WO2016053851A1

WO2016053851A1 - Fiber optic connector and pin change method for the same

Info

Publication number: WO2016053851A1
Application number: PCT/US2015/052599
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ashley Wesley Jones; David Wayne Meek; Mario Sergio Sandate Aguilar; Hieu Vinh Tran
Original assignee: Corning Optical Communications LLC
Priority date: 2014-10-01
Filing date: 2015-09-28
Publication date: 2016-04-07

Abstract

A fiber optic connector includes a housing and a ferrule at least partially received in the housing. The ferrule has a front end face and at least one pin hole extending into the ferrule from the front end face. At least one guide pin is received in the at least one pin hole and projects beyond the front end face of the ferrule. A pin retainer is engaged with the at least one guide pin to retain the at least one guide pin in the at least one pin hole. The pin retainer can be disengaged from the at least one guide pin while the ferrule is at least partially received in the housing. Related ferrule assemblies, cable assemblies, and methods are also disclosed.

Description

FIBER OPTIC CONNECTOR AND PIN CHANGE METHOD FOR THE SAME

PRIORITY APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62/058,188, filed on October 1 , 2014, the content of which is relied upon and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0002] This disclosure relates generally to optical fibers, and more particularly to fiber optic connectors having one or more guide pins and methods for changing the gender configuration for such fiber optic connectors.

[0003] Optical fibers are useful in a wide variety of applications, including the

telecommunications industry for voice, video, and data transmissions. In a telecommunications system that uses optical fibers, there are typically many locations where fiber optic cables that carry the optical fibers connect to equipment or other fiber optic cables. To conveniently provide these connections, optical connectors are often provided on the ends of fiber optic cables. The process of terminating individual optical fibers from a fiber optic cable is referred to as "connectorization." Connectorization can be done in a factory, resulting in a "pre- connectorized" or "pre-terminated" fiber optic cable, or the field (e.g., using a "field-installable" connectors).

[0004] Many different types of optical connectors exist. In environments that require high density interconnects and/or high bandwidth, such as data centers, multi- fiber optical connectors are the most widely used. One example is the multi-fiber push on (MPO) connector, which incorporates a mechanical transfer (MT) ferrule and standardized according to TOA-604-5 and IEC 61754-7. These connectors can achieve a very high density of optical fibers, which reduces the amount of hardware, space, and effort to establish a large number of interconnects.

[0005] The end faces of MPO ferrules are aligned by the use of precision guide pins. One connector in the mated pair has guide pins protruding from the MT ferrule ("male

configuration"); the other connector has two guide pin holes in the MT ferrule ("female configuration"). The guide pins on the male connector insert into the guide pin holes on the female connector, thereby aligning optical fibers terminated by the two connectors so that an optical connection can be established. [0006] Generally, the MT ferrules for the different gender configurations of MPO connectors have the same construction but for the presence of the guide pins within (and extending from) the guide pin holes in the male configuration. The guide pins are typically retained by a component positioned rearward of the MT ferrule within a housing of the connector. Thus, the guide pins are installed during the assembly of the connector when the back end of the MT ferrule remains accessible before the ferrule is inserted into the housing. If a technician in the field needs an MPO connector with a female configuration but only has a male configuration, he or she must partially disassemble the connector to access the component that retains the guide pins so that the guide pins can be removed. The opposite is also true; if a technician in the field needs an MPO connector with a male configuration but only has a female configuration, he or she must partially disassemble the connector to properly install the guide pins. The disassembly can be time-consuming and difficult, may require a special removal tool, and risks damage to the optical fibers.

SUMMARY

[0007] Embodiments of fiber optic connectors, along with a cable assemblies and methods including fiber optic connectors, are disclosed below. According to one embodiment, a fiber optic connector includes a housing and a ferrule at least partially received in the housing. The ferrule has a front end face and at least one pin hole extending into the ferrule from the front end face. The fiber optic connector also includes at least one guide pin received in the at least one pin hole. The at least one guide pin extends from the at least one pin hole so as to project beyond the front end face of the ferrule (i.e., the fiber optic connector is in a male

configuration). A pin retainer is engaged with the at least one guide pin to retain the at least one guide pin in the at least one pin hole. The pin retainer can be disengaged from the at least one guide pin, thereby allowing removal of the at least one guide pin from the at least one pin hole, while the ferrule is at least partially received in the housing.

