Multi-fiber push-in (MPO) connector configured to be assembled in situ after being pushed through conduit

Abstract

A multi-fiber push-in (MPO) connector configured to be assembled in situ after being pushed through a conduit may include a ferrule portion configured to terminate optical fibers of a multi-fiber cable and a subassembly portion. The subassembly portion may be configured to include an adapter portion that may be configured to couple with the ferrule portion, a retention portion that may be configured to couple with the multi-fiber cable, and a biasing portion that may be configured to extend on one or more sides of an optical fiber of the multi-fiber cable and couple the adapter portion with the retention portion. The biasing portion may be configured to apply one or more biasing forces to the adapter portion at one or more sides of the optical fiber to urge the ferrule portion in a forward direction such that the one or more biasing forces are balanced at such one or more sides of the optical fiber.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 325,572, filed on March 30, 2022, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to optical fiber connectors, and more particularly, to a ferrule assembly for a pushable multi-fiber push-on connector. Background Art

[0004] Optical fiber is useful in various applications including the telecommunication industry for voice, video and data transmission. In telecommunication systems using optical fiber, there are usually many locations to connect the fiber optic cable carrying the optical fiber to equipment or other fiber optic cables. In order to conveniently provide these connections, optical connectors are usually provided on the ends of the fiber optic cables. The process of terminating the individual optical fibers from the fiber optic cable is referred to as "connection (connectorization)". The connection can be completed in a factory, thereby producing a "pre-connected" or "pre-terminated" fiber optic cable, or the connection can be completed on site (e.g., using a "field installable" connector).

[0005] There are many different types of optical connectors. Multi-fiber connectors are most widely used in environments that require high-density interconnects and / or high bandwidth, such as data centers. One example is the Multi-fiber PushOn (MPO) connector, which incorporates a Mechanical Transfer (MT) ferrule standardized according to TOA-604-5 and IEC 61754-7. Another example is the Connector, the The connector is a specific type of MPO connector ( is a trademark of Conec Ltd.). These connectors enable very high fiber density, reducing the hardware, space, and effort required to create large numbers of interconnects.

[0006] However, conventional MPO connectors are too large to be pushed through conduits used in fiber optic cable distribution, such as conduits having an inner diameter of less than 10 mm, and in some aspects, such as conduits having an inner diameter of 5.5 mm. Therefore, it may be desirable to provide an MPO connector having a ferrule portion that can terminate a multi-fiber cable and be pushed through the conduit and having a subassembly that can be coupled to the ferrule portion in the field to assemble the MPO connector after the terminated multi-fiber cable has been pushed through the conduit.

[0007] It may be desirable to provide an MPO connector having a biasing portion (e.g., one or more biasing members) that may be configured to apply a biasing force to the ferrule, such as by applying one or more balanced biasing forces on opposite sides of the optical fiber, thereby urging the ferrule in a forward direction. Summary of the invention

[0008] According to various aspects of the present disclosure, a multi-fiber push-on (MPO) connector that can be configured to be assembled on-site after being pushed through a duct can include a ferrule portion and a subassembly portion, the ferrule portion being configured to terminate the optical fibers of a multi-fiber cable. The subassembly can include a ferrule portion and a subassembly portion, the ferrule portion being configured to terminate the optical fibers of the multi-fiber cable, the subassembly portion including an adapter portion that can be configured to couple with the ferrule portion, a retaining portion that can be configured to couple with the multi-fiber cable, and a biasing member that can be configured to extend longitudinally to engage the adapter portion and the retaining portion. The biasing member can include a first biasing member and a second biasing member, the first biasing member being configured to extend on a first side of the optical fibers of the multi-fiber cable, the second biasing member being configured to extend on a second side of the optical fibers of the multi-fiber cable, and the first side of the optical fibers of the multi-fiber cable can be positioned opposite to the second side of the optical fibers of the multi-fiber cable. The adapter portion and the ferrule portion may be configured to cooperate to define an MPO connector ferrule, and the ferrule portion may be configured to have a cross-sectional profile that is smaller than the cross-sectional profile of the MPO connector, such that the ferrule portion is configured to be pushed through a pipe having an inner diameter that is smaller than the cross-sectional profile of the MPO connector ferrule. The ferrule portion may be configured to include a receiving ferrule portion located at a lateral side of the ferrule portion, the receiving ferrule portion may include a plurality of receiving ferrule portions, each of the plurality of receiving ferrule portions is located at a different lateral side of the ferrule portion, and the receiving ferrule portion may include a first receiving ferrule portion located at a first lateral side of the ferrule portion and a second receiving ferrule portion located at a second lateral side of the ferrule portion, the second lateral side of the ferrule portion being located opposite the first lateral side of the ferrule portion. The adapter portion may be configured to include a receiving adapter portion, the receiving adapter portion being configured to be opposite to the receiving ferrule portion of the ferrule portion, and the receiving ferrule portion and the receiving adapter portion are configured to cooperate to define a receiving structure that may be configured to receive an alignment portion. The biasing member can be configured to couple with the alignment portion and to couple with the receiving ferrule portion in the front end portion of the retaining portion to couple the adapter portion to the retaining portion, and the biasing member can be configured to apply a biasing force to the adapter portion to urge the ferrule portion in a forward direction. The first biasing member can be configured to apply a first biasing force adjacent to a first side of the optical fiber, and the second biasing member can be configured to apply a second biasing force adjacent to a second side of the optical fiber, the second side of the optical fiber being located on an opposite side of the optical fiber relative to the first side of the optical fiber, and the first biasing force and the second biasing force are configured to provide balanced biasing forces on the opposite sides of the optical fiber.The adapter portion, the retaining portion, and the biasing member can be configured to be coupled together to assemble the subassembly portion, so that the assembled subassembly portion can be coupled to the collar portion, and the assembled subassembly portion can be configured to couple to the collar portion after the collar portion is pushed through the pipe, thereby simplifying the on-site assembly of the MPO connector.

[0009] In some embodiments, the biasing member may include a compression spring.

[0010] In one or more of the above embodiments, the holding portion may include two body portions configured to be connected to each other via a hinge portion.

[0011] In one or more of the above embodiments, the hinge portion may include a living hinge.

[0012] In one or more of the above embodiments, the retaining portion may include a single unitary structure of integral construction.

