Multi-way electro-optic connector assemblies and optical fiber ferrule assemblies therefor

A multi-way, electro-optic connector assembly comprising a multi-way, optical fiber plug connector and a multi-way, electro-optic transducer receptacle, the multi-way, optical fiber plug connector comprising a multi-way ferrule assembly housing for receiving ferrule assemblies each comprising a n outer ferrule made in one piece of plastic material and comprising a tubular body wall having front, mating and rear, optical fiber receiving axial ends, and defining at the front end an axially extending, optical fiber core receiving through-bore and, rearwardly thereof, an intercommunicating socket of larger diameter than the through-bore and opening at the rear end;

• a rigid, reinforcing tube for receipt in the socket in coaxial relation therewith as a force fit forming a sub-assembly;
• an inner, optical fiber core protecting ferrule made in one-piece of plastic material and comprising a tubular body wall having front and rear, axial ends and defining an axially extending through-passageway, the rear end of the inner ferrule being split by at least one slit formed through the wall thereof and extending axially forwardly to a location spaced rearwardly from the front end,
• whereby the rear end of the inner ferrule can be spread permitting insertion of a prepared end of a optical fiber into and along the through-passageway until a portion of the core protrudes from the front, axial end and the inner ferrule subsequently force-fitted in the reinforcing tube of the subassembly to extend co-axially therewith with the protruding portion of the core received in the through-bore of the outer ferrule as a sliding fit;
• and,
• a multi-way, electro-optic transducer receptacle, comprising:
• an outer housing comprising a sleeve-form body having a front, mating face and a rear face, an interior wall portion extending transversely of a mating axis of the connector across the housing at a location between the front and rear faces, dividing the housing interior into front, plug connector receiving and rear, insert receiving compartments opening to the front and rear faces of the housing, respectively, the interior wall being formed with a row of apertures extending therethrough between the front and rear compartments;
• a transducer mounting insert assembly for receipt in the housing comprising a ganged sleeve member and a transducer retaining member, the ganged sleeve having a one-piece body with front and rear faces, a series of sleeve forming portions extending in side-by-side relation in a row between the front and rear faces, each sleeve forming portion having intercommunicating front and rear, mating and transducer receiving sections, respectively, opening to the front and rear faces of the sleeve member, a rearwardly facing transducer stop surface formed on the transducer receiving section, the transducer retaining member comprising a plate portion formed with transducer retaining means, complementary latching means on the sleeve housing and the retaining member, whereby engagement of the complementary latching means latches the retaining plate extending across the rear face of the ganged sleeve member with the retaining means engaging rear faces of respective electro-optic transducers fitted in respective transducer receiving sections, retaining them seated against the stop surface with front, active faces of the transducers precisely aligned with the central axes of the mating section;
• and,
• a rear cover plate attached to the outer housing, extending behind the retaining plate and retaining the insert assembly mounted in the outer housing with the transducer receiving sections of the ganged tube member located in the rear compartment and the plug receiving sections extending through the apertures into the plug connector receiving compartment of the outer housing.

A multi-way, electro-optic transducer receptacle connector for a multi-way, electro-optic connector assembly comprising:

• an outer housing comprising a generally sleeve-form body having a front, mating face and a rear face, an interior wall portion extending transversely of a mating axis of the connector across the housing at a location between the front and rear faces, dividing the housing interior into front, plug connector receiving and rear, insert receiving compartments opening to the front and rear faces of the housing, respectively, the interior wall being formed with a row of apertures extending therethrough between the front and rear compartments;
• a transducer mounting insert assembly for receipt in the housing comprising a ganged sleeve member and a transducer retaining member, the ganged sleeve member having a one-piece body with front and rear faces, a series of sleeve forming portions extending in side-by-side relation in a row between the front and rear faces, each sleeve forming portion having intercommunicating front and rear, mating and transducer receiving sections, respectively, opening to the front and rear of the sleeve member, a rearwardly facing transducer stop surface formed on the transducer receiving section, the transducer retaining member comprising a plate portion formed with transducer retaining means, complementary latching means on the sleeve housing and the retaining member, whereby engagement of the complementary latching means latches the retaining plate extending across the rear face of the ganged sleeve member with the retaining means engaging rear faces of respective electro-optic transducers fitted in respective transducer receiving sections, retaining them seated against the stop surface with front, active faces of the transducers precisely aligned with the central axes of the mating section;
• and,
• a rear cover plate attached to the outer housing, extending behind the retaining plate and retaining the insert assembly mounted in the outer housing with the transducer receiving sections of the ganged tube member located in the rear compartment and the plug receiving sections extending through the apertures into the plug connector receiving compartment of the outer housing.