Abstract
A hybrid ingress protection adapter and connector assembly, connecting the housing with a releasably replaceable connector and power assembly to an adapter that is mount on a panel. The connector has a pair of lead-ins that protect a ferrule of a plural of fiber optic connectors, and the lead-ins are of varying length allow blind mating of the connector assembly with the adapter assembly.
Claims
1. An adapter for connecting a fiber optic and/or electrical connector to another fiber optic and/or electrical connector, the adapter comprising: a tubular body having opposite, first and second open ends spaced apart along an axis of the tubular body, the first open end being configured to accept one of the fiber optic and/or electrical connectors and the second open end being configured to accept the other of the fiber optic and/or electrical connectors, the tubular body further including an internal wall extending around the axis and defining an internal cavity of the tubular body; a seat in the tubular body, the seat being formed with keying structure comprising a first arcuate recess extending along a circumference of the internal wall a first distance and a second arcuate recess extending along the circumference of the internal wall a second distance less than the first distance whereby the keying structure restricts the orientation of the fiber optic and/or electrical connector when received in the first open end of the tubular body.
2. The adapter of claim 1 wherein the first arcuate recess is located in a diametrically opposite position along the internal wall from the second arcuate recess.
3. The adapter of claim 2 wherein the first and second arcuate recesses each have a central portion and opposite end portions, the radial widths of the end portions being greater than the radial width of the central portion.
4. The adapter of claim 1 wherein the seat is formed to receive a clip for attachment of an adapter clip insert to the adapter.
5. The adapter of claim 1 wherein further comprising a flange formed at the second open end of the tubular body for engagement with a panel to mount the adapter and one of the fiber optic and/or electrical connectors on the panel.
6. A connection system comprising: the adapter of claim 1; and a first connector configured to mate with the first open end of the tubular body.
7. The connector system of claim 6, wherein the first connector comprises: a connector housing having a connection axis and including lead-ins extending from an end along the connection axis at spaced apart locations around a circumference of the connector housing, a first of the lead-ins having a first dimension along the circumference of the connector housing and a second of the lead-ins having a second dimension along the circumference of the connector housing, the first dimension being greater than the second dimension so that the housing is keyed to mate in a selected rotational orientation about the connection axis; and a connector clip assembly removably coupled within the housing; the connector clip assembly includes at least one flexible wing wherein the flexible wing is configured to engage a recess configured as part of the lead-in.
8. The connector system of claim 7, wherein the connector clip assembly is inserted into connector housing.
9. The connector system of claim 7, wherein the flexible wing is a wedge shaped.
10. The connector system of claim 7, wherein an interior surface of the housing further comprises a first cut-out and a second cut-out, the cut-outs are sized to accept a corresponding latch on an outer surface of the connector clip assembly, the cut-outs act as a key to support and to match a corresponding surface of the connector clip assembly so as to allow coupling of the connector clip assembly to the connector housing in a single orientation.
11. The connector system of claim 7, wherein the housing includes a plurality of channels wherein lead-ins mate with a corresponding adapter recess via corresponding channels without having a line of sight to or visual sight of the lead-ins connecting or mating into adapter recesses herein called blind mating.
12. The connector system of claim 7, wherein the connector clip assembly flexible wing is configured to engage a respective one of the lead-ins.
13. The connector system of claim 7, wherein the connector clip assembly further comprises a plurality of optical fiber connectors wherein one of a plurality of optical fiber connectors is a LC connector or a SC connector.
14. The connector system of claim 13, wherein the the plurality of connectors includes at least one optical fiber connector and at least one electrical connector.
15. The connector system of claim 14, wherein the at least one optical fiber connector is one of the LC connector, the SC connector and an MPO connector, and the at least one electrical connector is one of a pin contact, an electrical socket and an RJ45 connector.
16. The connector system of claim 14, wherein the connector clip assembly includes a protective sheath disposed around the at least one electrical connector.
