Optical fiber movable connector and optical fiber connection and assembly method

Abstract

An optical fiber movable connector and an optical fiber connection and assembly method. The optical fiber movable connector is used for being assembled to an optical fiber to be connected, and comprises a tube pass-through connection unit, which comprises a pulling sheath (1), a ferrule assembly, a stopper (3) and a tail sleeve (4) which are coaxially arranged, said optical fiber being detachably connected to one end of the tail sleeve (4), the other end of the tail sleeve (4) being connected to the stopper (3), one end of the stopper (3) being sleeved on the ferrule assembly, and the other end of the stopper (3) being detachably connected to the pulling sheath (1); and a discrete part unit, which is used for being assembled to the tube pass-through connection unit, the discrete part unit comprising a dust cover (5), an SC outer shell (6) and an SC inner shell (7). The optical fiber movable connector is a cheaply pre-fabricated, small-sized and pullable tube pass-through assembly, which can significantly enhance the convenience for construction workers; after completion of tube passing-through, the optical fiber movable connector no matter being applied to on-site reservation or on-site assembly can make subsequent installation more convenient; and during processes of tube pass-through or wall pass-through for indoor access, the optical fiber movable connector makes optical fibers less likely to bend.

Description

Optical fiber active connector and optical fiber connection assembly method Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of optical fiber communication, and in particular to an optical fiber active connector and an optical fiber connection and assembly method. Background Art

[0002] FTTH (Fiber to the Home) has been a technological requirement that fiber optic access continues to explore and pursue. Since 2008, with the support of national policies, competition among operators, and falling equipment prices, FTTH has developed rapidly. After more than a decade of development, FTTH has now entered a period of stable growth. Traditional duct-replaced fiber optic components are prone to damage and bending during penetration through walls and ducts, and are difficult to penetrate.

[0003] The drawback of existing technology is that traditional connectors are difficult to thread through conduits, which can easily cause fiber bending during installation, significantly impacting installation. Current conduit threading techniques also have drawbacks. Connectors perform poorly when bent or pulled sideways at 90°, and are prone to deformation and bending.

[0004] Summary of the Invention

[0005] To this end, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the deficiencies in the prior art and provide an optical fiber active connector and an optical fiber connection assembly method. The optical fiber active connector of the present invention has the advantages of stability, simplicity, and low cost. It can be transmitted in slender pipes and will not be damaged or bent during the process of passing through walls and pipes. It is also firm and stable and has a traction function.

[0006] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides an optical fiber active connector for assembling to an optical fiber to be connected, comprising:

[0007] A tube connection unit, comprising a coaxially arranged pulling sheath, a ferrule assembly, a stopper, and a tail sleeve, wherein the optical fiber to be connected is detachably connected to one end of the tail sleeve, the other end of the tail sleeve is connected to the stopper, one end of the stopper is sleeved on the ferrule assembly, and the other end of the stopper is detachably connected to the pulling sheath, the pulling sheath, the ferrule assembly, the stopper, and the tail sleeve are sequentially arranged along the length direction of the optical fiber to be connected, the ferrule assembly comprises a ferrule and an elastic member, the elastic member is sleeved on the ferrule and is located between the ferrule and the stopper;

[0008] A loose parts unit is used to be assembled to the pipe connection unit. The loose parts unit includes a dust cover, an SC outer shell and an SC inner shell. The dust cover is arranged at one end of the SC outer shell, and the SC inner shell is arranged at the other end of the SC outer shell.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, the traction sheath is provided with a slot, the stopper is provided with a protrusion that matches the slot, and the traction sheath is locked with the stopper through the slot.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the clamping groove extends along one end of the traction sheath and is bent at the end to form a bent portion, the bent portion can accommodate the protrusion, and the protrusion can move in the bent portion.

