A neutral waterproof fiber optic connector

Abstract

The present invention relates to a neutral waterproof optical fiber connector, which includes a free end and a fixed end that are butt - jointed at the front end. Both the free end and the fixed end include an inner housing with threads provided on the outer peripheral surface of the front end, and an outer housing that is coaxially assembled outside the inner housing and can axially move and circumferentially rotate relative to the inner housing; a plurality of axially - extending thread notches that are distributed along the circumference and have a length not shorter than the thread length divide the part of the inner housing with external threads at the front end into thread blocks adapted to the thread notches. When the connectors are inserted and mated, the thread blocks on the inner housing at any one end are inserted into the thread notches at the other end, and the internal threads at the front end of the outer housing at any one end can mesh with the thread blocks on the inner housing at the other end to achieve locking. The present invention utilizes the relative position and angular differential structure of the neutral thread notches and the housing, enabling any two connectors to be quickly docked through threads to form a neutral connector, and this structure is compact, capable of reducing the volume and weight of the connector.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of connectors, and particularly to a neutral watertight fiber optic connector. Background Art

[0002] The fiber optic connectors for field components of existing optical communication systems in the market are usually fixed-end connectors installed on the equipment panel. The free-end connector and the fixed-end connector adopt bayonet connection, pin connection, and threaded connection structures to meet the mechanical and environmental adaptability requirements; the outdoor environmental sealing requirements of the connector are achieved through a seal; the fixed-end connector is provided with a pin structure contact, and the free-end connector is provided with a jack structure contact. The pin and jack contacts achieve end-face alignment through a ceramic ferrule and then achieve the transmission of optical fiber signals. However, the connection method of this type of fiber optic connector is non-neutral and cannot quickly construct a long-distance optical transmission communication system like a neutral connector; the seal design of this type of fiber optic connector can meet the normal outdoor environmental sealing requirements, but it cannot meet the deep-water environmental sealing requirements; the pin and jack structure contacts provided on the mating end faces of the fixed-end connector and the free-end connector still need to be processed separately. When a similar structure is applied to high-density multi-core connections, its production complexity and cost are not significantly improved compared with traditional connectors. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a neutral watertight fiber optic connector with a new structure, which realizes locking through the docking of an inner housing with circumferentially distributed notches at the front end, so that the thread blocks on the inner housings at both connection ends are inserted into the notches axially misaligned to form external threads, and then the external threads on the inner housing at the opposite end are engaged with the internal threads of the outer housing with internal threads. It has the characteristics of simple structure, reliable connection, and convenient use.

[0004] The purpose of the present invention and the solution to its technical problems are achieved by adopting the following technical solutions. A neutral watertight fiber optic connector according to the present invention includes a free end and a fixed end docked at the front end. Both the free end and the fixed end include an inner housing with threads on the outer peripheral surface of the front end and an outer housing coaxially assembled outside the inner housing and capable of axially moving and circumferentially rotating relative to the inner housing; a plurality of axially extending thread notches distributed along the circumference and having a length not shorter than the thread length divide the part of the front end of the inner housing with external threads into thread blocks adapted to the thread notches. When the connectors are inserted and mated, the thread blocks on the inner housing at any end are inserted into the thread notches at the other end, and the internal threads at the front end of the outer housing at any end can be engaged with the thread blocks on the inner housing at the other end to achieve locking.

[0005] The purpose of the present invention and the solution to its technical problems can also be further realized by adopting the following technical measures.

[0006] The aforementioned neutral watertight fiber optic connector, wherein the axially extending length of the threaded notch is twice the axially extending length of the threaded block, such that when the free end and the fixed end are inserted, the threaded blocks of the inner housings at both ends are completely staggered, and the outer housing at each end is only engaged and locked with the threaded block on the inner housing of the other end.

[0007] The aforementioned neutral watertight fiber optic connector, wherein a stepped step is provided inside the front end of the outer housing for cooperating with the stepped surface on the outer periphery of the inner housing to define the forward movement spacing of the outer housing.

