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CN-113156586-B - Optical connector with reversible polarity

CN113156586BCN 113156586 BCN113156586 BCN 113156586BCN-113156586-B

Abstract

A reversible polarity fiber optic connector is provided having a housing at least partially surrounding first and second optical ferrules with walls above and below the ferrules. Positioning a removable unit (e.g., a latch, movable arm, or push-pull tab) on a first wall above the ferrule produces a fiber optic connector having a first polarity type, while positioning a removable unit on a second wall below the ferrule produces a fiber optic connector having a second polarity of opposite polarity. Various engagement mechanisms are provided on the connector housing wall or on the removable unit or both to assist in securing the removable unit to the connector housing.

Inventors

  • HUANG JIANWEN
  • J. Ghaniadek
  • Takano Yiyi
  • MA ZHAOJI

Assignees

  • 扇港元器件股份有限公司

Dates

Publication Date
20260505
Application Date
20180130
Priority Date
20170130

Claims (11)

  1. 1. An optical fiber connector, comprising: at least a first optical ferrule and a second optical ferrule; a connector housing having a longitudinal axis and comprising an outer portion at least partially surrounding the first and second optical ferrules such that the outer portion circumscribes a space housing each of the first and second optical ferrules, the outer portion comprising a first outer wall and a second outer wall on a side of the space opposite the first outer wall; A latch coupler located on each of the first and second outer walls of the connector housing; A tab piece; wherein the fiber optic connector further comprises a removable arm having a removable latch and being a separate element from the pull tab for engaging either of the latch couplers of the first and second outer walls on the connector housing, whereby the removable latch is coupled to the corresponding latch coupler; Wherein each latch coupler comprises a recess extending along a longitudinal axis and having an open axial end, and the removable latch comprises a protrusion for insertion into the open axial end of the recess by movement along the longitudinal axis relative to the connector housing, and Wherein the tab includes a tab clip that clips onto a shroud attached to the connector housing.
  2. 2. The fiber optic connector of claim 1, wherein the protrusion is movable along a longitudinal axis in each groove relative to the connector housing.
  3. 3. The fiber optic connector of claim 1, wherein the removable latch comprises a base portion and a depressible latch arm connected to the base portion.
  4. 4. A fiber optic connector according to claim 3, wherein the depressible latch arm has a front end portion connected to the base portion, a free rear end portion spaced apart from the front end portion along a longitudinal axis, and an outwardly facing longitudinal surface extending from the front end portion to the free rear end portion along a longitudinal axis.
  5. 5. The fiber optic connector of claim 4, wherein the free rear end portion of the depressible latch arm is configured to be received in an opening of a receptacle and includes a rearward facing surface configured to engage the receptacle when received in the opening to prevent removal of the fiber optic connector from the receptacle.
  6. 6. The fiber optic connector of claim 5, wherein a free rear end portion of the depressible latch arm is raised relative to the front end portion, and wherein the removable latch is bendable such that the free rear end portion can be depressed toward the base portion to remove the free rear end portion from the opening and unlock the fiber optic connector from the receiver.
  7. 7. The fiber optic connector of claim 1, wherein the connector housing comprises a single front body and a single rear body.
  8. 8. The fiber optic connector of claim 7, further comprising first and second ferrule springs received over the first and second optical ferrules, respectively.
  9. 9. The fiber optic connector of claim 1, wherein the first and second optical ferrules have a spacing of less than 6.25 mm.
  10. 10. The fiber optic connector of claim 1, wherein the first and second optical ferrules have a spacing of less than 5.25 mm.
  11. 11. The fiber optic connector of claim 1, wherein the first and second optical ferrules have a spacing of about 4.8mm or less.

Description

Optical connector with reversible polarity The application is a divisional application of Chinese patent application with international application number of PCT/US2018/016049, national application number of 201880009892.8, application date of 2018, 1 month and 30 days, and name of 'optical connector with reversible polarity'. Cross-reference to related patent applications The disclosure of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/452,147 submitted at 30.1.2017, ser. No. 62/457,150 submitted at 9.2.2017, ser. No. 62/463,898 submitted at 27.2.27.62/463,901 submitted at 27.2.2017, ser. No. 62/485,042 submitted at 13.4.2017, ser. No. 62/546,920 submitted at 17.8.2017, and Ser. No. 62/581,961 submitted at 11.6.2017 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Technical Field The present disclosure relates generally to optical connectors having reversible polarity. Background The popularity of the internet has led to an unprecedented growth in communication networks. Consumer demand for services and increased competition have led to network providers continually seeking ways to improve quality of service while reducing costs. Some solutions include deploying high density interconnect panels. High density interconnect panels may be designed to integrate the ever-increasing amount of interconnect required to support a fast-growing network into a compact specification, thereby improving quality of service and reducing costs such as footprint and support overhead. However, there is still room for improvement in data center area, especially when fiber optic connections are involved. For example, connector manufacturers always wish to reduce the size of the device while increasing ease of deployment, robustness, and post-deployment repairability. In particular, more optical connectors may need to be housed in the same package that was previously used for a smaller number of connectors in order to provide backward compatibility with existing data center facilities. For example, one popular package is known as a small form factor pluggable package (SFP). Such a package can currently accommodate two LC-type ferrule optical connections. However, it may be desirable to house four optical connections (two duplex connections for transmit/receive) within the same package. Another popular package is a four-way small form factor pluggable (QSFP) package. Such a package can currently accommodate four LC-type ferrule optical connections. However, it may be desirable to house 8 LC-type ferrule optical connections (four duplex connections for transmit/receive) within the same package. In communication networks such as data centers and switching networks, many interconnections between mating connectors can be compact into high density panels. Panel and connector manufacturers may optimize this high density by shrinking the connector size and/or spacing between adjacent connectors on the panel. While both approaches may be useful for increasing panel connector density, shrinking connector size and/or spacing may also increase support costs and reduce quality of service. In high density panel configurations, adjacent connectors and cable assemblies may interfere with access to the various release mechanisms. Such physical obstructions may interfere with an operator's ability to minimize stress placed on the cable and connector. For example, these stresses may be applied when a user enters a dense connector set and pushes the surrounding optical fibers and connectors aside to access the individual connector release mechanisms with his/her thumb and index finger. Overstretching the cable and connector can create potential drawbacks, compromise the integrity and/or reliability of the terminal, and can result in serious disturbances to network performance. Thus, there is a need for smaller fiber optic connectors that will meet the evolving needs for smaller SFPs and that are reconfigurable for flexible deployment. Disclosure of Invention In a first aspect, the present invention provides a reversible polarity fiber optic connector that includes at least first and second optical ferrules and a connector housing at least partially surrounding the first and second optical ferrules. The housing has a first outer wall above the first and second optical ferrules and a second outer wall below the first and second optical ferrules. A latch coupler is positioned on each of the first and second outer walls of the housing. The removable latch may engage a first or second outer wall latch coupled to the connector housing. Positioning the removable latch on the first outer wall produces a fiber optic connector having a first polarity, and positioning the removable latch on the second outer wall produces a fiber optic connector having a second polarity that is opposite. In another aspect, the present invention provides a reversible polarity fiber optic connector having a replaceable arm for changing the type of connector. Thus, the common