[0013] In one or more of the above embodiments, the connector may further include a housing portion configured to be coupled to a retaining member and a shell portion configured to be coupled to the housing. In some aspects, the housing portion may be configured to accommodate a biasing portion configured to abut against a forward-facing surface of the housing portion and a rearward-facing surface of the housing portion to push the housing portion in the forward direction. In some aspects, the connector may be configured to be disconnected from a mating adapter by overcoming the force of the biasing portion to push the housing portion in a rearward direction, thereby transferring the pushing force to the housing instead of the cable.

[0014] In one or more of the above embodiments, the receiving structure may be configured to receive an alignment member from a mating MPO connector.

[0015] According to various aspects of the present disclosure, a multi-fiber push-on (MPO) connector that can be configured to be assembled on-site after being pushed through a conduit can include a ferrule portion and a subassembly portion, the ferrule portion being configured to terminate an optical fiber of a multi-fiber cable, the subassembly portion including an adapter portion that can be configured to couple with the ferrule portion, a retaining portion that can be configured to couple with the multi-fiber cable, and a biasing portion that can be configured to extend on the opposite side of the optical fiber of the multi-fiber cable and couple the adapter portion to the retaining portion. The adapter portion and the ferrule portion can be configured to cooperate to define an MPO connector ferrule, and the ferrule portion can be configured to be pushed through a conduit having an inner diameter that is smaller than the cross-sectional profile of the MPO connector ferrule. The biasing portion can be configured to couple with the adapter portion and the retaining portion to couple the adapter portion to the retaining portion, and the biasing portion can be configured to apply a separate biasing force to the adapter portion on the opposite side of the optical fiber, thereby pushing the ferrule portion in a forward direction so that the biasing force is balanced on the opposite side of the optical fiber. The adapter portion, the retaining portion, and the biasing portion can be configured to be coupled together to assemble the subassembly portion, so that the assembled subassembly portion can be coupled to the ring portion, and the assembled subassembly portion can be configured to be coupled to the ring portion after the ring portion is pushed through the pipe, thereby simplifying the on-site assembly of the MPO connector.

[0016] In one or more of the above embodiments, the biasing portion may include two biasing members disposed parallel to each other on opposite sides of the optical fiber.

[0017] In one or more of the above embodiments, each of the biasing members may include a compression spring.

[0018] In one or more of the above embodiments, the holding portion may include two body portions configured to be connected to each other via a hinge portion.

[0019] In one or more of the above embodiments, the hinge portion may include a living hinge.

[0020] In one or more of the above embodiments, the retaining portion may include a single unitary structure of integral construction.

[0021] In one or more of the above embodiments, the connector may further include a housing portion configured to be coupled to the retaining member and a shell portion configured to be coupled to the housing. In some aspects, the shell portion may be configured to accommodate a second biasing portion configured to abut against a forward-facing surface of the housing portion and a rearward-facing surface of the shell portion to push the shell portion in the forward direction. In some aspects, the connector may be configured to be disconnected from a mating adapter by overcoming the force of the biasing portion to push the shell portion in the rearward direction, thereby transferring the pushing force to the housing instead of the cable.

[0022] In one or more of the above embodiments, the loop portion can be configured to include a first receiving portion located at an opposite lateral side of the loop portion, the adapter portion can be configured to include a second receiving portion opposite to the first receiving portion of the loop portion, and the first receiving portion and the second receiving portion can be configured to cooperate to define a receiving structure configured to receive the alignment portion.

[0023] In one or more of the above embodiments, the receiving structure may be configured to receive an alignment member from a mating MPO connector.

[0024] According to various aspects of the present disclosure, a multi-fiber push-on (MPO) connector that can be configured to be assembled in the field after being pushed through a duct can include a ferrule portion and a subassembly portion, the ferrule portion being configured to terminate optical fibers of a multi-fiber cable, the subassembly portion including an adapter portion that can be configured to couple with the ferrule portion, a retaining portion that can be configured to couple with the multi-fiber cable, and a biasing portion that can be configured to extend on opposite sides of the optical fibers of the multi-fiber cable and couple the adapter portion to the retaining portion. The biasing portion can be configured to apply a separate biasing force to the adapter portion on opposite sides of the optical fibers, thereby pushing the ferrule portion in a forward direction, such that the biasing force is balanced on opposite sides of the optical fibers.

[0025] In one or more of the above embodiments, the adapter portion, the retaining portion and the biasing portion can be configured to be coupled together to assemble the sub-assembly portion, so that the assembled sub-assembly portion can be coupled to the ring portion, and the assembled sub-assembly portion can be configured to be coupled to the ring portion after the ring portion is pushed through the pipe, thereby simplifying the on-site assembly of the MPO connector.

[0026] In one or more of the above embodiments, the adapter portion and the collar portion can be configured to cooperate to define an MPO connector collar, and the collar portion can be configured to be pushed through a pipe having an inner diameter smaller than a cross-sectional profile of the MPO connector collar.

[0027] In one or more of the above embodiments, the biasing portion may be configured to couple with the adapter portion and the retaining portion to couple the adapter portion with the retaining portion.

[0028] In one or more of the above embodiments, the biasing portion may include two biasing members disposed parallel to each other on opposite sides of the optical fiber.

[0029] In one or more of the above embodiments, each of the biasing members may include a compression spring.

[0030] In one or more of the above embodiments, the holding portion may include two body portions configured to be connected to each other via a hinge portion.

[0031] In one or more of the above embodiments, the hinge portion may include a living hinge.

[0032] In one or more of the above embodiments, the retaining portion may include a single unitary structure of integral construction.

[0033] In one or more of the above embodiments, the connector may further include a housing portion configured to be coupled to the retaining member and a shell portion configured to be coupled to the housing. The shell portion may be configured to accommodate a second biasing portion configured to abut against a forward-facing surface of the housing portion and a rearward-facing surface of the shell portion to push the shell portion in the forward direction. The connector may be configured to be disconnected from a mating adapter by overcoming the force of the biasing portion to push the shell portion in the rearward direction, thereby transferring the pushing force to the housing instead of the cable.

[0034] In one or more of the above embodiments, the loop portion can be configured to include a first receiving portion located at an opposite lateral side of the loop portion, the adapter portion can be configured to include a second receiving portion opposite to the first receiving portion of the loop portion, and wherein the first receiving portion and the second receiving portion can be configured to cooperate to define a receiving structure configured to receive the alignment portion.

