Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure relates generally to connector assemblies for optical fiber cables, and more particularly relates to an optical fiber connector with three stage locking.
BACKGROUND
Optical fibers are widely used for data transmission. Generally, the optical fibers are connected to each other via a connector assembly.
Prior art reference “US9915788B2” discloses an optical fiber connector structure with an inner housing extending beyond an outer housing and connected to a boot with a retainer body and a compression element to provide sealing of the cable. Prior art reference “US10877221B2” discloses a fiber connector with an outer housing, an inner housing, and an elastic boot. The outer housing of the invention extends beyond the inner housing. Prior art reference “US11169334B2” discloses an optical fiber connector with an outer housing extending beyond an inner housing. A sealing element grasped by the inner housing is present to allow the optical fiber cable inside the connector. Prior art reference “WO2021051904A1” discloses a sealing and locking connection part for a fiber optical connector. The locking connection part includes and the sealing part are separated to each other and are present at the two different ends of the connector assembly. Prior art reference “US20210263226A1” discloses an optical fiber connector with a secondary lock unit and protectors on the connector front end to protect the ferrule.
Thus, there is a need to develop an optical fiber connector assembly that efficiently connects the optical fiber and provides additional security at the connector to avoid accidental disengagement.
SUMMARY
In an aspect of the present disclosure, an optical fiber connector assembly is disclosed. The optical fiber connector assembly includes an inner housing, an outer housing, a pushable locking element, and a boot. The inner body holds the one or more connectors (hereinafter referred to as “the connectors”). The inner housing is adapted to partially encapsulate the inner body. The outer housing is adapted to partially encapsulate the inner housing. The outer housing is removably locked with a mating adapter thereby engaging a primary lock. The pushable locking element is removably engaged with the outer housing to restrict movement of the outer housing thereby engaging a secondary lock. The boot is removably engaged with the inner housing to engage a tertiary lock. The optical fiber connector assembly disengages from the mating adapter upon disengagement of, (i) the tertiary lock, (ii) the secondary lock, and (iii) the primary lock. The primary lock, the secondary lock, and the tertiary lock are interlocked with each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The following detailed description of the preferred aspects of the present disclosure will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. The present disclosure is illustrated by way of example, and not limited by the accompanying figures, in which, like references indicate similar elements.
FIG. 1 illustrates an assembled view of an optical fiber connector assembly.
FIG. 2 illustrates an assembled view of the optical fiber connector assembly without a dust cap.
FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the outer housing.
FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the inner housing.
FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of an outer housing encapsulating an inner housing.
FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a pushable locking element.
FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a boot.
FIG. 8 illustrates a front view of an inner body.
FIG. 9A illustrates a sectional view of a first end of the optical fiber connector assembly with engaged pushable locking element.
FIG. 9B illustrates a sectional view of a first end of the optical fiber connector assembly with disengaged pusahble locking element.
FIG. 10 illustrates an exploded view of the optical fiber connector assembly.
FIG. 11 illustrates another exploded view of the optical fiber connector assembly.
FIG. 12A illustrates a collapsed view of the inner body.
FIG. 12B illustrates an exploded view of the inner body.
FIG. 13A illustrates another collapsed view of the inner body.
FIG. 13B illustrates another exploded view of the inner body.
FIG. 14 illustrates a flow chart that depicts a method 1400 for coupling the connector assembly 100 with the mating adapter.
FIG. 15 illustrates a flow chart that depicts a method 1500 for removing the connector assembly 100 from the mating adapter.
DEFINITIONS
The term “optical fiber” as used herein refers to a light guide that provides high-speed data transmission. The optical fiber has one or more glass core regions and a glass cladding region. The light moving through the glass core regions of the optical fiber relies upon the principle of total internal reflection, where the glass core regions have a higher refractive index (n1) than the refractive index (n2) of the glass cladding region of the optical fiber.
The term “core region” as used herein refers to the inner most cylindrical structure present in the centre of the optical fiber, that is configured to guide the light rays inside the optical fiber.
The term “cladding” as used herein refers to one or more layered structure covering the core of an optical fiber from the outside, that is configured to possess a lower refractive index than the refractive index of the core to facilitate total internal reflection of light rays inside the optical fiber. Further, the cladding of the optical fiber may include an inner cladding layer coupled to the outer surface of the core of the optical fiber and an outer cladding layer coupled to the inner cladding from the outside.
The term “optical fiber cable” as used herein refers to a cable that encloses one or more optical fibers.
