CN113966479A - Wall-mounted optical connector and assembly thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A wall-mounted optical connector, comprising: an outer housing configured to be inserted into an adapter having a corresponding inner surface; and a latch attached to at least one side of the housing, the latch configured to lock the connector into the adapter opening. The rear body, the integrated rear body, or the external clip holds a ferrule assembly with a ferrule, biased forward toward the proximal end of the connector housing.

Description

Wall-mounted optical connector and assembly thereof

Background

In this disclosure, the field of the invention generally relates to fiber optic connectors with or without a release structure for disengaging the connector from an adapter. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to reducing an outer housing connector having a limited outer housing length and width to allow for a tighter packaging of the connector for use in narrow or reduced spaces, such as a connector panel near a wall or back-to-back with another panel.

The popularity of the internet has led to an unprecedented growth in communication networks. Consumer demand for services and increasingly competitive competition have led network providers to continually seek to improve quality of service while reducing costs. Some solutions include deploying high density interconnect panels. High density interconnect panels can be designed to integrate the ever increasing amount of interconnect needed to support a rapidly growing network into a compact form factor, thereby improving quality of service and reducing costs, such as footprint. However, the deployment of high density interconnect panels is still advancing.

In communication networks (e.g., data centers and switching networks), the vast majority of interconnections between mating connectors may be compressed into high-density panels. Panel and connector manufacturers can optimize this high density by reducing the connector size and/or spacing between adjacent connectors on the panel. Therefore, more connectors are typically used in high density arrays. As the number of connectors in a switching network increases, the associated cost of creating the switching network also increases. Generally, constructing a connector involves the use of various components. The manufacturing process used to manufacture these connectors, and the components used to construct them, can greatly impact their unit cost. For high density switching networks and large data centers that use thousands of such connectors, the unit cost can impact the overall cost of designing and implementing the data center. Thus, if a new low cost connector (e.g., a low cost Behind The Wall (BTW) connector) could be developed, this would improve connector density in a data center.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention relates to a low profile, reduced size connector for use in fiber optic networks. The disclosed connectors plug into adapters or transceiver receptacles to mate with opposing fiber optic connectors of the same type, different configurations, or transceiver electronics that convert optical signals on optical fibers to electrical signals (and vice versa).

The rear wall connector has an outer housing shaped to be received in a similarly configured adapter opening to help align the connector prior to securing the connector in the adapter port. The connector has an external adapter release latch with a groove and a protrusion that secures the connector in the adapter through an opening in the adapter housing. The connector release member is integrated into the first end of the connector housing and extends beyond the second end. The second end of the release member locks into the adapter opening. The adapter release may be oriented 180 ° from the second end to the first end. The connector may use a fixed latch within the adapter receptacle or port opening, wherein pulling on the connector boot releases the connector from the adapter port.

In another embodiment, the wall rear connector outer housing has a transverse recess at the front of the housing. The latch hooks are secured within the adapter ports and the latches are positioned in the connector grooves when the connector is inserted into the ports, thereby securing the connector within the adapter. The reduced profile rear body is secured with a substantially open front body that receives the rear body, and the rear body secures the ferrule assembly and the bias spring within the connector housing, thereby forming a BTW connector.

In another embodiment, the connector housing has openings on both sides. The opening receives the protrusions on opposite sides of the one-piece rear body. The one-piece rear body has a pair of adapter latch hooks on opposite sides of the connector housing, the latch hooks configured to accept two ferrule LC-type data center fiber optic connectors, such as those sold by the assignee of the present invention

A connector is provided. The integral backshell herein reduces the number of components required to secure the fiber optic connector within the adapter. According to one embodiment of the invention, the wall rear connector is assembled fromBeginning earlier, a one-piece rear body secures the ferrule assembly, alignment sleeve and biasing spring within the connector housing, forming a wall-mounted fiber optic connector.

In another embodiment, the adapter release latch is positioned on a top or bottom side of the connector outer housing. The release latch extends along the side of the connector housing with a chamfer at the front end of the latch. The front end enters the adapter port by a chamfer to help prevent the connector from jamming within the port.

In another embodiment of the behind-the-wall connector, the connector deploys an adapter latch integral with the connector housing closer to the proximal end of the outer housing and has a chamfer on the front edge of the latch. The latch has a recess behind the chamfer to receive a securing structure, such as a protrusion or raised surface within the adapter port.

In another embodiment of the behind-the-wall connector embodiment, the latch is positioned distal or on an opposite side of the front edge of the connector housing. The latch chamfer engages an adapter structure that secures the connector through a groove in the connector latch. The second integrated afterbody replaces the alignment sleeve with a ferrule assembly support.

