Fiber optic connector with fiber take-up region

Abstract

A fiber optic connector assembly includes a connector and a carrier. The connector, defining a longitudinal bore extending through the connector and having a first end region and a second end region, includes a ferrule assembly, having an optical fiber extending through the connector, at least partially disposed in the longitudinal bore at the first end region, a tube, defining a passage and having a first end portion disposed in the longitudinal bore at the second end region and a second end region, and a spring disposed in the bore between the ferrule assembly and the tube. The carrier includes a cable end and a connector end engaged with the connector, a termination region disposed between the connector end and the cable end, a fiber support region disposed between the connector end and the termination region, and a take-up region disposed between the connector end and the fiber support region.

1 . A fiber optic connector assembly comprising:
 a carrier having a first end, an oppositely disposed second end, a termination region disposed between the first end and the second end, and a take-up region disposed between the first end and the termination region, wherein the take-up region is adapted to allow for axial movement of an optical fiber.   
     
     
         2 . A fiber optic connector assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the take-up region allows for at least  1  mm of axial movement of the optical fiber. 
     
     
         3 . A fiber optic connector assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the take-up region is adapted to receive a dust boot for covering a portion of the optical fiber. 
     
     
         4 . A fiber optic connector assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a connector adapted for engagement with the first end of the connector, the connector having a main body with a ferrule assembly disposed in the main body, the ferrule assembly being adapted for axial movement within the main body and having the optical fiber mounted therein. 
     
     
         5 . A fiber optic connector assembly as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the connector includes a passage. 
     
     
         6 . A fiber optic connector assembly as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein an inner diameter of the passage increases as the passage extends away from the ferrule assembly. 
     
     
         7 . A fiber optic connector assembly as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the passage is defined by a tube having a first end region and an oppositely disposed second end region, the tube being disposed in a longitudinal bore defined by the main body of the connector. 
     
     
         8 . A fiber optic connector assembly as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the second end region of the tube extends outwardly from the main body of the connector and is adapted for engagement with the first end of the carrier. 
     
     
         9 . A fiber optic connector assembly as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein a spring is disposed in the longitudinal bore between the ferrule assembly and the first end region of the tube. 
     
     
         10 . A fiber optic connector assembly as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the inner diameter of the passage of the tube at the first end region is about 950 μm. 
     
     
         11 . A fiber optic connector assembly as claimed  claim 10 , wherein the inner diameter of the passage of the tube at the second end region is about 3 mm. 
     
     
         12 . A fiber optic connector assembly as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the carrier includes a fiber support region disposed between the termination region and the first end. 
     
     
         13 . A fiber optic connector assembly as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the optical fiber is affixed to a guide way of the fiber support region. 
     
     
         14 . A fiber optic connector assembly as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the optical fiber is affixed to the guide way by epoxy. 
     
     
         15 . A fiber optic connector assembly as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the guide way narrows as the depth increases. 
     
     
         16 . A fiber optic connector assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a V-groove chip disposed in the termination region of the carrier. 
     
     
         17 . A fiber optic connector assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a heat responsive adhesive element disposed in the termination region of the carrier. 
     
     
         18 . A fiber optic connector assembly as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the heat responsive adhesive element has pathways for receiving an cleaved optical fiber and buffer. 
     
     
         19 . A fiber optic connector assembly as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the pathways are channels disposed on a surface of the heat responsive adhesive element. 
     
     
         20 . A fiber optic connector assembly as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein a saddle assembly is disposed in the termination region and engaged with the heat responsive adhesive element. 
     
     
         21 . A fiber optic connector assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the second end defines a crimp tube hole that is adapted to receive a crimp tube. 
     
     
         22 . A fiber optic connector assembly comprising:
 a connector defining a longitudinal bore extending through the connector and having a first end region and an oppositely disposed second end region, a ferrule assembly at least partially disposed in the longitudinal bore at the first end region having an optical fiber that extends through the connector, a tube having a first end portion disposed in the longitudinal bore at the second end region and an oppositely disposed second end portion, a spring disposed in the bore between the ferrule assembly and the tube, wherein the tube defines a passage; and   a carrier having a connector end engaged with the connector and an oppositely disposed cable end, a termination region disposed between the connector end and the cable end, a fiber support region disposed between the connector end and the termination region for supporting the optical fiber, and a take-up region disposed between the connector end and the fiber support region.   
     
     
         23 . A fiber optic connector assembly as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein an inner diameter of the passage of the tube at the first end portion is smaller than an inner diameter of the passage of the tube at the second end portion. 
     
     
         24 . A fiber optic connector assembly as claimed in  claim 21 , further comprising a dust boot disposed over the optical fiber between the fiber support region and the connector end. 
     
     
         25 . A fiber optic connector assembly as claimed in  claim 21 , further comprising a V-groove chip disposed in the termination region of the carrier. 
     
     
         26 . A fiber optic connector assembly as claimed in  claim 21 , further comprising a heat responsive adhesive element disposed in the termination region of the carrier. 
     
     
         27 - 31 . (canceled)