The term “heat shrink tube” refers to a flexible tube that is used for sealing. The heat shrink tube slides over a cable termination portion and with the help of hot air, such that the heat shrink tube gets shrunk to hold the cable termination portion and thereby providing sealing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The detailed description of the appended drawings is intended as a description of the currently preferred aspects of the present disclosure, and is not intended to represent the only form in which the present disclosure may be practiced. It is to be understood that the same or equivalent functions may be accomplished by different aspects that are intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
FIG. 1 illustrates an assembled view of an optical fiber connector assembly 100 (hereinafter interchangeably referred to and designated as “the connector assembly 100”). The connector assembly 100 may be adapted to join an optical fiber with another optical fiber and thereby enabling quicker connection and disconnection than splicing of the optical fibers. Specifically, the connector assembly 100 may be adapted to align a core of one optical fiber with a core of another optical fiber that may facilitate light to pass through the one optical fiber to the other optical fiber. The connector assembly 100 may be adapted to facilitate a three-stage locking (as explained in detail hereinafter). The connector assembly 100 may be adapted to provide an environment sealing for the optical fiber. Specifically, the connector assembly 100 may be adapted to be used in a harsh environment to provide the environment sealing to optical fiber connections. The connector assembly 100 may work or operate in a plug and play manner. The connector assembly 100 may be further adapted to join the optical fiber to any appliance or a mating adapter. The connector assembly 100 may be mainly used in a plurality of terminals of radio-frequency (RF) towers. Therefore, high load bearing capacity may be required due to load of an optical fiber cable.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, the connector assembly 100 may be used for the optical fiber cable having a diameter that may be in a range of 4 millimeters (mm) to 9 mm. Preferably, the connector assembly 100 may be used for the optical fiber cable having the diameter that may be 4.2 mm, 4.8 mm, 5.5 mm, 8 mm, and 8.2 mm. Therefore, the connector assembly 100 may be advantageously compatible with the optical fiber cable having different diameters.
The connector assembly 100 may have a first end 102 and a second end 104. The second end 104 may be disposed at an opposite side of the first end 102. The connector assembly 100 may further have a dust cap 106, an outer housing 108, a pushable locking element 110, and a boot 112.
The dust cap 106 may be disposed at the first end 102 of the connector assembly 100. The dust cap 106 may be adapted to prevent contamination of the optical fiber. Specifically, the dust cap 106 may prevent entry of dust, dirt, and debris in the connector assembly 100. The dust cap 106 may therefore advantageously prevent contamination of the optical fiber from the dust, dirt, and debris.
The outer housing 108 may be coupled to the dust cap 106. Specifically, the outer housing 108 may be disposed adjacent to the dust cap 106. In an assembled configuration, the outer housing 108 may be removably engaged to the mating adapter.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, the outer housing 108 may have a length that may be in a range of 40 mm to 42 mm. Preferably, the outer housing 108 may have the length that may be 41.8 mm. The outer housing 108 may have a diameter that may be in a range of 34 mm and 38 mm. Preferably, the outer housing 108 may have the diameter that may be 35.97 mm.
The pushable locking element 110 may be coupled to the outer housing 108. Specifically, the pushable locking element 110 may be disposed adjacent to the outer housing 108.
The boot 112 may be a flexible boot. The boot 112 may be disposed at the second end 104 of the connector assembly 100. Specifically, the boot 112 may be disposed at an opposite side of the dust cap 106. The boot 112 may be adapted to provide a strength to the connector assembly 100. Specifically, the boot 112 may be adapted to provide a tensile strength to the connector assembly 100.
FIG. 2 illustrates an assembled view of the optical fiber connector assembly 100 without the dust cap 106. The connector assembly 100 may further have an inner housing 202 and an inner body 204.
The inner housing 202 may be disposed outside of the inner body 204 and inside of the outer housing 108. The inner body 204 may be disposed within the connector assembly 100. Specifically, the inner body 204 may be disposed within the inner housing 202. The inner housing 202 may be adapted to partially encapsulate the inner body 204. In other words, the inner housing 202 may partially encapsulate the inner body 204 such that a portion of the inner body 204 extends out from the inner housing 202.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, the inner housing 202 may have a length that may be in a range of 70 mm to 75 mm. Preferably, the inner housing 202 may have the length that may be 73.2 mm. The inner housing 202 may have a diameter that may be in a range of 24 mm and 28 mm. Preferably, the inner housing 202 may have the diameter that may be 25.9 mm. The inner body 204 may have a length (without connectors) that may be in a range of 50 mm and 52 mm. Preferably, the inner body 204 may have the length (without connectors) that may be 50.6 mm.
FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the outer housing 108. The outer housing 108 may have a third end 302, a fourth end 304, a first orifice 306, a second orifice 308, and a bayonet locking structure 310. The third end 302 may have a diameter that may greater than a diameter of the fourth end 304. While the outer housing 108 encapsulates the inner housing 202, the third end 302 may be disposed at a side of the first end 102 of the connector assembly 100 and the fourth end 304 may be disposed at a side of the second end 104 of the connector assembly 100. The first orifice 306 may be disposed at the third end 302 and the second orifice 308 may be disposed at the fourth end 304. The bayonet locking structure 310 may be a recess or depression that may be formed on the outer housing 108. In other words, the bayonet locking structure 310 may be a structure that may receive an element. The bayonet locking structure 310 may be disposed at an internal portion of the outer housing 108. Specifically, the bayonet locking structure 310 may be disposed at the internal portion of the third end 302 of the outer housing 108. The bayonet locking structure 310 may facilitate the outer housing 108 to removably locked with the mating adapter. In other words, the outer housing 108 may be removably locked with the mating adapter through the bayonet locking structure 310. Specifically, one or more protrusions of the mating adapter may be received within the bayonet locking structure 310 that may facilitate removable locking of the outer housing 108 with the mating adapter.
FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the inner housing 202. The inner housing 202 may have a fifth end 402, a sixth end 404, a third orifice 406, a fourth orifice 408, and at least two longitudinal grooves 410a, 410b (hereinafter collectively referred to and designated as “the longitudinal grooves 410”). The fifth end 402 may have a diameter that may be greater than a diameter of the sixth end 404. While, the outer housing 108 encapsulates the inner housing 202, the fifth end 402 may be disposed at a side of the first end 102 of the connector assembly 100 and the sixth end 404 may be disposed at a side of the second end 104 of the connector assembly 100. The third orifice 406 may be disposed at the fifth end 402 and the fourth orifice 408 may be disposed at the sixth end 404. The longitudinal grooves 410 may be disposed on an outer surface 407 of the inner housing 202. The outer surface 407 may be a curved surface. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the inner housing 202 may have a cylindrical shape such that the outer surface 407 forms the curved surface. Specifically, the longitudinal grooves 410 may extend along the length of the inner housing 202. The longitudinal grooves 410 may facilitate longitudinal movement of the pushable locking element 110 over the inner housing 202. In other words, the pushable locking element 110 may be moved over the inner housing 202 by way of the longitudinal grooves 410. Specifically, each longitudinal groove of the longitudinal grooves 410 may be a recess or depression such that each longitudinal groove of the longitudinal grooves 410 may receive an element. Each longitudinal groove of the longitudinal grooves 410 may be adapted to receive corresponding push tab of the push tabs 604 that facilitates the pushable locking element 110 to move over the inner housing 202. In other words, each push tab of the push tabs 604 may be received within corresponding longitudinal groove of the longitudinal grooves 410 such that the pushable locking element 110 is moved over the inner housing 202. In other words, each longitudinal groove of the longitudinal grooves 410 may be adapted to receive corresponding push tab of the push tabs 604 that may facilitate the pushable locking element 110 to move over the inner housing 202. Thus, each longitudinal groove of the longitudinal grooves 410 may advantageously facilitate easy sliding of the pushable locking element 110 over the inner housing 202.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, the inner housing 202 may further have a keying structure 412. The inner housing 202 may be removably coupled to the mating adapter. Specifically, the fifth end 402 may be removably coupled to the mating adapter through the keying structure 412. The connectors may be coupled to the mating adapter in a fiber terminal. The keying structure 412 may facilitate correct alignment of each connector of the connectors in the fiber terminal.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, the inner housing 202 may further have a stop ring. The stop ring may be disposed at the sixth end 404. The stop ring may prevent movement of the outer housing 108 and the pushable locking element 110.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, a cross-sectional shape of each longitudinal groove of the longitudinal grooves 410 may be one of, a square, a rectangle, a trapezium, and the like. Aspects of the present disclosure are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any type of known and later developed cross-sectional shape of each longitudinal groove of the longitudinal grooves 410, without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.
FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of the outer housing 108 encapsulating the inner housing 202. The outer housing 108 may be wrapped around the inner housing 202. Specifically, the outer housing 108 may be adapted to partially encapsulate the inner housing 202 such that the inner housing 202 extends beyond the outer housing 108. In other words, a length of the inner housing 202 may be greater than a length of the outer housing 108 such that the inner housing 202 extends beyond the outer housing 108 while the outer housing 108 partially encapsulates the inner housing 202. The inner housing 202 may extend beyond the outer housing 108 from either end, for example, the fifth end 402 and the sixth end 404. The inner housing 202 may extend beyond the outer housing 108 that may facilitate the dust cap 106, the pushable locking element 110, and the boot 112 to be engaged with the inner housing 202. In other words, the inner housing 202 may extend beyond the outer housing 108 that may facilitate easy assembling of the connector assembly 100. The fifth end 402 of the inner housing 202 may extend beyond the outer housing 108 that may facilitate assembling of the dust cap 106 in the connector assembly 100. The sixth end 404 of the inner housing 202 may extend beyond the outer housing 108 that may facilitate assembling of the pushable locking element 110 and the boot 112 in the connector assembly 100. Specifically, the fifth end 402 of the inner housing 202 may extend beyond the outer housing 108 up to a length that may be in a range of 3 mm to 4 mm. Preferably, the fifth end 402 of the inner housing 202 may extend beyond the outer housing 108 up to the length that may be 3.3 mm. The outer housing 108 may be removably locked with the mating adapter. Specifically, the outer housing 108 may be removably locked with the mating adapter to engage a primary lock 101. The inner housing 202 may have threads 502 that may be disposed on the outer surface 407 of the inner housing 202. Specifically, the threads 502 may be disposed on the outer surface 407 of the inner housing 202 at a side that may be away from the outer housing 108 while the outer housing 108 encapsulates the inner housing 202. In other words, the threads 502 may be disposed at the sixth end 404.
FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the pushable locking element 110. The pushable locking element 110 may have a skirt portion 602 and a pair of push tabs 604a, 604b (hereinafter collectively referred to and designated as “the push tabs 604”). The skirt portion 602 may be a ring-shaped portion. The push tabs 604 may extend from the skirt portion 602. Specifically, the push tabs 604 may extend in a diametrically opposite arrangement from the skirt portion 602 such that the first push tab 604 faces the second push tab 604b.
