阅读说明：本技术 用于光纤连接器及适配器的双互锁快门系统 (Dual interlock shutter system for fiber optic connectors and adapters ) 是由 J·希格利 于 2019-01-17 设计创作，主要内容包括：光纤连接器具有绕第一轴线旋转的光纤连接器快门,且用于光纤连接器的适配器同样具有在适配器中绕第二轴线旋转的适配器快门。当光纤连接器和适配器配合到彼此时,光纤连接器快门和适配器快门的轴线对齐,并且光纤连接器快门和适配器快门绕单一轴线旋转。光纤连接器快门和适配器快门包括用以在光纤连接器和适配器配合及脱开配合期间维持接合的结构。(The fiber optic connector has a fiber optic connector shutter that rotates about a first axis, and the adapter for the fiber optic connector also has an adapter shutter that rotates in the adapter about a second axis. When the fiber optic connector and the adapter are mated to each other, the axes of the fiber optic connector shutter and the adapter shutter are aligned, and the fiber optic connector shutter and the adapter shutter rotate about a single axis. The fiber optic connector shutter and the adapter shutter include structure to maintain engagement during mating and unmating of the fiber optic connector and the adapter.)

1. A shutter for a fiber optic connector having a shroud disposed at a front end thereof, the shutter comprising:

a fiber optic connector shutter rotatably mounted to the shroud about a first axis, the fiber optic connector shutter having an outer surface and an inner surface, the outer surface having an outer surface plane and the inner surface having an inner surface plane; and

a recess in the fiber optic connector shutter, the recess having an outer portion extending forwardly from the outer surface beyond the outer surface plane and a corresponding inner recess extending into the fiber optic connector shutter forward of the inner surface plane.

2. The shutter for fiber optic connectors according to claim 1, wherein the recess is configured to receive a portion of a fiber stub from the fiber optic connector in the interior recess.

3. The shutter for fiber optic connectors according to claim 1, wherein the shroud has a stop surface to engage an adapter stop surface.

4. The shutter for fiber optic connectors of claim 1, wherein the notch engages a portion of an adapter shutter in an adapter into which the fiber optic connector is inserted.

5. The shutter for fiber optic connectors according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the connector housing engages the fiber optic connector shutter to rotate the fiber optic connector shutter as the connector housing moves relative to the shroud.

6. The shutter for fiber optic connectors according to claim 1, wherein the shroud is part of the fiber optic connector.

7. The shutter for fiber optic connectors according to claim 1, wherein the shroud has a pivot sleeve and the fiber optic connector shutter has a pivot sleeve, the shroud pivot sleeve and the fiber optic connector shutter pivot sleeve receiving a pin therethrough to rotatably attach the fiber optic connector shutter to the fiber optic connector along the first axis.

8. The shutter for fiber optic connectors according to claim 4, wherein the fiber optic connector shutter and the adapter shutter rotate about the same axis when a fiber optic connector is inserted into the adapter.

9. The shutter for fiber optic connectors according to claim 4, wherein the fiber optic connector shutter and the adapter shutter abut one another and move together when the fiber optic connector and the adapter are mated.

10. The shutter for fiber optic connectors according to claim 4, wherein the shutter adapter has a groove to receive a pivot sleeve on a shroud and a pivot sleeve on a fiber optic connector shutter.

11. A shutter system for preventing dust from entering fiber optic connectors and adapters, comprising:

a fiber optic connector shutter rotatably mounted to a fiber optic connector, the fiber optic connector shutter being rotatable about a first axis; and

an adapter shutter rotatably mounted to the adapter, the adapter shutter being rotatable about a second axis, the fiber optic connector shutter and the adapter shutter abutting each other and moving together when the fiber optic connector and the adapter are mated.

12. The shutter system of claim 11, wherein the first axis and the second axis are aligned along the axis of rotation when the fiber optic connector and the adapter are mated.

13. The shutter system of claim 11, further comprising a shroud disposed at a front end of the fiber optic connector and the fiber optic connector shutter is rotatably attached to the shroud.

