Method for manufacturing an optical connector assembly

U.S. Patent Number: 5720907

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.

Inventors: Anderson; Jerry Max (Austell, GA), Lampert; Norman Roger (Norcross, GA), Shevchuk; George John (Old Bridge, GA)

Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc. (Murray Hill, NJ)

Application Number: 08/428,804

Issued: 1998-02-24

Expired: 2006-02-24

Classes: 264/1.25 ; 264/272.15; 264/275; 264/328.1; 425/116; 425/468; 425/577

Field of search: 264/1.25,272.15,274,275,279,279.1,328.1 425/116,117,468,467,577 249/63,64

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