CA2026187C - Duplex optical fiber connector and cables terminated therewith - Google Patents
Duplex optical fiber connector and cables terminated therewithInfo
- Publication number
- CA2026187C CA2026187C CA002026187A CA2026187A CA2026187C CA 2026187 C CA2026187 C CA 2026187C CA 002026187 A CA002026187 A CA 002026187A CA 2026187 A CA2026187 A CA 2026187A CA 2026187 C CA2026187 C CA 2026187C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- housing
- connector
- shroud
- portions
- cable
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/26—Optical coupling means
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
- G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
- G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
- G02B6/381—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs of the ferrule type, e.g. fibre ends embedded in ferrules, connecting a pair of fibres
- G02B6/3826—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs of the ferrule type, e.g. fibre ends embedded in ferrules, connecting a pair of fibres characterised by form or shape
- G02B6/3831—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs of the ferrule type, e.g. fibre ends embedded in ferrules, connecting a pair of fibres characterised by form or shape comprising a keying element on the plug or adapter, e.g. to forbid wrong connection
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
- G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
- G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
- G02B6/3833—Details of mounting fibres in ferrules; Assembly methods; Manufacture
- G02B6/3847—Details of mounting fibres in ferrules; Assembly methods; Manufacture with means preventing fibre end damage, e.g. recessed fibre surfaces
- G02B6/3849—Details of mounting fibres in ferrules; Assembly methods; Manufacture with means preventing fibre end damage, e.g. recessed fibre surfaces using mechanical protective elements, e.g. caps, hoods, sealing membranes
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
- G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
- G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
- G02B6/3873—Connectors using guide surfaces for aligning ferrule ends, e.g. tubes, sleeves, V-grooves, rods, pins, balls
- G02B6/3874—Connectors using guide surfaces for aligning ferrule ends, e.g. tubes, sleeves, V-grooves, rods, pins, balls using tubes, sleeves to align ferrules
- G02B6/3878—Connectors using guide surfaces for aligning ferrule ends, e.g. tubes, sleeves, V-grooves, rods, pins, balls using tubes, sleeves to align ferrules comprising a plurality of ferrules, branching and break-out means
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
- G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
- G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
- G02B6/381—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs of the ferrule type, e.g. fibre ends embedded in ferrules, connecting a pair of fibres
- G02B6/3818—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs of the ferrule type, e.g. fibre ends embedded in ferrules, connecting a pair of fibres of a low-reflection-loss type
- G02B6/3821—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs of the ferrule type, e.g. fibre ends embedded in ferrules, connecting a pair of fibres of a low-reflection-loss type with axial spring biasing or loading means
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
- G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
- G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
- G02B6/3887—Anchoring optical cables to connector housings, e.g. strain relief features
- G02B6/3888—Protection from over-extension or over-compression
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
- G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
- G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
- G02B6/389—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs characterised by the method of fastening connecting plugs and sockets, e.g. screw- or nut-lock, snap-in, bayonet type
- G02B6/3893—Push-pull type, e.g. snap-in, push-on
Abstract
A connector (20) for terminating a duplex cable jumper cable (23) which is used for making interconnections in administrative locations of an FDDIsystem includes a plastic housing (21) having a jumper input end (26) and a connection end (28). Each fiber (25) of the jumper cable is terminated by a ferrule (64) which is supported in the housing and which has a portion that extends from the connection end of the housing. The protruding ends of the ferrules are protected by a shroud (130) which is removably attached to the connection end of the housing.
Inasmuch as the shroud is removable, the end portions of the ferrules may be accessed for cleaning. Advantageously, the shroud may be provided with a keyway (157) to facilitate the mating of a connector with a key arrangement (159) in a receptacle (125) into which the connector is to be inserted. Different shrouds may be attached to the housing to facilitate the insertion of the connector into a desired receptacle.
Inasmuch as the shroud is removable, the end portions of the ferrules may be accessed for cleaning. Advantageously, the shroud may be provided with a keyway (157) to facilitate the mating of a connector with a key arrangement (159) in a receptacle (125) into which the connector is to be inserted. Different shrouds may be attached to the housing to facilitate the insertion of the connector into a desired receptacle.
Description
DUPLEX OPTICAL FIBER CONNECTOR AND
CABLES TERMINATED THER~;Wll ~l Technical Field This invention relates to a duplex optical fiber connector and cables 5 termin:~ted therewith.
Background of the Invention The data co~ ,lunications industry has established the fiber distributed data interface (FDDI) as a standard for the definition of the properties of a local area network. A system in accordance with that standard is referred to as an FDDI
10 system and is an optical system port to port opti,dLing at a data line rate of 125 megabits per second.
FDDI is the first, all optical fiber high speed local area network system and will become prominent in the last decade of the twentieth century. It will provide a high speed optical tr~n~micsion path between lllainr,allle and peripheral equipment 15 and is suitable for use as a backbone network between lower speed local area networks. FDDI presently is a 100 megabit LAN transfer data rate system that recommends a 62.5/125 micron core/cladding diameter optical fiber and is an LED
based standard involving dual, counter-rotating, token passing rings that operate at a center wavelength of 1300 nm.
Dual rings include a p.ima,y ring and a secondary ring. Dual rings are used to provide enhanced reliability and an option for higher performance. If both rings are operative, the capability of tr~n~mitting in both ring directions exists.
The large scale use of optical fiber for the local area network will result in an extensive use of optical fiber in building distribution systems. The FDDI
25 system presents several challenges. There are restrictions imposed by FDDI
standards and there are complications associated with large quantities of fiber that include fiber which extends to individual work stations.
In order to aide network engineers and installers in enforcing basic rules and/or more restrictive policies which may be chosen by the user, the FDDI standard 30 has defined certain requirements. For example, details of a receptacle for a dua'l fiber connector are specified in a standard referred to as the Physical Layer Medium Dependent (PMD) part of the FDDI standard. The PMD determines the specifications for optical tr~ns, l li~ , and receivers, optical fiber, optical connections and optical bypass switches along with optional keying configurations. The 35 receptacle and an associated plug are polarized mechanically to prevent the transposition of transmit/receive fibers, and keys corresponding to station interfaces 21~2Sl~7 are designed to avoid mixing primary and secondary rings and to avoid mixing station attachm. nt~. Viewing a station with the key on top, the transmit signalalways exits the interface on a left fiber port, and the receive signal always enters the interface on a right fiber port.
A simple dual ring architecture can be arranged with the keying and signal directions defined in the PMD standard by using duplex jumper cables. Theprimary ring is constructed by connçcting a B receptacle of each station to an Areceptacle of the next station in a rOl vv~.l direction around the primary ring. When the primary ring is closed, the secondary ring is completed with the secondary ring lO signal flowing in an opposite direction.
As the network expands to multiple floors of a single building or to a campus including multiple buildings, connections become prohibitively complex toa~lminister. For such expanded networks, it should be clear that a manageable distribution system is necessary.
Connectors must be provided to termin~te jumper cables each of which includes two optical fibers. It is these jumper cables which are used in ;~timini~trative locations such as in an equipment room and in riser and sate11ite closets to make cross-connections between interfaces in which cable runs t-ormin~t-e. The connectors are duplex connectors each being capable of termin~ting two optical fibers.
The FDDI connector typically comprises two plugs or ferrules, as they usually are called, each of which te~min~tes an optical fiber. The two ferrules are mounted in a housing which has an entry end for a duplex cable. Each of the ferrules is spring-loaded to allow the connection between two ferrules to be loaded.
Duplex connectors for optical fiber are known in the art. For example, see U. S. Patent 4,787,706. That connector includes a housing in which are mounted two ferrules. Each of the ferrules which terminates an optical fiber extends from an end of the housing opposite to that end into which a cable enters. The protruding ends of the ferrules are protected by a retractable buml)el or shroud which may be moved rearwardly toward the opposite end of the housing to expose the ferrule ends 30 and facilitate optical connections to other ferrules. Although the connector which is disclosed in the above-identified patent 4,787,706 is suitable for duplex connections, FDDI standards are such that any shroud which covers the exposed ends of the ferrules invariably must be fixed in position.
