FIBER OPTIC CONNECTORS HAVING A ROTATABLE FERRULE HOLDER AND METHODS FOR MAKING THE SAME

• Main Authors: PARKMAN, III LOUIS EDWARD, DUNN, JR. KENNETH FRANKLIN, HENKE CHARLES TODD
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 26.06.2014
• Subjects: GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS, OR APPARATUS; OPTICS; PHYSICS; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS

Fiber optic connectors and components for fiber optic connectors with improved side-loading performance are disclosed along with methods for making the same. The fiber optic connector includes a ferrule and a ferrule holder where the ferrule holder may be disposed within a housing. The ferrule holder has a forward portion with a spherical feature that includes a first portion with a compound surface for cooperating with the housing, thereby allowing relative movement therebetween. Specifically, the spherical feature of the ferrule holder permits rotational translation of the ferrule holder in two degrees of freedom relative to the housing and inhibits the longitudinal translation of the ferrule holder in same two degrees of freedom relative to the housing, thereby providing improved side-loading performance.