14. The shutter system of claim 11, wherein the fiber connector shutter has an outer surface and an inner surface, the outer surface having an outer surface plane and the inner surface having an inner surface plane, and

wherein the fiber optic connector shutter has a recess with an outer portion extending forwardly from the outer surface beyond the outer surface plane and a corresponding inner recess extending into the fiber optic connector shutter forward of the inner surface plane.

15. The shutter system of claim 14, wherein the adapter shutter has an adapter recess configured to receive at least a portion of a recess in the fiber optic connector shutter.

16. The shutter system of claim 15, wherein the adapter shutter has an outer surface and an inner surface, the outer surface having an outer surface plane and the inner surface having an inner surface plane, and

wherein the adapter shutter notch has a recess extending rearwardly into the adapter shutter from the outer surface behind the outer surface plane and a corresponding interior extending rearwardly from the inner surface beyond the inner surface plane and into the adapter.

Technical Field

Installing and removing fiber optic connectors from adapters often presents the problem of dust and debris contaminating the front of the fiber optic connector, particularly the fiber stub (ferule). Accordingly, many vendors use shutters (shetters) on fiber optic connectors, adapters, or combinations thereof. However, many of these solutions have shutters that allow dust and debris to be swept into any connection area of the fiber optic connector, thereby introducing dust and debris previously outside the connector into the connection (area). In many cases, shutters in the adapter swing inward when contacted by a fiber optic connector. Any dust and debris on the adapter shutter may be carried over when the fiber optic connector is engaged and/or passed through the shutter. Thus, although the shutter may initially keep dust and debris away from the fiber optic connector, during insertion and/or removal, dust and debris is readily transferred onto the unprotected shutter surface.

Applicants have a new design for fiber optic connector shutters and adapter shutters that operate in unison to trap any dust and debris between the shutters.

Background

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/618,193, filed on 2018, month 1, day 17, the contents of which are incorporated by reference.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention relates to a shutter for a fiber optic connector having a shroud disposed at a front end thereof and comprising: a fiber optic connector shutter rotatably mounted to the shroud about a first axis, the fiber optic connector shutter having an outer surface and an inner surface, the outer surface having an outer surface plane and the inner surface having an inner surface plane; and a recess in the fiber optic connector shutter, the recess having an outer portion extending forwardly from the outer surface beyond the outer surface plane and a corresponding inner recess extending into the fiber optic connector shutter forward of the inner surface plane.

In some embodiments, the notch engages a portion of an adapter shutter in an adapter into which the fiber optic connector is inserted.

In some embodiments, a portion of the connector housing engages the fiber optic connector shutter to rotate the fiber optic connector shutter as the connector housing is moved relative to the shroud.

In some embodiments, the fiber optic connector shutter and the adapter shutter rotate about the same axis when the fiber optic connector is inserted into the adapter.

In some embodiments, the fiber optic connector shutters and the adapter shutters abut each other and move together when the fiber optic connectors and the adapters are mated.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a shutter system to prevent dust from entering fiber optic connectors and adapters, the shutter system comprising: a fiber optic connector shutter rotatably mounted to a fiber optic connector, the fiber optic connector shutter rotatable about a first axis; and an adapter shutter rotatably mounted to the adapter, the adapter shutter being rotatable about a second axis, the fiber optic connector shutter and the adapter shutter abutting each other and moving together when the fiber optic connector and the adapter are mated.

In some embodiments, the first axis and the second axis are aligned along the axis of rotation when the fiber optic connector and the adapter are mated.

Some embodiments include a shroud disposed at a front end of the fiber optic connector and the fiber optic connector shutter rotatably attached to the shroud.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description or recognized by practicing the invention as described herein, including the detailed description which follows, the claims, as well as the appended drawings.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description present embodiments of the invention, and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the invention as it is claimed. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate various embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles and operations of the invention.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a shuttered fiber optic connector and adapter according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the fiber optic connector and adapter of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the fiber optic connector of FIG. 1 from the front;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the adapter of FIG. 1 from the front;

FIG. 5 is an elevation view in cross-section of a portion of the fiber optic connector of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the adapter of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of a shutter for the fiber optic connector and adapter of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of a section of the shutter for the fiber optic connector and adapter of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an elevational view in cross-section of a portion of the fiber optic connector and adapter of FIG. 1 when the fiber optic connector and adapter are engaged with one another;