The ferrules in such a connector have a propensity for becoming 35 conl:~,.,in~te~l with dust, for example. Such cont~min~tion can affect adversely the pelrollllance characteristics across the connection. Accordingly, it is desired to be 3 ~ 8 7 -able to access the ferrules so that they may be cleaned from time to time.
Also of interest in the FDDI system is the ability to key different connectors for purposes of installation and ~lmini~tration. This has been accomplished with an arrangement such as, for example, that in the duplex S connector disclosed in the above-identified U.S. Patent No. 4,787,706.
What is needed and what seemingly is not disclosed in the art is a connector for use with the FDDI which is relatively easy to m~nllf~cture. The sought-after connector should have provisions for protecting extending end portions of fiber tPrmin~ting ferrules as well as allowing the end portions of the ferrules to be cleaned. Further, it is desired that the sought-after connector include keying provisions to simplify inst~ tion and a-lmini~tration of the connector in a network system.
Summary of the Invention In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a duplex optical fiber connector for termin~ting two optical fibers of a cable and being adapted to be connected optically to another connector, said duplex connector comprising: a housing which comprises first and second mating portions and whichincludes a cable entry end and a free end with one of said mating portions including a keyway; two plug assemblies disposed within said housing adjacent to said freeend of said housing, each said plug assembly including a ferrule being adapted to be associated with and to termin~te one of the optical fibers of a cable and having a portion which protrudes from said free end of said housing; and protective meansbeing mounted in a fixed position on said free end of said housing for protecting end portions of the ferrules which protrude from said housing and being capable of being removed to expose said end portions of said ferrules, said protective means including a keyway which becomes aligned with said keyway of said housing when said protective means is mounted on said free end of said housing, wherein said housing is capable of having any one of a plurality of protective means having keyways of different cross sectional ~limen~ions mounted thereon to allow said connector to be keyed to a desired receptacle having a mating key formed on an inner wall thereof.
,~."
~ . .
' --3a- ~ 'I 8 7 --In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a connectorized optical fiber cable, which includes: an optical fiber cable which includes two optical fibers; and a duplex optical fiber connector for te~min~ting said two optical fibers, said duplex connector comprising: a housing5 which comprises first and second mating portions and which includes a cable entry end and a free end with one of said mating portion including a keyway; two plug assemblies disposed within said housing adjacent to said free end of said housing, each said plug assembly including a ferrule being adapted to be associated with and to termin~te one of the optical fibers of a cable, and having a portion which 10 protrudes from said free end of said housing; and protective means being mounted in a fixed position on said free end of said housing for protecting end portions of the ferrules which protrude from said housing and being capable of being removedto expose said end portions of said ferrules, said protective means including a keyway which becomes aligned with said keyway in said housing when said 15 protective means is mounted on said free end of said housing, wherein said housing is capable of having any one of a plurality of protective means having keyways of different cross sectional dimensions mounted thereon to allow said connector to be keyed to a desired receptacle having a mating key formed on an inner wall thereof.
In a particular embodiment the protective means includes a shroud. The 20 shroud provides the connector with several capabilities. Firstly, the shroud may be removed to expose the ferrules and allow them to be cleaned. Secondly, the shroud may be keyed to a particular receptacle in which the connector is to be assembled in order to effect optical connections. In order to facilitate connection to a different receptacle, the shroud may be replaced with another which has a different keying25 arrangement suited to facilitate connection to the other receptacle.
Brief DCSL ;l-lion of the Draw;n~
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an optical fiber connector of this invention which includes a removable shroud;
'~ 202S187 '_ FIG.2is a perspective view of the connector of FIG.l having a shroud removed from a housing thereof;
FIG.3is a plan view of a base of the connector housing as viewed from the inside;
FIG.4is a detail view of a cable strain relief portion of the connector, FIG.Sis a detail view of a force transfer system at a cable entry end of the connector;
FlG.6is a perspective view of a connector plug assembly;
FIG.7 is a side elevational view in section of the connector plug 10 assembly of FIG.6;
FIG.8is a plan view of a cover of the housing as viewed from the inside;
FIG.9is a perspective view of a receptacle into which the connector of FIG.l may be inserted;
FIG.lOis an end view of the removable shroud; and FIG.llis a plan view in section of a release hood which is mounted slidably on the assembly of the base and the cover.
Detailed Des~ )lion Referring now to FIGS.l and 2, there is shown a duplex optical fiber 20 connector which is design~tecl generally by the numeral 20. The duplex connector 20 includes a housing 21 having a base 22 and a cover 24 which is adapted to hold two devices which termin~te optical fibers of a cable 23. Typically, the cable 23 includes two buffered optical fibers 25-25 each of which includes an optical fiber enclosed in a coating and a buffer layer of a plastic m~te.ri~l such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The buffered optical fibers 25-25 are enclosed in a common plastic jacket 27 and a non-metallic strength member system compri~ing yarn 29 disposed between the optical fibers and the jacket (see FIG.l). The housing 21is made of a rigid plastic material and includes a cable entry end 26 into which the cable 23extends and a connection or free end 28.
The base 22 includes two nests 31-31 (see FIG. 3), each adapted to receive an end portion of a connector plug assembly 30 (see FIG. 1). Each nest 31is defined by a side wall 32 of the base and by an internally disposed wall 34 each wall having an inturned portion 35. The internally disposed walls 34-34 which define the nests are spaced apart by an abutment 36. Further, each of the walls 32-32 and 34-34 includes a slot 37 oriented toward the cable entry end of the base. The slots 37-37 of the walls 32 and 34 which form each nest 31 face each other.
Viewing now FIG. 3, it can be seen that the cable entry end of the base 22 includes provisions for securing a strain relief boot 40 (see FIG. 1) which is secured to an end portion of the cable 23. The boot 40 includes a portion 42 (see also FIG. 4) which tapers from the outer diameter of the cable 23 to a widened 5 portion 44 which abuts an outer surface 45 of the cable entry end 26 of the base 22.
A necked-down portion 49 of the boot 40 connects the widened portion 44 to a flange 51. The flange 51 is received in a slotted portion 53 of the base 22 comprising two side portions 55-55 and a bottom portion 57.
When the end portion of the cable 23 is provided with the boot 40 and 10 the boot is secured in the base 22 by the cover 24, an end portion of the cable 23 extends through a semi-circular channel 59. The end portion of the cable 23 further is secured within the base 22 by a collar (not shown) which is disposed about the end portion of the jacket of the cable and which is received in a slotted opening 58adjacent to one end of the channel 59.
15 - Adapted to be received in the semicircular channel 59 (see FIG. 3) adjacent to the cable entry end 26 of the base 22 is a flanged sleeve 60 having a tapered opening 61 thel~Lhl~ugh (see also FIG. 5). The larger ~ meter end of theopening 61 is oriented toward the free end of the housing. A tapered plug 62 having a passageway 63 the~e~l~vugh is adapted to become disposed within the opening 6120 in the sleeve. When a jumper cable 23 is brought through the boot 40 into the cable entry end 26 of the housing 21, the jacket 27 is removed to expose the yarn-likestrength members 29-29. The buffered optical fibers 25-25 are routed through thepassageway 63 of the plug and the yarn-like strength members 29-29 caused to become disposed between the plug and the inner wall of the sleeve. When the plug25 62 is urged into seating engagement with the sleeve 60, this yarn-like strength members 29-29 are clamped between the plug and the sleeve. In use, any forces applied to the cable are transferred through the yarn to the sleeve and connector housing thereby avoiding any undue forces being applied to the optical connection.
From the jacketed end portion of the cable 23 extend end portions of the 30 buffered optical fibers 25-25. Each of the end portions of the buffered optical fibers 25-25 is te~nin~tecl by a connector plug assembly which is designated generally by the numeral 30. (see FIGS. 6 and 7).
