JP2022531747A - Retaining assembly for fixing POF fibers in the connector - Google Patents

Abstract

An optical connector assembly having a connector housing with first and second ends. The first end receives a ferrule assembly and the second end receives a retention assembly. There is a longitudinal bore from the distal end to the proximal end of the connector. This hole receives the POF optical fiber at the distal end and the fiber is inserted proximally until it bottoms out at the proximal end of the ferrule. The retaining body receives one or more retaining caps, or the retaining body includes at least one set of retaining wings for securing the fiber to the connector. [Selection drawing] Fig. 25

Description

Cross-reference to related applications:
This application gives priority to US Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 716,119 filed on August 8, 2018 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-098045 filed on May 24, 2019. Allegedly, both patent applications are fully incorporated by reference.

The present disclosure relates generally to fiber optic connectors and systems, and in particular to fixing plastic fiber optic strands using retaining assemblies. The plastic strands are cut in the field and inserted into the SC, LC or MPO ferrule assembly.

The spread of the Internet has brought about unprecedented growth in telecommunications networks. Consumer demand for services and intensifying competition require network providers to continually find ways to improve quality of service while reducing costs.

Certain solutions include the deployment of high density interconnect panels. High-density interconnect panels can be designed to integrate the increasing amount of interconnect required to support a rapidly growing network into a compact form factor, which improves quality of service and floors. Costs such as space and support overhead are reduced. However, there is still room for improvement, especially in the area of data centers related to fiber optic connectivity. For example, connector and adapter manufacturers have always sought to reduce the size of their devices while increasing their ease of deployment, robustness, and post-deployment changeability. In particular, to provide backward compatibility with existing data center equipment, more optical connectors need to be accommodated in the same footprint that was previously used for a small number of connectors. For example, one of the current footprints is known as the Small Form Factor Pluggable (SFP) Transceiver Footprint. This footprint currently supports two LC types of ferrule optical connections. However, it may be desirable to accommodate four optical connections (two transmit / receive duplex connections) within the same footprint. Another current footprint is the Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable (QSFP) Transceiver Footprint. This footprint currently supports four LC type ferrule optical connections. However, it may be desirable to accommodate eight LC-type ferrule optical connections (four transmit / receive duplex connections) within the same footprint.

In communication networks such as data centers and switching networks, many interconnects between engaging connectors may be compacted in a high density panel. Producers of panels and connectors may optimize for such high densities by reducing the size of the connectors and / or the spacing between adjacent connectors on the panel. Both methods are effective in increasing the density of panel connectors, but reducing the size and spacing of connectors can increase support costs and reduce quality of service.

In high density panel configurations, adjacent connectors and cable assemblies may impede access to individual release mechanisms. Such physical obstacles can impede the operator's ability to minimize stress on cables and connectors. For example, these stresses can be applied when a user reaches a dense group of connectors and pushes on surrounding fiber optics or connectors to access individual connector release mechanisms with the thumb and index finger. Excessive stress on cables and connectors can lead to potential flaws, impaired termination integrity and reliability, and serious disruption to network performance.

The reliability of the communication infrastructure depends on the secure connection between components such as cable segments, network equipment, and communication devices. Such connections are constantly exposed to dust, dirt, moisture, and / or other contaminants that can penetrate the connections and degrade performance or break connections between components. ..

The fiber is typically glass. The glass has an outer jacket, inner strength or reinforcing fibers, and a coating. These parts are removed and replaced. The glass fiber is cut, inserted into the ferrule assembly and polished. The glass fiber is polished at the proximal end of the connector. The ferrule assembly is inserted into and secured to the connector housing. The distal end of the fiber cable is secured with a crimp ring and crimp boots.

As the size of the connector decreases, an easy and efficient way to remove the connector from the receptacle is needed. The receptacle can be located in the adapter or transceiver housing.

The present invention reduces on-site installation time when inserting and clamping POF fibers with or without a cable jacket into the connector housing. No measurement is made of the amount of glass fiber exposed during insertion into the ferrule or the amount of outer cable jacket required prior to crimping. This saves a lot of time.

