Fiber optic micro connector

Abstract

A micro connector kit includes first and second ferrules and first and second micro connector ferrule housings. Each first and second micro connector ferrule housing defines a cavity sized and shaped to receive a respective one of the first and second ferrules with the first and second ferrules being disposed in closely spaced relation with the respective first or second micro connector ferrule housing when in each cavity. The first and second micro connector ferrule housings can be releasably coupled together such that the first and second ferrules form an optical connection when the first and second micro connector ferrule housings are coupled together. The first and second micro connector ferrule housings have first and second connection structure for releasably coupling the first and second micro connector housings together.

1 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A micro connector kit comprising:
 a first ferrule configured to be connected to a first optical fiber;   a second ferrule configured to be connected to a second optical fiber;   first and second micro connector ferrule housings each defining a cavity sized and shaped to receive a respective one of the first and second ferrules with the first and second ferrules being disposed in closely spaced relation with the respective first or second micro connector ferrule housing when in each cavity, the first and second micro connector ferrule housings being configured to be releasably coupled together such that the first and second ferrules form an optical connection when the first and second micro connector ferrule housings are coupled together; and   the first and second micro connector ferrule housings having first and second connection structure thereon, the first and second connection structure being configured to indirectly, releasably couple the first and second micro connector housings together.   
     
     
         23 . The micro connector kit of  claim 22 , wherein the first and second ferrules each define an internal passage for receiving an optical fiber. 
     
     
         24 . The micro connector kit of  claim 22 , further comprising an alignment sleeve configured to receive mating end portions of the first and second ferrules. 
     
     
         25 . The micro connector kit of  claim 22  wherein the first and second micro connector ferrule housings each comprise plug frames surrounding the first and second ferrules, respectively. 
     
     
         26 . The micro connector kit of  claim 22 , wherein the first and second micro connector ferrule housings are identical to each other. 
     
     
         27 . The micro connector kit of  claim 22 , further comprising an insert configured to be disposed in each cavity when the first and second micro connector ferrule housings are coupled together, the insert defining a ferrule cavity sized and shaped to receive the first and second ferrules. 
     
     
         28 . The micro connector kit of  claim 27 , wherein the first and second ferrules each includes a flange having a polygonal cross-section, the ferrule cavity of the insert having a polygonal cross-section matching the polygonal cross-sections of the flanges such that rotation of the first and second ferrules relative to each other is inhibited by the insert when the flanges of the first and second ferrules is disposed within the ferrule cavity. 
     
     
         29 . The micro connector kit of  claim 27 , further comprising an alignment sleeve disposed in the insert. 
     
     
         30 . The micro connector kit of  claim 29 , wherein the insert includes first and second detents, the first detent being configured to engage the first connection structure and the second detent being configured to engage the second connection structure to releasably couple the first micro connector ferrule housing, the second micro connector ferrule housing and the insert together. 
     
     
         31 . The micro connector kit of  claim 30 , wherein each detent includes a first deflection ramp and a second deflection ramp, the first deflection ramp of each detent is arranged to deflect the respective first or second micro connector ferrule housing as the respective first or second micro connector ferrule housing is connected to the insert, the second deflection ramp of each detent is arranged to deflect the respective first or second micro connector ferrule housing as the respective first or second micro connector ferrule housing is disconnected from the insert. 
     
     
         32 . The micro connector kit of  claim 31 , wherein the first and second micro connector ferrule housings are configured to move along a longitudinal axis of the insert to connect to the insert and are configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the insert to disconnect from the insert. 
     
     
         33 . The micro connector kit of  claim 22 , further comprising one or more biasing springs configured to bias at least one of the first or second ferrules toward the other respective ferrule when the first and second micro connector ferrule housings are releasably coupled together. 
     
     
         34 . The micro connector of  claim 33 , wherein the one or more biasing springs includes a first biasing spring and a second biasing spring, the first biasing spring configured to bias the first ferrule toward the second ferrule when the first and second micro connector ferrule housings are releasably coupled together, the second biasing spring configured to bias the second ferrule toward the first ferrule when the first and second micro connector ferrule housings are releasably coupled together. 
     
     
         35 . The micro connector of  claim 33 , wherein the one or more biasing springs are configured to bias the first and second micro connector ferrule housings toward a locked position, wherein the first and second micro connector ferrule housings are releasably coupled together when the first and second micro connector ferrule housings are in the locked position.