Modular fiber optic connector and connector assembly with tool-free removal of contacts

Abstract

The present invention relates to a modular optical fiber connector for removing and removing contacts without tools, comprising a connector housing and at least one contact module composed of a plurality of contacts whose tails are rotated and locked in a support block; the connector housing is provided with a contact hole for adapting each contact in the contact module and a rear end cavity for fixing the support block; the contact comprises a ceramic pin and a tail handle, and the tail handle realizes circumferential rotation prevention through the cooperation of a large convex key on its outer circumference and a large keyway in the contact hole; a spring at one end is movably sleeved on the tail of the tail handle and stopped on the flange of the tail handle, and the other end is fixedly connected to the front end of the support, and the spacing between the support and the tail handle is adjusted by compressing the spring; at least two pins are evenly distributed on the outer circumference of the support, which are rotationally locked with the fixed part in the support block. The contact of the present invention can be removed and removed without tools; the contact positioning structure is simple; the modular design is used to enable the housing to be compatible with various types of contact units, thereby improving the applicability of parts.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a modular plug, a socket and a connector assembly for removing and removing contact parts without tools, belonging to the technical field of optical fiber connectors. Background Art

[0002] In existing fiber optic connectors, the contacts are usually installed directly inside the housing. The contacts need to be removed separately, which is inefficient. The housing has poor versatility, and there is a risk that the connector will be scrapped due to excessive insertion loss in individual holes. In addition, most existing contacts are end-face contact type. This type of product has two characteristics. First, the end face of the contact at one end of the jack is often embedded inside the connector, requiring special tools for cleaning during use; second, this type of contact requires special tools for removal and installation. The above two characteristics make the contacts of existing fiber optic connectors inconvenient for on-site installation and maintenance. Summary of the invention

[0003] In order to solve the problem of shell universality, a modular connector assembly with tool-free removal of contacts in a modular design of the connector is provided. When the connector fails or the contact type needs to be adjusted, only the corresponding module needs to be replaced, thereby achieving the purpose of reusable connector shell.

[0004] The purpose of the present invention and the solution to its technical problems are achieved by adopting the following technical solutions. A modular optical fiber connector for tool-free removal of contacts proposed in the present invention includes a connector housing and at least one contact module composed of a plurality of contacts whose tails are rotated and locked in a support block; the connector housing is provided with a contact hole for adapting to each contact in the contact module and a rear end cavity for fixing the support block; the contact includes a ceramic pin and a tail handle, and the tail handle realizes circumferential rotation prevention through the cooperation of a large convex key on its outer circumference and a large keyway in the contact hole; a spring with one end movably sleeved on the tail of the tail handle and stopped on the flange of the tail handle and the other end fixed to the front end of the support, and the spacing between the support and the tail handle is adjusted by compressing the spring; at least two pins are evenly distributed on the outer circumference of the support that are rotationally locked with the fixed part in the support block.

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

[0006] The aforementioned modular optical fiber connector with tool-free removal of contacts, wherein the fixed portion within the support block includes a slot having an opening for entry of the staple on the upper portion of one side that cooperates with the staple limiter and a U-shaped bottom slot for locking the staple, and a limiting portion that axially limits the support member to prevent the staple on its outer circumference from moving out of the fixed portion, so that when the support member is stopped by the limiting portion, the support member is rotated to allow the staple to enter the slot from the opening and fall into the U-shaped bottom slot of the slot under the action of a spring to achieve locking.

[0007] The aforementioned modular optical fiber connector for tool-free removal of contacts, wherein the fixing portion is composed of a number of L-shaped convex keys that are evenly spaced in the hole in the support block for the contact to pass through and are folded inward to form an inwardly turned edge, and a through groove that can accommodate a large convex key on the tail handle to pass through is formed between adjacent L-shaped convex keys. When the sealing ring in the sealing ring groove at the rear end of the support member is blocked by the rear end surface of the L-shaped convex key, the support member is rotated to allow the staple to enter the slot surrounded by the L-shaped convex key from the opening and fall into the bottom of the slot under the action of the spring to achieve locking.

