Title of Invention

A DUPLEX CONNECTOR FOR OPTICAL FIBER PLUG-IN CONNECTORS

Abstract The invention relates to a duplex plug-in connector for optical fiber connectors, comprising two fastening devices for receiving two simplex plug-in connectors (14) for forming a duplax plug-in connector (22), the fastening devices being designed in such a way that they at least partially enclose the connector housing (18) and/or a kink preventer (17) of a plug-in connector (14) to be received.
Full Text The invention relates to a duplex conntctort
comprising two fastening devices for receiving two simplex plug-
in connectors for forming a duplex plug-in connector.
A duplex connector of the generic type in question is
disclosed by US 979,429. The duplex connector comprises a plate-
shaped element, on the side walls of which two differently
designed cylindrical pins are respectively arranged and can be
inserted into corresponding holes in a connector housing of a
simplex connector. Arranged on the upper side of the plate-shaped
element is a clip—shaped element, which in the assembled state
engages around the latching clips of the simplex plug-in
connectors, so that the two latching clips of the simplex plug-in
connectors can be simultaneously released by actuation of the
clip-shaped element. The simplex plug-in connectors are formed
with holes on both sides of their housing, so that each simplex
plug-in connector can be arranged on either side of the duplex
connector. As a result, it is possible for example for the
channels to be subsequently changed over by exchanging or
changing the simplex plug-in connectors. Consequently, the duplex
conntctor allows a duplex plug-in connector to be produced from
two simplex plug-in connectors. A further advantage is that, when
one simplex plug-in connector is defective, only this defective
plug-in connector has to be exchanged. The disadvantage of the
known duplex connector is the inadequate quality of the
mechanical connection and its limited suitability for use.
The invention is therefore based on the technical
problem of providing a duplex connector for optical fiber plug-in
connectors which can be used universally and realises an improved
mechanical connection between a duplex connector and a plug-in
connector.
The technical problem is solved by the device
having the features of the invention. Further advanta-
geous developments of the invention emerge from the
essential features of the invention. In this respect, the
fastening devices are designed in such a way that they at least
partially enclose the connector housing and/or the kink preventer
of a plug-in connector to be received. As a result, the plug-in
connector to be received is securely clamped by the fastening
device, the clamping forces being distributed around the plug-
in housing in a way corresponding to the design of the fastening
device. A further advantage of the duplex connector according to
the invention is that it does not require any mechanical
provisions on the plug-in connector itself. As a result, the
duplex connector can be used universally for plug-in connectors
from various manufacturers.
In a preferred embodiment,the fastening devices are
designed as C-shaped receptacles, so that they securely clamp the
respective kink preventer in a resilient mannar. In this case,
the open legs of the C-shaped receptacle are preferably formed
with a bevel in order to faciliate the insertion of the plug-in
connector.
In a further preferred embodiment, a right-angled
receptacle adjoins the C-shaped receptacle in the longitudinal
direction of the duplex connector. This right-angled receptacle
serves for securely clamping part of the connector housing.
Consequently, the plug-in connector is securely clamped by the
duplex connector on the kink preventer and the connector housing
simultaneously, which brings about a particularly secure
mechanical connection.
The right-angled receptacle is preferably essentially
of an L-shaped form, the open legs preferably being formed with a
bevel. Furthermore, the L-shaped receptacle is formed with a web
which protrudes over the upper side of the connector housing.
In a further preferred embodiment, a clip-shaped
element is arranged on the upper side in such a way that, in the
fastened state of the simplex plug-in connectors, it engage, over
the clips of the latter so that, by actuation of the clip—shaped
element, the two clips of the simplex plug-in connectors are
actuated simultaneously.
The invention is explained in wore detail below on the
basis of a preferred exemplary embodiment. In the figures :
Figure 1 shows a perspective rear view of a duplex
connector,
Figure 2 shows a perspective front view of the duplex
connector.
Figure 3 shows a side view of the duplex connector,
Figure 4 shows an exploded representation of the duplex
connector with two simplex plug-in connectors,
Figure 9 shows a duplex plug-in connection comprising
a duplex connector and two simplex plug-in connectors in the
assembled state and
Figure 6 shows a side view of the duplex plug-in
connection.
The duplex connector 1 comprises an upper side 2 and a
lower side 3, between which a web-shaped wall element 4 is
centrally arranged. Arranged on each side of the wall element 4
is a C-shaped receptacle 5 and an L-shaped receptacle 6. The C-
shaped receptacles 9 extend over the full width of the duplex
connector 1. The end faces 7 of the upper legs are formed with a
bevel 8 and the end faces 9 of the lower legs are formed with a
bevel 10. The end face 9 of the lower leg extends over the full
length L of the duplex connector 1, whereas the end face 7
