Hardened fiber optic connector compatible with hardened and non-hardened fiber optic adapters
A fiber optic connector and cable assembly includes a cable with one or more strength members secured to a connector that is connectable to both a hardened and a non-hardened fiber optic adapter. The cable can include multiple cable types with various shapes and strength member configurations. The connector includes a connector housing having a one-piece main body and a cover piece mounted thereon. The one-piece main body defines a plug portion compatible with the adapters. A ferrule assembly is mounted in the plug portion and biased outwardly by a spring. An insert within the connector housing includes a spring stop for holding the spring and a cable retention portion for securing the strength members of the cable. The spring stop and the cable retention portion can be included on a one-piece insert or they can separately be included on separate inserts. The cable retention portion of the insert and the cover piece can take various forms suited for a particular cable of a given fiber optic connector and cable assembly.
1. A ruggedized fiber optic connector comprising:
a ferrule aligned along a central longitudinal axis;
a connector housing having a distal end and an opposite proximal end, the connector housing including:
a plug portion adjacent the distal end of the connector housing at which the ferrule is located, the plug portion having a first side and an opposite second side, the plug portion also having a third side and an opposite fourth side, the third and fourth sides extending between the first and second sides, the central longitudinal axis being positioned between the first and second sides and the central longitudinal axis also being positioned between the third and fourth sides, the connector housing including a first latch catch positioned at the first side, a second latch catch positioned at the second side, and a third latch catch positioned at the third side; and
a generally cylindrical exterior portion extending from the plug portion toward the proximate end along the central longitudinal axis, the generally cylindrical exterior portion including an annular sealing groove;
a sealing member disposed in the annular sealing groove; and
a threaded member positioned around the connector housing, the threaded member being rotatable relative to the connector housing about the central longitudinal axis.
2. The ruggedized fiber optic connector of claim 1 , wherein the first latch catch is formed by a first recess provided at the first side, wherein the second latch catch is formed by a second recess provided at the second side, and wherein the third latch catch is formed by a projection provided at the third side.
3. The ruggedized fiber optic connector of claim 1 , wherein the plug portion has a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape.
4. The ruggedized fiber optic connector of claim 2 , wherein the first recess is defined at least in part by a first latch engagement surface, wherein the second recess is defined at least in part by a second latch engagement surface, wherein the projection includes a third latch engagement surface, wherein the first, second, and third latch engagement surfaces are angled relative to the central longitudinal axis such that the first, second, and third latch engagement surfaces extend radially outwardly relative to the central longitudinal axis as the first, second, and third latch engagement surfaces extend in a direction of insertion of the ruggedized fiber optic connector.
5. The ruggedized fiber optic connector of claim 1 , wherein the fourth side of the connector housing defines a connector alignment slot for rotationally aligning the plug portion within a fiber optic adapter, the connector alignment slot extending in a direction parallel to the central longitudinal axis and including a tapered portion that widens as the connector alignment slot extends in the direction of insertion of the ruggedized fiber optic connector.
6. The ruggedized fiber optic connector of claim 1 , wherein:
the first latch catch is formed by a first recess, the first recess defined on at the first side and extending between the third side and the fourth side; and
the second latch catch is formed by a second recess, the second recess defined on at the second side and extending between the third side and the fourth side, the second recess arranged on the second side oppositely and symmetrically to the first recess arranged on the first side.
7. The ruggedized fiber optic connector of claim 6 , wherein the third latch catch is formed by a first protrusion and a second protrusion, both of the first protrusion and the second protrusion projecting outwardly from the third side and aligned along the central longitudinal axis.
8. The ruggedized fiber optic connector of claim 7 , wherein the first protrusion and the second protrusion are arranged on the third side adjacent the first latch catch and the second latch catch.
9. The ruggedized fiber optic connector of claim 7 , wherein the third latch catch includes a third protrusion opposite to the first protrusion with the second protrusion therebetween on the third side along the central longitudinal axis.
10. The ruggedized fiber optic connector of claim 1 , wherein the first latch catch is formed by a first detent provided on the first side, and the second latch catch is formed by a second detent provided on the second side, each of the first and second detents including a declined surface at an angle relative to the central longitudinal axis such that hooks of a fiber optic adapter is forced into the first and second detents as cantilevered arms of the fiber optic adapter un-flex, the cantilevered arms of the fiber optic adapter configured to flex outwardly when the ruggedized fiber optic connector is inserted into the fiber optic adapter.
11. The ruggedized fiber optic connector of claim 1 , wherein the plug portion has a generally square cross-sectional shape.
12. The ruggedized fiber optic connector of claim 1 , wherein the ferrule is a single fiber ferrule.
13. The ruggedized fiber optic connector of claim 1 , wherein the first latch catch and the second latch catch are configured to engage a retention latch of a non-ruggedized fiber optic adapter to retain the plug portion within the non-ruggedized fiber optic adapter.
14. The ruggedized fiber optic connector of claim 1 , wherein the third latch catch is configured to engage a retention latch of a ruggedized fiber optic adapter to retain the plug portion within the ruggedized fiber optic adapter.
15. The ruggedized fiber optic connector of claim 1 , wherein the sealing member includes an O-ring mounted about an exterior of the connector housing.