Die-cast adapter

Die casting adapter

This creation relates to the field of optical connectors, and in particular to plug receiving adapters that are robust and provide EMI protection.

In the field of fiber optics, there is a need to connect the optical transmission path of the fiber to the path of another fiber. Usually this connection is made by the optical plug made at each fiber end and then the two plugs are inserted into the adapter. The plug typically includes a housing containing a metal ring or other member for securing and accurately positioning one or more fiber ends. The adapter typically includes a two-part housing, each portion being configured to accept and secure the housing of the plug and to facilitate optical connection of each plug to other plugs. For the sake of discussion, when the plug is inserted into the adapter, the adapter and the plug are referred to as "matched". Similarly, when the plug is not inserted into the adapter, the adapter is referred to as "not mated". Adapters are available in many types (eg, unidirectional, bidirectional, and four-way) for use in many applications (eg, the backplane is interconnected with a penetrating substrate).

A recent trend in optical connectors and general communication interconnects has been to reduce backplanes, substrates, and other transmission equipment by increasing the "connection density". Increasing the density of the connections helps to reduce the size because a large number of interconnections can be achieved in a small space. For this reason, the industry's popular connector "miniature" design in which the space or area occupied by the connector (hereinafter referred to as "panel area") is minimized in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis. When referring to adapter design, the current understanding of the term "miniaturization" is that the dual-purpose adapter occupies the same panel area as the traditional SC adapter. Traditional single-purpose adapters are well known in the industry. Examples of connector systems that provide miniaturized adapters include an LC connector system, a MU connector system, and an MTRJ connector system.

Although the miniaturized connector system has achieved unprecedented success in recent years, applicants have found many shortcomings. In particular, Applicants have observed that when miniaturized adapters, such as LC adapters, are assembled in the SC panel cutout, the walls of the adapter become very thin. These thin walls present problems with strength, particularly when side loads are applied to the cable assembly inserted into the adapter. In addition, when the number of operations increases, it is accompanied by electromagnetic interference (EMI) problems. Although the optics are not affected by EMI and do not generate EMI, please note that the gap between the adapter and the panel inside the panel cutout is usually the culprit that causes EMI generated by other components to escape from the panel. In order to correct this situation, many methods can be used. In particular, conductive seals and other "EMI gaskets" are usually placed between the adapter and the panel. Recently, metal plugs have replaced plastic adapters to block EMI. While these approaches already have some control over EMI, they are quite expensive to implement and are a burden on the installed equipment, which is generally discouraged. Therefore, there is a need for a miniaturized adapter that provides sufficient side load strength and slows EMI. Applicants understand that metal miniaturized adapters can meet this need.

Although metal miniaturized adapters are required, applicants have found that it is not sufficient to produce such adapters in a conventional manner. In particular, the key aspect is the cylindrical sleeve contained in the adapter. The sleeve is for receiving and aligning the plug metal ring inserted into the adapter. This assembly needs to be accurate to the extent that die casting is not yet achieved. Therefore, it is generally recognized that in some embodiments the metal adapter includes a separate cylindrical alignment sleeve. Therefore, most prior art techniques employ a two-component design in which a sleeve is placed between the components and the assembly is then joined with rivets or screws. While this approach has been found to be effective, the nature of multi-component design has made manufacturing complex and increased inventory requirements. Furthermore, because the two halves must be joined together, alignment is required, which is quite cumbersome for the precision required to miniaturize the connector system. As such, these prior art techniques increase manufacturing time, scrap rates, and unlimited costs.

Regardless of these conventional approaches, the Applicant has attempted to improve the manufacturing process for miniaturized adapter designs in U.S. Patent No. 6,027,252. Although this design has proven to be very effective in the manufacture of SC adapters, this miniaturized aspect is less suitable for this approach. In particular, this method entails molding a groove on the side for receiving a fork to grip many of the components within the adapter. This molding method is particularly complicated. Although other components, such as latches for fixed plugs, are incorporated into the integrated molded adapter (as shown in U.S. Patent No. 6,027,252), this is a concern because of this consideration. The connector system is overly complicated. For example, the adapter design of the LC connector is quite simple because the latching mechanism is located on the plug and not on the adapter. Thus, the compatibility and flexibility provided by U.S. Patent No. 6,027,252 is not applicable to miniaturized adapters such as LC connectors.

Therefore, it is required to have a metal made and to manufacture a compact and inexpensive miniaturized adapter.

