Optical fibre connector assembly

A method of transmitting an optical signal between first and second optical fibres, the method comprising:

• terminating first and second optical fibres in optical ferrules housed in respective first and second connector parts, the first and second ferrules being adapted to interengage to transmit a signal between the first and second connector parts, and each of the first and second connector parts having an axis;
• wherein the second connector part comprises a guide assembly connected to the second ferrule and adapted to guide interengagement of the first and second ferrules, the guide assembly having a pocket adapted to receive the first ferrule during interengagement of the first and second ferrules;
• and
• wherein the method includes rotating the guide assembly around the axis of the second connector part during interengagement of the first and second ferrules.

An optical fibre connector assembly comprising:

• first and second connector parts adapted to interconnect, each of the first and second connector parts having an axis;
• a first optical fibre terminating in a first ferrule in the first connector part, and a second optical fibre terminating in a second ferrule in the second connector part, the first and second ferrules being adapted to interengage to transmit a signal between the first and second connector parts;
• wherein the first ferrule is rotationally fixed to the first connector part;
• wherein the second connector part comprises a guide assembly connected to the second ferrule and adapted to guide interengagement of the first and second ferrules;
• wherein the guide assembly is rotationally fixed with respect to the second ferrule;
• wherein the guide assembly has a pocket adapted to receive the first ferrule during interengagement of the first and second ferrules;
• wherein at least a part of the guide assembly is freely rotatable around the axis of the second connector part during interengagement of the first and second ferrules;
• and
• wherein relative axial movement of the first and second ferrules within the connector assembly is adapted to drive rotational movement of the guide assembly relative to the first ferrule between a first rotational position in which the first ferrule is axially spaced apart from the second ferrule and the first and second ferrules are circumferentially misaligned and in which the first and second optical fibres are not in communication, and a second rotational position in which the first and second ferrules are axially engaged and circumferentially aligned and the first and second optical fibres are in communication.