[0011] The present invention also provides a method for connecting and assembling optical fibers, which uses the optical fiber activator as described above to assemble and pull the optical fibers to be connected. The method includes:

[0012] Step S1, prefabricating a pipe connection unit;

[0013] Step S2, assembling a reinforcement member and an optical fiber sheath on the optical fiber to be connected;

[0014] Step S3, assembling the tube connection unit and the optical fiber to be connected to form a first assembly having an optical signal transmission path;

[0015] Step S4, performing pulling construction on the optical fiber to be connected by the pipe connection unit;

[0016] Step S5: After the traction construction is completed, the traction sheath in the first assembly is removed to form a second assembly, and then the loose component units are assembled into the second assembly for on-site assembly.

[0017] In one embodiment of the present invention, in step S3, when the tube connection unit is assembled with the optical fiber to be connected, step S31 is also included, in which a tail sleeve is installed at one end of the optical fiber to be connected, and a stopper, an elastic member, a ferrule and the traction sheath are sequentially connected to the tail sleeve, and the stopper and the traction sheath are rotated and fastened; step S32 is also included, in which the ferrule is abutted against one end of the optical fiber to be connected, so that the elastic member is sleeved on the ferrule and is located in the space between the ferrule and the stopper.

[0018] In one embodiment of the present invention, in step S3, the stopper is crimped and fixed to the reinforcement member and the optical fiber sheath by using a thread riveting process. When the assembly is completed, the stopper is sleeved on the outside of the optical fiber sheath.

[0019] In one embodiment of the present invention, in step S3, when the optical fiber to be connected is introduced into the tube connection unit, the stripping process parameters are confirmed, and the optical fiber to be connected, the reinforcement member, and the optical fiber jacket are separated into different lengths.

[0020] In one embodiment of the present invention, in step S3, after forming the first assembly, a grinding step is also included, wherein the traction sheath is removed, the SC shell is connected to the stopper, and the end face of the ferrule is ground. After the grinding is completed, the auxiliary SC shell is removed, and the traction sheath and the stopper are rotated and fixed.

[0021] In one embodiment of the present invention, in step S4, when the optical fiber to be connected is pulled, the pulling is performed through the pulling sheath.

[0022] In one embodiment of the present invention, in step S5, after the traction is completed, the traction sheath is removed, and the SC inner shell and the SC outer shell are sequentially assembled on the stopper, and then a dust cap is put on the outside of the SC.

[0023] The above technical solution of the present invention has the following advantages over the prior art:

[0024] The optical fiber active connector to be protected by the present invention is provided with a pipe connection unit and a loose parts unit. The pipe connection unit is prefabricated and connected to one end of the optical fiber body to be connected, thereby forming a pipe connection connector with an optical signal transmission path. After the construction and traction of the pipe connection connector is completed, the traction sheath of the pipe connection connector is removed and assembled on site through the loose parts unit. The optical fiber active connector of the present invention is a pipe connection component with low prefabrication cost, small size and can be towed, which greatly improves the convenience for the construction workers. After the pipe connection is completed, whether it is reserved on site or assembled on site, it can make subsequent installation more convenient, and it is easy to enter the house through pipes or walls, so that the optical fiber is not easy to bend. The risk of damaging the optical fiber connector and the optical fiber is reduced, and the mechanical properties of the optical fiber active connector such as tensile strength, bending, and torsion are effectively improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] In order to make the content of the present invention more clearly understood, the present invention is further described in detail below based on specific embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0026] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the main structure of a pipe connection unit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of the main structure of the preferred embodiment of the present invention assembled into an SC standard port.

[0028] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of the partial structure of the traction sheath according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of a ferrule according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of an elastic member according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of a stopper according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of a tail sleeve according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of the partial structure of the dust cap according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] FIG9 is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of an SC housing according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Explanation of the reference numerals in the specification: 1. traction sheath; 10. slot; 101. bending portion; 21. insert; 22. elastic member; 3. stop member; 31. protrusion; 4. tail sleeve; 5. dust cover; 6. SC outer shell; 7. SC inner shell. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments so that those skilled in the art can better understand the present invention and implement it. However, the embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0037] Example 1