[0008] In some embodiments, the housing of the fiber optic connector includes a front end, a back end, a cavity extending between the front end and back end, and at least one opening extending through an outer surface of the housing into the cavity. The ferrule is at least partially received in the cavity of the housing, and at least a portion of the pin retainer is accessible via the at least one opening in the outer surface of the housing so that the pin retainer can be disengaged from the at least one guide pin. [0009] In other embodiments, the ferrule of the fiber optic connector further includes a back end face, an outer surface between the front end face and back end face, and at least one notch formed in the outer surface of the ferrule. The at least one pin hole intersects the at least one notch, and the pin retainer engages the at least one guide pin in the at least one notch.

[0010] According to another embodiment, a fiber optic connector is provided in a female configuration and includes a ferrule at least partially received in a housing. The ferrule has a front end face and at least one pin hole extending into the ferrule from the front end face. The fiber optic connector also includes a pin retainer interfacing with the ferrule. The pin retainer is configured to retain at least one guide pin, which is provided separately from the connector, in the at least one pin hole when the at least one guide pin is received in the at least one pin hole. The pin retainer is also accessible while the ferrule is at least partially received in the housing.

[0011] Ferrule assemblies for fiber optic connectors, such as the fiber optic connectors mentioned above, are also disclosed. According to one embodiment, such a ferrule assembly includes a ferrule, at least one guide pin, and a pin retainer. The ferrule has a front end face, a back end face, an outer surface between the front end face and rear end face, at least one notch formed in the outer surface, and at least one pin hole extending into the ferrule from the front end face and intersecting the at least one notch. The at least one guide pin is configured to be received in the at least one pin hole and project beyond the front end face of the ferrule. The pin retainer is configured to engage the least one guide pin in the at least one notch to retain the at least one guide pin in the at least one pin hole.

[0012] Methods of changing the gender configuration of a fiber optic connector are also disclosed. The fiber optic connector may be one of those mentioned above, for example. One embodiment of such a method involves a fiber optic connector that includes a housing, a ferrule at least partially retained in the housing, at least one pin hole extending into the ferrule from a front end face of the ferrule, and a pin retainer interfacing with the ferrule. In a female configuration of the fiber optic connector, the at least one pin hole is empty. In a male configuration, the fiber optic connector further includes at least one guide pin received in the at least one pin hole and projecting beyond the front end face of the ferrule, with the at least one guide pin being retained in the at least one pin hole by the pin retainer. The method of changing the gender configuration involves accessing the pin retainer while the ferrule is retained in the housing. If the fiber optic connector is in a male configuration, the method also involves: a) at least partially disengaging the pin retainer from the at least one guide pin, and b) removing the at least one guide pin from the at least one pin hole while the ferrule is retained in the housing. Alternatively, if the ferrule is in a female configuration, the method involves: a) inserting the at least one guide pin into the at least one pin hole from the front end face of the ferrule, and b) at least partially engaging the at least one guide pin with the pin retainer while the ferrule is retained in the housing to retain the at least one guide pin in the at least one pin hole.

[0013] Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the technical field of optical communications. It is to be understood that the foregoing general description, the following detailed description, and the accompanying drawings are merely exemplary and intended to provide an overview or framework to understand the nature and character of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate one or more embodiment(s), and together with the description serve to explain principles and operation of the various embodiments. Features and attributes associated with any of the embodiments shown or described may be applied to other embodiments shown, described, or appreciated based on this disclosure.

[0015] Fig. 1 a perspective view of an example of a fiber optic connector;

[0016] Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the fiber optic connector of Fig. 1 ;

[0017] Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of a ferrule assembly and housing for a fiber connector, such as the fiber optic connector of Fig. 1 ;

[0018] Fig. 4 is a rear elevation view of the ferrule assembly of Fig. 3 and schematically illustrates how a tool may be used to interact with a pin retainer of the ferrule assembly;

[0019] Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the ferrule assembly of Fig. 5 after removing guide pins of the ferrule assembly;

[0020] Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a housing and another embodiment of a ferrule assembly having a ferrule, a pin retainer, and guide pins;

