Optical fiber routing device and method of assembly therefor

An optical fiber routing device, comprising:

• an oval shaped inner channel having opposing sides and a radius at least as large as a minimum bend radius of a polymeric optical fiber;
• an oval shaped outer channel following the inner channel, but having a larger radius than the inner channel;
• and
• an oval shaped separating wall separating the inner and outer channels, the oval shaped separating wall having a plurality of openings formed therein where passage between the inner and outer channels is possible;
• extension supports extending between opposing sides of the inner channel, the extension supports having a thickness reduced in the vicinity of the inner channel;
• and
• a plurality of overhangs formed between intersections of the extension supports and the inner channel, the extension supports having a thickness reduced to serve as one of a top or a bottom to the inner channel, such that the overhangs serve as the other of the top or bottom to the inner channel.

An optical fiber connection unit, comprising:

• a circuit board having a hole formed therein;
• an oval shaped inner channel having opposing sides, opposing ends and a radius at least as large as a minimum bend radius of a polymeric optical fiber;
• an oval shaped outer channel following the inner channel, but having a larger radius than the inner channel;
• an oval shaped separating wall separating the inner and outer channels, the oval shaped separating wall having a plurality of openings formed therein where passage between the inner and outer channels is possible;
• extension supports extending between the opposing sides of the inner channel, the extension supports meeting at an intersection, a connection hole being formed at the intersection of the extension supports;
• and
• a standoff removably secured to both the hole in the circuit board and the connection hole formed at the intersection of the extension supports meet.

A method of assembling an optical fiber piece to a circuit board, comprising the steps of:

• inserting a standoff through a hole in a circuit board;
• placing the standoff through a hole in an optical fiber routing device;
• connecting a first end of an optical fiber to a first connector;
• routing the optical fiber around an oval shaped outer channel of the optical fiber routing device;
• crossing from the outer channel through one of a plurality of openings formed in an oval shaped separating wall of the optical fiber routing device;
• routing the optical fiber around an oval shaped inner channel of the optical fiber routing device, the inner channel following the outer channel, but having a radius smaller than the inner channel, the radius of the inner channel being at least as large as a minimum bend radius of the optical fiber;
• and
• connecting a second end of the optical fiber to a second connector.