extends only as far as the L-shaped receptacle 6. Arranged
parallel to the upper side 2 of the duplex connector 1 in the
region of the L-shaped receptacle 6 is a web 11, which is
somewhat narrower than the width B of the duplex connector 1.
The web 11 is likewise formed with a bevel 12. The length of the
C-shaped receptacle 5 is in this case somewhat more than twice
the length of the L-shaped receptacle 6. Arranged on the upper
side 2 is a clip-shaped element 13, which extends at an angle
from the front side to the rear side and goes into a part
parallel to the upper side 2.
Represented in Figure 4 is the duplex connector 1 from
Figures l-3, with the simplex plug-in connectors 14. The two
simplex plug-in connectors 14 are of a completely identical
construction. Each simplex plug—in connector 14 comprises the
actual optical fiber cable 15, a cable sheath fixing means 16, a
kink preventer 17 and the connector housing 18. The kink
preventer 17 is made up of a conical part and a cylindrical part
the cylindrical part facing the connector housing 18. Arranged on
the connector housing 18 is a snap clip 19 which serves for
latching and releasing the plug-in connector 14 in a
corresponding receptacle. The connector housing 18 itself is of
an essentially cuboidal design. The snap clip 19 is made up of a
latching clip 20 and a releasing clip 21, which is explained in
more detail with reference to Figure 6.
Represented in Figure 9 is the complete duplex plug-in
connector 22. In this caset the cylindrical part of the kink
preventer 17 is securely clamped in the C-shaped receptacle 9 and
part of the connector housing 18 is securely clamped in the
L-shaped receptacle 6. The lateral gripping of the end faces 7, 9
with their bevels 8, 10 around the receptacles 5, 6 makes the
clamping connection mechanically very stable. The clip-shaped
element 13 is in this caw ovtr both the clips 19 of the two
simlplex plug-in connectors 14, so that they can be simultaneously
released.
As can be seen from figure 6, the releasing clips 21
are over the latching clips 20 and the clip-shaped element 13 is
over the releasing clips 21. If the duplex plug-in connector 22
is then fitted into a corresponding receptacle, the latching
clips 20 latch into the receptacle . Pressure on the sloping
part of the clip-shaped element 13 causes the releasing clips 21
likewise to be pressed downward. These in turn press the latching
clips 20 downwardt so that all the clips are unlatched and the
duplex plug-in connector 22 can be released.
WE CLAIM
1. A duplex connector for optical fber plug-in connectors, comprising two
fastening means (5,6) for receiving two identical simplex plug-in
connectors (14) for forming a duplex plug-in connector (22), the duplex
connector (1) having an upper leg (2) a tower leg (3), and an wall
element (4), the upper leg (2) having an clip-shaped element (13) and
atleast one end face (7) provided with a bevel (8) the lower leg (3) having
atleast one end face (9) with a bevel (10), the fastening means (5,6) are
disposed at each end of the wall element (4), the plug-in connectors (14)
comprising the optical fbre cable (15), a kink preventer (19) having a
cylndrical and a conical part, and a connector housing (18), a snap clip
(19) being arranged in the housing (18), characterized in that the
cyindrical part of the kink preventer 17 is securely clamped in the
receptacle 5 and part of the connector housing 18 is securely clamped in
the receptacle 6, the lateral gripping of the end faces 7, 9 with their
bevels 8, 10 around the receptacies 5, 6 making a stable clamping
connection, and in that the clip-shaped element 13 being disposed over
the snap cip 19 of the two simplex plug-in connectors 14, so that they
can be simultaneously released.
2. The duplex connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frst fastening
means (5) is designed as C-shaped receptacles.
3. The duplex connector as claimed in claim 2, wherein a right-angled
receptacle adjoins the C-shaped receptacle (5) to form the second
fastening means (6).
4. The duplex connector as claimed in claim 3, wherein the right-angled
receptacle (6) is essentially of an L-shaped form.
5. The duplex connector as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein
the clip-shaped element (13) Is arranged on the upper side (2) which, in
the fastened state of the simplex plug-in connectors (14), engages over
the snap clips (19).
6. The duplex plug-in connector, comprising a duplex connector (1), and two
identical simplex plug-in connectors (14) as claimed in one of the
preceding claims.
The invention relates to a duplex plug-in connector for
optical fiber connectors, comprising two fastening devices for
receiving two simplex plug-in connectors (14) for forming a
duplax plug-in connector (22), the fastening devices being
designed in such a way that they at least partially enclose the
connector housing (18) and/or a kink preventer (17) of a plug-in
connector (14) to be received.

Documents:


Patent Number 223424
Indian Patent Application Number IN/PCT/2002/01244/KOL
PG Journal Number 37/2008
Publication Date 12-Sep-2008
Grant Date 10-Sep-2008
Date of Filing 01-Oct-2002
Name of Patentee KRONE GMBH
Applicant Address BEESKOWDAMM 3-11, 14167 BERLIN
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 EBERHARD KAHLE MAHLOWER STR 22, 12557, BERLIN
2 DETLEV THALEMANN ATTILASTR 109, 12105 BERLIN
PCT International Classification Number G02B 6/38
PCT International Application Number PCT/EP01/03233
PCT International Filing date 2001-03-21
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 100 19 104.5 2000-04-18 Germany