17. The connector system of claim 16, wherein the connector clip assembly is configured so as to hold the at least one optical fiber connector and the at least one electrical connector in a stacked arrangement.
18. The connector system of claim 14, wherein the connector clip assembly further includes an in-line adapter connector clip insert comprising: a bottom clip portion configured to hold the at least one electrical connector; and a top clip portion disposed against the bottom clip portion so as to clamp the at least one optical fiber connector therebetween.
19. The connector system of claim 15, wherein the connector clip insert includes a plurality of open bracket lead-ins to accept and retain at least one optical fiber connector.
20. The connector system of claim 19, wherein the at least one optical fiber connector is an MPO connector.
21. The connector system of claim 7, further comprising a coupling nut disposed around the connector housing.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ingress protection (IP) fiber optic connector and adapter assembly according to an embodiment.
(2) FIG. 2 depicts a front view of the IP connector of FIG. 1.
(3) FIG. 3 depicts a rear view of the IP connector of FIG. 1.
(4) FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a cable gland body.
(5) FIG. 4B is a perspective view of an end cap forming a cable gland assembly.
(6) FIG. 4C is an exploded view of a seal prior to installing at a proximal end of the cable gland assembly.
(7) FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a connector housing according to an embodiment.
(8) FIG. 5B is a perspective side view from a distal end showing a housing of a connector according to an embodiment.
(9) FIG. 5C is a perspective side view from a proximal end showing a housing of a connector according to an embodiment.
(10) FIG. 6A is a side perspective view of a locking ring.
(11) FIG. 6B is a perspective front view of FIG. 6A.
(12) FIG. 6C is a perspective rear view of FIG. 6A.
(13) FIG. 7A is a side perspective view of a bayonet nut.
(14) FIG. 7B is a perspective front view of FIG. 7A.
(15) FIG. 7C is a perspective rear view of FIG. 7A.
(16) FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a lock nut.
(17) FIG. 9A is a side perspective view of an adapter assembly.
(18) FIG. 9B is a perspective front view of FIG. 9A.
(19) FIG. 9C is a perspective rear view of FIG. 9A.
(20) FIG. 10 is a side-front perspective view of a connector clip insert.
(21) FIG. 11 is a rear-side perspective view of the FIG. 10 insert.
(22) FIG. 12 is a front-side perspective view of a hybrid IP connector-adapter with fiber optic and power connections.
(23) FIG. 13A is a cross-section view of a proximal end of hybrid connector showing a lead-in and ferrule assembly.
(24) FIG. 13B is a cross section view of a proximal end of hybrid connector.
(25) FIG. 14 is a side-front perspective view of a hybrid connector clip assembly.
(26) FIG. 15A is a perspective view of the lower half connector clip cover.
(27) FIG. 15B is a partial view of a connector clip assembly prior to insertion of the cover of FIG. 15A.
(28) FIG. 16 is perspective view of a Hybrid IP assembly with a dust cap and tether.
(29) FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the adapter with the dust cap and tether according to another embodiment of the invention.
(30) FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the inner sealing surface of a dust cap.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(31) As used herein, the term “optical fiber” is intended to apply to all types of single mode and multi-mode light waveguides, including one or more bare optical fibers, coated optical fibers, loose-tube optical fibers, tight-buffered optical fibers, ribbonized optical fibers, bend performance optical fibers, bend insensitive optical fibers, nanostructured optical fibers or any other expedient for transmitting light signals. A multi-fiber optic cable includes a plurality of the optical fibers. Such cables have a variety of names depending on their particular usage, and may be considered as “trunk cables” or “trunks” when connected to fiber optic modules used to form connections to jumper cables using a select polarity.
