Patent ID: 12248182

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a system20(seeFIGS.7-8) for providing de-mateable optical couplings between optical fibers102. As depicted atFIGS.7and8, the system20includes a fiber optic adapter160in accordance with the principles of the disclosure. The fiber optic adapter160includes a first port164A and second port164B configured to receive first and second fiber optic connectors100. The first and second fiber optic connectors100are preferably ferrule-less connectors and include a plurality of bare optical fibers102(e.g., fibers that each include a core surrounded by a cladding layer that do not include a coating layer surrounding the cladding layer).

In order to align and optically couple together the optical fibers102of the fiber optic connectors100inserted in the adapter ports164A,164B, the fiber optic adapter160can include a fiber alignment structure162for aligning the bare optical fibers102of fiber optic connectors100. For example, the fiber alignment structure162can include fiber-receiving grooves166which receive the optical fibers102. The optical fibers102typically correspond to fiber optic cables with the fiber optic connectors100mounted at the ends of the fiber optic cables.

FIGS.1-6depict one of the fiber optic connectors100in more detail. The fiber optic connector100includes a connector plug body110which has a front end112and an opposite back end113. The fiber optic connector100also includes a nose-piece120which is mounted at the front end112of the connector plug body110. The nose-piece120defines a plurality of nose-piece fiber openings124located on a front section122of the nose-piece120. The nose-piece fiber openings124extend through the front section122of the nose-piece120in a front-to-back orientation. The nose-piece fiber openings124are typically aligned in a row.

The nose-piece120is movable relative to the connector plug body110in a front-to-back orientation. The nose-piece120moves between a forward position134(shown inFIGS.1-3) and a rearward position136(shown inFIGS.4-6). A nose-piece spring128(seeFIGS.2and7) biases the nose-piece120towards the forward position134. A latch182(shown inFIG.1) retains the nose-piece120in the forward position134via engagement with the front of the connector plug body110. When the fiber optic connector100inserted in the adapter160, the latch182is flexed to disengage from the front of the connector plug body110and allow the nose-piece120to move to the rearward position136. Latches182can be provided on both sides of the nose-piece120.

The optical fibers102of the fiber optic connector100are best shown inFIGS.2and5. In particular twelve optical fibers102are shown, although other numbers of optical fibers102can also be used and multiple rows of optical fibers102can also be provided. In a preferred embodiment, the fiber optic connector100is ferrule-less meaning that the front free end portions104of the optical fibers102are not bonded within a rigid ferrule. The plurality of optical fibers102have front free end portions104that are co-axially aligned with the nose-piece fiber openings124of the front section122of the nose-piece120.

The fiber optic connector100can also include a fiber anchoring unit150. The fiber anchoring unit150is adhesively bonded to the optical fibers102and is mounted in the connector plug body110.

In some examples, the fiber anchoring unit150is mounted to be axially fixed relative to the connector plug body110. In other examples, the fiber anchoring unit150may be mounted to be axially movable relative to the connector plug body110, and can be spring biased in a forward direction relative to the connector plug body110. The nose-piece120can also include opposite first125and second walls127(seeFIGS.2and5) which extend rearwardly from the front section122and are located between the fiber anchoring unit150and the connector plug body110. The first and second walls125,127can slide relative to the optical fibers102, the fiber anchoring unit150and the connector plug body110when the nose-piece120moves between the forward and rearward positions134,136. The front free end portions104of the optical fibers102project forwardly beyond a front end152of the fiber anchoring unit150.

The fiber anchoring unit150can include anchor fiber openings156a. The anchor fiber openings156aextend through the fiber anchoring unit150along the front-to-back orientation and are coaxially aligned with the plurality of nose-piece fiber openings124. The anchor fiber openings156aare positioned rearward with respect to the plurality of nose-piece fiber openings124. The optical fibers102can be adhesively bonded in place inside of the anchor fiber openings156a.

In some examples, the front free end portions104of the optical fibers102extend at least 3 millimeters forwardly beyond the front of the nose-piece120when the nose-piece120is in the rearward position136. In other examples, the front free end portions104of the optical fibers102extend at least 4 millimeters forwardly beyond the front of the nose-piece120when the nose-piece120is in the rearward position136. In still another example, the front free end portions104of the optical fibers102extend at least 5 millimeters forwardly beyond the front of the nose-piece120when the nose-piece120is in the rearward position136. In a final example, the front free end portions104of the optical fibers102extend at least 6 millimeters forwardly beyond the front of the nose-piece120when the nose-piece120is in the rearward position136.

