Tuned fiber optic connectors
View Patent ↗A method of tuning a fiber optic connector includes: assembling the fiber optic connector to a partially assembled state; tuning the fiber optic connector in the partially assembled state; assembling the fiber optic connector to an assembled state; and tuning the fiber optic connector in the assembled state.
1. A fiber optic connector, comprising:
a fiber;
a ferrule holding the fiber;
a hub coupled to the ferrule and including an anti-rotation portion;
a front housing including an anti-rotation seat, with the anti-rotation seat defining a plurality of rotational orientations in which the anti-rotation portion of the hub is accepted;
a rear housing;
a spring positioned to push the anti-rotation portion of the hub into the anti-rotation seat of the front housing to resist rotation of the hub and the ferrule relative to the front housing; and
a key member including a key indicator;
wherein, with the rear housing partially engaged with the front housing, the hub is pushable against the spring so that the anti-rotation portion clears the anti-rotation seat of the front housing to allow the hub and the ferrule to be rotated relative to the front housing to tune the fiber optic connector;
wherein, with the rear housing fully engaged with the front housing, the hub is pushable against the spring until the hub contacts the rear housing so that the anti-rotation portion remains engaged with the anti-rotation seat of the front housing to maintain an orientation of the hub and the ferrule relative to the front housing; and
wherein the key member is attachable to the front housing with the key indicator at one of a plurality of orientations to tune the fiber optic connector.
2. The fiber optic connector of claim 1 , wherein the anti-rotation portion of the hub defines a plurality of rotational orientations into which the anti-rotation portion can be accepted into the anti-rotation seat of the front housing.
3. The fiber optic connector of claim 2 , wherein the anti-rotation seat includes at least two notches that engage the anti-rotation portion of the hub.
4. The fiber optic connector of claim 1 , wherein the key member includes a key protrusion that indicates a tuned orientation.
5. The fiber optic connector of claim 4 , wherein fiber optic connector is an SC type connector.
6. The fiber optic connector of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of orientations is four rotational orientations.
7. The fiber optic connector of claim 1 , wherein fiber optic connector is an SC type connector.