A multi-core watertight bulkhead fiber optic connector

Abstract

The present invention relates to a multi-core watertight bulkhead fiber optic connector, which is characterized in that it includes a bulkhead socket and two plugs. The bulkhead socket and the plugs are guided through the cooperation of a key and groove connection structure and are inserted through the cooperation of a positioning pin and a positioning pin hole connection structure. After the bulkhead socket and the plugs are inserted, they are connected and locked through a threaded structure. The bulkhead socket is provided with an optical contact member and an optical connection end rubber member, and the plug is provided with a coupling sleeve. When the bulkhead socket and the plug are inserted, the optical contact member is inserted into the coupling sleeve to achieve optical path alignment and fiber connection. The optical connection end rubber member is located at the insertion end face between the optical contact member and the coupling sleeve. The plugs and the bulkhead socket of the present invention both have transverse watertight performance. After the plug and the bulkhead socket are connected and locked, the overall watertightness of the bulkhead fiber optic connector can be achieved, providing watertight protection on both sides of the bulkhead.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of underwater optical fiber transmission, and particularly relates to a multi-core watertight through-hull optical fiber connector. Background Art

[0002] With the development of modern underwater equipment such as deep submersibles, the environmental adaptability requirements for underwater equipment communication systems are getting higher and higher, and the performance requirements for system signal relay transmission equipment are also getting higher and higher. As the core component of underwater equipment signal relay transmission, the multi-core watertight through-hull optical fiber connector is installed on each bulkhead of the underwater equipment cabin. On the one hand, it realizes the series connection of the optical fiber communication network between each cabin. On the other hand, it ensures the high watertightness requirements between adjacent two cabins. Moreover, according to the usage situation, the multi-core watertight through-hull optical fiber connector can be conveniently disassembled and replaced.

[0003] The main design defects of the existing multi-core watertight through-hull optical fiber connectors are complex structure, lack of modular design, and single watertight performance design. Therefore, they cannot meet the supporting requirements of large-capacity communication systems for underwater equipment. And in the existing technology design, because the socket generally does not have longitudinal watertightness, the entire optical fiber connector often does not have high transverse and longitudinal watertightness. Restricted by the design such as the asymmetry of the two ends of the traditional watertight socket, the non-universality of parts, and the difficulty of passing the flexible optical fiber through the socket, it is very inconvenient for installation and disassembly. For a long time, there has been no better improved design structure or solution. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a multi-core watertight through-hull optical fiber connector, which can meet the supporting requirements of large-capacity communication systems for underwater equipment, can realize the simultaneous transmission of multiple digital signals, has high transverse and longitudinal watertightness, and is convenient for installation and disassembly. To solve the above technical problems, the technical solution of the present invention is realized as follows:

[0005] A multi-core watertight through-hull optical fiber connector, characterized in that: it includes a through-hull socket 2 and two plugs 1. The through-hull socket 2 and the plug 1 are guided through the key and groove connection structure and are inserted through the positioning pin and positioning pin hole connection structure. After the through-hull socket 2 and the plug 1 are inserted, they are connected and locked through a threaded structure. The through-hull socket 2 is provided with an optical contact 2114 and an optical connection end rubber part 2115. The plug 1 is provided with a coupling sleeve 122. When the through-hull socket 2 and the plug 1 are inserted, the optical contact 2114 is inserted into the coupling sleeve 122 to realize optical path alignment and optical fiber connection. The optical connection end rubber part 2115 is located at the insertion end face of the optical contact 2114 and the coupling sleeve 122.

[0006] Further, the two ends of the through-cabin socket 2 are respectively a first socket body 21 and a second socket body 25. The middle of the through-cabin socket 2 is a HALF bracket 23 for adjusting the length and angle of the through-cabin socket 2, and a sleeve 24 placed outside the HALF bracket 23 for fixing the through-cabin socket 2. The first socket body 21 includes a first middle socket 212, a socket base body and a pressing ring. The second socket body 25 includes a second middle socket 251, a socket base body and a pressing ring.

