IP Library Granted Patent US 11,686,904
Granted Patent B2
US 11,686,904 · App. 17/341,587 · Granted Jun 27, 2023

Optical fiber connector and cable assembly and optical fiber cable connection system

Inventors: Yousong Wang (Jiangsu, CN); Jin Liu (Jiangsu, CN); Yujun Zhang (Jiangsu, CN); Gangping Lei (Jiangsu, CN)
Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
G02B6/3887G02B6/3857
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,686,904
App. No.
17/341,587
Filed
Jun 8, 2021
Granted
Jun 27, 2023
Kind
B2
Art Unit
2874
USPC
385/80
Abstract

The disclosure relates to an optical fiber connector and cable assembly that includes an optical fiber cable and an optical fiber connector, wherein the optical fiber cable has an optical fiber and a cable sheath, and a free end of the optical fiber is provided with a ferrule, and the ferrule is associated with a ferrule spring. The optical fiber connector includes a connector body and a cover; a first fixing sleeve and a second fixing sleeve, between which the cable sheath is anchored; an insert mounted at a distal end of the first fixing sleeve, having a passage for receiving a proximal section of the ferrule and supporting the ferrule spring. In a direction facing a distal end of the connector body, the cover presses a first fixing sleeve, the first fixing sleeve presses the insert, the insert presses the ferrule spring, and the ferrule spring presses the ferrule. The disclosure also relates to an optical fiber cable connection system including two optical fiber connector and cable assemblies to be connected to each other. The optical fiber connector and cable assembly may have relatively simple structure, easy assembly and reliable operation.

Claims (45)

1. An optical fiber connector and cable assembly including an optical fiber cable and an optical fiber connector, the optical fiber cable having an optical fiber and a cable sheath, a free end of the optical fiber being provided with a ferrule, the ferrule being associated with a ferrule spring, wherein the optical fiber connector comprises:

a connector body and a cover connected to a proximal section of the connector body, the cover and the proximal section of the connector body defining a proximal chamber;

a first fixing sleeve placed onto the optical fiber cable and a second fixing sleeve placed onto the first fixing sleeve; and

an insert directly connected to a distal end of the first fixing sleeve having a passage for receiving a proximal section of the ferrule and supporting the ferrule spring;

wherein the first fixing sleeve, the second fixing sleeve and the insert are received in the proximal chamber, and

wherein, in a direction facing a distal end of the connector body, the cover presses the first or the second fixing sleeve, the first fixing sleeve presses the insert, the insert presses the ferrule spring, and the ferrule spring presses the ferrule.

2. The optic fiber connector and cable assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the connector body has a proximal external thread, the cover has an internal thread, and the internal thread engages the external thread.

3. The optical fiber connector and cable assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first fixing sleeve, the second fixing sleeve and the cable sheath are crimped.

4. The optic fiber connector and cable assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first fixing sleeve has a shoulder, and the cover presses the shoulder.

5. The optic fiber connector and cable assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the optic fiber connector and cable assembly has a receiving channel in which the ferrule and the ferrule spring are received.

6. The optic fiber connector and cable assembly as recited in claim 5 , wherein the optic fiber connector and cable assembly includes a housing member received in the connector body, and the housing member has the receiving channel; or the connector body has the receiving channel.

7. The optic fiber connector and cable assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the connector body has a distal chamber.

8. The optic fiber connector and cable assembly as recited in claim 5 , wherein the connector body has a distal chamber, and the ferrule protrudes from the receiving channel into the distal chamber.

9. The optical fiber connector and cable assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the optical fiber connector and cable assembly has a positioning pin that connects at least one of the first fixing sleeve, the second fixing sleeve and the insert to the connector body non-rotationally.

10. The optical fiber connector and cable assembly as recited in claim 6 , wherein the optical fiber connector and cable assembly has a positioning pin that connects the housing member and at least one of the first fixing sleeve, the second fixing sleeve and the insert to the connector body non-rotationally.

11. The optic fiber connector and cable assembly as recited in claim 7 , wherein the distal chamber has a positioning groove extending axially and configured for circumferential positioning of two fiber optic connector-cable assemblies to be connected to each other.

12. The optical fiber connector and cable assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the connector body has a locking groove extending circumferentially in a distal outer peripheral surface thereof, the locking groove being configured to detachably axially lock two optical fiber connector and cable assemblies to be connected to each other.