[0038] Referring to Figures 1 to 9, the present invention discloses a fiber optic connector for assembly with optical fibers to be connected. The fiber optic connector includes a tube-through connection unit, which comprises a coaxially arranged pulling sheath 1, a ferrule assembly, a stopper 3, and a tail sleeve 4. The optical fibers to be connected are detachably connected to one end of the tail sleeve 4, while the other end of the tail sleeve 4 is connected to the stopper 3. One end of the stopper 3 is sleeved onto the ferrule assembly, and the other end of the stopper 3 is detachably connected to the pulling sheath 1. Specifically, the pulling sheath 1, the ferrule assembly, the stopper 3, and the tail sleeve 4 are sequentially arranged along the length of the optical fibers to be connected. The tube-through connection unit is prefabricated and connected to one end of the optical fibers to be connected, thereby forming a tube-through connection connector with an optical signal transmission path. Specifically, the ferrule assembly includes a ferrule 21 and an elastic member 22. The elastic member 22 is sleeved onto the ferrule 21 and positioned between the ferrule 21 and the stopper 3.

[0039] The optical fiber connector further includes a component unit for assembly to the tube connection unit. Specifically, the component unit includes a dust cover 5, an SC outer shell 6, and an SC inner shell 7. The dust cover 5 is disposed at one end of the SC outer shell 6, and the SC inner shell 7 is disposed at the other end of the SC outer shell 6.

[0040] It should be noted that the conduit connection unit is first assembled to the optical fiber to be connected. After the pulling construction is completed, the pulling sheath 1 is removed, and the SC inner shell 7, the SC outer shell 6, and the dust cap 5 in the loose-parts unit are then sequentially assembled to the stopper 3, thereby completing the SC standard port assembly. The SC outer shell, the dust cap 5, and the stopper 3 are rotationally locked, allowing the optical fiber connector to be easily stretched, twisted, and bent, thereby reducing damage to the optical fiber connector and the optical fiber during use.

[0041] From this, it can be known that the optical fiber active connector to be protected by the present invention is provided with a pipe connection unit and a loose parts unit. The pipe connection unit is prefabricated and connected to one end of the optical fiber body to be connected, thereby forming a pipe connection connector with an optical signal transmission path. After the construction and traction of the pipe connection connector is completed, the traction sheath of the pipe connection connector is removed and assembled on site through the loose parts unit. The optical fiber active connector of the present invention is a pipe connection component with low prefabrication cost, small size and can be towed, which greatly improves the convenience for the construction workers. After the pipe connection is completed, whether it is reserved on site or assembled on site, it can make subsequent installation more convenient, and it is easy to enter the house through pipes or walls, making it less likely for the optical fiber to bend. Reduce the risk of damaging the optical fiber connector and the optical fiber, and effectively improve the mechanical properties of the optical fiber active connector such as tensile strength, bending, and torsion.

[0042] As a preferred embodiment, the traction sheath 1 is provided with a slot 10 , and the stopper 3 is provided with a protrusion 31 that matches the slot 10 . The traction sheath 1 is locked with the stopper 3 through the slot 10 .

[0043] As a preferred embodiment, the slot 10 extends along one end of the pulling sheath 1 and bends at the distal end to form a bent portion 101. The bent portion 101 can accommodate the protrusion 31, and the protrusion 31 can move within the bent portion. Specifically, the pulling sheath 1 and the stopper 3 are engaged and rotated, thereby locking the pulling sheath 1 and the stopper 3 together. When the pulling sheath 1 and the stopper 3 are rotated and tightened, there is still a certain amount of residual space between them, thereby more effectively improving the mechanical properties of the optical fiber connector, such as tensile strength, bending, and torsion.

[0044] As a preferred embodiment, the stopper 3 is a pressure-free stopper.

[0045] In summary, the present invention can be used for fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) pipes (or through walls), and the beneficial effects of the present invention also include:

[0046] 1. By rotating the pressure-free stopper to make it tightly fit the traction sheath, this setting can be more secure and enable the optical fiber active connector to have a traction function;

[0047] 2. When the optical fiber active connector is assembled with the SC housing and the dust cap, a twist buckle is used for fastening, thereby facilitating the stretching, twisting and bending of the optical fiber active connector, thereby reducing the risk of damaging the optical fiber connector and the optical fiber in actual use.

