Patent ID: 8591123
Filing Date: 2013-11-26
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. A connector system, comprising: a plug-configured first connector having a first-connector substantially planar contact holder, a first-connector electrical signal interface comprising a plurality of first-connector electrical contacts mounted on a mating side of the first substantially planar contact holder, a first-connector optical signal interface comprising a first-connector optical transmit port and a first-connector optical receive port, and a first-connector wiping cleaner mounted on the mating side of the first-connector substantially planar contact holder, the first-connector optical port disposed on the mating side of the first-connector substantially planar contact holder rearward of a distal end of the first-connector substantially planar contact holder, the first connector terminating a transmit optical fiber and a receive optical fiber; and a socket-configured second connector having a second-connector substantially planar contact holder, a second-connector electrical signal interface comprising a plurality of second-connector electrical contacts mounted on a mating side of the second-connector substantially planar contact holder, a second-connector optical signal interface comprising a second-connector optical transmit port and a second-connector optical receive port, and a second-connector wiping cleaner mounted on the mating side of the second-connector substantially planar contact holder, the second-connector optical port disposed on the mating side of the second-connector substantially planar contact holder rearward of a distal end of the second substantially planar contact holder, the plug-configured first connector pluggable into the socket-configured second connector along a plugging direction, the first-connector optical transmit port approaching alignment with the second-connector optical transmit port along a transmit approach axis in the plugging direction as the first-connector and second-connector mating portions approach a fully mated position, the first-connector optical receive port approaching alignment with the second-connector optical receive port along a receive approach axis in the plugging direction as the first-connector and second-connector mating portions approach a fully mated position, the first-connector optical transmit port optically aligned with the second-connector optical transmit port along a transmit optical axis when the first-connector and second-connector mating portions are in the fully mated position, the first-connector optical receive port optically aligned with the second-connector optical receive port along a receive optical axis when the first-connector and second-connector mating portions are in the fully mated position, the plurality of first-connector electrical contacts contacting corresponding ones of the plurality of second-connector electrical contact when the first-connector and second-connector mating portions are in the fully mated position, the first-connector wiping cleaner disposed on the mating side of the first-connector substantially planar contact holder between the distal end of the first-connector substantially planar contact holder and the second-connector optical transmit and receive ports, the second-connector wiping cleaner disposed on the mating side of the second-connector substantially planar contact holder between the distal end of the second-connector substantially planar contact holder and the second-connector optical transmit and receive ports, whereby the second-connector wiping cleaner wipes the first-connector optical transmit and receive ports as the first-connector and second-connector mating portions approach the fully mated position, and the first-connector wiping cleaner wipes the second-connector optical transmit and receive ports as the first-connector and second-connector mating portions approach the fully mated position.