The invention further discloses a device configured to accept at a first end

A fiber optic connector and a reduced profile adapter receiving the rear wall connector at a second end. In another embodiment, the integrated connector latch assembly further comprises an alignment sleeve at the second end. The integrated connector latch assembly and alignment sleeve further include opposing connector latch hooks. The connector latch assembly is secured within the adapter housing.

An advantage of having a rear wall connector is smaller and smaller adapter box and/or transceiver designs, with more and more limited space between boxes and reduced space between connectors. These assemblies use non-reinforced fiber optic cables, such as 900 micron or bare fibers. No protective strain relief devices (e.g., protective jacketing) are used to help reduce overall length, but at the expense of increased damage to the optical fiber. Typical spring-loaded "push-in" connections and "pull-out" connections are used to connect and disconnect optical connectors from adapter ports. The connector has some type of spring retainer (or rear post) that can be pushed into the interior cavity of the connector body. When the spring retainer has been inserted to the desired depth, the spring retainer is locked within the connector body when the protrusions on the outer surface of the spring retainer enter corresponding holes, openings or recesses in the sides of the connector body. This latching method requires an increase in the length of the connector body behind the unwanted latching position when using the outer housing of the present invention. As one way to minimize the overall length of the wall rear connector, a spring retainer or clip is designed to be externally mounted to the connector body, spanning the rear end of the connector body, in a manner that retains the spring and the ferrule assembly biased by the spring within the outer housing of the BTW connector. The assembly reduces the outer housing or connector body length to a minimum overall length. The housing side walls may be recessed to accommodate the thin cross section of the spring retainer so as not to increase the width of the connector. Rather than providing a latching hook formed as part of the outer housing to retain the spring retainer clip, the groove is conveniently shaped to also create a raised latching edge for the spring retainer on both sides of the connector body, as described below. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description. It is to be understood that the foregoing summary, drawings, and detailed description are intended to provide a framework or overview for understanding the scope of the invention as claimed.

Drawings

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a first prior art fiber optic connector secured within an adapter that is part of a panel system;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a rear wall connector secured within an adapter that is part of a panel system according to the disclosed embodiments;

FIG. 1C is a perspective view of a second prior art fiber optic connector secured within an adapter that is part of a panel system;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a prior art adapter having a prior art fiber optic connector as opposed to a rear-wall fiber optic connector according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a rear wall connector according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a rear wall connector according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a wall rear connector according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a wall rear connector according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a rear wall connector according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of a wall rear connector according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of the rear wall connector within the adapter port;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11A is an exploded view of another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11B.1 is a side view of FIG. 11A assembled;

FIG. 11B.2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 11 B.1;

FIG. 11C is a side perspective view of another embodiment of a wall rear connector;

FIG. 12A is the connector of FIG. 11 secured within an adapter port;

FIG. 12B is an exploded view of FIG. 1B without the faceplate;

FIG. 12C is a top perspective view of FIG. 12B;

FIG. 12D is a cross-sectional view taken along section line A-A of FIG. 12C;

FIG. 12E is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 12B assembled;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an externally mounted retention clip forming the connector of the present invention of FIG. 11A;

FIG. 14 is an exploded view of another embodiment of another rear wall fiber optic connector with cable boot release;

FIG. 15 is an exploded view of another rear wall fiber optic connector with cable boot release;

FIG. 16 is a front view of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a distal view of FIG. 14;

FIG. 18A is a cross-sectional view of a connector according to the present invention as opposed to a prior art connector;

FIG. 18B shows a connector according to the present invention secured within a rear wall connector latch assembly, an

Fig. 19 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a wall rear connector as opposed to a prior art data center connector.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.

Detailed Description

The present disclosure is not limited to the particular systems, devices, and methods described, as these may vary. The terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing the particular versions or embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope.

As used in this document, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" include the plural forms unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Nothing in this disclosure should be construed as an admission that the embodiments described in this disclosure are not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention. As used in this document, the term "including" means "including but not limited to".

For purposes of this application, the following terms shall have the respective meanings listed below.

As used herein, "connector" refers to a device and/or component thereof that connects a first module or cable to a second module or cable. The connector may be configured for optical fiber transmission or electrical signal transmission. The connector may be of any suitable type now known or later developed, such as a fiber-optic distributed data interface (FDDI) connector, an LC connector, a Mechanical Transition (MT) connector, a Square Connector (SC) connector, an SC duplex connector, a straight-nose (ST) connector, or a behind-the-wall (BTW) connector. The connector may generally be defined by a connector housing. In some embodiments, the housing may incorporate any or all of the components described herein.

"fiber optic cable" or "fiber optic cable" refers to a cable containing one or more optical fibers for conducting optical signals in an optical beam. The optical fibers may be constructed of any suitable transparent material, including glass, fiberglass, and plastic. The cable may include a jacket or sheath material surrounding the optical fibers. Further, at one or both ends of the cable, the cable may be connected to a connector.