[0021] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the ferrule assembly of Fig. 6 in an assembled configuration; [0022] Figs. 8 and 9 are perspective views similar to Fig. 7 schematically illustrating how a tool may be used to interact with the pin retainer to allow removal of the guide pins;

[0023] Fig. 10 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a ferrule assembly having a ferrule, a pin retainer, and guide pins;

[0024] Fig. 11 is a schematic view of a cross-section of a portion of the ferrule assembly of Fig. 10; and

[0025] Fig. 12 is a perspective views similar to Fig. 10 schematically illustrating how a tool may be used to interact with the pin retainer to allow removal of the guide pins.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Various embodiments will be further clarified by examples in the description below. In general, the description relates to multi-fiber ferrules, along with fiber optic connectors, cable assemblies, and methods incorporating such multi-fiber ferrules. The fiber optic connectors may be based on known connector designs, such as MPO connectors. To this end, Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate a fiber optic connector 10 (also referred to as "optical connector" or simply

"connector") in the form of a MTP® connector, which is particular type of MPO connector (MTP® is a trademark of US Conec Ltd.). A brief overview of the connector 10 will be provided to facilitate discussion, as the multi-fiber ferrules and other components shown in subsequent figures may be used in connection with the same type of connector. However, persons skilled in the field of optical connectivity will appreciate that the connector 10 is merely an example, and that the general principles disclosed with respect to the multi-fiber ferrules and other components shown in subsequent figures may also be applicable to other connector designs.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 1 , the connector 10 may be installed on a fiber optic cable 12 ("cable") to form a fiber optic cable assembly 14. The connector includes a ferrule 16, a housing 18 received over the ferrule 16, a slider 20 received over the housing 18, and a boot 22 received over the cable 12. The ferrule 16 is spring-biased within the housing 18 so that a front portion 24 of the ferrule 16 extends beyond a front end 26 of the housing 18. Optical fibers (not shown) carried by the cable 12 extend through bores 28 in the ferrule 16 before terminating at or near an end face 30 of the ferrule 16. The optical fibers are secured within the ferrule 16 using an adhesive material (e.g., epoxy) and can be presented for optical coupling with optical fibers of a mating component (e.g., another fiber optic connector; not shown) when the housing 20 is inserted into an adapter, receptacle, or the like.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 2, the connector 10 also includes a ferrule boot 32, guide pin assembly 34, spring 36, crimp body 38, and crimp ring 40. The ferrule boot 32 is received in a rear portion 42 of the ferrule 16 to help support the optical fibers extending to the ferrule bores 28 (Fig. 1). The guide pin assembly 34 includes a pair of guide pins 44 extending from a pin keeper 46. Features on the pin keeper 46 cooperate with features on the guide pins 44 to retain portions of the guide pins 44 within the pin keeper 46. When the connector 10 is assembled, the pin keeper 46 is positioned against a back surface of the ferrule 16, and the guide pins 44 extend through pin holes 48 (Fig. 1) provided in the ferrule 16 so as to project beyond the front end face 30.

[0029] Both the ferrule 16 and guide pin assembly 34 are biased to a forward position relative to the housing 18 by the spring 36. More specifically, the spring 36 is positioned between the pin keeper 46 and a portion of the crimp body 38. The crimp body 38 is inserted into the housing 18 when the connector 10 is assembled and includes latching arms 50 that engage recesses 52 in the housing 18. The spring 36 is compressed by this point and exerts a biasing force on the ferrule 16 via the pin keeper 46. The rear portion 42 of the ferrule defines a flange that interacts with a shoulder or stop formed within the housing 18 to retain the rear portion 42 within the housing 18.

[0030] In a manner not shown in the figures, aramid yarn or other strength members from the cable 12 are positioned over an end portion 54 of the crimp body 38 that projects rearwardly from the housing 18. The aramid yarn is secured to the end portion 54 by the crimp ring 40, which is slid over the end portion 54 and deformed after positioning the aramid yarn. The boot 22 covers this region, as shown in Fig. 1, and provides strain relief for the optical fibers by limiting the extent to which the connector 10 can bend relative to the cable 12. The word "PUSH" is printed on the boot 22 in the embodiment shown to help direct a user to grasp the boot 22 when inserting the connector 10 into an adapter or receptacle, thereby allowing the housing to be fully inserted for proper engagement/mating with the adapter or receptacle. The word "PULL" is printed on the slider 20, which may be biased by springs 56 (Fig. 2) relative to the housing 18, to help direct a user to grasp the slider 20 when disengaging the connector 10 from an adapter or receptacle. This way pull forces are transferred directly to the housing 18 (rather than the cable 12) to disengage the housing 18 from the adapter or receptacle.

