The present disclosure relates to a fiber optic connection system that uses a slide clip to provide robust retention of a fiber optic connector within a mating fiber optic adapter. In certain examples, the fiber optic connector may be a hybrid connector that provides both electrical and optical connectivity.
|
0. 24. A fiber optic connection system comprising:
a fiber optic connector including at least one ferrule supporting at least one optical fiber;
a housing defining a port for receiving the fiber optic connector;
an environmental seal for providing a seal around the fiber optic connector within the port;
a ferrule alignment sleeve for receiving the ferrule when the fiber optic connector is inserted in the port;
a robust active coupler carried by the housing and not carried with the fiber optic connector, the robust active coupler being movable relative to the port and being configured to retain the fiber optic connector within the port, the robust active coupler being configured to retain the fiber optic connector within the port so as to withstand a pull-out force of at least 25 pounds;
wherein the robust active coupler is slidably movable between a coupling position and a non-coupling position, wherein the robust active coupler is spring biased toward the coupling position, and
a ramp arrangement for automatically moving the robust active coupler against the spring bias from the coupling position to the non-coupling position when the fiber optic connector is being inserted into the port, wherein the spring bias returns the robust active coupler to the coupling position once the fiber optic connector has been fully inserted into the port.
0. 20. A fiber optic connection system comprising:
a fiber optic connector including at least one ferrule supporting at least one optical fiber;
a housing defining a port for receiving the fiber optic connector;
an environmental seal for providing a seal around the fiber optic connector within the port;
a ferrule alignment sleeve for receiving the ferrule when the fiber optic connector is inserted in the port;
a robust active coupler carried by the housing and not carried with the fiber optic connector, the robust active coupler being movable relative to the port and being configured to retain the fiber optic connector within the port, the robust active coupler being configured to retain the fiber optic connector within the port so as to withstand a pull-out force of at least 25 pounds;
wherein the robust active coupler is slidably movable between a coupling position and a non-coupling position, wherein the robust active coupler is spring biased toward the coupling position, wherein the robust active coupler is pressed to move the robust active coupler against the spring bias from the coupling position to the non-coupling position, and
a ramp arrangement for automatically moving the robust active coupler against the spring bias from the coupling position to the non-coupling position when the fiber optic connector is being inserted into the port, wherein the spring bias returns the robust active coupler to the coupling position once the fiber optic connector has been fully inserted into the port.
0. 23. A fiber optic connection system comprising:
a fiber optic connector including at least one ferrule supporting at least one optical fiber;
a housing defining a port for receiving the fiber optic connector;
an environmental seal for providing a seal around the fiber optic connector within the port;
a ferrule alignment sleeve for receiving the ferrule when the fiber optic connector is inserted in the port;
a robust active coupler carried by the housing and not carried with the fiber optic connector, the robust active coupler being movable relative to the port and being configured to retain the fiber optic connector within the port, the robust active coupler being configured to retain the fiber optic connector within the port so as to withstand a pull-out force of at least 25 pounds;
wherein the robust active coupler is slidably movable between a coupling position and a non-coupling position, wherein the robust active coupler is spring biased toward the coupling position, wherein the robust active coupler includes a release tab that is pressed to move the robust active coupler against the spring bias from the coupling position to the non-coupling position, and
a ramp arrangement for automatically moving the robust active coupler against the spring bias from the coupling position to the non-coupling position when the fiber optic connector is being inserted into the port, wherein the spring bias returns the robust active coupler to the coupling position once the fiber optic connector has been fully inserted into the port, and wherein the ramp arrangement includes at least one ramp positioned at the connector opening of the robust active coupler.
0. 1. A hybrid fiber optic connector comprising:
a connector body having a transverse cross-sectional shape, the connector body including two generally cylindrical sleeves at a front of the connector body, the two generally cylindrical sleeves each including a separate ferrule mounted therein;
electrical contacts that at least partially mount over the two generally cylindrical sleeves so as to be carried with the connector body; and
an adapter configured to mate with the connector body for optically coupling optical fibers supported by the connector body to responding optical fibers of other optical connectors, wherein the adapter defines a port for receiving the connector body;
wherein a robust active coupler is included with the adapter and not carried with the connector body, the robust active coupler being movable relative to the port of the adapter and being configured to retain the connector body within the port.