As can be seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, each of the connector plug assemblies 30-30 includes a plug or ferrule 64 which is cylindrically shaped and which has an 35 end portion received in a bore 65 formed in an enlarged portion 66 of a barrel 67. A
smaller diameter portion 69 of the barrel 67 extends beyond a flange 71 of a housing 73. The barrel 67 is held within the housing 73 by a clip 75 which is received in a cil1ull~lcntial groove 77 formed in an outer portion of the small di~m~ot~r portion 69. The small diameter portion 69 of the barrel 67 is provided with a bore 79 which at one of its ends co"~ icates with a bore 81 of the ferrule 64. Further, an opposite 5 end of the bore 79 adjacent to the flange 71 is provided with a flared entrance 83 to facilitate insertion of an optical fiber to be termin~tçcl by the plug 64. A spring 85 is disposed concentric~lly about the small diameter portion 69 of the barrel 67 between the barrel and an inner wall of the housing 73. With the plug assemblies 30-30 supported in the base 22, end portions of the ferrules 64-64 extend beyond the free 10 end of the housing. Also with the connector plug assembly 30 ~u~ol~ed in the nest in the base 22, forces applied to an end of the ferrule cause the barrel 67 to be moved toward the center of the housing, colllpressing the spring 85 and causing the clip 75 to become spaced from the flange 71.
Also as can be seen in FIG. 7, the ~ m~ter of the bore 79 is 15 substantially larger than that of the passageway 81 in the ferrule 64. To termin~te a buffered optical fiber, the plastic burrelil g m~teri~l and the coating or coatings are removed from an end portion thereof. The end portion of the buffered optical fiber from which the plastic burrel;llg and the coating material have been removed is inserted into the p~ geway 81 of the ferrule 64 whc.~ upon the portion from which 20 the plastic buffering m~tl~ri~l has not been removed becomes disposed in the larger bore 79.
Returning now to FIG. 3, it can be seen that the base 22 is provided with a pair of ~,illlaly resilient latches 90-90 adjacent to the cable entry end thereof and to a bottom portion 92 thereof. Each of the latches 90-90 incl~1des an arm 91 which is 25 attached to the base and a hook-like end 93 which is attached to a free end thereof.
Also provided in the base 22 is a pair of release portion 95-95, one on each side of the base. Each release portion 95 is adjacent to the open side of the base 22. Further, each release portion 95 includes an arm 96 which is cantilevered from a portion of the base somewhat adjacent to the free end thereof. Adjacent to a free end 30 of the arm is a c~ ing portion 97 which ramps outwardly toward a peak 98 and then dowllwardly to the free un~u~olled end of the arm.
Further included in the base 22 are a plurality of threaded wells 99-99.
The wells 99-99 are used to facilitate the assembly of the cover 24 to the base 22. Of course, the cover could be secured to the base 22 in other ways such as for example, 35 by ultrasonic bonding.
'~ 202G187 , As can be seen in FIG. 8, the cover 24 is provided with a groove 102 adjacent to an end 104 thereof which becomes disposed adjacent to the cable input end of the base. When the cover is assembled to the base 22, an edge portion of the flange 51 of the boot 40 is received in the groove 102. Further, the cover is provided 5 with another groove 106 in which is received a portion of the flange of the sleeve 60 which is disposed about an end portion of the jacketed cable.
The cover 24 also includes latching provisions which cooperate with latching provisions of the base 22 when the cover is assembled to the base to hold the housing within an enclosing portion referred to as a release hood. As can be seen in FIG. 8, the cover 24 includes a pair of latching arms 110-110 which are attached to opposite sides of the cover. Each arm 110 includes a latching portion 112 depending from a free end thereof.
Adjacent to an end 114 of the cover which becomes disposed adjacent to the free end of the housing when the cover is assembled to the base are formed two recesses 116- 116. The recesses 116-116 which are formed in an underside of the cover are adapted to receive exposed portions of the plug assemblies 30-30 whichare supported in the base 22. Outer ends of the recesses 116- 116 have collar portions 118- 118 which are adapted to become disposed about portions of the barrels 66-66 which project from the housing portions 73-73 of the plug assemblies.
In order to facilitate the assembly of the cover 24 with the base 22, the cover is provided with three openings 120-120. When the cover becomes en~çd with the base, the openings 120-120 become aligned with the threaded wells 99-99 in the base. This allows f~ctençrs 122-122 (see FIG. 1) to be turned through the openings 120-120 into the wells to secure together the base and the cover.
Also, as can be seen in FIG. 8, the cover 24 includes a protruding boss 121. When the cover 24 is assembled to the base 22, the boss 121 is received in a mating cavity 124 formed in the abutment 36 (see FIG. 3).
The connector 20 is adapted to provide for optical conncclions of the two optical fibers which are termin~tçd by the ferrules 64-64 to two other optical 30 co~ lunications paths. The other two optical connections paths may be comprised of two ferrules in another duplex connector which termin~e two optical fibers orthey may be two optical paths in a device such as an electro-optical device, forexample. Such a connection is generally made through a receptacle 125 (see FIG. 9) which is adapted to receive two duplex connectors 20-20 in opposite ends thereof or 35 to receive a duplex connector 20 in one end and a device in an opposite end. Also, the receptacle may be used to couple together a duplex connector 20 and two 202618~
_, .
CABLES TERMINATED THER~;Wll ~l Technical Field This invention relates to a duplex optical fiber connector and cables 5 termin:~ted therewith.
Background of the Invention The data co~ ,lunications industry has established the fiber distributed data interface (FDDI) as a standard for the definition of the properties of a local area network. A system in accordance with that standard is referred to as an FDDI
10 system and is an optical system port to port opti,dLing at a data line rate of 125 megabits per second.
FDDI is the first, all optical fiber high speed local area network system and will become prominent in the last decade of the twentieth century. It will provide a high speed optical tr~n~micsion path between lllainr,allle and peripheral equipment 15 and is suitable for use as a backbone network between lower speed local area networks. FDDI presently is a 100 megabit LAN transfer data rate system that recommends a 62.5/125 micron core/cladding diameter optical fiber and is an LED
based standard involving dual, counter-rotating, token passing rings that operate at a center wavelength of 1300 nm.
Dual rings include a p.ima,y ring and a secondary ring. Dual rings are used to provide enhanced reliability and an option for higher performance. If both rings are operative, the capability of tr~n~mitting in both ring directions exists.
The large scale use of optical fiber for the local area network will result in an extensive use of optical fiber in building distribution systems. The FDDI
25 system presents several challenges. There are restrictions imposed by FDDI
standards and there are complications associated with large quantities of fiber that include fiber which extends to individual work stations.
In order to aide network engineers and installers in enforcing basic rules and/or more restrictive policies which may be chosen by the user, the FDDI standard 30 has defined certain requirements. For example, details of a receptacle for a dua'l fiber connector are specified in a standard referred to as the Physical Layer Medium Dependent (PMD) part of the FDDI standard. The PMD determines the specifications for optical tr~ns, l li~ , and receivers, optical fiber, optical connections and optical bypass switches along with optional keying configurations. The 35 receptacle and an associated plug are polarized mechanically to prevent the transposition of transmit/receive fibers, and keys corresponding to station interfaces 21~2Sl~7 are designed to avoid mixing primary and secondary rings and to avoid mixing station attachm. nt~. Viewing a station with the key on top, the transmit signalalways exits the interface on a left fiber port, and the receive signal always enters the interface on a right fiber port.
A simple dual ring architecture can be arranged with the keying and signal directions defined in the PMD standard by using duplex jumper cables. Theprimary ring is constructed by connçcting a B receptacle of each station to an Areceptacle of the next station in a rOl vv~.l direction around the primary ring. When the primary ring is closed, the secondary ring is completed with the secondary ring lO signal flowing in an opposite direction.
As the network expands to multiple floors of a single building or to a campus including multiple buildings, connections become prohibitively complex toa~lminister. For such expanded networks, it should be clear that a manageable distribution system is necessary.
Connectors must be provided to termin~te jumper cables each of which includes two optical fibers. It is these jumper cables which are used in ;~timini~trative locations such as in an equipment room and in riser and sate11ite closets to make cross-connections between interfaces in which cable runs t-ormin~t-e. The connectors are duplex connectors each being capable of termin~ting two optical fibers.