[0031] Now that a general overview of the connector 10 has been provided, various modifications will be described that provide an alternative to the guide pin assembly 34. The guide pin assembly 34 in Figs. 1 and 2 has a conventional design and generally cannot be accessed without using a tool to partially disassemble the connector 10. In the following figures, one or more components of the connector 10 have been modified to facilitate changing the connector 10 from a male configuration (guide pins present) to a female configuration (guide pins not present), or vice-versa. Only the modified components of the connector 10 are shown in the figures for clarity.

[0032] To this end, Fig. 3 illustrates one embodiment of a ferrule assembly 60 including the ferrule 16 and a pin retainer 62. First and second guide pins 44a, 44b (generically referred to as guide pins 44) extend through the ferrule 16 such that the ferrule assembly 60 is in a male configuration. More specifically, the pin holes 48 extend from a back end face 64 of the ferrule 60 to the front end face 30 (Figs. 1 and 2). A rear portion of each guide pin 44 remains behind the ferrule 16, while a remainder of each guide pin 44 extends through the pin hole 48 in which the guide pin 44 is received and projects beyond the front end face 30. Rather than the pin keeper 46 (Fig. 2) engaging the rear portion of each guide pin 44 to retain the guide pins 44 in the pin holes 48, the ferrule assembly 60 includes the pin retainer 62 for this purpose. The pin retainer 62 is engaged with recesses 70 (Fig. 5) on the rear portions of the guide pins 44 via a snap-fit or the like. To this end, the pin retainer 62 may be a spring clip. In the embodiment shown, the pin retainer 62 includes first and second movable portions 72, 74 proximate where the pin retainer 62 engages each of the first and second guide pins 44a, 44b. The first and second movable portions 72, 74 resemble wings or arms diverging from each other and outwardly from the first and second guide pins 44a, 44b. The pin retainer 62 in the embodiment shown also includes a back portion defining a spring seat / contact surface 74 for the spring 36 (Fig. 2).

[0033] A housing 80 is also shown in Fig. 3. The housing 80 includes a front end 82, a back end 84, and cavity 86 extending between the front and back ends 82, 84. The housing 80 may be substantially similar to the housing (Figs. 1 and 2), but further includes openings 88 extending through an outer surface 90 of the housing 80 into the cavity 86. Only one of the openings 88 can be seen in Fig. 3, but a similar opening is provided on an opposite side of the housing 80. When the ferrule 16 is received in the cavity 86 of the housing 80, the pin retainer 62 is accessible via the openings 88. More specifically, when the connector 10 is assembled, the ferrule 16 is biased forward in the housing 80 in the manner described above with reference to to Figs. 1 and 2. In the forward position of the ferrule 16, the first and second movable portions movable portions 72, 74 of the pin retainer 62 may then be accessed while the ferrule 16 remains retained in the housing 80.

[0034] For example, Fig. 4 schematically illustrates a tool 90 being inserted through one of the openings 88 (not shown) to manipulate the pin retainer 62. Moving the tool 90 in the direction indicated by arrow 92 brings the tool 90 into contact with the first and second movable portions 72, 74 next to where the pin retainer 62 engages the first guide pin 44a. When further advanced, the tool 90 causes the first and second portions 72, 74 to move away from each other in the direction indicated by arrows 94. Ultimately the pin retainer 62 becomes at least partially disengaged from the first guide pin 44a. The disengagement allows the first guide pin 44a to be pulled through the associated pin hole 48 from the front end face 30 of the ferrule 16. In other words, the first guide pin 44a can be removed from the front end face 30 of the ferrule 16 because the pin retainer 62 no longer retains the first guide pin 44a in the pin hole 48.