0. 2. The hybrid fiber optic connector of
0. 3. The hybrid fiber optic connector of
0. 4. The hybrid fiber optic connector of
0. 5. The hybrid fiber optic connector of
0. 6. The hybrid fiber optic connector of
0. 7. The hybrid fiber optic connector of
0. 8. The hybrid fiber optic connector of
0. 9. The hybrid fiber optic connector of
0. 10. The hybrid fiber optic connector of
0. 11. The hybrid fiber optic connector of
0. 12. A fiber optic connection system comprising:
a connector body that supports at least one ferrule supporting at least one optical fiber;
a fiber optic adapter defining a port for receiving the connector body;
an environmental seal for providing a seal between the connector body and the fiber optic adapter; and
a robust active coupler included with the fiber optic adapter and not carried with the connector body, the robust active coupler being movable relative to the port of the fiber optic adapter and being configured to retain the connector body within the port, the robust active coupler being configured to retain the connector body within the port so as to withstand a pull-out force of at least 25 pounds;
wherein the robust active coupler is slidably movable between a coupling position and non-coupling position.
0. 13. The fiber optic connection system of
0. 14. The fiber optic connection system of
0. 15. The fiber optic connection system of
0. 16. The fiber optic connection system of
0. 17. A fiber optic connection system comprising:
a connector body that supports at least two ferrules positioned along a major axis, the at least two ferrules each supporting at least one optical fiber;
a fiber optic adapter defining a port for receiving the connector body; and
a slide clip included with the fiber optic adapter and not carried with the connector body, the slide clip being movable relative to the port of the fiber optic adapter between a coupling position and non-coupling position, the slide clip being configured to retain the connector body within the port when in the coupling position, and the slide clip being configured to allow removal of the connector body from the port when in the non-coupling position;
wherein when the slide clip is in the coupling position, the slide clip engages the connector body at retention locations positioned at opposite sides of the connector body, and wherein the slide clip is spring biased toward the coupling position by a spring.
0. 18. The fiber optic connection system of
0. 19. The fiber optic connection system of
0. 21. The fiber optic connection system of claim 20, wherein the fiber optic connector is insertable into the port along a connector insertion axis, wherein the robust active coupler defines a connector opening for receiving the fiber optic connector, and wherein the connector opening has a matching transverse cross-sectional shape with the fiber optic connector.
0. 22. The fiber optic connection system of claim 21, wherein the ramp arrangement includes at least one ramp positioned at the connector opening of the robust active coupler.
0. 25. The fiber optic connection system of claim 24, wherein the fiber optic connector is insertable into the port along a connector insertion axis, wherein the robust active coupler defines a connector opening for receiving the fiber optic connector, and wherein the connector opening has a matching transverse cross-sectional shape with the fiber optic connector.
0. 26. The fiber optic connection system of claim 25, wherein the ramp arrangement includes at least one ramp positioned at the connector opening of the robust active coupler.
|
and taken along section line 2-2 shown in FIG. 1for enhancing that enhances receiving and transmitting the wireless signals. Wireless coverage areas are defined around each of the wireless coverage area defining equipment 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e and 12f. Wireless coverage areas can also be referred to as cells, cellular coverage areas, wireless coverage zones, or like terms. Examples of and/or alternative terms for wireless transceivers include radio-heads, wireless routers, cell sites, wireless nodes, etc.
In the depicted example of
The wireless coverage area defining equipment 12 are often located in areas without power outlets conveniently located. As noted above, the hybrid cable 20 provides both power and data to the equipment 12.
