Patent Application
20220045443
The present arrangement is directed to a cable connector. More particularly, the present arrangement is directed to a cable connector for a hybrid fiber/copper communication cable.
A technology trend known generally as Internet of Things (IoT) is exponentially increasing the number of IP-based devices connected to Ethernet networks. Many of these IP-based devices are more than 100 meters away from the network closet and therefore out of the reach of standards-based powering solutions such as what is commonly referred to as Power over Ethernet (PoE) and technically defined in the IEEE 802.3bt (“bt”) standard. The bt standard defines four power system types; Type 1, Type 2, Type 3 and Type 4. These types provide 12.95 W, 25.5 W, 51 W and 71 W to end devices respectively. Each type also has a myriad of defined characteristics including voltages, currents, resistance values, etc. . . . . The standard also defines certain characteristics of the equipment that provides power (Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE)), the equipment that uses power (Powered Device (PD)) and the cabling between the aforementioned devices. All of these systems are designed to work using category cabling at lengths of 100 m or less. This is due to the fact that the data being transmitted across the cabling at the same time as the power was designed to function at a maximum distance of 100 m.
One solution is to provide remote PSE that is powered and receives its data from a composite cable that contains both fiber optic elements and metallic conductors. If this cable is of the low voltage type, meaning that it does not need an electrician for installation, it can significantly decrease the cost of an installation. By taking advantage of the long data transmission capabilities of fiber optics and metallic conductors larger than those found in traditional category cables, the total distance between the PD and the rest of the network can be extended far beyond 100 m, to distances on the order of kilometers.
Prior art
The present arrangement overcomes the drawbacks associated with the prior art and provides a connector for a hybrid copper/fiber cable that maintains a more traditional fiber connector assembly, but modifies it in such a manner to allow for a copper/power/electrical connection therethrough. Such an arrangement allows for power and optical signals to be passed through a single connector and equipment adapter.
Such an arrangement with one connector simplifies installer requirements, as only one connector type is required on a job site. Such a connector would decrease the physical space occupied by all the connectors on the device (no media conversion to R345 needed), as there would be no need, for example, to find a specialized copper connector that will securely connect to their equipment like fiber connectors do.
The present arrangement helps eliminate the need for multiple types of power connectors between powered devices. For example, screw-down terminals for power, that can have issues where the conductors slip out of its cage can be avoided. In the present arrangement the crimp-down nature of the connection between the conductor and the connector ensures that the copper conductor does not prevent power from going to the remote device.
This connector also solves the issue of needing a media converter as required for most remote devices (as they typically need a R345 connector)
To this end a composite cable connector for terminating a cable segment having at least one fiber optic element and at least one conductor element is provided. The composite cable connector has a connector housing, receiving at a first end, the at least one fiber optic element and at least one conductor element. A ferrule at a second end of the connector housing presents the at least one fiber optic element.
At least one crimp on element is positioned at a back end of the connector housing for crimping onto the connector housing and couples with the at least one conductor element. At least one conductive pathway, from the crimp on element to a front end of the connector housing, proximate the ferrule, presenting at least one conductive pathway at a front face of the connector housing.
The present invention can be best understood through the following description and accompanying drawing, wherein:
In one embodiment as shown in
As shown in
Fiber 12 enters a connector housing 20 and passes through to the front of ferrule 30. However, unlike typical connector housings, connector housing 20 includes a crimp on element 22 made of metal for supporting connection with conductor wire 14.
From there, conductive crimp on element 22 is electrically/conductively connected to conductive pathway that will terminate at the front of either connector housing 20 and/or ferrule 30. In one embodiment, the crimp and crimp on element 22 is a mechanical splice point to the copper conductor, and can be made from metal, such as copper. In one example, crimp on element 22 may be constructed large enough to contain a 12 to 18 AWG conductor. Using mechanical leverage, connector 22 is deformed around conductor 14, mechanically bonding itself to copper conductor 14.
For example, as shown in
In another embodiment, crimp on element 22 may be in contact with a copper front element 28 (surrounding sleeve 24 and ferrule 30) that passes over connector body 20 from the rear to the front face of connector 10. This embodiment would include an additional copper filled cavity 29 between the ferrule sleeve and full front element 28 of connector 10 to ensure full conductivity and connection for conductor wire 14.
When placing two connectors 10 together, a standard connector block (e.g. LC connector block) may be used. This will rely on ferrules 30 to provide the electrical connection. As shown in
It is understood that either one of or both copper front element 28 and or metal sleeve 24/ferrule 30, can be used as the electrical pathway from conductor 14 to the front of connector 10.
