Assembly for assembling optical fiber with at least two pairs of MPO contacts

Abstract

An assembly for assembling optical fiber with at least two pairs of MPO contacts. The optical contacts being of the multifiber push-on type. The assembly includes a socket including MPO contacts cooperating with a plug. The plug includes, through axial openings configured to receive the MPO contacts, a first positive-location element positioned in each axial opening of the plug and a second positive-location element positioned on each corresponding MPO contact. A holding element configured to hold the MPO contacts in the plug. The plug shape cooperates with the shape of the socket to ensure coupling thereof. The socket includes locking elements to lock the MPO contacts. Each MPO contact of the plug is locked with the corresponding MPO contact in the socket.

Claims

1. An assembly to assemble an optical fiber with at least two pairs of MPO contacts, for optical contacts of the multifiber push-on type, defined in accordance with IEC 61754-7, the assembly comprises: a socket comprising MPO contacts and MPO adapters cooperating with a plug; the plug comprising: through axial openings configured to receive the MPO contacts, each MPO contact of the plug comprising a spacer, a first positive-location element positioned in each axial opening of the plug and the spacer, and a second positive-location element positioned on each corresponding MPO contact; a holding element configured to hold the MPO contacts in the plug; a shoulder configured to simultaneously release a mechanism for unlocking the MPO contacts when a traction is exerted on the plug, a shape of the shoulder cooperates with a shoulder of a locking ring of the MPO contacts; a shape of the plug cooperates with a shape of the socket to ensure coupling thereof and to guide the MPO contacts during coupling; the socket comprises MPO adapters in which each MPO contact of the plug is locked with a corresponding MPO contact in the socket (20).

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the holding element is a retention clip molded with the plug and positioned at each axial opening.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein each axial opening comprises a shoulder cooperating with a part of each MPO contact of the plug to lock an end of said each MPO contact in said each axial opening of the plug, said each MPO contact comprises a locking ring positioned in said each axial opening and inserted on other insertion side of said each MPO contact to hold the MPO contacts.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first positive location is a rib and the second positive location is a recess with a shape complementary to that of the rib.

5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the plug comprises a protective film for the MPO contacts.

6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the plug comprises a grooved part facilitating gripping.

7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the plug comprises a seal positioned around the MPO contacts and produces impermeability when the plug and the socket are coupled.

8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the plug comprises a third positive-location element positioned on an external surface cooperating with a fourth positive-location element positioned on the socket.

9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the socket comprises a separator plate, each side of which includes at least two openings configured to receive a part of a respective MPO contact of a plug.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Other advantages, aims and features of the present invention emerge from the following description given, for an explanatory and in no way limitative purpose, with regard to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a plug according to a first embodiment and of a socket that is the object of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a plug according to a first embodiment that is the object of the present invention;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a plug according to a second embodiment and of a socket that is the object of the present invention;

(5) FIG. 4 shows another perspective view of a plug according to a second embodiment that is the object of the present invention;

(6) FIG. 5 shows a view in profile section of a plug according to a second embodiment;

(7) FIG. 6 shows a view in cross section from below along a mid-plane of a plug according to a second embodiment;

(8) FIG. 7 shows an exploded front view of a plug according to the first embodiment;

(9) FIG. 8 shows an exploded rear view of a plug according to the first embodiment;

(10) FIG. 9 shows a third embodiment with a plug including ten MPO contacts;

(11) FIG. 10 shows a view in cross section of a plug according to a third embodiment;

(12) FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of a fourth embodiment;

(13) FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of the fourth embodiment when the MPO contacts are locked on an extension socket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

(14) The following explanation relates to certain references related to the figures detailed below. The purpose of this explanation is to give the principle of the invention.

(15) According to a first embodiment, the plug 21 is molded from a rigid thermoplastic material and contains two MPO contacts 22b, each provided with a spacer 26 for supporting the retention clips 25 at the rear of the plug 21.

(16) According to a second embodiment, the plug 21 is flexible and includes forms in relief inscribed in the flexible material for creating a retention clip.

(17) The rear stop of the MPO contacts being provided by the retention clips, the front stop of the MPO contacts is implemented by the shoulder 28 of the plug that prevents forward translation of the locking ring 27 of the MPO contact.

(18) The MT ferrules belonging to the MPO contacts 22 are “mechanically” protected by the profile of the plug 21 according to the first embodiment or the second embodiment.

(19) The MT (the acronym for “mechanical transfer”) ferrules are a mechanical assembly with a light spring and a low profile that offers a robust optical connection resistant to impacts and vibrations for applications in a rigorous environment.

(20) The connection of the plug 21, according to the first embodiment or the second embodiment, with an optical socket, is done easily by simply and manually pushing on the plug. Maintenance of the connection is obtained by means of the MPO contacts 22. The plug 21 advantageously enters the profile of a socket to the EN4165 standard widely used in the aerospace field.

(21) The seal at the rear of the plugs 21, according to the first embodiment or the second embodiment, can be implemented by a membrane connecting the plug body and the sheathed cables at the outlet of the MPO contacts. The flexibility of the plug 21 in the second embodiment can make it possible to achieve a seal with the socket and with the rear of the MPO contact without having to add additional seals.