[0008] The aforementioned neutral watertight fiber optic connector, wherein the several threaded notches have different shapes, enabling the connector to have the functions of blind insertion and anti-misinsertion, and at the same time realizing the primary guidance during the insertion of the connector.

[0009] The aforementioned neutral watertight fiber optic connector, wherein seals are provided at the mating end faces of the inner housings at the free end and the fixed end to prevent external liquid from entering the connector through the mating part.

[0010] The aforementioned neutral watertight fiber optic connector, wherein a rear housing is also coaxially assembled at the rear end of the inner housing, and a ring groove for assembling a seal for realizing the sealing between the two is formed by the step on the inner side of the inner housing and the stepped surface on the outer periphery of the rear housing.

[0011] The aforementioned neutral watertight fiber optic connector, wherein the outer housing is tightly assembled to the rear housing through the annular boss in the middle thereof, and the front end face of the annular boss cooperates with the end face of the tail of the inner housing to define the forward movement spacing of the outer housing, and the rear end face cooperates with the front end face of the tail nut at the tail of the rear housing to define the backward movement spacing of the outer housing.

[0012] The aforementioned neutral watertight fiber optic connector, wherein a hole for assembling the front pin component of the neutral fiber contact is provided at the front end, and a hole position for inserting or fixing a metal sleeve extending out of the inner housing and sleeved outside the pin component is further provided outside the installation hole of the pin component; the pin components with and without the metal sleeve sleeved inside the same inner housing are arranged in mirror symmetry.

[0013] The aforementioned neutral watertight fiber optic connector, wherein a ceramic sleeve is provided inside the metal sleeve.

[0014] The aforementioned neutral watertight fiber optic connector, wherein the neutral contact is a standard LC pin component.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has obvious advantages and beneficial effects. By means of the above technical solutions, the neutral watertight fiber optic connector of the present invention can achieve considerable technological progressiveness and practicality, and has wide utilization value in the industry. It has at least the following advantages:

[0016] 1) The front end of the inner housing of the present invention is provided with a neutral threaded notch connection structure. The relative position structure design of the neutral threaded notch and the housing enables any two identical connectors to be butt-jointed with each other through the threaded notch to form a neutral threaded connector; after any two identical connectors complete the guiding butt-joint, the internal thread of the connector housing can be engaged with the external thread outside the front end of the inner housing of another connector to achieve the rapid threaded connection of the connectors and ensure the stable transmission of the optical signal of the connectors.

[0017] 2) The product of the present invention utilizes the relative position and angular differentiation structure of the neutral threaded notch and the housing, the mirror-symmetrical structure of the multi-core hole positions of the neutral optical fiber contact member and the metal sleeve member, the symmetrical structure of the guide pin holes and the guide pins, etc. This type of structure design enables any two connectors to be quickly butt-jointed through threads to form a neutral connector, and this structure is compact, which can reduce the volume and weight of the connectors;

[0018] 3) Sealing members are provided between the mating end face, the inside of the connector, and the tail of the connector and the optical cable of the connector of the present invention, which can meet the sealing requirements of the connector for a water depth of 15 m for 24 h;

[0019] 4) The connector of the present invention adopts a neutral optical fiber contact member, which is convenient for installation, disassembly, and maintenance, and is beneficial to reducing the complex production process and manufacturing and use costs. Description of the Drawings

[0020] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of one end of the neutral waterproof optical fiber connector of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of one end of the neutral waterproof optical fiber connector of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 is Figure 2 a partial cross-sectional view of

[0023] Figure 4 is a pre-mating butt-joint schematic diagram of the neutral waterproof optical fiber connector of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 5 is a mating state schematic diagram of the neutral waterproof optical fiber connector of the present invention.