[0035] Although Fig. 4 schematically illustrates how the tool 90 would be inserted through one side of the housing 80, the same tool may be subsequently inserted through an opposite side of the housing 80 to remove the second guide pin 44b. In particular, the tool 90 may be subsequently inserted through the opening 88 aligned with the first and second movable portions 72, 74 next to where the pin retainer 62 engages the second guide pin 44b. The tool 90 may then be used in a similar manner to manipulate the first and second movable portions 72, 74 so that the pin retainer 62 becomes disengaged from the second guide pin 44b, thereby allowing the second guide pin 44b to be removed. In other embodiments, a single tool may be configured to simultaneously extend through both sides of the housing 80 to simultaneously disengage the pin retainer 62 from the first and second guide pins 44a, 44b. Alternatively, the pin retainer 62 may have a different shape / design that allows the pin retainer 62 to be simultaneously disengaged from both the first and second guide pins 44a, 44b when manipulated by a tool through a single opening in the outer surface 90 of the housing 80. The single opening may be on any side of the housing 80 (i.e., top, bottom, left side, or right side).

[0036] Fig. 5 illustrates the ferrule assembly 60 after the first and second guide pins 44a, 44b have been removed such that the ferrule assembly 60 is now in a female configuration. As mentioned, the first and second guide pins 44a, 44b are removed via the front end face 30 of the ferrule 16. Thus, such removal can be easily accomplished without having to disassemble the connector 10. The crimp body 38 can remain engaged with the housing 80, as there is no need to remove ferrule assembly 60 from the housing 80 to access the pin retainer 62. The embodiment shown in Figs. 3-5 also has the additional advantage of including the ferrule 16 without modification. Well-established and proven ferrule designs may be used to leverage existing inventories, market channels, and customer expectations.

[0037] Nevertheless, if desired, new ferrule designs may be used to still provide a ferrule assembly whose gender configuration can be changed while the ferrule remains received in the housing of a connector. For example, Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate a ferrule assembly 100 including a ferrule 102 having at least one notch 104 formed in an outer surface 106 of the ferrule 102. The purpose of the notch 104 will be described in further detail, along with details of pin holes 108 that extend into the ferrule 102 from a front end face 110 of the ferrule 102, but other aspects of the ferrule 102 will not be discussed. Indeed, the ferrule 102 may be similar to the ferrule 16 in terms of aspects not pertaining to the notch 104 and pin holes 108. Thus, although not shown, it will be appreciated how the rear portion of the ferrule 102 may define a flange like the ferrule 16 to retain the ferrule 102 in a housing (such as the housing 18, which is also shown in Fig. 6 to facilitate discussion).

[0038] The pin holes 108 extend into the ferrule 102 from the front end face 1 10 and intersect the notch 104 before extending further into the ferrule 102 (and perhaps even completely through the ferrule 102, if desired). In a male configuration of the ferrule assembly 100 (Fig. 7), guide pins 114 are each received in one of the pin holes 108 and extend therefrom so as to project beyond the front end face 110 of the ferrule 102. Recessed portions 116 on the guide pins 114 are located in the notch 104 (i.e., are positioned where the pin holes 108 intersect the notch 104). A pin retainer 120, shown in the form of a substantially U-shaped clip, engages the recessed portions 116 of the guide pins 114 in the notch 104. This engagement retains the guide pins 1 14 in the pin holes 108.

[0039] The notch 104 may be positioned anywhere between the front end face 110 and a back end face 122 of the ferrule 102. In some embodiments, the notch 104 may be positioned on a portion of the ferrule 102 that is located within the housing 18 (Fig. 6) when the ferrule assembly 100 is used in the connector 10. More specifically, the housing 18 includes a front end 124, a back end 126, and a cavity 128 extending between the front and back ends 124, 126. The ferrule 102 is received in the cavity 128 and biased to a forward position in the manner described with reference to the embodiment of Figs. 1 and 2. Although a portion of the ferrule 102 may extend through a front opening 130 on the housing 18, the notch 104 may be on the portion of the ferrule 102 that remains within the cavity 128 of the housing 18. The housing 18 is not shown in Fig. 9

[0040] Figs. 7-9 schematically illustrate how the ferrule assembly 100 may be changed from a male configuration to a female configuration. This change in gender configuration may take place while the connector 10 is assembled with the ferrule 102 retained in the housing 18, which is not shown in Figs. 7-9 to simplify matters. It will be appreciated how the pin retainer 120 is accessible via the front opening 130 ofthe housing 18 and via a space defined between the outer surface 106 of the ferrule 102 and an inner surface of the housing 18, assuming the notch 104 is positioned on a portion of the ferrule 102 that remains within the housing 18 (the notch 104 may alternatively be positioned on a portion of the ferrule 102 extending from the housing 18, if desired).

