Optical fiber connector with changeable polarity
AssigneeSenko Advanced Components, Inc.
InventorsJeffrey GNIADEK, Kim Man WONG, Yim WONG, Jimmy CHANG
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A multi-fiber, fiber optic connector may include a reversible keying arrangement for determining the orientation for plugging the connector into an adapter to thereby allow for a change in polarity of the connection to be made on site. The connector housing may be configured to engage with a removable key that may be engaged with the housing in at least two different locations to provide the plug-in orientation, or the housing may have slidably displaceable keys movable between multiple positions on the housing.
Claims16
A multi-fiber fiber optic connector comprising:
- a ferrule having a plurality of optical fibers supported therein;
- a housing disposed around at least a portion of the ferrule, the housing comprising:
- a first end for being inserted into a fiber optic adapter,
- a second end disposed opposite the first end, and
- at least a first wall portion extending from the first end towards the second end and a second wall portion opposite the first wall portion and extending from the first end towards the second end, wherein each of the first wall portion and the second wall portion have an internal surface disposed towards the ferrule and an external surface disposed outwardly away from the ferrule, and
- the housing defining a longitudinal axis in a direction from the first end to the second end, a transverse axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, and a vertical centerline through the first and second wall portions;
- and
- a key configured to be removably attached to either:
- the first wall portion to define a first keyed configuration for insertion of the first end into the adapter in only a first orientation to define a first polarity with respect to the adapter, or
- the second wall portion to define a second keyed configuration for insertion of the first end into the adapter in only a second orientation to define a second polarity with respect to the adapter, wherein the second polarity is opposite to the first polarity,
- wherein the key comprises:
- a first end configured for engaging with the housing adjacent the first housing end to prevent movement of the first key end with respect to the housing in at least a direction laterally away from the housing when removably attached to either the first wall portion or the second wall portion;
- and
- a second end disposed longitudinally away from the first end and configured for being removably attached to the housing at a second location of the housing spaced longitudinally from the first end of the housing towards the second end of the housing to prevent movement of the key with respect to the housing in at least a longitudinal direction along the housing when removably attached to either the first wall portion or the second wall portion.
A housing for a fiber optic connector, the housing comprising:
- a first end for being inserted into a fiber optic adapter, and a second end disposed opposite the first end, wherein the housing defines a longitudinal direction from the first end to the second end, and a transverse direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction;
- at least a first wall portion extending from the first end towards the second end and a second wall portion opposite the first wall portion and extending from the first end towards the second end, wherein each of the first wall portion and the second wall portion have an external surface disposed outwardly away from the ferrule;
- and
- a key configured to be removably attached to either:
- the first wall portion to define a first keyed configuration for insertion of the first end into the adapter in only a first orientation to define a first configuration with respect to the adapter, or
- the second wall portion to define a second keyed configuration for insertion of the first end into the adapter in only a second orientation to define a second configuration with respect to the adapter,
- wherein the key comprises one of a snap-in fastener and a twist lock fastener configured for engaging with either the first wall portion or the second wall portion;
- and
- each of the first wall portion and the second wall portion comprises an opening configured for receiving the snap-in fastener or the twist in fastener to releasably retain the key with either the first wall portion or the second wall portion.
A method of switching the polarity configuration between a multi-fiber fiber optic connector and a corresponding adapter configured for receiving the connector, wherein the connector has a connector housing comprising a first end for being inserted into the adapter, a second end disposed opposite the first end, and at least first and second movably displaceable keys displaceable along the housing between a first position adjacent the first end and a second position disposed towards the second end, and wherein one of the first and second keys is in its first position and the other of the first and second keys is in its second position to provide a first polarity for the fiber optic connector, the method comprising:
- slidingly displacing the first key from its corresponding first or second position to the other of the first and second positions, and
- slidingly displacing the second key from its corresponding first or second position to the other of the first and second positions,
- to provide a second opposite polarity for the fiber optic connector.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.