In some examples, the front free end portions104can be cleaved with a right angle cleave in which the end faces are perpendicular relative to the fiber axes. In other examples the optical fibers102can be cleaved with an angled cleave in which the end faces of the optical fibers102are angled at a non-perpendicular angle relative to the fiber axes (e.g., angled 6-12 degrees, or about 8 degrees with respect to a plane perpendicular to the fiber axes).

The fiber optic connector100includes a connector shutter140which mounts in a receptacle126of the nose-piece120located behind the front section122of the nose-piece120. The connector shutter140is linearly movable between a first position144(e.g., a blocking position174as shown inFIGS.1-3) and a second position146(e.g., a non-blocking position176as shown inFIGS.4-6). A connector shutter spring142biases the connector shutter140towards the first position144. The connector shutter140will typically move along a shutter movement axis149from the first position144and the second position146. The shutter movement axis149is transversely oriented with respect to the front-to-back orientation. The receptacle126includes shutter140guide surfaces which guide the connector shutter140between the first position144and the second position146.

Referring toFIG.5, the connector shutter140includes a first end145and a second end147. The shutter movement axis149extends in a direction from the first end145to the second end147of the connector shutter140. The shutter spring142engages the connector shutter140at the first end145which biases the connector shutter140to the first position144. The connector shutter spring142can have a cantilevered configuration with a base end142B unitarily formed with the nose-piece120and a free end142A that engages the connector shutter140. The spring is configured to define a portion of a major wall143of the nose-piece120. The second end147defines an actuation surface147A. The nose-piece120can define an access notch123which is in alignment with the actuation surface147A.

The access notch123can allow for a shutter actuation surface168provided by the adapter160(seeFIGS.7and8) to pass through the front section122in the front-to-back orientation to engage the actuation surface147A of the connector shutter140to cause movement of the connector shutter140from the first position144to the second position146when the fiber optic connector100is inserted into one of the adapter ports164A,164B of the adapter160. The adapter160can also include a structure for disengaging the nose-piece latch182and structure for causing the nose-piece120to retract as the fiber optic connector100is inserted in the adapter port164A,164B.

When the nose-piece120is in the forward position134, shown inFIGS.1-3, connector shutter140remains in the first position144. When the connector shutter140is in the first position144the connector shutter140blocks the nose-piece fiber openings124of the nose-piece120and the front free end portions104of the optical fibers102are protected behind the connector shutter140.

When the nose-piece120is in the rearward position136, as shown inFIGS.4-6, the connector shutter140is in the second position146. This allows the optical fibers102to extend forwardly past the connector shutter140through the nose-piece fiber openings124of the front section122of the nose-piece120and beyond the front section122of the nose-piece120.

The connector shutter140can define at least one opening148that aligns with the nose-piece fiber openings124when the connector shutter140is in the second position146. In this particular example only one opening148is shown. The opening148is configured for receiving the optical fibers102to allow the optical fibers102to extend through the connector shutter140. In other examples, the shutter140can include separate openings148corresponding to each fiber.

Referring again toFIGS.7-8, the fiber optic adapter160is shown. The fiber optic adapter ports164A,164B each provide one of the shutter actuation structures168adapted to engage the actuation surface147A of the connector shutter140as the fiber optic connector100is inserted into either of the ports164A,164B. In this particular adapter160, the shutter actuation structures168are located on different sides of each port164A,164B. This ensures that the connectors received in the ports164A,164B are rotated 180 degrees with respect to each other to make sure that if the optical fibers102of the connectors have angled cleaves, the end faces of the optical fibers102corresponding to the connectors received within the opposite adapter ports164A oppose one another and are parallel.

In another aspect, the fiber optic adapter160can include an adapter shutter170. The adapter shutter170is linearly movable between a blocking position174and a non-blocking position176. The fiber optic connector100moves the adapter shutter170from the blocking position174to the non-blocking position176as it enters the port164A,164B via a cam-like structure (e.g., a ramp).

