Optical fiber connector

Abstract

Various exemplary embodiments of an optical fiber connector having a one-piece housing are shown and described. The housing includes a tailpiece which extends rearward from a housing body. The tailpiece provides a location for securing strength members which may be associated with an optical fiber or optical fiber cable attached to the optical fiber connector. The tailpiece is integral formed with the housing. Thus, stress applied to the optical fiber at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the connector will not result in a degradation of the connector mechanical or optical performance. The optical fiber connector components are advantageously inserted in the connector housing through the forward end of the housing and retained with a retainer.

1 . An optical fiber connector comprising: 
 a housing having a forward first end, a rearward second end and a passage extending longitudinally therebetween;    a subassembly inserted into the housing passage through the housing first end, the subassembly comprising a ferrule holder;    a spring element inserted into the housing passage through the housing first end and disposed between a shoulder within the housing passage and a flange on the ferrule holder; and    a retainer inserted into the housing passage through the housing first end for retaining the subassembly within the housing.    
   
   
       2 . The optical fiber connector according to  claim 1  wherein the housing comprises an alignment element for aligning the retainer relative to the housing.  
   
   
       3 . The optical fiber connector according to  claim 2  wherein the alignment element comprises a keyway.  
   
   
       4 . The optical fiber connector according to  claim 2  wherein the alignment element comprises a key.  
   
   
       5 . The optical fiber connector according to  claim 2  wherein the alignment element comprises a lip.  
   
   
       6 . The optical fiber connector according to  claim 1  wherein the housing comprises a latching arm.  
   
   
       7 . The optical fiber connector according to  claim 1  wherein the subassembly further comprises a lead-in tube.  
   
   
       8 . The optical fiber connector according to  claim 1  wherein the retainer comprises an alignment element for aligning the retainer to the housing.  
   
   
       9 . The optical fiber connector according to  claim 1  wherein the retainer comprises an alignment element for aligning the ferrule holder to the retainer.  
   
   
       10 . The optical fiber connector according to  claim 1  wherein the retainer comprises a flange which abuts the housing first end.  
   
   
       11 . The optical fiber connector according to  claim 1  further comprising a trigger member attached to the housing adjacent the second end.  
   
   
       12 . The optical fiber connector according to  claim 1  wherein the housing comprises a housing body, a latching arm and a tailpiece and wherein the housing body, the latching arm and the tailpiece are formed as a single piece.  
   
   
       13 . The optical fiber connector according to  claim 1  wherein the retainer comprises latch elements for securing the retainer within the housing.  
   
   
       14 . The optical fiber connector according to  claim 13  wherein the housing comprises latch openings for engaging with the retainer latch elements.  
   
   
       15 . The optical fiber connector according to  claim 11  wherein the housing further comprises recesses for engaging with snap members on the trigger member.  
   
   
       16 . The optical fiber connector according to  claim 1  wherein the housing passage comprises a channel for slidably receiving a latching element provided on the retainer.  
   
   
       17 . The optical fiber connector according to  claim 1  wherein the retainer has a passage extending longitudinally therethrough and comprises a key extending into the passage.  
   
   
       18 . The optical fiber connector according to  claim 17  wherein the ferrule holder comprises a flange, the flange including a keyway for slidably engaging with the retainer key.  
   
   
       19 . The optical fiber connector according to  claim 17  wherein the retainer comprises a stop extending radially into the retainer passage, the stop abutting the ferrule holder.  
   
   
       20 . The optical fiber connector according to  claim 19  wherein at least a portion of an outside surface of the ferrule holder has a generally conical shape for centering the ferrule holder against the retainer stop.  
   
   
       21 . The optical fiber connector according to  claim 1  wherein the spring element biases the ferrule holder against the retainer with a predetermined spring force.  
   
   
       22 . The optical fiber connector according to  claim 21  wherein the predetermined spring force is greater than about1 lb and less than about 1.5 lbs.  
   
   
       23 . An optical fiber connector comprising: 
 a one piece housing comprising a housing body and a tailpiece, the tailpiece extending rearward from the housing body and formed to function as an attachment member, and a passage extending through the housing between a forward first end and a rearward second end;    a subassembly comprising a ferrule holder, a ferrule and a lead-in tube, the ferrule and the lead-in tube being disposed within the ferrule holder, the subassembly being inserted into the housing passage through the housing first end;    a spring element inserted into the housing passage through the housing first end and disposed between a shoulder within the housing passage and a flange on the ferrule holder; and    a retainer inserted into the housing passage through the housing first end for retaining the subassembly within the housing.    
   
   
       24 . The optical fiber connector according to  claim 23  wherein the housing further comprises a latching arm.  
   
   
       25 . The optical fiber connector according to  claim 23  wherein the retainer is aligned with the housing by mating alignment elements on the retainer and the housing.  
   
   
       26 . The optical fiber connector according to  claim 25  wherein one of the mating alignment elements comprise a lip.  
   
   
       27 . The optical fiber connector according to  claim 23  wherein the spring element biases the ferrule holder against the retainer with a predetermined spring force that is greater than about 1.0 lb and less than about 1.5 lbs.  
   
   
       28 . The optical fiber connector according to  claim 23  wherein the ferrule holder is aligned with the retainer by mating alignment elements on the retainer and the ferrule holder.  
   
   
       29 . The optical fiber connector according to  claim 28  wherein the mating alignment elements comprise a key and a keyway.  
   
   
       30 . The optical fiber connector according to  claim 23  further comprising a clamping element for securing strength members to the tailpiece.