An optical connector having a one-piece housing

摘要

The present invention provides a connector for terminating an optical fiber. The connector comprises a one-piece housing (20), a ferrule assembly (11) and an insert (24). The insert (24) has keys (31-31) formed thereon that are adapted to mate with keyways (32-32) formed in the housing (20). The housing (20) has a first opening (51) formed therein that first receives the ferrule assembly (11) and then the insert (24) and a second opening (18) opposite the first opening (51). The end (19) of the ferrule assembly (11) that holds the end of the optical fiber protrudes through the second opening (18). The insert (24) has a flange (25) thereon that has two oppositely located flat surfaces (33-33) and two oppositely located keys (31-31). The keys (31-31) each have a chamfered surface (39-39). The keys (31-31) and the flat surfaces (33-33) of the flange (25) provide the flange (25) with a substantially rectangular cross-section. The first opening (51) formed in the housing (20) has a substantially square cross-section. When the insert (24) is inserted into the first end (51) of the housing (20), the substantially square cross-section of the opening (51) aligns with the oppositely located flat surfaces (33-33) of the flange (25) to thereby cause the keys (31-31) of the flange (25) to align with the keyways (32-32) formed in the surfaces (33-33) of the housing (20). The chamfered surfaces (39-39) of the keys (31-31) deflect the sides of the housing (20) outwardly as the insert (24) is inserted into the housing (20). The keys (31-31) of the insert (24) are then received by the keyways (32-32) formed in the housing (20) to lock the insert (24) into place within the housing (20). <IMAGE>