[0035] In one or more of the above embodiments, the receiving structure may be configured to receive an alignment member from a mating MPO connector.

[0036] The foregoing and other features of the construction and operation of the present invention will be more readily understood and fully appreciated from the following detailed disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] FIG1 is a perspective view of a conventional optical fiber connector;

[0038] FIG2 is an exploded perspective view of the conventional optical fiber connector of FIG1 ;

[0039] Figure 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary fiber optic connector according to various aspects of the present disclosure;

[0040] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A top cross-sectional view of an optical fiber connector;

[0041] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 An exploded top view of an adapter subassembly of a fiber optic connector;

[0042] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A perspective view of an adapter subassembly;

[0043] Figure 7 yes Figure 5 A top view of an adapter subassembly;

[0044] Figure 8 yes Figure 5 A front view of a biasing member and a retaining member of an adapter subassembly;

[0045] Fig. 9 yes Figure 5 A front perspective view of a retaining member of an adapter subassembly;

[0046] Fig.10 yes Figure 5 A top view of a portion of a retaining member of an adapter subassembly, wherein a crimp sleeve is received in the retaining member;

[0047] Fig.11 yes Figure 5 a rear view of a retaining member of the adapter subassembly with the crimp sleeve received in the retaining member;

[0048] Fig.12 is used with Figure 3 A perspective view of an exemplary protective cap for use with a ferrule assembly of an optical fiber connector;

[0049] Fig.13 Yes Receive Figure 3 Ferrule assembly of fiber optic connector Fig.12 A three-dimensional image of a protective cap;

[0050] Fig.14 is with Figure 3 The ferrule assembly of the optical fiber connector is coupled to Fig.12 A three-dimensional image of a protective cap;

[0051] Fig.15 yes Figure 3 A perspective view of a ferrule assembly of a fiber optic connector, wherein Fig.12 The protective cap is removed;

[0052] Fig.16 Is Figure 5 The retaining member of the adapter subassembly receives the Figure 3 A perspective view of a ferrule assembly of an optical fiber connector;

[0053] Fig.17 is with Figure 5 The retaining member of the adapter subassembly is coupled to Figure 3 A perspective view of a ferrule assembly of an optical fiber connector;

[0054] Fig.18 yes Fig.17 a perspective view of the coupled ferrule assembly and adapter subassembly, wherein the sheath is coupled to the retaining member;

[0055] Fig.19 yes Figure 3 A three-dimensional view of a housing of an optical fiber connector;

[0056] Fig. 20 yes Figure 3 Another perspective view of the optical fiber connector;

[0057] Fig.21 Is coupled with an adapter Figure 3 A top cross-sectional view of an optical fiber connector;

[0058] Fig. 22 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an exemplary ferrule adapter according to various aspects of the present disclosure;

[0059] Fig.23 Yes Fig.23 an exploded top view of an exemplary adapter subassembly of a ferrule adapter;

[0060] Fig.24 yes Fig.23 a top cross-sectional view of an adapter subassembly; and

[0061] Fig.25 Yes Fig.24 A top cross-sectional view of an exemplary fiber optic connector of an adapter subassembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0062] As a preface to the detailed description, it is noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include singular / plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0063] Figures 1 and 2 show A conventional optical fiber connector 100 in the form of a connector (also referred to as an "optical connector" or simply a "connector"), which The connector is a specific type of MPO connector ( is a trademark of the American company Conax).

[0064] 1 , the connector 100 may be installed on a fiber optic cable 112 (“cable”) to form a fiber optic cable assembly 114. The connector includes a ferrule 116, a housing 118 received on the ferrule 116, a slider 120 received on the housing 118, and a jacket 122 received on the cable 112. The ferrule 116 is biased within the housing 118 such that a front portion 124 of the ferrule 116 extends beyond a front end 126 of the housing 118. An optical fiber (not shown) carried by the cable 112 extends through a hole / micro-hole 128 in the ferrule 116 before being terminated at or near an end face 130 of the ferrule 116. The optical fiber is secured within the ferrule 116 using an adhesive material (e.g., epoxy), and when the housing 120 is inserted into an adapter, a receptacle, or the like, the optical fiber can present an optical coupling with an optical fiber of a matching optical component (e.g., another fiber optic connector; not shown).

[0065] As shown in FIG. 2 , the connector 100 also includes a ferrule boot 132, a guide pin assembly 134, a biasing member 136, a retaining member 138 (also referred to as a crimp body), and a crimp ring 140. The ferrule boot 132 is received in a rear portion 142 of the ferrule 116 to help support the optical fiber extending into the ferrule hole 128 ( FIG. 1 ). The guide pin assembly 134 includes a pair of guide pins 144 extending from a pin retainer 146. Features on the pin retainer 146 cooperate with features on the guide pins 144 to retain portions of the guide pins 144 within the pin retainer 146. When the connector 100 is assembled, the pin retainer 146 is positioned against the back surface of the ferrule 116, and the guide pins 144 extend through the pin holes 148 ( FIG. 1 ) provided in the ferrule 116 so as to protrude beyond the front face 130 of the ferrule 116.

[0066] The ferrule 116 and the guide pin assembly 134 are each biased to a forward position relative to the housing 118 by a spring 136. More specifically, the spring 136 is located between the pin retainer 146 and a portion of the crimp body 138. When the connector 100 is assembled, the crimp body 138 is inserted into the housing 118, and the crimp body 138 includes a latch arm 150 that engages a recess or opening 152 in the housing 118. When the connector 100 is assembled, the spring 136 is compressed and exerts a biasing force on the ferrule 116 via the pin retainer 146 to push the front portion 124 of the ferrule 116 beyond the front end 126 of the housing 118. The rear portion 142 of the ferrule 116 defines a flange that interacts with a shoulder or stop formed in the housing 118 to retain the rear portion 142 in the housing 118, i.e., to prevent the ferrule 116 from being pushed out of the front end 126 of the housing 118.

