WO2022081547A1

WO2022081547A1 - Multi-fiber connector system

Info

Publication number: WO2022081547A1
Application number: PCT/US2021/054531
Authority: WO
Inventors: Danny Willy August Verheyden
Original assignee: Commscope Technologies Llc
Priority date: 2020-10-13
Filing date: 2021-10-12
Publication date: 2022-04-21

Abstract

A connection system for high fiber count fiber optic cables having connectors with multiple fiber holders. The system includes a connector coupling device that aligns the fiber holders to provide optical coupling of fibers.

Description

MULTI-FIBER CONNECTOR SYSTEM

Cross-Reference to Related Application

This application is being filed on October 12, 2021 as a PCT International Patent Application and claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 63/090,827, filed on October 13, 2020, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Background

Fiber optic communication systems are becoming prevalent in part because service providers want to deliver high bandwidth communication capabilities (e.g., data and voice) to customers. Fiber optic communication systems employ a network of fiber optic cables to transmit large volumes of data and voice signals over relatively long distances. Optical fiber connectors are an important part of most fiber optic communication systems. Fiber optic connectors allow two or more optical fibers to be quickly optically connected without requiring a splice.

Fiber optic connectors can be used to optically interconnect two lengths of optical fiber. Fiber optic connectors can also be used to interconnect lengths of optical fiber to passive and active equipment. Solutions exist for connecting single optical fiber cables as well as multiple-fiber cables. Optical fibers of the fiber optic network cable may be connectorized so the connectorized ends can be plugged into fiber optic adapters or other connectors. Fiber optic adapters may include alignment sleeves and are installed as needed to allow two connectorized ends to be attached to each other.

A typical fiber optic connector includes a ferrule assembly supported at a distal end of a connector housing. A spring is used to bias the ferrule assembly in a distal direction relative to the connector housing. The ferrule supports an end portion of at least one optical fiber (in the case of a multi-fiber ferrule, the ends of multiple fibers are supported). The ferrule has a distal end face at which a polished end of the optical fiber is located. When two fiber optic connectors are interconnected, the distal end faces of the ferrules abut one another and the ferrules are forced proximally relative to their respective connector housings against the bias of their respective springs. With the fiber optic connectors connected, their respective optical fibers are coaxially aligned such that the end faces of the optical fibers directly oppose one another. In this way, an optical signal can be transmitted from optical fiber to optical fiber through the aligned end faces of the optical fibers. For many fiber optic connector styles (LC, SC, MPO), alignment between two fiber optic connectors is provided through the use of an intermediate fiber optic adapter.

As bandwidth demands continue to increase, fiber counts in fiber optic cables have increased considerably. Fiber counts in a single cable now routinely number in the thousands, with some cables having over 7000 individual optical fibers. For high fiber count cables, fusion splicing is typically used to make connections with these types of cables.

Summary

The present invention relates to a multi-fiber connection system. In particular, the present invention relates to a fiber optic connection system having a plurality of fiber holders that can move independently of each other, wherein the fiber holders have mechanical alignment features that help ensure low-loss optical connections between fibers. The connection system defines first and second dimensions that are perpendicular to one another.

The connection system includes first and second fiber optic connectors that each have a front end and a rear end. The rear ends of the first and second fiber optic connectors are adapted to connect, to fiber optic cables. The first and second fiber optic connectors each include a plurality of fiber holders, each of which holds a separate grouping of optical fibers. The groupings of optical fibers can be in a hori zontal row or any other suitable configuration. The fiber holders have interface ends at the front ends of the connectors at which end faces of the optical fibers are accessible. Each grouping of optical fibers also has a length that extends along the first dimension of the connection system. The fiber holders are positioned apart from one other by spacings that extend m the second dimension of the connection system.

The connection system also includes a connector coupling device for mechanically coupling the first and second fiber optic connectors together with the end faces of the optical fibers of the first fiber optic connector aligned with tire end faces of the optical fibers of the second fiber optic connector. The connector coupling device has an interior cavity for respectively receiving the first and second fiber optic connectors. The connector coupling device also includes a plurality of fiber holder receptacles disposed in the interior cavity. The fiber holder receptacles are spaced apart from one another along the second dimension by the spacings.

When the first and second connectors are respectively inserted into the interior cavity, the fiber holders are received within the fiber holder receptacles and each fiber holder of the first fiber optic connector is mated with a corresponding one of the fiber holders of the second fiber optic connector to provide a plurality of mated pairs of fiber holders. Each mated pair of fiber holders includes one of the fiber holders of the first fiber optic connector aligned with one of the fiber holders of the second fiber optic connector such that the groupings of fibers of the fiber holders are optically coupled together.