Wall rear connectors are important in today's high density data centers. The wall rear connector is considered to be a small-shape or small-size connector, that is, its overall length is reduced as compared with fig. 1A and 1C, for example. The size reduction is measured from the ferrule or distal end to the distal end of the boot or from the proximal end of the connector to the distal end of the outer housing. In the present invention, the behind-the-wall type literally means that the connectors are placed behind a wall or panel, the panel is stored in a rack extending from the floor to the ceiling, and a plurality of panel racks are placed close to one another with little distance between the racks, each panel rack containing many adapters. Therefore, there is a need to remove the connector structure to allow the racks to be placed very close together without reducing the reliability of the connector.

The rear wall connector can be used for small tape cassettes or transceivers. The rear wall connector uses non-reinforced optical fibers, such as 900nm coated optical fibers. Without the cable jacket or strain relief boot, the optical fibers are susceptible to breakage or damage. Prior art data center connectors that have spring retainers (backshells or backstays) secured within the interior cavity of the connector housing are deployed in "push-in" or "pull-out" configurations to connect and disconnect optical connectors from adapter ports. The spring retainer is configured to be retained within the connector housing and the retainer is locked within the connector housing. Such latching mechanisms require additional length and width on the connector housing. In order to reduce the overall length of the connector, the spring retainer is configured to be fitted from the outside onto a cutout formed as a part of a side wall of the outer connector housing, and the spring retainer or the clip forms an outer housing of the connector. Alternatively, the connector outer housing may be slightly recessed to receive the clip. The grooves project to form raised latching editions for clips on opposite sidewalls of the connector housing.

Fig. 1A depicts a prior art data center fiber optic connector (12.1) inserted into a port of a prior art adapter (40). The adapter is fixed on a panel (08). Fig. 1B depicts a rear wall fiber optic connector as disclosed within the present invention. This connector is secured within a port of a reduced length adapter having one or more latch grooves (40e.1-40e.4) formed on a first side of the adapter housing (47) and a second opposing groove formed on a second side of the adapter housing to receive a pair of opposing latches formed on a rear or outer housing of a BTW connector, such as described in fig. 8 below. Fig. 1C depicts a bayonet style fiber optic connector (12.3) secured to a panel (08). Data center Connectors (12.3) used in the present invention are disclosed in U.S. patent No.10,281,668, Ultra-Small Form Factor Optical Connectors, inventor Takano, entitled 5/7/2019, and currently owned by the assignee of the present invention. This issued patent is incorporated in its entirety by reference into this application. The bayonet style Fiber Optic Connector used in the present invention is disclosed in U.S. patent No.10,295,753B2, Fiber Optic Hybrid Adapter and Connector Assemblies (Fiber optical Hybrid Adapter and Connector Assemblies), inventor Takano, entitled 21/5/2019, which is incorporated by reference into the present application and is currently owned by the assignee of the present application. A prior art Wall rear Connector with a reverse latch on one side of the Connector housing, a Wall rear Optical Connector with Reduced Components (while the Wall Optical Connector with Reduced Components), inventor Chang, was disclosed in U.S. patent No.10,359,583B2, which is incorporated by reference into the present application, currently owned by the assignee of the present invention, on 23/7/2019.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a prior art data center connector (12.1) and an opposing behind-the-wall (BTW) connector (10) inserted into opposing ports of a reduced length adapter (48) along an optical axis (L-L'). The adapter hook assembly is secured in the internal housing structure of the adapter housing (47) by hooks (45a, 45b) in grooves or cutouts in the adapter. The connector (10) is inserted into the port and the adapter latch (42c) is displaced by a chamfer or similar structure on the connector. The hook or latch (42c) moves into the recess (11.1). Because the hook (42c) is resilient, when the connector (10) is located within the alignment sleeve aperture (not shown), the adapter latch (42c, 42d) returns to its normal position and rests in the transverse cut-outs (11.1, 11.2) (fig. 3), the transverse cut-outs (11.1, 11.2) being along the top surface of the outer housing of the connector (10), near the proximal end of the connector. The latches (42a, 42b, 42c, 42d) are displaced into corresponding grooves (44b) for the latches (42 d). This is similar to that described above. The connector (10) is inserted into the adapter port and when fully inserted, the adapter hooks (42c, 42d) lock the connector by being located in the opposing lateral grooves (11.1, 11.2). The connector (10) has a raised surface (11.4) (fig. 3) that is received in the grooves (44b, 44c) to help secure the connector (10) within the adapter port. The proximal end (P) is defined by the position of the optical ferrule and the optical fiber (09a) along the optical axis or longitudinal axis (L-L'). When the BTW connector is opposed to the data center connector, as shown in fig. 2, the total length of the opposed connector is reduced by more than 45 millimeters. The length of the connector (12.1) with the optical cable (09) is about 65 mm. The length of the connector (12.1) with the cable protective sleeve (12b) is about 50 mm. In addition, the prior art adapter reduces from 2 times LN1(34.5 mm) to LN1+ LN2(7 mm), a reduction of about 28 mm. As described herein, the BTW connector does not require additional adapter structure or housing length to secure the BTW connector within the port. As depicted in fig. 1A-1C, the adapter is mounted on the faceplate and is secured using a faceplate latch located on the outer housing of the adapter.

