Mini duplex connector with push-pull polarity mechanism, carrier, and rail-receiving crimp body
A new fiber optic connector provides a smaller form factor by including two ferrule assemblies in a housing. The housing accepts a push-pull mechanism that allows for insertion and removal from a carrier as well as an adapter. The push-pull mechanism may also include a flexure member to return the push-pull mechanism. Polarity of the fiber optic connector may also be selected by use of the push-pull mechanism.
1. A fiber optic connector comprising:
a housing having a main body extending between a front end and a rear end and having an opening extending therebetween;
two ferrule assemblies disposed within the opening of the housing, each of the ferrule assemblies comprising a fiber optic ferrule, a ferrule holder, and a lead-in tube, the fiber optic ferrule being inserted into a front end of a ferrule holder and extending away from the front end of the ferrule holder, and the lead-in tube attached to the ferrule holder and extending rearwardly and away from the fiber optic ferrule;
two springs, each spring engaging a rearward facing surface of a respective ferrule holder and extending towards the rear end of the housing;
a spring push engaging a rear portion of each of the two springs to bias the ferrule assemblies toward the front end of the housing, the spring push engaging a portion of the housing in the opening to retain the spring push within the opening, wherein each of the lead-in tubes extend through at least a portion of a respective spring and beyond a rear end of the spring push; and
a crimp body having a rail receiving portion extending along a first surface and a rail receiving portion along a second surface, the first surface facing in a direction opposite to the second surface.
2. The fiber optic connector according to claim 1 , the crimp body having a transition portion to receive an optical fiber extending from each of the lead-in tubes between the front end and a singular opening at a rear end, the rear end having an outer surface to receive a crimp band therearound.
3. The fiber optic connector according to claim 2 , further comprising:
a crimp band secured around the outer surface of the rear end of the crimp body; and
a strain relief boot attached to the crimp body and crimp band and extending rearwardly away from the housing.
4. The fiber optic connector according to claim 1 , the housing having a rail receiving portion extending along at least a portion of the housing.
5. The fiber optic connector according to claim 4 , wherein the rail receiving portion is configured to receive a latch component.
6. The fiber optic connector according to claim 5 , wherein the rail receiving portion has a dove tail configuration or a undercut configuration.
7. The fiber optic connector according to claim 5 , wherein the latch component is a push-pull mechanism.
8. The fiber optic connector according to claim 7 , wherein the push-pull mechanism includes a latch for a carrier and a latch for a fiber optic connector adapter.
9. The fiber optic connector according to claim 1 , further comprising an indicia of polarity on the housing.
10. The fiber optic connector according to claim 1 , wherein the main body has two side surfaces, each of the side surfaces comprising:
a longitudinal central portion extending in a first plane;
a longitudinal top portion extending in a second plane, the first plane being parallel to and offset from the second plane;
a longitudinal bottom portion extending in the second plane;
a first shoulder connecting the longitudinal top portion to the longitudinal central portion;
a second shoulder connecting the longitudinal bottom portion to the longitudinal central portion;
the first shoulder facing in a direction opposite to the second shoulder, the first and second shoulders providing a vertical alignment feature of the housing.
11. The fiber optic connector according to claim 10 , wherein the longitudinal top portions and longitudinal bottom portions provide a horizontal alignment feature of the housing.
12. The fiber optic connector according to claim 1 , wherein the rail receiving portion is configured to receive a latch component.
13. A fiber optic connector comprising:
a housing having a main body extending between a front end and a rear end and having an opening extending therebetween;
two ferrule assemblies disposed within the opening of the housing, each of the ferrule assemblies comprising a fiber optic ferrule, a ferrule holder, and a lead-in tube, the fiber optic ferrule being inserted into a front end of a ferrule holder and extending away from the front end of the ferrule holder, and the lead-in tube attached to the ferrule holder and extending rearwardly and away from the fiber optic ferrule;
two springs, each spring engaging a rearward facing surface of a respective ferrule holder and extending towards the rear end of the housing;
a spring push engaging a rear portion of each of the two springs to bias the ferrule assemblies toward the front end of the housing, the spring push engaging a portion of the housing in the opening to retain the spring push within the opening, wherein each of the lead-in tubes extend through at least a portion of a respective spring and beyond a rear end of the spring push; and
a crimp body having a transition portion to receive an optical fiber extending from each of the lead-in tubes between the front end and a singular opening at a rear end, the rear end having an outer surface to receive a crimp band therearound, the crimp body also having a rail receiving portion extending along a first surface.