Hie fiber holders of each mated pair of fiber holders are mechanically aligned within the connector coupling device by separate mechanical alignment interfaces corresponding to each of the mated pairs of fiber holders such that each mated pair ot fiber holders is aligned independently of the others of the mated pairs of fiber holders.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a multi-fiber connector system in accordance with the invention, showing two multi-fiber optic cables connected to each other by a connector coupling device:

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one of the multi-fiber optic cables of FIG. 1, showing an exposed end of the connector terminating the cable;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the multi -fiber optic cable of FIG. 2, showing detail of the end of the connector;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the multi-fiber optic cable of FIG. 2, showi ng a dust cap covering the end of the connector;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the connector coupling device of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the connector coupling device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 A is an exploded view of the connector coupling device of FIG.1;

FIG. 7B is another exploded view of the connector coupling device of

FIG. l

FIG. 8 is a top view of the connector coupling device of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 9 is a section view of the connector coupling device of FIG. 1, taken generally along the line 9-9 in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a section view of the multi-fiber connection system of FIG, 1, taken generally along the line 10-10 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a detail view' of the section view of the multi -fiber connection system of FIG. 10; FIG. 12 is another perspective view of the multi-fiber connection system of FIG. 1 , showing the connection system in greater detail;

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the multi -fiber connection system of FIG. 1, showing the alignment of male connectors with the connector coupling device;

FIG. 14 is side view of the multi-fiber connection system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a fiber holder in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 16 is a top view of the fiber holder of FIG. 1 1 ;

FIG. 17 is a front view of the fiber holder of FIG. 11;

FIG. 18 is a side view of the multi-fiber connection system of FIG . 1 ;

FIG. 18A is a section view of the multi -fiber connection system of FIG. 1, taken generally along the line A-A in FIG. 18;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a multi-fiber connection system in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 20 is an exploded view of the multi-fiber connection system of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a section view the multi-fiber connection system of FIG. 19, taken generally along the line 21-21 in FIG, 19 showing keying features of the fiber holder of FIG. 19;

FIG. 22 is another section view' of the fiber holder of the multi-fiber connection system of FIG. 19, taken generally along the line 22-22 in FIG. 19 showing keying features of the fiber holder of FIG. 19;

FIG. 22A is a detail view of the perspective section view' of FIG. 22; FIG. 23 is another section view ot the multi-nber connection system of FIG. 19, taken generally along the line 23-23 in FIG. 19, showing keying features of the fiber holder of FIG. 19;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the fiber holder of the multi-fiber connection system of FIG. 19;

FIG. 25 is a detail perspective view of the multi-fiber connection system of FIG. 19, showing one cable attached to a connector coupling device;

FIG. 26 is another detail perspective view of the multi-fiber connection system of FIG. 19, showing a connector attached to an optional dust cap;

FIG. 27 is another detail perspective view of the multi-fiber connection system of FIG. 19, showing a connector attached to the optional dust cap;

FIG. 28 is an exploded perspective view of the multi-fiber connection system of FIG. 1, showing the interior components of the connector;

FIG. 29 is a rear detail view of the multi-fiber connection system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 30 is a. section view of the multi-fiber connection system of FIG. 1, taken generally along the line B-B in FIG. 29; and

FIG. 31 is another perspective view of the multi-fiber connection system of FIG. 19, showing a connector attached to an optional dust cap that includes an eye to allow the dust cap to be used to pull the cable.

Detailed Description

Referring now to the figures, the present invention relates to a fiber optic connection system 10 for connecting high fiber count fiber optic cables. The system 10 includes high fiber count fiber optic cables 12 terminated by male connectors 14 that may be connected to each other by a connector coupling device 16. Male connector 14 and connector coupling device 16 provide a plurality of fiber holders 18 and holder receptacles 26, respectively, which provide independent alignment of each of the fiber holders m relation to connector body 15 and in relation to the rest of the fiber holders in the connector. Coupling two male connectors 14 with connector coupling device 16 causes the plurality of fiber holders 18 on both male connectors to align. Separating the individual optical fibers 20 into a plurality of fiber holders 18 that can move independently of each other results in a low-loss, consistent optical connection for the individual optical fibers 20.

