Patent ID: 9140862
Filing Date: 2015-09-22
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. A first socket having a first multi-optical fiber connector module mounted thereon, the first socket being adapted to mate with a second socket having a second multi-optical fiber connector module mounted thereon such that mating of the first and second sockets with one another results in mating of the first and second connector modules with one another, the first socket comprising: a first socket housing having at least an upper surface, a lower surface, a first end, and a second end, wherein the first multi-optical fiber connector module is mounted on the upper surface of the first socket housing in a predetermined position and orientation relative to the first socket housing, wherein the first multi-optical fiber connector module has a first connector module housing that has at least a first passive fine alignment feature formed thereon; and at least a first passive coarse alignment feature formed on the first socket housing, the first passive coarse alignment feature being configured to engage and ultimately fully mate with a second passive coarse alignment feature formed on a second socket housing of the second socket, and wherein engagement of the first and second passive coarse alignment features of the first and second socket housings with one another brings the first and second passive fine alignment features of the first and second connector module housings into coarse alignment with one another, and wherein full mating of the first and second passive coarse alignment features with one another results in full blind mating of the first and second fine alignment features with one another to place the first and second fine alignment features in a fully-mated state, and wherein when the first and second fine alignment features are in the fully-mated state, optical pathways of the first connector module are in precise alignment with respective optical pathways of the second connector module.