Fiber optic connector with field installable outer connector housing
AssigneeCommScope Technologies LLC
InventorsJulian S. Mullaney, Eric Emmanuel Alston, William Alan Carrico
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Abstract
An optical connector includes a first sub-assembly that is factory-installed to a first end of an optical fiber and a second sub-assembly that is field-installed to the first end of the optical fiber. The optical fiber and first sub-assembly can be routed through a structure (e.g., a building) prior to installation of the second sub-assembly. The second sub-assembly interlocks with the first sub-assembly to inhibit relative axial movement therebetween. Example first sub-assemblies include a ferrule, a hub, and a strain-relief sleeve that mount to an optical fiber. Example second sub-assemblies include a mounting block; and an outer connector housing forming a plug portion.
Claims20
A method of installing an optical fiber in at least one of a duct, riser or plenum or other small conduit, comprising:
- routing a ferrule, a ferrule hub having an asymmetric shape with angled top and bottom major sides that define a predetermined rotational orientation, a spring, and at least a portion of the optical fiber through the at least one of a duct, riser or plenum;
- inserting at least a portion of the optical fiber into an open channel positioned on a side of a mounting block, wherein the portion of the optical fiber is inserted into the open channel from the side in a direction substantially orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the optical fiber, wherein the spring is captured between a first spring stop defined by the ferrule hub and a second spring stop defined by the mounting block, wherein the ferrule hub is configured for insertion into a rear cavity of a main connector housing in only the predetermined rotational orientation due to the asymmetric shape;
- and
- inserting a front portion of the mounting block into a rear cavity of a main connector housing in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the optical fiber, to effect latching of the main connector housing to the mounting block along the longitudinal axis of the optical fiber by a snap-fit connection,
- wherein the spring biases the ferrule hub and the ferrule in a forward direction relative to the main connector housing to enable access to a front end face of the ferrule at a front end of the main connector housing.
A method of installing an optical fiber in a duct, the optical fiber having a ferrule supporting a distal end of the optical fiber, a ferrule hub having an asymmetric shape with angled top and bottom major sides that define a predetermined rotational orientation to support the ferrule, and a spring positioned proximally from the ferrule hub, the method comprising:
- routing at least a first portion of the optical fiber through the duct;
- inserting at least the first portion of the optical fiber into an open channel defined along a side of a mounting block in a direction substantially orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the optical fiber, wherein the spring is captured between a first spring stop defined by the ferrule hub and a second spring stop defined by the mounting block, wherein the ferrule hub is configured for insertion into a rear cavity of a main connector housing in only the predetermined rotational orientation due to the asymmetric shape;
- and
- inserting a front portion of the mounting block into the rear cavity of the main connector housing in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the optical fiber, to effect latching the main connector housing to the mounting block along the longitudinal axis of the optical fiber by a snap-fit connection,
- wherein the spring biases the ferrule hub and the ferrule in a forward direction relative to the main connector housing to enable access to a front end face of the ferrule at a front end of the main connector housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.