[0007] Further, a keyway-mating guiding structure is provided at one end of the socket base bodies of the first socket body 21 and the second socket body 25 in the through-cabin socket 2. The other ends of the socket base bodies are respectively threadedly connected to the first middle socket 212 and the second middle socket 251, and glue is applied or mechanical sealing is performed at the threaded parts.

[0008] Further, both the first middle socket 212 and the second middle socket 251 are hollow cavities. The hollow cavities of the first middle socket 212 and the second middle socket 251 are filled with sealant to fill and seal the multiple optical fibers passing through inside. The pressing rings of the first socket body 21 and the second socket body 25 are respectively threadedly connected to the first middle socket 212 and the second middle socket 251 to further fix and limit the sealant.

[0009] Further, the HALF bracket 23 is a hollow cavity structure symmetrically divided into two halves and fixed with cable ties. Multiple optical fibers pass through the cavity of the HALF bracket 23 with a certain optical fiber surplus length left. A radial kidney-shaped groove is provided on the outer cylindrical surface of the first middle socket 212, and an axial kidney-shaped groove is provided on the outer cylindrical surface of the second middle socket 251. The two ends of the HALF bracket 23 are respectively movably connected to the radial kidney-shaped groove on the first middle socket 212 and the axial kidney-shaped groove on the second middle socket 251 with pins. The pins can slide in the kidney-shaped grooves. The sliding of the pins in the radial kidney-shaped groove enables the first socket body 21 to rotate around the axis, and the sliding of the pins in the axial kidney-shaped groove enables the second socket body 25 to expand and contract axially.

[0010] Further, the plug 1 includes a connecting nut 11, a head base body 12 located inside the connecting nut 11, and a tail accessory 13 connected to the head base body 12 for supporting the optical fiber. The tail accessory 13 includes a middle sleeve 131 for hand operation, a tension sleeve 132, a potting sleeve 133 for anti-tensile, and a rubber sleeve 134 for preventing excessive bending of the optical fiber.

[0011] Further, the connecting nut 11 of the plug is sleeved outside the head base body 12. One end of the head base body 12 is provided with a guiding structure of a groove or a key, and the other end is threadedly connected to one end of the middle sleeve 131. The middle sleeve 131 is a hollow cavity, and multiple optical fibers pass through the cavity. The other end of the middle sleeve 131 is threadedly connected to the tension sleeve 132. The threaded connection between the head base body 12 and the middle sleeve 131 and the threaded connection between the middle sleeve 131 and the tension sleeve 132 are sealed. The potting sleeve 133 is embedded at the end of the hollow cavity of the middle sleeve 131, and the outside of the potting sleeve 133 is sealed with the cavity of the middle sleeve 131.

[0012] Further, the threaded connection between the head base body 12 and the middle sleeve 131 and the threaded connection between the middle sleeve 131 and the tension sleeve 132 are sealed by applying glue or mechanical sealing. The outside of the potting sleeve 133 and the cavity of the middle sleeve 131 are sealed by applying glue or mechanical sealing.

[0013] Further, the potting sleeve 133 is also a hollow cavity. The cavity is filled with a sealing glue to seal the multiple optical fibers. The rubber sleeve 134 is embedded in the tail groove of the tension sleeve 132, bends along with the tail of the optical fiber passing through the inside, and provides bending limit for the tail of the optical fiber.

[0014] The present invention for invention patent can bring the following beneficial effects:

[0015] 1. In the present invention, both the plug and the bulkhead socket have transverse watertight performance. After the plug and the bulkhead socket are connected and locked, the overall watertightness of the bulkhead optical fiber connector can be achieved, providing the first watertight guarantee for both sides of the bulkhead.

[0016] 2. In the present invention, each component of the bulkhead socket and the plug is modular and generalized. The components at both ends can be interchangeably used, are easy to manufacture, and have low costs.

[0017] 3. In the present invention, the bulkhead socket has double longitudinal watertight performance. When the plugs are not connected at both ends, the high watertightness of both sides of the bulkhead can be independently achieved, providing the second watertight guarantee for both sides of the bulkhead.

[0018] 4. In the present invention, the bulkhead socket can expand and contract its own length according to the actual thickness of the bulkhead, and can rotate the flange angle according to the position of the flange mounting holes on the bulkhead to align, having the characteristic of flexible adaptive installation.