An adapter that effectively fits two plugs, including a metal housing that defines a first axis that is axially aligned with the second jaw. Each cassette is adapted to receive an individual optical connector plug with a cylindrical metal ring. The joint portion is located between the aforementioned weirs, having a first end adjacent to the first weir, and a second end adjacent to the second weir. The joint defines a cylindrical axial passage between the first weir and the second weir. The first end of the joint has an inwardly extending ridge thereby limiting the diameter of the passage on the first end. The channel has an alignment sleeve having an inner diameter adapted to receive each optical connector plug metal ring and axially aligned with the metal ring to affect the optical coupling of the fiber within the metal ring. The joint is integrally molded with the metal casing, and an end cap is fixed to the second end of the joint. The end cap has an inwardly extending ridge for limiting the diameter of the passage on the second end, thereby securing the alignment sleeve within the passage.

Please refer to the first figure, which shows the adapter 100 of this creation. The adapter 100 includes an integrally molded metal housing 101 that defines an axially aligned first and second jaws 102, 103, and each of which is adapted to receive an optical connector plug having a cylindrical metal ring. The outer casing 101 has a joint 104 between the weirs 102, 103 and has a first end 104a adjacent the first weir 102 and a second end 104b adjacent the second weir 103. The joint portion 104 defines a cylindrical axial passage 105 between the first weir and the second weir for receiving the metal ring of each plug. The first end 104a of the joint 104 has an inwardly extending ridge 106 thereby limiting the diameter of the passage 105 on the first end 104a. Within the passage 105 is an alignment sleeve 107. The alignment sleeve 107 has an inner diameter adapted to receive each optical plug metal ring and axially align with the plug to affect the optical coupling of the fiber contained within the metal ring. An end cap 108 is provided on the second end 104b of the channel 105. The end cap 108 engages the engagement portion 104 and limits the diameter of the channel 105 on the second end 104b, thereby securing the sleeve 107 within the channel 105. Each of the foregoing components and combinations thereof will be considered in detail below.

Referring to the first to third figures, the outer casing 101 of the present inventive adapter 100 will be described in detail. The main function of the housing is to receive and secure the plug and align its individual metal rings with the fibers contained therein. To this end, the housing 101 defines a first port 102 and a second port 103 for receiving a plug (not shown). Referring to the third figure, for example, the latch of the plug can be received in the pocket 111. This is a known connection mechanism and will not be discussed in detail herein.

In order to align the metal ring of the plug, the outer casing 101 includes a joint 104 between the first weir 102 and the second weir 103. The joint 104 is cylindrical and defines a passage 105 sized to receive the alignment sleeve 107. The joint portion 104 has a first end 104a and a second end 104b and includes a flange 110 for attaching the joint portion 104 to other portions of the outer casing 101. The first end 104a of the joint portion 104 includes a ridge 106.

This ridge 106 serves two purposes. First, for use as a barrier, the alignment sleeve 107 is prevented from passing through the first end 104a through the joint 104. Second, the raised portion 106 includes an introduction portion 106a for guiding the metal ring of the plug into the alignment sleeve 107. The function and arrangement of the lead-in unit 106a are well known in the art and will not be discussed in detail herein. In satisfaction, the lead-in portion is a dimensionally accurate, conical surface having one end that is wide enough to "grab" the metal ring and the other end narrow enough to introduce the metal ring into the alignment sleeve 107.

Referring to the second end 104b of the joint portion 104, a structure similar to the ridge portion 106 is no longer displayed. In contrast, rather than the ridge 106, the second end 104b defines an annular recess 109 that is adapted to receive the end cap 108. As such, prior to placing the end cap 108 into the annular recess 109, the second end 104b of the engagement portion 104 defines an opening sufficient to receive the alignment sleeve 107.

The alignment sleeve 107 is preferably identical to the alignment sleeve used in a standard adapter system standard adapter. That is, the present creation is not required in the configuration of the alignment sleeve 107, allowing the use of a standard alignment sleeve in this creation. This is another advantage of this creation, which reduces inventory requirements and thus reduces costs.

