OPTICAL FIBER CONNECTOR FERRULE HAVING OPEN FIBER CLAMPING GROOVES.

摘要

A ferrule (12) for an optical fiber connector (10) having open fiber clamping grooves (24). The ferrule has a body (13) having a plurality of open grooves (24) for clamping the terminating end sections of optical fibers (20). At least a section of the longitudinal opening of the groove is provided with opposing lips to provide a clamping effect. The width of the longitudinal opening defined between the lips along at least a section of the grooves is narrower than the diameter of the optical fibers to create a tight fit. The grooves and the width of the longitudinal groove openings are shaped and sized to retain the fibers without any clearance to allow for movement of the fiber relative to the groove. Similar grooves may be provided in the ferrule body for alignment guide pins (18). The grooves are precision formed by high throughput processes, such as stamping and extrusion.