(32) For connection of cables together or with other fiber optic devices, the terminal ends of a cable may include a connector. A connector may include a housing structure configured to interact with and connect with an adapter. An adapter, in a simple form, may include two aligned ports for aligning fiber optic connectors and/or electrical connectors therein to align and connect optical fibers end-to-end, or allow for pin/socket electrical connections. For weatherproof or waterproof installations, the connectors may include protective housings and seals to inhibit water penetration. Such connectors may be named IP connectors, or Ingress Protection connectors, and may include different levels of ‘ingress protection’ depending on the environment to which they will be exposed. While the general discussion herein is directed to IP connecters, the invention is not meant to be limited to such and may also be applied to other types of connectors as well.
(33) In an embodiment as represented in FIG. 1 a hybrid IP assembly 100, a proximal end of the assembly 130, a locking nut 800, an adapter body 900, a bayonet nut 700, a lock ring or safety ring 600, a connector 500, a cable gland body 430 and cable gland nut 400. The connector 500 may contain optical fibers and/or electrical wires. Cabling (not shown) may terminate within the housing 500 and any optical fibers and/or electrical wires of the cable may themselves be terminated by various types of connectors. A bayonet 700 and a locking ring 600 secures the housing 500 to the adapter 900. The adapter 900 may be secured to a chassis, bulkhead, or panel (not shown), or other type of enclosure structure via locking nut 800.
(34) Referring to FIG. 2, a front view of the hybrid IP assembly 100 is an adapter body 130 showing an adapter housing face 132 positioned inside a panel wall and secured with locking nut 800 (not shown) on an opposite side of the panel wall (not shown), which secures assembly 100 in place. The in-line adapter houses a connector clip insert 1000 (refer to FIG. 10) and connector clip assembly (refer to FIG. 14). A pair a recesses (504a, 504b) of differing lengths at the distal end of adapter 900 accept pair of lead-ins (502a, 502b FIG. 5A) at a proximal end of connector housing 560. The recesses and lead-ins allow for blind mating as described below. One or more power pins (140a, 140b) are located in the connector clip assembly and a plural of fiber optic connectors, in this case standard LC connectors, can be accepted in a port (134a, 134b) of the connector clip assembly. Each port further contains an alignment sleeve for accepting a proximal end of a connector. Connector clip assembly further comprises a recess or opening (136a, 136b) that accepts and depresses a standard latch on a LC fiber optic connector. Differing fiber optic connectors and latch can be inserted into connector clip assembly designed for the same without departing from the scope of the invention. Connector housing 560 is inserted into adapter 900 at distal end and blind mated as described below.
(35) Referring to FIG. 3, a rear view of the hybrid assembly 100. From the rear view, locking nut 800, bayonet nut 700 and cable gland 400 are shown. The power is distributed via power pin 140b alongside fiber optic signal paths (134a, 135a) via cabling (not shown) that is connected to a radio unit on a cell tower. The power is received from the enclosure or panel is distributed via pin 140b to the cell tower.
(36) Referring to FIG. 4A, a cable gland compression nut 400 is screwed on a distal end of a cable gland 430 (FIG. 4B), and attached in arrow direction C1. Referring to FIG. 4B, as threads 402 and cable gland threads 436 are mated, the nut 400 compresses a plural of compression fingers 438 that compress seal 438a that is circumferential retained on an inside surface at a distal end of the cable gland. This provides an environmental seal. Threads 432 are threaded into a distal end of connector 500 in the direction of arrow C2. Referring to FIG. 4C, threading cable gland 400 into distal end of connector 500 compresses seal 462 to protect against environmental ingress.
(37) Referring to FIG. 5A, a connector 500 at a distal end 508 receives a proximal end of cable gland assembly 460 in a direction of arrow C2. The connector outer body contains a lengthwise flat 510 with a raised surface 512 (FIG. 5B). The proximal end contains a pair of lead-ins (502a, 502b) with a connector clip opening (504a, 504b). The opening 504b (504a not shown but located on lead-in 502a), accepts a flexible wing 1406a to secure connector clip assembly 1400 at proximal end of connector 500. The connector clip assembly 1400 is retained within adapter 900. Flange face 514 mates to top of adapter housing 908 (refer to FIGS. 9A, 9B). Surface 516 receives an O-ring seal to further prevent environment ingress. Connector clip channel guide 506a is described below. Referring to FIG. 5B, the lock ring guide 512 ensures locking ring 600 when pushed toward a proximal end of connector 500 is retained prior to being threaded into a distal end of bayonet nut 700.