[0025]

Description of the Main Component Symbols

[0026] 1: Inner housing

[0027] 2: First sealing ring

[0028] 3: Outer housing

[0029] 4: Pressure plate

[0030] 5: Second sealing ring

[0031] 6: Rear housing

[0032] 7: Third sealing ring

[0033] 8: Tail nut

[0034] 9: Fourth sealing ring

[0035] 10: Washer

[0036] 11: Pressure ring

[0037] 12: Double-wall heat shrinkable tube

[0038] 13: Neutral fiber optic contact

[0039] 14: Metal sleeve component

[0040] 15: Guide pin hole

[0041] 16: Guide pin

[0042] 17: Thread notch

[0043] 18: Standard LC ferrule component

[0044] 19: LC spring

[0045] 20: Thread block Detailed implementation manners

[0046] To further elaborate on the technical means and effects adopted by the present invention to achieve the intended invention purpose, the following, in combination with the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments, details the specific implementation manners, structures, features and their effects of the neutral waterproof fiber optic connector according to the present invention as follows.

[0047] Please refer to Figures 1-5 , which is a schematic diagram of the structures of various parts of the neutral waterproof fiber optic connector of the present invention. The connector includes a free end and a fixed end that are butt-connected at the front end. Both the free end and the fixed end include an inner housing 1 with a thread on the outer peripheral surface of the front end, and an outer housing 3 that is coaxially assembled outside the inner housing 1 and can axially move and circumferentially rotate relative to the inner housing 1. The part of the front end of the inner housing 1 with an external thread is also divided into thread blocks 20 that are adapted to the above-mentioned thread notches by a plurality of axially extending thread notches 17 that are circumferentially distributed and have a length not shorter than the thread length. When the free end and the fixed end are inserted and combined, the thread blocks on the inner housing of the free end are inserted into the thread notches on the inner housing of the fixed end, and the thread blocks on the inner housing of the fixed end are located in the thread notches of the inner housing of the free end. Finally, rotate the outer housings 3 of the free end and the fixed end so that they are simultaneously engaged with the thread blocks on the inner housings of the free end and the fixed end or only engaged with the thread blocks on the inner housing of the other end to realize the locking of the two connection ends.

[0048] In an embodiment of the present invention, a stepped surface is provided inside the front end of the outer housing 3 for cooperating with and limiting the stepped surface on the outer periphery of the inner housing 1. When the two connectors are connected, the internal step of the outer housing 3 can limit the axial displacement of the outer housing, facilitating the judgment of the proper connection of the internal thread in the outer housing.

[0049] In an embodiment of the present invention, the length of the axially extending threaded notch 17 is twice the length of the axially extending threaded block 20, such that when the free end and the fixed end are inserted and mated, the threaded blocks of the two inner housings at both ends are completely staggered. Each outer housing only engages and locks with the threaded block on the inner housing at the other end, but this is not limited thereto. In this embodiment, when the internal thread of the outer housing is properly connected to the threaded block at the other end, the internal step of the outer housing abuts and limits the outer peripheral stepped surface of the inner housing, preventing the internal thread at the front end of the connector outer housing 3 from engaging with the external thread at the front end of its own inner housing 1.

[0050] In an embodiment of the present invention, the threaded notch 17 has different shapes, such that when connecting and inserting, only when all the matching threaded notches and threaded blocks are fully corresponding can the insertion be achieved, enabling the connector to have the functions of blind insertion and anti-misinsertion, and at the same time realizing the primary guiding of the connector.

[0051] A first sealing ring 2 is provided on the mating end face at the front part of the inner housing 1. When the two ends of the connector are docked through the threaded notch structure of the inner housing 1, and the external thread of one inner housing 1 is connected and locked with the internal thread of the outer housing 3 at the other end, the end faces of the two inner housings 1 come into contact, and the two first sealing rings 2 on the end faces are pressed against each other to ensure the sealing performance of the docked connector.