Turning now to FIG. 1, one embodiment of the fiber optic communication system 10 is shown. In the embodiment shown, two male connectors 14 are connected to each other by connector coupling device 16. In other examples, tire connection system can include mating male and female connectors.

FIGS. 2-4 show male connector 14 in greater detail. As shown, the male connector 14 has a small form -factor configuration including a connector body 15 and a plurality of fiber holders 18. Connector body 15 includes a front end 17 and a rear end 19. Each of fiber holders 18 holds a plurality of individual optical fibers 20, with each optical fiber having an end face 25 exposed at a front end (e.g,, an interface end) of each fiber holder 18. The fiber holders 18 are mounted in the connector body 15 such that the end faces 25 of the optical fibers are accessible at the front end 17 of the connector body 15. Each fiber holder 18 is retained in male connector 14 by structures such as mechanical stops which in preferred examples are configured to allow the fiber holders 18 to be capable of independently sliding longitudinally (e.g., in a forward-to rearward orientation along dimension C in FIG. 2) relative to one another and relative to the connector body 15. In certain examples, portions of the fiber holders 18 are captured between die stops such tiiat the connector holders are retained within the connector body 15. As depicted at FIG. 1, the cables 12 are attached to the rear ends 19 of the connector bodies 15. It will be appreciated that the connector bodies 15 can each inchide one or more pieces (e.g., front and rear pieces in certain examples) that are coupled together. The cables 12 can include structures such as jackets and reinforcing elements (e.g., reinforcing rods or string-like reinforcing material such as Aramid yarn) that are secured to the rear ends 19 of the connector bodies 15 by conventional techniques such as mechanical crimps, shape-memory sleeves and/or adhesive.

In certain examples, rows of optical fibers 20 are supported by the fiber holders 18, which are mounted in the connector body 15 in a manner that allows for relative movement between the fiber holders 18 within the connector body 15 in a first dimension (e.g., dimension A in FIG. 3), a second dimension (e.g., dimension B in FIG. 3), and a third dimension (e.g., dimension C in FIG. 2), For example, relative movement, of the fiber holders 18 along the different dimensions may be provided by sliding or flexing of the fiber holders relative to one another and relative to the connector body 15. The first, second and third dimensions A, B and C are perpendicular with respect to one another. As depicted, dimension C is a longitudinal dimension, the dimension B is a lateraL'horizontal dimension, and the dimension A is an upright/vertical dimension.

As described in detail below, alignment features on fiber holders 18 and connector coupling device 16 cooperate to align optical fibers 20 when two male connectors 14 are coupled to each other using connector coupling device 16. Fiber holders 18 of the coupled connectors 14 are paired within the coupling device 16 and each pair of fiber holders 18 is individually aligned within the coupling device 16 by alignment structure corresponding specifically to each individual pair. In certain examples, the alignment structure can provide alignment along two perpendicular axes (e.g., along the first and second dimensions A, B). In certain examples, the alignment structures can be incorporated as part of the coupling device 16, and/or as part of the fiber holders 18.

Turning now to FIGS. 5-13, connector coupling device 16 is shown in greater detail. Connector coupling device 16 allows two cables 12 terminated with male connectors 14 to be coupled to each other. As shown, connector coupling device 16 includes a body 22 defining an interior cavity 24. The body 22 includes opposite top and bottom parts 90, 92 and first and second ends 80, 82 respectively defining opposite first and second connector ports 84, 86 adapted for receiving the male connectors 14 from opposite directions. Within the interior cavity 24, the body 22 includes a plurality of holder receptacles 26 (see FIG. 9) positioned at a mid-region between the opposite ends 80, 82 and vertically spaced apart along dimension A, a distance to correspond to spacings 23. The holder receptacles 26 include first holder-receiving ends 87 that face toward the first connector port 84 and opposite second holder-receiving ends 88 that face toward the second connector port 86. The holder receptacles 26 are adapted to receive the front ends of the fiber holders 18 of the fiber optic connector 14 inserted in the first port 84 through the first holder-receiving ends 87, and are adapted to receive the front ends of the fiber holders 18 of the fiber optic connector 14 inserted in the second port 86 through the second holder-receiving ends 88. Tire holder receptacles 26 may provide at least prealignment of the fiber holders 18 received therein upon insertion of the connectors 14 into the ports 84, 86. Each holder receptacle 26 includes lead-in ramps 28 positioned on opposite sides of a reference surface 30. The ramps 28 are positioned at the first and second holder-receiving ends 87, 88.