[0008] The aforementioned modular fiber optic connector with tool-free removal of contacts, wherein the rear end of the support member is provided with a sheath that is circumferentially fixed to prevent rotation therewith, and the portion of the sheath that extends out of the connector housing is also provided with an identification key that is on the same reference plane as one of the pins and is used to determine the position of the pin.

[0009] The aforementioned modular fiber optic connector with tool-free contact removal, wherein the connector also achieves locking between the two by means of a locking pin assembly assembled on its housing and the cooperation of a corresponding locking hole assembly on the housing of the adapter connector; the locking pin assembly includes a screw and a threaded retaining ring and a threaded base for fixing the screw on the housing, and the locking hole assembly includes a threaded sleeve with a threaded hole matching the screw and a locking nut with an internal thread meshing with the external thread of the threaded sleeve and an external thread meshing with the internal thread of the housing.

[0010] The aforementioned modular fiber optic connector with tool-free removal of contacts, wherein the locking pin assembly also includes an identification sleeve that is sleeved on the front end of the screw and circumferentially stops rotation of the shell, and the wall of the identification sleeve is provided with at least one axially extending identification groove for the identification key on the outer peripheral surface of the front end of the threaded sleeve to pass through.

[0011] In the aforementioned modular optical fiber connector with tool-free removal of contacts, the identification sleeve is assembled by forced installation, and the positioning is achieved by the barbs on its outer circumference being stuck in the annular groove in the shell.

[0012] In the aforementioned modular optical fiber connector with tool-free removal of contacts, the outer periphery of the identification sleeve is provided with a regular hexagonal boss for matching with the regular hexagonal mounting hole at the front end of the shell.

[0013] The aforementioned modular fiber optic connector with tool-free removal of contacts, wherein the rear end of the threaded sleeve is provided with a regular hexagonal boss that cooperates with the regular hexagonal hole on the shell and an O-ring groove for assembling an O-ring for sealing inside the shell, and the inner side of the locking nut is provided with a keyway for the identification key to pass through.

[0014] The purpose of the present invention and the solution to its technical problems can also be achieved by the following technical solutions. A modular optical fiber connector assembly with tool-free contact removal proposed by the present invention includes the above connector and its adapter connector, the front end of the connector housing is also provided with a cavity for installing a sleeve packaging housing for packaging a ceramic sleeve, and the contacts of the adapter connector and the assembly method of the contacts are the same as those of the connector.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has obvious advantages and beneficial effects. By means of the above technical solution, the present invention can achieve considerable technical advancement and practicality, and has wide industrial utilization value, and has at least the following advantages: the contact of the present invention can be removed without tools; the contact positioning structure is simple, and is aligned through the ceramic sleeve, and the optical signal transmission stability is good; the modular design is used to make the housing compatible with various types of contact units, improving the applicability of parts; by innovating the connector locking mechanism, the assembly difficulty is reduced and the assembly cycle of the connector is shortened; by designing a locking mechanism that integrates positioning and locking, the connector use area is increased; the end face of the contact is exposed, which is convenient for end face cleaning. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the plug structure of a modular connector assembly for tool-free removal of contacts of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of a plug support block of a modular connector assembly for tool-free removal of contacts of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the plug housing structure of a modular connector assembly for tool-free removal of contacts of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of a plug end of a modular connector assembly for tool-free removal of contacts of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of the mounting hole of the locking assembly at the plug end of the modular connector assembly for tool-free removal of the contacts of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the installation of the identification sleeve of the modular connector assembly for tool-free removal of the contact of the present invention Figure 4 A partial enlarged view of

[0022] Figure 7 A schematic structural diagram of a plug locking assembly of a modular connector assembly for tool-free removal of contacts of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the socket structure of a modular connector assembly for tool-free removal of contacts of the present invention;