[0041] For example, Fig. 8 schematically illustrates a tool 140 being used to manipulate the pin retainer 120. The tool 140 may be inserted through the front opening 130 of the housing 18 and into the space between the ferrule 102 and inner surface of the housing 18. A portion of the pin retainer 120 extends beyond the outer surface 106 of the ferrule 102 in the embodiment so that the tool 140 can easily contact the pin retainer 120. The tool 140 is used to move portions of the pin retainer 120 in the direction indicated by arrows 140 to at least partially disengage the pin retainer 120 from the guide pins 1 14. The disengagement allows the guide pins 1 14 to be pulled through the pin holes 108 from the front end face 110 of the ferrule 102, as shown in Fig. 9. In other words, the guide pins 1 14 can be removed from the front end face 1 10 of the ferrule 102 because the pin retainer 120 no longer retains the guide pins 114 in the pin hole 108.

[0042] An additional advantage associated with the embodiment of Figs. 6-9 is that the guide pins 114 need not extend completely through the ferrule 102 in the male configuration. Shorter guide pins may be used compared to conventional designs, thereby reducing material costs.

[0043] It was mentioned above how the notch 104 may be positioned on a portion of the ferrule 102 extending from the housing 18 in alternative embodiments. To this end, Figs. 10-12 illustrate one example of a ferrule assembly 150 similar to the ferrule assembly 100, but having a ferrule 152 with the notch 104 positioned closer to the front end face 1 10. The ferrule 152 also differs from the ferrule 102 by having first and second groups 154, 156 of micro-holes 158 spaced apart from each other. A space 160 is defined between an innermost micro-hole 158 in the first group 154 and an innermost micro-hole 158 in the second group 156, with the space 160 itself being free of micro-holes. In a manner not shown, the first and second groups 154, 156 of micro-holes 158 may open into respective first and second chambers or a common chamber in a middle or rear portion of the ferrule 152. Alternatively, the micro-holes 158 may each extend completely though the ferrule 152.

[0044] The ferrule 152 also includes a bore 164 extending from a first side of the outer surface 106 to an opposite second second of the outer surface 106. The bore 164 is covered by the pin retainer 120 on the second side of the outer surface 106 when the pin retainer 120 is received in the notch 104 of the ferrule 102. On the first side of the outer surface 106, the bore 164 is not covered. Such an arrangement allows the pin retainer 120 to be accessed via the bore 164 from the first side of the outer surface 106 using a pin- like tool 170. Because the notch 104 and bore 164 are positioned close to the front end face 110, the tool 170 may be inserted through the bore 164 without extending into the housing 18 (Fig. 6). Nevertheless, if desired, in alternative embodiments the notch 104 and bore 106 may be positioned on a portion of the ferrule 152 that remains within the housing 18 when the connector 10 is assembled, and the tool 170 may be inserted through an opening in the housing 18 to access the bore 164 and pin retainer 120 (similar principle to the embodiment in Figs. 3-5).

[0045] The tool 170 can be used to manipulate the pin retainer 120 so that the pin retainer at least partially disengages the recessed portions 116 of the guide pins 1 14. For example, as shown in Fig. 12, the tool 170 may be used to force the pin retainer 120 out of the notch 140 and, therefore, completely out of engagement with the guide pins 114. Alternatively, the tool 170 may be used to only slightly change the position of the pin retainer 120, but in a manner sufficient to result in the pin retainer 120 no longer retaining the guide pins 1 14 in the pin holes 108. The pin retainer 120 remains at least partially received in the notch 104 in such embodiments. Either way, the disengagement of the pin retainer 120 from the guide pins 114 allows the guide pins 114 to be removed in a direction from the front end face 108 of the ferrule 152.