Each holder receptacle 26 includes a pair of spring-loaded shutters 32 including one shutter 32 positioned over the ramp 28 adjacent the first end 87 and a second positioned over the ramp 28 adjacent the second end 88. The shutters 28 have cantilevered configurations with tree ends 28a and fixed ends 28b. The free ends 28a extend partially over the reference surfaces 30 and the fixed ends 28b are located adjacent the first and second holder-receiving ends 87, 88 of the holder receptacles 26. The shuters 28 are configured to resiliently flex along their lengths relative to the fixed ends 28b between a closed positions and open positions. When the fiber holders 18 are inserted longitudinally through the holder-receiving ends 87, 88 of the holder receptacles 26, contact betw een the front ends of the fiber holders 18 and the shutters 28 causes the shutters 28 to flex from the closed positions to the open positions to accommodate reception of the fiber holders 18 in the holder receptacles 2.6.

An optical connection area 34 (e.g., a connection region or location) is located within the holder receptacles 26 generally at a mid-region between the first and second holder-receiving ends 87,88 of each holder receptacle 26. When a male connector 14 is inserted into the interior cavity 24 through the first port 84 of connector coupling device 16, each of the fiber holders 18 of each of the connector 14 is guided into one of the connection areas 34 by a corresponding one of the lead-in ramps 28 and is biased against reference surface 30 by a corresponding one of the spring loaded shutters 32.

A second male connector 14 may be inserted into the second port 86 of connector coupling device 16. When inserted into connector coupling device 16 through the second port 86, each of the fiber holders 18 of the second male connector 14 is similarly guided into one of the connection areas 34 by the lead-in ramps 28 and is biased against reference surface 30 by one of the spring loaded shutters 32. Biasing the fiber holders 18 against reference surface 30 ensures vertical alignment of two opposite fiber holders 18. As shown in FIG. 11, when the two opposing male connectors 14 are fully inserted into connector coupling device 16, the opposing fiber holders 18 form a plurality of mated, optically coupled together pairs of optical fibers 20. Connector coupling device 16 further includes structure tor retaining the connectors 14 within the ports 84, 86 while allowing the connectors to be removed from the ports 84, 86 as needed. In certain examples, the structure can include latching elements such as latching arms or the like (e.g., clips) which preferably have a resilient construction. In one example, different types of connector latching structures are provided at each of tire ports 84, 86. For example, the different connector latching structures can provide different levels of retention (e.g., can withstand different levels of pulling load on the connectors) or can provide levels relating to ease of release of the connectors from the ports 84, 86.

As shown in FIG. 13, the male connector 14 includes an interface portion 36 that is integrally formed into connector body 15. In the embodiment shown, connector coupling device 16 includes a snap-on feature 38 that extends from one side of connector coupling device 16 and a releasable latching system 40 that extends from the opposite side of connector coupling device 16. As shown, snap-on feature 38 and releasable latching system 40 are integrally formed from one piece of resilient material that forms the body 24 of the coupling device. Of course, any configuration of latch or clip for removably attaching connector coupling device 16 to male connector 14 may be used without departing from the invention.

As shown, each snap-on feature 38 comprises two L-shaped extensions 42 (e.g., clips, arms, etc.) that extend from connector body 15. "Die L-shaped extensions 42 deform slightly, temporarily, as a user inserts male connector 14 into connector coupling device 16. When male connector 14 is folly inserted into connector coupling device 16, the extensions “snap-on,” resiliently returning to their original shape by their own inherent elasticity to engage interface portion 36. Snap-on clip 38 provides a semi-permanent attachment between male connector 14 and connector coupling device 16 at the first port 84. In this case, semi-pennanent means that a tool can be used to separate the male connector 14 and connector coupling device 16, but the parts cannot easily be separated without the use of a tool.

Latching system 40 further includes T-shaped latches 44 that extend from connector coupling device 16. T-shaped latches 44 include a latch portion 46 and a latch release portion 48. In the embodiment shown, T-shaped latches 44 are made of resilient material. Latch portion 46 selectively engages interface portion 36 when male connector 14 is inserted into the second port 86 of the connector coupling device 16. To release latch portion 46, a user may squeeze latch release portions 48, which cause latch portions 46 to disengage from interface portion 36, thereby allowing the user to separate male connector 14 and connector coupling device 16.