Fig. 3-7 depict a rear wall connector when deployed in a reduced length adapter, configured to reduce the overall length of the opposing connector and adapter assembly by about 10mm to about 28mm, depending on the rear wall connector used as opposed to a data center fiber optic connector. A pair of BTW connectors can be deployed along the optical axis of the adapter, opposing each other and reducing the overall length of the connector and adapter system to about 32 mm. The reduction in the length of the BTW is achieved by replacing the connector outer housing and/or removing the cable protective sleeve (12b) and replacing it with a modified outer housing, inner body (14), rear body (24), wherein the inner body is formed as a one-piece inner body or a two-piece inner body. The rear body (24) has opposed latch arms with leading edge chamfers (24.1) to help prevent jamming during assembly in the direction of arrow (a). The wall-mounted connector is equipped with a set of ferrule assemblies (16a,16b), biasing springs (17a,17b) and a pair of alignment sleeve holder openings (20a, 20b) that receive the proximal ends of the ferrules. The alignment sleeve holder opening receives a ferrule protruding from a proximal end of the ferrule assembly. In some embodiments, the outer housing has an external latch that mates with the adapter latch recess, as shown in fig. 5-8.

Fig. 3 depicts an exploded view of the rear wall fiber optic connector (10) inserted into an adapter port opposite a data center connector (12, 12.1). The connector (10) comprises an outer housing (19) having opposed cut-outs (11.1, 11.2) at a proximal end of the outer housing (19). The outer housing (19) is about 15 mm. The outer housing (19) also includes an alignment key (15) that orients the connector (10) within a port of the adapter (40). The inner body (14) receives the rear body (24) along a latching line (L1) when the hook (24.1) is secured within an opening (14o) formed in each outer wall (14c) of the inner body. The inner body (14) is secured within the outer shell (19) when the recess cut-outs (14.1, 14.2) are received in the opposing body cut-outs (11.1, 11.2) along the latch line (L2). When fitted together in the direction of the arrows (a), the wall rear connector (10) is assembled. In this embodiment, the alignment sleeve holder openings (20a, 20b) are devoid of sidewalls. A shelf (21) extends from the proximal end of the inner body and receives the ferrule assembly up to the proximal end of the ferrule flange. When the ferrule assembly (16a,16b) is fully inserted with the inner body (14), the ferrule protrudes from an opening (14b) (shown by the dashed arrow) of the inner body, which is aligned with the sleeve holder opening. In this configuration, an inner precursor having an open sidewall with a shelf (21) allows removal of the ferrule assembly (16a,16 b). Two opposing open sidewall walls of the inner body and the shelf form an alignment sleeve retainer. A pair of opposing chamfered, raised surfaces (11.4) are received in grooves (44c) in the adapter port to help secure the BTW connector therein.

Fig. 4 depicts another embodiment of a wall rear connector (10 a). This is an assembled one-piece design. The connector (10a) deploys an integral inner body (18 a). The inner body (18a) includes a pair of opposed latch recesses (44c, 44d) at the proximal end (P) of the assembled connector (10a) that are received within the port of the adapter. A pair of latch recesses (44c, 44d) is configured to receive a data center connector (12.1) in optical communication with the BTW connector. The inner body (18a) also includes a flange (18b.3) having an upper hook (45a) and a lower hook, the pair of hooks being received in a cutout or groove in the adapter port. The distal end (D) of the inner body has opposed projections or hooks (18a.1, 18a.2) which are received in openings (19o) formed on opposite sides of the outer housing (19 a). The length of the outer housing (19a) is approximately 15mm, but may be up to 27.5mm depending on the deployment. When assembled in the direction of arrow (a), the unitary inner body (18a) receives the alignment sleeves (22a, 22b) at the distal end of the inner body (18 a). An alignment sleeve (22a, 22b) receives the respective ferrule at the proximal end (P) of each ferrule assembly (16a,16b), and a pair of biasing springs (17a,17b) are received at the distal end (D) of the ferrule assembly (16a,16b) and bias each ferrule assembly forward. The adapter hooks (18a.1, 18a.2) are integrated or formed as part of the inner body (18 a). In this embodiment, alignment sleeves (22a, 22b) are inserted into openings at the distal end of the inner body (18a), which act as alignment sleeve retainers. The alignment sleeve retainer opening is located at the proximal end (P) of the alignment sleeve.

