedded in ferrules, connecting a pair of fibres
• 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 6/3869 Mounting ferrules to connector body, i.e. plugs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3874 using tubes, sleeves to align ferrules
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3882 using rods, pins or balls to align a pair of ferrule ends
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3893 Push-pull type, e.g. snap-in, push-on

Abstract

An optical connector assembly (1) includes a plug (2) and a socket (3) which are interconnectable to each other in an axial direction (x). The plug (2) comprises a plug housing (5) in which a first ferrule (7) is arranged and the socket (3) comprises a socket housing (20), in which a second ferrule (23) is arranged.

Claims

1. An optical connector assembly (1) comprising:

a plug (2) and a socket (3) which are interconnectable to each other in an axial direction (x) wherein

a. the plug (2) comprises a plug housing (5) in which a first ferrule (7) is arranged and

b. the socket (3) comprises a socket housing (20) in which a second ferrule (23) is arranged,

c. wherein at least one of the first and second ferrules (7, 23) is arranged deflectable in the direction of a connector axis (4, x) against the force of a spring (9, 19) and

d. at least one of the first and second ferrules (7, 23) is arranged deflectable in a lateral direction (y, z) with respect to the connector axis (4, x);

first alignment features (27) within one of the plug housing (5) or the socket housing (20), and for coarse alignment of one of the first and second ferrules (7, 23) with respect to the other of the first and second ferrules (7, 23) in a first step during coupling; and

second alignment features (15, 30) within at least one of the plug housing (5) or the socket housing (20), and for fine alignment of one of the first and second ferrules (7, 23) with respect to the other of the first and second ferrules (7, 23) in a second step during coupling.

2. The connector assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the alignment features (27) for coarse alignment include a funnel shaped mouth opening (28).

3. The connector assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the alignment feature (15, 30) for fine alignment comprises a guiding pin (15) and a corresponding guiding opening (30).

4. The connector assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the alignment feature (15, 30) for fine alignment is arranged inside the alignment feature (27) for coarse alignment.

5. The connector assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the laterally deflectable ferrule (23) includes a holding sleeve (29) which is made out of a deformable material and/or which has a deformable structure.

6. The connector assembly (1) according to claim 5, wherein the holding sleeve (29) comprises energy absorbing material.

7. The connector assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second ferrule (7, 23) is supported from behind directly or indirectly by a crimp neck (10, 24).

8. The connector assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein a spring (9, 19) is arranged between the crimp neck (10, 24) and the ferrule (7, 23).

9. The connector assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the socket (3) comprises a locking rim (32) and the plug (2) comprises a locking ring (33) which engages behind the locking rim (32) during coupling of the plug (2) and the socket (3).

10. The connector assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein a crimp neck (10, 24) includes a two part form comprising an upper and a lower part which in a mounted position encompass an optical fiber.

11. A plug (2) suitable to be used in an optical connector assembly (1) according to claim 1.

12. A socket (3) suitable to be used in an optical connector assembly (1) according to claim 1.