Optical connector and fiber distribution unit

US7369738B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY · US

Inventors

• Donald K. Larson · Cedar Park, US
• Paul N. Winberg · Rollingwood, US
• Wesley A. Raider · Hudson, US
• Chansool Park · Atlanta, US
• Wai-Fung Mak · Kowloon, CN
• James B. Carpenter · Austin, US
• Frank J. Glatzl · Leander, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 23, 2006
• Grant date: May 6, 2008
• Expiry date: Nov 7, 2026

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G02B6/38875
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An optical connector for terminating an optical fiber comprises a housing configured to mate with a receptacle and a collar body disposed in the housing. The collar body includes a fiber stub disposed in a first portion of the collar body, the fiber stub including a first optical fiber mounted in a ferrule and having a first end proximate to an end face of the ferrule and a second end. The collar body also includes a mechanical splice disposed in a second portion of the collar body, the mechanical splice configured to splice the second end of the fiber stub to a second optical fiber. The collar body also includes a buffer clamp configured within a third portion of the collar body, the buffer clamp configured to clamp at least a portion of a buffer cladding of the second fiber upon actuation. A fiber distribution unit is also provided.