13. The optical fiber connector and cable assembly as recited in claim 5 , wherein the receiving channel further receives a ferrule cap, the ferrule cap is placed onto the ferrule, and the ferrule cap is configured to butt the ferrules of two optical fiber connector and cable assemblies to be connected to each other.

14. An optical fiber cable connection system that includes two optical fiber connector and cable assemblies as recited in claim 1 ,

wherein a first of the optical fiber connector and cable assemblies has a first receiving channel, in which the ferrule and the ferrule spring of the first optical fiber connector and cable assembly are received, wherein the ferrule of the first optical fiber connector and cable assembly extends from the first receiving channel into a distal chamber of the connector body of the first optical fiber connector and cable assembly,

wherein the other optical fiber connector and cable assembly has a second receiving channel receiving the ferrule, the ferrule spring and a ferrule cap of the other optical fiber connector and cable assembly

wherein a distal section of the connector body of the other optical fiber connector and cable assembly can be inserted into a distal section of the connector body of the first optical fiber connector and cable assembly, wherein the ferrule of the first optical fiber connector and cable assembly can be inserted into the ferrule cap of the other optical fiber connector and cable assembly, so that the ferrules of the two optical fiber connector and cable assemblies butt in the ferrule cap.

15. The optical fiber cable connection system as recited in claim 14 , wherein the distal chamber of the first optical fiber connector and cable assembly has a positioning groove extending axially, and the connector body of the other optical fiber connector and cable assembly has a positioning element on a distal outer peripheral surface thereof, the positioning groove and the positioning element being configured for circumferential positioning of the two optical fiber connector and cable assemblies relative to each other.

16. The optical fiber cable connection system as recited in claim 14 , wherein the connector body of the first optical fiber connector and cable assembly has a locking groove extending circumferentially in a distal outer peripheral surface thereof, and the other optical fiber connector and cable assembly has a locking device configured to detachably axially lock the two optical fiber connector and cable assemblies, and wherein the locking device has a locking ball that can sink into the locking groove in a locking position and leave away the locking groove in a releasing position.

17. An optical fiber connector and cable assembly including an optical fiber cable and an optical fiber connector, the optical fiber cable having an optical fiber and a cable sheath, a free end of the optical fiber being provided with a ferrule, the ferrule being associated with a ferrule spring, wherein the optical fiber connector comprises:

a connector body and a cover connected to a proximal section of the connector body, the cover and the proximal section of the connector body defining a proximal chamber;

a first fixing sleeve placed onto the optical fiber cable and a second fixing sleeve placed onto the first fixing sleeve; and

an insert mounted at a distal end of the first fixing sleeve having a passage for receiving a proximal section of the ferrule and supporting the ferrule spring;

wherein the first fixing sleeve, the second fixing sleeve and the insert are received in the proximal chamber,

wherein, in a direction facing a distal end of the connector body, the cover presses the first or the second fixing sleeve, the first fixing sleeve presses the insert, the insert presses the ferrule spring, and the ferrule spring presses the ferrule, and

wherein the optic fiber connector and cable assembly has a locking device configured to detachably axially lock two fiber optic connector-cable assemblies to be connected to each other.

18. The optical fiber connector and cable assembly as recited in claim 17 , wherein the locking device includes:

a first locking sleeve fixedly mounted on the connector body, wherein a first annular space is defined between the first locking sleeve and the connector body;

an annular element received in the first annular space;

an internal spring received in the first annular space and biasing the annular element in the direction facing the distal end of the connector body;

a second locking sleeve placed onto the first locking sleeve and axially movable relative to the first locking sleeve, wherein a second annular space is defined between the second locking sleeve and the first locking sleeve;

an outer spring received in the second annular space and biasing the second locking sleeve in the direction facing the distal end of the connector body;

wherein the first locking sleeve has a through hole, a locking ball is received in the through hole, the annular element can radially support the locking ball in a region of the through hole under a pretension force of the internal spring, and the locking ball can be radially pressed and held in a locking position by the second locking sleeve under a pretension force of the external spring when the annular element moves away from the through hole, and the locking ball can be released from the locking position when the second locking sleeve is moved against the pretension force of the external spring.

