U.S. patent application number 14/898984 was filed with the patent office on 2016-05-12 for connector for telecommunication enclosure.
The applicant listed for this patent is 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY. Invention is credited to Christine B. Bund, Johann G. Hajok, Nelson Goncalves Pimentel.
Application Number | 20160131857 14/898984 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52355163 |
Filed Date | 2016-05-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160131857 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pimentel; Nelson Goncalves ;
et al. |
May 12, 2016 |
CONNECTOR FOR TELECOMMUNICATION ENCLOSURE
Abstract
An optical fiber connector for external connection to a
telecommunications enclosure is described herein. The optical fiber
connector has an assembly base having a first end and a second end,
an optical connection portion disposed partially within the first
end of the assembly base and a strain relief assembly disposed on
the second end of the assembly base. The assembly base includes a
body portion and a release portion which defines a release
mechanism that causes the release portion to move relative to the
body portion. The release portion includes at least one cam that is
configured to release or disengage the at least one latch element
when the release portion moves with respect to the body portion so
that the optical fiber connector can be removed from the port of
the telecommunication enclosure.
Inventors: |
Pimentel; Nelson Goncalves;
(Neuss, DE) ; Bund; Christine B.; (Wuppertal,
DE) ; Hajok; Johann G.; (Bochum, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY |
Saint Paul |
MN |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
52355163 |
Appl. No.: |
14/898984 |
Filed: |
June 30, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
June 30, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2014/044844 |
371 Date: |
December 16, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61846816 |
Jul 16, 2013 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
385/78 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02B 6/3891 20130101;
G02B 6/3893 20130101; G02B 6/3849 20130101; G02B 6/3897 20130101;
G02B 6/3887 20130101; G02B 6/4471 20130101; H01R 13/6273 20130101;
G02B 6/3825 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G02B 6/38 20060101
G02B006/38 |
Claims
1. An optical fiber connector configured for external connection to
a telecommunication enclosure, the connector comprising: an
assembly base having a first end and a second end; and an optical
connection portion having a ferrule disposed therein that defines
an optical connection interface, where in the optical connection
portion is disposed partially within the first end of the assembly
base; wherein the optical fiber connector includes at least one
engagement feature configured to secure the optical fiber connector
within a port of the telecommunication enclosure, wherein the
assembly base includes a body portion and a release portion having
a front edge, wherein the release portion defines a release
mechanism which causes the release portion to move relative to the
body portion and wherein the release portion includes at least one
cam that is configured to disengage the at least one engagement
feature when the release portion moves with respect to the body
portion so that the optical fiber connector can be removed from the
port of the telecommunication enclosure.
2. The connector of claim 1, further comprising a strain relief
assembly attached to the second end of the body portion.
3. The connector of claim 2, wherein the strain relief assembly
comprises a connection portion, a clamping portion and an integral
bend control boot.
4. The connector of claim 1, wherein the release mechanism is a
twist-to-push release mechanism.
5. The connector of claim 4, further comprising an activation
portion movably disposed over the body portion and configured to
move the release portion relative the body portion of the assembly
base.
6. The connector of claim 5, wherein rotation of the activation
portion pushes the release portion forward toward the optical
connection interface with respect to body portion to disengage the
at least one latch element.
7. The connector of claim 1, wherein the release mechanism is a
twist-to-pull release mechanism.
8. The connector of claim 7, further comprising an activation
portion movably disposed over the body portion and configured to
move the release portion relative the body portion of the assembly
base.
9. The connector of claim 8, wherein rotation of the activation
portion pulls the body portion back away from the front edge of the
release to disengage the at least one latch element.
10. The connector of claim 1, wherein the release mechanism is a
push release mechanism.
11. The connector of claim 10, wherein the release portion moves
forward with respect to body portion to disengage the at least one
latch element.
12. The connector of claim 1, wherein the release mechanism is a
pull release mechanism.
13. The connector of claim 12, wherein the release portion moves
backward toward the second end of the base assembly to disengage
the at least one latch element.
14. The connector of claim 12, wherein at least one latch element
is a pair of forward facing latches formed on the outer housing of
the connection portion wherein the forward facing latches are
configured to engage with the optical coupling.
15. The connector of claim 1, wherein the optical connection
portion includes an outer housing configured to mate with an
optical coupling.
16. The connector of claim 1, wherein the at least one latch
element is disposed on the body portion of the assembly base.
17. The connector of claim 1, wherein the optical fiber connector
is configured to be field mounted on to the terminal and of an
optical fiber cable.
18. The connector of claim 1, wherein the optical fiber connector
is configured to be factory mounted on to the terminal and of an
optical fiber cable.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to optical fiber connector for
telecommunication enclosures. Specifically, the exemplary optical
fiber connector can be plugged into optical connector adapter
through a port of the telecommunication enclosure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Telecommunication cables are ubiquitous and used for
distributing all manner of data across vast networks. The majority
of cables are electrically conductive cables (typically copper),
although the use of optical fiber cables is growing rapidly in
telecommunication systems as larger and larger amounts of data are
transmitted. Additionally, as data transmissions increase, the
fiber optic network is being extended closer to the end user which
can be a premises, business, or a private residence.
[0003] As telecommunication cables are routed across data networks,
it is necessary to periodically open the cable so that one or more
telecommunication lines therein may be spliced or otherwise
connected to other cables or "branches" and to be distributed
across the telecommunication network. At each point where a
telecommunication cable is opened, it is necessary to provide a
telecommunication enclosure to protect the exposed interior of the
cable. The cable branches may be further distributed until the
network reaches individual homes, businesses, offices, and so on.
These networks are often referred to as fiber to the X (FTTX)
networks which can include fiber to the premise (FTTP), fiber to
the home (FTTH) and fiber to the antenna (FTTA) networks.
[0004] Fiber terminals are one type of telecommunication enclosure
that is typically located near an end user in a FTTP network to
distribute the final service to the end user. Typical fiber
terminals are designed to drop services (to provide service
connections) to a small number of premises having typically between
four to twelve end users. The last service connection from the
fiber terminal is made to an optical network terminal (ONT),
located at the end user, using a drop cable. Typically, an optical
connector attached to the terminal end of an optical fiber of the
cable is preferred to allow quick, reliable field installation.
[0005] There are two basic methods of introducing an optical fiber
into a telecommunication or enclosure. In the first method, the
cable passes through an inlet device fitted into a port of the
telecommunication enclosure. The optical connection interface is
made within the enclosure by either an optical connector or an
optical splice. Conventional watertight optical inlet devices are
described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,487,344 and 8,313,250, which can be
inserted into a port so that a telecommunication cable can pass
through the wall and into the interior of a telecommunication
enclosure.
[0006] The second method is to provide a weatherproof optical
connection interface in or near a wall of the telecommunication
enclosure using a sealed hardened connector that is factory mounted
on the terminal end of an optical fiber cable and mating receptacle
mounted within a port or in the wall of the telecommunication
enclosure, such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,648,520;
7,090,406; and 6,579,014. Generally, the receptacle in this
conventional connector/receptacle system is attached directly to
the wall of the enclosure so that the external connection point
extends from the port and is exposed to the outdoor environment. In
addition, this connector/receptacle system requires environmental
sealing between the receptacle and the port of a telecommunication
enclosure and between the connector and the receptacle.
[0007] A field mountable sealed connector having a connection
interface disposed within an interior portion of a
telecommunication enclosure is described in Patent Cooperation
Treaty Publication No. WO 2013/106183.
[0008] Due to the rugged handling of drop cables which utilize
these hardened connectors, a need exists for enhanced pull strength
without having to rely on a threaded connection between the
hardened connector and its mating receptacle. The size of the
mating receptacle limits the port density that can be achieved with
conventional ruggedized optical fiber connectors. Thus, there is an
increased desire for a higher port density in a telecommunication
enclosure than can be achieved with conventional ruggedized
connectors. In addition, there is a need to provide a ruggedized
field mountable fiber optic connector that allows the craftsman to
customize the length of the drop cable for a particular network
installation while maintaining the environmental protection of the
telecommunication enclosure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] An optical fiber connector is described herein wherein the
optical fiber connector is configured for external connection to a
telecommunications enclosure. The optical fiber connector has an
assembly base having a first end and a second end, an optical
connection portion disposed partially within the first end of the
assembly base and a strain relief assembly disposed on the second
end of the assembly base. The optical fiber connector includes at
least one latch element configured to secure the optical connector
within a port of a telecommunication enclosure. The assembly base
includes a body portion and a release portion which defines a
release mechanism that causes the release portion to move relative
to the body portion. The release portion includes at least one cam
that is configured to release or disengage the at least one latch
element when the release portion moves with respect to the body
portion so that the optical fiber connector can be removed from the
port of the telecommunication enclosure.
[0010] In an exemplary aspect, the release mechanism can be
selected from one of a twist-to-push release mechanism, a
twist-to-pull release mechanism, a push release mechanism and a
pull release mechanism.
[0011] In another exemplary aspect, a modified optical coupling is
disclosed having enhanced retention characteristics. The optical
coupling has a first connector housing configured to accept a first
optical fiber connector, a second connector housing configured to
accept a second optical fiber connector; and an alignment sleeve
extending between the first and second housings along a central
axis of the optical coupling. At least one of the first connector
housing and the second connector housing provides four
interconnection points with at least one of the first optical fiber
connector and the second optical fiber connector. The exemplary
modified optical coupling is configured to be placed in the port of
a telecommunications enclosure.
[0012] The above summary of the present invention is not intended
to describe each illustrated embodiment or every implementation of
the present invention. The figures and the detailed description
that follows more particularly exemplify these embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The present invention will be further described with
reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0014] FIGS. 1A-1C show three views of a first embodiment of an
exemplary optical fiber connector according to an aspect of the
present invention;
[0015] FIGS. 2A-2C show three detail views of an exemplary assembly
base of the optical connector of FIGS. 1A-1C;
[0016] FIGS. 3A-3C show three detail views of an exemplary strain
relief assembly of the optical connector of FIGS. 1A-1C;
[0017] FIG. 4A shows the exemplary optical fiber connector of FIGS.
1A-1C installed in the port of a telecommunication enclosure;
[0018] FIGS. 4B-4C illustrate a release mechanism of the exemplary
optical fiber connector of FIGS. 1A-1C from the port of a
telecommunication enclosure;
[0019] FIGS. 5A-5C show three views of a modified coupling usable
with an exemplary optical fiber connector according to an aspect of
the present invention;
[0020] FIGS. 6A-6C show three views of a second embodiment of an
exemplary optical fiber connector according to an aspect of the
present invention;
[0021] FIGS. 7A-7C show three detail views of the assembly base of
the optical connector of FIGS. 6A-6C;
[0022] FIG. 8 is a sectional isometric view of the release portion
of the optical connector of FIGS. 6A-6C;
[0023] FIGS. 9A-9B show two views of an exemplary outer housing of
the optical connector of FIGS. 6A-6C;
[0024] FIG. 10A shows the exemplary optical fiber connector of
FIGS. 6A-6C installed in the port of a telecommunication
enclosure;
[0025] FIGS. 10B-10C illustrate a release mechanism of the
exemplary optical fiber connector of FIGS. 6A-6C from the port of a
telecommunication enclosure;
[0026] FIGS. 11A-11C show three views of a third embodiment of an
exemplary optical fiber connector according to an aspect of the
present invention;
[0027] FIGS. 12A-12B show two views of another modified coupling
usable with an exemplary optical fiber connector according to an
aspect of the present invention;
[0028] FIGS. 13A-13B show two views of the modified coupling of
FIGS. 12A-12B disposed within a port of a telecommunication
enclosure;
[0029] FIGS. 14A-14C show three views of a fourth embodiment of an
exemplary optical fiber connector according to an aspect of the
present invention;
[0030] FIGS. 15A-15B show two views of an alternative strain relief
assembly usable with the exemplary optical fiber connectors in
accordance with an aspect of the invention;
[0031] FIGS. 16A-6C show three views of another modified coupling
usable with an exemplary optical fiber connector according to an
aspect of the present invention;
[0032] FIGS. 17A-17C show three views of a second embodiment of an
exemplary optical fiber connector according to an aspect of the
present invention; and
[0033] FIG. 18 is an isometric end view of the release portion of
the optical connector of FIGS. 17A-17C.