[0067] In a manner not shown in the figure, an aramid yarn or other strength member from the cable 112 can be positioned on an end portion 154 of the crimp body 138 that protrudes backward from the housing 118. The aramid yarn can be secured to the end portion 154 by a crimp ring 140 that slides over the end portion 154 and deforms after positioning the aramid yarn. As shown in FIG. 1 , the sheath 122 covers this area and provides strain relief for the optical fiber by limiting the extent to which the connector 100 can be bent relative to the cable 112. In order to insert the connector 100 into an adapter or receptacle, the connector 100 is configured so that a user grasps the sheath 122 and pushes the connector 100 into the adapter or receptacle, thereby allowing the housing to be fully inserted to properly engage / match with the adapter or receptacle. In order to disengage the connector 100 from the adapter or receptacle, the user grasps the slider 120 and pulls it away from the adapter or receptacle, and the slider 120 can be biased relative to the housing 118 by a spring 156 ( FIG. 2 ). Thus, pulling forces are transferred directly to the housing 118 (rather than the cable 112) to disengage the housing 118 from the adapter or receptacle.

[0068] Now refer to Figures 3 to 21 , these figures illustrate and describe an exemplary fiber optic connector 300 according to various aspects of the present disclosure. The fiber optic connector 300 is in the form of an MPO connector. Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, connector 300 can be installed on fiber optic cable 312 ("cable") to form fiber optic cable assembly 314. Connector 300 includes a ferrule or ferrule portion 316 (e.g., a mechanical transfer (MT) ferrule), a housing or housing portion 318 configured to be received on ferrule 316, a shell or housing portion 320 configured to be received on housing 318, and a jacket or jacket portion 322 configured to be received on cable 312. Ferrule 316 is configured to be spring biased within housing 318 toward a front end portion 326 of housing 318. Optical fiber 302 carried by cable 312 extends through a receiving portion 328 in ferrule 316 before being terminated at or near an end face portion 330 of ferrule 316. For example, receiving portion 328 can include a hole / micro-hole. The optical fiber 302 can be secured within the ferrule 316 using an adhesive material (e.g., epoxy), and when the housing 318 is inserted into an adapter, or a receptacle, etc., the optical fiber 302 can present an optical coupling with an optical fiber of a mating component (e.g., another optical fiber connector; not shown). The connector 300 can also include a cover portion or dust cap 305 that is configured to couple with an end portion 330 of the ferrule 316 to protect the ferrule 316 and the optical fiber 302 therein.

[0069] Although the figures show that the ferrule 316 terminates twelve optical fibers of the multi-fiber cable 312, it should be understood that the ferrule 316 can be configured to terminate fewer than twelve optical fibers or more than twelve optical fibers of the multi-fiber cable. For example, in some aspects, the ferrule 316 can be configured to terminate six optical fibers of the multi-fiber cable, and in other aspects, the ferrule 316 can be configured to terminate twenty-four optical fibers of the multi-fiber cable.

[0070] Reference Figures 5 to 8, the connector 300 also includes a subassembly portion or adapter subassembly 332, which includes an adapter portion or ferrule adapter 334, a biasing portion 336, and a retaining portion or retaining member 338. The ferrule adapter 334 includes a pair of channels 337 configured to receive a pin 366 extending through the ferrule adapter 334. The ferrule adapter 334 includes a bore portion 331 and a narrow neck portion 333, the bore portion 331 being configured to receive a flange portion 367 of the pin 366, the narrow neck portion 333 being configured to define a shoulder 335 that limits forward movement of the pin 366 relative to the ferrule adapter 334. For example, each pin 366 includes a flange portion 367 that is configured to be received in one of the bore portions 331, but is too large to be received by the narrow neck portion 333, and engages with the shoulder 335 to limit forward movement. The elongated portion 370 of each pin 366 extends from the flange portion 367 in a forward direction and is configured to be received in a corresponding one of the channels 337 of the ferrule adapter 334 and the outer channel 317 of the ferrule 316. That is, each channel 337 of the ferrule adapter 334 and a corresponding one of the outer channels 317 of the ferrule 316 cooperate to define a hole configured to receive the pin 366.

[0071] The biasing portion 336 is configured to uniformly bias the ferrule 316 and the ferrule adapter 334 in a forward direction relative to the housing 318. That is, the biasing portion 336 is configured to apply a separate biasing force to the adapter portion 334 on opposite sides of the optical fiber, thereby urging the ferrule portion 316 in a forward direction such that the biasing force is balanced on opposite sides of the optical fiber.

[0072] As shown, the biasing portion 336 may include two biasing members 3361 (e.g., springs). The biasing member 336 includes a first biasing member 3361 and a second biasing member 3361, the first biasing member 3361 being configured to extend on a first side of the optical fiber of the multi-fiber cable, and the second biasing member 3361 being configured to extend on a second side of the optical fiber of the multi-fiber cable. These biasing members 3361 may include compression springs, etc. The first biasing member 3361 is configured to apply a first biasing force in a manner adjacent to the first side of the optical fiber, and the second biasing member 3361 is configured to apply a second biasing force in a manner adjacent to the second side of the optical fiber. The second side of the optical fiber is located on the opposite side of the optical fiber relative to the first side of the optical fiber. The first biasing force and the second biasing force are configured to provide balanced biasing forces on the opposite sides of the optical fiber.

[0073] As shown, each spring 3361 includes a first end portion 346 that is pressed against a rear portion 369 of a corresponding one of the pins 366 that extends in a rearward direction from the flange portion 367. The rear portion 369 may include a first portion 3691 against which the first end portion 346 of the spring 3361 is pressed, and a second portion 3692 that has a narrower diameter than the first portion 3691 and extends further into the spring 366. Each spring 3361 includes a second end portion 347 that is configured to be pressed into the retaining member 338, as discussed in more detail below.

[0074] The retaining member 338 is configured as a one-piece, unitary structure that is integrally constructed and includes a hinge portion 339 (e.g., a living hinge). The retaining member 338 may include a coupling portion 350, which in some aspects may include a pair of forwardly extending latch arms 3501, each latch arm 3501 including an engagement portion 351 (e.g., one or more outwardly extending protrusions 3511) that is configured to engage with a receiving portion 352 (e.g., a notch, recess, or opening) in the side wall 3181 of the housing 318 to couple the retaining member 338 to the housing 318. In the illustrated embodiment, each latch arm 350 includes a partial blind hole that is configured to receive the second end portion 347 of a corresponding one of the springs 336. As shown in FIG. Figure 8 and Fig. 9 As shown, when viewed from the front end, each latch arm 3501 includes a receiving feature 360 ​​(e.g., a hole) defined by an annular wall 362 that forms a portion of the perimeter of the hole 360. For example, in some aspects, the annular wall 362 can extend circumferentially greater than 240°, but less than a full 360°. The annular wall 362 can include a retaining structure 364 that is configured to receive the spring 336 in a press-fit or interference fit relationship. For example, the retaining structure 364 can include one or more ribs 3641 extending radially inward along the length of the hole 360. As shown, the rib 3641 can have a radial dimension that increases in a rearward direction to the wall portion 365 of the hole 360 ​​facing the front end. In some aspects, the annular wall 362 can include three ribs 3641 spaced apart at approximately 120°. The second end portion 347 of each spring 336 is each pressed into a corresponding one of the holes 360 and is retained by the rib 3641 ( Figure 8 ) clamped. Thus, pressing the spring 336 onto the pin 366 and into the hole 360 ​​is configured to hold the adapter subassembly 332 together.