[0046] As can be appreciated, the embodiments disclosed herein advantageously allow the removal of guide pins from a ferrule of a fiber optic connector without disassembling the connector. The opposite is also true— the embodiments also allow installation of guide pins in a ferrule of a fiber optic connector without disassembling the connector. For example, a fiber optic connector can be initially assembled with the pin retain but without the guide pins so as to initially be in a female configuration. To change the fiber optic connector to a male configuration, guide pins may be inserted through the front end face of the ferrule until portions of the guide pins are, or can be, engaged by the pin retainer. It may or may not be necessary to manipulate the pin retainer to achieve proper engagement with the guide pins. Even if such manipulation is required, it may be achieved in ways similar to those discussed above in connection with the embodiments of Figs. 3-12. The pin retainer may be manipulated without removing the ferrule from the housing of the associated connector.

[0047] Persons skilled in optical connectivity will appreciate additional variations and modifications of the devices and methods already described. Additionally, where a method claim below does not explicitly recite a step mentioned in the description above, it should not be assumed that the step is required by the claim. Furthermore, where a method claim below does not actually recite an order to be followed by its steps or an order is otherwise not required based on the claim language, it is no way intended that any particular order be inferred.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A fiber optic connector, comprising:

a housing;

a ferrule at least partially received in the housing, the ferrule having a front end face and at least one pin hole extending into the ferrule from the front end face;

at least one guide pin received in the at least one pin hole, the at least one guide pin extending from the at least one pin hole so as to project beyond the front end face of the ferrule; and

a pin retainer engaged with the at least one guide pin to retain the at least one guide pin in the at least one pin hole;

wherein the pin retainer can be disengaged from the at least one guide pin while the ferrule is at least partially received in the housing.

2. A fiber optic connector according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a retention body at least partially received in the housing opposite the ferrule, wherein the retention body engages the housing, and further wherein the pin retainer can be disengaged from the at least guide pin while the retention body remains engaged with the housing.

3. A fiber optic connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein:

the ferrule includes a plurality of micro-holes extending into the ferrule from the front end face;

the at least one pin hole comprises first and second pin holes on opposite sides of the plurality of micro-holes; and

the at least one guide pin comprises first and second guide pins received in the first and second pin holes, respectively.

4. A fiber optic connector according to any of claims 1-3, wherein:

the housing includes a front end, a back end, a cavity extending between the front end and back end, and at least one opening extending through an outer surface of the housing into the cavity;

the ferrule is at least partially received in the cavity of the housing; and at least a portion of the pin retainer is accessible via the at least one opening in the outer surface of the housing so that the pin retainer can be disengaged from the at least one guide pin.

5. A fiber optic connector according to any of claims 1-3, wherein:

the pin retainer is positioned behind the ferrule within the housing;

the at least one guide pin hole extends between the front end face and a back end face of the ferrule; and

the at least one guide pin extends through the at least one guide pin hole to engage the pin retainer.

6. A fiber optic connector according to claim 5, further comprising:

a spring biasing the ferrule within the housing via the pin retainer, wherein the pin retainer includes a portion defining a spring seat that is contacted by the spring.

7. A fiber optic connector according to any of claims 1-4, wherein:

the ferrule further includes a back end face, an outer surface between the front end face and back end face, and at least one notch formed in the outer surface of the ferrule;

the at least one pin hole intersects the at least one notch; and

the pin retainer engages the at least one guide pin in the at least one notch.

8. A fiber optic connector according to claim 7, wherein:

the housing includes a front end, a back end, a cavity extending between the front end and back end, and at least one front opening into the cavity at the front end;

the ferrule is at least partially received in the cavity of the housing;

a space is defined in the cavity between the outer surface of the ferrule and an inner surface of the housing; and

at least a portion of the pin retainer is accessible via the front opening and the space so that the pin retainer can be disengaged from the at least one guide pin.

9. A fiber optic connector according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the pin retainer is received in the at least one notch with at least a portion of the pin retainer extending beyond the outer surface of the ferrule.

10. A fiber optic connector according to any of claims 7-9, wherein the ferrule extends through the front opening of the housing, and further wherein the at least one notch is on a portion of the ferrule positioned within the housing.

11. A fiber optic connector according to any of claims 7-10, wherein the ferrule further includes a bore extending from a first side of the outer surface of the ferrule to a second side of the outer surface of the ferrule, the bore being covered by the pin retainer on the second side of the outer surface of the ferrule so that the pin retainer can be accessed via the bore from the first side of the outer surface of the ferrule.