[0034] While the invention is amenable to various modifications and
alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of
example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should
be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the
invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary,
the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and
alternatives falling within the scope of the invention as defined
by the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0035] In the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which
illustrate specific embodiments in which the invention may be
practiced. The illustrated embodiments are not intended to be
exhaustive of all embodiments according to the invention. It is to
be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural
or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of
the present invention. The following detailed description,
therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of
the present invention is defined by the appended claims.
[0036] Exemplary embodiments herein provide an optical fiber
connector for use in telecommunication enclosures. Specifically,
the exemplary optical fiber connector can be plugged into an
optical connector adapter through a port of the telecommunication
enclosure. Particular advantages of the design of the present
optical fiber connector include a lower cost than conventional
hardened connectors which require a specialized mating receptacle.
In addition, the exemplary optical fiber connector, as described
herein, can be either field installable or factory installable. The
small size of the exemplary optical fiber connector allows more
connections to be made in a similarly sized telecommunication
enclosure as a result of a higher port density when compared to
conventional ruggedized connector systems. In addition, the
exemplary optical fiber connector can be easier to handle and
faster to install into a telecommunication enclosure than some
conventional ruggedized connectors which require that the connector
be screwed into a specialized receptacle in the port of a
telecommunication enclosure.
[0037] The exemplary fiber optic connector can be used in FTTx
optical fiber networks. In one exemplary aspect, the exemplary
optical fiber connector can be used to connect an end user to a
remote fiber terminal in a fiber to the premise network. In another
aspect of the invention, the exemplary fiber optic connector can be
used to connect an antenna on a cellular tower or other
installation to equipment in a base station located at the foot of
the tower or an equipment cabinet, enclosure or closet.
[0038] In one embodiment, the exemplary optical fiber connector can
be inserted from outside of the telecommunication enclosure to
provide an optical connection interface proximate to the wall of
the enclosure or within the port of the enclosure. Depending on the
communication network architecture, the telecommunication enclosure
may be a buried closure, an aerial closure or terminal, a fiber
distribution hub or an optical network terminal in the outside
plant or a wall mount communication box, a fiber distribution hub,
a wall mount patch panel, or an optical network terminal in premise
applications. The exemplary fiber optic connector can provide an
environmental seal when installed in a port of a telecommunications
enclosure. By providing an environmental seal, the inlet device can
be designed to provide a watertight or water resistant seal and/or
to prevent dust, bugs or any other foreign substance from entering
the enclosure.
[0039] In one exemplary embodiment (see e.g. FIGS. 1A and 1B), the
telecommunication cable can be a fiber optic cable 50. The fiber
optic cable can include a semi-rigid outer sheath or jacket 52
surrounding at least one optical fiber 54 and can include one or
more strength members (not shown). Each optical fiber has a
polymeric coating 55 that surrounds and protects the glass fiber
56. Examples of exemplary optical fiber cables include ResiLink
ADF.TM. All-Dielectric Flat Drop Cable available from Pirelli
Cables and Systems (Columbia, N.C.) or EZ DROP cable from Draka
(Claremont, N.C.), fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) optical cable
available from Shenzhen SDG Information Company, Ltd. (Shenzhen,
China), SE*-LW* FTTH All Purpose Optical Drop Cables and SE-8
PureAccess.TM. Single Mode Optical Fiber each of which is available
from Sumitomo Electric (Research Triangle Park, N.C.), Mini DP Flat
Drop Cable available from OFS (Northcross, Ga.). The strength
members may be either semi-rigid rods or a collection of loose
fibers or floss, e.g. made of aramid fibers or glass.
[0040] In an alternative aspect, the telecommunication cable can be
an electrical cable in which case the connection portion of the
exemplary connector will be an appropriate style of electrical
connector such as an RJ-style plug connector, a USB connector or a
coaxial connector, for example. While in another aspect, the
telecommunication cable can be a hybrid cable having both
electrical and optical conductors in which case the connection
portion of the exemplary connector will be an appropriate hybrid
connector.
[0041] FIGS. 1A-1C show three views of an exemplary optical fiber
connector 100. Optical fiber connector 100 includes an assembly
base 110 having a first end 111 and a second end 112, a strain
relief assembly 150 attachable to the second end of the assembly
base and an optical connection portion 160 having a ferrule 166
disposed therein that defines an optical connection interface
attachable to the first end of the assembly base. The strain relief
assembly anchors an internal sealing member 170 between the strain
relief assembly and the second end of the assembly base to provide
an environmental seal between the optical fiber connector 100 and
the telecommunications cable 50 to which it is connected. Optical
fiber connector also includes at least one engagement feature to
secure the optical fiber connector within a port of a
telecommunication enclosure. Optical fiber connector 100 may be
formed of plastic by conventional methods, for example by injection
molding.
[0042] Referring to FIGS. 2A-2C, assembly base 110 includes a body
portion 120 having a first end 121 and a second end 122, a release
portion 130 disposed near the first end of the body portion and an
activation portion 140 disposed near the second end of the body
portion. The release portion defines a release mechanism which
moves the release portion relative to the body portion to disengage
at least one engagement feature of the optical fiber connector when
the release portion moves with respect to the body portion so that
the optical fiber connector can be removed from the port of the
telecommunication enclosure. FIG. 2A shows an exploded view of
assembly base 110. FIG. 2B is a partially assembled view of
assembly base 110, and FIG. 2C is a fully assembled view of
assembly base 110.
[0043] The body portion 120 may be generally cylindrical in shape
and includes an interior passageway 123 that extends along the
length of the body portion from the first end 121 to the second end
122 of the body portion. The body portion includes a passage entry
at the first end of the interior passageway and a passage exit 125
at the second end of the interior passageway 123 that may be
configured to accommodate certain categories of telecommunication
cables including single fiber drop cables and/or multi-fiber
cables.
[0044] The passage entry at the first end 121 of the interior
passageway 123 is configured to accept and secure optical
connection portion 160 to/in the first end 121 of the body portion
120. As such, the passage entry can be shaped to closely conform to
an outer perimeter portion of the optical connection portion. In
one aspect, the optical connection portion can be secured to the
first end of the assembly base such that at least a portion of the
optical connection portion is disposed within the interior
passageway of the body portion.
[0045] The body portion 120 can have a groove 127 formed in the
external surface of the body portion to receive an intermediate
sealing member 173. In the exemplary aspect shown in FIG. 2A,
groove 127 is formed near the first end 121 of body portion and
configured to receive an intermediate sealing member, such as an
o-ring. This intermediate sealing member can provide an
environmental seal between the body portion and release portion 130
of assembly base 110.
[0046] The body portion 120 can have an external connection portion
128 adjacent to the second end 122 of the body portion. In the
exemplary aspect shown in FIG. 2A, external connection portion 128
includes at least one bayonet channel 128a that cooperates with at
least one internal peg 151e (shown in FIG. 3C) disposed within a
first opening 151c at the first end 151a of strain relief assembly
150. In the exemplary embodiment of optical fiber connector 100,
the body portion can include two bayonet channels disposed on
opposite sides of the body portion and strain relief assembly 150
can have two internal pegs that are configured to engage with the
bayonet channels formed in the body portion. Thus, the strain
relief assembly (having the internal sealing member 170 disposed
therein) can be slid over the second end of the body portion and
rotated to secure the strain relief assembly to the body portion as
the internal pegs in the strain relief assembly ride in the bayonet
channels formed in the body portion. The internal sealing member is
compressed longitudinally between the strain relief assembly and
the second end of the body portion as shown in FIG. 1B.
[0047] Utilizing a bayonet style securing mechanism to attach the
strain relief assembly to the assembly base can be advantageous in
reducing torsional stresses applied to the telecommunication cable
when the strain relief assembly is secured to the body portion of
the exemplary optical fiber connector. In addition, the bayonet
style securing mechanism offers the advantage of having a defined
stop at the end of the engaging motion (i.e. the ends of bayonet
channel 128a) as opposed to a threaded connection which does not
have a defined stop and can be over or under tightened resulting
potential inferior environmental protection between the cable and
optical fiber connector 100.
[0048] In an alternative aspect, the external connection can
comprise an external thread that engages with an internal thread in
the strain relief assembly or can comprise mechanical interlocking
structure that engage with corresponding features within the strain
relief assembly such that the strain relief assembly is secured to
the second end of the assembly base by an interference fit. In the
case of a threaded connection mechanism it can be advantageous to
add a stop so that the strain relief device cannot be over
tightened onto the assembly base.
[0049] Body portion 120 can include a shoulder 120a formed in its
external surface. The shoulder serves as a transition point from a
first diameter at the first end 121 of the body portion to a second
diameter at the second end 122 of the body portion. In the
exemplary aspect shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, the first diameter at the
first end is larger than the second diameter at the second end. The
body portion having the smaller second diameter defines a reduced
diameter section 120b between the second end and shoulder 120a. The
activation portion 140 can be slid over the second end of body
portion 120 such that the activation portion is disposed over
reduced diameter section 120b as shown in FIG. 2B such that the
outer surface of the activation portion and the body portion
between the shoulder and the first end are substantially coplanar.
The reduced diameter section can be slightly smaller than the
internal diameter of the bore 143 through the activation portion
such that the activation portion is free to move (i.e. rotate)
relative to the reduced diameter section and shoulder 120a serves
as a stop to limit the travel range of the activation portion. The
external surface of reduced diameter section and the internal
surface of the bore through the activation portion can be smooth so
that the activation portion can slip over the reduced diameter
section of the body portion to actuate the release portion 130. In
an alternative aspect, the external surface of reduced diameter
section and the internal surface of the bore through the activation
portion can be threaded so that the activation portion can be
rotated in a helical manner to actuate the release portion. While
in another exemplary aspect, the external surface of reduced
diameter section and the internal surface of the bore through the
activation portion can be textured to provide an audible clicking
as the activation portion is turned during activation of the
release portion.
[0050] Body portion 120 can further include one or more engagement
features 129 formed on and extending from the outer surface of the
body portion between groove 127 and connection portion 128. The
engagement features can help ensure the proper positioning of the
body portion within the release portion while allowing the release
portion a degree of movement, for example linear movement, relative
to the body portion. The engagement features can also be used to
secure optical fiber connector 100 within the port of a
telecommunication enclosure. In the exemplary aspect shown in FIGS.