As shown in FIGS. 15-18, each fiber holder 18 can include an extension member 100 that extends outwardly from a rear end 101 of the fiber holder 18. In certain examples, the extension member 100 can be made integral (e.g., unitary) with the fiber holder 18, although alternatives are possible. The extension member 100 can define a slot 102 that extends along a width W i (see FIG. 15) of the extension member 100 between first and second sides 104, 106 thereof. When the top part 50 and bottom part 52 are mated together, the slot 102 of the extension member 100 of the top part 50 faces upwardly in a direction Di (see FIG. 15) and the slot 102 of the extension member 100 of the bottom part 52 faces downwardly m a direction D2 (see FIG. 15) such that the slots 102 oppose one another.

The fiber holders 18 can include at least one biasing component 110 for biasing the fiber holder 18 when mated with another fiber holder 18 (e.g., inside an adapter). Biasing component 110 may bias the fiber holders 18 in a forward direction relative to the connector body 15. In certain examples, the fiber holder 18 can include two biasing components 1 10. In certain examples, the biasing component 1 10 may be an elongated, straight structure, although alternatives are possible. In certain examples, the biasing component 110 can be an elongate, non-coiled spring that has a length Li (see FIG. 16) that extends across the width W of the fiber holder 18. In certain examples, the biasing component 110 is a rod-shaped spring, although alternatives are possible. The biasing component 110 may have a round, square, oval, cylindrical or other shaped crosssection.

As shown in FIGS. 14-16, the biasing component 1 10 can be mounted at the second end 50 of the fiber holder 18 and extend laterally across the width W of the fiber holder. The biasing component 110 can be inserted into the slot 102 of the extension member 100 and through the extension member 100 such that exposed ends 112 of the biasing component 110 extend from opposing sides of the extension member 100, That is, except for the exposed ends 112, the remaining parts of the biasing component 110 is supported within the fiber holder 18 and the slots 102. In certain examples, the biasing component 1 10 can slide into the slot 102 from the fiber holder 18. In certain examples, the biasing component 110 can be overmolded into the extension member 100.

Each fiber holder 18 includes a top part 50 and a bottom part 52, which sandwich a plurality of individual optical fibers 20 in between. Each fiber holder 18 further includes an interface end 53 where the individual optical fibers’ end faces 25 are exposed. Although fiber holder 18 is shown holding optical fibers 20 in a single horizontal row' along dimension B, other suitable configurations may be used without departing from the invention.

In the embodiment shown, top part 50 includes two alignment tabs 54 separated by an alignment gap 55 and bottom part 52 includes two corresponding alignment recesses 56 separated by a central portion 59. Each alignment tab 54 includes a ramped surface 58 and a first bearing surface 60. As shown m FIG. 18A, when opposing fiber holders 18 are inserted into connector coupling device 16. the fiber holders align horizontally along dimension B by engaging the alignment tabs 54 on a first fiber holder with the alignment recesses 56 on a second fiber holder. Each alignment recess 56 includes a second bearing surface 57 that selectively engages first bearing surface 60 when two opposing fiber holders 18 are connected to each other. Ramped surface 58 may help guide the fiber holders 18 into position and first bearing surface 60 engages second bearing surface 57 to align optical fibers 20.

The inclusion of alignment tabs 54 on top part 50 and alignment recesses 56 on bottom part 52 necessitates that opposing fiber holders 18 be inverted with respect to each other in order to be connected. When the male connectors 14 are inverted and mated within connector coupling device 16. the alignment, tabs 54 of the coupled fiber holders 18 overlap one another and engagement of first bearing surface 60 with second bearing surface 57 provides horizontal alignment along dimension B of the fiber holders and the fibers 20. In addition, the central portions 59 of the fiber holders 18 is received between the tables 54 and in the alignment gap 55 when the fiber holders are coupled. If a user tried to connect two fiber holders 18 that w'ere not inverted with respect to each other, the alignment tabs 54 on both holders would abut, preventing them from being attached. Of course, alternative embodiments of fiber holder 18 may provide alignment features that allow two fiber holders to be attached to each other without inverting one of the holders without departing from the invention. One non limiting example of an alternative alignmen t feature would be the use of lateral springs included in connector coupling device 16 to push the fiber holders 18 laterally along dimension B to one side of each connector port 84, 86 against a reference surface to provide horizontal alignment. Together, an alignment tab 54, alignment recess 56 and holder receptacle 2.6 comprises a mechanical alignment interface to align two opposing fiber holders 18. In the embodiment shown, the end faces 25 of the fibers in the coupled fiber holders 18 make physical contact when the fiber holders are coupled. However, in some examples, gaps may exist between the end faces 25 that can be filled with index matching gel.