The pushable locking element 110 may surround the inner housing 202. Specifically, the skirt portion 602 may surround the inner housing 202. The pushable locking element 110 may be removably engaged with the outer housing 108 to prevent movement of the outer housing 108 and thereby may engage a secondary lock 103. Specifically, the push tabs 604 may engage with the outer housing 108 to prevent accidental movement of the outer housing 108 and thereby may engage the secondary lock 103. The outer housing 108 may have a pair of slots that may receive the push tabs 604. Specifically, each push tab of the push tabs 604 may be inserted in corresponding slot of the pair of slots of the outer housing 108 that may prevent rotational movement of the of the outer housing 108 and thereby may engage the secondary lock 103. Each push tab of the push tabs 604 may have a bulge 607 that may protrude in an inner side. In other words, the bulge 607 of one push tab of the push tabs 604 may face towards the bulge 607 of other push tab of the push tabs. The bulge 607 of each push tab of the push tabs 604 may assist in movement of the secondary lock 103 over the inner housing 202 by sliding into the longitudinal grooves 410 of the inner housing 202. The bulge 607 of each push tab of the push tabs 604 may get stuck at a rear end of the inner housing 202 such that the pushable locking element 110 does not separate from the inner housing 202. The push tabs 604 may facilitate the pushable locking element 110 to couple with the outer housing 108 in a snap-fit arrangement. Specifically, each push tab of the push tabs 604 may be snap fitted with the corresponding slot of the pair of slots of the outer housing 108. The pushable locking element 110 may be provided at a rear side of the outer housing 108 that may provide double security. The pushable locking element 110 may be longitudinally movable over the inner housing 202 to facilitate one of, (i) an engagement of the secondary lock 103 and (ii) a disengagement of the secondary lock 103. The pushable locking element 110 may be adapted to prevent false triggering i.e., accidental disengagement of the primary lock 101. To prevent the false triggering, the pushable locking element 110 may be pushed such that the pushable locking element 110 slides over the inner housing 202 to provide a double locking feature to the connector assembly 100.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, the pushable locking element 110 may have a length that may be in a range of 14 mm to 18 mm. Preferably, the pushable locking element 110 may have the length that may be 15.4 mm.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, a cross-sectional shape of each push tab of the push tabs 604 may be one of, a rectangle, a square, a trapezium, and the like. Aspects of the present disclosure are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any type of the cross-sectional shape of each push tab of the push tabs 604.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, each push tab of the push tabs 604 may have a length that may be in a range of 4 mm to 6 mm.
FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of the boot 112. The boot 112 may be the flexible boot. The boot 112 may be disposed at the second end 104 of the connector assembly 100 such that the boot 112 encapsulates the inner housing 202. Specifically, the boot 112 may encapsulate the inner housing 202 till the pushable locking element 110.The boot 112 may extend till the pushable locking element 110 such that the pushable locking element 110 may not be removed without removing the boot 112. This ensures that removal of the pushable locking element 110 from the connector assembly 100, requires removal of the boot 112. The boot 112 may extend till the pushable locking element 110 to prevent false triggering. In other words, the boot 112 may extend till the pusable locking element 110 to prevent accidental disengagement of the pushable locking element 110 from the connector assembly 100. The boot 112 may therefore advantageously prevent accidental collapse of the connector assembly 100. The boot 112 may therefore advantageously hold the pushable locking element 110 in the connector assembly 100. The boot 112 may have a connection portion 702 and a helical flexible portion 704. The connection portion 702 may facilitate connection of the boot 112 with the inner housing 202. Specifically, the connection portion 702 may have internal threads (not shown) that may be adapted to mate with the threads 502 of the inner housing 202. To removably couple the boot 112 with the inner housing 202, the connection portion 702 may be rotated i.e., fully threaded on the threads 502 of the inner housing 202 to facilitate a tight connection between the internal threads of the connection portion 702 and the threads 502 of the inner housing 202. The boot 112 may encapsulate the inner housing 202 till the pushable locking element 110 that may prevent unlocking of the pushable locking element 110 while the boot 112 is fully threaded. The boot 112 may be removably engaged with the inner housing 202 to prevent movement of the pushable locking element 110. Specifically, the boot 112 may be removably engaged with the inner housing 202 to prevent movement of the pushable locking element 110 to engage a tertiary lock 105.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, the boot 112 may have a conical shape. Aspects of the present disclosure are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any type of shape for the boot 112, without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, the boot 112 may be removably engaged with the inner housing 202 through a threaded lock.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, the boot 112 may have a length that may be in a range of 60 mm to 65 mm. Preferably, the boot 112 may have the length that may be 64.2 mm.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, the connection portion 702 may have a shape that may be one of, a frustum, a cylinder, and the like. Aspects of the present disclosure are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any type of known and later developed shape for the connection portion, without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, the helical flexible portion 704 may have a shape that may be one of, a frustum, a cylinder, and the like. Aspects of the present disclosure are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any type of known and later developed shape for the helical flexible portion, without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, the boot 112 may have a length that may be in a range of 60 mm to 65 mm. Preferably, the boot 112 may have the length that may be 64.2 mm.
The connector assembly 100 may be disengaged from the mating adapter. Specifically, the connector assembly 100 may be disengaged from the mating adapter, upon disengagement of one of, (i) the tertiary lock 105, (ii) the secondary lock 103, and the (iii) the primary lock 101 such that the primary lock 101, the secondary lock 103, and the tertiary lock 105 are interlocked with each other. The primary lock 101 may be unlocked upon unlocking of the secondary lock 103. The secondary lock 103 may be unlocked upon unlocking of the tertiary lock 105. The primary lock 101, the secondary lock 103, and the tertiary lock 105 may together form a triple locking mechanism for the connector assembly 100. The triple locking mechanism may advantageously enhance a load bearing capacity and may advantageously increase safety in terms of an accidental disengagement of the connector assembly 100 from the plurality of terminals. The connector assembly 100 may eliminate the need of a flexible material that may be required to join two LC connectors in duplex connector configuration. Therefore, by eliminating the need of the flexible material, alignment during the connection of the optical fibers may advantageously get easier.
