Shielded fiber optic connector assembly

Abstract

An improved fiber optic connector assembly for connecting the ends of optical fibers to OED lenses is provided by a plug connector including a front mating end and a corresponding number of fiber receiving channels. Each channel includes an enlarged generally cylindrical portion adjacent the front end wherein the optical fiber end is coaxially positioned. The plug connector is mateable with a receptacle connector including a housing having a plug receiving socket with a front opening and a rear wall. The rear wall includes a corresponding number of spaced interface apertures aligned with each OED lens. A plurality of tubular projections coaxially aligned with and surrounding each aperture extend forwardly into the plug-receiving socket. As the plug connector is inserted into the socket, the tubular projections are received within the enlarged portions of the fiber receiving channels surrounding the fiber ends and the ends of the optical fibers are guided by the tubular projections into abutting coaxial alignment with the apertures and lenses, respectively. In a preferred embodiment, the receptacle connector housing is formed of die cast zinc to provide a shielded fiber optic link connector assembly for connecting a CPU to peripheral equipment which is characterized by reduced or eliminated EMI emissions. In an especially preferred embodiment, a shielded connector assembly including an integral switch feature is provided.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.