# US 2023/0057049 A1 · Multifiber fiber optic connectors, cable assemblies and methods of making the same

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- Number: US 2023/0057049 A1
- Document ID: US20230057049A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 17/980,178
- Filed: 2022-11-03
- Published: 2023-02-23
- Earliest claimed: 2017-06-28
- Assignees: Corning Research & Development Corporation
- Applicants: Corning Research & Development Corporation
- Inventors: Joel Christopher Rosson
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20230057049A1

## CPC

- G02B 6/3879: {Linking of individual connector plugs to an overconnector, e.g. using clamps, clips, common housings comprising several individual connector plugs}
- G02B 6/3825: {with an intermediate part, e.g. adapter, receptacle, linking two plugs}
- G02B 6/3826: {characterised by form or shape}
- G02B 6/3831: {comprising a keying element on the plug or adapter, e.g. to forbid wrong connection (keying element on the ferrule G02B6/3851; keying element for electrical coupling H01R13/64)}
- G02B 6/3851: {Ferrules having keying or coding means}
- G02B 6/3869: {Mounting ferrules to connector body, i.e. plugs}
- G02B 6/387: {Connector plugs comprising two complementary members, e.g. shells, caps, covers, locked together}
- G02B 6/3873: {Connectors using guide surfaces for aligning ferrule ends, e.g. tubes, sleeves, V-grooves, rods, pins, balls}
- G02B 6/3885: {Multicore or multichannel optical connectors, i.e. one single ferrule containing more than one fibre, e.g. ribbon type (optical ribbon cable G02B6/4403, G02B6/448)}
- G02B 6/3897: {Connectors fixed to housings, casing, frames or circuit boards (G02B6/44528 takes precedence)}
- G02B 6/44515: {Fibre drop terminals with surplus length (without surplus length G02B6/4472)}
- G02B 6/381: {of the ferrule type, e.g. fibre ends embedded in ferrules, connecting a pair of fibres}
- G02B 6/3821: {with axial spring biasing or loading means (G02B6/3847 takes precedence)}
- G02B 6/3837: {forwarding or threading methods of light guides into apertures of ferrule centering means}
- G02B 6/3841: {using rods, balls for light guides}
- G02B 6/3843: {with auxiliary facilities for movably aligning or adjusting the fibre within its ferrule, e.g. measuring position or eccentricity (testing the alignment of axes, including eccentricity, G01B11/27)}
- G02B 6/3849: {using mechanical protective elements, e.g. caps, hoods, sealing membranes (G02B6/3816 takes precedence; provisionally see H01R13/44)}
- G02B 6/3871: {Ferrule rotatable with respect to plug body, e.g. for setting rotational position (adjusting fibre within the ferrule, G02B6/3843); Fixation of ferrules after rotation}
- G02B 6/3887: {Anchoring optical cables to connector housings, e.g. strain relief features}
- G02B 6/3889: {using encapsulation for protection, e.g. adhesive, molding or casting resin}
- G02B 6/389: {characterised by the method of fastening connecting plugs and sockets, e.g. screw- or nut-lock, snap-in, bayonet type}
- G02B 6/3893: {Push-pull type, e.g. snap-in, push-on}
- G02B 6/3895: {identification of connection, e.g. right plug to the right socket or full engagement of the mating parts (keying element on the plug or adapter G02B6/3831; keying element on the ferrule G02B6/3851; keying element for electrical connection H01R13/64)}
- G02B 6/4262: {characterised by the shape of the housing (for semiconductor lasers H01S5/02208)}
- G02B 6/4401: {Optical cables (glass fibres with a protective coating G02B6/02395)}
- G02B 6/4446: {Cable boxes, e.g. splicing boxes with two or more multi fibre cables}
- G02B 6/4471: {Terminating devices (demountable connectors G02B6/3807); Cable clamps}
- G02B 6/4472: {Manifolds}
- G02B 6/4477: {with means for strain-relieving to interior strengths element}
- G02B 6/4479: {Manufacturing methods of optical cables}
- G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS

