US 2002/0172467 A1 · HIGH-DENSITY OPTICAL CONNECTING BLOCK

Abstract

A high density optical connecting block 100 is mounted in a relatively thin, flat panel 10, and is constructed as an array of identical cells 110 that are linked together as a one-piece unit. The connecting block has a front-to-back depth that is greater than ten millimeters for imparting flexural rigidity to the panel. The array includes at least twelve cells that are arranged in two or more rows and two or more columns. Each cell has a front side that is shaped to receive and interlock with a duplex optical connector 50, and a back side that is shaped to receive and interlock with two simplex optical plugs 20. The duplex connector is a unifying structure that yokes a pair of simplex optical plugs 20-1, 20-2 into a duplex configuration. The duplex connector includes a pair of side-by-side cavities 153-153, each having: (i) an opening at a back end that is shaped to receive a simplex optical plug, (ii) a tubular boss 58 for holding a cylindrical ferrule or a plastic optical fiber, the boss projecting into and out of the cavity from a front-end wall 57 of the cavity and having a central axis that is perpendicular to the front-end wall, and (iii) a retaining feature 54 for holding each simplex plug within the cavity. Additionally, the duplex connector includes latching members 55-55 on its top and bottom sides that interlock with the cell.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A high-density, optical connecting block for mounting in a generally flat panel, said connecting block comprising a plurality of interlocked horizontal and vertical ribs that form cells, each cell being substantially identical to the others in size, shape and orientation, and each cell including a front side having recesses that are shaped to receive and interlock with a duplex optical connector, said connecting block comprising at least twelve cells that are disposed in an array comprising at least two rows and at least two columns.

In combination, a connecting block and a plurality of duplex optical connectors,

the connecting block comprising:
an array of substantially identical cells that are molded into a one-piece unit, the array comprising at least twelve cells that are arrayed in two or more rows and two or more columns, each cell including a front side that is shaped to receive a duplex optical connector, each cell including a first retaining feature that is shaped to interlock with the duplex connector, each cell further including a back side with a pair of optical receptacles having generally rectangular entrances for receiving a pair of optical plugs, and each optical receptacle having a second retaining feature that is shaped to interlock with the optical plug,
each duplex optical connector comprising:
a pair of side-by-side optical ports, each port including a plurality of internal walls that define a cavity having:
(i) an opening in a back end thereof that is shaped to receive a predetermined optical plug, (ii) a tubular boss for holding a cylindrical ferrule, said boss projecting from a wall at a front end of the connector, and (iii) a retaining feature within the cavity for holding the predetermined optical plug within the cavity;
and
a latching member that is disposed on at least one outside surface of the duplex connector for engagement with the first retaining feature of the cell for interlocking the duplex connector with the cell.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

High-density optical connecting block

Life of this patent

High-density optical connecting block

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14