Fiber optic assemblies with fiber bulge for positioning an optical fiber in a ferrule bore

A fiber optic connector, comprising:

• a ferrule assembly comprising;
• a ferrule having a rear end face with a rear opening, a front end face with a front opening, and a bore extending between the front opening and the rear opening, the bore having an inner diameter;
• and
• an optical fiber, comprising:
• a melted terminal end;
• and
• a bulge defining the melted terminal end, the bulge also comprising a proximal end and a cross-sectional region extending between the proximal end and the melted terminal end, the cross-sectional region having a minimum outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the bore;
• wherein the bulge is positioned in the bore such that:
• a portion of the optical fiber is positioned within the bore of the ferrule;
• the melted terminal end of the optical fiber extends beyond the front end face of the ferrule;
• the proximal end of the bulge is positioned within the bore of the ferrule adjacent to the front opening;
• and
• at least a portion of the cross-sectional region of the bulge interferes and cooperatively engages with the front opening of the ferrule;
• a ferrule holder from which the ferrule of the ferrule assembly extends;
• and
• a housing in which the ferrule holder is received, wherein the ferrule holder is biased forwardly relative to the housing.