Optical assemblies with managed connectivity

• US 9,778,424 B2
• Filed: 03/09/2016
• Issued: 10/03/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CommScope Technologies, LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.), CommScope Connectivity UK Limited (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Original Assignee: CommScope Technologies, LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.), CommScope Connectivity UK Limited (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Inventors: Marcouiller, Thomas, Taylor, Christopher Charles, Pfarr, John T., Bolster, Kristofer, Bran de Leon, Oscar Fernando, Mattson, Loren J.
• Primary Examiner(s): PAK, SUNG H
• Application Number:
  US15/065,338
• Publication Number:
  US 20160187594A1
• Time in Patent Office: 573 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3817 containing optical and electrical conductors cables including electrical and optical conductors H01B11/22; G02B6/3816 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3825 with an intermediate part, e.g. adapter, receptacle, linking two plugs
• 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 6/3895 identification of connection, e.g. right plug to the right socket or full engagement of the mating parts keying element on the plug or adapter G02B6/3831; keying element on the ferrule G02B6/3851; keying element for electrical connection H01R13/64
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4261 Packages with mounting structures to be pluggable or detachable, e.g. having latches or rails
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/428 containing printed circuit boards [PCB]
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4452 Distribution frames
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/44526 Panels or rackmounts covering a whole width of the frame or rack
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/44528 Patch-cords; Connector arrangements in the system or in the box routing arrangements H04Q1/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/728 Coupling devices without an insulating housing provided on the edge of the PCB
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/64 for high frequency, e.g. RJ 45
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

An adapter block assembly includes an adapter block, a circuit board arrangement, and a cover attached to the adapter block so that the circuit board arrangement is held to the adapter block by the cover. Contact assemblies can be disposed between the adapter block and the circuit board arrangement. The cover can be latched, heat staked, or otherwise secured to the adapter block. Each component of the adapter block assembly can include one or more parts (e.g., multiple adapter blocks, multiple circuit boards, and/or multiple cover pieces).

Claims

1. An optical adapter block assembly comprising:

(a) a first adapter block defining a plurality of ports, the first adapter block defining an aperture for each port of the first adapter block;

(b) a second adapter block defining a plurality of ports, the second adapter block defining an aperture for each port of the second adapter block;

(c) a circuit board extending across the apertures of the first and second adapter blocks, the circuit board including a plurality of contact arrangements, each contact arrangement being disposed at one of the apertures of the first and second adapter blocks, the circuit board also including a circuit board connector; and

(d) a protection member disposed between the first adapter block and the second adapter block, the protection member including a shroud into which the circuit board connector extends.

2. The optical adapter block assembly of claim 1, wherein the first adapter block includes a plurality of front ports and a plurality of rear ports that each align with one of the front ports of the first adapter block.

3. The optical adapter block assembly of claim 2, wherein the second adapter block includes a plurality of front ports and a plurality of rear ports that each align with one of the front ports of the second adapter block.

4. The optical adapter block assembly of claim 1, further comprising a cover coupled to the first adapter block to hold the circuit board to the first adapter block.

5. The optical adapter block assembly of claim 4, wherein the cover also is coupled to the second adapter block to hold the circuit board to the second adapter block.

6. The optical adapter block assembly of claim 4, wherein the cover is latched to the first adapter block.

7. The optical adapter block assembly of claim 6, wherein latching arms extend upwardly from the first adapter block and latch to shoulders defined by the cover.

8. The optical adapter block assembly of claim 1, wherein the protection member couples the first adapter block to the second adapter block.

9. The optical adapter block assembly of claim 1, wherein the optical adapter block assembly extends along a length between a first end and a second end, and wherein the circuit board extends substantially along the length.

10. The optical adapter block assembly of claim 9, further comprising a first engagement member at the first end of the optical adapter block assembly and a second engagement member at the second end of the optical adapter block assembly.

11. The optical adapter block assembly of claim 10, wherein the first engagement member is integral with the first adapter block and the second engagement member is integral with the second adapter block.

12. The optical adapter block assembly of claim 1, wherein the shroud of the protection member is a forward shroud and wherein the protection member also has a rearward shroud, wherein the forward shroud receives the circuit board connector when the circuit board is positioned on the first adapter block in a first orientation, and wherein the rearward shroud receives the circuit board connector when the circuit board is positioned on the first adapter block in a second orientation that is rotated 180°

from the first orientation.

13. An optical adapter block assembly comprising:

(a) a circuit board extending along a length between a first end and a second end, the circuit board including a plurality of contact arrangements disposed along the length, the circuit board also including a circuit board connector;

(b) a cover arrangement coupled to a first side of the circuit board;

(c) a plurality of front connection locations disposed at a second side of the circuit board, the second side being opposite the first side;

(d) a plurality of rear connection locations disposed at the second side of the circuit board, the rear connection locations being aligned with the front connection locations along connection insertion axes; and

(e) a protection member disposed between two of the front connection locations and between two of the rear connection locations, the protection member including a shroud into which the circuit board connector extends.

14. The optical adapter block assembly of claim 13, wherein the front connection locations are staggered from each other.

15. The optical adapter block assembly of claim 14, wherein the front connection locations are staggered in pairs.

16. The optical adapter block assembly of claim 13, wherein the optical adapter block assembly extends along a length between a first end and a second end, and wherein the circuit board extends substantially along the length.

17. The optical adapter block assembly of claim 16, further comprising a first engagement member at the first end of the optical adapter block assembly and a second engagement member at the second end of the optical adapter block assembly.

18. The optical adapter block assembly of claim 13, wherein the front connection locations couple to the cover to hold the circuit board to the front connection locations.

19. The optical adapter block assembly of claim 18, wherein the cover is latched to the front connection locations.

20. The optical adapter block assembly of claim 13, wherein the protection member couples to the cover arrangement.