2A-2C, the engagement features 129 are in the form of cantilevered
arms 129a that have a barb or projection 129b adjacent to the free
ends of the cantilevered arms and a deflection tab 129c extending
from a side of the cantilevered arm. The cantilevered arms can be
deflected toward the body portion as the body portion is inserted
into the release portion 130 to allow the projection on the end of
the cantilevered arm to slide through the internal bore 133. The
arm will return to its original configuration when projection 129b
engages with window 139 in the release portion and when the
deflection tab clears internal cam 133a (FIG. 4B) formed on the
interior surface of the internal bore through the release portion.
In an exemplary aspect, window 139 can be slightly wider than the
width of the cantilevered arm and the projection on the end of the
arm so that a portion of the cantilevered arm can extend through
the window beyond the surface of the release portion to engage with
an exterior section 421 of a telecommunication port 420 (FIG. 4B).
Moving the body portion of the assembly base with respect to the
release portion can change the distance that the cantilevered arm
extends beyond the surface of the release portion and can thus be
used to disengage optical connector 100 from a port of a
telecommunication enclosure as is described in additional detail
with respect to FIGS. 4A-4C.
[0051] As previously mentioned, release portion 130 includes an
internal bore 133 that extends from a front edge 131 to a rear edge
132 of the release portion. The release portion is configured to be
close fitting with the port of a telecommunication enclosure into
which the exemplary connector 100 will be inserted. The release
portion 130 can have a groove 137 formed in the external surface of
the release portion to receive an external sealing member 175. In
the exemplary aspect shown in FIG. 2A, groove 137 is formed near
the front edge 131 of release portion to receive an external
sealing member 175, such as an o-ring. This external sealing member
can provide an environmental seal between the assembly base of the
exemplary optical fiber connector and the port of a
telecommunication enclosure into which the exemplary connector is
inserted. Specifically, the external sealing member forms an
environmental seal between the interior wall of the exterior
section 221 of the port 220 of a telecommunication enclosure (FIGS.
4A-4B). Thus, the environmental sealing of the port is simplified
over the conventional connector/receptacle system due to the
elimination of one environmental seals (i.e. the seal between the
receptacle and the port of the telecommunication enclosure)
required by the conventional system.
[0052] The release portion 130 can have a connection portion 138
adjacent to the rear edge 132 of the release portion. The
connection portion 138 can include at least one bayonet channel
138a that cooperates with at least one external peg 148 disposed on
an external surface of the activation portion 140. In the exemplary
embodiment of optical fiber connector 100, the release portion can
include two bayonet channels 138a disposed on opposite sides of the
release portion and the activation portion can have two external
pegs 148 that are configured to engage with the bayonet channels.
Thus, the activation portion can be slid into the second end 132 of
the release portion so that the external pegs are disposed in the
two bayonet channels 138a.
[0053] When the exemplary optical fiber connector needs to be
removed from the port of the telecommunication in which the
connector is installed, activation portion 140 can be rotated such
that the external pins slide in bayonet channels 138a causing the
release portion to move back within the exterior section 221 of the
port 220. The removal of exemplary connector 100 from the port of a
telecommunication enclosure will be discussed in additional detail
in reference to FIGS. 4B-4C.
[0054] A dust sleeve 135 can be fitted over the second end of
release portion 130 to cover bayonet channels 138a as shown in FIG.
2C. The dust sleeve can prevent dust and grit from collecting in
the bayonet channels that might prevent actuation of the release
portion.
[0055] As previously mentioned, an internal sealing member 170 can
be disposed between the strain relief assembly and the second end
of the assembly base 110 to provide an environmental seal between
the optical fiber connector 100 and the jacket of a
telecommunications cable 50 installed therein. In one exemplary
aspect, internal sealing member 170 can include an elastomeric ring
portion 170a and a segmented rigid portion 170b as shown in FIG.
1C. The elastomeric ring portion provides the sealing and cable
gripping capability to the optical fiber connector to a
telecommunication cable passing through the sealing member, and the
segmented rigid portion serves as skids to allow the strain relief
assembly to rotate freely when the strain relief assembly is being
secured to the second end of the body portion of the exemplary
optical fiber connector 100. In an alternative aspect, the internal
sealing member can be in the form of a conventional elastomeric
grommet. Optionally, the internal sealing member can have a radial
slit (not shown) to allow the telecommunication cable to be slipped
into the internal sealing member from the edge of the sealing
member. The internal sealing member can be formed by a two step
molding process when the segmented rigid portion is formed of a
rigid plastic material such as poly carbonate or polybutylene
terephthalate, for example, or by an insert molding process when
the rigid portion is formed of a rigid plastic material or
metal.
[0056] In an exemplary aspect, the elastomeric portion of the
internal sealing member can be formed from one of an ethylene
propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber, a silicone rubber, a
polyurethane elastomers or rubbers, natural rubber, a
fluoroelastomer or other suitably soft resilient materials.
[0057] In an alternative aspect, the segmented rigid portion can be
replaced by a slit ring made of either plastic or metal that can
either be integrally formed with the internal sealing member or can
be a separate piece which is positioned between the internal
sealing member and the strain relief assembly during assembly of
the exemplary connector.
[0058] Strain relief assembly 150 can be seen in FIGS. 1A-1C in
relation to the rest of the components of optical fiber connector
100 and in detail in FIGS. 3A-3C. Strain relief assembly 150
includes a connection portion 151 having a first opening 151c at a
first end 151a thereof to accept the second end 122 of body portion
120 of the assembly base 110 and a smaller second opening 151d at
the second end 151b of the connection portion to accommodate the
passage of a telecommunication cable 50 therethrough. The strain
relief assembly can further include at least one internal peg 151e
(FIG. 3C) disposed within the connection portion that cooperates
with the corresponding bayonet channel 128a on the body portion 120
(FIG. 2A) of the optical fiber connector to secure the strain
relief assembly to the body portion and compress the internal
sealing member therebetween.
[0059] Strain relief assembly 150 also includes a cable clamping
portion 153 configured to clamp onto the jacket 52 of a
telecommunication cable passing therethrough when the clamping
collar 159 is secured over the clamping portion. The clamping
portion includes one or more clamping elements 154 that can be
actuated to grip the cable jacket 52 of a telecommunication cable
when the clamping collar is disposed over the one or more clamping
elements. In an exemplary aspect, the clamping elements 154 can be
a pair of wedge shaped collet fingers 154a that are attached to the
cable clamping portion 153 at the thin end of their wedge shape as
shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C. The cable clamping portion 153 can
further include an external thread 153a that is configured to mate
with an internal thread 159a in the clamping collar 159. As the
clamping collar is screwed onto the clamping portion in a direction
indicated by directional arrow 192, the clamping collar squeezes
the wedge shaped collet fingers inward (as indicated by directional
arrow 193) to grip the jacket of the telecommunication cable
between opposing collet fingers. In an exemplary aspect, the
clamping elements can include one or more ridges or teeth to bite
into the cable jacket when the clamping collar actuates the
clamping elements.
[0060] Strain relief assembly 150 can further include an integral
bend control boot 155 attached to the clamping portion of the
strain relief assembly. The bend control boot prevents the
telecommunication cable from exceeding its minimum bend radius
which could result in degradation of the signal being carried by
the telecommunication cable. The bend control boot can have a
segmented form having a plurality of gaps 156 disposed along its
length to improve the flexibility of the bend control boot. The
size (i.e. the width and length) of the gaps can be modified to
tailor the flexibility of the bend control boot. In one exemplary
aspect, a plurality of uniform gaps can be dispersed uniformly
along the length of the bend control boot. In an alternative
aspect, thinner gaps can be disposed near clamping portion where
minimal bending may be desirable and can gradually widen along the
length of the bend control boot such that the flexibility of the
bend control boot increases the further it gets from clamping
portion. The gaps can be disposed perpendicular to the longitudinal
axis of the bend control boot. In an alternative aspect the gaps
are disposed at a skewed angle with respect to the longitudinal
axis of the optical fiber connector such that the bend control boot
has the appearance of a segmented coil. In an exemplary aspect, the
connection portion 151, clamping portion 153 with clamping elements
154 and the bend control boot 155 of the strain relief assembly can
be molded as a single integral part as shown in FIGS. 3A-3C.
[0061] In an alternative embodiment of an exemplary strain relief
assembly 950 shown in FIGS. 15A-15B, the connection portion 951 can
be molded as a separate part from the clamping portion 953 and the
bend control boot 955 which can be molded as a single unit. FIG.
15A is an exploded view of strain relief assembly 950, while FIG.
15B shows the exemplary strain relief assembly as part of optical
connector 900. The advantage of strain relief assembly 950 is that
the connection portion can be free to rotate with respect to the
clamping portion, which can allow the connection portion to be
tightened or loosened without exerting undue torsion on the
telecommunication cable passing therethrough. In this embodiment
(best illustrated in FIG. 15A), the clamping portion 953 can
include a lip 953c on its first end 953b wherein the outer
circumference of the lip is larger than the circumference of the
opening 951c at the second end 951b of the connection portion 951
such that the clamping portion is anchored to the connection
portion when the first end of the clamping portion is installed in
the connection portion. Another variation in the strain relief
assembly is shown in FIG. 15A where the clamping elements can also
be molded as separate parts which can be fitted into retention
slots 953d in the cable clamping portion 953. The cable clamping
portion 953 can further include an external thread 953a that is
configured to mate with an internal thread 959a in the clamping
collar 959. As the clamping collar is screwed onto the clamping
portion, the clamping collar will push the clamping elements inward
to grip the jacket of the telecommunication cable between opposing
clamping elements.
[0062] While in another exemplary aspect, the bend control portion
can be connected directly to the second end of the connection
portion in installations where additional strain relief is
unnecessary or the bend control portion can have a lip having a
circumference greater than the circumference of opening 951c at the
second end 951b of the connection portion 951.
[0063] Referring again to FIGS. 3A and 3B, clamping collar 159 can
be slid over the bend control boot 155 in a direction indicated by
arrow 191 until the internal threads of the clamping collar engage
with the external threads 153a of clamping portion 153. The
clamping collar is then turned onto the clamping portion via the
mating threads in a direction indicated by arrow 192 shown in FIG.
3C. As the collar is turned onto the threaded portion the clamping
elements are pushed inward as indicated by directional arrow 193
(FIG. 3C) to grip the jacket 52 of the telecommunication cable 50
passing there through.
[0064] Referring again to FIGS. 1A-1C, optical connection portion
160 can include an outer housing 161 having an external connection
portion with an external thread 162 adjacent to the second end 161b
that is configured to attach the optical connection portion to
assembly base 110. The outer housing is configured to hold the
internal components of a standard optical fiber connector (e.g. the
backbone 165, collar body 164, ferrule 166 and boot 167 as shown in
FIGS. 1A and 1B) within the outer housing. The internal optical
fiber connector components can be similar to the internal
components of the field mountable fiber optic connector described
in commonly owned U.S. Patent Publication No. 2011/0044588,
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Alternatively,
the internal optical fiber connector components can be similar to
3M.TM. No Polish Connectors, 3M.TM. Crimplok.TM. Fiber Optic
Connectors available from 3M Company or other field mountable
connector styles for field termination applications or conventional
epoxy connectors for a factory termination applications.
