Method for manufacturing an optical connector assembly
US5720907A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 24, 1995 |
| Grant date | Feb 24, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 24, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/3893
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus for manufacturing an optical connector subassembly provide an improved device at lower cost. The optical connector includes a plastic base member 150 which is overmolded onto a cylindrical ferrule 140 having an axial passageway 145 which extends from one end face 141 of the ferrule to the other 142. A mold 900 includes two parts 910, 960 which are joined together before heated and pressurized thermoplastic material is injected. The ferrule is held within a first channel 914 of the mold and a spring-loaded core pin 950 is held within a second channel 964 of the mold. These channels are coaxially aligned when the mold parts are joined together. The core pin includes a conical point 951 at one end which enters the axial passageway of the ferrule before the thermoplastic material is injected. A third channel 912, 962 receives the thermoplastic material and routes it into the first and second channels. Moreover, a brake 970 is applied to the core pin when thermoplastic material enters a fourth channel 913 so that the conical point will remain in contact with end face 141 of the ferrule during molding.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.