The outer jacket 100 can include a left portion 106, a right portion 108 and a central portion 110. The left portion 106, the right portion 108 and the central portion 110 can be positioned along the major axis 102 with the central portion 110 being disposed between the left portion 106 and the right portion 108. The left portion 106 can define a left passage 112, the right portion 108 can define a right passage 114 and the central portion 110 can define a central passage 116. The passages 112, 114 and 116 can have lengths that extend along a central longitudinal axis 118 of the cable 20 for the length of the cable. A left electrical conductor 120 is shown positioned within the left passage 112, a right electrical conductor 122 is shown positioned within the right passage 114 and at least one optical fiber 124 is shown positioned within the central passage 116. Certain embodiments include from 1 to 12 fibers 124, for example. The left electrical conductor 120, the right electrical conductor 122 and the optical fiber 124 have lengths that extend along the central longitudinal axis 118 of the cable 20.
Still referring to
It will be appreciated that the left and right electrical conductors 120, 122 have a construction suitable for carrying electricity. It will be appreciated that the electrical conductors can have a solid or stranded construction. Example sizes of the electrical conductors include 12 gauge, 16 gauge, or other sizes.
The outer jacket 100 is preferably constructed of a polymeric material. In one example, the hybrid cable 20 and the outer jacket 100 are plenum rated. In certain examples, the outer jacket 100 can be manufactured of a fire-retardant plastic material. In certain examples, the outer jacket 100 can be manufactured of a low smoke zero halogen material. Example materials for the outer jacket include polyvinyl chloride (PVC), fluorinated ethylene polymer (FEP), polyolefin formulations including, for example, polyethylene, and other materials.
The central passage 116 can contain one or more optical fibers 124. In certain examples, the optical fibers 124 can be coated optical fibers having cores less than 12 microns in diameter, cladding layers less than 240 microns in diameter, and coating layers less than 300 microns in diameter. It will be appreciated that the core and cladding layers typically include a silica based material. In certain examples, the cladding layer can have an index of a refraction that is less than the index of refraction of the core to allow optical signals that are transmitted through the optical fibers to be confined generally to the core. It will be appreciated that in certain examples, multiple cladding layers can be provided. In certain examples, optical fibers can include bend insensitive optical fibers having multiple cladding layers separated by trench layers. In certain examples, protective coatings (e.g., a polymeric material such as actelate) can form coating layers around the cladding layers. In certain examples, the coating layers can have diameters less than 300 microns, or less than 260 microns, or in the range of 240 to 260 microns. In certain examples, the optical fibers 124 can be unbuffered. In other examples, the optical fibers can include a tight buffer layer, a loose buffer layer, or a semi-tight buffer layer. In certain examples, the buffer layers can have an outer diameter of about 800 to 1,000 microns. The optical fibers can include single mode optical fibers, multi-mode optical fibers, bend insensitive fibers or other fibers. In still other embodiments, the optical fibers 124 can be ribbonized.
As shown at
Referring back to
Referring again to
As noted above, the electrical conductors 120, 122 could be 12 gauge (AWG) or 16 gauge, for example. In certain examples, a 12 gauge conductor 120, 120 122 provides up to 1175 meter reach at 15 W, and a 750 meter reach for 25 W devices. The 16 gauge implementations can provide reduced cost for shorter reach applications or lower power devices, for example.
Providing power to remote active devices such as the wireless coverage area defining equipment 12 is often difficult and expensive. Providing required power protection and backup power further complicates powering such remote devices. Optical Network Terminals (ONT's) and Small Cell devices (such as picocells and metrocells) have “similar” power requirements. For example, 25 W, 12 VDC or 48 VDC devices are common, although variations occur.
Referring to
Referring still to
As depicted at
In certain examples, the locking element 646 can slide along the major axis M1 of the connector 620 when moving between the locking and unlocking positions. When in the locking position, the locking element 646 can engage the connector 620 on opposite sides of the connector body 628 626. For example, the locking element 646 can engage both of the major sides 627 of the transverse cross-sectional profile of the connector body 628 626 so that retaining engagement is provided on opposite sides of the major axis M1. In other examples, an alternate locking element may slide along the minor axis M2 and provide retaining engagement on opposite sides of the minor axis M2 (e.g., the locking element may engage both of the minor sides of the transverse cross-sectional profile of the connector).