FIG. 8 illustrates a front view of the inner body 204. The connector assembly 100 may further have one or more connectors 802a, 802b (hereinafter collectively referred to and designated as “the connectors 802”). The inner body 204 may hold the connectors 802. In other words, the connectors 802 may be disposed within the inner body 204. The connectors 802 may have a plurality of ferrules 804a, 804b (hereinafter collectively referred to and designated as “the ferrules 804”), a pull tab 806, and one or more rings 808a, 808b (hereinafter collectively referred to and designated as “the rings 808”). While, the inner body 204 is disposed within the inner housing 202, the ferrules 804 and the pull tab 806 may be disposed near to the first end 102.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, each connector of the connectors 802 may be a (LC) duplex connector. Each connector of the connectors 802 may facilitate the optical fiber to enter in each connector of the connectors 802.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, the dust cap 106 may be attached with a tether (not shown) to protect the connectors 802.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, each connector of the connectors 802 may be made for a single fiber or multiple fibers.
Each ferrule of the ferrules 804 may be coupled to corresponding connector of the connectors 802. Specifically, each ferrule of the ferrules 804 may be disposed in front of the corresponding connector of the connectors 802. Each ferrule of the ferrules 804 may be provided with a hole (not shown). The hole of each ferrule of the ferrules 804 may facilitate entry of the optical fiber through the corresponding connector of the connectors 802. Each ferrule of the ferrules 804 may be a final termination end of a fiber connection.
The rings 808 may be disposed on a cap of the inner body 204. In other words, the rings 808 may be wrapped on the cap of the inner body 204. The rings 808 may be adapted to seal the inner body 204 against the inner housing 202. In other words, the rings 808 may be adapted for sealing purpose to facilitate sealing between the inner body 204 and the inner housing 202. The rings 808 may further be adapted to restrict enter of debris, dirt, and moisture to the inner body 204. Thus, the rings 808 may advantageously protect the inner body 204 from harsh environmental and dusty conditions.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, each ring of the rings 808 may be an O-ring. Aspects of the present disclosure are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any type of the ring, without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.
The rings 808 may facilitate the inner body 204 to be held within the inner housing 202. Specifically, the rings 808 may be adapted to provide a seal-tight connection between the inner body 204 and the inner housing 202.
The pull tab 806 may be a resilient member that may exhibit an oscillating motion upon application and removal of force. Specifically, the pull tab 806 may be pressed towards the inner body 204 upon application of the force and the pull tab 806 may be move away from the inner body 204 upon removal of the force. The pull tab 806 may be adapted to engage with a portion of the inner housing 202 to facilitate a snap-fit connection between the inner housing 202. Specifically, while the inner body 204 is inserted in the inner housing 202, the pull tab 806 may be pressed such that the pull tab 806 engages with a corresponding portion of the inner housing 202.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, each connector of the connectors 802 may be engaged to a mating adapter of a fiber enclosure.
FIG. 9A illustrates a sectional view of the first end 102 of the optical fiber connector assembly 100 with engaged pushable locking element 110. Specifically, FIG. 9A illustrates the sectional view of the first end 102 such that the pushable locking element 110 may engage with the outer housing 108.
FIG. 9B illustrates another sectional view of the first end 102 of the optical fiber connector assembly 100 with disengaged pushable locking element 110. Specifically, FIG. 9B illustrates the sectional view of the first end 102 such that the pushable locking element 110 may be disengaged with the outer housing 108. In other words, the pushable locking element 110 may disposed such that the pushable locking element 110 may not abut with the outer housing 108.
FIG. 10 illustrates an exploded view of the optical fiber connector assembly 100. Specifically, FIG. 10 illustrates the exploded view of the connector assembly 100 such that the optical fiber connector assembly 100 facilitates connection of the optical fiber cable having an outer diameter that may be in a range of 4.8 mm to 5.5 mm. The optical fiber connector assembly 100 may further have a wave spring 1002, a flexible sealing 1004, and a cable clamp 1006. In some aspect of the present disclosure, the flexible sealing 1004 may be a gasket made of rubber or like material.
The wave spring 1002 may be disposed between the outer housing 108 and the inner housing 202. Specifically, the wave spring 1002 may be disposed between the outer housing 108 and the inner housing 202 for load management due to weight of the optical fiber cable. Aspects of the present disclosure are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any type of spring that may be disposed between the outer housing 108 and the inner housing 202, without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.
The flexible sealing 1004 may be disposed between the pushable locking element 110 and the cable clamp 1006. The flexible sealing 1004 may be adapted to clamp the optical fiber cable to provide a cushioning effect over the optical fiber cable. Specifically, the flexible sealing 1004 may be adapted to clamp the optical fiber cable to provide the cushioning effect over the optical fiber cable when the optical fiber connector assembly 100 is assembled.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, the flexible sealing 1004 may be made up of a material, including but not limited to, a rubber, an elastomer, and the like. Aspects of the present disclosure are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any type of known and later developed materials, without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.