The connector assembly includes one or more fixing members formed as part of the holding body and holding cap. The holding body is secured to the connector housing of the connector assembly. The retaining cap or connector housing separately or both urges one or more fixing members to secure the strength members of the POF fiber and jacket to form the connector assembly. The fixing member is formed from at least a pair of opposing flexible wings, which are closed and urged around a POF fiber or cable. The POF optical fiber is pre-inserted into the hole through the centerline of the connector assembly. The connector assembly includes a connector housing, a ferrule within it, a holding body, a POF fiber or cable, a holding cap, and a latch. The holding body is fixed to the distal end of the connector housing, the distal end opposite the ferrule end of the connector housing. The ferrule end of the connector housing is called the proximal end.

During use, the polymer fiber optic cable jacket is stripped back into the fiber optics, exposing the strength member. The optical fiber is inserted into the hole through the holding cap and through the hole in the holding body that connects to the channel or hole in the connector housing. The ferrule accepts a polymer optical fiber (“POF”) in the pores of the ferrule. The ferrule assembly comprises a ferrule and the POF is inserted into the connector housing, typically at its distal end. Once the ferrule assembly is secured within the connector housing, the retaining body is inserted and secured at the distal end of the connector housing. The retaining cap is inserted at the distal end of the retaining body. In one embodiment, a fixing member with a pair of wings is inserted into the distal end of the connector housing to allow the fiber optics, strength members, or cable jackets individually or in combination with fiber optics, cable jackets, and strength members. Clamp. The second fixing member on the opposite side of the first fixing member can clamp each of the above components individually or together. The first fixing member is clamped by the corresponding structure at the distal end of the connector housing and the second fixing member is urged to be closed or clamped by the holding cap. Facing fixing members are formed at both ends of the holding body.

The fixing member or wing may include an optical fiber, a cable jacket or an optical fiber with a jacket, and any combination of the above components into a hole along the longitudinal axis of the connector in the proximal end of the ferrule. It is chamfered or has a radius to guide. The radii or chamfers face each other or face each other, and the chamfers are formed as part of the wing.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connector of the present invention using a screw cap holding assembly.

FIG. 2 is FIG. 1 with the holding cap removed.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA'of FIG. 2 with the holding cap attached.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the holding cap of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the holding wing compressed in the “C” direction when the holding cap is inserted.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the connector assembly of FIG. 1 attached to the receptacle.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the connector assembly of FIG. 1 attached to a standard transceiver.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the holding assembly according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing FIG. 8 in a state where the holding cap is removed from the holding body.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the holding body of FIG.

11 is an end view of the holding cap of FIG. 9. FIG.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB'of FIG.

FIG. 13 is a top view of a third embodiment of the holding assembly.

FIG. 14 is a side view of the holding body of FIG.

FIG. 15 is a top view of a fourth embodiment of the holding assembly.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a holding cap used to secure a POF or polymer optical fiber to the connector of FIG.

FIG. 17 is an exploded view of a fifth embodiment of the holding assembly.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the assembled connector of FIG.

FIG. 19 is an exploded view of a sixth embodiment of the holding assembly.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the assembled connector of FIG.

FIG. 21 is an exploded view of a seventh embodiment of the holding assembly.

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of the assembled connector of FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is an exploded view of an eighth embodiment of the holding assembly.

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of the assembled connector of FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is an exploded view of the POF cable and connector assembly.

FIG. 26 is a conventional connector.

FIG. 27 is a conceptual diagram of the present invention.

The following terms shall have the respective meanings described below for the purposes of this application.

A connector is a device that completes a communication path from a fiber bundle that transmits an optical signal to another connector or transceiver electronics. Electronic devices convert optical signals into digital signals. The connector is inserted and secured at any end of the adapter. The connector may be, for example, a ferrule connector (FC), a fiber distributed data interface (FDDI) connector, an LC connector, a mechanical transfer (MT) connector, a standard connector (SC) connector, an SC double connector, or a straight chip (ST) connector. be. The connector may generally be defined by a connector housing body, an external latch or recess for fixing the connector to the adapter opening, and one or more ferrules having optical fiber inside. In some embodiments, the housing body may incorporate any or all of the components described herein.

A receptacle is an adapter with an internal structure that secures the proximal or ferrule end of a connector within a port or opening. The adapter, by way of example, allows the first and second connectors to connect or face each other to transmit an optical signal from one part of the cable assembly to another. The receptacle can be a transceiver with an opening for accepting the connector.