In certain examples, the locking element 646 provides robust retention of the connector body 628 626 within the fiber optic adapter 638. In certain examples, the locking element 646 engages the connector body 628 626 such that the connection can resist a pull-out force of at least 25 pounds or at least 50 pounds. In certain examples, the locking element 646 can be mounted with the fiber optic adapter 638 and not carried with the connector body 628 626. Thus, the active portion (i.e., the movable portion) of the robust retention system can be provided with the fiber optic adapter and not the connector. This allows the fiber optic connector to have a transverse cross-sectional shape with a relatively small form factor. A connector with a small cross-sectional form factor can assist in routing connectorized cables along various pathways having relatively small clearances. In one example, the maximum width W1 of the transverse cross-sectional shape of the connector 620 is less than 2 centimeters and the maximum height H1 of the transverse cross-sectional shape of the connector 620 is less than 1.5 centimeters. In one example, the maximum width W1 is about 1.8 centimeters and the maximum height H1 is about 1.2 centimeters. In certain examples, the active portion of the retention system that is integrated within the adapter can include a slide clip. In other examples, the active portion of the retention system that is integrated or otherwise included with the adapter includes other structures such as rotating sleeves, collars, nuts or other fastening elements that may include fastening parts such as threads, bayonet structures or other structures.
The adapter 638 can include an adapter flange 648 and an external latch 650. The flange 648 and the latch 650 can be configured to secure the adapter 638 within an opening such as an opening in a panel or in an enclosure. In certain examples, a seal can be provided adjacent the flange for providing a seal between the adapter 638 and the structure to which the adapter is mounted.
Referring to
Referring to
In certain alternative examples, a sliding retention element or component (e.g., a slide clip) can be carried with the connector. When the connector is inserted within its corresponding adapter, the sliding retention element can be moved from a non-retaining position to a retaining position. With the clip in the retaining position, the connector is effectively locked within the adapter.
Referring to
Referring still to
As indicated above, the hybrid connector 820 can be configured to provide both fiber optic and electrical conductivity. In this regard, ferrules 833 supporting the optical fibers 812 of the hybrid cable 811 can be mounted within the cylindrical front sleeves 825. In certain examples, one ferrule 833 can be mounted within each of the front sleeves 825. In certain examples, the ferrules 833 can be spring-biased in a forward direction relative to the connector body 821. The hybrid connector 820 also includes connector electrical contacts 834 having partial cylinders 835 that mount over the front sleeves 825. The connector electrical contacts 834 also include rear tails 837 that extend rearwardly through the connector body 821. The rear tails 837 are adapted to be electrically connected to the electrical conductors 813 of the hybrid cable 811.
The hybrid connector 820 can also include a rear housing 838 that mounts to the rear end 823 of the connector body 821 by means such as a snap-fit connection or other connection technique. The rear housing 838 includes two mating half-pieces 838a, 838b that mount to the rear end 823 of the connector body 821. In certain examples, forward portions 839 of the half-pieces 838a, 838b can fit inside the rear end 823 of the connector body 821. Tabs 840 of the rear housing 838 can snap within corresponding openings 841 of the connector body 821 to retain the rear housing 838 in place relative to the connector body 821. The rear housing 838 can define an interior receptacle 842 having an elongate transverse cross-section sized to receive a jacketed end of the hybrid cable 811. The rear housing 830 838 can define a central opening 843 for routing the optical fibers 812 from the hybrid cable 811 to the interior of the connector body 821 for termination at the ferrules 833. The forward portions 839 of the half-pieces 838a, 838b can define openings such as slits 844 for receiving the rear tails 837 of the connector electrical contacts 834. In this way, the rear tails 837 can extend into the receptacle 842 of the rear housing 838 to facilitate making electrical contact with the connector electrical conductors 813 of the hybrid cable 811.