[0048] 3. The traction sheath and the crimp-free stopper are made of engineering plastics, which are light and low in cost;

[0049] 4. The traction sheath and the crimp-free stopper are fixed by rotating and fastening, making the structure simpler and more effective in stabilizing the optical fiber connector.

[0050] 5. Compared with traditional fiber optic active connectors, there is still a certain amount of redundant space between the pulling sheath and the crimp-free stopper after rotation and tightening. This setting can effectively improve the mechanical properties of the fiber optic active connector, such as tensile strength, bending, and torsion.

[0051] Example 2

[0052] The present invention also provides a method for connecting and assembling optical fibers, which uses the optical fiber activator as described in the first embodiment to assemble and pull the optical fibers to be connected. The method includes:

[0053] Step S1, prefabricating a pipe connection unit. Specifically, each part of the pipe connection unit is prefabricated by a prefabrication and termination process;

[0054] Step S2, assembling a reinforcement member and an optical fiber sheath on the optical fiber to be connected;

[0055] Step S3, assembling the tube connection unit and the optical fiber to be connected to form a first assembly having an optical signal transmission path;

[0056] Step S4, performing pulling construction on the optical fiber to be connected by the pipe connection unit;

[0057] Step S5: After the traction construction is completed, the traction sheath 1 in the first assembly is removed to form a second assembly, and then the loose component units are assembled into the second assembly to perform on-site assembly.

[0058] Furthermore, in step S3, when the tube connection unit is assembled with the optical fiber to be connected, step S31 is also included, in which a tail sleeve 4 is installed at one end of the optical fiber to be connected, and a stopper 3, an elastic member 22, a core 21 and the traction sheath 1 are sequentially connected to the tail sleeve 4, and the stopper 3 and the traction sheath 1 are rotated and fastened, thereby effectively improving the overall tensile strength.

[0059] The method further includes step S32 , wherein the ferrule 21 is brought into contact with one end of the optical fiber to be connected, so that the elastic member 22 is sleeved on the ferrule 21 and located in the space between the ferrule 21 and the stopper 3 .

[0060] Furthermore, in step S3, the stopper 3 is crimped and fixed to the reinforcement member and the optical fiber sheath by a thread riveting process. When the assembly is completed, the stopper 3 is sleeved on the outside of the optical fiber sheath. The optical fiber sheath can protect the connected optical fiber from scratches and damage.

[0061] Specifically, in step S3, when the optical fiber to be connected is introduced into the tube connection unit, the stripping process parameters are confirmed, and the optical fiber to be connected, the reinforcement member, and the optical fiber jacket are separated into different lengths.

[0062] In the step S3, after the first assembly is formed, a grinding step is also included, in which the traction sheath 1 is removed, the SC shell 6 is connected to the stopper 3, and the end face of the ferrule 21 is ground. After the grinding is completed, the auxiliary SC shell 6 is removed, and the traction sheath 1 and the stopper 3 are rotated and fixed.

[0063] In step S4 , when the optical fiber to be connected is pulled, it is pulled through the pulling sheath 1 .

[0064] In step S5 , after the traction is completed, the traction sheath 1 is removed, and the SC inner shell 7 and the SC outer shell 6 are sequentially assembled on the stopper 3 , and then the dust cap 5 is sleeved on the SC outer shell 6 .

[0065] As a preferred embodiment, the elastic member 22 is a spring.

[0066] As a preferred embodiment, the reinforcement is a Kevlar reinforcement.

[0067] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "disposed" and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; mechanical connections, electrical connections; direct connections, indirect connections through an intermediate medium, and internal connections between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention in specific circumstances.

[0068] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood to indicate or imply relative importance or implicitly specify the number of the technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature specified as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of the present invention, "plurality" means two or more, unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0069] In the present invention, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, terms such as "mounted," "connected," "connect," and "fixed" should be understood broadly. For example, they may refer to fixed connection, detachable connection, or integration; mechanical connection; direct connection or indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and internal communication between two components or interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention based on specific circumstances.

