| 摘要 |
A high density optical connecting block 100 is mounted in a relatively thin, flat panel 10, and is constructed as an array of identical cells 110 that are linked together as a one-piece unit. The cells have a front-to-back depth that is greater than ten millimeters for imparting flexural rigidity to the panel. The array includes at least twelve cells that are arranged in two or more rows and two or more columns. Each cell has a front side that is shaped to receive and interlock with a duplex optical connector 50, and a back side that is shaped to receive and interlock with two simplex optical plugs 20. The duplex connector is a unifying structure that yokes a pair of simplex optical plugs 20-1, 20-2 into a duplex configuration. The duplex connector includes a pair of side-by-side cavities 153-153, each having: (i) an opening at a back end that is shaped to receive a simplex optical plug; (ii) a tubular boss 58 for holding a cylindrical ferrule or a plastic optical fiber, the boss projecting into and out of the cavity from a front-end wall 57 of the cavity and having a central axis that is perpendicular to the front-end wall; and (iii) a retaining feature 54 for holding each simplex plug within the cavity. Additionally, the duplex connector includes latching members 55-55 on its top and bottom sides that interlock with the cell.
|