Turning back to FIGS. 11-13, in certain embodiments, male connector 14 and connector coupling device 16 include features to ensure the desired orientation and to allow an installer or user to track the location of each individual optical fiber 20. In the embodiment shown, the alignment features include a keying feature 120 that extends from the top part 90 of the connector coupling device 16. As shown, the keying feature 120 only extends from one side of the top part 90 of the connector coupling device 16. An identical keying feature 120 also extends from the bottom part 92 of the connector coupling device 16. Thus, the coupling device 16 has a key-up to key-down configuration (i.e., one of the port 82 has an up key and the other port 84 has a down key).

Male connector 14 includes only one keying recess 122, ensuring that the two male connectors coupled using connector coupling device 16 can only be attached in one orientation. In the embodiment shown, when two male connectors 14 are attached to opposing side of the connector coupling device 16, the connectors 14 are inverted relative to one another (e.g,, a Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) Type A adapter configuration) so that the fiber positions of the connectors match (i.e., lateral signal transposition does not occur) . In certain embodiments, it may be desirable for the connectors to not be inverted when coupled together (e.g., to provide a TIA Type B adapter configuration in which lateral signal transposition occurs). In such embodiments, connector coupling device 16 would include tw o keying features 120 extending from opposite sides of either the top part 90 or the bottom part 92 (e.g., a key-up to key-up configuration or a key-down to key-down configuration). In certain embodiments, keying feature 120 and keying recess 122 may have any suitable shape or size without departing from the invention. In addition, certain embodiments may not include keying feature 120 or keying recess 122, allowing the connector coupling device 16 to be attached to a male connector 14 in any desired orientation.

Turning now to FIGS. 19-26, a certain embodiment of a fiber optic connection system 200 in accordance with the invention is shown. Connection system 200 is identical in many respects to fiber optic connection system 10 described in detail above. Connection system 200 differs from system 10 in relation to how it achieves horizontal alignment along dimension B of the fiber holders 180. Rather than including alignment tabs, recesses and bearing surfaces, connection system 200 uses an alignment post 182 secured inside connector coupling device 160 that selectively engages alignment slots 184 integrally formed in fiber holders 180. Using post 182 for horizontal alignment and removing alignment tables and recesses from the fiber holders allows for coupling of male connectors 140in either a type A or type B configuration (i ,e., either inverted or not inverted).

In the embodiment shown, alignment post 182 is a separate part secured between top portion 900 and bottom portion 920 of connector coupling device 160. Alignment post 182. has a square cross-section, with each side forming a post bearing surface 186 that selectively engages holder bearing surfaces 188, which form alignment slots 184. Alignment post 182 and alignment slots 184 may be any suitable shape or size without departing from the invention. In certain embodiments, alignment post 182 can also be part of the bottom part 92 of the connector coupling device 16.

FIGS. 4 and 26-30 show's optional dust cap 21, which may be removably- attached to an exposed end of male connector 14. Dust cap 21 may have any suitable form without departing from the invention. Dust cap 21 includes two latching portions 124 that selectively engage the interface portions 36 on male connector 14. As shown in FIG. 31, an alternative embodiment of an optional dust cap 94 can include an eye (hook) 96 to allow the dust cap to be used as a pulling cap to pull the connector 14 and cable 12 through ducts.

Although the invention has been herein described in what is perceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments set forth above. Rather, modifications may be made by one of skill in the art of the invention without departing from the spirit or intent of the invention.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A fiber optic connection system defining first and second dimensions that are perpendicular with respect to one another, the fiber optic connection system comprising: first and second fiber optic connectors each including a front end and a rear end, the rear ends of the first and second fiber optic connectors being adapted for connection to fiber optic cables; the first and second fiber optic connectors each including at least one fiber holder each holding a separate grouping of optical fibers, the fiber holders having interface ends at the front ends of the connectors at which front end faces of the optical fibers are accessible; each grouping of optical fibers having a length that extend along the first dimension; the fiber holders positioning the groupings of optical fibers apart from one another by spacings that extend in the second dimension; a connector coupling device for mechanically coupling the first and second fiber optic connectors together with the front end faces of the optical fibers of the first fiber optic connector aligned with the front end faces of the optical fibers of the second fiber optic connector; the connector coupling device further including an interior cavity’ open on first and second opposite ends for respectively receiving the first and second fiber optic connectors, wherein the interior cavity includes a plurality of fiber holder receptacles spaced apart from one another along the second dimension by the spacings; wherein when the first and second connectors are respectively inserted in the interior cavity, the fiber holders are received within the fiber holder receptacles and each fiber holder of the first fiber optic connector is mated with a corresponding one of the fiber holders of the second fiber optic connector to provide a plurality of mated pairs of fiber holders, each mated pair of fiber holders including one of the fiber holders of the first fiber optic connector aligned with one of the fiber holders of the second fiber optic connector such that the groupings of fibers of the fiber holders are optically coupled together; and wherein the fiber holders of each mated pair of fiber holders are mechanically aligned within the connector coupling device by separate mechanical alignment interfaces corresponding to each of the mated pairs of fiber holders such that each mated pair of fiber holders is aligned independent of the others of the mated pairs of fiber holders.