[0075] Refer again Figures 5 to 7, the retaining member 338 includes a rear body portion 348, which may include two body portions 338a, 338b connected to each other by a hinge portion 339. The hinge portion 339 allows the two body portions 338a, 338b to be moved from an open configuration (such as Figures 5 to 7 , Fig.11 and Fig.16 ) moves to a closed configuration (as shown) Fig.17 and Fig.18 399). The first body portion 338a may include a coupling feature 382 (e.g., a snap or snap portion), and the second body portion 338b may include a coupling structure 380 (e.g., a latch or latch portion). In the open configuration, the coupling structure 380 and the coupling feature 382 are disposed at opposite lateral sides of the rear body portion 348. When the two body portions 338a, 338b are pivoted or folded toward the closed configuration relative to each other about the hinge portion 399, the coupling structure 380 is configured to be received by the coupling feature 382. The coupling structure 380 and the coupling feature 382 are configured to engage with each other to hold the two body portions 338a, 338b in the closed configuration.

[0076] The first body portion 338a may include a semi-annular groove portion 388a, which is defined between the front end wall portion 353 of the first body portion 338a and the semi-cylindrical portion 354a extending in the rearward direction from the semi-annular groove 388a. The second body portion 338b may include a notch end portion 388b and a semi-cylindrical portion 354b extending in the rearward direction from the notch end portion 338b. When the two body portions 338a, 338b are in a closed configuration, the notch end portion 388b is configured to align with the semi-annular groove portion 388a to define an annular groove. The semi-cylindrical portion 354a of the first body portion 338a is configured to align with the semi-cylindrical portion 354b of the second body portion 338b to define a through hole 355 when the two body portions 338a, 338b are in a closed configuration.

[0077] like Figure 4 and Fig.10As shown, the semi-annular groove portion 388a is configured to receive a flange portion 341 of a coupling portion 340 (e.g., a crimp sleeve) when the two body portions 338a, 338b are in an open configuration, and the coupling portion is configured to be crimped to the end of the cable 312. The notched end portion 388b is configured to receive the flange portion 341 when the two body portions 338a, 338b are in a closed configuration. The semi-annular groove portion 388a and / or the notched end portion 388b may include a flat portion 389, and the flange portion 341 may include one or more flat portions 349, which are arranged to align with one or more flat portions of one or more semi-annular grooves to prevent the coupling portion 340 and the cable 312 and optical fiber 302 from rotating relative to the retaining member 338. Of course, alternative keying structures may be used in place of the flat portions. When the coupling portion 340 is crimped to the cable 312 , an internal support sleeve (not shown) may be inserted beneath the shield of the cable 312 to protect the optical fiber 302 .

[0078] The retaining member 338 is configured to be inserted into the housing 318 when the connector 300 is assembled, and the protrusion 3511 of each latch arm 350 is configured to engage the opening 352 in a corresponding one of the side walls 3181 of the housing 318. The spring 3361 is configured to be compressed when the retaining member 338 is inserted into the housing 318 and to apply a biasing force on the ferrule 316 via the ferrule adapter 334. The ferrule adapter 334 includes a retaining structure 3341 that is configured to interact with a retaining structure 3182 (e.g., a shoulder or stop) formed in the housing 318 to retain the ferrule 316 and the ferrule adapter 334 in the housing 318. The sheath 322 covers the rear portion of the retaining member 338 (e.g., Figure 3 312) and provides strain relief for the optical fiber 302 by limiting the extent to which the connector 300 can be bent relative to the cable 312. The rear body portion 348 of the retaining member 338 may include a barb 3481 configured to grip the jacket 322.

[0079] To insert the connector 300 into the adapter or receptacle, the connector 300 is configured so that a user grasps the sheath 322 and pushes the connector 300 into the adapter or receptacle. The pin 366 is configured to be inserted into the adapter or receptacle 301 ( Fig.21) is received by a matching connector (not shown), thereby allowing the housing to be fully inserted to properly engage / mate with the adapter or receptacle. To disengage the connector 300 from the adapter or receptacle 301, the user grasps the slider 320 and pulls it away from the adapter or receptacle, and the slider 320 can be biased relative to the housing 318 by the biasing portion 356. The biasing portion 356 can include two springs 3561, for example, compression springs. In this way, the pulling force is directly transmitted to the housing 318 (rather than the cable 312) to disengage the housing 318 from the adapter or receptacle 301.

[0080] Now refer to Figures 12 to 20 , these figures illustrate and describe a process for advancing a cable 312 terminated with a crimp sleeve 340 and ferrule 316 through a conduit and assembling an MPO connector 300. Fig.12 An exemplary protective cap 390 is shown for use with the ferrule assembly 310 to advance the ferrule assembly through a pipe. The protective cap 390 can eliminate sharp edges and blunt surfaces to facilitate advancement through the pipe. Fig.13 A ferrule assembly 310 is shown configured to be pushed through a conduit (e.g., a conduit with an inner diameter less than 10 mm, and in some cases, a conduit with an inner diameter of 5.5 mm). The ferrule assembly 310 includes a ferrule 316 that terminates a plurality of optical fibers 302 and a crimp sleeve 340 that is crimped onto the end of the cable.