"Optical fiber cable" or "optical cable" refers to a cable that includes one or more optical fibers for conducting an optical signal in an optical beam. The optical fiber can be made of a suitable transparent material such as glass, glass fiber, polymer optical fiber, or plastic. The cable can include a jacket or sheath material that surrounds the optical fiber. Between the outer sheath and the optical fiber are strands of strength or tension members. In addition, the cable can be connected to connectors at one end or both ends of the cable.

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of an optical connector 100 comprising a holding assembly, a connector housing 03a, a latch 01, and a ferrule 02. The holding assembly consists of a holding cap 10 with holding screws 20 and a hole 04 for receiving a POF optical fiber 06b or a plastic fiber strand capable of transmitting light. As mentioned above, light has various frequencies that represent information.

FIG. 2 shows a retaining body 12 secured within a connector housing 03a, comprising a retaining screw 20 and one or more retaining wings 16 at the distal end of the connector assembly of FIG. The longitudinal axis of the connector assembly or the POF Fiber Channel 04 is along line AA'. The proximal end of the connector housing 03a is closer to the ferrule 02 and the distal end is closer to the incoming fiber or wing 16.

FIG. 3 shows a cross section of FIG. 1 along line AA'. The POF Fiber Channel 04 is a longitudinal hole 24 (FIG. 4) or a POF Fiber Channel 04 that extends from the distal end (D) to the proximal end (P) of the connector assembly 03. Polymer fiber optics (POFs) with jackets 06a or fiber optic cables with jackets 06 typically have holes until the bottom exits from the distal end or is fully inserted through the proximal end of the ferrule 02. It is inserted into 24. The retaining cap 18 is inserted over the distal end of the connector and engages the retaining screw 20 clockwise or counterclockwise. As the cap rotates, the retaining wing 16 is pushed down in the circumferential direction, clamping around the POF cable 06 and fixing the POF cable 06 as part of the connector assembly 03. In a more common method, the cable is crimped on a crimp ring that has teeth that bite into the outer cable jacket.

The jacketed POF cable 06 has a jacket 06a and an optical fiber 06b. There are a plurality of strength members 06c between the jacket 06a and the optical fiber 06b. The strength member 06c is fixed between the holding cap 18 and the holding screw 20 and helps prevent the optical fiber 06b from coming off the ferrule 02 when stress is applied to the POF cable 06. Although the strength member 06c is made of aramid fiber or polyester fiber, a small gauge wire may be used. The jacket 06a protects the strength member 06c and the optical fiber 06b. The jacket 06a may be made of a resin such as polyvinyl chloride. The optical fiber 06b has a high refractive index that forms a transmission path for optical signals that carry data. The jacket 06a and the strength member 06c form a coating around the fiber. The coating has a low index of refraction that reflects the optical signal back into the fiber, thereby reducing data loss. The optical fiber 06b may be made of a resin material such as polymethylmethacrylate.

FIG. 4 shows a holding cap 18 and an opening leading to the hole 24. The openings are chamfered inward 24a to help guide the POF fibers into the holes 24, and the openings are sized to ensure that the POF fibers can be inserted without clogging. The outer groove 22 assists the user in attaching the cap to the holding body 12 at the distal end.

FIG. 5 shows a method of fixing a POF optical fiber using a holding cap 18, which is rotated onto a holding screw 12 of a holding body 20. As the cap 18 rotates in the direction of the arrow "R", the retaining wing 16 is compressed inward on a POF optical fiber (not shown) inserted into the hole along the line OO'. The compressive force applied to each holding wing 16 is determined by the draft angle and rotation speed of the screw. The gap "G" is formed between the holding wings 16. The wing 16 is also called a clamp piece. The wing 16 has a tapered surface 16b or radius that leads the POF or jacket POF to the holes 24 forming the POF channel 04. The wing 16 has a peripheral surface 16a or a frustum conical chamfer that guides the holding cap 18 onto the wing 16, which clamps or secures the POF or jacketed POF to the distal end of the connector assembly 03. do. The optical fiber 06b or the jacketed POF cable 06 is inserted along the line OO'.

