Fiber optic connector ferrule with improved alignment mechanism

Abstract

A fiber-optic connector ferrule body ( 10 ) that includes a depth that extends from a front end ( 12 ) to a rear end ( 14 ) of the ferrule. The ferrule includes a contact face ( 16 ) at the front end of the ferrule. The contact face includes a major dimension that extends along a major axis (X) defined by the contact face and a minor dimension that extends along a minor axis (Y) defined by the contact face. The major and minor axes are perpendicular to one another. The ferrule also defines alignment pin receivers ( 18 ) that extend rearwardly from the front end of the ferrule. The alignment pin receivers have tight-fit sections ( 26 ) that extend into the ferrule body from the contact face and flex sections ( 28 ) that extend from the first transverse cross-sectional shape to the rear end. The first and second transverse cross-sectional profiles define a degree of rotational flexibility between alignment pins ( 24 ) received in the alignment pin receivers ( 18 ) and the ferrule body ( 10 ).

1 - 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A fiber optic connector ferrule comprising:
 a ferrule body including a depth along a longitudinal axis that extends from a front end to a rear end of the ferrule, the ferrule including a contact face at the front end of the ferrule, the contact face including a major dimension that extends along a major axis and a minor dimension that extends along a minor axis, the major and minor axes being perpendicular to one another and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the ferrule also defining alignment pin receivers that extend rearwardly from the front end of the ferrule, the alignment pin receivers defining a tight-fit section defined by a first transverse cross-sectional profile having a first shape and a loose-fit flex section defined by a second transverse cross-sectional profile having a second shape, the second transverse cross-sectional profile comprising a different clearance than the first transverse cross-sectional profile, and the first and second shapes being different from each other;   a plurality of optical fibers that extend through the ferrule body, the optical fibers having end faces accessible at the contact face of the ferrule; and   a pair of alignment pins having first portions positioned within the tight-fit sections, second portions positioned within the loose-fit flex sections, and distal ends protruding outwardly away from the contact face, wherein the second portions and the loose-fit flex sections are relatively configured to provide pivotability of the alignment pins relative to the ferrule body.   
     
     
         28 . The fiber optic connector ferrule of  claim 27 , wherein the different clearances of the first and second cross-sectional profiles define a degree of the pivotability between the alignment pins and the ferrule body about only one of the major and minor axes. 
     
     
         29 . The fiber optic connector ferrule of  claim 28 , wherein the degree of pivotability is about the minor axis. 
     
     
         30 . The fiber optic connector ferrule of  claim 27 , wherein the tight-fit sections are positioned longitudinally in front of the loose-fit flex sections. 
     
     
         31 . The fiber optic connector of  claim 30 , wherein the tight-fit sections extend rearwards into the ferrule body from the contact face. 
     
     
         32 . The fiber optic connector of  claim 31 , wherein the loose-fit flex sections extend rearwards within the ferrule body from the tight-fit sections. 
     
     
         33 . The fiber optic connector of  claim 32 , wherein the loose-fit flex sections extend rearwards from the tight-fit sections to the rear end of the ferrule body. 
     
     
         34 . The fiber optic connector ferrule of  claim 27 , wherein the loose-fit flex sections of the alignment pin receivers are dimensioned such that the second portions of the alignment pins abut a surface defining the loose-fit flex sections of the alignment pin receivers at two opposing locations along a reference line parallel to the minor axis. 
     
     
         35 . The fiber optic connector ferrule of  claim 27 , wherein the tight-fit sections of the alignment pin receivers are dimensioned such that the first portions of the alignment pins abut a surface defining the tight-fit sections at two opposing locations along a first reference line parallel to the minor axis and such that the second portions of the alignment pins abut the surface defining the tight-fit sections at two opposing locations along a second reference line parallel to the major axis. 
     
     
         36 . The fiber optic connector ferrule of  claim 27 , wherein the second shape is a rectangle. 
     
     
         37 . The fiber optic connector ferrule of  claim 27 , wherein the second shape is an oval. 
     
     
         38 . The fiber optic connector ferrule of  claim 27 , wherein the second shape is defined by a pair of opposing semi-circles separated by a pair of parallel top and bottom surfaces. 
     
     
         39 . The fiber optic connector ferrule of  claim 28 , wherein the second shape is a rectangle. 
     
     
         40 . The fiber optic connector ferrule of  claim 27 , wherein the first shape is a circle. 
     
     
         41 . The fiber optic connector ferrule of  claim 28 , wherein the first shape is a circle. 
     
     
         42 . The fiber optic connector ferrule of  claim 36 , wherein the first shape is a circle. 
     
     
         43 . The fiber optic connector ferrule of  claim 37 , wherein the first shape is a circle. 
     
     
         44 . The fiber optic connector ferrule of  claim 38 , wherein the first shape is a circle. 
     
     
         45 . The fiber optic connector ferrule of  claim 27 , wherein the different clearances of the first and second cross-sectional profiles define a degree of the pivotability between the alignment pins and the ferrule body about both the major and minor axes. 
     
     
         46 . The fiber optic connector ferrule of  claim 27 , wherein proximal ends of the alignment pins are positioned within the loose-fit flex sections.