[0052] In an embodiment of the present invention, a rear housing 6 is also coaxially assembled at the rear end of the inner housing 1. In an embodiment of the present invention, the inner housing 1 and the rear housing 6 are connected by the cooperation of the internal thread at the rear end of the inner housing 1 and the external thread at the front end of the rear housing 6, but this is not limited thereto. A second sealing ring 5 for realizing the sealing between the two is also provided between the inner housing 1 and the rear housing 6. Preferably, the second sealing ring 5 is pressed into the annular groove formed by the inner stepped surface at the inner side of the inner housing 1 and the outer stepped surface of the rear housing 6, but this is not limited to this position.

[0053] An annular boss is provided in the middle of the outer housing 3. The inner peripheral surface of this annular boss is tightly sleeved on the outer peripheral surface of the rear housing 6. The front end face of the annular boss cooperates with the tail end face of the inner housing 1 to limit the forward movement distance of the outer housing 2 relative to the inner housing 1, and the rear end face cooperates with the front end face of the tail nut 8 connected to the rear of the rear housing 6 to limit the backward movement distance of the outer housing.

[0054] The rear housing 6 is provided with a contact mounting hole for mounting the neutral fiber optic contact 13. The inner housing 1 is provided with a hole for the pin component 18 at the front end of the contact to pass through, a guide pin mounting hole for assembling the guide pin 16, and a guide pin hole 15 that cooperates with the guide pin 16. The guide pin and the guide pin hole are arranged in mirror symmetry. After the first-level guiding of any two identical connector thread notches is completed, the guide pin hole 15 and the guide pin 16 can be neutrally docked through the symmetric structure to achieve the second-level guiding of the connector.

[0055] The front end of the inner housing 1 is further provided with a hole position for inserting or fixing the metal sleeve 14 that is sleeved on the pin component 18 to ensure optical alignment between the neutral fiber optic contacts 13 and achieve the third-level guiding of the connector. The pin components 18 with the metal sleeve 14 sleeved and without the metal sleeve 14 sleeved in the same inner housing are arranged in mirror symmetry. Half of the metal sleeve 14 is located inside the inner housing, and the other half extends out of the inner housing for cooperation with the pin component without the metal sleeve at the other end. Preferably, a ceramic sleeve commonly used in fiber optic connectors is provided inside the metal sleeve 14, which can ensure optical alignment between the neutral fiber optic contacts 13 and ensure stable transmission of the fiber optic signal of the connector.

[0056] In the embodiment of the present invention, the neutral fiber optic contact 13 is fixed in the inner housing through the pressing plate 14 inside the tail end of the inner housing 1. The neutral fiber optic contact 13 of the present invention is composed of a standard LC pin component 18 and an LC spring 19. This product uses neutral fiber optic contact, which is different from the contact configuration of the pin and jack structures of traditional fiber optic connectors. When similar structures are applied to high-density multi-core connections, its production complex process and manufacturing and usage costs are significantly improved compared to traditional connectors. At the same time, the standard LC pin component 17 and LC spring 18 used in the neutral fiber optic contact 13 are commonly used parts in the market, with stable procurement channels, low procurement costs, and mature contact grinding processes. At the same time, a ceramic sleeve commonly used in fiber optic connectors is provided inside the metal sleeve 14, which can achieve end-face optical alignment of the neutral fiber optic contacts 13 and ensure stable transmission of the fiber optic signal of the connector.

[0057] A third sealing ring 7, a fourth sealing ring 9, a washer 10, a pressing ring 11, a double-wall heat shrinkable tube 12, etc. are also provided between the rear housing 6 and the tail nut 8, which are all designed to ensure the sealing performance between the tail of the connector and the optical cable and the tensile performance of the optical cable, and can meet the normal operation of the connector in a deep-water environment. By respectively providing the first sealing ring 2, the second sealing ring 5, the third sealing ring 7, the fourth sealing ring 9, the washer 10, the pressing ring 11, the double-wall heat shrinkable tube 12, etc. on the front end face, inside and tail of the connector, the sealing performance between the mating end faces of the connector, between the internal components of the connector, and between the tail of the connector and the optical cable, and the tensile performance of the optical cable can be ensured, and the connector can withstand a water depth of 15 m for 24 h.