FIG. 6 shows a pair of connector assemblies 03 in which a threaded holding cap 18 is placed and inserted into the receptacle 05. The jacketed POF cable 06 has been shown to be fully inserted and secured between the retaining wings (as described in FIG. 5). The connector housing 03a secures the holding body 12 to the distal end of the housing, and the cap 18 secures the jacketed POF cable 06 within the connector assembly 03.

With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, field installable operations using embodiments of the present invention are described. In S1 in FIG. 5, the jacketed POF cable 06 is inserted along the hole 24 at the distal end of the holding cap 18. As shown in FIG. 3, after the cable jacket 06b is peeled off and the strength member 06c is pulled, the optical fiber 06b is fixed in the ferrule 02 via the POF Fiber Channel 04. The ferrule 02 is fixed to the proximal end of the connector housing 03a by a ferrule assembly 2a (FIG. 3). The connector housing latch 03b fixes the holding body 12 to the distal end of the connector housing 03a. Continuing with reference to FIG. 5, in S1, the holding cap 18 is inserted onto the wing 16 along the tapered surface 16b, which guides the holding cap onto the holding body 12 at the distal end. , S2, is screwed into the screw 20. With reference to FIG. 6 continuously, in S3, the holding cap 18 is completely fixed by being completely screwed into the holding screw 12 formed as a part of the holding body 20. In S4, the connector assembly 03 is inserted into the port of the receptacle 05 and the latch 01 secures the connector to the receptacle 05.

FIG. 7 shows a connector assembly 03 in which the holding assembly is fully inserted into a standard SFP transceiver receptacle 08. FIG. 8 shows a second embodiment of the connector assembly 03 in which the wing 16 is compressed using the slide holding cap 10 and the POF jacketed cable 06 is secured in the connector housing 03a. The longitudinal axis of the connector assembly is along line BB'. The connector release housing 07 is fixed to the distal end of the connector housing 03a. The Thumb release 07a pushes down on the latch 01, allowing the connector assembly 03 to be released from the receptacle port formed as part of the adapter or transceiver housing.

FIG. 9 shows a partially exploded view of the connector assembly 03 of FIG. The holding body 12 has a pair of opposing wedge-shaped protrusions 12a that receive and lock the slider holding cap 18. The ridges 12a are received in the corresponding slots 18a formed as part of the cap 18. The wing 16 is formed at the distal end of the holding body 12. Only the POF jacketed cable 06 or the unjacketed optical fiber 06b, i.e. the polymer optical fiber or POF, is received on the POF Fiber Channel 04. When the cap 18 slides over the wing 16 in the direction of the arrow "I", the wing 16 is compressed as shown in FIG. 5, and the cap 18 is held by the holding body 12 via the protrusion 12a fitted in the slot 12a. Held on.

FIG. 10 shows a holding body 12 for deploying a slide lock. The retaining cap 18 engages with an inclined circumferential or frustum conical chamfer 16a, which engages the cap 18 with its internal slot 18a or wedge-shaped fixed protrusion 12a (FIG. 9). Direction. Continue pushing the retaining cap 18 towards the proximal end of the connector to apply a compressive force "C" to the retaining wing to secure the already fully inserted POF fiber through longitudinal POF Fiber Channel 04. The holding cap 18 is completely inserted into the POF cable 06 by pushing down the wing 16 when the chamfered surface 18b of the cap 18 is seated on the receiving surface 12c of the holding body 12. With reference to FIG. 10, the retaining cap slot 18a (FIG. 11) accepts a wedge-shaped fixed protrusion 12a with a rounded 12b to guide it to the slot 18a. The holding body 12 includes ribs 12d. The rib 12d receives the latch 03b (FIG. 3) and fixes the holding body 12 in the connector housing 03a.

FIG. 11 shows an end view of the holding cap 18. The slot 18a receives the wedge-shaped protrusion 12a. The holes in the cap 18 are tapered 18b to guide the holding cap 18 onto the holding wing 16. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 9 (assembled) along the BB'line. As shown, the wing 16 is compressed to clamp the POF cable 06. As shown in callout 26, the wedge-shaped convex portion 12a is fixed in the slot 18a. The cable 06 is inserted along the POF channel 04 in a state where the POF optical fiber 06b is fixed to the proximal end of the ferrule 02 in advance. The bias spring 09 holds the orientation of the connector assembly 03 component after assembly.