[0024] Fig. 9 A schematic diagram of the mounting hole structure of the locking assembly at the socket end of the modular connector assembly for tool-free removal of the contact piece of the present invention;

[0025] Fig.10 A schematic diagram of the locking nut structure of a modular connector assembly for tool-free removal of contacts of the present invention;

[0026] Fig.11 A schematic diagram of the locking sleeve structure of a modular connector assembly for tool-free removal of contacts of the present invention;

[0027] Fig.12 A schematic diagram of the installation of a locking assembly at the socket end of a modular connector assembly for tool-free removal of contacts of the present invention;

[0028] Fig.13 A schematic diagram of the contact structure of a modular connector assembly for tool-free removal of contacts of the present invention;

[0029] Fig.14 It is a schematic diagram of the locking state of the modular connector assembly of the present invention with tool-free removal of contacts.

[0030]

Main component symbol description

[0031] 1: Plug consists of contacts

[0032] 1.1: Ceramic pin

[0033] 1.2: Tail peduncle

[0034] 1.3: Spring

[0035] 1.4: Support parts

[0036] 1.4.1: Stitch

[0037] 1.5: Sealing ring

[0038] 1.6: Sheath

[0039] 1.6.1: Key

[0040] 2: Support block

[0041] 2.1: L-shaped card slot

[0042] 3: Plug housing

[0043] 3.1: Encapsulation housing installation cavity

[0044] 3.2: Locking pin assembly installation hole

[0045] 3.2.1: Threaded holes

[0046] 3.2.2: Ring groove

[0047] 3.2.3: Regular hexagonal hole

[0048] 4: Encapsulation shell

[0049] 5: Locking needle assembly

[0050] 5.1: Threaded retaining ring

[0051] 5.2: Threaded base

[0052] 5.3: Screw

[0053] 5.4: Identification Set

[0054] 5.4.1: Identification slots

[0055] 5.4.2: Barbs

[0056] 6: Socket housing

[0057] 6.2: Locking hole assembly installation hole

[0058] 6.3: Square cavity

[0059] 7: Keyhole assembly

[0060] 7.1: Locking nut

[0061] 7.1.1: Card slot

[0062] 7.1.2: Keyway

[0063] 7.2: Threaded sleeve

[0064] 7.2.1: Regular hexagonal boss

[0065] 7.2.2: O-ring groove

[0066] 7.2.3: External thread surface

[0067] 7.2.4: Identification Keys

[0068] 7.2.5: Threaded holes

[0069] 7.3: O-ring DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0070] In order to further explain the technical means and effects adopted by the present invention to achieve the predetermined purpose of the invention, the specific implementation method, structure, characteristics and effects of the modular connector assembly for tool-free removal of contacts proposed in accordance with the present invention are described in detail below in combination with the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments.

[0071] See also Figure 1-14, which is a schematic diagram of the structure of each part of the modular connector assembly for tool-free removal of contacts of the present invention, the connector assembly includes a connector and an adapter connector, wherein the connector and the adapter connector both include a housing and at least one contact module assembled in the housing, which is composed of a plurality of contacts 1 whose tails are rotated and locked in a support block 2. The connector housing is provided with a contact hole for adapting each contact 1 in the contact module and a rear end cavity for fixing the support block 2; the contact 1 includes a ceramic pin 1.1 and a tail handle 1.2, the tail handle 1.2 realizes circumferential rotation stop with the connector housing through the cooperation of a large convex key 1.2.1 on its outer peripheral surface and a large keyway in the contact hole in the connector housing; a spring 1.3, one end of which is movably sleeved on the tail of the tail handle 1.2 and stops on the flange of the tail handle 1.2, and the other end is fixedly connected to the front end of the support 1.4, and the support 1.4 realizes adjustment of the spacing between the tail handle 1.2 and the tail handle 1.2 by compressing the spring 1.3.