[0058] In the present invention, an axial extension length that is greater than the thread setting length and is used to divide the thread on the outer side thereof into several thread blocks is provided at the front end of the inner housing. After rotating a certain angle, a notch that can fit the above-mentioned thread blocks is provided. Thus, after the free end and the fixed end inner housings are butted, the corresponding thread blocks are inserted into the notches to achieve circumferential limitation. Then, the outer housings each provided with an internal thread are engaged with the external threads of the opposite end inner housings to achieve locking. The present invention has the characteristics of simple structure, convenient installation and disassembly.

[0059] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and do not impose any form of limitation on the present invention. Although the present invention has been disclosed above with the preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make some changes or modifications to equivalent embodiments by using the disclosed technical content within the scope of the technical solution of the present invention. However, as long as it does not depart from the content of the technical solution of the present invention, any simple modification, equivalent change and modification made to the above embodiments according to the technical essence of the present invention still fall within the scope of the technical solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. A neutral watertight fiber optic connector, comprising a free end and a fixed end that are butt-joined at the front end, characterized in that: Both the free end and the fixed end include an inner housing with a threaded outer peripheral surface at the front end, and an outer housing coaxially assembled outside the inner housing and axially movable and circumferentially rotatable relative to the inner housing; A number of axially extending thread notches distributed along the circumference and no shorter than the thread length divide the threaded part of the front end of the inner housing into thread blocks adapted to the thread notches. When the connectors are inserted, the thread blocks on the inner housing at either end are inserted into the thread notches at the other end, and the internal threads at the front end of the outer housing at either end can engage with the thread blocks on the inner housing at the other end to achieve locking; A rear housing is also coaxially assembled at the rear end of the inner housing. The outer housing is tightly assembled on the rear housing through a circumferential boss in the middle, and the front end face of the circumferential boss cooperates with the end face of the tail of the inner housing to limit the forward movement distance of the outer housing; The rear end face of the circumferential boss cooperates with the front end face of the tail nut at the tail of the rear housing to limit the backward movement distance of the outer housing; Seals for preventing external liquid from entering the connector from the insertion part are provided at the insertion end faces of the free end and the fixed end inner housings.

2. The neutral watertight fiber optic connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The axially extending length of the thread notch is twice the axially extending length of the thread block, so that when the free end and the fixed end are inserted, the thread blocks of the inner housings at both ends are completely staggered, and the outer housing at each end only engages and locks with the thread blocks on the inner housing at the other end.

3. The neutral watertight fiber optic connector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: A stepped step for cooperating with the stepped surface on the outer periphery of the inner housing to limit the forward movement distance of the outer housing is provided inside the front end of the outer housing.

4. The neutral watertight fiber optic connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The several thread notches have different shapes, enabling the connector to have the functions of blind insertion and anti-misinsertion, and at the same time realizing the primary guidance during the insertion of the connector.

5. The neutral watertight fiber optic connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The step inside the inner housing and the stepped surface on the outer periphery of the rear housing enclose a ring groove for assembling a seal for realizing the sealing between the two.

6. The neutral watertight fiber optic connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: A hole for assembling the front pin component of the neutral fiber contact is provided at the front end of the inner housing, and a hole position for inserting or fixing a metal sleeve with the front end extending out of the inner housing and sleeved outside the pin component is also provided inside the inner housing; The pin components with and without the metal sleeve sleeved inside the same inner housing are arranged symmetrically in a mirror image.

7. The neutral watertight fiber optic connector according to claim 6, characterized in that: A ceramic sleeve is provided inside the metal sleeve.

8. The neutral watertight fiber optic connector according to claim 6, characterized in that: The neutral fiber contact is a standard LC pin component.

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