Referring to FIG. 13, a third embodiment discloses an inclined holding wing that bends forward or backward under the influence of POF cable 06 or optical fiber 06b. When the POF is inserted into the opening, at the distal end of the holding body 12, the wing 17 moves or deflects towards the proximal end of the connector under the insertion "I" force of the POF fiber. The distance between the sloping wings 17 and the distance across the sloping wing determines the insertion force required to deflect the sloping wing 17 facing proximally. The user may attempt to disconnect the connector distally using POF fiber. The tilted wing 17 is deflected distally, but movement is restricted due to the proximal tilt. The proximal surface of each retaining wing is coupled to the POF cable or optical fiber to prevent the POF cable from being pulled out of the connector assembly. The thickness and durometer or hardness of the beveled wing 17 may allow a single wing pair to secure the POF cable fiber within the connector. FIG. 14 shows a side view of the inclined wing 17 in the holding body 12. The POF is inserted along the POF channel 04.

FIG. 15 shows a fourth embodiment of a retaining assembly for fixing a POF fiber optic to a fiber optic connector without the use of crimp boots and rings. In order to secure the POF fiber cable using crimp boots and rings, the cable requires an outer jacket and an inner strength fiber. This increases the cost of the fiber cable itself, and since the user must (1) select a connector and determine the amount of outer coating to strip the fiber, inserting an uncoated fiber is not. In contrast, it substantially increases field installation time. Also, (2) the user needs to insert the fiber into the ferrule and make sure it is bottomed out, otherwise it will have to be removed and peeled off again according to (1) for more time. It takes. Further, the user needs to insert (3) a crimp ring and crimp the boot. In contrast, when the POF fiber is fully inserted and bottomed out, a retaining cap is attached and the fiber is secured within the connector.

Referring to FIG. 15, POF Fiber Channel 04 has opposed wings 16 at its distal end as part of a holding body. Referring to FIG. 16, the holding cap 18 has a plurality of legs 18d with a latching surface 18c that engages and secures the wing 16 through an opening in the latching surface 18c. The legs apply a compressive force that deflects the wings 16 around the POF fibers, which secures the fibers within the channel 04.

FIG. 17 shows a fifth embodiment of the holding body 12. The screw holding cap 18 receives a holding body 12 with a pair of opposing wings 16 forming a gap "G". The connector assembly 03 is assembled in the direction of the arrow "A". FIG. 18 shows a cross section of the assembled connector of FIG. Upon assembly, the fiber jacket 06a is clamped or secured between the retaining wings 16 as shown in the callout box 26. The strength member 06c is secured between the holding screws 20 by fixing the holding cap 18 to the screws 20, as shown in the callout box 28.

19 and 20 show a sixth embodiment of the holding body 12. The POF Fiber Channel 04 is sized to just accept the optical fiber 06b. Opposing wings 16 form a smaller gap "G" in FIG. 17 to receive the optical fiber 06b. The back post 14 is threaded and has a pair of opposed notches 14a that receive the wedge-shaped protrusions 12a. The fitting of the notch 14a and the protrusion 12a in the direction of the arrow "A" orients the holding body 12 so as not to stress the optical fiber 06b when the holding cap 18 is screwed into the back post 14. In addition, the rotation of the holding body is suppressed. Circumferential ribs 12d are formed around the holding body 12. When the holding cap 18 is screwed into or slides into the distal end of the holding body 12, the rib 12d is embedded in the optical cable jacket 06a.

FIG. 20 shows that the sixth embodiment secures the POF jacketed cable 06 at three points. The strength member 06c is secured between the threaded back post 14 and the threaded holding cap 18 as shown in the callout box 28. The optical fiber 06b is secured between the wings 16 as the retaining cap 18 compresses the wings 16 as shown in FIG. 5, as shown in the callout 26. The holding cap 18 has an inner tapered surface 18e corresponding to the outer tapered surface 16b of the wing 16 and wing a circumferential rib 12d that becomes embedded in the cable jacket 06a when the holding cap 18 is screwed into the back post 14. Separated in the circumferential direction around. This can prevent the jacket from being pulled out from the distal end of the connector.

