Fiber optic connector having receptacle housing for radially aligning mating inserts

• Main Authors: Cull, Bryan D, Whitaker, Kerry W, Roehrs, Daniel C
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 28.05.2002

The present invention relates in general to optical fiber light transmission systems, and in particular to connectors for use in coupling optical fiber conductors together. A multi-channel fiber optic connector is provided having a plug connector half and a receptacle connector half. The plug and the receptacle have respective inserts that include exterior peripheries of a particular shape for mating with an interior profile of a housing of the receptacle. The peripheries of the inserts are preferably defined by cylindrical bodies having respective tabs which protrude outward from the outer diameters of the inserts. The interior profile of the receptacle housing defines a recess for receiving the tabs to both angularly align the insert associated with the receptacle and to angularly align the insert associated with the plug. The recess in the receptacle housing is defined by a groove which extends parallel to the longitudinal length of the receptacle housing, with the same groove receiving the protuberant tabs of both inserts to angularly align the inserts. The inserts have fiber optic termini mounted therein.