[0019] 5. In the present invention, the optical fiber connector can achieve the simultaneous passing of multiple optical fibers through the bulkhead. The bulkhead socket and the plug have a compact structure, a small volume, and a small required opening size on the bulkhead, saving the installation space.

[0020] 6. In the present invention, the bulkhead socket is fixed on the sleeve by means of flanges at both ends, without distinction between front and back. Moreover, multiple optical fibers are wrapped in the HALF bracket to form a rigid bulkhead penetration, making the installation and disassembly steps of the bulkhead socket simple and facilitating maintenance.

[0021] The above description is only an overview of the technical solution of the present invention. In order to understand the technical means of the present invention more clearly, it can be implemented according to the content of the description. And in order to make the above and other purposes, features and advantages of the present invention more obvious and understandable, the following specific preferred embodiments are given and described in detail in conjunction with the drawings as follows. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for the description of the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative efforts.

[0023] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of a multi-core watertight bulkhead optical fiber connector of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 A cross-sectional structure diagram of the plug of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 3 A cross-sectional structure diagram of the bulkhead socket of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 4 A structure diagram of the first middle sleeve of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 5 A structure diagram of the second middle sleeve of the present invention;

[0028] In the figure:

[0029] 1 Plug 11 Nut 12 Head base 13 Tail accessory

[0030] 111 Thread structure 121 Groove 122 Coupling sleeve 123 Positioning pin hole 124 End face 131 Middle sleeve

[0031] 132 Tensile sleeve 133 Glue filling sleeve 134 Rubber sleeve 1311 Optical fiber 1321 Groove 1331 Sealant

[0032] 2 Bulkhead socket

[0033] 21 First socket body 22 Flange 23 HALF bracket 24 Sleeve 25 Second socket body

[0034] 211 Base body, 212 First socket middle sleeve, 213 Compression ring

[0035] 215 Second socket middle sleeve, 231 Cable tie, 232 Pin, 233 Optical fiber, 241 Bolt, 251 Second socket middle sleeve

[0036] 2111 Thread structure, 2112 Locating pin, 2113 Key, 2114 Optical contact, 2115 Rubber part

[0037] 2116 Locking ring, 2121 Radial waist-shaped groove, 2131 Sealing glue

[0038] 2511 Axial waist-shaped groove, 221 Socket body rubber part, 222 Flange rubber part, 241 Bolt Detailed implementation mode

[0039] To further elaborate on the technical means, creative features, achieved objectives and effects of the implementation of this invention patent for easy understanding, the following, in combination with the attached drawings and preferred embodiments, details the specific implementation mode, structure, features and effects of a multi-core watertight through-hull optical fiber connector provided according to this invention patent as follows.

[0040] Embodiment 1

[0041] As shown in Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , this embodiment provides a multi-core watertight through-hull optical fiber connector. Specifically, this invention includes a through-hull socket 2 and two plugs 1. The through-hull socket 2 and the plug 1 are guided through the cooperation of the key 2113 and the groove 121, and are inserted through the cooperation of the locating pin 2112 and the locating pin hole 123. After insertion, they are connected and locked through the thread structure 2111 and the thread structure 111. At this time, the optical contact 2114 is inserted into the coupling sleeve 122 to achieve optical path alignment and optical fiber connection. The optical connection end rubber part 2115 is in close contact with the end face 124 to achieve watertight connection between the plug and the through-hull socket 2.

[0042] The through-hull socket 2 includes a first socket body 21, a second socket body 25, a HALF bracket 23 for adjusting the length and angle of the through-hull socket 2, a flange 22 for installation on the cabin wall, and a sleeve 24 for fixing the through-hull socket 2. Among them, the first socket body 21 includes a first socket middle sleeve 212, a base body 211 and a compression ring 213. The second socket body 25 includes a second socket middle sleeve 251, a base body 211 and a compression ring 213. The plug 1 includes a connecting nut 11, a head base body 12 and a tail accessory 13 for supporting the optical fiber. Among them, the tail accessory 13 includes a middle sleeve 131 for hand operation, a tension sleeve 132, a potting sleeve 133 for anti-tensile, and a rubber sleeve 134 for preventing excessive bending of the optical fiber 1311.