FIG. 21 shows an exploded view of a sixth embodiment of the connector assembly 03 using the holding body 12. The holding body 12 is secured between the two halves of the split backpost 32 forming the backpost 14. Each semi-body portion further comprises a body portion (32a, 32b), a screw portion 20, a pin 32c, a pin recess 32d, and a notch 14a for receiving the protrusion 12a. In step A1, the proximal end "P" of the holding body 12 is partially positioned with the distal end of the half part to assemble the two half parts. Next, when the pin 32c is received in the corresponding recess of the first half body portion 32b, the two half bodies are fixed together in the direction of A2. By fixing the two halves together, the holding body 12 is fixed as part of the back post 14. The ridges 12a are received by the notches 14a, which particularly allow the holding body 12 to rotate during assembly when the holding cap 18 is screwed into the holding screw 20 to secure the POF cable 06 to the connector assembly 03. Deter. Fixing the POF cable 06 using the holding body 12 is described in FIGS. 17 and 18. As shown in FIG. 22, the two semi-body portions (32a, 32b) clamp or secure the optical fiber 06b.

FIG. 22 shows a cross section of FIG. 21. Fiber optics 06b are clamped between the two semi-body portions (32a, 32b) and are shown in Callout 26. This helps to fix the POF optical fiber directly near the ferrule 02 and reduce the insertion loss due to the movement of the optical fiber 06b within the ferrule 02. The second clamp is applied to the strength member 06c between the inner screw of the holding cap 18 and the holding screw 20 of the holding body 12, as formed and described in FIG. This second clamp is shown in callout 28. The clamp strength member 06c with the threaded portions of the retaining cap 18 and the backpost 14 retaining screw 20 helps to provide the POF cable 06 with the maximum tensile force rate. The final clamp, as described in FIG. 20, is a holding cap 18 that clamps the POF cable jacket 06a with wings 16 and is depicted in the callout 30.

FIG. 23 shows an exploded view of the last embodiment of the holding body 12 having a clamp or fixing structure at the first and second ends of the holding body 12. This embodiment is similar to that described in FIGS. 21 and 22 above, except that the holding body 12 is a single body that is not formed from two separate body portions. The single body reduces assembly time and improves the stability of the connector assembly. With reference to FIG. 23, the holding body 12 further comprises a circumferential rib 12d that is secured within the distal end of the connector housing 03a by the slot 03c. The circumferential rib 12d and the slot 03c fix the holding body 12 in the connector housing 03a. Similarly, the rib 12d receives the latch 3b. As described above, in order to prevent rotation of the main body 12 when fixing with the holding cap 18, the convex portion 12e is attached to the internal slot 03c formed near the proximal end of the internal housing of the connector housing 03a. Once the retaining body 12 is secured within the connector housing 03a, the retaining cap 18 is screwed into the backbody or backpost 14 retaining screw 20 forming the connector assembly, as shown in FIG. The holding body 12 further comprises two sets of fixing or clamping wings (16f, 16r). The first set (16f) is at the proximal end of the holding body. The second set (16r) is at the distal end of the holding body.

FIG. 24 shows the final assembly of the connector assembly 03. The callout 26 shows a forward (f) wing (16f) that clamps the POF optical fiber 06b. This is a direct clamp of the optical fiber without the strength member 06c or the outer jacket 06a. In the callout 30, the rear (r) wing (16r) that clamps the POF cable 06 is embedded in the outer jacket 06a together with the circumferential rib 12d (as described in FIG. 20) to increase the tensile strength of the POF cable 06. Increased, thereby reducing the failure of the connector assembly 03 due to the POF cable 06 being pulled out of the connector. The callout 34 shows a wing (16r) clamped around the optical fiber 06b. Callout 26 shows a forward wing (16f) that clamps fiber optics 06b to reduce insertion loss by helping to reduce fiber optic movement within ferrule 02 under cable stress in use. ing. The callout 28 shows a strength member 06c fixed between the inner screw of the holding cap and the outer screw 20 of the holding body 12.