## Abstract

Fiber optic connectors, cable assemblies and methods for making the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, the optical connector comprises a housing and a multifiber ferrule. The housing comprises a longitudinal passageway between a rear end and a front end, and, a part of the rear portion of the housing comprises a round cross-section and a part of the front portion of the housing comprises a non-round cross-section.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A fiber optic connector, comprising:
a housing comprising a rear end and a front end, and a longitudinal passageway extending from the rear end to the front end, wherein a part of the rear portion of the housing comprises a round cross-section and a part of the front portion of the housing comprises a non-round cross-section with a transition region (TR) disposed between the rear portion and the front portion, and the housing comprises a locking feature integrally formed in the housing;
a multifiber ferrule comprising a plurality of fiber bores; and
a nosepiece configured for attachment to the housing.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The fiber optic connector of claim 1, the housing further comprising a keying portion being a female key.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The fiber optic connector of claim 2, wherein the keying portion is disposed about 180 degrees from the locking feature of the housing.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The fiber optic connector of claim 1, wherein the locking feature is a subtractive portion from the round cross-section of the rear portion of the housing for securing the optical mating of the fiber optic connector.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The fiber optic connector of claim 1, wherein the locking feature comprises a ramp with a ledge.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The fiber optic connector of claim 1, further comprising an O-ring being disposed on a portion of the housing.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The fiber optic connector of claim 1, wherein the transition region comprises a threaded portion.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The fiber optic connector of claim 1, further comprising a cable adapter.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The fiber optic connector of claim 8, wherein the cable adapter receives a portion of a resilient member and a portion of a ferrule holder, and a ferrule holder retainer is attached to the cable adapter.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The fiber optic connector of claim 1 being a portion of a cable assembly.

### Claim 11

A fiber optic connector, comprising:
a housing comprising a rear end and a front end, and a longitudinal passageway extending from the rear end to the front end, wherein a part of the rear portion of the housing comprises a round cross-section and a part of the front portion of the housing comprises a non-round cross-section with a transition region comprising a threaded portion disposed between the rear portion and the front portion, and the housing comprises a locking feature integrally formed in the housing; and
a multifiber ferrule comprising a plurality of fiber bores.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The fiber optic connector of claim 11, the housing further comprising a keying portion being a female key.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The fiber optic connector of claim 12, wherein the keying portion is disposed about 180 degrees from the locking feature of the housing.

### Claim 14 (depends on 11)

The fiber optic connector of claim 11, wherein the locking feature is a subtractive portion from the round cross-section of the rear portion of the housing for securing the optical mating of the fiber optic connector.

### Claim 15 (depends on 11)

The fiber optic connector of claim 11, wherein the locking feature comprises a ramp with a ledge.

### Claim 16 (depends on 11)

The fiber optic connector of claim 11, further comprising an O-ring being disposed on a portion of the housing.

### Claim 17 (depends on 11)

The fiber optic connector of claim 11, further comprising a cable adapter.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The fiber optic connector of claim 17, wherein the cable adapter receives a portion of a resilient member and a portion of a ferrule holder, and a ferrule holder retainer is attached to the cable adapter.

### Claim 19 (depends on 11)

The fiber optic connector of claim 11, further comprising a nosepiece configured for attachment to the housing.

### Claim 20 (depends on 11)

The fiber optic connector of claim 11 being a portion of a cable assembly.

### Claim 21

A fiber optic connector, comprising:
a housing comprising a rear end and a front end, and longitudinal passageway extending from the rear end to the front end, wherein a part of the rear portion of the housing comprises a round cross-section and a part of the front portion of the housing comprises a non-round cross-section with a transition region disposed between the rear portion and the front portion, and the housing comprises a locking feature integrally formed in the housing, wherein the locking feature is a subtractive portion from the round cross-section of the rear portion of the housing for securing the optical mating of the fiber optic connector;
a multifiber ferrule comprising a plurality of fiber bores;
a nosepiece configured for attachment to the housing; and
an O-ring being disposed on the rear portion of the housing.

### Claim 22 (depends on 21)

The fiber optic connector of claim 21, the housing further comprising a keying portion being a female key.

### Claim 23 (depends on 22)

The fiber optic connector of claim 22, wherein the keying portion is disposed about 180 degrees from the locking feature of the housing.

### Claim 24 (depends on 21)

The fiber optic connector of claim 21, wherein the locking feature comprises a ramp with a ledge.

### Claim 25 (depends on 21)

The fiber optic connector of claim 21, wherein the transition region comprises a threaded portion.

### Claim 26 (depends on 21)

The fiber optic connector of claim 21, further comprising a cable adapter.

### Claim 27 (depends on 26)

The fiber optic connector of claim 26, wherein the cable adapter receives a portion of a resilient member and a portion of a ferrule holder, and a ferrule holder retainer is attached to the cable adapter.

### Claim 28 (depends on 21)

The fiber optic connector of claim 21 being a portion of a cable assembly.