19. An optical fiber connector and cable assembly including an optical fiber cable and an optical fiber connector, the optical fiber cable having an optical fiber and a cable sheath, a free end of the optical fiber being provided with a ferrule, the ferrule being associated with a ferrule spring, wherein the optical fiber connector comprises:

a connector body and a cover connected to a proximal section of the connector body, the cover and the proximal section of the connector body defining a proximal chamber;

a first fixing sleeve placed onto the optical fiber cable and a second fixing sleeve placed onto the first fixing sleeve; and

an insert mounted at a distal end of the first fixing sleeve having a passage for receiving a proximal section of the ferrule and supporting the ferrule spring;

wherein the first fixing sleeve, the second fixing sleeve and the insert are received in the proximal chamber,

wherein, in a direction facing a distal end of the connector body, the cover presses the first or the second fixing sleeve, the first fixing sleeve presses the insert, the insert presses the ferrule spring, and the ferrule spring presses the ferrule, and

wherein the connector body has a positioning element on a distal outer peripheral surface thereof, which is configured for circumferential positioning of two optical fiber connector and cable assemblies to be connected to each other.

Assignments (15)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST AT REEL/FRAME 058843/0712 Recorded Jan 12, 2026
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: ARRIS ENTERPRISES LLC; COMMSCOPE NORTH CAROLINA, LLC (F/K/A COMMSCOPE, INC. OF NORTH CAROLINA); COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC
Reel/Frame 074591/0389 →
PARTIAL TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Feb 7, 2025
From: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: OUTDOOR WIRELESS NETWORKS LLC
Reel/Frame 070154/0183 →
PARTIAL TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS RECORDED AT REEL 069889/FRAME 0114 Recorded Feb 7, 2025
From: APOLLO ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY LLC
To: OUTDOOR WIRELESS NETWORKS LLC
Reel/Frame 070154/0341 →
RELEASE (REEL 068770 / FRAME 0460) Recorded Feb 7, 2025
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: OUTDOOR WIRELESS NETWORKS LLC
Reel/Frame 070149/0432 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST AT REEL/FRAME 058875/0449 Recorded Dec 19, 2024
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: ARRIS ENTERPRISES LLC (F/K/A ARRIS ENTERPRISES, INC.); COMMSCOPE, INC. OF NORTH CAROLINA; COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC
Reel/Frame 069743/0057 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST AT REEL/FRAME 068770/0632 Recorded Dec 19, 2024
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: OUTDOOR WIRELESS NETWORKS LLC
Reel/Frame 069743/0264 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 17, 2024
From: ARRIS ENTERPRISES LLC; COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC; COMMSCOPE INC., OF NORTH CAROLINA; OUTDOOR WIRELESS NETWORKS LLC; RUCKUS IP HOLDINGS LLC
To: APOLLO ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY LLC
Reel/Frame 069889/0114 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (TERM) Recorded Aug 26, 2024
From: OUTDOOR WIRELESS NETWORKS LLC
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 068770/0632 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (ABL) Recorded Aug 26, 2024
From: OUTDOOR WIRELESS NETWORKS LLC
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 068770/0460 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 24, 2024
From: COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC
To: OUTDOOR WIRELESS NETWORKS LLC
Reel/Frame 068492/0826 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 19, 2021
From: ARRIS SOLUTIONS, INC.; ARRIS ENTERPRISES LLC; COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC; COMMSCOPE, INC. OF NORTH CAROLINA; RUCKUS WIRELESS, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST
Reel/Frame 060752/0001 →
ABL SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 15, 2021
From: ARRIS ENTERPRISES LLC; COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC; COMMSCOPE, INC. OF NORTH CAROLINA
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 058843/0712 →
TERM LOAN SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 15, 2021
From: ARRIS ENTERPRISES LLC; COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC; COMMSCOPE, INC. OF NORTH CAROLINA
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 058875/0449 →
CONFIRMATORY ASSIGNMENT Recorded Oct 20, 2021
From: ZHANG, YUJUN
To: COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC
Reel/Frame 057861/0234 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 20, 2021
From: WANG, YOUSONG; LIU, JIN; LEI, GANGPING
To: COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC
Reel/Frame 057843/0353 →
Priority Claims (1)
CN 202010557541.X · Jun 18, 2020 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20210396940A1 · Dec 23, 2021
Cited By (1)
US 12,523,821