FIG. 25 shows an exploded view of the connector assembly of FIG. 23, in which the strength member 06c and the POF cable 06 are cut open to fit the distal end of the holding body 12. To assemble, the user slices the outer cable jacket 06a, exposes the strength member 06c, and inserts the optical fiber 06b through the holding body 12 beyond the first or front clamp wing 16f. Sufficient fiber 06b is exposed and inserted into the ferrule 02 until it exits the ferrule, after which the optical fiber 06b can be cut in the field in the same plane as the tip.

FIG. 26 shows a prior art connector assembly with a total length of 46 units and a retaining cap 18. FIG. 27 shows that the total length is shortened to 37 units by arranging the holding main body 12 in the connector housing 03a. The connector assembly 03 is assembled in the direction of the arrow.

Claims (20)

It is an optical fiber connector
It comprises a connector housing configured to receive a backpost at the distal end and a ferrule configured to receive fiber optics, said ferrule being located at the proximal end of the connector housing;
The backpost further comprises a pair of opposing wings on one of the proximal and distal ends.
The at least one pair of opposing wings are urged together during assembly of the fiber optic connector;
At least one pair of the urged opposing wings secures a fiber optic cable containing at least one fiber optic to the fiber optic connector.
Fiber optic connector. The optical fiber connector according to claim 1, wherein the ferrule is a single fiber ferrule configured to accept an optical fiber. The optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein a holding nut is fixed to the distal end of the connector housing, and the holding nut holds and urges the at least one pair of opposing wings around the optical fiber. connector. The optical fiber connector according to claim 1, wherein the connector housing substantially urges one of a pair of opposing wings around the optical fiber. The optical fiber connector according to claim 4, wherein the holding nut urges a pair of facing wings around an optical fiber cable jacket arranged around the optical fiber. The optical fiber connector according to claim 1, wherein the optical fiber cable further includes at least one strength member. The optical fiber connector according to claim 6, wherein the at least one strength member is a synthetic fiber such as an aramid fiber. The optical fiber connector according to claim 6, wherein the at least one strength member is a high-strength material such as stranded steel.
The optical fiber connector according to claim 7, wherein the at least one strength member is fixed between the holding nut and the distal end of the connector housing. The optical fiber connector according to claim 8, wherein the at least one strength member is fixed by at least one of the pair of urged and opposed wings. The fiber optic connector of claim 9, wherein the fiber optic cable further comprises an outer jacket, the outer jacket being secured to the strength member by a pair of opposing wings. The optical fiber connector according to claim 9, wherein the optical fiber is a polymer optical fiber fixed between the pair of opposing wings. Equipped with a body with longitudinal holes,
The body has a pair of opposing wings on one of its proximal and distal ends.
The body is configured to be secured to the connector housing.
At least one of the opposing pairs of wings urges and secures the optical fiber to the connector housing.
Back post. 13. The back post of claim 13, wherein the optical fiber further comprises an outer jacket. The back post according to claim 14, wherein the optical fiber further includes a strength member between the optical fiber and the outer jacket. The body further comprises a threaded portion that is configured to receive a retaining nut for forming an optical fiber connector from a housing, a backpost, and a ferrule having at least one optical fiber inside. The back post according to claim 13. The body further comprises a recess in the connector housing to form an optical fiber connector from a ferrule that receives the recess and has a housing, a backpost, and at least one optical fiber inside. 13. The backpost according to claim 13, which is secured by a corresponding portion configured to secure the. The main body is
Further provided with a latch at the proximal end, the latch secures the back post with a corresponding recess in the connector housing.
A threaded portion is further provided at the distal end of the body so that the threaded portion accepts a holding nut for forming an optical fiber connector from a housing, a backpost, and a ferrule having at least one optical fiber inside. It is configured,
The back post according to claim 13. It is an optical fiber connector
A connector housing comprising a connector housing configured to accommodate a backpost at the distal end of the connector housing and a ferrule having at least one optical fiber at the proximal end of the connector housing.
The backpost further comprises a pair of opposing wings on one of the proximal and distal ends of the backpost;
The at least one pair of opposing wings are urged together during assembly of the fiber optic connector.
Fiber optic connector. 19. The optical fiber connector of claim 19, wherein the opposing wing at the proximal end is urged by the connector housing and the opposing wing at the distal end is urged by a retaining nut.

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