(38) Referring to FIG. 5C, a proximal end of connector housing 560 has a pair of lead-ins (502a, 502b) that mate with corresponding recesses in an adapter 900 (not shown). The lead-ins have the same radius but differing lengths. The length difference allows the connector 500 with locking nut 600 to be rotated until each lead-in (502a, 502b) mates with a corresponding adapter recesses (138a, 138b) (refer to FIG. 9B) via corresponding channels (506a, 506b) without having a line of sight to or visual of the lead-ins connecting or mating into adapter recesses (138a, 138b), called blind mating. A pair of recesses (504a, 504b) accept wings (1406a, 1406b) when connector clip assembly 1400 mates with connector housing 560. Cutout 518a prevents connector clip assembly 1400 from rotating and aids in aligning the connector clip assembly 1400 so its flexible wing 1406a snaps into corresponding opening 504a. Channel 506a guides the connector clip assembly into position once the lead-ins are in their proper recess. Cutouts (510a, 510b) accept and depress latches 1402 of connector clip assembly 1400. Referring to FIG. 13A, a depressed latch is shown at call out 1304. Still referring to FIG. 13A, the lead-ins 502a extended beyond a corresponding ferrule 1302. Proximal end of the lead-in 502a protects the ferrule from damage when performing a blind connection of the connector 500 into adapter 900.
(39) Referring to FIG. 6A, a side view of a lock ring or safety lock ring 600 ensures bayonet nut 700 does not rotate when the ring is secured at a distal end of the nut 700. Upon inserting ring 600 into the distal end of nut 700, facing surface 664 (FIG. 6C) of protrusion 608 of the nut, is seated into corresponding recess 732 (FIG. 7B). Referring to FIG. 6B, cutouts (638a, 638b) receive raised surface 510 on connector 500 (FIG. 5B), which provides a temporary retention near the distal end of nut 700 prior to pressing therein. Referring to FIG. 6C, recess opening 626 accepts a removal tool to loosen safety nut 600 from distal end of nut 700.
(40) Referring to FIG. 7A, bayonet nut 700 outer surface 702 has a varied pattern to assist with gripping. Referring to FIG. 7B, recess 732 accepts a proximal end of safety nut 600. Referring to FIG. 7C, a spring washer (not shown) is placed over mating surface 764, and applies a bias force in a distal direction against bayonet nut while in locked position via pins 762, which are secured in a corresponding groove 902 at outer housing of adapter 900.
(41) Referring to FIG. 8, lock nut 800 is threaded on to adapter housing via thread 806, and teeth 802 with a plural of cutting edges 802a, are spaced along a lock ring body 808, and each tooth digs into outer surface of panel enclosure (not shown) to secure hybrid assembly 500 thereto.
(42) Referring to FIG. 9A, outer housing of adapter assembly 900 secures the hybrid IP assembly to a panel via locking nut 800 threaded onto threads 906. Adapter face 906 is positioned on an opposite side of the panel wall from nut 800. Bayonet nut 700 pins 762 are accepted in grove 902 and upon turning clockwise, a pin 762 is seated in recess 902a. As bayonet nut 700 is rotated inner threads (not shown) engage with adapter threads 906 to secure bayonet nut 700 onto adapter assembly 900. Referring to FIG. 9B, front view 930 of adapter assembly 900 contains the clip assembly therein, with power pins 140a, recesses (138a, 138b), and access point 902b for pins 762 to its corresponding groove 902. Referring to FIG. 9C, a distal view or rear view 940 of adapter assembly 900 shows rear view 942b of adapter insert seat 942a. Seat 942a receives an in-line adapter connector clip insert 1000. Fiber optic pathways 946 receive a fiber cable via openings 946. Proximal end of clip 1002 (FIG. 10) is shown. Openings 946 may contain an alignment sleeve to align and secure a ferrule at a proximal end of a fiber optic connector.