[0072] The support block 2 is provided with a plurality of holes for the contact member 1 to pass through. The contact member 1 is inserted from the rear end of the support block 2 and is rotationally locked with the fixed part in the support block 1 through at least two staples 1.4.1 evenly distributed on the periphery of the rear support member 1.4, thereby realizing axial and radial limitation of the rear end of the contact member.

[0073] The fixing part in the support block 2 includes a slot which cooperates with the staple 1.4.1, an opening for the staple 1.4.1 to enter is opened on the upper part of one side and has a U-shaped groove bottom for locking the staple, and a limiting part which axially stops and limits the support member 1.4 to prevent the staple 1.4.1 on its outer circumferential surface from moving out of the fixing part, so that when the support member 1.4 is stopped by the limiting part, the support member 1.4 is rotated to allow the staple 1.4.1 to enter the slot from the opening and fall into the U-shaped groove bottom of the slot under the action of the spring to be locked.

[0074] In the embodiment of the present invention, the fixing portion is composed of a plurality of L-shaped convex keys 2.1 whose ends are folded inward to form an inner flange and are evenly spaced in the hole in the support block 2 for the contact member to pass through. A through groove that can accommodate the large convex key on the tail handle to pass through is formed between adjacent L-shaped convex keys 2.1. When the sealing ring 1.5 in the sealing ring groove at the rear end of the support member 1.4 is blocked by the rear end surface of the L-shaped convex key 2.1, the support member 1.4 is rotated to allow the staple 1.4.1 to enter the slot surrounded by the L-shaped convex key 2.1 from the upper opening and fall into the bottom of the slot under the action of the spring to achieve locking. Specifically, the vertical edge of the L-shaped convex key extends axially to the front end of the contact piece through-hole in the support block 2, and the bottom of the slot surrounded by the L-shaped convex key with the inwardly turned edge faces the front end of the connector housing, so that the horizontal edge of the L-shaped convex key can axially limit the pin during locking to prevent it from detaching from the support block 2 under the action of the spring. At the same time, its vertical edge and the inwardly turned edge at the end of the horizontal edge limit the pin radially.

[0075] In the embodiment of the present invention, the rear end of the support member 1.4 is sleeved with a sheath 1.6 that is circumferentially fixed with the support member 1.4. The part of the sheath 1.6 extending out of the connector housing is also provided with a convex key 1.6.1 on the same plane as one of the staples 1.4.1 for determining the position of the staple 1.4.1.

[0076] After the connector of the present invention and the adapter connector are plugged together, they are also locked by a locking assembly arranged on the housing. The locking assembly includes a locking pin assembly 5 and a locking hole assembly 7, wherein the locking pin assembly 5 includes a threaded retaining ring 5.1, a threaded base 5.2 and a screw 5.3. The rear end of the screw 5.3 is fixed to the connector housing through the threaded retaining ring 5.1 and the threaded base 5.2, which is used for locking when the connector assembly is plugged together. The locking hole assembly 7 includes a locking nut 7.1 and a threaded sleeve 7.2, wherein the locking nut 7.1 has threads inside and outside, the external thread is connected to the adapter connector housing, and the internal thread is connected to the external thread surface 7.2.3 on the threaded sleeve 7.2, so as to fix the threaded sleeve 7.2 on the housing. The threaded sleeve 7.2 is provided with a threaded hole 7.2.5 for matching with the screw 5.3 to achieve locking.

[0077] In an embodiment of the present invention, the locking needle assembly 5 also includes an identification sleeve 5.4 that is sleeved on the front end of the screw rod 5.3. The identification sleeve is fixed on the connector housing and has at least one identification groove 5.4.1 extending axially for the identification key 7.2.4 on the outer peripheral surface of the front end of the threaded sleeve 7.2 to pass through.

[0078] In the embodiment of the present invention, the identification sleeve 5.4 is assembled with the mounting hole of the housing lock needle assembly by forced installation, and the barbs 5.4.2 on the outer circumference are clamped on the annular groove 3.2.2 in the mounting hole to achieve position limiting, ensuring that it does not fall out after being installed. Preferably, there are three barbs 5.4.2 distributed along the circumference, but it is not limited to this.