[0070] Obviously, the above embodiments are merely examples for clarity of explanation and are not intended to limit the implementation methods. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other variations or modifications can be made based on the above description. It is not necessary and impossible to enumerate all implementation methods here. Obvious variations or modifications arising therefrom remain within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An optical fiber active connector, used for assembling to an optical fiber to be connected, characterized in that: include, A tube-through connection unit, comprising a coaxially arranged pulling sheath, a core plug assembly, a stopper and a tail sleeve, wherein the optical fiber to be connected is detachably connected to one end of the tail sleeve, the other end of the tail sleeve is connected to the stopper, one end of the stopper is sleeved on the core plug assembly, the other end of the stopper is detachably connected to the pulling sheath, the pulling sheath, the core plug assembly, the stopper and the tail sleeve are sequentially arranged along the length direction of the optical fiber to be connected, the core plug assembly comprises a core plug and an elastic member, the elastic member is sleeved on the core plug and is located between the core plug and the stopper; A loose parts unit is used to be assembled to the pipe connection unit, and the loose parts unit includes a dust cover, an SC outer shell and an SC inner shell. The dust cover is arranged at one end of the SC outer shell, and the SC inner shell is arranged at the other end of the SC outer shell.

2. The optical fiber active connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The traction sheath is provided with a slot, the stopper is provided with a protrusion matching the slot, and the traction sheath is locked with the stopper through the slot.

3. The optical fiber active connector according to claim 2, characterized in that: The clamping groove extends along one end of the traction sheath and is bent at the end to form a bent portion. The bent portion can accommodate the protrusion, and the protrusion can move in the bent portion.

4. A method for optical fiber connection assembly, characterized in that: The optical fiber movable device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 is used to assemble and pull the optical fiber to be connected, and the method includes: Step S1, prefabricating a pipe connection unit; Step S2, assembling a reinforcement member and an optical fiber sheath on the optical fiber to be connected; Step S3, assembling the tube connection unit and the optical fiber to be connected to form a a first assembly of a transmission pathway; Step S4, performing pulling construction on the optical fiber to be connected by the tube connection unit; Step S5, after the traction construction is completed, the traction sheath in the first assembly is removed to form a second assembly, and then the loose component units are assembled into the second assembly for on-site assembly.

5. The optical fiber connection and assembly method according to claim 4, characterized in that: In step S3, when the tube connection unit is assembled with the optical fiber to be connected, it also includes step S31, installing a tail sleeve at one end of the optical fiber to be connected, and sequentially connecting a stopper, an elastic member, a core insert and the traction sheath to the tail sleeve, and rotating and fastening the stopper and the traction sheath; it also includes step S32, abutting the core insert against one end of the optical fiber to be connected, so that the elastic member is sleeved on the core insert and is located in the space between the core insert and the stopper.

6. The optical fiber connection and assembly method according to claim 4, characterized in that: In the step S3, the stopper, the reinforcement member and the optical fiber sheath are crimped and fixed by using a threaded riveting process. When the assembly is completed, the stopper is sleeved on the outside of the optical fiber sheath.

7. The optical fiber connection and assembly method according to claim 4, characterized in that: In step S3, when the optical fiber to be connected is introduced into the tube connection unit, the stripping process parameters are confirmed, and the optical fiber to be connected, the reinforcement member, and the optical fiber sheath are separated into different lengths.

8. The optical fiber connection and assembly method according to claim 4, characterized in that: In step S3, after forming the first assembly, a grinding step is also included, wherein the traction sheath is removed, the SC shell is connected to the stopper, and the end face of the insert is ground. After the grinding is completed, the auxiliary SC shell is removed, and the traction sheath and the stopper are rotated and fixed.

9. The optical fiber connection and assembly method according to claim 4, characterized in that: In the step S4, when the optical fiber to be connected is pulled, it is pulled through the pulling sheath.

10. The optical fiber connection and assembly method according to claim 4, characterized in that: In the step S5, after the traction is completed, the traction sheath is removed, and the SC inner shell and the SC outer shell are sequentially assembled on the stopper, and then a dust cap is mounted on the SC outer shell.

Images