The alignment sleeve 107 is maintained within the bore 104c of the joint 104 by the end cap 108. Referring to the second figure, a perspective view of the end cap 108 is shown. The end cap 108 includes a wall portion 201, an introduction portion 202, an annular lip 203, and a raised portion 206. Referring back to the first figure, the wall portion is configured to be received in the annular recess 109. The introduction portion 202 includes an introduction surface 202a having the same function as the introduction surface 106a described above. In fact, in the preferred embodiment, the introduction surface 202a has the same shape as the introduction surface 106a. The ridge 206 projects inwardly, thereby reducing the diameter of the channel 105 of the joint 104, thereby securing the alignment sleeve 107 in position. Therefore, the end cap not only serves to secure the alignment sleeve, but also serves to guide the metal ring of the plug into the alignment sleeve.

The lip 203 functions to catch the second end 104b of the engagement portion 104 to secure the end cap 108 in position. In a preferred embodiment, once the alignment sleeve 107 and the end cap 108 are placed in the joint portion 104, the portion that is "rolled" or the second end 104b overlaps the lip 203 is deformed. To create this internal stuck phenomenon. With the second end 104b rolling or deforming, a protruding portion (not shown) of the second end 104b will enclose the lip 203 and prevent the end cap 108 from being withdrawn from the joint 104.

While the deformation of the joint portion 104 about the end cap 108 has preferably been performed, other specific embodiments of the present invention can be made. For example, the end cap 108 can provide a compliant assembly that engages the second end 104b portion to secure the end cap 108 in position. Although it is possible, this method is not preferred because the alignment and shape of the lead-in surface 202a are found to be important, and any deformation required to secure the end cap to the joint 104 should preferably be on the joint 104. Executing, its size is not as important as the introduction surface 202a, rather than being performed on the end cap.

In a preferred embodiment, the end cap 108 is preferably constructed of a durable material. It is preferably a strong material because it must withstand the force of deformation of a portion of the second end 104b. Suitable materials include, for example, steel, aluminum, high strength polymers, and synthetic materials such as graphic reinforced polymers. Preferably, the material is steel and, more preferably, the material is stainless steel. The outer casing 101 can be made of any known die castable material. Suitable materials include, for example, steel, zinc, aluminum, copper or known alloys. Preferably, the material is zinc because it is common and commonly used in die casting applications.

The adapter configuration of this creation is suitable for many applications and can be formed in many configurations. Referring to the third figure, the adapter is preferably linear, having a top wall 301, a bottom wall 302, and side walls 303a, 303b. (It should be understood that the so-called top and bottom are used herein for illustrative purposes and are not intended to be used in the field of creation. Instead, it is assumed that the adapter can be reversed, so that the top wall 301 referred to herein may actually be Bottom.) This particular embodiment is a dual-purpose LC connector suitable for use in an SC slit. Although the adapter of the present invention is more suitable for the dual-purpose adapter of the SC slit due to the enhancement of the sidewall strength, the present creation is not limited to this configuration. For example: This creation can be used in single-use, dual-use and four-use miniaturized adapters.

As shown in the third figure, the adapter 100 includes ears 304 on both sides to assist in connection to the panel end faces. These ears 304 define fastener holes 305 for receiving fasteners to secure the adapter 100 to the panel end plates. Such ears 304 are well known in the industry.

In other preferred embodiments, the adapter 100 includes a flange (not shown) that extends around the outer casing 101 perpendicular to the optical axis of the plug. This particular embodiment is preferred for EMI reduction purposes. In particular, the flange is used to cover the gap between the wall of the adapter and the periphery of the incision in the panel. In a preferred embodiment, the flange is for combination with the clip end 101b of the outer casing 101. In particular, the clip has an elastic member that deforms inwardly when the adapter 100 is inserted inwardly into the panel cut and pops outward when the free end thereof exits the edge of the panel cut. The result is that the panel is sandwiched between the flange and the resilient member of the clip to secure the adapter within the panel. Such clip mechanisms are well known in the industry.

<p>100Adapter</p><p>101Metal casing</p><p>101aUndefined</p><p>101b clip end</p><p>102 first</p><p>103Second</p><p>104Intersection</p><p>104a first end</p><p>104b second end</p><p>104c hole</p><p>105 channel</p><p>106 Uplift</p><p>106aImporting Department</p><p>107Alignment casing</p><p>108End cover</p><p>109 annular depression</p><p>110Flange</p><p>111 recess</p><p>201 wall</p><p>202Importing Department</p><p>202aIntroduction surface</p><p>203 annular lip</p><p>206Uplift</p>

The first picture shows a cross-sectional view of the adapter showing the creation.

The second figure is a perspective view of the end cap shown in the first figure.

The third figure is a perspective view of the adapter shown in the first figure.