Fig. 5-7 are exploded views depicting the outer housing (19b-19d) with the external release latch (19l) received within a latch recess (40e.1-40e.4) formed at one end of the adapter. Fig. 5 depicts a wall rear connector (10 b). The external latches allow a user to depress the latches and remove the wall rear connectors (10b-10d) from their respective adapter latch recesses (40e.1-40 e.4). For the connector (10b), the projections (18b.1, 18b.2) are formed as part of the inner body (18b) and are received in corresponding openings (19o) formed in one side of the outer housing (19b), the outer housing (19b) being about 15mm in length, the connector (10b) being assembled along the arrow (a) along the latching line (L1). Fig. 5 alignment sleeve holder opening is constructed similarly to that described in fig. 4.

Fig. 6 depicts another embodiment of a wall rear connector (10 c). The inner body (18c) has opposed projections (18c.1, 18c.2) and the connector (10c) is assembled when the projections are received with an opening (19o) formed as part of the connector outer housing (19 c). The length of the outer housing (19c) along the latch line (L1) when assembled is about 15mm to about 27.5 mm. Releasing the latch (19l) allows the user to remove the assembled connector (10c) from its adapter port recess (40e.1-40 e.4). A flange (18d.3) secures the inner body within the outer housing. A chamfer (19l.2) on the latch (19l) helps prevent jamming of the connector when inserted into the adapter port. A protrusion (19p) on the adapter release latch (19l) secures the connector (10c) within a cutout or groove in the adapter port.

Fig. 7 depicts an exploded view of the rear wall connector (10D) with the external release latch (19l) located at the distal most end (D) of the connector housing (19D). This is a two-piece design with an outer connector housing (19d) and a front or inner body (18 d). Unlike the release latch (19l) of fig. 5, it is arranged at the most proximal end (P) of the outer housing (19 d). The latch (19l) also includes a groove (19l.3) that engages with a corresponding internal structure of the adapter port to help secure the connector (10d) within the adapter. The outer housing (19d) is about 15mm to about 27.5mm in length. The connector (10d) is formed when the projections (18d.1, 18d.2) are received in corresponding openings (19o) on opposite sides of the connector outer housing (19d) along the latch line (L1), thereby forming the connector (10d) when assembled in the direction of arrow (a). Unlike the alignment sleeves (22a, 22b) of fig. 4-6, the alignment sleeve of the connector (10d) is formed as part of the inner body (18d) and the open alignment sleeve allows more clearance when the connector is assembled, as in fig. 3. The alignment sleeve retainer opening in fig. 7 is similar in construction to that described in fig. 3. The construction of the inner body (18d) of fig. 7 is similar to the inner body (14) of fig. 3, with open side walls and an inner shelf (21).

Fig. 8 depicts another embodiment of a rear wall fiber optic connector (10 e). As described above, the outer housing (19e) receives one or more ferrule assemblies (16a,16b), and the backshell (24f) secures one or more biasing springs (17a,17b) at the distal end of the respective ferrule assemblies (16a,16b) and within the outer housing (19e), thus forming the connector (10e) along arrow (a). The outer housing (19e) has opposed channels (19c.1,19c.2) configured to receive opposed chamfers (19l.1,19l.2) of the rear body (24f) to reduce the overall length of the connector (10e) to about 15 mm. A pair of opposing side locking tabs (24f.1, 24f.2) are received in respective outer housing channels (19c.1,19c.2) that secure the rear body (24f) with the outer housing (19e) to form the connector (10 e). The adapter release latches (18e.1, 18e.2) are received in opposing grooves (40e.1) formed in a reduced length adapter housing (47) (see fig. 1B). With the connector improvements described in this disclosure, it is possible to deploy an adapter housing of reduced length.

Fig. 9 depicts a connector (10e) secured with one or more adapter ports of a prior art adapter (40). The connector (10e) may be secured within a port of a reduced length adapter (48) (see fig. 2) without departing from the scope of the invention. The connector (10f) may be secured in a second port adjacent the connector (10e) and alongside the data connector (12). Reference (30) depicts the adapter latch release (19l) with the protrusion (19P) secured within a cutout (40h.1) (see fig. 10) formed in the wall of the adapter port. The cutout does not extend through the outer wall of the adapter.

Fig. 10 depicts a cross-sectional view along line a-a of fig. 9. The rear wall connector (10e) is being removed in the direction of arrow (R), and when a user presses latch (19l) in the direction of (D) and pulls in the direction of (R), adapter latch arms (40j.1, 40j.2) Rotate (RD) out of the respective connector transverse grooves (11.1, 11.2) and into cutouts in the adapter housing (40i.1, 40 i.2). When the adapter release latch (191) is depressed in the direction of arrow (D), the protrusion (19p) will be pushed out of the cutout (40h.1) so the user can pull the connector (10e) distally or rearwardly to remove the connector (10e) from the adapter port. When the connector is fully inserted into the adapter port, adapter latch arms (40j.2) are received in the connector transverse grooves (11.2). The stop surface (40g.1) prevents the adapter latch hook from moving out of the connector recess until the pulling force is exceeded.