FIG. 10 is an elevational view in cross-section of a portion of the fiber optic connector and adapter of FIG. 1 when the shroud and adapter are engaged with one another;

FIG. 11 is an elevational view in cross-section of a portion of the fiber optic connector and adapter of FIG. 1 as the shutter rotates out of the way;

FIG. 12A is a side elevational view of two fiber optic connectors just prior to entering the adapter from FIG. 1;

FIG. 12B is a side elevational view of two fiber optic connectors in the adapter and two shutters engaged with each other;

FIG. 12C is a side elevational view of two fiber optic connectors deeper into the adapter and the shutter rotated out of the way;

FIG. 12D is a side elevational view of two fiber optic connectors just prior to engaging the guide pins aligning the fiber optic connectors, with the shutters fully clear; and

fig. 12E is a top elevational view of two fiber optic connectors interengaged.

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

Applicant notes that the term "front" or "forward" refers to the direction in which a fiber optic connector will meet another fiber optic connector or device, while the term "rear" or "rearward" is used to refer to the direction from which an optical fiber enters a fiber stub or fiber optic connector. Thus, the "front" is the portion of the fiber optic connector or adapter where the shutter is located. The "rear" or "rear side" is the opposite, optical fiber connector (other) side. In the case of an adapter, if there are two shutters, the rear or rear side is the portion between the two front portions. However, the adapter may be shown as having only one access for a fiber optic connector, and then the rear or rear side would be the opposite (other) end. Applicants additionally note that the term "abutting" is used herein to refer to two components being proximate to each other without an intervening object. However, the two components may or may not be connected or touching each other. Thus, there may be some space between the objects and as long as no other objects (excluding air and dust particles) enter between the two parts, the objects will still be abutting.

One embodiment of a shutter system 100 to prevent dust from entering the fiber optic connectors 102 and adapters 104 is illustrated in the figures. The shutter system 100 includes a fiber connector shutter 110 and an adapter shutter 112. As explained in more detail below, the fiber optic connector shutters 110 engage the adapter shutters 112 when the fiber optic connectors 102 are inserted into the adapters 104. The two shutters move together, preferably about a common axis, to lock dust and debris therebetween, and are pushed out of the way by the fiber optic connector 102 when the fiber optic connector is inserted into the adapter 104.

The fiber optic connector 102 preferably includes an outer housing 120 and an inner housing 122 containing a fiber stub 124. See, for example, fig. 2. The fiber stub 124 holds the optical fiber 126 secured therein. The fiber optic connector 102 may further include a shroud 128 disposed between the outer housing 120 and the inner housing 122. The fiber optic connector 102 may also include other portions/components not explicitly illustrated or discussed herein. For example, there may be a spring, spring bias, press fit, or the like that biases the fiber stub 124.

The adapter 104 has an opening 130 at a front end 132 that receives the fiber optic connector 102. As is known in the art, a second fiber optic connector may be inserted into the adapter 104 from the opposite end to mate with the fiber optic connector 102. The adapter 104 may also include a chamfered front 134 that assists in aligning the fiber optic connector 102 with the adapter 104. The chamfered front 134 may be removable (to connect with the adapter 104 using tabs 136), permanently attached, or integral with other portions of the adapter 104. The adapter 104 may also have other structures that assist in mating the fiber optic connectors 102 with the adapter 104. For example, there may be stop surfaces 138 (see, e.g., fig. 1, 2, and 5), guide pins 140 (fig. 2), and/or other alignment and stop features in the opening 130 of the adapter 104.

Turning now to the shutter system 100 and fiber optic connectors 102, the shroud 128 has a shroud pivot sleeve 142, preferably two spaced apart shroud pivot sleeves 142. The fiber optic connector shutters 110 also have shutter pivot sleeves 144 thereon that are also spaced apart, with the shroud pivot sleeve 142 disposed between the two shutter pivot sleeves 144. However, it is also possible for the shutter pivot sleeves 142 to be disposed between the shroud pivot sleeves 140. The pin 146 passes through the opening 148 of the sleeves 142, 144 and defines a first axis of rotation a of the fiber optic connector shutter 110 on the shroud 128. The spring member 150 is disposed around the pin 146 and engages the shroud tab 152 with one end 154 thereof, and a second end 156 of the spring member 150 is inserted into a shutter door aperture 158 (fig. 5) on the fiber optic connector shutter 110. It should be understood that other spring elements 150 may be used and may engage the shroud 128 and fiber optic connector shutter 110 in other manners while remaining within the scope of the present invention.