The FDDI connector typically comprises two plugs or ferrules, as they usually are called, each of which te~min~tes an optical fiber. The two ferrules are mounted in a housing which has an entry end for a duplex cable. Each of the ferrules is spring-loaded to allow the connection between two ferrules to be loaded.
Duplex connectors for optical fiber are known in the art. For example, see U. S. Patent 4,787,706. That connector includes a housing in which are mounted two ferrules. Each of the ferrules which terminates an optical fiber extends from an end of the housing opposite to that end into which a cable enters. The protruding ends of the ferrules are protected by a retractable buml)el or shroud which may be moved rearwardly toward the opposite end of the housing to expose the ferrule ends 30 and facilitate optical connections to other ferrules. Although the connector which is disclosed in the above-identified patent 4,787,706 is suitable for duplex connections, FDDI standards are such that any shroud which covers the exposed ends of the ferrules invariably must be fixed in position.
The ferrules in such a connector have a propensity for becoming 35 conl:~,.,in~te~l with dust, for example. Such cont~min~tion can affect adversely the pelrollllance characteristics across the connection. Accordingly, it is desired to be 3 ~ 8 7 -able to access the ferrules so that they may be cleaned from time to time.
Also of interest in the FDDI system is the ability to key different connectors for purposes of installation and ~lmini~tration. This has been accomplished with an arrangement such as, for example, that in the duplex S connector disclosed in the above-identified U.S. Patent No. 4,787,706.
What is needed and what seemingly is not disclosed in the art is a connector for use with the FDDI which is relatively easy to m~nllf~cture. The sought-after connector should have provisions for protecting extending end portions of fiber tPrmin~ting ferrules as well as allowing the end portions of the ferrules to be cleaned. Further, it is desired that the sought-after connector include keying provisions to simplify inst~ tion and a-lmini~tration of the connector in a network system.
Summary of the Invention In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a duplex optical fiber connector for termin~ting two optical fibers of a cable and being adapted to be connected optically to another connector, said duplex connector comprising: a housing which comprises first and second mating portions and whichincludes a cable entry end and a free end with one of said mating portions including a keyway; two plug assemblies disposed within said housing adjacent to said freeend of said housing, each said plug assembly including a ferrule being adapted to be associated with and to termin~te one of the optical fibers of a cable and having a portion which protrudes from said free end of said housing; and protective meansbeing mounted in a fixed position on said free end of said housing for protecting end portions of the ferrules which protrude from said housing and being capable of being removed to expose said end portions of said ferrules, said protective means including a keyway which becomes aligned with said keyway of said housing when said protective means is mounted on said free end of said housing, wherein said housing is capable of having any one of a plurality of protective means having keyways of different cross sectional ~limen~ions mounted thereon to allow said connector to be keyed to a desired receptacle having a mating key formed on an inner wall thereof.
,~."
~ . .
' --3a- ~ 'I 8 7 --In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a connectorized optical fiber cable, which includes: an optical fiber cable which includes two optical fibers; and a duplex optical fiber connector for te~min~ting said two optical fibers, said duplex connector comprising: a housing5 which comprises first and second mating portions and which includes a cable entry end and a free end with one of said mating portion including a keyway; two plug assemblies disposed within said housing adjacent to said free end of said housing, each said plug assembly including a ferrule being adapted to be associated with and to termin~te one of the optical fibers of a cable, and having a portion which 10 protrudes from said free end of said housing; and protective means being mounted in a fixed position on said free end of said housing for protecting end portions of the ferrules which protrude from said housing and being capable of being removedto expose said end portions of said ferrules, said protective means including a keyway which becomes aligned with said keyway in said housing when said 15 protective means is mounted on said free end of said housing, wherein said housing is capable of having any one of a plurality of protective means having keyways of different cross sectional dimensions mounted thereon to allow said connector to be keyed to a desired receptacle having a mating key formed on an inner wall thereof.
In a particular embodiment the protective means includes a shroud. The 20 shroud provides the connector with several capabilities. Firstly, the shroud may be removed to expose the ferrules and allow them to be cleaned. Secondly, the shroud may be keyed to a particular receptacle in which the connector is to be assembled in order to effect optical connections. In order to facilitate connection to a different receptacle, the shroud may be replaced with another which has a different keying25 arrangement suited to facilitate connection to the other receptacle.
Brief DCSL ;l-lion of the Draw;n~
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an optical fiber connector of this invention which includes a removable shroud;
'~ 202S187 '_ FIG.2is a perspective view of the connector of FIG.l having a shroud removed from a housing thereof;
FIG.3is a plan view of a base of the connector housing as viewed from the inside;
FIG.4is a detail view of a cable strain relief portion of the connector, FIG.Sis a detail view of a force transfer system at a cable entry end of the connector;
FlG.6is a perspective view of a connector plug assembly;
FIG.7 is a side elevational view in section of the connector plug 10 assembly of FIG.6;
FIG.8is a plan view of a cover of the housing as viewed from the inside;
FIG.9is a perspective view of a receptacle into which the connector of FIG.l may be inserted;
FIG.lOis an end view of the removable shroud; and FIG.llis a plan view in section of a release hood which is mounted slidably on the assembly of the base and the cover.
Detailed Des~ )lion Referring now to FIGS.l and 2, there is shown a duplex optical fiber 20 connector which is design~tecl generally by the numeral 20. The duplex connector 20 includes a housing 21 having a base 22 and a cover 24 which is adapted to hold two devices which termin~te optical fibers of a cable 23. Typically, the cable 23 includes two buffered optical fibers 25-25 each of which includes an optical fiber enclosed in a coating and a buffer layer of a plastic m~te.ri~l such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The buffered optical fibers 25-25 are enclosed in a common plastic jacket 27 and a non-metallic strength member system compri~ing yarn 29 disposed between the optical fibers and the jacket (see FIG.l). The housing 21is made of a rigid plastic material and includes a cable entry end 26 into which the cable 23extends and a connection or free end 28.
The base 22 includes two nests 31-31 (see FIG. 3), each adapted to receive an end portion of a connector plug assembly 30 (see FIG. 1). Each nest 31is defined by a side wall 32 of the base and by an internally disposed wall 34 each wall having an inturned portion 35. The internally disposed walls 34-34 which define the nests are spaced apart by an abutment 36. Further, each of the walls 32-32 and 34-34 includes a slot 37 oriented toward the cable entry end of the base. The slots 37-37 of the walls 32 and 34 which form each nest 31 face each other.
Viewing now FIG. 3, it can be seen that the cable entry end of the base 22 includes provisions for securing a strain relief boot 40 (see FIG. 1) which is secured to an end portion of the cable 23. The boot 40 includes a portion 42 (see also FIG. 4) which tapers from the outer diameter of the cable 23 to a widened 5 portion 44 which abuts an outer surface 45 of the cable entry end 26 of the base 22.
A necked-down portion 49 of the boot 40 connects the widened portion 44 to a flange 51. The flange 51 is received in a slotted portion 53 of the base 22 comprising two side portions 55-55 and a bottom portion 57.
When the end portion of the cable 23 is provided with the boot 40 and 10 the boot is secured in the base 22 by the cover 24, an end portion of the cable 23 extends through a semi-circular channel 59. The end portion of the cable 23 further is secured within the base 22 by a collar (not shown) which is disposed about the end portion of the jacket of the cable and which is received in a slotted opening 58adjacent to one end of the channel 59.
15 - Adapted to be received in the semicircular channel 59 (see FIG. 3) adjacent to the cable entry end 26 of the base 22 is a flanged sleeve 60 having a tapered opening 61 thel~Lhl~ugh (see also FIG. 5). The larger ~ meter end of theopening 61 is oriented toward the free end of the housing. A tapered plug 62 having a passageway 63 the~e~l~vugh is adapted to become disposed within the opening 6120 in the sleeve. When a jumper cable 23 is brought through the boot 40 into the cable entry end 26 of the housing 21, the jacket 27 is removed to expose the yarn-likestrength members 29-29. The buffered optical fibers 25-25 are routed through thepassageway 63 of the plug and the yarn-like strength members 29-29 caused to become disposed between the plug and the inner wall of the sleeve. When the plug25 62 is urged into seating engagement with the sleeve 60, this yarn-like strength members 29-29 are clamped between the plug and the sleeve. In use, any forces applied to the cable are transferred through the yarn to the sleeve and connector housing thereby avoiding any undue forces being applied to the optical connection.