In certain examples, the hybrid connector 820 can include an outer sleeve 845 that fits over the exterior of the hybrid cable 811 and also fits over the exteriors of the rear housing 838 and the connector body 821. In certain examples, the outer sleeve 845 can provide a sealed interface between the outer jacket of the hybrid cable 811 and the exterior of the hybrid connector 820. In certain examples, the outer sleeve 845 extends forwardly generally to the retention surface 830 of the retention flange 829. In one example embodiment, the outer sleeve 845 can be a shape memory material such as a heat-shrink tube. In certain examples, adhesive can be provided within the outer sleeve 845 to facilitate sealing and retention. It will be appreciated that the outer sleeve 845 can function to assist in securing the rear housing 838 to the connector body 821. The outer sleeve 845 can also provide a retention function for assisting in axially securing the hybrid cable 811 to the hybrid connector 820.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring still to
In certain examples, the width W2 of the transverse cross-sectional shape of the connector body 821 can be less than 2 centimeters and the height H2 of the transverse cross-sectional shape of the connector body 821 can be less than 1.5 centimeters.
Referring back to
Referring to
The slide clip 868 is movable relative to the adapter housing 850 between a coupling position and a non-coupling position. The slide clip 868 slides along the channels 870 of the hybrid adapter 836 when moving between the coupling position and the non-coupling position. It will be appreciated that the direction of movement of the slide clip 868 between the coupling position and the non-coupling position is generally transverse relative to the connector insertion axis 866. The slide clip 868 is configured to retain the connector body 821 within the port 853 of the hybrid adapter 836 when in the coupling position. The slide clip 868 is configured to allow the connector body 821 to be removed from the port 853 of the hybrid adapter 836 when in the non-coupling position.
In certain examples, the hybrid adapter 836 can be configured to bias the slide clip 868 toward the coupling position. For example, referring to
To provide secure retention of the hybrid connector 820 within the hybrid adapter 836, the retention structures 876 of the slide clip 868 are adapted to engage the connector body 821 on opposite sides of the connector body 821. For example, in the depicted embodiment, the retention structures 876 engage the connector body 821 on both of the major sides 846 of the connector body 821. Thus, the retention structures 876 engage the connector body 821 on opposite sides of the major axis M1 M3.
To mate the hybrid connector 820 with the hybrid adapter 836, the hybrid connector 820 is oriented such that the longitudinal axis 824 of the hybrid connector 820 coaxially aligns with the connector insertion axis 866 of the hybrid adapter 836 (see
With the hybrid connector 820 fully inserted within the hybrid adapter 836 and the slide clip 868 in the coupling position, the retention surfaces 830 defined by the retention flange 829 at the major sides 848 846 of the connector body 821 are opposed by the retention surfaces 878 of the retention structures 876 of the slide clip 868. In this way, interference between the retention surfaces 830, 878 prevent the hybrid connector 820 from being withdrawn from the hybrid adapter 836. With the hybrid connector 820 fully inserted within the hybrid adapter 836, the ferrules 833 are received within the sleeves 864 of the hybrid adapter 836, the front sleeves 825 of the hybrid connector 820 fit over the sleeves 864 of the hybrid adapter 836, and the adapter electrical contacts 860 engage the conductor electrical contacts 834.
To remove the hybrid connector 820 from the hybrid adapter 836, the release tab 874 is manually depressed as shown at
Aspects of the present disclosure relate to hybrid connection systems that facilitate the fast, low cost and simple deployment of optical fiber and electrical power to interface with active devices. In certain examples, the hybrid connectivity system can provide power and optical signals to active devices in a local area network (LAN). In certain examples, the active devices can include optical network terminals (ONT) within a building. The ONTs can be located at or near desktop locations. The ONTs can include circuitry for providing optical-to-electrical and electrical-to-optical signal conversion. The ONTs can be coupled to active devices such as computing devices. In other examples, the active devices can include devices for generating wireless communication coverage areas (e.g., wireless transceivers) and other active devices (e.g., cameras, computing devices, monitors, etc.). In still other examples, systems in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure can provide power and fiber optics to a power-over-Ethernet extender. The power-over-Ethernet extender can include optical-to-electrical conversion circuitry for converting optical signals to electric signals that are transmitted through copper cabling such as twisted pair cabling. Electrical power provided to the power-over-Ethernet extender can be directed over the twisted pair cabling to provide power in a power-over-Ethernet format.