As the fiber optic connector100is inserted into one of the ports164A,164B of the fiber optic adapter160, the shutter actuation structure168engages the actuation surface147A of the second end147of the connector shutter140of the fiber optic connector100and the latches182of the nose-piece120engage with the side of the adapter160. This disengages the latches182from the front of the connector plug body110, moves the connector shutter140from the first position144to the second position146against the bias of the shutter spring142and aligns the opening148of the connector shutter140with the optical fibers102. As the fiber optic connector100continues into the fiber optic adapter160, the fiber optic connector100moves the adapter shutter170linearly from a blocking position174to a non-blocking position176via the cam-like structure. Concurrently, the nose-piece120of the fiber optic connector100is forced to move from the forward position134to the rearward position136as the fiber optic connector100is inserted into the port164. Movement of the nose-piece120toward the rearward position136is against the bias of the nose-piece spring128. As the nose-piece120of the fiber optic connector100moves from the forward position134to the rearward position136, the optical fibers102extend beyond the connector shutter140and through the nose-piece fiber openings124of the front section122of the nose-piece120and forwardly beyond the front section122of the nose-piece120. The rear portion of the nose-piece120enters the connector plug body110. This allows the optical fibers102extend into the fiber alignment structure162of the fiber optic adapter160for aligning bare optical fibers of the two mated fiber optic connectors100.

When fiber optic connectors100are respectively inserted into the first164A and second port164B, the front free end portions104of the optical fibers102meet and align in the fiber alignment structure162(e.g., a bare fiber alignment system) of the fiber optic adapter160which co-axially aligns the optical fibers102of the fiber optic connectors100received in the ports164A,164B to provide optical connections there between.

When the fiber optic connector100is removed from its corresponding port164A,164B the sequence of movement is reversed. For example, as the fiber optic connector100is withdrawn from the fiber optic adapter160, the optical fibers102retract from the fiber alignment structure162, the nose-piece120is pushed forward by the nose-piece spring128. The optical fibers102return inside of the nose-piece120, through the nose-piece fiber openings124and behind the connector shutter140. The adapter shutter170returns linearly from a non-blocking position176to a blocking position174as the fiber optic connector100disengages with the cam-like structure. The connector shutter140then disengages from the actuation structure168and returns to its place in the first position146via the shutter spring142in front of the optical fibers102. The latches182reengage with the connector plug body110securing the nose-piece120in the forward position134.

InFIGS.9-12another fiber optic connector200in accordance with the principles of the disclosure is shown. The fiber optic connector200is similar to the fiber optic connector100ofFIGS.1-6. The main difference is that the fiber optic connector200ofFIGS.9-12is configured to include more optical fibers202. In this particular arrangement twelve sets of twelve optical fibers202are shown.

In the fiber optic connector200, the connector shutter240extends and moves along the shutter movement axis249and is adapted to accommodate a greater number of optical fibers202. The shutter240defines openings248to allow the fibers202to extend through the shutter240. In this example there are twelve shutter openings248.

The fiber optic connector200is shown inFIG.9-10with the nose-piece220in the forward position234. In the forward position234all sets of the optical fibers202are shown behind the connector shutter240which is in the first position244. The shutter openings248are not aligned with the optical fibers202and the shutter spring242is biasing the connector shutter240to first position244. The fiber optic connector200is attached to a cable292(also shown inFIG.11) end which provides the optic fibers202.

InFIGS.11-12the fiber optic connector200is shown with the nose-piece220in a rearward position236. In the rearward position236, the bare ends of the optical fibers202extend beyond the openings248defined by the connector shutter240and beyond the front section222of the nose-piece220. The connector shutter240is shown in the second position246allowing for the optical fibers202pass through the shutter openings248. The shutter spring242is extended in an upwards position.

InFIGS.13and14a fiber optic adapter260in accordance with the principles of this disclosure is shown. The fiber optic adapter260is similar to the fiber optic adapter160shown inFIGS.7-8but it is adapted to receive a fiber optic connector200with twelve arrangements of optical fibers202. The fiber optic adapter260is shown with a first and second fiber optic connector200entering the opposite ports264A,264B. The fiber optic connectors200are both in a rearward position236and the adapter shutter270is shown in a non-blocking position276. This allows the optical fibers202to be received in a fiber alignment structure262of the adapter260. As the fiber optic adapter260is adapted to receive multiple arrangements of optical fibers202, there are multiple fiber alignment structures262which correspond to each arrangement of optical fibers202which provide alignment for the optical fibers202. Additionally, the adapter shutter270that is shown in the non-blocking position276defines a plurality of openings272allowing the optical fibers202to pass into the fiber alignment structures262. In this example there are twelve openings272. In this example there are twelve alignment structures262which provide alignment for each of the optical fibers202as they meet and form an optical connection.