The cable clamp 1006 may be mounted on the sixth end 404 of the inner housing 202. The cable clamp 106 may have a plurality of fingers that may be adapted to hold a heat shrink tube 1203 (as shown later in FIG. 12B). Specifically, the plurality of fingers of the cable clamp 106 may hold the heat shrink tube 1203 to cover the optical fiber cable.
FIG. 11 illustrates another exploded view of the optical fiber connector assembly 100. The optical fiber connector assembly 100 of FIG. 10 may be same or substantially similar to the optical fiber connector assembly 100 of FIG. 11, however, the optical fiber connector assembly 100 of FIG. 11 facilitates connection of the optical fiber having an outer diameter that may be in a range of 8 mm to 8.2 mm.
FIG. 12A illustrates a collapsed view of an inner body 1200. Specifically, FIG. 12A illustrates the collapsed view of the inner body 1200 of the connector assembly 100 that may facilitate connection of the optical fiber cable having an outer diameter that may be in a range of 4.8 mm to 5.5 mm. The inner body 1200 may have a pair of rings 1202a, 1202b (hereinafter collectively referred to and designated as “the rings 1202”).
FIG. 12B illustrates an exploded view of the inner body 1200. Specifically, FIG. 12B illustrates the exploded view of the inner body 1200 of the connector assembly 100 that may facilitate connection of the optical fiber cable having the outer diameter that may be in a range of 4.8 mm to 5.5 mm. The inner body 1200 may further have one or more ferrules 1204a, 1204b (hereinafter collectively referred to and designated as “the ferrules 1204”). The ferrules 1204 may be same or substantially similar to the ferrules 804. The rings 1202 may be disposed on the inner body 1200. Specifically, the first ring 1202a and the second ring 1202b may be disposed on the inner body 1200 such that the first and second rings 1202a, 1202b are adjacent to each other. The rings 1202 may be adapted to provide an additional sealing. Specifically, the rings 1202 may be adapted to provide the additional sealing when the inner body 1200 is inserted within the inner housing 202.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, a cable entering region of each connector of the connectors 802 may be sealed by a crimp ring 1201 and the heat shrink tube 1203. The heat shrink tube 1203 may slide over the crimp ring 1201 while assembling the connector assembly 100.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, the inner body 1200 may further have a connector holder 1205. The connector holder 1205 may be adapted to align the connectors 802 in place while assembling the connector assembly 100.
FIG. 13A illustrates a collapsed view of an inner body 1300. The inner body 1300 of FIG. 13A may be same or substantially similar to the inner body 1200 of FIG. 12A, however, the inner body 1300 of FIG. 13A facilitates connection of the optical fiber cable having an outer diameter that may be in a range of 8 mm to 8.2 mm.
FIG. 13B illustrates another exploded view of the inner body 1300. Specifically, FIG. 13B illustrates the exploded view of the inner body 1300 of the connector assembly 100 that may facilitate connection of the optical fiber cable having the outer diameter that may be in a range of 8 mm to 8.2 mm. The inner body 1300 may be same or substantially similar to the inner body 1200. Specifically, the inner body 1300 may be same or substantially similar to the inner body 1200 in terms of functional, structural, and configurational aspects. However, the inner body 1300 may be different from the inner body 1200 due to absence of the rings 1202 and the ferrules 1204 in the inner body 1300, which are present in the inner body 1200.
To assemble the connector assembly 100, the outer housing 108 may be moved on the inner housing 202. Specifically, the outer housing 108 may be moved from the sixth end 404 of the inner housing 202 to the fifth end 402 of the inner housing 202 such that the third end 302 of the outer housing 108 is disposed near to the fifth end 402 of the inner housing 202 and the fourth end 304 of the outer housing 108 is disposed near to the sixth end 404 of the inner housing 202. The outer housing 108 may then be engaged with the mating adapter to cover the fifth end 402 of the inner housing 202. The outer housing 108 may then be locked through a twist locking or bayonet locking. The pushable locking element 110 may slide on the inner housing 202 such that the pushable locking element 110 gets engaged with the fourth end 304 of the outer housing 108 that is already locked. Specifically, the pushable locking element 110 may get engaged with the fourth end 304 to prevent the bayonet unlocking of the outer housing 108. Therefore, to unlock the outer housing 108, disengagement of the pushable locking element 110 is required. The boot 112 may be coupled to the sixth end 404 through the threads 502 of the inner housing 202. Specifically, the connection portion 702 of the boot 112 may be coupled to the sixth end 404 through the threads 502 of the inner housing 202. The boot 112 may be coupled to the inner housing 202 such that the boot 112 abuts the pushable locking element 110. Specifically, the connection portion 702 of the boot 112 may extend beyond the threads 502 of the inner housing 202 such that the connection portion 702 abuts the pushable locking element 110. Therefore, the boot 112 prevents sliding movement of the pushable locking element 110. To disengage the connector assembly 100 from the mating adapter, the boot 112 may be firstly removed. Upon removal of the boot 112, the pushable locking element 110 may get disengaged. Upon disengagement of the pushable locking element 110, the outer housing 108 may be unlocked.
FIG. 14 illustrates a flow chart that depicts a method 1400 for coupling the connector assembly 100 with the mating adapter. To couple the connector assembly 100 with the mating adapter, the primary lock 101, the second lock 103, and the tertiary lock 105 may be engaged. The method 1400 may include following steps of coupling the connector assembly 100 with the mating adapter.