[0043] Among them, one end of the base body 211 is provided with a guiding structure for the key 2113. The other end of the base body 211 is threadedly connected to the first middle socket 212 and the second middle socket 251 respectively, and glue is applied at the threaded joints for sealing.

[0044] Both the first middle socket 212 and the second middle socket 251 are hollow cavities. The multi-channel optical fiber 233 passes through the cavities, and the multi-channel optical fiber 233 is filled and sealed with sealant 2131 in the cavities. The compression ring 213 is threadedly connected to the first middle socket 212 and the second middle socket 251 respectively, further fixing and limiting the sealant 2131.

[0045] The HALF bracket 23 is a hollow cavity that is symmetrically divided into two halves and fixed with a cable tie 231. The multi-channel optical fiber 233 passes through the cavity with a certain length of optical fiber surplus left. The two ends of the HALF bracket 23 are respectively movably connected to the radial waist-shaped groove 2121 on the first middle socket 212 and the axial waist-shaped groove 2511 on the second middle socket 251 with pins 232. The pins 232 can slide in the waist-shaped grooves. When the pins 232 slide in the radial waist-shaped groove 2121, the first socket body 21 can rotate around the axis. When the pins 232 slide in the axial waist-shaped groove 2511, the second socket body 25 can telescopically move along the axis.

[0046] Through the above operations, the HALF bracket 23 connects the first socket body 21 and the second socket body 25 into a rigid through-hull component. Then, the flange 22 is threadedly connected to the first socket body 21, and a locking ring 2116 is used to lock and prevent loosening. Then, the rigid through-hull component is inserted from one end and fixed to the hollow sleeve 24 fixed on the cabin wall by welding or other means. The second socket body 25 exposed at the other end of the sleeve 24 is also threadedly connected to the flange 22, and a locking ring 2116 is used to lock and prevent loosening.

[0047] The mating surfaces of the two flanges 22 with the first socket body 21 and the second socket body 25 are sealed with socket body rubber parts 221. The mating surfaces of the two flanges 22 with the two ends of the sleeve 24 are sealed with flange rubber parts 222. The two flanges 22 and the two end faces of the sleeve 24 are fixed with bolts 241.

[0048] After installation, the through-hull socket 2 has transverse and longitudinal watertight performances.

[0049] The connecting nut 11 of the plug 1 is sleeved outside the head base body 12. One end of the head base body 12 is provided with a guiding structure for the groove 121 or the key 2113. The other end of the head base body 12 is threadedly connected to one end of the middle sleeve 131. The middle sleeve 131 is a hollow cavity. The multi-channel optical fiber 1311 passes through the cavity. The other end of the middle sleeve 131 is threadedly connected to the tension sleeve 132. Glue is applied at the above-mentioned threaded joints for sealing.

[0050] The potting sleeve 133 is embedded at the end of the cavity of the middle sleeve 131, and glue is applied for sealing between the outer side of the potting sleeve 133 and the cavity of the middle sleeve 131. The potting sleeve 133 is also a hollow cavity, and multiple optical fibers 1311 pass through the cavity, and the multiple optical fibers 1311 are filled and sealed with sealant 1331. After filling with the sealant 1331, the potting sleeve 133 has a tensile function. The rubber sleeve 134 is embedded in the tail groove 1321 of the tension sleeve 132 and can bend along with the tail optical fiber to provide bending limit for the tail optical fiber and prevent damage caused by excessive bending of the optical fiber.

[0051] Embodiment 2

[0052] On the basis of the structure of Embodiment 1, the sealing of some components is changed from glue sealing to mechanical sealing: mechanical sealing is adopted at the threaded joints of the other end of the seat base body 211 with the first seat middle sleeve 212 and the second seat middle sleeve 251 respectively. The connecting nut 11 of the plug 1 is sleeved outside the head base body 12. One end of the head base body 12 is provided with a groove 121 or a guiding structure of a key 2113. The other end of the head base body 12 is threadedly connected to one end of the middle sleeve 131. The middle sleeve 131 is a hollow cavity, and multiple optical fibers 1311 pass through the cavity. The other end of the middle sleeve 131 is threadedly connected to the tension sleeve 132, and mechanical sealing is adopted at the above-mentioned threaded joints. The potting sleeve 133 is embedded at the end of the cavity of the middle sleeve 131, and mechanical sealing is adopted between the outer side of the potting sleeve 133 and the cavity of the middle sleeve 131.