The fiber alignment structures162,262can define alignment grooves for receiving and aligning the optical fibers102,202. The alignment grooves can be defined by structures such as substrates which may each define one or more grooves. The substrates can include members such as plates which may have a ceramic construction, a metal construction, a plastic construction or other constructions. The alignment grooves can include grooves having V-shaped cross-sections (e.g., v-grooves) grooves having u-shaped cross-sections, grooves having trough-shaped cross-sections, grooves having half-circle shaped cross-sections or grooves having other shapes. In other examples, alignment grooves in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure can be defined by parallel cylindrical rods oriented in a side-by-side relationship. Various fiber alignment structures162,262defining grooves are disclosed by PCT International Publication Number WO 2018/020022, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. In certain examples, index matching gel can be used between opposing ends of optical fibers102,202aligned within the alignment structures162,262.

Referring toFIG.16-18, a fiber anchoring unit150ais shown in accordance with the principles of this disclosure is shown. The fiber anchoring unit150acan be used in place of the anchoring unit150in bare fiber connectors such as any of the bare fiber connectors disclosed herein to provide fiber optic pitch conversion within the connectors.

The fiber anchoring unit150ais similar to the fiber anchoring unit150described above. The fiber anchoring unit150ahas a front end158a, and a back end158b. The optical fibers102extend through the fiber anchoring unit150ain a front-to-back orientation. The forward free end portions of the optical fibers102extend forwardly from the front end of the fiber anchoring unit150a. The fiber anchoring unit150ahas a top piece151aand a bottom piece151b.

The optical fibers102at the back end158bhave a first pitch P1and a second pitch P2at the front end158a, wherein pitch means the center to center spacing of the optical fibers102. The first pitch P1, or center-to-center spacing of the optical fibers102, is less than the second pitch P2. In one aspect, the first center to center spacing can be 200 microns and the second center to center spacing is 250 microns.

Referring toFIG.16, the fiber anchoring unit150ais shown with the top piece151aremoved showing the optical fibers102. The optical fibers102are shown including a front fiber section102a, a rear fiber section102c, and an intermediate fiber section102blocated between the front and rear fiber sections102a,102c. The optical fibers102, at the front fiber section102a, have a bare optical fiber configuration, bare fiber meaning each fiber includes a core surrounded by a cladding layer and that do not include a coating layer surrounding the cladding layer. The front section102aincludes the front free end portions104of the optical fibers102. The optical fibers102have a coated de-ribbonized configuration at the intermediate section102band a ribbonized configuration at the rear section102c.

A cross section of an example ribbonized group of optical fibers is shown inFIG.16a. Ribbonized means that a matrix material30encases the coated fibers thereby holding the optical fibers102in a row and preventing them relative movement between the fibers. In other examples a rollable ribbon configuration can be used in which the fibers are maintained in a particular order by interconnections between the individual fibers. De-ribbonized means that the optical fibers are not bonded together and are capable of moving relative to on another. The pitch transitions from the first pitch P1to the second pitch P2at the intermediate section102bafter the ribbon is in the de-ribbonized configuration. The de-ribbonized configuration allows relative movement between the optical fibers allowing the optical fibers to transition from the first pitch P1to the second pitch P2.

The coating layer is removed from the optical fibers102at the intermediate section102bafter the pitch has transitioned from the first pitch P1to the second pitch P2. Thus resulting in the bare optical fiber configuration of the front section102a.

Referring toFIG.17, the fiber anchoring unit150ais shown with the optical fibers102and the top piece151aremoved. The fiber anchoring unit150ais shown including a first section157aadjacent the back end158bof the fiber anchoring unit150a, a second section157bin front of the first section157a, a third section157cin front of the second section157b, and a fourth section157din front of the third section157c.

The first section and second section157a,157bare shown without including grooves, the third, and fourth sections157c,157ddefine fiber grooves that extend from the ending of the second section157bto the front end of the fiber anchoring unit150a. The first section157aof the fiber anchoring unit150aincludes a rectangular ribbon receptacle.

The optical fibers diverge from one another at the second section157band extend toward the grooves of the third section157c. The fiber grooves are parallel to one another and define the second pitch P2, or center to center spacing, at the third and fourth sections157b. The fiber grooves have a first depth at the third section157cand a second depth at the fourth section157d, the second depth is shallower than the first depth. The fiber grooves can be V-grooves, grooves having u-shaped cross-sections, grooves having trough-shaped cross-sections, grooves having half-circle shaped cross-sections or grooves having other shapes.

