WO2022165035A1

WO2022165035A1 - Fiber optic connector having a gel filled shroud

Info

Publication number: WO2022165035A1
Application number: PCT/US2022/014099
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert Charles Flaig
Original assignee: Commscope Technologies Llc
Priority date: 2021-01-29
Filing date: 2022-01-27
Publication date: 2022-08-04

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a fiber optic connector including a shroud for protecting an optical fiber of the fiber optic connector. The shroud is adapted to carry gel for cleaning and/or protecting the optical fiber. In a first connector state, a front tip of the optical fiber is positioned within the shroud and is positioned within the gel. In a second connector state, the optical fiber extends through the gel and the front tip of the optical fiber is exposed in front of the shutter and the gel.

Description

FIBER OPTIC CONNECTOR HAVING A GEL FILLED SHROUD

Cross-Reference to Related Application

This application is being filed on January 27, 2022 as a PCT International Patent Application and claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 63/143,301, filed on January 29, 202.1, 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 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.

Certain fiber optic connectors include 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 (L.C, SC, MPO), alignment between two fiber optic connectors is provided through the use of an intermediate fiber optic adapter.

Another type of fiber optic connector can be referred to as a ferrule-less fiber optic connector. In a ferrule-less fiber optic connector, an end portion of an optical fiber corresponding to the ferrule-less fiber optic connector is not supported by a ferrule. Instead, the end portion of the optical fiber is a free end portion. Similar to the ferruled connectors described above, fiber optic adapters can be used to assist in optically coupling together two ferrule-less fiber optic connectors. Example ferrule-less fiber optic connectors and/or fiber optic adapters are disclosed by PCT Publication Nos. WO 2012/112344; WO 2013/117598; WO 2017/081306; WO 2016/100384;

WO 2016/043922; and U.S. Patent Nos. 8,870,466 and 9,575,272.

Fiber optical adapters are used to optically couple together optical fiber tips of optical connectors. To accommodate ferrule-less fiber optic connectors, fiber optical adapters can include specialized fiber alignment devices to receive bare optical fibers and align the fiber tips of the connectors received therein to enable the transfer of optical signals there between. Optical connectors can be secured to the optical adapters when received at the ports of the optical adapters. Ferrule-less optical connectors can include integrated features for protecting the optical fibers when the fiber optic connectors are not installed within fiber optic adapters. Example ferrule-less fiber optic connectors having integrated optical fiber protecting features are disclosed by PCT International Publication Numbers WO 2016/100384; WO 2017/070220; and WO 2017/081306.

Summary

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a fiber optic connector including a connector body, a shroud mounted at a front end of the connector body and an optical fiber that extends through the connector body. The fiber optic connector also includes gel earned by the shroud for cleaning and/or protecting the optical fiber. In a first connector state a front tip of the optical fiber is positioned within the shroud and is positioned within the gel. In a second connector state the optical fiber extends through the gel and the front tip of the optical fiber is exposed in front of the shutter and the gel. B rief Descripti on oftheDrawi ng s

FIG. 1 is a section view taken generally along the line 1-1 in FIG. 8, of one embodiment of a multi-fiber connector including a protective gel-carrying shroud in accordance with the principles of this disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a detail view of the multi-fiber connector of FIG. 1 taken generally along the line 2 in FIG. 1, showing a portion of the protective shroud in greater detail;

FIG. 3 is another detail view of the multi-fiber connector of FIG. 2, showing front ends of the optical fibers extending forwardly beyond a front end of the shroud;

FIG. 4 is another detail section view' of the multi-fiber connector system of FIG. 2, showing the optical fibers protected within the shroud;

FIG. 5 is another detail section view of the multi -fiber connector system of FIG. 2, showing the fibers extending forwardly beyond the front end of the shroud,

FIG. 6 is a de tail section view' of one embodiment of a multi-fiber connector including a protective gel-carrying shroud in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 shows the shroud of FIG. 6 with a front wall insert removed; and

FIG. 8 show's an example fiber optic adapter for coupling together two of the fiber optical connectors of FIG. 1.

Detailed Description

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to fiber optic connectors and connection systems have features for providing protection of optical fibers from contamination. In some examples, the features are adapted to provide cleaning of end faces of the optical fibers. In some examples, the features use gel integrated with a fiber optic connector to protect one or more optical fibers from contamination and/or to provide cleaning of one or more optical fibers. In some examples, the gel can be integrated into a shroud of a fiber optic connector. In certain examples, the connector is moveable between a first state in which in which a tip of the optical fiber is within the shroud and encapsulated within the gel, and a second state in which the optical fiber projects outwardly from the shroud and the gel. In certain examples, the optical fiber projects outw'ardly at least I, 2, 3, 4 or 5 millimeters beyond a front of the shroud when the connector is m the second state. Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to terruleless (e.g., bare-fiber) optical connectors and connection systems. Aspects of the present disclosure relate to single fiber and multi-fiber optical connectors.