[0053] The second modification point is that: the mating surfaces of the two flanges 22 with the first socket body 21 and the second socket body 25 are sealed with the socket body rubber parts 221, the mating surfaces of the two flanges 22 with both ends of the sleeve 24 are sealed with the flange rubber parts 222, and the two flanges 22 and both end faces of the sleeve 24 are fixed with spring clips.

[0054] Through actual use and testing, the device provided by this embodiment can still achieve a good overall watertight effect of the through-hull fiber optic connector.

[0055] Finally, it should be noted that: the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit it; although the above embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that: they can still modify the technical solutions described in the above embodiments, or perform equivalent replacements on some or all of the technical features; and these modifications or replacements do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A multi-core watertight fiber optic connector passing through the bulkhead, characterized in that: It includes a bulkhead socket (2) and two plugs (1). The bulkhead socket (2) and the plugs (1) are guided through the cooperation of a key and groove connection structure and are inserted through the cooperation of a positioning pin and positioning pin hole connection structure. After the bulkhead socket (2) and the plugs (1) are inserted, they are connected and locked through a threaded structure. The bulkhead socket (2) is provided with an optical contact (2114) and an optical connection end rubber part (2115). The plug (1) is provided with a coupling sleeve (122). When the bulkhead socket (2) and the plug (1) are inserted, the optical contact (2114) is inserted into the coupling sleeve (122) to achieve optical path alignment and optical fiber connection. The optical connection end rubber part (2115) is located at the mating end face of the optical contact (2114) and the coupling sleeve (122). The two ends of the bulkhead socket (2) are respectively a first socket body (21) and a second socket body (25). The middle of the bulkhead socket (2) is a HALF bracket (23) for adjusting the length and angle of the bulkhead socket (2), and a sleeve (24) placed outside the HALF bracket (23) for fixing the bulkhead socket (2). The first socket body (21) includes a first middle sleeve (212), a socket base body and a compression ring. The second socket body (25) includes a second middle sleeve (251), a socket base body and a compression ring.

2. The multi-core watertight bulkhead fiber optic connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, One end of the socket base bodies of the first socket body (21) and the second socket body (25) in the bulkhead socket (2) are provided with a guiding structure with key groove fit. The other ends of the socket base bodies are respectively threadedly connected to the first middle sleeve (212) and the second middle sleeve (251), and glue sealing or mechanical sealing is respectively applied at the threaded parts.

3. The multi-core watertight through-hull fiber optic connector according to claim 2, wherein Both the first middle sleeve (212) and the second middle sleeve (251) are hollow cavities. The hollow cavities of the first middle sleeve (212) and the second middle sleeve (251) are filled with sealant to fill and seal the multiple optical fibers passing through inside. The compression rings of the first socket body (21) and the second socket body (25) are respectively threadedly connected to the first middle sleeve (212) and the second middle sleeve (251) to further fix and limit the sealant.

4. The multi-core watertight bulkhead fiber optic connector according to claim 1 or 2 or 3, characterized in that, The HALF bracket (23) is a hollow cavity structure symmetrically divided into two halves and fixed with a cable tie. Multiple optical fibers pass through the cavity of the HALF bracket (23) and a certain length of optical fiber surplus is left. A radial kidney-shaped groove is provided on the outer cylindrical surface of the first middle sleeve (212), and an axial kidney-shaped groove is provided on the outer cylindrical surface of the second middle sleeve (251). The two ends of the HALF bracket (23) are respectively movably connected to the radial kidney-shaped groove on the first middle sleeve (212) and the axial kidney-shaped groove on the second middle sleeve (251) with pins. The pins can slide in the kidney-shaped grooves. The sliding of the pins in the radial kidney-shaped groove causes the first socket body (21) to rotate around the axis, and the sliding of the pins in the axial kidney-shaped groove causes the second socket body (25) to expand and contract axially.

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