[0081] Reference Fig.13 The protective cap 390 is configured to be placed on the ferrule assembly 310 to protect the ferrule 316 and the optical fiber 302. The cap 390 may include a pair of fingers 391, 392 having respective first ends 393, 394 and second ends 395, 396, the first ends 393, 394 being hingedly connected to each other, and the second ends 395, 396 being configured to couple to each other. Fig.12 and Fig.13 As shown, in the open configuration of the cap 390, the second ends 395, 396 are spaced apart from each other. The second ends 395, 396 include arcuate retaining members 397, 398 that are sized so that when the cap is in the closed configuration, a first retaining member 397 of the retaining members can be received and retained by a second retaining member 398 of the retaining members in a nested snap-fit ​​relationship, as shown in FIG. Fig.14As shown. Each of the second ends 395, 396 also includes a semi-annular groove 399a, 399b, which is configured to combine with each other to form an annular groove adjacent to the arc-shaped retaining members 397, 398. The semi-annular grooves 399a, 399b are configured to receive the flange portion 341 of the crimping sleeve 340. One or both of the semi-annular grooves 399a, 399b may include a flat portion, and the flange portion 341 may include one or more flat portions 349, which are arranged to align with one or more flat portions of the one or more semi-annular grooves to prevent the crimping sleeve 340 and the cable 312 and the optical fiber 302 from rotating relative to the cap 390.

[0082] like Fig.13 As shown, the flange portion 341 of the crimping sleeve 340 is inserted into the first arc-shaped retaining member 397 having a smaller inner diameter among the arc-shaped retaining members, and then the second arc-shaped retaining member 398 among the arc-shaped retaining members is engaged with the first arc-shaped retaining member 397 among the arc-shaped retaining members (as shown in FIG. Fig.14 390 is closed. With the cap 390 closed and secured to the crimp sleeve 340, the ferrule assembly 310 is ready to be advanced through the conduit. Once the ferrule assembly 310 with the cap 390 is advanced to the desired location (e.g., a connection location of a fiber optic distribution system), the cap 390 is removed by releasing the arcuate retaining members 397, 398 from each other, thereby releasing the crimp sleeve 340, as shown. Fig.15 shown.

[0083] Next, if Fig.16As shown, the sheath 322 can be moved back on the ferrule assembly 310 and over the crimp sleeve 340 onto the optical fiber cable 312. Then, when the two body halves 338a, 338b are in an open configuration, the crimp sleeve 340 can be placed into the retaining member 338. For example, the flange portion 341 can be placed in the semi-annular groove 388a of the first body half 338a, the neck portion 342 of the crimp sleeve 340 can be placed in the semi-cylindrical portion 354a of the first body half 338a, and the enlarged portion 343 of the crimp sleeve 340 can be placed in the rear portion 358 of the first body half 338a. The rear portion 358 can be a semi-annular structure that is configured to elastically expand to receive the enlarged portion 343 of the crimp sleeve 340 and then retract to securely hold the enlarged portion 343. In addition, the optical fiber 302 extending from the optical fiber cable 312 to the ferrule 316 is located between a pair of forwardly extending latch arms 350 and between the springs 3361 in the lateral direction, and the ferrule 316 is located in front of the latch arms 350. After the crimp sleeve 340 is securely held by the retaining member 338, the second body half 338b can be pivoted about the hinge portion 339 toward the first body half 338a, and the latch 380 and the catch 382 can engage with each other to hold the two body halves 338a, 338b in a closed configuration, as shown in FIG. Fig.17 See Fig.18 , the sheath 322 can move forward over the rear portion 358 of the retaining member 338 .

[0084] Fig.19 An MPO housing 318 is shown that is configured to move over the ferrule 316 and couple to the retaining member 338, as shown in FIG. Fig. 20 For example, the housing 318 can be coupled to the retaining member 338 via the cooperating protrusions 351 of the latch arm 350 and the openings 352 in the sidewalls of the housing 318. Then, the spring 356 of the housing and the housing 320 can be coupled to the housing 318. The housing 320 can include a recessed portion 321 located at the bottom inner surface and / or the top inner surface, the recessed portion 321 having a forward-facing shoulder that is configured to engage a rearward-facing shoulder of a protrusion 319 extending from the bottom outer surface and / or the top outer surface of the housing 318.

[0085] Now refer to Figure 22 to Figure 25 , these figures illustrate and describe an exemplary fiber optic connector 400 according to various aspects of the present disclosure. The fiber optic connector is similar to the fiber optic connector 300 and is in the form of an MPO connector. Fig.25As shown, connector 400 can be installed on fiber optic cable 312 ("cable") to form a fiber optic cable assembly. Similar to connector 300, connector 400 can include a ferrule or ferrule portion (e.g., a mechanical transfer (MT) ferrule), a housing or housing portion configured to be received on the ferrule, a shell or housing portion configured to be received on the housing, and a jacket or jacket portion configured to be received on cable 312.

[0086] The connector includes a subassembly portion or adapter subassembly 432 that includes an adapter portion or ferrule adapter 434, a biasing portion 436, and a retaining portion or retaining member 438. The ferrule adapter 434 includes a pair of channels 437 that are configured to receive alignment portions 466 (e.g., guide pins or alignment pins) extending through the ferrule adapter 434. The ferrule adapter 434 includes an engagement portion 4345 that is configured to receive the alignment portion 466. For example, the engagement portion 4345 can include a radial lip that extends inwardly from an inner surface of the channel 437 of the ferrule adapter 434 to define a forward facing surface and a rearward facing surface.

[0087] The alignment portion 466 may include an elongated pin 470 having a first end 4701 and a second end 4702. Between the first end 4701 and the second end 4702, the alignment portion 466 may include a receiving feature 471, such as an annular groove or channel 4711 configured to receive the engagement portion 4345. The receiving feature 471 may include a first engagement surface 4711 (e.g., a forward-facing engagement surface) configured to engage with a rearward-facing surface of the engagement portion 4345 and a second engagement surface 4712 (e.g., a rearward-facing engagement surface) configured to engage with a forward-facing surface of the engagement portion 4345. The engagement portion 4345 and the receiving feature 471 are configured to couple the alignment portion 466 to the ferrule adapter 434 and limit forward movement of the alignment portion 466 relative to the ferrule adapter 434. Each channel 437 of the ferrule adapter 434 and a corresponding one of the outer channels 417 of the ferrule 416 cooperate to define a bore configured to receive the alignment portion 466 .

[0088] The biasing portion 436 is configured to uniformly bias the ferrule and ferrule adapter 434 in a forward direction relative to the housing. That is, the biasing portion 436 is configured to apply a separate biasing force to the adapter portion 434 on the opposite side of the optical fiber, thereby urging the ferrule portion in the forward direction so that the biasing force is balanced on the opposite side of the optical fiber.