The shroud 128 has a front face 160 that surrounds the shroud 128. The front face 160 also acts as a stop surface and as a fiber connector shutter 110 stop surface. The front face 160 of the shroud 128 is at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to an axis through the fiber optic connector 102 (along the optical fiber 126), although other angles may be provided. As can be seen in fig. 1 and 5, the fiber optic connector shutters 110 rest on the front face 160 when disengaged from the adapter 104. This arrangement provides dust and debris removal functionality for the fiber optic connector 102. Any dust or debris that falls on the fiber optic connectors 102 or the fiber optic connector shutters 110 will not end up on the end face of the fiber stub 124. The front face 160 also engages the adapter stop surface 138 in the opening 130 when the fiber optic connector 102 is inserted into the adapter 104. See, for example, fig. 2. This will be described in more detail below.

Looking particularly to fig. 3, 5, and 9, the fiber optic connector shutter 110 has an outer surface 170 and an inner surface 172. Most of the outer surface 170 lies in an outer surface plane 174 while most of the inner surface 172 lies in an inner surface plane 176. There may be some structure that is not on the inner surface plane 176 and the outer surface plane 174. For example, the shutter door aperture 158 for the spring member 150 may provide some structure that prevents it from being in the outer surface plane 174. Although most of the inner surface 172 lies in the inner surface plane 176, the inner surface 172 may also be provided with a liner 178 extending away from the inner surface 172. The pads 178 are used by the fiber optic connectors during insertion of the fiber optic connectors 102 into the adapter to cause the fiber optic connector shutters 110 to rotate clear of the fiber stubs 124.

Another structure that is not on the inner surface plane 176 and the outer surface plane 174 is a notch 190 on the fiber connector shutter 110. As mentioned above, the notch 190 will engage a similar structure on the adapter shutter 112 to move in unison and trap dust and debris therebetween. The notch 190 has an outer portion 192 that extends forward from the outer surface 170 and beyond the outer surface plane 174. The recess 190 also has a corresponding internal recess 194 that extends into the fiber optic connector shutter 110 forward of the inner surface plane 176. The inner recess 194 corresponds to the front of the fiber stub 124. As will be appreciated, when the fiber optic connectors 102 are inserted into the adapter 104, the upper portion of the inner housing 122 engages the fiber optic connector shutters 110 and particularly the pads 178 and causes the fiber optic connector shutters 110 to rotate about the first axis a. See fig. 9 and 10.

Turning now to fig. 6, 7, and 9 in particular, the adapter 104 and the adapter shutter 112 will be discussed. The adapter shutter 112 has an outer surface 200 and an inner surface 202, the outer surface 200 having an outer surface plane 204 and the inner surface 202 having an inner surface plane 206. A generally circular pivot 208 is provided at the top of the adapter shutter 112, the pivot being provided in a cavity in the adapter 104 and in particular in the chamfered front 134. The generally circular pivot 208 rotates within the adapter 104 about a second axis B. The generally circular pivot 208 has a groove 208A (see fig. 7 and 8) to receive the shroud pivot sleeve 140 and the shutter pivot sleeve 142 of the fiber connector shutter 110.

The adapter shutter 112 also has a notch 210 with a recess 212 extending from the outer surface 200 into the adapter shutter 112 behind the outer surface plane 204 and a corresponding inner protrusion 214 extending from the inner surface 202 rearwardly beyond the inner surface plane 206 and into the opening 130 of the adapter 104. Preferably, the configuration of the recesses 212 corresponds to the configuration of the notches 190 on the fiber optic connector shutters 110 and particularly on the outer portion 192. This allows the fiber optic connector shutter 110 and the adapter shutter 112 to nest and trap dust and debris between the two shutters. Although only one notch 210 and only one notch 190 are shown and discussed herein, it will be understood that there may be more than one.