From the jacketed end portion of the cable 23 extend end portions of the 30 buffered optical fibers 25-25. Each of the end portions of the buffered optical fibers 25-25 is te~nin~tecl by a connector plug assembly which is designated generally by the numeral 30. (see FIGS. 6 and 7).
As can be seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, each of the connector plug assemblies 30-30 includes a plug or ferrule 64 which is cylindrically shaped and which has an 35 end portion received in a bore 65 formed in an enlarged portion 66 of a barrel 67. A
smaller diameter portion 69 of the barrel 67 extends beyond a flange 71 of a housing 73. The barrel 67 is held within the housing 73 by a clip 75 which is received in a cil1ull~lcntial groove 77 formed in an outer portion of the small di~m~ot~r portion 69. The small diameter portion 69 of the barrel 67 is provided with a bore 79 which at one of its ends co"~ icates with a bore 81 of the ferrule 64. Further, an opposite 5 end of the bore 79 adjacent to the flange 71 is provided with a flared entrance 83 to facilitate insertion of an optical fiber to be termin~tçcl by the plug 64. A spring 85 is disposed concentric~lly about the small diameter portion 69 of the barrel 67 between the barrel and an inner wall of the housing 73. With the plug assemblies 30-30 supported in the base 22, end portions of the ferrules 64-64 extend beyond the free 10 end of the housing. Also with the connector plug assembly 30 ~u~ol~ed in the nest in the base 22, forces applied to an end of the ferrule cause the barrel 67 to be moved toward the center of the housing, colllpressing the spring 85 and causing the clip 75 to become spaced from the flange 71.
Also as can be seen in FIG. 7, the ~ m~ter of the bore 79 is 15 substantially larger than that of the passageway 81 in the ferrule 64. To termin~te a buffered optical fiber, the plastic burrelil g m~teri~l and the coating or coatings are removed from an end portion thereof. The end portion of the buffered optical fiber from which the plastic burrel;llg and the coating material have been removed is inserted into the p~ geway 81 of the ferrule 64 whc.~ upon the portion from which 20 the plastic buffering m~tl~ri~l has not been removed becomes disposed in the larger bore 79.
Returning now to FIG. 3, it can be seen that the base 22 is provided with a pair of ~,illlaly resilient latches 90-90 adjacent to the cable entry end thereof and to a bottom portion 92 thereof. Each of the latches 90-90 incl~1des an arm 91 which is 25 attached to the base and a hook-like end 93 which is attached to a free end thereof.
Also provided in the base 22 is a pair of release portion 95-95, one on each side of the base. Each release portion 95 is adjacent to the open side of the base 22. Further, each release portion 95 includes an arm 96 which is cantilevered from a portion of the base somewhat adjacent to the free end thereof. Adjacent to a free end 30 of the arm is a c~ ing portion 97 which ramps outwardly toward a peak 98 and then dowllwardly to the free un~u~olled end of the arm.
Further included in the base 22 are a plurality of threaded wells 99-99.
The wells 99-99 are used to facilitate the assembly of the cover 24 to the base 22. Of course, the cover could be secured to the base 22 in other ways such as for example, 35 by ultrasonic bonding.
'~ 202G187 , As can be seen in FIG. 8, the cover 24 is provided with a groove 102 adjacent to an end 104 thereof which becomes disposed adjacent to the cable input end of the base. When the cover is assembled to the base 22, an edge portion of the flange 51 of the boot 40 is received in the groove 102. Further, the cover is provided 5 with another groove 106 in which is received a portion of the flange of the sleeve 60 which is disposed about an end portion of the jacketed cable.
The cover 24 also includes latching provisions which cooperate with latching provisions of the base 22 when the cover is assembled to the base to hold the housing within an enclosing portion referred to as a release hood. As can be seen in FIG. 8, the cover 24 includes a pair of latching arms 110-110 which are attached to opposite sides of the cover. Each arm 110 includes a latching portion 112 depending from a free end thereof.
Adjacent to an end 114 of the cover which becomes disposed adjacent to the free end of the housing when the cover is assembled to the base are formed two recesses 116- 116. The recesses 116-116 which are formed in an underside of the cover are adapted to receive exposed portions of the plug assemblies 30-30 whichare supported in the base 22. Outer ends of the recesses 116- 116 have collar portions 118- 118 which are adapted to become disposed about portions of the barrels 66-66 which project from the housing portions 73-73 of the plug assemblies.
In order to facilitate the assembly of the cover 24 with the base 22, the cover is provided with three openings 120-120. When the cover becomes en~çd with the base, the openings 120-120 become aligned with the threaded wells 99-99 in the base. This allows f~ctençrs 122-122 (see FIG. 1) to be turned through the openings 120-120 into the wells to secure together the base and the cover.
Also, as can be seen in FIG. 8, the cover 24 includes a protruding boss 121. When the cover 24 is assembled to the base 22, the boss 121 is received in a mating cavity 124 formed in the abutment 36 (see FIG. 3).
The connector 20 is adapted to provide for optical conncclions of the two optical fibers which are termin~tçd by the ferrules 64-64 to two other optical 30 co~ lunications paths. The other two optical connections paths may be comprised of two ferrules in another duplex connector which termin~e two optical fibers orthey may be two optical paths in a device such as an electro-optical device, forexample. Such a connection is generally made through a receptacle 125 (see FIG. 9) which is adapted to receive two duplex connectors 20-20 in opposite ends thereof or 35 to receive a duplex connector 20 in one end and a device in an opposite end. Also, the receptacle may be used to couple together a duplex connector 20 and two 202618~
_, .
simplex, single fiber connectors (not shown).
When the free end of a duplex connector 20 is inserted into a receptacle 125, latches 127-127 (see FIG~ 3) which are provided on the oulwal~ly facing surfaces of the arms 96-96 of the release portions 95-95 cam against guide surfaces 5 128-128 which define an opening 129 for receiving the duplex connector free end.
Because the arms 95-95 are cantilevered and are capable of being deflected, the insertion of the free end of the duplex connector into a receptacle causes forces to be applied to the arm to cause the arms to be deflected. As the duplex connector 20reaches the desired limit of insertion travel, the latches 127-127 ride past a step 131 10 in side walls 133-133. This allows the arms 95-95 to return outwardly to their normal position relative to the base 22 and causes the latches 127-127 to spring into a locking position within openings 135-135. As a result, the co.~..~lo. 20 becomes secured with the receptacle against nninten-lyl axial movement.
Adapted to be attached to the free end of the colmeclul 20 is a shroud 15 130 (see FIGs. 1-2 and 10). The shroud 130 is adapted to be attached to the housing 21 in a manner which permits the shroud to be removed to permit access to the termin~ting ferrules 64-64. This allows the ferrules 64-64 to be cleaned and at the same time allows the housing 21 to meet FDDI standards. Advantageously, not onlydoes the removable shroud facilitate cleaning, it also provides the connector 20 with 20 the capability of being keyed to mate with a particular receptacle.
The shroud 130 comprises two covering portions 132 and 134 each of which encloses its associated ferrule on three sides with the fourth side of each being open. As is seen, the open sides of the covering portions 132 and 134 face each other. Also as can be seen, the covering portion 134 is larger than the covering25 portion 132. The covering portion 132 extends from a center body portion 136 in a manner to provide a lip 138 about the exterior of that covering portion. On the other hand, the covering portion 134 extends from the center body portion 136 in a manner which forms a step 139 interiorly of that covering portion. F.xt~.n~ling lear~al~ly from the center portion 136 is a centrally disposed locator 141 having two spaced 30 locator tabs 143-143 extending thelerlu,l,. A continuous ridge 145 extends from the center portion 136 contiguous to one side of the locator 141. Two spaced fins 147-147 project parallel to the ridge 145 with one being on either side of the locator 141.
