Ferrules having optical pathways and fiber optic connectors using same

摘要

Plug and receptacle ferrules, and fiber optic plug and receptacle connectors that use the plug and receptacle ferrules are disclosed. Connector assemblies formed by mating the plug and receptacle connectors are also disclosed. The fiber optic connectors and connector assemblies are suitable for use with commercial electronic devices and provide either an optical connection, or both electrical and optical connections. The plug ferrule includes an open section over which light converges are diverges. The receptacle ferrule includes a receptacle optical pathway having a substantially right angle bend formed by a mirror. The plug ferrule has a plug optical pathway that interfaces with the receptacle optical pathway at a solid-solid interface that serves to substantially expel any liquid from the interface.

主权项

1. A plug ferrule for a fiber optic plug connector for mating with a fiber optic receptacle connector having a receptacle ferrule with a receptacle optical pathway, comprising:
a plug ferrule body having front and back ends and a central axis; at least one plug optical pathway formed in the plug ferrule body, the plug optical pathway extending from the front end to the back end and that includes a section wherein light traveling over the plug optical pathway either diverges or converges, wherein the optical pathway section includes an aperture in the plug ferrule body that has a front wall, with a lens formed on the front wall and in the plug optical pathway; and the front end having a mating geometry configured to form with the receptacle ferrule a solid-solid contact at an interface between the plug and receptacle optical pathways, with the solid-solid contact being sufficient to substantially expel liquid from the interface.