[0065] The external thread 162 of outer housing 161 is configured
to engage with an internal thread (not shown) disposed in the
interior passageway 123 (FIG. 2A) that extends through the body
portion 120 of assembly base 110 of optical connector 100. In the
exemplary aspect shown, external thread 162 can be a course pitch
thread that corresponds with the internal thread in the assembly
base. After mounting the internal connector components onto the
terminal end of an optical connector, the backbone is inserted into
the outer housing until it snaps into place. Connection portion 160
is then inserted into the first end of the assembly base and
secured in place via the course pitch threads which securely
attaches the optical connection portion to the assembly base while
minimizing the torsional effects on the cable within the exemplary
optical fiber connector resulting from the attachment of the
connection portion to the assembly base. In an exemplary aspect,
the optical connection portion can be attached to the main body by
engaging the threads and rotating the optical connection portion
120.degree. with respect to the main body, although other degrees
of rotation are a matter of design choice. In an alternative
aspect, the connector portion can be attached to the assembly base
by an adhesive, snap-fit or other mechanical connection
mechanism.
[0066] In one aspect, optical connection portion 160 is configured
with an SC format outer housing 161. However, as would be apparent
to one of ordinary skill in the art given the present description,
the optical connection portion and the outer housings could be
configured to have other standard formats, such as MT, MPO, ST, FC,
and LC connector formats as well as utilizing other connector
styles such as factory mounted connectors.
[0067] Exemplary optical fiber connector 100 is assembled by first
sliding the strain relief assembly 150 including clamping collar
159, the internal sealing member 170 and an optional boot 167 of
the optical connection portion over the telecommunication cable 50
for later use.
[0068] For field termination, an optical connection portion having
a mechanical gripping/splice element 169 can be used. The optical
connection portion can be a remote grip connector such as 3M's
Crimplok+Optical Connector or can be a fiber stub connector such as
3M's No-Polish Connectors. Telecommunication cable 50 is prepared
by cutting away a portion of the cable jacket 52 and stripping off
a coated portion of the optical fiber 54 near the terminal end of
the optical fiber leaving a bare glass fiber portion. The exposed
bare glass portion is cleaved (flat or angled) to the desired
length.
[0069] The prepared end of the telecommunication cable 50 is
inserted through the rear end of the backbone 165 of a partially
pre-assembled optical connector that includes the collar body 164
holding the mechanical gripping/splice element and ferrule secured
within the backbone. In this manner, the prepared fiber end can be
fed through the ferrule or spliced to the fiber stub with the
mechanical gripping/splice element 169 within the collar body
disposed in backbone 165. The boot 167, if present, is then pushed
axially toward the backbone 165 and screwed onto the backbone
mounting section to secure the boot in place completing the
mounting of the partially pre-assemble optical connection portion
onto optical fiber cable 50. The partially pre-assembled optical
connection portion is then snapped into outer housing 161 to
complete the assembly of connection portion 160.
[0070] Assembly base 110 is moved forward over the back end of the
optical connection portion 160. The optical connection portion is
rotated to secure of the optical connection portion 160 to the body
portion 120 of the optical connector via threads 162 on outer
housing 161.
[0071] The internal sealing member is pushed along
telecommunication cable 50 and until it contacts with the second
end 112 of the base assembly 110. Strain relief assembly 150 is
slid forward and secured to the body portion by engaging the strain
relief assembly with the second end 112 of the body portion 120.
The tightening of the strain relief assembly 150 to the body
portion compresses the internal sealing member. In an alternative
embodiment, the internal sealing member can be fitted over the
cable just prior to securing the strain relief assembly to the body
portion by inserting the cable into the sealing member by through
the radial slit in the internal sealing member.
[0072] Finally, the clamping collar 159 is slid over the bend
control boot 155 of strain relief assembly 150 in a direction
indicated by arrow 191 in FIG. 3A until the internal threads of the
clamping collar engage with the external threads 153a of clamping
portion 153. The clamping collar is then turned onto the clamping
portion via the mating threads in a direction indicated by arrow
192 shown in FIG. 3B causing clamping element 154 to tighten
against the jacket of the telecommunication cable, thus, completing
the assembly of connector 100.
[0073] FIG. 4A shows the exemplary optical fiber connector 100
installed into a standard optical connector coupling 250 within a
portion of a telecommunication enclosure 200 when the optical
connector is inserted through a port of the enclosure. The
telecommunication enclosure can be a terminal enclosure such as a
BPEO S1 16 S7 (Stock number N501714A) available from 3M Company
(St. Paul, Minn.).
[0074] The exemplary telecommunication enclosure 200 of FIG. 4A
includes a base 210 and a cover or main body (not shown) removably
securable to the base. The base of the telecommunication enclosure
shown in the figures includes a bottom wall 212 and a plurality of
side walls 214 extending approximately perpendicularly from the
bottom wall and adjoined to one another at the corners of the
enclosure. At least one of the side walls can include at least one
port 220 for receiving an optical fiber connector of the present
invention. The exemplary port can be a hexagonal port having an
exterior section 221 disposed outside of the enclosure. The
exemplary port can have other geometric configurations such as a
generally cylindrical or tubular shape, a rectangular shape or
other polygonal shape. The exterior section 221 of port 220
includes a pair of openings 222 disposed on opposing side of the
exterior section that are configured to accept projections 129b
(FIG. 1A) of optical fiber connector 100 when the optical fiber
connector is fully engaged in the port of the telecommunication
enclosure as shown in FIG. 4A.
[0075] When optical fiber connector 100 is fully inserted into the
port 220, the engagement features 129 of optical fiber connector
100 engages with the opening 222 in the exterior section 221 of the
port to secure the optical fiber connector in place. When the
optical fiber connector is properly seated in the port of the
telecommunication enclosure, the external sealing member 175 of the
optical fiber connector provides a water tight seal between the
internal circumference of the exterior section 221 of the port and
the optical fiber connector.
[0076] A standard format optical coupling 250 can be inserted into
openings in a patch panel 240 that can be anchored within the
telecommunication enclosure 200 parallel to the sidewall having the
ports 220 disposed therein and can be secured to the base of the
telecommunication enclosure by mechanical fasteners (not shown) or
other anchoring mechanism. The patch panel is disposed proximate to
the side wall 214 with the ports 220. The standard format optical
couplings are mounted in the patch panel such that they align with
the ports of the enclosure allowing an optical connection to be
made when optical fiber connector 100 is fully inserted into the
port.
[0077] In order to extract optical fiber connector 100 from the
port 220, the activation portion 140 is turned in the direction
indicated by arrow 194 in FIG. 4B. The pegs 148 on the surface of
the activation portion ride in the bayonet channels 138a formed in
release portion 130 causing the body portion 120 with attached
connection portion 160 of the optical fiber connector to be moved
in the direction indicated by arrow 195 in FIG. 4B. As the release
portion moves away from the sidewall 214 of the base 210 of the
telecommunication enclosure 200, the engagement features 129 formed
on the body portion 120 of the optical fiber connector 100 contact
the cam 133a formed within the release portion and are deflected
toward the outer surface of the body portion until the projections
129b on the free end of the engagement features disengage from the
openings 222 in the exterior section 221 of telecommunication
closure port 220, as shown in FIG. 4C, allowing optical fiber
connector 100 to be removed from the port by the application of an
extraction force that is sufficient to overcome the holding force
of the outer housing 161 of the optical fiber connector by optical
connector coupling 250. Thus, connector 100 utilizes a
twist-to-pull release mechanism to disengage the connector from the
port of a telecommunication enclosure.
[0078] In alternative embodiments, an exemplary optical fiber
connector can be mated with an optical coupling disposed at least
partially within the port of a telecommunication enclosure, such
that the optical interface between the two optical fiber connectors
being mated by the optical coupling is located near the plane
created by the sidewall of the telecommunication enclosure. The
desire for higher pull-out strength as well as the desire for a
high density of connections has resulted in modified optical
coupling designs that are configured to accept the external (i.e.
outside of the telecommunication enclosure) exemplary optical fiber
connector of the present disclosure and a conventional format
optical fiber connector on the interior of the telecommunication
enclosure.
[0079] While the exemplary telecommunication enclosure described
above includes a base and a separate cover, the telecommunication
enclosure can be an in-line closure having a base and a cover that
are attached together by a hinge, a dome style enclosure, a wall
mount enclosure, an optical network terminal or other style of
telecommunication enclosure so long as it has the port structure
describe above (i.e. a port having an exterior section or sleeve
extending outside of and around the port).
[0080] FIGS. 5A-5C show an exemplary modified optical coupling 450
that can be partially inserted into the port 420 of a
telecommunication enclosure from the interior of the enclosure.
Optical coupling 450 has been modified for higher density
applications than can be satisfied by the more conventional box
shaped optical couplings, such as optical coupling 250 shown in
FIG. 4A-4C. In addition, optical coupling 450 has two additional
attachment points than are present in a conventional optical
coupling designs, thus enabling a higher pull out strength of the
exemplary optical fiber connectors described herein and improving
the reliability of the optical connection interface when forces are
exerted on the telecommunication cable on which the exemplary
optical fiber connector is mounted.
[0081] Optical coupling 450 can have a first side 450a and a second
side 450b disposed on either side of a flange 460 and includes
first optical fiber connector housing 455 disposed on a first side
of the flange, a second connector housing 465 on a second side of
the flange 460 and a ferrule alignment sleeve 462 disposed along
the central axis 452 of the optical coupling and extending through
the flange into each of the first and second connector housings.
Flange 460 is configured to abut against the interior surface
sidewall of the telecommunication enclosure adjacent to the port in
which the optical coupling is inserted and to retain the optical
coupling within the port when an external force is exerted on the
telecommunication cable or the optical fiber connector mounted on
the telecommunication cable that is inserted to the optical
coupling from outside of the telecommunication enclosure. In an
exemplary aspect, optical coupling 450 can be at least partially
disposed within the port (i.e. the first connector housing can
disposed within the exterior section 421 of the port 420 and the
second connector housing disposed within the interior of the
telecommunication enclosure as shown in FIGS. 5B-5C). Thus, the
connection point between the optical coupling and an optical
connector installed therein is protected by the external section of
the port.
[0082] Each of the connector housings 455, 465 includes a connector
port 456, 466 respectively, that is configured to receive a
corresponding optical fiber connector and align the connector
ferrules to one another.
[0083] In an exemplary aspect, first connector housing 455 can be
configured to accept exemplary optical fiber connector 300 shown in
FIGS. 6A-6C or a conventional standard format connector such as an
SC-format connector. This feature can allow the connection of test
equipment that includes a conventional optical fiber connector to
be inserted and secured into the coupling, which is not possible
with receptacles that mate with conventional ruggedized
connectors.
[0084] The second connector housing 465 can be configured to accept
a mating connector disposed in the interior of the
telecommunication enclosure. The mating connector can have any
standard connector format, such as MT, MPO, SC, ST, FC, or LC
connector format. The second connector housing 465 will have a
corresponding format, for example an SC-format. The second
connector housing can include catch mechanism (not shown) similar
to that found in conventional optical couplings to secure the
mating connector to optical coupling 450.