Fig. 1 is a perspective, cross-sectional view of an example fiber optic connector 20 in accordance with the principles of present disclosure. Generally, the fiber optic connector includes a connector body 2.2 having a length that extends between a front end 24 and a rear end 26. A longitudinal axis 28 of the fiber optic connector 20 extends along the length of the connector body 22 between the front and rear ends 24, 26. The fiber optic connector 20 also includes a fiber holder 30 mounted within the connector body 22, and a plurality of optical fibers 32 supported by the fiber holder 30. The fiber optic connector 20 further includes a shroud 34 mounted to the connector body 22 adjacent the front end 24 of the connector body 22.

As depicted at Figs. 2 and 3, the shroud 34 and the fiber holder 30 are relatively moveable along the longitudinal axis 28 to allow the fiber optic connector 20 to be moved between a first connector state (see Figs. 1 and 2) and a second connector state (see Fig. 3). When the fiber optic connector 20 is in the first connector state, front end portions 36 of the optical fibers 32 are within the shroud 34 (see Figs. 1 and 2). When the fiber optic connector 20 is in the second connector state, the front end portions 36 of the optical fibers 32 project forwardly beyond a front end surface 38 of the shroud 34 (see Fig. 3). The first connector state can be referred to as a fiber-protected state or a retracted fiber state. The second connector state can be referred to as an exposed fiber state or an extended fiber state.

The shroud 34 includes a cavity 40 adjacent a front end 42 of the shroud 34 which contains a fiber cleaning material such as gel 44. In one example, the gel 44 can be an index matching gel with an index of refraction selected to match an index of refraction of the optical fibers. In one example, the gel is a thixotropic gel such as SmartGel OC-431 A- LCP manufactured by Nye Lubricants of Fairhaven Massachusetts, U SA.

When the fiber optic connector 20 is moved between the first and second states, relative movement is generated between the optical fibers 32 and the gel 44. When the fiber optic connector 22 is in the first state as shown at Figs. 1 and 2, front tips 46 of the optical fibers are embedded (i.e., encapsulated) wdthin the gel 44. In contrast, as shown at Fig. 3, the front tips 46 of the optical fibers 32 are forwardly offset from the gel 44 when the fiber optic connector 20 is in the second state. It will be appreciated that when the front tips 46 of the optical fibers 32 are embedded within the gel 44. the gel 44 protects the front tips 46 from contamination. Additionally, movement of the front end portions 36 of the optical fibers 32. through the gel 44 provides a cleaning action in which contaminates such as debris are removed from the optical fibers and captured within the gel 44.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 5, the fiber optic connector 20 is shown in the second connector state and contamination particles 48 are shown on the front end portions 36 of the optical fibers 32. Fig. 4 shows the fiber optic connector 20 in the first state in which the optical fibers are positioned within the shroud 34 and the fiber tips are encapsulated in the gel. As tlie fiber optic connector 20 is moved from the second state to the first state, the gel 44 provides a wiping action with respect to the optical fibers 32 causing contamination particles 48 to be removed from the front end portions 36 of the optical fibers 32 and captured within the gel 44 as shown at Fig. 4.

In the view of Fig. 1, the fiber optic connector 20 has been longitudinally bisected by a vertical cross-sectional plane so that only one half of the fiber optic connector 20 is depicted. It. will be appreciated that the non-depicted half of the fiber optic connector 20 is symmetric about the cross-sectional plane with respect to the depicted half of the fiber optic connector 20 of Fig. 1.