[0089] As shown, the biasing portion 436 may include two biasing members 4361 (e.g., springs). The biasing member 436 includes a first biasing member 4361 and a second biasing member 4361, the first biasing member 4361 being configured to extend on a first side of the optical fiber of the multi-fiber cable, and the second biasing member 4361 being configured to extend on a second side of the optical fiber of the multi-fiber cable. These biasing members 4361 may include compression springs, etc. The first biasing member 4361 is configured to apply a first biasing force in a manner adjacent to the first side of the optical fiber, and the second biasing member 4361 is configured to apply a second biasing force in a manner adjacent to the second side of the optical fiber. The second side of the optical fiber is located on the opposite side of the optical fiber relative to the first side of the optical fiber. The first biasing force and the second biasing force are configured to provide balanced biasing forces on the opposite sides of the optical fiber.

[0090] As shown, each spring 4361 includes a first end portion 446 disposed on a rear portion 469 of a corresponding one of the pins 470, such as without being press-fitted onto the pin 470, and configured to be pressed into a hole in the adapter portion 434, and a second end portion 447 configured to be pressed into a retaining member 438, as discussed in more detail below. The hole in the adapter portion 434 extends from the rear end of the adapter portion 434 to the rearward-facing surface of the engagement portion 4345.

[0091] The retaining member 438 is similar to the retaining member 338 discussed above, and includes a rear body portion including two body portions 438a, 438b, a hinge portion 339 (e.g., a living hinge), a coupling structure 480, and a coupling feature 482. The retaining member 438 can include a coupling portion 450, which in some aspects can include a pair of forwardly extending latch arms 4501, each latch arm 4501 including an engagement portion 451 (e.g., one or more outwardly extending protrusions 4511) configured to engage with a receiving portion (e.g., a notch, recess, or opening) in a side wall of the housing to couple the retaining member 438 to the housing. In the illustrated embodiment, each latch arm 450 includes a partial blind hole configured to receive the second end portion 447 of a corresponding one of the springs 436.

[0092] The retention member 438 is configured to be inserted into the housing when the connector 400 is assembled, and the protrusion 4511 of each latch arm 450 is configured to engage the opening 352 in a corresponding one of the side walls 3181 of the housing 318. The spring 4361 is configured to be compressed when the retention member 438 is inserted into the housing 318 and exert a biasing force on the ferrule 316 via the ferrule adapter 434. The ferrule adapter 434 includes a retention structure 4341 that is configured to interact with a retention structure 3182 (e.g., a shoulder or stop) formed in the housing 318 to retain the ferrule 316 and the ferrule adapter 434 in the housing 318. A jacket can cover a rear portion of the retention member 438 and provide strain relief for the optical fiber 302 by limiting the extent to which the connector 400 can bend relative to the cable 312. The rear body portion 448 of the retention member 438 can include a barb configured to grip the jacket.

[0093] Although the present invention has been described according to several preferred embodiments, there are changes, permutations and equivalents that fall within the scope of the present invention. It should also be noted that there are many alternatives to the methods and devices of the present invention. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to be interpreted as including all such changes, permutations and equivalents that fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A multi-fiber push-on (MPO) connector, the connector being configured to be assembled on site after being pushed through a duct, the connector comprising: a ferrule portion configured to terminate optical fibers of a multi-fiber cable; a subassembly portion including an adapter portion configured to couple with the ferrule portion, a retaining portion configured to couple with the multi-fiber cable, and a biasing member configured to extend longitudinally to engage the adapter portion and the retaining portion; wherein the biasing member comprises a first biasing member and a second biasing member, the first biasing member being configured to extend on a first side of the optical fiber of the multi-optical fiber cable, and the second biasing member being configured to extend on a second side of the optical fiber of the multi-optical fiber cable; wherein the first side of the optical fibers of the multi-optical fiber cable is positioned opposite the second side of the optical fibers of the multi-optical fiber cable; wherein the adapter portion and the ferrule portion are configured to cooperate to define an MPO connector ferrule; wherein the ferrule portion is configured to have a cross-sectional profile that is smaller than a cross-sectional profile of the MPO connector, such that the ferrule portion is configured to be pushed through a pipe having an inner diameter that is smaller than the cross-sectional profile of the MPO connector ferrule; wherein the collar portion is configured to include a receiving collar portion located at a lateral side of the collar portion; wherein the receiving collar portion comprises a plurality of receiving collar portions, each of the plurality of receiving collar portions being located at a different lateral side of the collar portion; wherein the receiving collar portion comprises a first receiving collar portion located at a first lateral side of the collar portion and a second receiving collar portion located at a second lateral side of the collar portion, the second lateral side of the collar portion being located opposite to the first lateral side of the collar portion; wherein the adapter portion is configured to include a receiving adapter portion, the receiving adapter portion being configured to oppose the receiving ferrule portion of the ferrule portion; wherein the receiving ferrule portion and the receiving adapter portion are configured to cooperate to define a receiving structure configured to receive an alignment portion; wherein the biasing member is configured to couple with the alignment portion and to couple with a receiving collar portion in a front end portion of the retaining portion to couple the adapter portion to the retaining portion; wherein the biasing member is configured to apply a biasing force to the adapter portion to urge the collar portion in a forward direction; wherein the first biasing member is configured to apply a first biasing force adjacent to a first side of the optical fiber, and the second biasing member is configured to apply a second biasing force adjacent to a second side of the optical fiber; wherein the second side of the optical fiber is located on an opposite side of the optical fiber relative to the first side of the optical fiber; wherein the first biasing force and the second biasing force are configured to provide balanced biasing forces on opposite sides of the optical fiber; wherein the adapter portion, the retaining portion, and the biasing member are configured to be coupled together to assemble the subassembly portion such that the assembled subassembly portion is capable of coupling with the ferrule portion; and The assembled subassembly portion is configured to couple with the ferrule portion after the ferrule portion is pushed through a pipe, thereby simplifying on-site assembly of the MPO connector.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein: The biasing member includes a compression spring.

3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein: The holding portion includes two body portions configured to be connected to each other through a hinge portion.

4. The connector according to claim 3, wherein: The hinge portion includes a living hinge.

5. The connector according to claim 3, wherein: The retaining portion comprises a single unitary structure of integral construction.