[0085] First connector housing 455 can be configured to accept the
outer housing 361 of the connection portion 360 of exemplary
optical fiber connector 300. The first connector housing includes a
pair of latches 457 and a pair of latch arms that mate with
engagement features in the outer housing of the optical connection
portion of the exemplary optical fiber connector. Latches 457 have
a hooked portion 457a on the free end thereof, the hooked portions
are configured to be received by receiving windows 361c (FIGS.
9A-9B) formed in the outer housing of optical fiber connector 300
and constitute the first two connection points between optical
fiber connector 300 and optical coupling 450. In addition, the
first connector housing also includes a pair of latch arms 458 that
enable two additional connection points between optical fiber
connector 300 and optical coupling 450 that are not available in
conventional optical couplings.
[0086] In the exemplary aspect shown in FIGS. 5A-5B, each latch arm
458 can have a base portion 458a adjacent to flange 460, a terminal
portion 458c, and a waist portion 458b disposed between the
terminal portion and the base portion. The terminal portion is
wider than the waist portion such that the terminal portion can be
retained in C-shaped catch 364a (FIG. 9B) of the optical fiber
connector's optical connection portion which will be described in
additional detail below. In addition, the terminal portion of at
least one of latch arms 458 can include a rib 458d formed on its
outer surface. Rib 458d can be inserted in a slot 333e (FIG. 7C) to
ensure proper alignment of optical fiber connector with optical
coupling 450 when the connector is inserted into the coupling. An
optional alignment slot 458e can be formed on the inside surface of
terminal portion 458c to provide keying when a standard format
optical connector is inserted into first housing 455 of optical
coupling 450.
[0087] Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the base portions 458a of the
latch arms 458 have a recessed channel 459 formed adjacent to the
flange 460 which is configured to closely fit the opening through
the side wall 414 that defines the port in the telecommunication
enclosure. When installed in the port, the side wall of the
enclosure resides between the walls on either side of the recessed
channel 459 to ensure proper positioning of the optical coupling
and securely fix the optical coupling in the port. Latch arms 458
can flex inward to allow the first end of the optical coupling to
pass through the opening in the side wall of the telecommunication
enclosure until the sidewall is positioned in the recessed channel
adjacent to flange 460 releasing the pressure on the latch arms and
allowing them to return to their original position, thus locking
optical coupling 450 in the port of the telecommunication
enclosure. When an optical connector is inserted into the first
housing 455 of optical 450, the optical connector advantageously
pushes latch arms 458 apart to ensure that the coupling cannot be
removed from the port when an optical coupling is inserted into the
first side of the optical coupling.
[0088] In an exemplary aspect, optical coupling 450 can include a
keying nub 454 to allow insertion of optical coupling into the port
having a corresponding notch formed in the port opening, so that
the optical coupling is inserted into the port in a known
orientation, which can be advantageous when the first housing of
the optical coupling resides within an exterior sleeve or section
421 of the port 420 which can limit visual verification that the
optical coupling was properly installed in the port.
[0089] Referring to FIGS. 6A-6C, optical fiber connector 300
includes an assembly base 310 having a first end 311 and a second
end 312, a strain relief assembly 350 attachable to the second end
of the assembly base and an optical connection portion 360 having a
ferrule 366 disposed therein that defines an optical connection
interface, wherein the optical connection interface can be attached
to the first end of the assembly base. The strain relief assembly
applies a radial force to the second end of the assembly base
compressing an internal sealing member 370 to provide an
environmental seal between the optical fiber connector 300 and the
telecommunications cable to which it is connected. In addition,
optical connector 300 includes at least one engagement feature that
is configured to secure the optical fiber connector within a port
of a telecommunication enclosure.
[0090] Assembly base 310 includes a body portion 320 having a first
end 321 and a second end 322, a release portion 330 around and near
the first end of the body portion and an activation portion 340
disposed over the body portion and in contact with the release
portion. The release portion defines a release mechanism which
moves the release portion relative to the body portion to disengage
the at least one engagement feature when the release portion moves
with respect to the body portion so that the optical fiber
connector can be removed from the port of the telecommunication
enclosure. FIG. 7A is an exploded view of the assembly base. FIG.
7B is a detail view of the second end 322 of body portion 320 and
FIG. 7C is a detail view of the first end 321 of the body portion
of the exemplary optical fiber connector.
[0091] The body portion 320 can have a generally tubular shape and
includes an interior passageway 323 that extends along the length
of the body portion from the first end 321 to the second end 322 of
the body portion. The body portion includes a passage entry (not
shown) at the first end 321 of the interior passageway and a
passage exit 325 at the second end 322 of the interior passageway
323 that can be configured to accommodate the internal sealing
member 370 disposed around certain categories of telecommunication
cables including single fiber drop cables and/or multi-fiber
cables.
[0092] The passage entry of the interior passageway 323 is
configured to accept and secure optical connection portion 360
to/in the first end 321 of the body portion 320. As such, the
passage entry can be shaped to closely conform to an outer
perimeter portion of the optical connection portion or can provide
a connection means for securing the optical connection portion such
a thread, mechanical catches, bayonet connections, etc.
[0093] The body portion 320 can have a groove 327 formed in the
external surface of the body portion to receive an intermediate
sealing member 373. In the exemplary aspect shown in FIG. 7A, a
groove is formed near the first end 321 of body portion 320 to
receive an intermediate sealing member 373 such as an o-ring. This
intermediate sealing member can provide an environmental seal
between the body portion and release portion 330 of assembly base
310.
[0094] Body portion 320 can include a shoulder 320a formed in its
external surface. The shoulder serves to properly position
activation portion 340. The activation portion 340 can be slid over
the second end of body portion 320 such that the activation portion
is disposed against the shoulder. In one aspect, at least a portion
of the external surface of body portion 320 and the internal
surface of the bore through the activation portion can be smooth so
that the activation portion can turn relative to the body portion
to actuate the release portion 330 to enable release of optical
fiber connector from the latches and latch arms of the modified
optical coupling, while in another aspect, the external surface of
body portion and the internal surface of the bore through the
activation portion can be textured to provide a degree of
resistance to the motion of the activation portion or to provide an
audible confirmatory sound when the activation portion is turned.
In an alternative aspect, at least a portion of the external
surface of the body portion and the internal surface of the bore
through the activation portion can be threaded so that the
activation portion can be rotated in a helical manner to actuate
the release portion.
[0095] Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, body portion 320 can have an
external connection portion 328 adjacent to the second end 322 of
the body portion. The external connection portion 328 includes
external thread that cooperates with an internal thread disposed
within a first end 351 of strain relief assembly 350 to cause a
compressible portion 326 formed at the second end of the body
portion to conform to an outer surface of the telecommunication
cable or an internal sealing member 370 fitted within the optical
fiber connector. The compressible portion 322 may be reduced in
size (diameter) when an external radial force is exerted on it by
the tightening of the strain relief assembly. The compressible
portion can have a plurality of spaced apart fingers 326a extending
from the main body near the second end thereof to facilitate
compression of the compressible portion around the internal sealing
member disposed within the body portion. In an exemplary aspect,
the compressible portion can gave a generally truncated conical
shape with the interior of the connection portion of the strain
relief assembly having a corresponding shape to cause the spaced
apart fingers to be squeezed together such that they exert a
compressive force around the cable and/or internal sealing member
seated in the interior passageway of the compression portion of
body portion 320 when the strain relief assembly is secured on to
the second end of the body portion.
[0096] Referring to FIGS. 6B, 7A-7C, and 8, release portion 330
includes a tubular shell having an internal bore 333 that extends
from a front edge 331 to a rear edge 332 of the release portion.
The release portion is configured to be close fitting with the port
of a telecommunication enclosure into which the exemplary optical
fiber connector will be inserted. The release portion 330 can have
a groove 337 formed in the external surface of the release portion
to receive an external sealing member 375. In the exemplary aspect
shown in FIG. 8, groove 337 is formed near the front edge 331 of
release portion 330 and is configured to receive an external
sealing member 375 such as an o-ring. This external sealing member
can provide an environmental seal between the assembly base of the
exemplary optical fiber connector and the port of a
telecommunication enclosure into which the exemplary optical fiber
connector is inserted. Specifically, the external sealing member
forms an environmental seal between the interior wall of the
exterior section 221 of the port 220 of a telecommunication
enclosure (FIGS. 4A-4B).
[0097] Release portion 330 can include one or more alignment
channels and/or release cams disposed within the interior
passageway 333 shown in FIGS. 7C and 8. The alignment channels can
guide any latches 457 and/or latch arms 458 of the mating optical
coupling 450 (FIG. 5A) into proper position when the exemplary
optical fiber connector 300 is inserted into the optical coupling.
For example, alignment channels 333a can be configured to accept
latches 457 of the optical coupling while alignment channels 333b
can be configured to accept latch arms 458.
[0098] Release cams 333c, 333d can aid in disengaging the
engagement features of the exemplary optical fiber connector from
the latches and/or latch arms of the optical coupling when the
release portion is activated as will be described in additional
detail below. In an exemplary aspect, the one or more alignment
channels and/or release cams can be integrally formed with the
release portion by an injection molding process.
[0099] The release portion 330 includes a fastening ring 336
configured to movably join the release portion to the activation
portion. The fastening ring includes a pair of bayonet pegs 336a
attached on opposite sides of the fastening ring configured to mate
with the bayonet channel(s) 346 formed adjacent to the first end
341 of the activation portion 340 (FIG. 7A). The fastening ring
fits into a channel 334 formed in the outer surface of the release
portion which includes two peg openings 334a for insertion of the
bayonet pegs that are mounted on the fastening ring. In the
assembled connector, the bayonet pegs fit into the bayonet
channel(s) 346 of the activation portion 340. When the activation
portion is rotated, the bayonet pegs travel in the bayonet channel
and cause the release portion to move in a longitudinal direction.
Thus, when the activation portion is rotated, the release portion
is pushed toward the optical coupling to release the latches of the
modified optical coupling from the engagement features of the
optical connector, thus allowing the removal of optical fiber
connector 300 from the port of a telecommunication enclosure. The
removal of exemplary optical fiber connector 300 from the port of a
telecommunication enclosure will be discussed in additional detail
in reference to FIGS. 10B and 10C.
[0100] In one exemplary aspect, internal sealing member 370 can be
an elastomeric grommet. Additionally, internal sealing member 370
may have a radial slit 371 to allow the telecommunication cable to
be slipped into the internal sealing member from the edge of the
sealing member. In an exemplary aspect, the elastomeric portion of
the internal sealing member can be formed from one of an ethylene
propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber, a silicone rubber, a
polyurethane elastomers or rubbers, natural rubber, a
fluoroelastomer or other suitably soft resilient materials.
[0101] Strain relief assembly 350 can be similar to strain relief
member 150 or 950 with the exception of the truncated conical shape
of the interior cavity in connection portion as mentioned
above.
