US 2017/0363815 A1 · SPACE SAVING OPTICAL FIBER CONNECTOR

Abstract

In some embodiments, the present disclosure is directed at an optical fiber connector that occupies a small volume, and can therefore fit into small optical modules. In some embodiments, the optical fiber connector may comprise a removable faceplate. During installation, the faceplate may be removed to allow an optical fiber plug with a flange to be placed within the optical fiber connector. The flange may comprise one or more spring tabs. The faceplate may then be re-attached to the optical fiber connector, wherein at least a portion of the faceplate engages with the flange and secures the optical fiber plug with the optical fiber connector. The one or more spring tabs may also engage with the removable faceplate, thereby holding the optical fiber plug in place so as to ensure proper light transmission from the fiber to an opposing fiber.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A compact optical fiber connector, comprising:

a connector body comprising a first end configured to couple with a first optical fiber;
and
a faceplate configured to be coupled to a second end of the connector body opposite the first end, wherein the faceplate defines an opening for a second optical fiber to pass through the faceplate;
wherein, when the faceplate is coupled to the second end of the connector body, the faceplate and the second end of the connector body define an interior volume configured to receive a flange that extends radially outward from a longitudinal axis of the second optical fiber, the flange comprising one or more spring tabs configured to push against an interior surface of the faceplate, thereby biasing the flange against an interior surface of the second end of the connector body.

1 more element

A method of connecting optical fibers, comprising:

providing an optical fiber connector comprising:
a connector body comprising a first end configured to couple with a first optical fiber;
and
a faceplate configured to be coupled to a second end of the connector body opposite the first end, wherein:
the faceplate defines an opening, and
when the faceplate is coupled to the second end of the connector body, the faceplate and the second end of the connector body define an interior volume;
providing a first optical fiber;
providing a second optical fiber having a flange that extends radially outward from a longitudinal axis of the optical fiber, the flange comprising one or more spring tabs;
coupling the first optical fiber with the first end of the connector body;
coupling the second optical fiber with the second end of the connector body by positioning the flange of the optical fiber so that it is adjacent to the second end of the connector body;
passing the second optical fiber through the opening of the faceplate;
and
coupling the faceplate to the second end of the connector body such that the flange is received within the interior volume defined by the faceplate and the second end of the connector body, and the one or more spring tabs of the flange push against an interior surface of the faceplate, thereby biasing the flange against an interior surface of the second end of the connector body.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Space saving optical fiber connector

Life of this patent

Space saving optical fiber connector

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20