The shroud 130 also includes provisions for being secured to the 35 assembly of the base and the cover. Cantilevered from the center portion 136 adjacent each end thereof is a deflectable tab 148 having a latching nub 149 at a free g end thereof.
In order to facilitate the assembly of the shroud 130 to the base 22 and the cover 24, the locator 141 of the shroud is formed to be contiguous to the ridge 145 but spaced from the two spaced fins 147-147. During assembly of the shroud 5 130 to the assembled base and the cover, the shroud is positioned to cause the locator 141 to become disposed adjacent to the base 22 of the housing. Further, the shroud 130 is aligned with the housing to cause the locator tabs 143-143 to become aligned with locator slots 152-152 (see FIG. 3), which are formed on opposite sides of the center abu~ el-t 36 adjacent to the free end of the base 22. Again viewing FIG. 3, it 10 can be seen that the housing 21 is formed to provide facilities for receiving the deflectable tabs 148- 148. Between each nest 31 which receives a connector plug assembly 30 and a sidewall 32 is formed a socket 151 which includes a ramp portion 153. As the shroud 130 is assembled to the housing 21, the deflectable tabs 148-148 are moved into the sockets 151-151. The latching nubs 149-149 ride alongthe c~"""ing surface 153-153 and snap-lock behind surfaces 155-155 thereof to secure the shroud to the housing end cover. The s-lrf~ces 155-155 are inclined sufficiently to retain the latching nubs 149-149 but are such that upon the application of forces of a predetem-inç~ m:3~nitude, the shroud may be s~alaled from the housing 21.
Should the shroud 130 be inverted from its correct oriçnt~tion for assembly to the housing 21, the leading ends of the tabs 143-143 will engage theboss 121 of the cover 24 before the deflectable tabs 148-148 are seated fully within the sockets 151-151. This signifies to a ~ p~ oll that the orientation is incorrect and that an adjustm~nt is necessary.
The connector 20 includes provisions for insuring proper orientation of the connector upon insertion into the receptacle 125 and for insuring that the correct connector is being inserted into a particular receptacle. As for the correct orientation, the dirrel~l-ce in size of the two covering portions 132 and 134 and the dirrele.lce in size of two side by side receiving openings of the receptacle insures 30 proper orientation of one duplex connector with another duplex connector. In other words, for coupling two duplex connectors, the shroud is a means of pol~ri7~tion for the connector.
General provisions for insuring that the desired connector is being inserted into a receptacle includes the size and position of a keyway 157 (see FIGS.
35 1-2 and 10) between the two covering portions of the shroud 130. The receptacle 125 into which is received the connector 20 is provided with a key 159 (see FIG. 9) .
which is adapted to be received in a keyway of conrolll ing size. It also should be observed that an extension 158 (see FIG. 1) of the kt;yway is formed along a portion of the cover 24. The width of the keyway extension 158 which is design~ted "A" in FIG. 10 does not vary. The size of the keyway 157 may be narrowed and/or offset 5 from the keyway 158 by c~ in~ the top and bottom portions of one or both of the covering portions to extend closer to the cenLellille of the shroud (see ~1imt-n~ion "B"
in FIG. 10). Instead a connector 20 is keyed for a particular receptacle by fitting it with a shroud which includes a keyway 157 of suitable size. Such provisions are effective not only when coupling two duplex connectors, but also when coupling a10 duplex connector to an optical device or to two simplex connectors, for çY~mple The connector also must include provisions for decoupling the connector from a receptacle 125. Such provisions include a release hood 160 which is best seen by viewing FIGS. 1-2 and 11. The hood 160 includes a top 162 and a bottom 164 and two side walls 166-166. A front end 167 of the hood 160 includes 15 an opening adapted to receive the cable input end of the conn~ctor. An opposite or back end of the hood 160 includes two spaced straps 168- 168 between which is adapted to become disposed the boot 40 disposed about an end jacketed portion ofthe cable. The cable extends between the two straps out of the hood 160.
Formed along an inner surface of each side wall 166 at its intersection 20 with the top or the bottom is a rail 170. The rail extends about half the distance from one end to an opposite end of the hood 160. Between the two rails 170-170 along each side wall 166 is a ramp 172 which is inclined from the sidewall to an entryopening 174 of the hood.
The hood 160 is assembled to the covered co.lne~lol housing by causing 25 the cable 23 and the boot 40 to extend between the straps 168-168 and the front portion of the hood to become disposed over the cable entry end of the housing until the hook-like ends 93-93 and the l~tçhing portions 112-112 of the arms 91-91 and110- 110, respectively, snap-lock behind the ends of the rails 170- 170. At that time the triangular shaped c~.. ;ng portions 97-97 of the arms 96-96 of the base are 30 disposed between the rails 170-170 and spaced from the ramp 172. It should benoted that the latching of the hook-like ends 93-93 and the latching portions 112-112 behind the rails 170-170 is such that they may become disengaged upon the application of suitable forces to (3ic~ssemble the housing 21 from the hood 160.As mentioned hereinbefore, when a connector 20 is inserted into a 35 receptacle, the latches 127-127 of the arms 96-96 snap-lock behind steps within the receptacle. In order to release the latches to allow withdrawal of the connector from ', 2n26ls7 the receptacle, the hood 160 is moved ~ ly in a direction from the free end toward the cable entry end. This movement causes the triangular shaped c~.~,."ing portions 97-97 to cam against the ramps 172-172 deflecting the arms 96-96 inwardly toward the sidewalls of the housing. The deflection of the arms 96-96 causes the5 latching nubs 127-127 to become disengaged from the openings 135-135 within the receptacle thereby p~. " ,i~ g withdrawal of the connector from the receptacle.
It is to be understood that the above-described arrangell~n~s are simply illustrative of the invention. Other arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art which will embody the principles of the invention and fall within the spirit 10 and scope thereof.
When the free end of a duplex connector 20 is inserted into a receptacle 125, latches 127-127 (see FIG~ 3) which are provided on the oulwal~ly facing surfaces of the arms 96-96 of the release portions 95-95 cam against guide surfaces 5 128-128 which define an opening 129 for receiving the duplex connector free end.
Because the arms 95-95 are cantilevered and are capable of being deflected, the insertion of the free end of the duplex connector into a receptacle causes forces to be applied to the arm to cause the arms to be deflected. As the duplex connector 20reaches the desired limit of insertion travel, the latches 127-127 ride past a step 131 10 in side walls 133-133. This allows the arms 95-95 to return outwardly to their normal position relative to the base 22 and causes the latches 127-127 to spring into a locking position within openings 135-135. As a result, the co.~..~lo. 20 becomes secured with the receptacle against nninten-lyl axial movement.
Adapted to be attached to the free end of the colmeclul 20 is a shroud 15 130 (see FIGs. 1-2 and 10). The shroud 130 is adapted to be attached to the housing 21 in a manner which permits the shroud to be removed to permit access to the termin~ting ferrules 64-64. This allows the ferrules 64-64 to be cleaned and at the same time allows the housing 21 to meet FDDI standards. Advantageously, not onlydoes the removable shroud facilitate cleaning, it also provides the connector 20 with 20 the capability of being keyed to mate with a particular receptacle.
The shroud 130 comprises two covering portions 132 and 134 each of which encloses its associated ferrule on three sides with the fourth side of each being open. As is seen, the open sides of the covering portions 132 and 134 face each other. Also as can be seen, the covering portion 134 is larger than the covering25 portion 132. The covering portion 132 extends from a center body portion 136 in a manner to provide a lip 138 about the exterior of that covering portion. On the other hand, the covering portion 134 extends from the center body portion 136 in a manner which forms a step 139 interiorly of that covering portion. F.xt~.n~ling lear~al~ly from the center portion 136 is a centrally disposed locator 141 having two spaced 30 locator tabs 143-143 extending thelerlu,l,. A continuous ridge 145 extends from the center portion 136 contiguous to one side of the locator 141. Two spaced fins 147-147 project parallel to the ridge 145 with one being on either side of the locator 141.