Referring to Fig. 1. the connector body 22 includes a front housing piece 50 and a rear housing piece 52. In one example, the front and rear housing pieces 50, 52 can be secured together by a snap-fit connection. In certain examples, the rear housing piece 52 includes a rear spring stop 54 that captures a spring 56 within the connector body 22. In the depicted example, the spring 56 is captured between the rear spring stop 54 and a rear end of the fiber holder 30 such that the spring 56 functions to bias the fiber holder 30 in a forward direction relative to the connector body 22. In certain examples, the fiber holder 30 is moveable relative to the connector body 22. along the longitudinal axis 28 and a stop arrangement is defined between the fiber holder 30 and the interior of the connector body- 22 for stopping forward movement of the fiber holder 30 relative to the connector body 22 at a predetermined location. The rear housing piece 52 includes a rear passage 58 for allowing the optical fibers 32 to enter the connector body 22 through the rear end 26 of the connector body 22. The connector body 22 can further include exterior latches 60 positioned at opposite sides of the connector body 22 for use in securing the connector body 22. within a fiber optic adapter. In certain examples, the optical fibers 32 are secured (e.g., anchored) within the fiber holder 30. For example, the optical fibers 32 can be adhesively bonded within the fiber holder 30. In certain examples, the fiber holder 30 can be configured to maintain the optical fibers 32 in parallel relationship with respect to one another with a predetermined spacing (e.g., pitch) defined between the optical fibers. In certain examples, the fiber holder 30 can include a plurality of grooves (e.g., v-grooves) for providing positioning of tire optical fibers 32.

In the depicted example, relative movement is permitted between the shroud 34 and the fiber holder 30 in an orientation along the longitudinal axis 28. It will be appreciated that relative movement between the fiber holder 30 and the shroud 34 causes concurrent relative movement between the optical fibers 32 and the shroud 34. Additionally, relative movement between the fiber holder 30 and the shroud 34 causes relative movement between the optical fibers 32 and the gel 44 held by the shroud 34. In the depicted example of Fig. I, a rear portion of the shroud 34 mounts within open regions of the connector body 22 located above and below the fiber holder 30. In certain examples, a snap-fit arrangement is used to secure the shroud 34 to the connector body 22. In the depicted example, latching arms 62 of the connector body 22 engage catches 64 of the shroud 34 to stop relative movement between the connector body 22 and the shroud 34 when the fiber optic connector 20 reaches the first connector state. In certain examples, one or more springs 66 can be provided for biasing the fiber optic connector 20 toward the first connector state. In the depicted example, the springs 66 are captured between a rear end of the shroud 34 and rear stops defined by the connector body 22. Thus, relative sliding movement between the shroud 34 and the connector body 22 is also permitted along the longitudinal axis 28.

Referring to Fig. 2, the shroud 34 includes first and second walls 70, 72 that cooperate to define the cavity 40. The first and second walls 70, 72. are separated by a spacing 74 that extends along an orientation parallel to the longitudinal axis 28. The first wall 70 defines the front end 42 of the shroud 34 and the second wall 72 is rearwardly offset from the first wall 70. The second wall 72 defines a plurality of fiber openings 76 with each of the fiber openings 76 corresponding to one of the optical fibers 32. The first wall 70 defines a fiber slot 78 through which the optical fibers 32 extend when the fiber optic connector 20 is m the second connector state of Fig. 3.

In the depicted example of Fig. 2, the cavity 40 includes an open top 80 and a closed bottom 82. The open top 80 facilitates loading the gel 44 into the cavity 40. In the depicted example of Fig. 2, the shroud 34 has a one-piece mam body 90 and the first wall 70 is unitarily formed with the main body 90. In contrast, Figs. 6 and 7 show an alternative example in which the first wall 70 is formed by a separate wall piece 92. secured to the one-piece main body 90. In one example, the separate wall piece 92 can be secured to the one-piece main body through a press-fit connection, through adhesive, through a snap-fit connection, or by other means. The wail piece 92 can fit within a receptacle 94 (see Fig. 7) at the front of the shroud.

Fig. 8 depicts an example fiber optic adapter 100 suitable for use in coupling together two of the fiber optic connectors 20 such that their corresponding optical fibers 32 are optically connected with each other. The fiber optic adapter 100 can include an internal fiber alignment arrangement such as a row of grooves (e.g., v-grooves) adapted for receiving and co-axially aligning corresponding optical fibers of the connectors 20 when the connectors 20 are inserted within opposite ports 102 of the adapter 100. When one of the fiber optic connectors 20 is inserted within one of the ports 102, the shroud 34 engages a stop in the port 102 such that continued insertion of the connector 20 causes the connector 20 to move from the first connector state to the second connector state. As the connector 20 moves from the first state to the second state, the front ends of the optical fibers 32 push forward though the gel 44 and move forwardly past the front of the shroud 34 into the alignment structure of the fiber optic adapter 100. Insertion continues until the connector 20 latches in the port 102. To remove the connector 20 from the port, the adapter latch is disengaged and the connector 20 is pulled from the port 102. As the connector 20 is pulled from the port 102, the springs 66 move the connector from the second connector state to the first connector state. As the connector 20 moves from the second connector state to the first connector state, the optical fibers are wiped by the gel and thus cleaned. In the first connector state, the fiber tips are protected within the gel to maintain fiber cleanliness for the next use. Further details about fiber optic adapters are disclosed in US Provisional Patent Application No. 63/140,524, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

