JP-7855653-B2 - Fiber optic connectors and fiber optic connection systems

Inventors

• ユイ ルー
• ライアン コステッカ

Assignees

• コムスコープ テクノロジーズ リミティド ライアビリティ カンパニー

Dates

Publication Date

20260508

Application Date

20240830

Priority Date

20190826

Claims (6)

1. A fiber optic connection device, A connector core comprising a core housing and a seal mounted on the core housing for sealing to a structure adapted to receive the connector core, wherein the structure includes a shroud, an optical fiber adapter, or a dust cap, A rotating fastening device mounted on the connector core for fixing the connector core to the structure, wherein the seal is positioned inside the rotating fastening device, the rotating fastening device has an internal coupling arrangement, the internal coupling arrangement has a plurality of inclined snap-fit features uniformly spaced around the central axis of the rotating fastening device, each of the plurality of inclined snap-fit features includes an inclined surface and a stop surface for preventing rotation , the internal coupling arrangement further has an axial holding arrangement inside the rotating fastening device that includes four axial stoppers uniformly spaced around the central axis , each of the four axial stoppers includes a stop surface for preventing axial movement, and A fiber optic connection device equipped with the following features.
2. The optical fiber connection device according to claim 1, wherein the seal is located in the rear third of the entire length of the connector core, and the ferrule is positioned at the front end of the connector core.
3. The optical fiber connection device according to claim 1, further comprising an elongated key integrated with the core housing, extending forward from the seal.
4. The optical fiber connection device according to claim 3, wherein the elongated key extends along at least 25% of the total length of the core housing.
5. The core housing has an outer jacket that is attached to it by a sleeve, The optical fiber connection device according to claim 1, wherein the rotating fastening device is axially captured between the outer fastener of the core housing and the front end of the sleeve, and the rotating fastening device is held in the core housing.
6. The optical fiber connection device according to claim 1, further comprising an outer stopper positioned adjacent to the cable mounting end of the core housing, wherein the outer stopper has a forward-facing positive stop surface for providing a stopper for preventing insertion of the connector core into the optical fiber adapter, and a rearward-facing positive stop surface for axial holding of the rotating fastener.

Description

(Cross-reference of related applications) This application was filed on 24 August 2020 as a PCT international patent application, claiming the benefits of U.S. Patent Application No. 62/891,842 filed on 26 August 2019, and U.S. Patent Application No. 63/003,988 filed on 2 April 2020, the entirety of which disclosures are incorporated herein by reference. This disclosure relates, in general, to optical fiber connectors. More specifically, this disclosure relates to systems for manufacturing optical fiber connectors, and optical fiber connectors manufactured from such systems. Fiber optic communication systems are becoming increasingly popular because service providers want to offer their customers high-bandwidth communication capabilities (e.g., data and voice). Fiber optic communication systems transmit large amounts of data and voice signals over relatively long distances using a network of fiber optic cables. Fiber optic connectors are a crucial part of most fiber optic communication systems. Fiber optic connectors allow two fiber optics to be quickly and optically connected without the need for splice connections. Fiber optic connectors can be used to optically interconnect two fiber optics of different lengths. Fiber optic connectors can also be used to interconnect lengths of fiber optics to passive and active devices. A typical fiber optic connector includes a ferrule assembly supported at the distal end of the connector housing. A spring is used to bias the ferrule assembly distally to the connector housing. The ferrule functions to support at least one end portion of an optical fiber (in the case of a multi-fiber ferrule, the ends of multiple fibers are supported). The ferrule has a distal end face on which the polished end of the optical fiber is located. When two fiber optic connectors are interconnected, the distal end faces of the ferrules touch each other, and the ferrules are pressed proximal to their respective connector housings due to the biasing of their respective springs. With the fiber optic connectors connected, their respective optical fibers are coaxially aligned so that the end faces of the optical fibers directly face each other. In this way, optical signals can be transmitted from optical fiber to optical fiber through the aligned end faces of the optical fibers. For many fiber optic connector styles, alignment between two fiber optic connectors is provided through the use of an intermediate fiber optic adapter. High-durability (i.e., hardened) fiber optic connection systems include fiber optic connectors and adapters suitable for use in external environments. These types of systems typically include robust fasteners that are environmentally sealed and suitable for withstanding relatively large pull-in and lateral loads. Examples of high-durability fiber optic connection systems are disclosed in Patent Documents 1, 2, and 3. It will be understood that several different types of highly durable fiber optic connectors are available for use in external environments. Patent Document 4 discloses a system for manufacturing fiber optic connectors in which several different highly durable outer assemblies having different shape factors or configurations can be selectively mounted on a pre-terminated cable, so that the pre-terminated cable can be customized to be compatible with a particular style or type of fiber optic connector or fiber optic adapter. Strength Specification No. 7,467,896U.S. Patent No. 7,744,288Strength Specification No. 8,556,520International Publication No. 2015/028433 Certain aspects of this disclosure relate to a system for manufacturing or assembling fiber optic connectors that enable pre-terminated fiber optic cables to be compatible with any number of different styles or types of fiber optic connectors or fiber optic adapters. In certain examples, the system allows for the selection of different shrouds, outer housings, outer fasteners, etc., for mounting the ends of the fiber optic cable onto a connector core that has been pre-terminated. In certain examples, different shrouds or outer housings may include different shape factors, different key coupling arrangements, different shapes, etc. Furthermore, the shrouds may be used in combination with different fastening elements to fasten the final assembled connector to another fiber optic connector or fiber optic adapter. Exemplary fastening elements may include swivel-fastening fasteners (e.g., threaded fasteners and bayonet-style fasteners), sliding fasteners, and snap-fit fasteners. In certain examples, different sealing arrangements may be provided on different shrouds or housings. In certain examples, the outer shrouds or housings or fasteners may be part of an outer connector assembly that is preferably hardened/durable. Specific aspects of this disclosure relate to providing a connector core that can also be used as a small-form-factor optical fiber connector, which can be used directly (e.g., without any inte