2. The fiber optic connection system of claim 1, wherein the groupings of optical fibers are disposed in a row,

3. The fiber optic connection system of claim 1, wherein the groupings of optical fibers are parallel.

4. The fiber optic connection system of claim 1, wherein each of the mechanical alignment interfaces includes alignment surfaces which engage one another to provide mechanical positioning of each of the mated pairs of fiber holders in both the first and second dimensions.

5. The fiber optic connection system of claim 1 , wherein the alignment surfaces are integrated with the fiber holders of each of the mated pairs of fiber holders.

6. The fiber optic connection system of claim 1, wherein the connector coupling device includes reference surfaces corresponding to each of the fiber holder receptacles, and wherein each of the fiber holders is spring biased against a corresponding one of the reference surfaces of the connector coupling device when the first and second fiber optic connectors are respectively engaged with the holder receptacles to provide alignment along at least one of the first and second dimensions.

7. The fiber optic connection system of claim 5, wherein the spring biasing is provided by shutters of the connector coupling device that correspond to each of the fiber holder receptacles.

8. The fiber optic connection system of claim 5, wherein the connector coupling device includes lead-in ramps corresponding to each of the reference surfaces for guiding the fiber holders to the reference surfaces during insertion of the first and second fiber optic connectors into the interior cavity.

9. The fiber optic connection system of claim 1, wherein the interface ends of the fiber holders are tapered.

10. The fiber optic connection system of ciaim 1, wherein the interface ends of the fiber holders include alignment tabs that provide a mating relationship between each mated pair of fiber holders.

11. The fiber optic connection system of claim 1, wherein mating engagement is provided between the fiber holders of each individual pair of mated fiber holders to provide individual alignment between the fiber holders of each individual pair of fiber holders along the first dimension, and wherein the individual pairs of mated fiber holders are spring biased against corresponding reference surfaces of the connector coupling device to provide alignment between the fiber holders of each individual pair of mated fiber holders along the second dimension.

12. The fiber optic connection system of claim 1, further comprising a first latching arrangement for retaining the first fiber optic connector within the interior cavity and a second latching arrangement for retaining the second fiber optic connector in the interior cavity, wherein the first latching arrangement is manually releasable without the use of a tool and the second latching arrangement is not manually releasable.

13. The fiber optic connection system of claim 11, wherein the second latching arrangement is releasable with the use of a separate tool.

14. A fiber optic connector comprising: a connector body having a length, a height and a width, the connector body having a front end and a rear end between which the length of the connector body extends, the connector body defining a longitudinal axis that extends along the length of the connector body; a plurality of fiber holders that mount within the connector body; a plurality of rows of optical fibers, the rows of optical fibers being held by the fiber holders, the rows of optical fibers having row lengths that extend across the width of the connector body, the rows of optical fibers being supported by the fiber holders with end faces of the optical fibers being accessible at the front end of the connector body and the fiber holders being stacked along the height of the connector body with the rows of optical fibers apart from one another by spacings that extend along the height of the connector body; and the fiber holders each including either an alignment tab or an alignment notch for interfacing with alignment surfaces of a mating component.

15. The fiber optic connector of claim 13, wherein the mating component is another fiber optic connector or a connector coupling device for coupling two fiber optic connectors together.

16. The fiber optic connector of claim 13, wherein the fiber holders each include first and second holder pieces between which one of the rows of optical fibers is secured.

17. The fiber optic connector of claim 15, wherein the height extends between top and bottom sides of the connector body, and wherein the first and second holder pieces are top and bottom pieces.

