Multi-optical fiber connector module having a cover comprising unfilled plastic having deformable features formed therein, and a method

摘要

A multi-optical fiber connector module is provided with an unfilled plastic cover that is used to secure the ends of a plurality of optical fibers at precise locations within the connector modules. The cover has deformable features that permanently deform when the cover is secured to a housing of the connector module. The permanent deformations are caused by forces that are exerted on the deformable features by respective unjacketed optical fibers when the cover is secured to the module housing. When the features deform, they partially wrap about the respective unjacketed optical fibers such that the respective fibers are pinned between the respective deformed features and the respective V-shaped grooves of the module housing. This contact between the deformed features, the respective unjacketed optical fibers and the respective V-shaped grooves maintains the respective unjacketed optical fibers in precise locations along respective optical pathways of the connector module.

主权项

1. A multi-optical fiber connector module comprising: a module housing having a cavity formed therein for holding ends of a plurality of optical fibers, the cavity having a plurality of V-shaped grooves formed in a lower surface of the cavity,
each V-shaped groove being adapted for holding an unjacketed portion of an optical fiber, each unjacketed fiber portion having a cleaved end; and a cover comprising an unfilled plastic molded part having a plurality of deformable features disposed on a lower surface thereof, wherein the cover has a shape that is adapted to fit within the cavity such that the deformable features come into contact with the unjacketed portions of optical fibers disposed within the cavity, wherein the deformable features have a lower hardness than the unjacketed portions of the optical fibers such that a force that is required to permanently deform the deformable features is less than a force that is required to permanently deform the unjacketed portions of the optical fibers, and wherein when the cover is positioned within the cavity, the deformable features permanently deform about the respective unjacketed portions of the optical fibers at locations where the deformable features come into contact with the unjacketed fiber portions such that the unjacketed portions are precisely located between the permanently deformed features and the respective V-shaped grooves.