6. The connector according to claim 1, wherein: The connector further comprises: a housing portion configured to couple with the retaining member; a housing portion configured to be coupled to the housing; wherein the housing portion is configured to accommodate a biasing portion configured to abut against a forward-facing surface of the housing portion and a rearward-facing surface of the housing portion to urge the housing portion in the forward direction; and Wherein, the connector is configured to be disconnected from the mating adapter by pushing the housing portion in a rearward direction against the force of the biasing portion, thereby transmitting the pushing force to the housing instead of the cable.

7. The connector according to claim 1, wherein: The receiving structure is configured to receive an alignment member from a mating MPO connector.

8. A multi-fiber push-on (MPO) connector, the connector being configured to be assembled in the field after being pushed through a duct, the connector comprising: a ferrule portion configured to terminate optical fibers of a multi-fiber cable; a subassembly portion including an adapter portion configured to couple with the ferrule portion, a retaining portion configured to couple with the multi-fiber cable, and a biasing portion configured to extend on opposite sides of the optical fibers of the multi-fiber cable and couple the adapter portion with the retaining portion; wherein the adapter portion and the ferrule portion are configured to cooperate to define an MPO connector ferrule; wherein the ferrule portion is configured to be pushed through a pipe having an inner diameter smaller than a cross-sectional profile of the MPO connector ferrule; wherein the biasing portion is configured to couple with the adapter portion and the retaining portion to couple the adapter portion with the retaining portion; wherein the biasing portion is configured to apply a separate biasing force to the adapter portion on opposite sides of the optical fiber, thereby urging the ferrule portion in a forward direction such that the biasing force is balanced on opposite sides of the optical fiber; wherein the adapter portion, the retaining portion, and the biasing portion are configured to be coupled together to assemble the subassembly portion such that the assembled subassembly portion can be coupled to the ferrule portion; and The assembled subassembly portion is configured to couple with the ferrule portion after the ferrule portion is pushed through a pipe, thereby simplifying on-site assembly of the MPO connector.

9. The connector according to claim 8, wherein: The biasing portion includes two biasing members disposed in parallel with each other at opposite sides of the optical fiber.

10. The connector according to claim 9, wherein: Each of the biasing members comprises a compression spring.

11. The connector according to claim 8, wherein: The holding portion includes two body portions configured to be connected to each other through a hinge portion.

12. The connector according to claim 11, wherein: The hinge portion includes a living hinge.

13. The connector according to claim 11, wherein: The retaining portion comprises a single unitary structure of integral construction.

14. The connector according to claim 8, wherein: The connector further comprises: a housing portion configured to couple with the retaining member; a housing portion configured to be coupled to the housing; wherein the housing portion is configured to accommodate a second biasing portion configured to abut against a forward-facing surface of the housing portion and a rearward-facing surface of the housing portion to urge the housing portion in the forward direction; and Wherein, the connector is configured to be disconnected from the mating adapter by pushing the housing portion in a rearward direction against the force of the biasing portion, thereby transmitting the pushing force to the housing instead of the cable.

15. The connector according to claim 8, wherein: The collar portion is configured to include a first receiving portion located at an opposite lateral side of the collar portion, wherein the adapter portion is configured to include a second receiving portion opposite the first receiving portion of the collar portion, and wherein the first receiving portion and the second receiving portion are configured to cooperate to define a receiving structure configured to receive an alignment portion.

16. The connector according to claim 15, wherein: The receiving structure is configured to receive an alignment member from a mating MPO connector.

17. A multi-fiber push-on (MPO) connector, the connector being configured to be assembled in the field after being pushed through a duct, the connector comprising: a ferrule portion configured to terminate optical fibers of a multi-fiber cable; a subassembly portion including an adapter portion configured to couple with the ferrule portion, a retaining portion configured to couple with the multi-fiber cable, and a biasing portion configured to extend on opposite sides of the optical fibers of the multi-fiber cable and couple the adapter portion with the retaining portion; and Wherein, the biasing portion is configured to apply a separate biasing force to the adapter portion on the opposite side of the optical fiber, thereby pushing the ferrule portion in a forward direction so that the biasing force is balanced on the opposite side of the optical fiber.

18. The connector according to claim 17, wherein: The adapter portion, the retaining portion, and the biasing portion are configured to be coupled together to assemble the subassembly portion, so that the assembled subassembly portion can be coupled to the collar portion, and wherein the assembled subassembly portion is configured to be coupled to the collar portion after the collar portion is pushed through a pipe, thereby simplifying on-site assembly of the MPO connector.

19. The connector according to claim 17, wherein: The adapter portion and the ferrule portion are configured to cooperate to define an MPO connector ferrule, and wherein the ferrule portion is configured to be pushed through a tubing having an inner diameter that is smaller than a cross-sectional profile of the MPO connector ferrule.

20. The connector according to claim 17, wherein: The biasing portion is configured to couple with the adapter portion and the retaining portion to couple the adapter portion with the retaining portion.

21. The connector according to claim 17, wherein: The biasing portion includes two biasing members disposed in parallel with each other at opposite sides of the optical fiber.

22. The connector according to claim 21, wherein Each of the biasing members comprises a compression spring.

23. The connector according to claim 17, wherein: The holding portion includes two body portions configured to be connected to each other through a hinge portion.

24. The connector according to claim 23, wherein: The hinge portion includes a living hinge.

25. The connector according to claim 23, wherein: The retaining portion comprises a single unitary structure of integral construction.

26. The connector according to claim 17, wherein The connector further comprises: a housing portion configured to couple with the retaining member; a housing portion configured to be coupled to the housing; wherein the housing portion is configured to accommodate a second biasing portion configured to abut against a forward-facing surface of the housing portion and a rearward-facing surface of the housing portion to urge the housing portion in the forward direction; and Wherein, the connector is configured to be disconnected from the mating adapter by pushing the housing portion in a rearward direction against the force of the biasing portion, thereby transmitting the pushing force to the housing instead of the cable.

27. The connector according to claim 17, wherein: The collar portion is configured to include a first receiving portion located at an opposite lateral side of the collar portion, wherein the adapter portion is configured to include a second receiving portion opposite the first receiving portion of the collar portion, and wherein the first receiving portion and the second receiving portion are configured to cooperate to define a receiving structure configured to receive an alignment portion.

28. The connector according to claim 27, wherein: The receiving structure is configured to receive an alignment member from a mating MPO connector.

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