While aspects of the present disclosure have been shown used with hybrid connection systems, it will be appreciated that the various aspects are also applicable to non-hybrid fiber optic connection systems and non-hybrid electrical connection systems
Various modifications and alterations of this disclosure may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of this disclosure, and it should be understood that the scope of this disclosure is not to be unduly limited to the illustrative examples set forth herein.
Patent | Priority | Assignee | Title |
Patent | Priority | Assignee | Title |
10107968, | Sep 28 2012 | COMMSCOPE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CHINA CO LTD ; COMMSCOPE TELECOMMUNICATIONS SHANGHAI CO LTD | Fiber optic connector assembly |
4741590, | Sep 07 1982 | AMP Incorporated | Fiber optic connector |
4846719, | Mar 18 1987 | Hosiden Electronics Co., Ltd. | Plural contact pin jack adapted to receive any of a plurality of different types of plugs |
4896939, | Oct 30 1987 | D. G. O'Brien, Inc. | Hybrid fiber optic/electrical cable and connector |
5109452, | Jul 16 1990 | Puritan-Bennett Corporation | Electrical-optical hybrid connector |
5134679, | May 20 1991 | AT&T Bell Laboratories | Connector for coupling an optical fiber on a backplane to a component on a circuit board |
5140659, | Apr 01 1991 | Raytheon Company | Combination optical fiber and electrical connector |
5473715, | May 03 1994 | STRATOS INTERNATIONAL, INC | Hybrid fiber optic/electrical connector |
5971625, | Oct 03 1996 | CommScope EMEA Limited; CommScope Technologies LLC | Double ferrule SC connector and adapter |
6357931, | Nov 19 1999 | Yazaki Corporation | Hybrid connector |
6588938, | Oct 18 2000 | FURUKAWA ELECTRIC NORTH AMERICA, INC | Optical/electrical plug connector |
8475055, | Nov 25 2008 | CCS Technology, Inc | Hybrid connector |
8480312, | Feb 04 2010 | CommScope EMEA Limited; CommScope Technologies LLC | Ruggedized fiber optic/electrical connection system |
8672696, | Dec 27 2010 | SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD | Hybrid connector and cable with said connector |
20010046354, | |||
20050058402, | |||
20060093277, | |||
20060153503, | |||
20060269194, | |||
20080089650, | |||
20090148106, | |||
20090175580, | |||
20090220200, | |||
20100061681, | |||
20110243508, | |||
20110293223, | |||
20150219857, | |||
20150234127, | |||
20180231728, | |||
EP1006380, | |||
EP1006619, | |||
EP1337883, | |||
EP1338909, | |||
EP2381282, | |||
GB2344469, | |||
JP2005099345, | |||
JP2006284897, | |||
JP2010156831, | |||
JP59075218, | |||
WO2015120365, |
Executed on | Assignor | Assignee | Conveyance | Frame | Reel | Doc |
Jun 02 2015 | COENEGRACHT, PHILIPPE | Tyco Electronics Raychem BVBA | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 058615 | /0654 | |
Jan 01 2016 | Tyco Electronics Raychem BVBA | CommScope Connectivity Belgium BVBA | CHANGE OF NAME SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 058711 | /0595 | |
Sep 04 2020 | CommScope Connectivity Belgium BVBA | (assignment on the face of the patent) | / |
Date | Maintenance Fee Events |
Sep 04 2020 | BIG: Entity status set to Undiscounted (note the period is included in the code). |
Mar 24 2023 | M1551: Payment of Maintenance Fee, 4th Year, Large Entity. |
Date | Maintenance Schedule |
Sep 06 2025 | 4 years fee payment window open |
Mar 06 2026 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
Sep 06 2026 | patent expiry (for year 4) |
Sep 06 2028 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 4) |
Sep 06 2029 | 8 years fee payment window open |
Mar 06 2030 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
Sep 06 2030 | patent expiry (for year 8) |
Sep 06 2032 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 8) |
Sep 06 2033 | 12 years fee payment window open |
Mar 06 2034 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
Sep 06 2034 | patent expiry (for year 12) |
Sep 06 2036 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 12) |