Fig. 11A depicts an exploded view of the external mounting clip (30) prior to being secured to the external connector housing (19 f). A clip (30) having a pair of openings (30.1(a), 30.1(b)) and secured to the first end of the outer housing with opposed retainer latches (19f.3(a), 19f.3(b) (not shown) secures at least one ferrule assembly (having a ferrule and an optical fiber therein) with the outer housing. The side walls (30.5b, 30.5c) (see fig. 13) of the clip (30) can be received in the groove (10r) (see fig. 12).

Fig. 11b.1 depicts an assembled side view of the rear wall connector (19f) with the external fixation clip (30) deployed. Figure 11b.2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line a-a of figure 11b.1 showing a reduced length (Lm) and a reduced width (Lw) with a retention clip (30) securing the ferrule assembly (16) and biasing spring (17) within the connector housing.

Fig. 11C depicts another embodiment of a wall rear connector (10 f). When the protrusion (19p) is received within a corresponding groove (40e.1-40e.4) formed on an inner housing of the adapter or a portion of the adapter latch assembly, the adapter release latch (19l) secures the connector (10f) within the adapter port (see fig. 12A). The outer housing (19f) receives an externally mounted retention clip (30) which is secured behind a connector outer housing latch (19 f.3). A connector outer housing release latch (19f.3) is received within an opening (30.1) of the outer mounting clip (30). Corresponding external retainer latches are provided on opposite side walls of the connector outer housing (19f) and are received in corresponding openings of the external retaining clip (30). When the adapter housing is secured within the panel opening, the panel latch (19f.4) secures the adapter to the panel (08), as shown in fig. 12A. The rear wall connector latch assembly (50) has a pair of opposing latch arms (40j.1, 40j.2) that secure an opposing connector, such as connector (12.1) or connector (10), having opposing grooves. A ferrule (07) of the connector (10f) protrudes through an opening of the frame, which connects opposing connector latch arms for wall-rear latching the connector assembly (50). The latch assembly (50) has opposing connector latch arms (40j.1, 40j.2) configured to secure a connector (12.1) or a wall rear connector (10) as disclosed in fig. 3, 5-8. The cut-outs (11.1, 11.2) receive the opposite latch arms (40j.1, 40j.2) as disclosed in fig. 3. Opposite the latch (19l) is an alignment key (15) which ensures that the connector (10f) is oriented with the correct polarity.

Fig. 12A depicts the connector (10f) secured within the port of the adapter (49). The adapter (49) has an upper index channel (49u.2) and a lower index channel (49l.2) that require the connector (10f) to be properly oriented, with the alignment key (12d) received in the lower channel (49l.2) of the first polarity with respect to the connector (not shown) so that optical signals can be transmitted along the optical axis (L-L'). The blocking wall (49r.1) is configured to limit rotation or lateral movement of the connector (10f) when the connector (10f) is secured within the reduced length adapter (49). Fig. 12A depicts an external fixation clip (30) with a groove and cut-out (30.2) of the outer housing sidewall (10 r). The label (19g.1) describes an outer housing latch hook or retainer latch (19f.3) that secures the clip (30) to the connector outer housing. The connector (10f) is secured within the adapter port when the projection (10p) is received by the corresponding recess (40e.1-40 e.4). The recess may be a cutout formed in the inner wall of the adapter port and not extend through the housing wall without departing from the scope of the invention.

Fig. 12B depicts an exploded view of the wall rear connector (10f) as described above in fig. 11A and 11B before insertion of the first port of the reduced length adapter (47), wherein the adapter port length (L1) on the first side is at least 25% less than the length of the port required to secure the prior art data center connector (12) in optical communication with the connector (10f) on the second side. The adapter latch release arm secures the connector (10f) with the corresponding recess or opening (40e.1), thereby securing the connector (10f) in the first port in the direction of arrow (a). Fig. 12C is a top view of the reduced length adapter (47) receiving the rear wall connector (10f) along line a-a in a first port on a first side opposite the prior art data center (12) in a first port on a second side. Fig. 12D depicts a cross-sectional view along line a-a of fig. 12C showing an adapter latch hook (40j.1, 40j.2) securing a data center connector within a port thereof. The latching hooks (40j.1, 40j.2) are received in the respective transverse grooves (11.1, 11.2). Fig. 12E depicts a cross section of the connector (10f) inserted into the adapter (47) opposite the data center connector (12). When the protrusion (19p) is received in the groove (40e.1), the connector (10f) latches the arm (19l) to secure the connector (10 f). The data center connector (12) is secured as described above.

