Fiber optic connector with fiber take-up region

A fiber optic connector assembly comprising:

• a connector body extending along a longitudinal axis between a front end and a rear end, the connector body defining a first longitudinal bore with a first cross-dimension;
• a ferrule assembly at least partially disposed within the first longitudinal bore of the connector body, the ferrule assembly including a ferrule and a ferrule spring that biases the ferrule in a direction along the longitudinal is from the rear end of the connector body toward the front end of the connector body, the ferrule adapted to move forwardly and rearwardly along a full range of movement of the ferrule along the longitudinal axis;
• an optical fiber that extends rearwardly from the ferrule and through the rear end of the connector body;
• a take-up region through which the optical fiber extends, the take-up region including a second longitudinal bore with a second cross-dimension, the take-up region positioned rearwardly of the ferule spring and configured to accommodate bending of the optical fiber and thereby take-up excess fiber length of the optical fiber corresponding to the full range of movement of the ferrule as the ferrule is moved rearwardly;
• and
• an opening through which the optical fiber extends, the opening positioned between the ferrule spring and the take-up region, and the opening defining a third cross-dimension that is smaller than the first cross-dimension and that is also smaller than the second cross-dimension.

A fiber optic connector assembly comprising:

• a spring cavity defining a first cross-dimension;
• a fiber take-up cavity defining a second cross-dimension;
• a necked-down opening between the spring cavity and the fiber take-up cavity, the necked-down opening defining a third cross-dimension that is smaller than the first cross-dimension and that is also smaller than the second cross-dimension;
• a ferrule assembly at least partially disposed within the spring cavity, the ferrule assembly including a ferule and a ferrule spring that biases the ferule in a direction away from the fiber take-up cavity, the ferrule adapted to move forwardly and rearwardly along a full range of movement of the ferule along a longitudinal axis of the ferrule;
• and
• an optical fiber that extends rearwardly from the ferrule and through the spring cavity, the necked-down opening, and the fiber take-up cavity;
• wherein when the ferrule is moved rearwardly, the optical fiber bends within the fiber take-up cavity and thereby takes-up excess fiber length of the optical fiber corresponding to rearward movement of the ferrule.