12. A fiber optic connector according to claim 11 , wherein the bore is on a portion of the ferrule extending from the housing.

13. A fiber optic connector according to claim 11 or 12, wherein:

the ferrule includes first and second groups of micro-holes extending into the ferrule from the front end face, each micro-hole being configured to receive an optical fiber, the ferrule being free of micro-holes between the first and second groups of micro-holes, and the bore extending through the ferrule between the first and second groups of micro-holes.

14. A ferrule assembly for a fiber optic connector, comprising:

a ferrule having a front end face, a back end face, an outer surface between the front end face and rear end face, at least one notch formed in the outer surface, and at least one pin hole extending into the ferrule from the front end face and intersecting the at least one notch;

at least one guide pin configured to be received in the at least one pin hole, the at least one guide pin extending from the at least one pin hole when received therein so as to project beyond the front end face of the ferrule; and

a pin retainer configured to engage the least one guide pin in the at least one notch to retain the at least one guide pin in the at least one pin hole.

15. A ferrule assembly according to claim 14, wherein the pin retainer is received in the at least one notch with at least a portion of the pin retainer extending beyond the outer surface of the ferrule.

16. A ferrule assembly according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the ferrule further includes a bore extending from a first side of the outer surface to a second side of the outer surface, the bore being covered by the pin retainer on the second side of the outer surface so that the pin retainer can be accessed via the bore from the first side of the outer surface.

17. A ferrule assembly according to any of claims 14-16, wherein the ferrule includes first and second groups of micro-holes extending into the ferrule from the front end face, each micro- hole being configured to receive an optical fiber, the ferrule being free of micro-holes between the first and second groups of micro-holes, and the bore extending through the ferrule between the first and second groups of micro-holes.

18. A method of changing the gender configuration of a fiber optic connector that includes a housing, a ferrule at least partially retained in the housing, at least one pin hole extending into the ferrule from a front end face of the ferrule, and a pin retainer interfacing with the ferrule, wherein in a female configuration the at least one pin hole is empty, and wherein in a male configuration the fiber optic connector further includes at least one guide pin received in the at least one pin hole, the at least one guide pin in the male configuration being retained in the at least one pin hole by the pin retainer and extending from the at least one pin hole so as to project beyond the front end face of the ferrule, the method comprising:

accessing the pin retainer while the ferrule is retained in the housing; and

if the fiber optic connector is in a male configuration:

at least partially disengaging the pin retainer from the at least one guide pin; and removing the at least one guide pin from the at least one pin hole while the ferrule is retained in the housing; or

if the ferrule is in a female configuration:

inserting the at least one guide pin into the at least one pin hole from the front end face of the ferrule; and

at least partially engaging the at least one guide pin with the pin retainer while the ferrule is retained in the housing to retain the at least one guide pin in the at least one pin hole.

19. A method according to claim 18, wherein the housing includes a front end, a back end, a cavity extending between the front end and back end, and at least one opening extending through an outer surface of the housing into the cavity, and further wherein accessing the pin retainer comprises: inserting a tool through the at least one opening in the housing to manipulate the pin retainer.

20. A method according to claim 18, wherein the housing includes a front end, a back end, a cavity extending between the front end and back end, and at least one front opening into the cavity at the front end, and further wherein accessing the pin retainer comprises:

inserting a tool through the front opening of the housing and into a space defined between an outer surface of the ferrule and an inner surface of the housing to manipulate the pin retainer.

21. A method according to claim 18, wherein the ferrule includes a back end face, an outer surface between the front end face and back end face, and a bore extending from a first side of the outer surface to a second side of the outer surface, the bore being covered by the pin retainer on the second side of the outer surface, and further wherein accessing the pin retainer comprises: inserting a tool through the bore of the ferrule from the first side of the outer surface to manipulate the pin retainer.

22. A method according to claim 21, wherein the bore is on a portion of the ferrule extending from the housing such that the tool does not extend into the housing when being inserted through the bore of the ferrule.

23. A method according to any of claims 19-22, wherein the ferrule further includes at least one notch formed in the outer surface of the ferrule, the pin retainer being at least partially received in the at least one notch, the at least one pin hole intersecting the at least one notch, and further wherein the pin retainer remains at least partially received in the at least one notch when manipulated by the tool.