Molded interconnect device (MID) optical connector with metal retaining clip
View Patent ↗A molded interconnect device (MID) optical connector includes a molded plastic body and a metal retaining clip. The body has a receptacle portion shaped to receive and guide a mating optical fiber ferrule into a connected position. In the connected position, the end of a fiber retained in the ferrule is in optical alignment with an opto-electronic device in the MID optical connector. The retaining clip has one or more contact portions that extend into the receptacle portion of the body and exert a spring force upon the ferrule to retain and stabilize it in the connected position.
1. A molded interconnect device (MID) optical connector, comprising:
a plurality of electrical elements including an opto-electronic device and conductive interconnect elements;
a body made of a plastic material, the body further having a portion of the electrical elements formed therein, the body having a receptacle portion shaped to receive and guide a mating optical fiber ferrule in a direction of an axis into a connected position in which a fiber end retained in the ferrule is in optical alignment with the opto-electronic device along the axis, wherein a portion of the conductive interconnect elements that are electrically connected to the opto-electronic device are formed in the body and comprise metalized areas on a surface of the body; and
a retaining clip made of metal, the retaining clip attached to the body and having one or more contact portions extending into the receptacle to exert a spring force upon a portion of the ferrule in the connected position.
2. The MID optical connector claimed in claim 1 , wherein one of the optical fiber ferrule and the contact portion of the retaining clip has a recess, and the other of the optical fiber ferrule and the contact portion of the retaining clip has a protuberance that mates with the recess in the connected position.
3. The MID optical connector claimed in claim 1 , wherein the retaining clip is generally U-shaped with finger portions of the “U” defining the contact portions.
4. The MID optical connector claimed in claim 1 , wherein:
the body is generally L-shaped with an “L” defined by two legs;
the body has electrical elements disposed on the two legs;
a first one of the legs has a wall aligned with the axis to receive and guide the optical fiber ferrule into the connected position; and
a second one of the legs has an opening aligned with the axis.
5. The MID optical connector claimed in claim 4 , wherein the electrical elements disposed on the first one of the legs include electrical contact pads.
6. The MID optical connector claimed in claim 5 , wherein:
the opto-electronic device is mounted on the wall aligned with the axis and adjacent the opening;
a portion of the conductive interconnect elements that are electrically connected to the opto-electronic device comprise metalized areas that follow a corner of the “L” by extending between a surface of the first one of the legs to a surface of the second one of the legs to electrically interconnect the opto-electronic device and the electrical contact pads.
7. The MID optical connector claimed in claim 1 , wherein the body has a channel, and the retaining clip is attached to the body by being disposed at least partly in the channel.
8. The MID optical connector claimed in claim 1 , wherein a portion of the retaining clip intersects the axis and shields a region in which the opto-electronic device is disposed against electromagnetic interference (EMI).
9. The MID optical connector claimed in claim 1 , wherein a portion of the retaining clip covers a surface defining a portion of a housing structure to shield a region inside the housing structure against EMI.
10. The MID optical connector claimed in claim 1 , wherein:
the body is generally L-shaped with an “L” defined by two legs; and
at least one metalized area follows a corner of the “L” by extending between a surface of a first one of the legs to a surface of a second one of the legs.