Connector system with interchangeable connector modules for optical fibers, electrical conductors, or both

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9755382-B2
Application number	US-201514812232-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 29, 2015
Priority date	Mar 13, 2015
Publication date	Sep 5, 2017
Grant date	Sep 5, 2017

Abstract

A modular connector system for various types of different fiber optic and/or electrical connectors may include a connector having a housing configured to accommodate various different configurations of inserts that are configured to hold different types of either fiber optic connector, electrical connectors, or a combination of fiber optic and electrical connectors.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A connector system comprising:
a housing;
an insert removably coupled to the housing, wherein the insert is removably coupled to a plurality of connectors including at least one of an optical fiber connector and an electrical connector;
a coupling nut disposed around the housing and configured to mate with an adapter at a front end of the coupling nut and having an internal shape configuration at a back end thereof; and
a lock ring configured to couple to the back end and having a portion matching the internal shape configuration for locking the coupling nut, and further having an interior shape corresponding to an exterior of the housing to prevent rotation of the lock ring.

2. The connector system of claim 1 , wherein the insert is a clip.

3. The connector system of claim 1 , wherein the insert includes a catch configured to engage a catch opening of the housing so as to couple the insert to the housing.

4. The connector system of claim 3 , wherein the catch is a wedge shaped catch.

5. The connector system of claim 1 , wherein an interior surface of the housing is keyed to match a corresponding surface of the insert so as to allow coupling of the insert to the housing in a single orientation.

6. The connector system of claim 1 , wherein the insert includes a plurality of channels configured to receive the plurality of connectors.

7. The connector system of claim 6 , wherein each of the plurality of channels includes a respective catch configured to engage a recess in a sidewall of a respective one of the plurality of connectors.

8. The connector system of claim 1 , wherein the insert includes a respective tab configured to engage an arm of a respective one of the plurality of connectors.

9. The connector system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of connectors is one of a plurality of LC connectors and a plurality of SC connectors.

10. The connector system of claim 1 , wherein the insert is a hybrid clip, the plurality of connectors including at least one optical fiber connector and at least one electrical connector.

11. The connector system of claim 10 , wherein the at least one optical fiber connector is one of an LC connector, an SC connector and an MPO connector, and the at least one electrical connector is one of a pin contact, an electrical socket and an RJ45 connector.

12. The connector system of claim 10 , wherein the hybrid clip includes a protective sheath disposed around the at least one electrical connector.

13. The connector system of claim 10 , wherein the hybrid clip is configured so as to hold the at least one optical fiber connector and the at least one electrical connector in a stacked arrangement.

14. The connector system of claim 10 , wherein the hybrid clip includes:
a bottom clip portion configured to hold the at least one electrical connector; and
a top clip portion disposed against the bottom clip portion so as to clamp the at least one optical fiber connector therebetween.

15. The connector system of claim 10 , wherein the insert includes a plurality of bracket arms configured to hold the at least one optical fiber connector.

16. The connector system of claim 15 , wherein the at least one optical fiber connector is an MPO connector.

17. The connector system of claim 1 , wherein the housing is configured to removably couple to any one of a plurality of different types of inserts.

18. The connector system of claim 17 , wherein the plurality of different types of inserts includes a first insert and a second insert,
the first insert being a hybrid insert coupled to both at least one optical fiber connector and at least one electrical connector, and
the second insert being coupled only to at least one optical fiber connector.

19. The connector system of claim 18 , wherein the plurality of different types of inserts further includes a third insert being coupled only to at least one electrical connector.

20. The connector system of claim 1 , wherein the coupling nut is configured to couple the housing to the adapter.

21. The connector system of claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises a front portion and a rear portion, the rear portion being threaded for receiving a cable strain relief member.

22. The connector system of claim 1 , wherein the connector system is an ingress protected connector system, further comprising at least one weather proofing seal.

23. A connector system comprising:
a housing;
an insert removably coupled to the housing;
at least one connector removably coupled to the insert, the at least one connector including at least one of an optical fiber connector and an electrical connector;
a coupling nut disposed around the housing and configured to mate with an adapter at a front end of the coupling nut and having an internal shape configuration at a back end thereof; and
a lock ring configured to couple to the back end and having a portion matching the internal shape configuration for locking the coupling nut, and further having an interior shape corresponding to an exterior of the housing to prevent rotation of the lock ring.

24. The connector system of claim 23 , wherein the at least one connector includes at least one of an LC connector, an SC connector, an MPO connector, an electrical pin, an electrical socket and an RJ45 connector.

25. A connector system comprising:
a housing configured to couple to any one of a plurality of different clips; and
at least one clip configured to removably couple to the housing, wherein each one of the at least one clip includes at least one connector configured to removably couple to said one of the at least one clip, the at least one connector including at least one of an optical fiber connector and an electrical connector;
a coupling nut disposed around the housing and configured to mate with an adapter at a front end of the coupling nut and having an internal shape configuration at a back end thereof; and
a lock ring configured to couple to the back end and having a portion matching the internal shape configuration for locking the coupling nut, and further having an interior shape corresponding to an exterior of the housing to prevent rotation of the lock ring.

26. The connector system of claim 25 , wherein the at least one connector includes at least one of an LC connector, an SC connector, an MPO connector, an electrical pin, an electrical socket and an RJ45 connector.

Assignees

• Senko Advanced Components Inc

Inventors

• Gniadek Jeffrey

Classifications

• G02B6/3891

  Bayonet type · CPC title

• G02B6/3894

  Screw-lock type · CPC title

• H01R13/64

  Means for preventing incorrect coupling · CPC title

• G02B6/3879

  Linking of individual connector plugs to an overconnector, e.g. using clamps, clips, common housings comprising several individual connector plugs · CPC title

• H01R13/625

  Casing or ring with bayonet engagement · CPC title