[0102] Referring to FIGS. 6B, 9A and 9B, optical connection portion
360 can include an outer housing 361 configured to mate with the
backbone a standard optical fiber connector and the engagement
features configured to secure exemplary connector 300 within the
port of a telecommunication enclosure. Specifically, the engagement
features engage with the latches and latch arms of optical coupling
450 which are disposed at least partially within the port of the
telecommunication enclosure as described above. The outer housing
includes a retention clip 362 having two engagement features which
configured to provide two points of connection with a novel optical
coupling, for example optical coupling 450 shown in FIG. 5A. The
outer housing includes also includes a two additional engagement
features in the form of a pair of windows 361c disposed on two
opposite sidewalls of the outer housing that are configured to mate
with a first pair of latches 457 in an exemplary optical fiber
connector adapter 450 and provide two additional connection points
with optical coupling 450. The four connection points between
optical connector 300 and optical coupling provide a stronger
connection that the two connection points available in conventional
optical couplings.
[0103] In an exemplary aspect, the outer housing can include a
groove 361d adjacent to the second end of the outer housing that is
configured to accept and hold one or more retention clips 362.
[0104] Each retention clip 362 includes a base portion 363 that is
configured to fit within groove 361d in the outer housing 361 and
an extension portion 364 that are configured to extend along the
two other opposing sides of the outer housing that do not have
windows 361c formed therein. In an exemplary aspect, the base
portion can be generally crescent shaped and can have a hook 363a
on each end. The hooks are configured to snap into depressions or
openings 361e within groove 361d to secure the clip to the outer
housing of the connection portion. Alternatively, the structure of
the retention clips can be molded into the outer surface of the
outer housing to reduce the number of parts that need to be handled
in the field. Alternatively, clips 362 can be preassembled onto the
outer housing at the factory also reducing the number of separate
parts that need to be handled in the field.
[0105] Each extension portion 364 includes an engagement feature
(i.e. C-shaped catch 364a) at the end the clip opposite base
portion 363 and disengaging knob 364b extending from at least one
edge of the extension portion. Each of the C-shaped catches is
configured to mate with the terminal portion 458c of a latch arm
458 of optical coupling 450. In the exemplary aspect shown in FIGS.
9A and 9b, extension portion 364 has two disengaging knobs 364b
extending from the edges of the extension portion near the base of
the C-shaped catch. The disengaging knobs interact with release
cams 333d within the interior passageway of the release portion 330
to lift the free end of the extension portion freeing the terminal
portion of a latch arm 458 from the C-shaped catch to allow removal
of exemplary connector from optical coupling 450 disposed in the
port of a telecommunication enclosure.
[0106] Optical fiber connector 300 can be assembled by a process
that is analogous to that described previously for connector
100.
[0107] FIG. 10A shows a sectional view of exemplary optical fiber
connector 300 installed into a modified optical coupling 450
inserted partially into a port 420 of a telecommunication enclosure
400. Telecommunication enclosure 400 includes a base 410 and a
cover or main body (not shown) removably securable to the base. The
base includes a bottom wall 412 and a plurality of side walls 414
(only a portion of one side wall is shown in the figure) extending
approximately perpendicularly from the bottom wall and adjoined to
one another at the corners (not shown) of the enclosure. At least
one of the side walls can include at least one port 420 for
receiving a fiber optic connector of the present invention. The
exemplary port can be a hexagonal port having an exterior section
421 disposed outside of the enclosure. When optical fiber connector
300 is fully inserted into the port 420, the external sealing
member 375 of the optical fiber connector provides a water tight
seal between the internal circumference of the exterior section 421
of the port and the optical fiber connector.
[0108] FIGS. 10B and 10C illustrate the disengagement of optical
fiber connector 300 from the modified optical coupling 450. Note
that the telecommunication enclosure as well as a portion of the
connector (i.e. a section of the wall of the release portion) has
been removed from FIGS. 10A and 10B to show how the cams within the
release portion of the exemplary optical fiber connector disengage
the latches and latch arms of optical coupling 450 so that optical
connector 300 can be removed from the port of the telecommunication
enclosure.
[0109] FIG. 10B shows optical fiber connector 300 secured in
optical coupling 450. The terminal portion 458c of latch arm 458 is
secured in the C-shaped catch 364a of retention clip 362 and latch
457 is engaged with the window (not shown) formed in the outer
housing of the connection portion of exemplary optical fiber
connector 300. To disengage the connector from optical coupling
450, activation portion is rotated in a direction indicated by
arrow 391. The bayonet pegs disposed through the release portion
330 slide in the bayonet channel(s) 346 of the activation portion
causing the release portion to move forward toward the optical
coupling and the connection interface as indicated by arrow
392.
[0110] As release portion slides forward, latches 457 of the
optical coupling engage with cams 333c inside of the release
portion to disengage the projection on the latches from the windows
in the outer housing of the connection portion and simultaneously,
disengaging knobs 364b on the sides of the extension portion of the
clips 362 that ride up the side of cams 333d within the release
portion and lift the extension portion 364 to disengage the
terminal portion 458c of latch arm 458 as shown in FIG. 10C. Once
both the latches and latch arms have been disengaged, optical fiber
connector 300 can be removed from optical coupling 450 (and the
port of the telecommunication enclosure) by the application of a
moderate removal force applied in a direction indicated by arrow
393. Thus, connector 300 utilizes a twist-to-push release mechanism
to disengage the exemplary connector from the port of a
telecommunication enclosure. Advantageously, no torsional forces
are applied to the optical fiber cable during this removal
process.
[0111] While the description above described the simultaneous
opening of the latches and latch arms, the sequential opening of
the latches and latch arms is also contemplated and should be
considered to fall within the scope of the current disclosure.
[0112] Referring to FIGS. 11A-11C, optical fiber connector 500 is
similar in many respects to optical fiber connector 300 shown in
FIGS. 6A-6C except with regards to the mechanism for disengaging
the optical fiber connector from the optical coupling. Where the
rotation of activation portion was responsible for pushing the
release portion forward in optical fiber connector 300, optical
fiber connector 500 allows the craftsman to move the release
portion forward directly (as indicated by directional arrow 591 in
FIG. 11C) to disengage exemplary optical fiber connector. Thus,
optical fiber connector 500 has fewer parts than the optical fiber
connector 300.
[0113] Optical fiber connector 500 includes an assembly base 510, a
strain relief assembly 550 attachable to the second end of the
assembly base and an optical connection portion 560 having a
ferrule 566 disposed therein that defines an optical connection
interface, wherein the optical connection portion is attachable to
the first end of the assembly base. An internal sealing member is
compressed between the second end of the assembly base and the
strain relief assembly when the strain relief assembly is secured
to the assembly base to provide an environmental seal between the
optical fiber connector and the telecommunications cable to which
it is connected. In addition, optical connector 500 includes at
least one engagement feature that is configured to secure the
optical fiber connector within a port of a telecommunication
enclosure.
[0114] Optical fiber connector 500 is configured to mate with
optical coupling 450 shown in FIGS. 5A-5C and as such includes
similar engagement features as described with respect to optical
fiber connector 300. Specifically, optical fiber connector includes
windows 561c formed in the outer housing of the optical connection
portion as well as C-shaped catches 564a that are configured to
mate with latch arm 458 of optical coupling 450.
[0115] Assembly base 510 includes a body portion 520 having a first
end 521 and a second end 522 and a release portion 530 disposed
around and near the first end of the body portion. The release
portion defines a release mechanism which moves the release portion
relative to the body portion to disengage the at least one
engagement feature when the release portion moves with respect to
the body portion so that the optical fiber connector can be removed
from the port of the telecommunication enclosure. The body portion
520 can have a generally tubular shape and includes an interior
passageway 523 that extends along the length of the body portion.
The first end of the interior passageway is configured to accept
and secure optical connection portion 560 to/in the first end of
the body portion via a thread connection, an interference fit, a
bayonet connection, etc.
[0116] The body portion 520 can have a groove formed in the
external surface of the body portion to receive an intermediate
sealing member 573. The intermediate sealing member can provide an
environmental seal between the body portion and release portion 530
of assembly base 510.
[0117] In addition, body portion 520 can have an external
connection portion 528 adjacent to the second end 522 of the body
portion. In the exemplary aspect shown in FIG. 11B, external
connection portion 528 includes at least one bayonet channel 528a
that cooperates with at least one internal peg (not shown) disposed
within the first end 551 of strain relief assembly 550. In the
exemplary embodiment of optical fiber connector 500, the body
portion can include two bayonet channels disposed on opposite sides
of the body portion and the strain relief assembly can have two
corresponding internal pegs that are configured to engage with the
bayonet channels. Thus, the strain relief assembly can be slid over
the second end of the body portion and rotated to secure the strain
relief assembly to the body portion as the internal pegs in the
strain relief assembly ride in the bayonet channels in the body
portion. The internal sealing member is compressed longitudinally
between the strain relief assembly and the second end of the body
portion as shown in FIG. 11C. Utilizing a bayonet style securing
mechanism as described above may be advantageous. The bayonet
connection mechanism has the advantage that it has two well defined
end stops where the internal grommet is either compressed or not
compressed. The end stops can remove a degree of uncertainty as to
what is the proper amount of tightening needed to compress the
internal grommet in order to achieve the desired degree of
environmental protection.
[0118] Release portion 530 includes a tubular shell having an
internal bore 533 that extends from a front edge 531 to a rear edge
532 of the release portion. The release portion is configured to be
close fitting with the port of a telecommunication enclosure into
which the exemplary optical fiber connector will be inserted. The
release portion can have a groove formed in the external surface of
the release portion to receive an external sealing member 575, such
as an o-ring. This external sealing member can provide an
environmental seal between the assembly base of the exemplary
optical fiber connector and the port of a telecommunication
enclosure into which the exemplary optical fiber connector is
inserted.
[0119] Release portion 530 can include one or more alignment
channels and/or release cams which are analogous to those described
with respect to release portion 330 (FIG. 6B) in optical fiber
connector 300. The alignment channels can guide any latches 457
and/or latch arms 458 of the mating optical coupling 450 (FIG. 5A)
into proper position when the exemplary optical fiber connector 500
is inserted into the optical coupling. The release cams aid in
removal of the exemplary optical fiber connector from the latches
and/or latch arms of the optical coupling when the release portion
is moved toward optical coupling 450.
[0120] Strain relief assembly 550 is analogous to strain relief
member 150 as described previously.
[0121] Similarly, optical connection portion 560 is analogous to
optical connection portion 360 described previously except that the
features of clip 362 of optical connector 300 are integrally molded
with the outer housing 561 in optical connector 500. The
disengaging mechanism is also the same as described other than for
the means of moving the release portion toward the coupling. In
exemplary optical fiber connector 500, the craftsman can simply
push the release portion forward as indicated by directional arrow
591 causing latches 457 of optical coupling 450 to engage with cams
inside the release portion to disengage the projection on the
latches from the windows in the outer housing of the connection
portion 560. Simultaneously, disengaging knobs on the retention
clips 562 of the outer housing 561 can ride up the side of a second
set of cams disposed within the release portion to lift the
extension portion of the retentions clip in order to disengage
latch arms 458 of optical coupling 450. Once both the latches and
latch arms have been disengaged, optical fiber connector 500 can be
removed from optical coupling 450 by the application of a moderate
removal force. Thus, a push to release mechanism is used to
disengage optical fiber connector 500 from optical coupling 450 and
from the port of a telecommunication enclosure.