Fig. 13 depicts a male fixation clip (30) having a body, including a front portion (30.5a) having opposing cutouts (30.2A, 30.2b) and opposing sidewalls (30.5b, 30.5c) forming a generally U-shaped channel configured to receive the distal end of the ferrule assembly and the spring when the male fixation clip (30) is secured to a connector outer housing (19f), as discussed above in fig. 12A. The external mounting type fixing clip (30) is provided with two side wall parts (30.5b, 30.5c) which are vertical to the front part (30.5 a). Each side wall portion further comprises an opening (30.1), the opening (30.1) receiving a respective panel latch as described above in figure 11. As shown in fig. 12A, the clip (30) may be received in a groove (10r) formed in the connector outer housing (19 f).

Fig. 14 depicts an exploded view of another embodiment of a wall rear connector (10 g). The inner housing (18g) receives the respective ferrule assemblies (16a,16b) and biasing springs (17a,17 b). The connector outer housing (19g) further includes a flexible retention clip latch (19h.1, 19h.2) formed as part of the housing wall (19g), the flexible latch being biased inwardly by a vertical tab (19t.1, 19t.2) (see fig. 16), and the ferrule flange being secured behind its respective latch (19h.1, 19h.2) and within the outer housing by a respective tab (19t.1) formed as part of the latch (19h.1) when the ferrule assembly is inserted in the direction of arrow (a). A corresponding pair of flexible latches on opposite sides of the connector outer housing (19g) oppose the flexible latches (19h.1, 19 h.2). Once the ferrule assembly and spring are secured within the housing (19g), an optional cable release boot (12b) is secured to the distal end of the housing (19g) along the dashed lines. The connector (10h) is formed. The connector outer housing (19h) has an external release latch (19l) formed as part of the connector outer housing. The user operates the connector (10g) similarly to the description in fig. 10. The protrusion (19p) is received into the groove (40h.1) to secure the connector within the adapter. Thus, the connector (10h) may be used with a reduced length adapter (48), thereby reducing the overall opposing connector/adapter system length by about 50 mm. The connector (10g) is removed from the adapter port by pulling back the protective sleeve (12b) or outer housing (19 h).

The assembly of fig. 15 is similar to the assembly described above in fig. 14. The inner housing (18h) receives the respective ferrule assemblies (16a,16b) and biasing springs (17a,17 b). Fig. 15 outer housing (19h) deploys latch (19l) towards the proximal end of connector housing (19 h). The connector (10h) is assembled in the direction of arrow (A).

Fig. 16 depicts a proximal end view showing a flexible latch (19h.1, 19h.2) formed as part of an outer housing (19h) with the vertical tabs (19t.1, 19t.2) therein displaced outwardly in the direction of arrow (D1) when the ferrule flange extends beyond the tabs. When the ferrule assembly and spring are inserted from the proximal end of the connector (10h), the tabs move inwardly in front of the ferrule flange, thereby securing the ferrule assembly and spring within the housing (19 h).

Fig. 17 depicts a distal view of a connector (10h) having a pair of flexible latches (19h.1a, 19h.2a) formed as part of a first side wall (19s.1) and an opposing flexible latch (not shown) formed as part of a second side wall (19 s.2). The ferrule assemblies (17a,17b) and corresponding biasing springs (16a,16b) are retained between a retaining wall (17f) and corresponding vertical tabs (19t.1, 19t.2) as a unitary black body.

Fig. 18A depicts the rear wall connector (10g) secured within the reduced length adapter (47) and the connector (10g) in optical communication with an opposing prior art fiber optic connector (12). The connector (10g) further comprises an outer housing (52) fixed to the outer housing of the connector (10g) when the projection (19p) is fixed within the opening (52.1). To remove the connector (10g) from the adapter port, the user depresses the adapter release arm and pulls the connector cable boot (12b) in a rearward direction or away from the adapter port. Fig. 18B depicts fig. 18A with the outer housing removed. The connector (10g) is secured when the protruding ferrules (7) are captured within the respective alignment sleeves (22a, 22 b).

Fig. 19 depicts a second wall rear connector (10h) secured relative to a prior art data center connector (12). A second rear wall latch assembly (51) secures the two connectors within the transverse groove (11.1) with the opposing latch arms (40j.2) when each connector is secured within their respective adapter ports. Fig. 10 above describes the operation of removing the connector (10h) from its adapter port.

The foregoing detailed description has referred to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof. In the drawings, like numerals generally identify like components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated herein.