The shroud 130 also includes provisions for being secured to the 35 assembly of the base and the cover. Cantilevered from the center portion 136 adjacent each end thereof is a deflectable tab 148 having a latching nub 149 at a free g end thereof.
In order to facilitate the assembly of the shroud 130 to the base 22 and the cover 24, the locator 141 of the shroud is formed to be contiguous to the ridge 145 but spaced from the two spaced fins 147-147. During assembly of the shroud 5 130 to the assembled base and the cover, the shroud is positioned to cause the locator 141 to become disposed adjacent to the base 22 of the housing. Further, the shroud 130 is aligned with the housing to cause the locator tabs 143-143 to become aligned with locator slots 152-152 (see FIG. 3), which are formed on opposite sides of the center abu~ el-t 36 adjacent to the free end of the base 22. Again viewing FIG. 3, it 10 can be seen that the housing 21 is formed to provide facilities for receiving the deflectable tabs 148- 148. Between each nest 31 which receives a connector plug assembly 30 and a sidewall 32 is formed a socket 151 which includes a ramp portion 153. As the shroud 130 is assembled to the housing 21, the deflectable tabs 148-148 are moved into the sockets 151-151. The latching nubs 149-149 ride alongthe c~"""ing surface 153-153 and snap-lock behind surfaces 155-155 thereof to secure the shroud to the housing end cover. The s-lrf~ces 155-155 are inclined sufficiently to retain the latching nubs 149-149 but are such that upon the application of forces of a predetem-inç~ m:3~nitude, the shroud may be s~alaled from the housing 21.
Should the shroud 130 be inverted from its correct oriçnt~tion for assembly to the housing 21, the leading ends of the tabs 143-143 will engage theboss 121 of the cover 24 before the deflectable tabs 148-148 are seated fully within the sockets 151-151. This signifies to a ~ p~ oll that the orientation is incorrect and that an adjustm~nt is necessary.
The connector 20 includes provisions for insuring proper orientation of the connector upon insertion into the receptacle 125 and for insuring that the correct connector is being inserted into a particular receptacle. As for the correct orientation, the dirrel~l-ce in size of the two covering portions 132 and 134 and the dirrele.lce in size of two side by side receiving openings of the receptacle insures 30 proper orientation of one duplex connector with another duplex connector. In other words, for coupling two duplex connectors, the shroud is a means of pol~ri7~tion for the connector.
General provisions for insuring that the desired connector is being inserted into a receptacle includes the size and position of a keyway 157 (see FIGS.
35 1-2 and 10) between the two covering portions of the shroud 130. The receptacle 125 into which is received the connector 20 is provided with a key 159 (see FIG. 9) .
which is adapted to be received in a keyway of conrolll ing size. It also should be observed that an extension 158 (see FIG. 1) of the kt;yway is formed along a portion of the cover 24. The width of the keyway extension 158 which is design~ted "A" in FIG. 10 does not vary. The size of the keyway 157 may be narrowed and/or offset 5 from the keyway 158 by c~ in~ the top and bottom portions of one or both of the covering portions to extend closer to the cenLellille of the shroud (see ~1imt-n~ion "B"
in FIG. 10). Instead a connector 20 is keyed for a particular receptacle by fitting it with a shroud which includes a keyway 157 of suitable size. Such provisions are effective not only when coupling two duplex connectors, but also when coupling a10 duplex connector to an optical device or to two simplex connectors, for çY~mple The connector also must include provisions for decoupling the connector from a receptacle 125. Such provisions include a release hood 160 which is best seen by viewing FIGS. 1-2 and 11. The hood 160 includes a top 162 and a bottom 164 and two side walls 166-166. A front end 167 of the hood 160 includes 15 an opening adapted to receive the cable input end of the conn~ctor. An opposite or back end of the hood 160 includes two spaced straps 168- 168 between which is adapted to become disposed the boot 40 disposed about an end jacketed portion ofthe cable. The cable extends between the two straps out of the hood 160.
Formed along an inner surface of each side wall 166 at its intersection 20 with the top or the bottom is a rail 170. The rail extends about half the distance from one end to an opposite end of the hood 160. Between the two rails 170-170 along each side wall 166 is a ramp 172 which is inclined from the sidewall to an entryopening 174 of the hood.
The hood 160 is assembled to the covered co.lne~lol housing by causing 25 the cable 23 and the boot 40 to extend between the straps 168-168 and the front portion of the hood to become disposed over the cable entry end of the housing until the hook-like ends 93-93 and the l~tçhing portions 112-112 of the arms 91-91 and110- 110, respectively, snap-lock behind the ends of the rails 170- 170. At that time the triangular shaped c~.. ;ng portions 97-97 of the arms 96-96 of the base are 30 disposed between the rails 170-170 and spaced from the ramp 172. It should benoted that the latching of the hook-like ends 93-93 and the latching portions 112-112 behind the rails 170-170 is such that they may become disengaged upon the application of suitable forces to (3ic~ssemble the housing 21 from the hood 160.As mentioned hereinbefore, when a connector 20 is inserted into a 35 receptacle, the latches 127-127 of the arms 96-96 snap-lock behind steps within the receptacle. In order to release the latches to allow withdrawal of the connector from ', 2n26ls7 the receptacle, the hood 160 is moved ~ ly in a direction from the free end toward the cable entry end. This movement causes the triangular shaped c~.~,."ing portions 97-97 to cam against the ramps 172-172 deflecting the arms 96-96 inwardly toward the sidewalls of the housing. The deflection of the arms 96-96 causes the5 latching nubs 127-127 to become disengaged from the openings 135-135 within the receptacle thereby p~. " ,i~ g withdrawal of the connector from the receptacle.
It is to be understood that the above-described arrangell~n~s are simply illustrative of the invention. Other arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art which will embody the principles of the invention and fall within the spirit 10 and scope thereof.
Claims (19)
1. A duplex optical fiber connector for terminating two optical fibers of a cable and being adapted to be connected optically to another connector, said duplex connector comprising:
a housing which comprises first and second mating portions and which includes a cable entry end and a free end with one of said mating portionsincluding a keyway;
two plug assemblies disposed within said housing adjacent to said free end of said housing, each said plug assembly including a ferrule being adapted to be associated with and to terminate one of the optical fibers of a cable and having a portion which protrudes from said free end of said housing; and protective means being mounted in a fixed position on said free end of said housing for protecting end portions of the ferrules which protrude from said housing and being capable of being removed to expose said end portions of said ferrules, said protective means including a keyway which becomes aligned with said keyway of said housing when said protective means is mounted on said free end ofsaid housing, wherein said housing is capable of having any one of a plurality of protective means having keyways of different cross sectional dimensions mounted thereon to allow said connector to be keyed to a desired receptacle having a mating key formed on an inner wall thereof.
a housing which comprises first and second mating portions and which includes a cable entry end and a free end with one of said mating portionsincluding a keyway;
two plug assemblies disposed within said housing adjacent to said free end of said housing, each said plug assembly including a ferrule being adapted to be associated with and to terminate one of the optical fibers of a cable and having a portion which protrudes from said free end of said housing; and protective means being mounted in a fixed position on said free end of said housing for protecting end portions of the ferrules which protrude from said housing and being capable of being removed to expose said end portions of said ferrules, said protective means including a keyway which becomes aligned with said keyway of said housing when said protective means is mounted on said free end ofsaid housing, wherein said housing is capable of having any one of a plurality of protective means having keyways of different cross sectional dimensions mounted thereon to allow said connector to be keyed to a desired receptacle having a mating key formed on an inner wall thereof.
2. The duplex optical fiber connector of claim 1, which also includes force transfer means adapted to be disposed adjacent to said cable entry end and through which the optical fibers extend for transferring forces applied to the cable to said housing.
3. The duplex connector of claim 1, wherein said housing includes a base and a cover, said base of which includes deflectable release portions including latching portions for securing a portion of said connector within a receptacle.
4. The duplex connector of claim 3, which also includes a release hood for receiving a cable entry end portion of said connector, said base and said cover including latching portions for causing said cable entry end portion to become secured against unintentional movement within said release hood.