In alternative examples, aspects of the present disclosure are applicable to fiber optic connectors having multiple row's of optical fibers. The gel filled shroud can define separate slots for receiving each of the rows of optical fibers. Each row' of fibers can be supported by a separate fiber holder within tire connector body, and the fiber holders can be arranged in a stacked configuration. In certain examples, the fiber optic connector can include at least 36, 72 or 144 optical fibers. 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 connector comprising; a connector body having a length, 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 fiber holder mounted within the connector body; a plurality of optical fibers supported by the fiber holder; a shroud mounted to the connector body adjacent the front end of the connector body, the shroud and the fiber holder being relatively moveable along the longitudinal axis to allow the fiber optic connector to be moved between a first connector state and a second connector state, wherein when the fiber optic connector is the first connector state front end portions of the optical fibers are within the shroud, and wherein when the fiber optic connector is in the second connector state the front end portions of the optical fibers project forwardly beyond a front end surface of the shroud; and the shroud including a cavity adjacent a front end of the shroud which contains gel, wherein when the fiber optic connector is moved between the first and second connector states relative movement is generated between the optical fibers and the gel, wherein front tips of the optical fibers are positioned in the gel when the fiber optic connector is in the first connector state, and wherein the optical fibers extend through the gel and front tips of the optical fibers are forwardly offset from the gel when the fiber optic connector is in the second connector state.

2. The fiber optic connector of Claim 1, wherein the fiber optic connector is spring biased toward the first connector state.

3. The fiber optic connector of Claim 1, wherein the fiber holder is spring biased in a forward direction relative to the connector body.

4. The fiber optic connector of Claim 1, wherein the gel is index matching gel.

5. The fiber optic connector of claim 1, wherein the shroud includes first and second walls that cooperate to define the cavity, the first and second walls being separated by a spacing that extends along the longitudinal axis, the first wall defining the front end of the shroud and the second wall being rearwardly offset from the first wall, the second wall defining a plurality of fiber openings with each fiber opening corresponding to one of the optical fibers, the first wall defining a fiber slot through which the optical fibers extend when the connector is in the second state.

6. The fiber optic connector of claim 5, wherein the cavity includes an open top and a closed bottom.

7. The fiber optic connector of claim 5, wherein the shroud includes a one-piece main body, and wherein the first wall is formed by a separate wall piece secured to the one-piece main body.

8. A fiber optic connector comprising: a connector body; a shroud mounted at a front end of the connector body; an optical fiber that extends through the connector body; and gel carried by the shroud for cleaning and/or protecting the optical fiber; wherein in a first connector state a front tip of the optical fiber is positioned within the shroud and is positioned within the gel, and wherein in a second connector state the optical fiber extends through the gel and the front tip of the optical fiber is exposed in front of the shutter and the gel.

9. The fiber optic connector of claim 8, further comprising a plurality of the optical fibers.

10. The fiber optic connector of claim 8, wherein the shroud and the connector body are moveably relative to one another along a longitudinal axis of the fiber optic connector to move the fiber optic connector between the first and second connector states.

11. A shroud for a fiber optic connector, the shroud comprising: a cavity adjacent a front end of the shroud which contains gel, wherein when the fiber optic connector is moved between a first and second connector state, relative movement is generated between optical fibers and the gel, the optical fibers including front tips that are positioned in the gel when the fiber optic connector is in the first connector state, and wherein the optical fibers extend through the gel and front tips of the optical fibers are forwardly offset from the gel when the fiber optic connector is in the second connector state.

12. The shroud of claim 11, wherein the fiber optic connector includes a plurality' of optical fibers.

13. The shroud of claim 11, wherein the shroud includes first and second walls that cooperate to define the cavity, the first and second walls being separated by a spacing that extends along the longitudinal axis, the first wall defining the front end of the shroud and the second wall being rearwardly offset from the first wall, the second wall defining a plurality of fiber openings with each fiber opening corresponding to one of the optical fibers, the first wall defining a fiber slot through which the optical fibers extend when the connector is in the second state.

14. The shroud of claim 11, wherein the shroud includes a one-piece mam body, and wherein the first wall is formed by a separate wall piece secured to the one-piece mam body.

15. The shroud of claim 11, wherein the gel is index matching gel.