[0122] FIGS. 12A-12B and 13A-13B show another modified optical
coupling 850 configured for use with an exemplary optical fiber
connector 700 shown in FIGS. 14A-14C. Optical coupling 850 includes
first and second connector housings 855, 865 disposed on opposing
sides of an adapter flange 860 and a ferrule alignment sleeve 862
disposed along the central axis of the optical coupling between and
extending into the first and second connector housings. Each of the
connector housings includes a connector port 856, 866,
respectively, that is configured to receive a corresponding optical
fiber connector and align the connector ferrules to one another.
Each connector port can provide a smooth, snug fit for the incoming
connector.
[0123] Optical coupling 850 can be disposed in a port 820 of a
telecommunication enclosure 800 as shown in FIGS. 13A-13B. Port 820
includes a hexagonal port structure having an exterior section 821
surrounding port opening through the external wall. Alternatively,
the exterior section of the port structure can have other geometric
configurations such as a cylinder, a rectangular prism or other
polygonal prism. Optical coupling 850 can be inserted through the
exterior section of the port 820 until the flange abuts the
exterior wall of the closure such that the first connector housing
is disposed within the exterior section and the second connector
housing extends into the interior of the telecommunication
enclosure. The optical coupling can be locked in the place by a
spring clip 864 disposed in a groove 868 in the second connector
housing such that the connector adapter cannot be removed from port
820.
[0124] In an exemplary aspect, optical coupling 850 can be at least
partially disposed within the port (i.e. the first connector
housing can disposed within the exterior section 821 of the port
820 and the second connector housing disposed within the interior
of the telecommunication enclosure as shown in FIGS. 13A-13B).
Thus, the connection point between the optical coupling and an
optical connector installed therein is protected by the external
section of the port.
[0125] In an exemplary aspect, first connector housing 855 can be
configured to accept exemplary connector 700 in accordance with the
present disclosure. For example, the first connector housing can be
configured to accept the outer housing 761 of the connection
portion 760. In particular, first connector housing 855 can include
two windows 857 formed on opposite sides of the first connector
housing that can be engaged by forward facing latches 763 to the
connector in the first connector housing of optical coupling
850.
[0126] Second connector housing 865 can be configured to accept a
mating connector (not shown) disposed in the interior of the
telecommunication enclosure. The mating connector can have any
standard connector formats, such as MT, MPO, SC, ST, FC, and LC
connector formats and the second connector housing will have a
corresponding format, for example an SC-format. The second
connector housing can include catch mechanism (not shown) similar
to that found in conventional connector adapters to secure the
mating connector in optical coupling 850.
[0127] Ferrule alignment sleeve 862 of optical coupling 850
receives the ferrule 766 of connector portion 760 of exemplary
connector 700 in a first side thereof (as shown in FIG. 14C) and
the ferrule of the mating connector (not shown) in a second side
thereof. In one aspect, the ferrule alignment sleeve can be a split
ceramic sleeve retained in a bore formed in the first and second
connector housings that provides for smooth passage and alignment
of the ferrules.
[0128] In the exemplary aspects shown herein, optical fiber
connector coupling 850 is configured to couple two SC format
connector interfaces. However, as would be apparent to one of
ordinary skill in the art given the present description, the
optical fiber connector coupling 850, and components thereof, can
be modified to receive optical fiber connectors having other
standard formats, such as ST, FC, and LC connector formats. In a
further alternative aspect, the couplings described herein can be
configured to accept two different connector formats. For example,
the first connector housing of the coupling can be configured to
receive an ST connector, while the second connector housing of the
coupling can be configured to receive an SC connector. Other
combinations of connector formats can be utilized, as would be
apparent to one of skill in the art given the present
description.
[0129] Referring to FIGS. 14A-14C, optical fiber connector 700
includes an assembly base 710 having a first end 711 and a second
end 712, a strain relief assembly 750 attachable to the second end
of the assembly base and an optical connection portion 760 having a
ferrule disposed therein that defines an optical connection
interface, wherein the optical connection portion is attachable to
the first end of the assembly base. Securing the strain relief
assembly to the second end of the assembly base compresses an
internal sealing member 770 between the strain relief assembly and
the assembly base to provide an environmental seal between the
optical fiber connector and the telecommunications cable to which
it is connected. In addition, optical connector 700 includes at
least one engagement feature that is configured to secure the
optical fiber connector within a port of a telecommunication
enclosure.
[0130] Assembly base 710 includes a body portion 720 having a first
end 721 and a second end 722, and a release portion 730 around and
near the first end of the body portion. The release portion defines
a release mechanism which moves the release portion relative to the
body portion to disengage the at least one engagement feature when
the release portion moves with respect to the body portion so that
the optical fiber connector can be removed from the port of the
telecommunication enclosure. The body portion 720 can have a
generally tubular shape and includes an interior passageway 723
that extends along the length of the body portion from the first
end 721 to the second end 722 of the body portion. The first end of
the interior passageway 723 is configured to accept and secure
optical connection portion 760. As such, the optical connection
portion can include connection means for securing the optical
connection portion to the assembly base wherein the connection
means can be one of a threaded connection, mechanical catches, a
bayonet connection, etc.
[0131] The body portion 720 can have a groove formed in its
external surface to receive an intermediate sealing member 773.
This intermediate sealing member can provide an environmental seal
between the body portion and release portion 730 of assembly base
710.
[0132] Body portion 720 includes an external connection portion 728
adjacent to the second end 722 of the body portion. In the
exemplary aspect shown in FIG. 14B, external connection portion 728
includes at least one bayonet channel 728a that cooperates with at
least one internal peg (not shown) disposed within the first end
751 of strain relief assembly 750. In the exemplary embodiment of
optical fiber connector 700, the body portion can include two
bayonet channels disposed on opposite sides of the body portion and
the strain relief assembly can have two corresponding internal pegs
that are configured to engage with the bayonet channels. Thus, the
strain relief assembly can be slid over the second end of the body
portion and rotated to secure the strain relief assembly to the
body portion as the internal pegs in the strain relief assembly
ride in the bayonet channels in the body portion. The internal
sealing member is compressed longitudinally between the strain
relief assembly and the second end of the body portion as shown in
FIG. 14C.
[0133] Optical connection portion 760 can include an outer housing
761 configured to mate with the backbone of a standard optical
fiber connector, such as a 3M.TM. No Polish Connector and a 3M.TM.
Crimplok.TM. Fiber Optic Connector available from 3M Company for
field termination or a conventional epoxy connector for a factory
termination, and a pair of engagement features. In the exemplary
embodiment shown in FIGS. 14A-14C, the engagement features at in
the form of a pair of forward facing latches 763 extending from the
outer housing 761 that are configured to provide connection with a
optical coupling 850 (FIG. 12B). The forward facing latch arms can
include a barb to ensure reliable attachment of optical fiber
connector 700 to the optical coupling.
[0134] Referring to FIGS. 14A-14C, release portion 730 includes a
tubular shell having an internal bore 733 that extends from a front
edge 731 to a rear edge 732 of the release portion. The release
portion is configured to be close fitting with the port of a
telecommunication enclosure into which the exemplary optical fiber
connector will be inserted. The release portion 730 can have a
groove formed in the external surface of the release portion to
receive an external sealing member 775. This external sealing
member can provide an environmental seal between the assembly base
of the exemplary optical fiber connector and the port of a
telecommunication enclosure into which the exemplary optical fiber
connector is inserted.
[0135] Release portion 730 can include one or more release cams
733a disposed within the interior passageway 733 as shown in FIG.
14C. The release cams aide in disengaging exemplary optical fiber
connector 700 from optical coupling 850 by disengaging the forward
facing latch arms disposed on the outer shell of the connection
portion from the windows 857 formed on opposite sides of the first
connector housing of the optical coupling when the release portion
is activated by exerting a longitudinal removal force on the
release portion (represented by directional arrow 791 in FIG. 14C).
Thus, optical fiber connector 700 incorporates a pull to release
mechanism to disengage the connector from the port of a
telecommunication enclosure. The first portion of the movement of
the release portion will disengage forward facing latch arms from
the windows in the optical coupling while continued application of
the longitudinal removal force will allow optical fiber connector
700 to be completely removed from the coupling. In an exemplary
aspect, the release cams can be integrally formed with the release
portion by an injection molding process.
[0136] The release portion 730 includes a fastening ring 736
configured to movably join the release portion to the body portion.
The fastening ring includes a pair of protrusions 736a attached on
opposite sides of the fastening ring configured to engage with
depressions 726 formed in the outer surface of body portion 720.
The fastening ring fits into a channel 734 formed in the outer
surface of the release portion which includes openings 734a for
insertion of protrusions 736a therethrough. The protrusions are
free to slide within the depressions in the body portion when a
removal force is applied to the release portion of optical fiber
connector 700. In addition, the sliding of the protrusions within
the depressions controls the degree of movement of the release
portion relative to the body portion to enable releasing forward
facing latches on the outer housing prior to removing the optical
fiber connector from the port of the telecommunication enclosure.
This release mechanism has the advantage, that the connector can
only be removed from the port of the telecommunication enclosure by
selective application of the removal force to the release portion.
An application of a force to the optical fiber cable, the strain
relief assembly or the body portion of optical fiber connector will
not dislodge the exemplary connector from the port of the
telecommunication enclosure.
[0137] Strain relief assembly 750 can be similar to strain relief
member 150 or 950 with the exception of the truncated conical shape
of the interior cavity in connection portion as mentioned
above.
[0138] FIGS. 16A-16C show another modified optical coupling 1050
that can be partially inserted into the port 1020 of a
telecommunication enclosure from the interior of the enclosure.
Optical coupling 1050 has been modified for higher port density
enclosures than can be satisfied by the more conventional box
shaped optical couplings, such as optical coupling 250 shown in
FIG. 4A-4C. Optical coupling 1050 has two additional attachment
points than are present in a conventional optical coupling designs,
thus enabling a higher pull out strength of the optical fiber
connector and improving the reliability of the optical connection
interface when forces are exerted onto the optical fiber cable on
which the exemplary optical fiber connector is mounted.
[0139] Optical coupling 1050 can have a first side 1050a and a
second side 1050b disposed on either side of a flange 1060 and
includes first optical fiber connector housing 1055 disposed on a
first side of the flange, a second connector housing 1065 on a
second side of the flange 1060 and a ferrule alignment sleeve 1062
disposed along the central axis of the optical coupling and
extending through the flange into each of the first and second
connector housings. Each of the connector housings 1055, 1065
includes a connector port 1056, 1066 respectively, that is
configured to receive a corresponding optical fiber connector and
align the connector ferrules of the optical fiber connectors to one
another within the ferrule alignment sleeve.
[0140] In an exemplary aspect, first connector housing 1055 can be
configured to accept exemplary optical fiber connector 1100 shown
in FIGS. 17A-17C. The second connector housing 1065 can be
configured to accept a mating connector disposed in the interior of
the telecommunication enclosure. The mating connector can have any
standard connector formats, such as MT, MPO, SC, ST, FC, and LC
connector formats and the second connector housing 1065 will have a
corresponding format, for example an SC-format. The second
connector housing can include catch mechanism 1067, shown in FIG.
16B, similar to that found in conventional connector adapters to
secure the mating connector in optical coupling 1050.