[0079] The inner side of the locking nut 7.1 is provided with a keyway 7.1.2 for the identification key 7.2.4 to pass through. Preferably, the front end surface of the locking nut 7.1 is provided with a tool clamping groove 7.1.1 for mounting it in the housing mounting groove. Preferably, there are two clamping grooves 7.1.1, which are located at both ends of the same diameter of the locking nut, but it is not limited thereto.

[0080] In the embodiment of the present invention, the rear end of the threaded sleeve is provided with a regular hexagonal boss 7.2.1 and an O-ring groove 7.2.2, wherein the regular hexagonal boss 7.2.1 is installed in cooperation with the regular hexagonal hole on the shell to realize the key position of the identification key 7.2.4 in six directions; the O-ring groove 7.2.2 is used to install the O-ring 7.3 to achieve sealing inside the shell, but is not limited to this.

[0081] In the embodiment of the present invention, the connector is a plug, and the adapter connector is a socket. In this embodiment, the front end of the plug housing 3 of the plug connector is provided with a cavity 3.1 for installing the packaging housing 4, the rear end is provided with a cavity for installing the support block 2, and the middle is also provided with a locking pin assembly mounting hole 3.2 for installing the locking pin assembly 5. The packaging housing 4 is fixed to the plug housing 3 by screws, and its function is to encapsulate the ceramic sleeve on the plug, and ensure the alignment of the contact when the plug and the socket are plugged in. The front end face of the sleeve packaging housing is basically flush with the front end face of the plug housing or has a slight gap, so that the front end face of the contact is basically flush with the front end face of the plug housing when the plug is in a free state, and the contact end face can be cleaned without using a special cleaning tool.

[0082] The rear end of the locking needle assembly mounting hole 3.2 is a threaded hole 3.2.1 for mounting the threaded base 5.2 and the threaded retaining ring 2. The front end of the locking needle assembly mounting hole 3.2 has a regular hexagonal hole 3.2.3, which cooperates with the regular hexagonal boss on the outer periphery of the front end of the identification sleeve to realize the slot position of the guide groove in six directions. An annular groove 3.2.2 is arranged inside the locking needle assembly mounting hole 3.2, which cooperates with the barb 5.4.2 on the outer edge of the identification sleeve to prevent the identification sleeve from falling out.

[0083] The front end of the socket housing 6 of the socket connector has a front cavity 6.1 for mating when the plug and socket are plugged in, and the rear end is provided with a rear cavity 6.3 for mounting the support block 2; the inside of the housing is provided with a lock hole assembly mounting hole 6.2 for mounting and orienting the lock hole assembly 7. The rear end of the lock hole assembly mounting hole 6.2 is provided with a regular hexagonal boss 7.2.1 on the outer periphery of the rear end of the threaded sleeve 7.2 to realize the key position of the identification key in six directions. The lock hole assembly mounting hole 6.2 is also provided with an internal thread for meshing with the external thread of the locking nut.

[0084] In another embodiment of the present invention, the locking hole assembly is mounted on the plug housing, and the locking pin assembly is mounted on the socket housing.