At step 1402, the inner body 204 may be disposed within the inner housing 202. Specifically, the inner body 204 may have the connectors 802 while the inner body 204 is inserted or disposed within the inner housing 202. To dispose the inner body 204 within the inner housing 202, the dust cap 106 may be removed from the outer housing 108. Specifically, the dust cap 106 may be removed from the outer housing 108 such that the inner housing 202 is accessed. Upon the inner housing 202 being accessed, the inner body 204 may be inserted or disposed within the inner housing 202.
At step 1404, the outer housing 108 may partially encapsulate the inner housing 202. Specifically, the outer housing 108 may be moved over the inner housing 202 to partially encapsulate the inner housing 202. While the outer housing 108 encapsulates the inner housing 202, the third end 302 may be disposed at the side of the first end 102 of the connector assembly 100 and the fourth end 304 may be disposed at the side of the second end 104 of the connector assembly 100. The first orifice 306 may be disposed at the third end 302 and the second orifice 308 may be disposed at the fourth end 304. The bayonet locking structure 310 may facilitate the outer housing 108 to removably locked with the mating adapter. In other words, the outer housing 108 may be removably locked with the mating adapter through the bayonet locking structure 310. Specifically, the one or more protrusions of the mating adapter may be received within the bayonet locking structure 310 that may facilitate removable locking of the outer housing 108 with the mating adapter to engage the primary lock 101.
At step 1406, the pushable locking element 110 may be moved over the inner housing 202. Specifically, the pushable locking element 110 may be moved from the sixth end 404 and towards the fifth end 402 of the inner housing 202. The pushable locking element 110 may be moved till the outer housing 108. The longitudinal grooves 410 may facilitate longitudinal movement of the pushable locking element 110 over the inner housing 202. Each longitudinal groove of the longitudinal grooves 410 may be adapted to receive corresponding push tab of the push tabs 604 that facilitates the pushable locking element 110 to move over the inner housing 202. The pushable locking element 110 may be moved over the inner housing 202 to removably engage with the outer housing 108. Specifically, the pushable locking element 110 may be moved over the inner housing to prevent movement of the outer housing 108 and thereby may engage the secondary lock 103. Specifically, the push tabs 604 may engage with the outer housing 108 to prevent accidental movement of the outer housing 108 and thereby may engage the secondary lock 103.
At step 1408, the boot 112 may be moved over the inner housing 202. Specifically, the boot 112 may be moved from the sixth end 404 and towards the fifth end 402 of the inner housing 202. Specifically, the boot 112 may encapsulate the inner housing 202 till the pushable locking element 110.The boot 112 may extend till the pushable locking element 110 such that the pushable locking element 110 may not be removed without removing the boot 112. This ensures that removal of the pushable locking element 110 from the connector assembly 100, requires removal of the boot 112. The boot 112 may extend till the pushable locking element 110 to prevent false triggering. In other words, the boot 112 may extend till the pusable locking element 110 to prevent accidental disengagement of the pushable locking element 110 from the connector assembly 100. The boot 112 may therefore advantageously prevent accidental collapse of the connector assembly 100. The boot 112 may therefore advantageously hold the pushable locking element 110 in the connector assembly 100. To removably couple the boot 112 with the inner housing 202, the connection portion 702 may be rotated i.e., fully threaded on the threads 502 of the inner housing 202 to facilitate a tight connection between the internal threads of the connection portion 702 and the threads 502 of the inner housing 202. The boot 112 may encapsulate the inner housing 202 till the pushable locking element 110 that may prevent unlocking of the pushable locking element 110 while the boot 112 is fully threaded. The boot 112 may be removably engaged with the inner housing 202 to prevent movement of the pushable locking element 110. Specifically, the boot 112 may be removably engaged with the inner housing 202 to prevent movement of the pushable locking element 110 to engage the tertiary lock 105. Therefore, to couple the connector assembly 100 with the mating adapter, the primary lock 101, the secondary lock 103, and the tertiary lock 105 are engaged sequentially.
FIG. 15 a flow chart that depicts a method 1500 for removing the connector assembly 100 from the mating adapter. To remove the connector assembly 100 from the mating adapter, the tertiary lock 105, the secondary lock 103, and the primary lock 101 may be disengaged. The method 1500 may include following steps of removing the connector assembly 100 from the mating adapter.
At step 1502, the boot 112 may be moved over the inner housing 202. The boot 112 may be moved from the fifth end 402 and towards the sixth end 404 of the inner housing 202. To remove the boot 112 from the inner housing 202, the connection portion 702 may be rotated in an opposite direction to that of the one that facilitates removable coupling of the boot 112. In other words, to remove the boot 112 from the inner housing 202, the connection portion 702 may be rotated to fully unthread the connection portion 702 from the threads 502 of the inner housing 202. Specifically, the boot 112 may be removed from the inner housing 202 to disengage the tertiary lock 105.
At step 1504, the pushable locking element 110 may be moved over the inner housing 202. Specifically, the pushable locking element 110 may be moved from the fifth end 402 and towards the sixth end 404 of the inner housing 202. The pushable locking element 110 may be moved over the longitudinal grooves 410 from the fifth end 402 and towards the sixth end 404. The pushable locking element 110 may be moved from the fifth end 402 and towards the sixth end 404 to facilitate disengagement of the pushable locking element 110 and the outer housing 108. The pushable locking element 110 may be removed from the inner housing 202 to facilitate disengagement of the secondary lock 103.
