DUAL SPRING MULTI-FIBER OPTIC CONNECTOR
A fiber optic connector having a set of opposing pins set in a recess configured to accept a corresponding spring therein. The springs are placed on either side of the fiber optic cable bundle and secured within a pinkeep. The dual or outer springs help prevent rotation of the ferrule assembly during use.
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This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/407,603 filed on May 9, 2019, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/682,012 filed on Jun. 7, 2018, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to fiber optic connectors, and more particularly, to fiber optic connectors with a dual spring assembly for improving assembly and reducing manufacturing cost.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONModern high capacity optical systems often utilize fiber optic ribbons for inter-system connection. As there are multiple connection points in an optical path, and a spring is typically required to bias forward a ferrule assembly, there is a need to simplify assembly of the fiber optic strands or cable containing multiple strands by removing the single spring.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccording to the present invention, a fiber optic connector comprises a ferrule housing with at least ferrule and at least one fiber optic strand. In a traditional MPO fiber connector, as shown in
In a traditional process after a curing step is complete to attached fiber optic cable or strands to a ferrule housing, a spring is installed around the cable or fiber bundle. A disadvantage is this spring rattles when the connector is used, and can result in displacing the ribbon. As the spring rattles it can become lose resulting in connector failure. The spring can become offset for example. Also, the MPG ferrule assembly, backpost and pin keep are separate parts that due to tolerance and assembly difficulties (due to size), interfere with a smooth push/pull operation of a standard MPO connector.
In the present invention, a backpost further comprises one or more pins configure to retain a spring on side of a fiber bundle. A corresponding pin opposing and in line with a first pin on the back post, accepts a second end of the spring. During operation, the MPO connector outer housing is urged forward at a distal end (away from the ferrules). This compresses the one or more springs, and a latch attached to the outer housing mates with corresponding adapter structure to secure MPO connector therein. The spring biases connector outer housing in a distal direction holding MPO connector within said adapter.
In a second embodiment, distal pins on ferrule assembly are integrated to said ferrule outer housing. At a second end, a latch is formed within pin lead that catches in a recess formed a proximal end of an outer latch, which secures the MPO connector to the adapter as described above. Further in all embodiments, outer housing springs (725a, 725b) are replaced by a single spring reducing connector material and assembly cost, while reducing size.
Embodiments of the invention are described in more detail hereinafter with reference to the drawings, in which:
In the following description, apparatuses for assembling a MPG connector and latching the same to a fiber optic adapter is disclosed. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications, including additions and/or substitutions may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Specific details may be omitted so as not to obscure the invention; however, the disclosure is written, to enable one skilled in the art to practice the teachings herein without undue experimentation.
An ordinarily skilled person in the art can appreciate that by following the principal of the present invention, a version of the adapter for mating a multi-fiber optic ferrule connector with another multi-fiber optic ferrule connector can be derived without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Although the embodiments of the present invention described herein are related to multi-fiber optic, applications, the present invention can be adapted to single fiber optic applications. Specific details may be omitted so as not to obscure the invention; however, the disclosure is written to enable one skilled in the art to practice the teachings herein without undue experimentation.
The foregoing description of the present invention has been provided for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to the practitioner skilled in the art.
The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments and with various modifications that are suited to the particular use contemplated.
Claims
1. A fiber optic connector comprising: wherein the first spring and the second spring are configured to bias the ferrule forward and further stabilize the ferrule in the fiber optic connector.
- a ferrule having a front end portion and a rear end portion spaced apart along a longitudinal axis, the front end portion of the ferrule being configured to expose a plurality optical fibers for making an optical connection;
- a pinkeep separable from the ferrule, the pin keep having a front end portion and a rear end portion spaced apart along the longitudinal axis, the front end portion of the pinkeep being located rearward of the rear end portion of the ferrule, the pinkeep defining a longitudinal fiber channel that extends from the rear end portion the front end portion, the longitudinal fiber channel fiber being configured so that optical fibers are passable longitudinally through the longitudinal fiber channel into the ferrule for being exposed by the ferrule for making an optical connection;
- a first pin fixed to the pinkeep and extending rearward from the rear end portion of the pin keep on a first side of the longitudinal fiber channel;
- a second pin fixed to the pinkeep and extending rearward from the rear end portion of the pin keep on a second side of the longitudinal fiber channel opposite the first side;
- a first spring received over the first pin; and
- a second spring received over the second pin;
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 13, 2021
Publication Date: May 6, 2021
Applicant: Senko Advanced Components, Inc. (Marlborough, MA)
Inventors: Yim WONG (Kowloon), Man Kit WONG (Kowloon)
Application Number: 17/147,934