The adapter 104 also includes a spring member 220, shown as a torsion spring having two arms 222, 224 that bias the adapter shutter 112 in the closed position, although other resilient members may be used. The first arm 222 engages the inside surface 226 of the adapter 104 while the second arm 224 engages the protrusion 214 on the inner surface 202 of the adapter shutter 112. A spring stop 228 may also be provided that extends from the inner surface 202 of the adapter shutter 112. As the adapter shutter 112 is rotated into the adapter 104, the spring arm 224 rides (ride up) over the inner protrusion 214 until it engages the spring stop 228.

The mating of the fiber optic connectors 102 with the adapter 104 and the movement of the fiber optic connector shutters 110 and adapter shutters 112 will be discussed with reference to fig. 9-11. When the fiber optic connector shutters 110 and the shrouds 120 of the fiber optic connectors 102 enter the openings 130 of the adapters 104, the upper portion of the inner housing 112 comes into contact with the fiber optic connector shutters 110 and the gaskets 178, as shown in FIG. 9. The fiber stub 124 is disposed within the inner recess 194. Shroud 128 has come into contact with adapter stop surface 138, which prevents shroud 128 from moving forward and deeper into adapter 104. However, the inner housing 122 in the fiber stub 124 may still move forward into the adapter 104. At this point, the shroud pivot sleeve 142 and the shutter pivot sleeve 144 have moved into the groove 208A of the circular pivot 208, aligning the first axis a with the second axis B. At the same time, the outer portion 192 of the notch 190 on the fiber optic connector shutter 110 is disposed within the recess 122 of the notch 210 of the adapter shutter 112. The two outer surfaces 170, 200 of the fiber connector shutter 110 and the adapter shutter 112, respectively, abut each other and are in close proximity. The fiber optic connector shutters 110 and adapter shutters 112 have spaces 230 in which dust and debris is trapped during insertion and removal of the fiber optic connectors 102 from the adapters 104. The fiber optic connector shutter 110 and the adapter shutter 112 now rotate about the combined first axis a and second axis B, which form the axis of rotation. It should be noted that the fiber connector shutters 110 and the adapter shutters 112 may have different configurations that allow for greater and/or smaller spaces 230 between them. It is also contemplated that the fiber optic connector shutters 110 and adapter shutters 112 may have separate axes of rotation, but the fiber optic connector shutters 110 and adapter shutters 112 should always move in unison with one another to prevent dust and debris from contaminating the attachment points or attachment areas of the fiber optic connectors 102.

In FIG. 10, the fiber optic connector 102 has been inserted farther into the adapter 104. The fiber connector shutter 110 and the adapter shutter 112 continue to rotate about the axis of rotation and clear up and to the inner housing 122 and the fiber stub 124. It should be noted that although the fiber optic connector shutters 110 and adapter shutters 112 are disposed on the top of the fiber optic connectors 102 and adapters 104, they may also be disposed on the bottom of the fiber optic connectors and adapters.

The inner housing 122 and fiber stub 124 have been inserted over the shutters 110, 112 in fig. 11. The fiber stub 124 can now mate with another fiber stub or optical component in a dust and debris free environment.

Illustrated in fig. 12A-12E is the progression of the insertion of the fiber optic connector 102 into the adapter 104 (or the disengagement of the fiber optic connector 104 from the adapter 104 if viewed in reverse). In FIG. 12A, the shroud 128 of the fiber optic connector 102 approaches the end of the adapter 104. In fig. 12B, the fiber optic connector shutter 110 and the adapter shutter 112 have engaged each other and the shroud 128 has made contact with the adapter stop surface 138 in the adapter. In FIG. 12C, the inner housing 122 has contacted a pad 178 on the inner surface 172 of the fiber optic connector shutter 110. In fig. 12D, the inner housing 122 has moved past the shutter and is approaching a guide pin (or other structure in the adapter) that assists in aligning the fiber optic connectors 102. FIG. 12E shows the fiber optic connectors 102 in a mated condition in a clean environment.

Although the shutter is illustrated as moving and rotating toward the adapter, it is also possible for the shutter to rotate toward the fiber optic connector.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.