5. The duplex connector of claim 4, wherein said deflectable release portions of said base each includes a cantilevered arm one being on eachside of said base and having a camming portion extending therefrom for cooperating with a ramp portion formed interiorly of said release hood to cause the cantilevered arms to be moved inwardly as said hood is moved toward said cable entry end of said housing whereupon said camming portions cooperate with said ramp portions to deflect said arms inwardly to disengage said latching portions connected to saidarms from securing portions within the receptacle.
6. The duplex connector of claim 1, wherein said protective means is such that it is capable of being assembled to said housing only in a desired orientation.
7. The duplex connector of claim 6, wherein said protective means includes a shroud which is snap-locked to said free end of said housing.
8. The duplex connector of claim 7, wherein said housing is provided at the free end thereof with two sockets, each of which is adjacent to a side wall thereof and said shroud includes two latching arms, an end of each of said latching arms of said shroud being adapted to hook behind a retaining step within one of said sockets to secure said shroud to said housing.
9. The duplex connector of claim 8, wherein said housing includes a base and a cover and said base includes a centrally located abutment having a center cavity for receiving a mating boss formed on an inner surface ofsaid cover adjacent to said free end of said housing and said shroud includes a center locator having two locator tabs projecting therefrom and two fins spaced apart, one on each side of said locator, each of said tabs adapted to be received in a locator slot disposed adjacent to said abutment of said base and said fins adapted to be received adjacent to an inner surface of a raised portion of said cover, the raised portions of said cover forming a keyway which extends longitudinally of said cover, said shroud on a side of said center locator opposite to said two spaced fins including a continuous ridge which spans across said locator with said tabs being contiguous to said ridge and extending only partially along the height of said abutment so that should the shroud be misoriented for assembly to said housing, said tabs of said shroud engage said boss of said cover preventing full insertion of said latching arms of said shroud into said sockets.
10. The duplex connector of claim 9, wherein said shroud includes two covering portions, one of which encloses one ferrule and one of which encloses another ferrule, one of said enclosing portions having a width and a height in a plane normal to a longitudinal centerline of said housing which are greater than the width and the height of the other one of the enclosing portions.
11. The optical fiber connector of claim 10, wherein each of said enclosing portions of said shroud project from a center portion, said center portion between said enclosing portions on a side of said shroud which is opposite to that on which said ridge is formed being formed with a keyway which becomes aligned with said keyway in said cover when said shroud is assembled to said housing.
12. The optical fiber connector of claim 11, wherein said shroud is provided with a keyway which is smaller than and offset from the keyway of said cover.
13. The optical fiber connector of claim 1, wherein each said plug assembly includes a ferrule having a longitudinally extending passageway formed therethrough for receiving an end portion of an optical fiber to be terminated by said plug assembly, an end portion of said ferrule adapted to be received in a large diameter portion of a stepped bore of a barrel having an enlarged portion in which is formed said large diameter portion of said stepped bore, said barrel also including a fiber entry portion which extends from said enlarged portion and which includes a passageway formed therethrough and communicating with said passageway in said ferrule, said passageway in said fiber entry portion having a flared entrance tofacilitate insertion of the optical fiber.
14. The optical fiber connector of claim 13, wherein said barrel is received in a cavity of a holder, said cavity having a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of said enlarged portion of said barrel, said holder including a flange through which extends said fiber entry portion of said barrel, said plug assembly also including means adjacent to said flange for securing said barrel within said holder, and further said plug assembly also including a compression spring which is disposed concentrically about said fiber entry portion of said barrel between said enlarged portion of said barrel and said flange.
15. A connectorized optical fiber cable, which includes:
an optical fiber cable which includes two optical fibers; and a duplex optical fiber connector for terminating said two optical fibers, said duplex connector comprising:
a housing which comprises first and second mating portions and which includes a cable entry end and a free end with one of said mating portion including a keyway;
two plug assemblies disposed within said housing adjacent to said free end of said housing, each said plug assembly including a ferrule being adapted to be associated with and to terminate one of the optical fibers of a cable, andhaving a portion which protrudes from said free end of said housing; and protective means being mounted in a fixed position on said free end of said housing for protecting end portions of the ferrules which protrude from said housing and being capable of being removed to expose said end portions of said ferrules, said protective means including a keyway which becomes aligned with said keyway in said housing when said protective means is mounted on said free end ofsaid housing, wherein said housing is capable of having any one of a plurality of protective means having keyways of different cross sectional dimensions mounted thereon to allow said connector to be keyed to a desired receptacle having a mating key formed on an inner wall thereof.
an optical fiber cable which includes two optical fibers; and a duplex optical fiber connector for terminating said two optical fibers, said duplex connector comprising:
a housing which comprises first and second mating portions and which includes a cable entry end and a free end with one of said mating portion including a keyway;
two plug assemblies disposed within said housing adjacent to said free end of said housing, each said plug assembly including a ferrule being adapted to be associated with and to terminate one of the optical fibers of a cable, andhaving a portion which protrudes from said free end of said housing; and protective means being mounted in a fixed position on said free end of said housing for protecting end portions of the ferrules which protrude from said housing and being capable of being removed to expose said end portions of said ferrules, said protective means including a keyway which becomes aligned with said keyway in said housing when said protective means is mounted on said free end ofsaid housing, wherein said housing is capable of having any one of a plurality of protective means having keyways of different cross sectional dimensions mounted thereon to allow said connector to be keyed to a desired receptacle having a mating key formed on an inner wall thereof.
16. The cable of claim 15, wherein said duplex connector includes force transfer means adapted to be disposed adjacent to said cable entry end andthrough which the optical fibers extend for transferring forces applied to the cable to said housing.
17. The cable of claim 15, wherein said housing includes a base and a cover and said connector includes a release hood being mounted slidably onsaid housing and adapted to cause latching portions of said housing which hold said connector in a receptacle to be released to allow withdrawal of said connector from said receptacle.
18. The cable of claim 17, wherein said protective means includes a shroud wherein said shroud includes a keyway which is aligned with a keyway insaid cover, said keyways in said shroud and housing being adapted to receive a key of a receptacle into which said connector is inserted.
19. The cable of claim 18, wherein said shroud is provided with a keyway which is smaller than and offset from the keyway of said cover.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| IN665MA1991 IN179885B (en) | 1990-09-25 | 1991-09-05 |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US07/413,501 US5016968A (en) | 1989-09-27 | 1989-09-27 | Duplex optical fiber connector and cables terminated therewith |
| US413,501 | 1989-09-27 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2026187A1 CA2026187A1 (en) | 1991-03-28 |
| CA2026187C true CA2026187C (en) | 1999-05-25 |
Family
ID=23637453
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002026187A Expired - Fee Related CA2026187C (en) | 1989-09-27 | 1990-09-25 | Duplex optical fiber connector and cables terminated therewith |
Country Status (8)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US5016968A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0420490B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPH0682165B2 (en) |
| KR (1) | KR100195847B1 (en) |
| CN (1) | CN1024596C (en) |
| BR (1) | BR9004802A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2026187C (en) |
| DE (1) | DE69024300T2 (en) |
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- 1990-09-19 EP EP90310243A patent/EP0420490B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1990-09-20 JP JP2249034A patent/JPH0682165B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1990-09-25 BR BR909004802A patent/BR9004802A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1990-09-25 KR KR1019900015184A patent/KR100195847B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
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Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE69024300D1 (en) | 1996-02-01 |
| KR910006741A (en) | 1991-04-29 |
| CN1024596C (en) | 1994-05-18 |
| EP0420490A2 (en) | 1991-04-03 |
| BR9004802A (en) | 1991-09-10 |
| DE69024300T2 (en) | 1996-05-15 |
| US5016968A (en) | 1991-05-21 |
| JPH0682165B2 (en) | 1994-10-19 |
| KR100195847B1 (en) | 1999-06-15 |
| EP0420490A3 (en) | 1992-04-08 |
| EP0420490B1 (en) | 1995-12-20 |
| JPH03149509A (en) | 1991-06-26 |
| CA2026187A1 (en) | 1991-03-28 |
| CN1050616A (en) | 1991-04-10 |
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