[0141] In one exemplary aspect, ferrule alignment sleeve can be a
split ceramic sleeve retained in a bore formed in the first and
second connector housings or in a bore formed when two retention
portions 1055b, 1065b are joined together such as by ultrasonic
welding or an adhesive. Each retention portion can include a base
portion having a cylindrical sleeve and a pair of clamping elements
(e.g. catches 1067 and latches 1057) extending therefrom. Once the
retention portions have been joined together, the housing portion
of connector housings 1055, 1065, respectively, can be slipped over
the clamping elements and the cylindrical sleeve until they abut
against each other. The housing portions can then be joined
together by ultrasonic welding or an adhesive to form optical
coupling 1050. In an alternative embodiment, housing portions 1055,
1065 can be overmolded around the joined together retention
portions to form the exemplary optical coupling.
[0142] First connector housing 1055 can be configured to accept the
outer housing 1161 of the connection portion 1160 of exemplary
optical fiber connector 1100 shown in FIGS. 17A-17C. The first
connector housing includes a first pair of latches 1057 having a
hooked portion 1057a on the free end thereof, the hooked portions
are configured to be received by receiving windows 1161c (FIG. 17B)
formed in the outer housing of optical fiber connector 1100 and
constitute the first two connection points between optical fiber
connector and optical coupling 1050. In addition, first connector
housing also includes a pair of latch arms 1058 that enable two
additional connection points between optical fiber connector 1100
and optical coupling 1050 that are not available in conventional
optical couplings. Latch arms 1058 have a central extension member
1058a that extends from the base of housing portion 1055a and a
pair of flexible cantilevered arms 1058b that are attached to the
sides of the free end of the central extension member and extend
back toward the base of the housing portion. Each of the flexible
cantilevered arms 1058b has a protrusion 1058c extending from its
inward facing surface as shown in FIG. 16B. Each protrusion 1058c
is received in a depression 1161d formed in the outer housing 1161
of connection portion 1160 shown in FIG. 17B.
[0143] Each of the latch arms 1058 have a recessed channel formed
adjacent to the flange 1060 which is configured to closely fit the
opening through the side wall 1014 of the telecommunication
enclosure that defines port 1020. When installed in the port, the
side wall of the enclosure is securely held within recessed channel
1059. During insertion into the port of the telecommunication
enclosure, latch arms 1058 can flex inward to allow the first end
1050a of the optical coupling to pass through the opening in the
side wall of the telecommunication enclosure until flange 1060
abuts against the side wall of the enclosure releasing the pressure
on the latch arms and allowing them to return to their original
position, thus locking optical coupling 1050 in the port of the
telecommunication enclosure.
[0144] In an exemplary aspect, optical coupling 1050 can be at
least partially disposed within the port (i.e. the first connector
housing can disposed within the exterior section 1021 of the port
1020 and the second connector housing disposed within the interior
of the telecommunication enclosure as shown in FIG. 16C). Thus, the
connection point between the optical coupling and an optical
connector installed therein is protected by the external section of
the port.
[0145] In an exemplary aspect, optical coupling 1050 can include a
keying nub (not shown) to allow insertion of optical coupling into
the port in a known orientation, which can be advantageous when the
first housing of the optical coupling resides within an exterior
sleeve or section 1021 the port 1020 which can limit visual
verification that the optical coupling was properly installed in
the port.
[0146] Referring to FIGS. 17A-17C, optical fiber connector 1100 is
similar in many respects to optical fiber connector 500 shown in
FIGS. 11A-11C in that connector 1100 utilizes a push to release
mechanism for disengaging the optical fiber connector from optical
coupling 1050 shown in FIGS. 16A-16C. Optical fiber connector 1100
is configured to mate with optical coupling 1050 shown in FIGS.
16A-16C. Optical fiber connector 1100 includes an assembly base
1110, a strain relief assembly 1150 attachable to the second end of
the assembly base and an optical connection portion 1160 is
attachable to the first end of the assembly base. The strain relief
assembly applies a radial force to the second end of the assembly
base compressing an internal sealing member 1170 to provide an
environmental seal between the optical fiber connector 1100 and the
telecommunications cable to which it is connected. In addition,
optical connector 1100 includes at least one engagement feature
that is configured to secure the optical fiber connector within a
port of a telecommunication enclosure.
[0147] Strain relief assembly 1150 includes a connection portion
1151 and a combined clamping portion 1153 and bend control boot
1155 that are molded as a single unit, best shown in FIG. 17B. One
advantage of strain relief assembly 1150 (and also strain relief
assembly 950 shown in FIGS. 15A-15C) is that the connection portion
is free to rotate with respect to the clamping portion allowing the
connection portion to be tightened or loosened without exerting and
undue torsion on an optical fiber cable passing therethrough. In
addition, using a strain relied device where the connection portion
is free to rotate with respect to the clamping portion may be
useful when working with oval cables or cables having at least one
flat portion because the clamping portion can be aligned with the
appropriate side of the cable prior to tightening the connection
portion onto the body portion of the connector. In this embodiment
(best illustrated in FIGS. 17B and 17C), the clamping portion 1153
can include a lip 1153c on its first end 1153b wherein the outer
circumference of the lip is larger than the circumference of the
opening 1151c at the second end 1151b of the connection portion
1151. The cable clamping portion 1153 can further include an
external thread 1153a that is configured to mate with an internal
thread 1159a in the clamping collar 1159. As the clamping collar is
screwed onto the clamping portion, the clamping collar will push
the clamping elements 1154 inward to grip the jacket of the
telecommunication cable between the opposing clamping elements.
[0148] Assembly base 1110 includes a body portion 1120 having a
first end 1121 and a second end 1122 and a release portion 1130
disposed around and near the first end of the body portion. The
release portion defines a release mechanism which moves the release
portion relative to the body portion to disengage the at least one
engagement feature when the release portion moves with respect to
the body portion so that the optical fiber connector can be removed
from the port of the telecommunication enclosure. The body portion
1120 can have a generally tubular shape and includes an interior
passageway 1123 that extends along the length of the body portion.
The first end of the interior passageway is configured to accept
and secure optical connection portion 1160 to/in the first end of
the body portion via a thread connection, an interference fit, a
bayonet connection, etc.
[0149] The body portion 1120 can have a groove formed in the
external surface of the body portion to receive an intermediate
sealing member 1173. The intermediate sealing member can provide an
environmental seal between the body portion and release portion
1130 of assembly base 1110.
[0150] In addition, body portion 1120 can have an external
connection portion 1128 adjacent to the second end 1122 of the body
portion. In the exemplary aspect shown in FIGS. 17A-17C, external
connection portion 1128 includes an external thread that cooperates
with an internal thread (not shown) disposed within the connection
portion 1151 of strain relief assembly 1150. Tightening of the
strain relief assembly onto the second end of the body portion
causes a compressible portion 1126 of the body portion to conform
to an outer surface of the telecommunication cable or an internal
sealing member 1170 fitted in the optical fiber connector. The
compressible portion is formed at the second end of the body
portion. The compressible portion can be reduced in size (diameter)
when an external radial force is exerted on it such as by
application of strain relief assembly. The compressible portion can
have a plurality of spaced apart fingers extending from the main
body near the second end thereof. In an exemplary aspect, the
compressible portion can gave a generally truncated conical shape
with the interior of the connection portion of the strain relief
assembly having a corresponding shape to cause the spaced apart
fingers to be squeezed together such that they exert a compressive
force around the cable and/or internal sealing member seated in the
interior passageway of the compression portion of body portion.
[0151] In addition, the body portion 1120 includes at least one
stop 1129 configured to control the degree of movement of the
release portion 1130 during the disengaging of optical fiber
connector from optical coupling 1050. Specifically, stop 1129 is
configured to ride in a slot 1139 within the interior passageway of
release portion 1130 to limit the degree of longitudinal travel of
the release portion relative to the body portion of optical
connector 1100.
[0152] Release portion 1130 includes a tubular shell having an
internal bore 1133 that extends from a front edge 1131 to a rear
end 1132 of the release portion. The release portion is configured
to be close fitting with the port of a telecommunication enclosure
into which the exemplary optical fiber connector will be inserted.
The release portion can have a groove formed in the external
surface of the release portion to receive an external sealing
member 1175, such as an o-ring. This external sealing member can
provide an environmental seal between the assembly base of the
exemplary optical fiber connector and the port of a
telecommunication enclosure into which the exemplary optical fiber
connector is inserted.
[0153] Release portion 1130 can include one or more alignment
channels 1133a, 1133b and/or release cams 1133c, 1133d as shown in
FIG. 18. The alignment channels can guide any latches 1057 and/or
latch arms 1058 of the mating optical coupling 1050 (FIG. 16A) into
proper position when the exemplary optical fiber connector 1100 is
inserted into the optical coupling. The release cams aid in removal
of the exemplary optical fiber connector from the latches and/or
latch arms of the optical coupling when the release portion is
moved toward optical coupling 1050.
[0154] Optical connection portion 1160 includes an outer housing
configured to mate with the backbone of a standard optical fiber
connector. The outer housing includes a plurality of engagement
features formed therein, such as windows 1161c and depression 1161d
that are configured to engage with latches 1057 and latch arms 1058
of optical coupling 1050, respectively.
[0155] In exemplary optical fiber connector 1100, the craftsman can
simply push the release portion forward by hand or using a tool
such as a screwdriver inserted into notch 1138 formed in the second
end of the release portion. As the release portion moves forward as
indicated by directional arrow 1191 causing latches 1057 of optical
coupling 1050 to engage with cams 1133c inside the release portion
to disengage the projection on the latches from the windows 1161c
in the outer housing 161 of the connection portion 1160.
Simultaneously, flexible cantilevered arms 1058b of latch arms 1058
engage with cams 1133d to disengage the projections on the ends of
the cantilevered arms from the detent or depression 1161d formed in
the outer housing 1161 of connection portion 1160 in order to
disengage the latch of optical coupling 1050. Once both the latches
and latch arms have been disengaged, optical fiber connector 1100
can be removed from optical coupling 1050 by the application of a
moderate removal force.
[0156] The exemplary fiber optic connectors, described herein,
illustrate several advantages over conventional hardened
connectors. In each of the embodiments described above, the optical
fiber/cable is securely held within the body portion and/or by the
strain relief assembly and is not disturbed by activation of any of
the release mechanisms described herein. So even though there is
relative motion between the body portion and the release portion of
the assemble base to initiate disengaging the optical fiber
connector from the port of a telecommunication cable, the
fiber/cable does not move relative to the body portion of the
connector. In one aspect the exemplary optical fiber connector can
be field terminated by utilizing a suitable field mountable optical
connection portion. In another aspect, the exemplary optical fiber
connector can be factory mounted utilizing a factory mounted
connection portion. In addition, the exemplary optical fiber
connector can be assembled on the end of a pre-terminated cable by
incorporating the pre-terminated optical connection structure into
the exemplary optical fiber connector disclosed herein.
[0157] Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and
described herein for purposes of description of the preferred
embodiment, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in
the art that a wide variety of alternate or equivalent
implementations may be substituted for the specific embodiments
shown and described without departing from the scope of the present
invention. Those with skill in the art will readily appreciate that
the present invention may be implemented in a very wide variety of
embodiments. This application is intended to cover any adaptations
or variations of the embodiments discussed herein.
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