(43) Referring to FIG. 10, in-line adapter connector clip insert 1000 comprises one or more ports 1004 that receive a fiber optic connector. The port contains an alignment sleeve 1006 to accept a ferrule. A clip 1006 is used to secure in-adapter connector clip insert 1000 to adapter insert on seat 942a within adapter 900. Referring to FIG. 11 a distal end of second in-line adapter connector clip insert 1100 shows a pair of clips (1102a, 1102b) and fiber optic pathways 1104. Second in-line adapter connector clip insert 1100 is secured in adapter 900 by clips 1102a, 1102b.
(44) Referring to FIG. 12, bayonet nut 700 has a connector clip assembly 1400 inserted at a proximal end of assembly 1200 with a plural of fiber optic connectors 1210. Pins 762 engage into grooves 902 on outer surface of adapter assembly 900, at groove 902, connecting assembly 1200 to adapter 900. Upon aligning lead-ins (502a, 502b) into recess (138a, 138b) of adapter 900, the fiber optic connectors and power pins shown will mate with an adapter insert 100. Adapter 900 is then secured to a panel wall (not shown), with flange face 910 on one side of the wall (ready to accept corresponding fiber signals and power) through a proximal end of adapter 930.
(45) Referring to FIG. 13A, lead-in 502a extends beyond a ferrule 1302, the extension protects the ferrule tip when connector housing 560 is inserted into adapter 900. Latch 1402 is depressed by recess 1004a as shown at call out 1304. Referring to FIG. 13B, call out 1302 shows fiber optic connector seated in port 1004, with lead-in 502a extending beyond the proximal end of connector 1200. Other numerals are defined in more detail herein.
(46) Referring to FIG. 14, connector clip assembly 1400 is inserted in a proximal end of connector 500. Wings (1406a, 1406b) engage corresponding openings (504a, 504b) in lead-ins (502a, 502b) (refer to FIG. 5C) to secure assembly therein. The fiber optic connectors 1402 are secured in connector clip assembly 1400 under cover 1410 as shown in assembly 1500 (FIG. 15A). Power pins 1404 are likewise secured under cover 1510. Snaps 1404 on either side assembly secure the cover 1410 to lower half 1512 of connector clip assembly 1400. Referring to FIG. 15A, clip protrusion 1508 engages snaps 1504 as shown by dotted line. The fiber optic connector housing is secured under cover 1510 when the recess 1502 fits over tab 1506.
(47) Referring to FIG. 16, a dust cap 1610 is placed over a proximal end of hybrid connector 100 with a tether 1612 attached near cable gland. Referring to FIG. 17, the dust cap 1610 is tethered at a proximal end of the adapter 900. Referring to FIG. 18, inner sealing surface 1811 of dust cap 1810 is shown.
(48) Various parts, components or configurations described with respect to any one embodiment above may also be adapted to any others of the embodiments provided. Various embodiments including LC connectors as described above may be configured with SC connectors, and various embodiments including SC connectors as described above may also be configured with LC connectors.
(49) This disclosure is not limited to the particular systems, devices and methods described, as these may vary. The terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing the particular versions or embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope. Locking arm (14c) may be more than one locking arm (14c), and each locking arm may have the same features such as raised surface (14c.1) and distinguished between locking arms by (14c.1(a) and 14c.1(b)).
(50) In the above detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be used, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated herein.
(51) Various of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art, each of which is also intended to be encompassed by the disclosed embodiments.
