Ferrules having an anti-rotation feature and fiber optic connectors using the same
View Patent ↗Ferrules having anti-rotation features along with fiber optic connectors using the same are disclosed. The ferrules have a body with a first diameter and at least one bore extending from a rear end of the ferrule to a front end of the ferrule. The ferrule has at least one anti-rotation feature such as a rib. The ferrule may be part of a ferrule assembly that includes a ferrule holder where the anti-rotation feature improves the bond between the ferrule and the ferrule holder. Methods for making the ferrules and assemblies using the ferrule are also disclosed.
1. A ferrule for a fiber optic connector, comprising:
a ferrule having a body with a first diameter and at least one bore, the at least one bore extending from a rear end of the ferrule to a front end of the ferrule, wherein the ferrule has at least one anti-rotation rib located at a recessed portion of the body, wherein the ferrule has a contact angle that is a positive two degrees or less.
2. The ferrule of claim 1 , wherein the ferrule has at least two anti-rotation portions.
3. The ferrule of claim 1 , wherein the at least one anti-rotation portion has an outer dimension that is essentially the same as the first diameter.
4. The ferrule of claim 1 , wherein the ferrule has at least four anti-rotation portions.
5. The ferrule of claim 1 , having a ferrule holder molded about the rear end of the ferrule.
6. The ferrule of claim 5 , wherein the ferrule holder has a spherical feature.
7. The ferrule of claim 1 , the ferrule being a portion of a fiber optic connector.
8. The ferrule of claim 1 , the ferrule being a portion of a fiber optic connector and the fiber optic connector being a portion of a cable assembly.
9. The ferrule of claim 8 , further including a ferrule holder molded about the rear end of the ferrule to form a ferrule holder assembly, wherein the ferrule holder assembly has a minimum break torque of 4 ounce-inches.
10. The ferrule of claim 1 , the ferrule having more than two recessed portions and anti-rotation portions.
11. A ferrule and a ferrule holder for a fiber optic connector, comprising:
a ferrule having a body with a first diameter and at least one bore, the at least one bore extending from a rear end of the ferrule to a front end of the ferrule, wherein the ferrule has at least one anti-rotation portion; and
a ferrule holder, wherein the ferrule holder is molded about a portion of the ferrule and the ferrule has a contact angle that is a positive two degrees or less to provide improved rotation retention with the ferrule holder.
12. The ferrule of claim 11 , wherein the at least one anti-rotation portion is located at a recessed portion.
13. The ferrule of claim 11 , wherein the at least one anti-rotation portion has an outer dimension that is essentially the same as the first diameter.
14. The ferrule of claim 11 , wherein the ferrule has at least four anti-rotation portions.
15. The ferrule of claim 11 , further including at least one recessed portion molded into the ferrule.
16. The ferrule of claim 11 , the ferrule being a portion of a fiber optic connector.
17. The ferrule of claim 11 , the ferrule being a portion of a fiber optic connector and the fiber optic connector being a portion of a cable assembly.
18. The ferrule of claim 17 , the ferrule holder being molded about the rear end of the ferrule to form a ferrule holder assembly, wherein the ferrule holder assembly has a minimum break torque of 4 ounce-inches.
19. The ferrule of claim 11 , wherein the ferrule holder has a spherical feature.
20. The ferrule of claim 11 , the ferrule having more than two recessed portions and anti-rotation portions.
21. A method for making a ferrule for a fiber optic connector, comprising:
providing a ferrule mold having at least one anti-rotation forming portion;
placing a ferrule material into the ferrule mold; and
removing a ferrule from the ferrule mold, wherein the ferrule has a contact angle that is a positive two degrees or less.
22. The method of claim 21 , further including the step of molding a ferrule holder about the ferrule.
23. The method of claim 21 , the ferrule forming a portion of a fiber optic connector.
24. The method of claim 21 , the ferrule having more than two recessed portions and anti-rotation portions.