(22) Disconnection is done by simply and manually pulling on the plug 21, according to the first embodiment or the second embodiment. The MPO contacts 22 remain integral with the plug 21 after disconnection. The plug 21 is ready for a new connection if necessary. This principle, adapted to a dual-contact plug, is extended to plugs having more than one pair of contacts, such as for example the plug 210 according to a third embodiment with ten MPO contacts 22.

(23) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a plug according to the first embodiment and of a socket.

(24) The socket 20 includes two MPO contacts 22a and includes MPO adapters 32 that couple with two MPO contacts 22b mounted in the plug 21.

(25) Each MPO adapter 32 is composed of two clips.

(26) FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a plug according to the first embodiment equipped with an optional obturator.

(27) The optical front face of the MT ferrules is protected by means of an “obturating” adhesive protective film 23. This film is removed “at the last moment”, before the connection, by the end operator.

(28) FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a plug according to a second embodiment and of a socket 20. The socket 20 includes two MPO contacts 22b and the plug 21 two MPO contacts 22b.

(29) FIG. 4 shows another perspective view of a plug according to the first embodiment.

(30) Between the plug 21 and the socket 20 there is a seal 24 that can advantageously be molded in the plug 21 or be an additional part inserted from the other side of the insertion of the MPO contacts 22.

(31) FIG. 5 shows a view in cross section of a plug according to the first embodiment. The holding element is a retention clip 25 positioned at each axial opening.

(32) The axial opening is adapted for allowing the frictionless translation towards the rear of the locking ring 27 of the MPO contact 22b during locking on the socket. The spring 27a returning the locking ring forward when the locking is terminated.

(33) FIG. 6 shows a view in cross section of a plug according to the first embodiment.

(34) In this figure, the device for implementing the forward stop of the MPO contact is shown. The axial opening of the plug 21 includes a shoulder 28.

(35) The shoulder 28 serves as a stop and cooperates with a part of the locking ring 27 of the MPO contact 22b in order to prevent the forward translation of the end of the MPO contact 22b in the axial opening of the plug 21. Traction applied to the plug causes, because of this shoulder, the retraction of the locking rings 27 of the MPO contacts making it possible to release the retention clips situated in the socket and to allow unlocking of the MPO contacts 22b. This mechanism is stated in IEC 61754-7.

(36) FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of a plug according to the first embodiment.

(37) The plug 21 includes: through axial openings intended to receive the MPO contacts 22b; a first positive-location element positioned in each axial opening of the plug 21 and a second positive-location element positioned on each corresponding MPO contact 22b; an element for holding the MPO contacts 22b adapted to hold the MPO contacts 22b in the plug 21; the plug shape 21 cooperates with the shape of the socket 20 in order to ensure coupling thereof.

(38) The socket 20 includes elements for locking MPO contacts 22a and 22b, each MPO contact 22b of the plug 21 is locked with the corresponding MPO contact 22a in the socket 20.

(39) A seal 24 guarantees impermeability of the connection. The seal 24 is positioned around the MPO contacts 22b of the plug and produces impermeability when the plug 21 and the socket 20 are coupled.

(40) FIG. 8 shows an exploded view of a plug according to the first embodiment.

(41) On the spacer 26 there is a first positive-location element. The second positive-location element 29 on each corresponding axial opening of the plug.

(42) FIG. 9 shows a third embodiment with the plug including ten MPO contacts.

(43) In this precise case, the clearances in the axis of the movement at the time of connection are taken up by a spacer that is thicker, but flexible with a spring effect also making it possible to provide sufficient force for the MPO contact to lock on the socket.

(44) FIG. 10 shows a view in cross section of a plug according to a third embodiment on which the spacer 26 is shown.

(45) FIG. 11 shows a fourth embodiment with a plug that includes a sliding guide.

(46) In this precise case, the sliding guide 30 guides the plug 21 in the extension socket 31 and mechanically protects the MPO contacts when the plug is uncoupled. The sliding guide retracts during the operation of locking the MPO contacts. A return system returns it to its initial position when the MPO contacts are unlocked.

(47) In this embodiment the extension socket 31 makes it possible to directly connect two plugs 21. The extension socket 31 includes MPO adapters 32.

(48) In this version, the extension socket 31 includes four openings for receiving a part of each MPO contact. Each MPO contact is assembled with the facing MPO adapter. The extension socket 31 includes a separator plate, each side of which includes two openings for receiving a part of each MPO contact. The separator plate includes through holes for allowing the connection of the optical fibers to pass and for achieving the connection.

(49) Each plug 21 includes two MPO contacts and the socket makes it possible to connect each MPO contact together in order to form, in this configuration, two MPO contact pairs.

(50) In a variant, not shown, the extension socket includes a plurality of openings for associating the plurality of MPO contacts contained in each plug.

(51) FIG. 12 shows two plugs in the locked position according to the fourth embodiment.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

(52) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 References Designations 20 socket 21 plug for two contacts 210  plug for ten contacts 22 MPO contacts 23 protective film 24 coupling seal 25 retention clip 26 spacer 27 locking ring  27a spring 28 shoulder 29 second positive-location element 30 sliding guide 31 extension socket 32 MPO adapter