[0085] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the present invention in any form. Although the present invention has been disclosed as a preferred embodiment as above, it is not used to limit the present invention. Any technician familiar with the profession can make some changes or modify the technical contents disclosed above into equivalent embodiments without departing from the scope of the technical solution of the present invention. However, any simple modification, equivalent change and modification made to the above embodiments according to the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the content of the technical solution of the present invention still fall within the scope of the technical solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. A modular optical fiber connector with tool-free contact removal, characterized in that: It comprises a connector housing and at least one contact module composed of a plurality of contacts whose tails are rotated and locked in a support block; The connector housing is provided with contact holes for adapting each contact in the contact module and a rear end cavity for fixing the support block; The contact piece includes a ceramic pin and a tail handle, and the tail handle is prevented from rotating in the circumferential direction by the cooperation between the large convex key on the outer peripheral surface of the tail handle and the large key groove in the contact piece hole; One end of the spring is movably sleeved on the tail of the tail handle and stopped on the tail handle flange, and the other end is fixedly connected to the front end of the support member, and the distance between the support member and the tail handle is adjusted by compressing the spring; At least two pins are evenly distributed on the outer circumference of the support member and are rotatably locked with the fixing part in the support block; The fixing part in the support block includes a slot having an opening for the entry of the staple on the upper part of one side that cooperates with the staple limiter and a U-shaped bottom for locking the staple. The bottom of the slot can axially limit the support member to prevent the staple on its outer circumference from moving out of the fixing part, so that when the support member is stopped by the bottom end face of the slot bottom, the support member is rotated to allow the staple to enter the slot from the opening and fall into the U-shaped bottom of the slot under the action of the spring to achieve locking.

2. The modular optical fiber connector with tool-free contact removal according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fixing part is composed of a number of L-shaped convex keys which are evenly spaced in the hole for the contact member to pass through in the support block and whose ends are folded inward to form an inner flange. A through groove capable of accommodating the large convex key on the tail handle is formed between adjacent L-shaped convex keys. When the sealing ring in the sealing ring groove at the rear end of the support member is blocked by the rear end surface of the L-shaped convex key, the support member is rotated to allow the staple to enter the slot surrounded by the L-shaped convex key from the opening and fall into the bottom of the slot under the action of the spring to achieve locking.

3. The modular optical fiber connector with tool-free contact removal according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rear end of the support member is sleeved with a sheath that is circumferentially anti-rotatable therewith, and the part of the sheath that extends out of the connector housing is also provided with an identification key that is on the same reference plane as one of the pins and is used to determine the position of the pin.

4. The modular optical fiber connector with tool-free contact removal according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connector also achieves locking between the two by means of a locking pin assembly assembled on its shell and cooperating with a corresponding locking hole assembly on the adapter connector shell; the locking pin assembly includes a screw and a threaded retaining ring and a threaded base for fixing the screw on the shell, and the locking hole assembly includes a threaded sleeve having a threaded hole matching the screw and a locking nut having an internal thread meshing with the external thread of the threaded sleeve and an external thread meshing with the internal thread of the shell.

5. The modular optical fiber connector with tool-free contact removal according to claim 4, characterized in that: The locking needle assembly further comprises an identification sleeve which is sleeved on the front end of the screw rod and is circumferentially fixed to the housing. The wall of the identification sleeve is provided with at least one identification groove which extends axially and is passed through by an identification key on the outer peripheral surface of the front end of the threaded sleeve.

6. The modular optical fiber connector with tool-free contact removal according to claim 5, characterized in that: The identification sleeve is assembled in a forced manner, and the position is limited by the barbs on its outer circumference being clamped in the annular groove in the shell.

7. The modular optical fiber connector with tool-free contact removal according to claim 5, characterized in that: The outer periphery of the identification sleeve is provided with a regular hexagonal boss for matching with the regular hexagonal mounting hole at the front end of the shell.

8. The modular optical fiber connector with tool-free contact removal according to claim 5, characterized in that: The rear end of the threaded sleeve is provided with a regular hexagonal boss that matches the regular hexagonal hole on the shell and an O-ring groove for assembling an O-ring to achieve sealing inside the shell, and the inner side of the locking nut is provided with a keyway for the identification key to pass through.

9. A modular optical fiber connector assembly with tool-free contact removal, characterized in that The invention comprises a connector and an adapter connector thereof as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: the front end of the connector shell is also provided with a cavity of a sleeve packaging shell for installing a packaging ceramic sleeve and the front end face of the sleeve packaging shell is basically flush with the front end face of the connector shell, and the contacts of the adapter connector and the assembly method of the contacts are the same as those of the connector.

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