The present disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiments described in this application, which are intended as illustrations of various aspects. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Functionally equivalent methods and apparatuses within the scope of the present disclosure, in addition to those enumerated herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. Such modifications and variations are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. The present disclosure is to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. Various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for the sake of clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.). While the various compositions, methods, and devices are described as "comprising" various components or steps (interpreted to mean "including but not limited to"), the compositions, methods, and devices can also "consist essentially of" … … or "consist of" various components and steps, and such terms should be interpreted as substantially defining a closed member group. It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or "an" should be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. Furthermore, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Further, in those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B and C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B and C" would include but not be limited to systems having a alone a, B alone, C, A alone and B together, a and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B and C together, etc.). Where a convention analogous to "A, B or at least one of C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended that one skilled in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B or C" would include but not be limited to systems having a alone, B alone, C, A alone and B together, a and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase "a or B" will be understood to include the possibility of "a" or "B" or "a and B".

Various of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art, each of which is also intended to be encompassed by the disclosed embodiments.

Claims (17)

1. A wall-mounted optical connector, comprising:

an outer housing having a first end and a second end;

an externally mounted retaining clip secured around the second end of the outer housing,

the externally mounted retention clip further includes a pair of opposed openings formed as part of the opposed side walls; and wherein

Each opening receives a latch hook formed as part of the outer housing, the latch hook securing the outer retainer clip to the second end of the outer housing.

2. The rear wall optical connector of claim 1, wherein at least one ferrule assembly and a biasing spring are secured within the outer housing when the outer mounting retainer clip is secured to the outer housing.

3. The rear wall optical connector of claim 1, wherein the outer housing has an external adapter latch positioned on the outer housing perpendicular to the side wall and opposite the alignment tab.

4. The rear wall optical connector of claim 1, wherein the first end has at least one ferrule that protrudes through a corresponding opening at the proximal end of the outer housing.

5. The rear wall optical connector of claim 4, wherein the second end has a latch assembly for securing a data center connector or a rear wall connector.

6. The rear wall optical connector of claim 1, wherein opposing sidewalls of the outer housing are recessed to receive the external retaining clip.

7. An externally mounted retention clip for securing a ferrule assembly and a biasing spring within an outer housing, comprising:

a front portion having at least one opening to receive a distal end of the ferrule assembly;

a first sidewall and a second sidewall having an opening,

each opening is configured to receive a retainer latch hook;

the first and second side walls are opposite to each other and perpendicular to the front portion to form the exterior mounting clip; and wherein

The externally mounted retention clip is secured to the outer housing by opposed outer housing retainer latch hooks.

8. The externally mounted retention clip for securing a ferrule assembly and a biasing spring within an outer housing as in claim 7, wherein the outer housing has grooves in a first sidewall and a second sidewall to retain the externally mounted retention clip.

9. A wall-mounted optical connector, comprising:

an outer housing having a longitudinal bore configured to receive at least one ferrule;

the outer housing further comprising opposing top and bottom channels along a longitudinal axis;

a rear body having opposing external latches for releasing the wall-mounted optical connector from an adapter port,

when the external latch is fully inserted into the opposing channel toward the proximal end of the channel, the external latch is received in the top channel and the bottom channel, thereby forming the rear wall optical connector.

10. A wall rear connector as claimed in claim 9, wherein the rear body is secured to the distal end of the outer housing when the projections formed on the side walls of the rear body are received in the corresponding openings in the side walls of the outer housing.

11. A wall-mounted optical connector, comprising:

an outer housing having a first end and a second end;

a unitary backshell formed within the outer housing and configured to mate with a ferrule assembly, the ferrule assembly biased forwardly by a spring,

the outer shell further includes opposing flexible side tabs formed as part of the first and second shell side walls,

the opposing flexible side tabs secure a flange formed as part of the ferrule assembly, an

The flexible side tabs prevent the spring from displacing the ferrule assembly from within the outer housing.

12. The rear wall optical connector of claim 11, wherein the outer housing further comprises an external adapter latch for releasing the connector from an adapter port.

13. The wall-mounted optical connector of claim 11, wherein the ferrule assembly further comprises a ferrule, and the ferrule is an LC ferrule.

14. The rear wall optical connector of claim 11, wherein the outer housing further comprises an alignment opposite the external adapter latch to ensure that the rear wall connector is inserted into the adapter port in the correct polarity orientation.

15. A wall-mounted optical connector, comprising:

an inner front body having opposing openings at a second end configured to receive a ferrule assembly and a biasing spring;

the inner front body further includes opposing projections or openings configured to secure the outer housing about the spring-biased ferrule assembly; and

the outer housing has an external adapter latch for securing the rear wall optical connector within an adapter port.

16. The rear wall optical connector of claim 15, wherein the outer housing has an overall length of 7.5mm to about 15 mm.

17. The rear wall optical connector of claim 15, wherein the proximal end of the inner precursor further comprises a pair of opposing latch arms configured to secure an opposing second data center fiber optic connector, thereby forming an optical communication path.

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