At step 1506, the outer housing 108 may be moved over the inner housing 202. Specifically, the outer housing 108 may be moved over the inner housing 202 to remove the outer housing 108 from the inner housing 202. In some preferred aspects of the present disclosure, the outer housing 108 may be moved from the fifth end 402 and towards the sixth end 404 of the inner housing 202 to facilitate disengagement of the outer housing 108 from the inner housing 202. While, the outer housing 108 is moved over the inner housing 202, the bayonet locking structure 310 facilitates disengagement of the outer housing 108 from the mating adapter. Specifically, the one or more protrusions of the mating adapter may be ejected from the bayonet locking structure 310 to facilitate disengagement of the outer housing 108 from the mating adapter. The outer housing 108 may be removed from the mating adapter to facilitate disengagement of the primary lock 101. The primary lock 101, upon being disengaged, may facilitate removal of the connector assembly 100 from the mating adapter. Therefore, to remove the connector assembly 100 from the mating adapter, the tertiary lock 105, the secondary lock 103, and the primary lock 101 may be disengaged sequentially. In other words, the optical fiber connector assembly 100 disengages from the mating adapter upon sequential disengagement of (i) the tertiary lock 105, (ii) the secondary lock 103, and (iii) the primary lock 101.
Thus, the connector assembly 100 may advantageously provide enhanced protection by preventing false triggering of unlocking of the connector assembly 100. Specifically, to prevent the false triggering of the primary lock 101, the pushable locking element 110 may be pushed such that the pushable locking element 110 slides over the inner housing 202 to provide the secondary lock 103 feature to the connector assembly 100. Further, the boot 112 may extend till the pushable locking element 110 to prevent false triggering i.e., accidental disengagement of the secondary lock 103 and hence, provides a tertiary lock 105. The connector assembly 100 may advantageously have high load bearing capacity. The connector assembly 100 may advantageously facilitate correct alignment of each connector of the connectors 802 in the fiber terminal. Specifically, the keying structure 412 may facilitate correct alignment of each connector of the connectors 802 in the fiber terminal.
While various aspects of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described, it will be clear that the present disclosure is not limited to these aspects only. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, as described in the claims. Further, unless stated otherwise, terms such as “first” and “second” are used to arbitrarily distinguish between the elements such terms describe. Thus, these terms are not necessarily intended to indicate temporal or other prioritization of such elements.
, Claims:I/We Claim(s):
1. An optical fiber connector assembly (100) comprising:
an inner housing (202);
an outer housing (108) adapted to partially encapsulate the inner housing (202), where the outer housing (108) that can be removably locked with a mating adapter thereby engaging a primary lock (101);
a pushable locking element (110) that can be removably engaged with the outer housing (108) to restrict movement of the outer housing (108) thereby engaging a secondary lock (103); and
a boot (112) that can be removably engaged with the inner housing (202) thereby engaging a tertiary lock (105), where the primary lock (101), the secondary lock (103), and the tertiary lock (105) are interlocked with each other such that the optical fiber connector assembly (100) disengages from the mating adapter upon disengagement of (i) the tertiary lock (105), (ii) the secondary lock (103), and (iii) the primary lock (101).

2. The optical fiber connector assembly (100) of claim 1, further comprising (i) one or more connectors (802a, 802b) and (ii) an inner body (204) at least partially encapsulated by the inner housing (202), where the inner body (204) is adapted to hold the one or more connectors (802a, 802b).

3. The optical fiber connector assembly (100) of claim 1, where the outer housing (108) comprising a bayonet locking structure (310) such that the outer housing (108) is removably locked with the mating adapter through the bayonet locking structure (310).

4. The optical fiber connector assembly (100) of claim 1, where the pushable locking element (110) comprising at least two push tabs (604a, 604b) that facilitates the pushable locking element (110) to couple with the outer housing (108).

5. The optical fiber connector assembly (100) of claim 1, where the inner housing (202) comprising at least two longitudinal grooves (410a, 410b) that are disposed on an outer surface (407) of the inner housing (202).

6. The optical fiber connector assembly (100) of claim 1, where the at least two longitudinal grooves (410a, 410b) is adapted to enable longitudinal movement of the pushable locking element (110) over the inner housing (202) to facilitate one of, engagement and disengagement of the secondary lock (103).

7. The optical fiber connector assembly (100) of claim 1, where the boot (112) is removably engaged with the inner housing (202).

8. The optical fiber connector assembly (100) of claim 1, where the boot (112) encapsulates the inner housing (202) till the pushable locking element (110) to restrict longitudinal movement of the pushable locking element (110) to engage the tertiary lock (105).

9. The optical fiber connector assembly (100) of claim 1, where a length of the inner housing (202) is greater than a length of the outer housing (108) such that the inner housing (202) extends beyond the outer housing (108) while the outer housing (108) partially encapsulates the inner housing (202).

10. The optical fiber connector assembly (100) of claim 1, where the primary lock (101) is unlocked upon unlocking of the secondary lock (103), where the secondary lock (103) is unlocked upon unlocking of the tertiary lock (105).

11. The optical fiber connector assembly (100) of claim 1, where the optical fiber connector assembly (100) disengages from the mating adapter upon sequential disengagement of (i) the tertiary lock (105), (ii) the secondary lock (103), and (iii) the primary lock (101).