As can be seen inFIGS.16and17and is described above, a ribbonized group of optical fibers, meaning the optical fibers102are encased in a matrix material30, can be inserted into the first section157a. The group of optical fibers102are de-ribbonized at the second section157ballowing the optical fibers102to be individually separated and diverge to the second pitch in the third section157c, which includes grooves. The coating of the optical fibers102is removed in the fourth section157dfor the bare optical fiber configuration. The depth of the grooves is preferably deeper, defining the second depth, at the third section157cas the optical fibers102have the coating at the third section and the coating is removed allowing the optical fibers102to remain coaxially aligned as they extend through the fiber anchoring unit150a.

The rear fiber section102cis located at the first section157a, the optical fibers102are ribbonized and coated. The intermediate fiber section, where the optical fibers102are de-ribbonized, is positioned at the second and third sections157b,157cof the fiber anchoring unit150a. The front fiber section102ais positioned at the fourth section157dof the fiber anchoring unit150a.

Referring toFIGS.18and19, a sectional view of a fiber optic connector100ais shown. The fiber optic connector100ahas a similar configuration to the fiber optic connector100except features have been provided to enhance fiber transitions between various components of the connector100a. For example, the fiber optic connector100aincludes a modified anchoring unit150b, this anchoring unit150bis similar to the anchoring units150,150adiscussed above, except anchor fiber openings156awith tapered transitions have been provided.

The fiber optic connector100additionally includes a nose-piece120a. The nose-piece120ais similar to the nose-piece120discussed above but includes features to enhance fiber transitions between various components of the connector100a. The nose-piece120aincludes fiber openings124a. The nose piece has a front section122and a rear section122b. The rear section122bis behind the receptacle126and the connector shutter140and in front of the anchoring unit150b.

The fiber openings of the nose-piece120aextend through the front section122and the rear section122b. The fiber openings124ainclude tapered portions124b. The tapered portions124bare located on the rear section122bof the nose-piece120a. The tapered portions124bexpand as the fiber openings124aextend rearwardly toward the fiber anchoring unit150bfrom the receptacle126.

The anchor fiber openings156ahave tapered sections156bat the front of the anchoring unit. The tapered sections156bare adjacent to the fiber openings124aof a nose-piece120aat the rear section122b. The tapered sections156bexpand as they extend in a forward direction toward the tapered portions124bof the fiber openings124aat the rear section122bof the nose-piece120a.

The tapered portions124b,156bof the nose-piece120aand the anchoring unit150bcan help prevent microbends which can be caused from part misalignment as the optical fibers102extend from the anchoring unit to the nose-piece. Part misalignment can be caused by tolerances of the various parts. In this case, as the optical fiber enters the nose-piece120afrom the anchoring unit150a, there is additional space to account for part misalignment rather than a sharp edge.

In another aspect, the fiber openings124aof the nose-piece120acan include additional tapered portions124c(shown inFIG.18) which extend rearwardly from the front section122of the nose-piece120atowards the receptacle126. The additional tapered portions124callow for additional room to help prevent part misalignment as the optical fiber enters the front portion of the nose-piece from the shutter openings148of the connector shutter140. The additional tapered124cportions expand as they extend in a rearward direction toward the shutter.

The fiber openings124athe nose-piece120acan also include other sets of tapered portions. In one example, additional tapered portions can be included on the front section122of the nose-piece120aand expand as the openings extend from the receptacle126to the front section122, providing additional room for the optical fibers102as the optical fibers102exit the nose-piece120ato an adapter.

In a different example, the fiber openings124aof the nose-piece120acan include additional tapered portions on the rear portion122bof the nose-piece120awhich expand as the openings124aextend from the anchoring unit150atowards the receptacle126, providing additional room for the optical fibers102as they enter the connector shutter from the rear portion of the nose-piece.

If the connector shutter140includes individual openings for each optical fiber, tapers can be added to each opening. The tapers can expand as the connector shutter openings extend through the connector shutter140towards the front section of the nose-piece120awhere the optical fibers102exit the connector shutter140. Tapers can also be added to the openings of the connector shutter140which expand rearwardly towards the rear portion122bof the nose-piece120awhere the optical fibers102enter the connector shutter140.

The various examples described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize various modifications and changes that may be made with respect to the examples and applications illustrated and described herein without departing from the true spirit and scope of the present disclosure.