18. The fiber optic connector of claim 16, wherein the fiber holders include interface ends at which the end faces of the optical fibers are located, and wherein adjacent the interface ends of the fiber holders the top and bottom sides of the fiber holders are relatively angled to converge as the top and bottom sides extend in a forward direction to provide the interface ends of the fiber holders with tapered configurations.

19. The fiber optic connector of claim 17, wherein the front end of each of the fiber holders include forwardly projecting first and second alignment tabs, wherein the rows of optical fibers are positioned between the first and second alignment tabs of each fiber holder.

20. The fiber optic connector of claim 12, wherein the front end of each of the fiber holders includes a centrally located alignment notch.

21. The fiber optic connector of any of claims 13-19, wherein the fiber holders are moveable with respect to one another within the connector body in an orientation along the longitudinal axis of the connector body.

22. The fiber optic connector of claim 20, further comprising at least one spring corresponding to each fiber holder for providing individual biasing the fiber holders in a forward direction relative to the connector body.

23. The fiber optic connector of claim 21, wherein the springs are rodshaped an have lengths that extend across the width of the connector body.

24. The fiber optic connector of claim 22, wherein the springs are mounted at rear ends of the fiber holders and are carried with the fiber holders as the fiber holders move axially relative to the connector body.

25. A connector coupling device for mechanically coupling the first and second fiber optic connectors together with the end faces of the optical fibers of the first fiber optic connector aligned with the end faces of the optical fibers of the second fiber optic connector, the first and second fiber optic connectors each including a plurality of fiber holders which hold groupings of optical fibers, the connector coupling device comprising: a main housing defining an interior cavity for receiving the first and second fiber optic connectors; a plurality of fiber holder receptacles disposed within the interior cavity, the fiber holder receptacles being spaced apart from one another along a height of the mam housing; and the connector coupling device including reference surfaces corresponding to each fiber holder receptacle for engaging corresponding reference surfaces of fiber holders of the fiber optic connectors to establish positioning of the groupings of optical fibers within the connector coupling device, the reference surfaces establishing positioning along an orientation corresponding to the height of the mam housing.

26. The connector coupling device of claim 25, wherein the fiber holder receptacles include guide ramps for guiding insertion of corresponding ones of the fiber holders into the fiber holder receptacles.

2'7. The connector coupling device of claim 25, wherein the connector coupling device includes shutters at the fiber holder receptacles for blocking the fiber holder receptacles when the fiber optic connectors are not inserted into the connector coupling device, and wherein the shutters are adapted to bias the fiber holders against the reference surfaces when the fiber optic connectors are inserted into the interior cavity.

28. A fiber optic connection system defining first and second dimensions that are perpendicular with respect to one another, the fiber optic connection system comprising: first and second fiber optic connectors each including a front end and a rear end, the rear ends of the first and second fiber optic connectors being adapted for connection to fiber optic cables; the first and second fiber optic connectors each including at least one fiber holder each holding a separate grouping of optical fibers, the fiber holders having interface ends at the front ends of the connectors at which front end faces of the optical fibers are accessible; each grouping of optical fibers having a length that extend along the first dimension; the fiber holders positioning the groupings of optical fibers apart from one another by spacings that extend in the second dimension; a connector coupling device for mechanically coupling the first and second fiber optic connectors together with the front end faces of the optical fibers of the first fiber optic connector aligned with the front end faces of the optical fibers of the second fiber optic connector; the connector coupling device further including a top part and a bottom part defining an interior cavity open on first and second opposite ends for respectively receiving the first and second fiber optic connectors, wherein the interior cavity includes a plurality of fiber holder receptacles spaced apart from one another along the second dimension by the spacings; the connector coupling device further including an alignment post extending between the top part and the bottom part, wherein the alignment post provides a bearing surface; wherein when the first and second connectors are respectively inserted in the interior cavity, the fiber holders are received within the fiber holder receptacles and each fiber holder of the first fiber optic connector is aligned with a corresponding one of the fiber holders of the second fiber optic connector to provide a plurality of aligned pairs of fiber holders, each aligned pair of fiber holders including one of the fiber holders of the first fiber optic connector aligned with one of the fiber holders of the second fiber optic connector such that the groupings of fibers of the fiber holders are optically coupled together; and wherein the fiber holders of each aligned pair of fiber holders are mechanically aligned within the connector coupling device by separate mechanical alignment interfaces corresponding to each of the aligned pairs of fiber holders such that each fiber holder includes an alignment surface that engages the bearing surface of the alignment post and each aligned pair of fiber holders is aligned independent of the others of the aligned pairs of fiber holders.