LC Fiber Optic Connectors

Abstract

The embodiment of the present invention relates to an LC optical fiber connector, including a connector body, a latch component, and an operating component for controlling the latch component, wherein a pressing portion is formed at the end of the latch component, and the operating component includes a guide structure formed in the middle of the connector body to define a forward and backward displacement path, a joystick with a middle section accommodated in the guide structure, and a pressing cantilever formed outside the middle of the connector body and correspondingly disposed at the outside of the pressing portion of the latch component with a free end, the guide structure includes an arch beam arranged at the front end, the front end of the joystick passes through the bottom of the arch beam and then tilts outward to form an elastic arm, and the end of the elastic arm is connected to the free end of the pressing cantilever; the rear end of the joystick extends toward the tail of the connector body by a predetermined length. When the joystick of the LC optical fiber connector of the embodiment of the present invention is pulled backward, the elastic arm is elastically deformed under the squeezing of the arch beam to drive the pressing cantilever to press the pressing portion of the latch component to achieve unlocking, and the operation is smoother.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of the present invention relate to the technical field of optical fiber connectors, and in particular to an LC optical fiber connector. Background Art

[0002] With the development of 5G communications, cloud computing, and big data, the integration of related data centers is becoming increasingly high, and it is necessary to accommodate unlimited data in a limited space. Traditional fiber optic connectors that occupy a large space, such as FC fiber optic connectors, SC fiber optic connectors, and ST fiber optic connectors, will gradually be phased out, and small-sized LC fiber optic connectors will be used more and more. For this reason, a high-density LC fiber optic connector panel installation solution is required.

[0003] An existing simple-to-assemble push-pull LC fiber optic connector includes a connector body, which is composed of a front shell, a core, a rear shell and a tail sleeve. The top surface of the front shell is provided with a latch component that tilts upward and backward and is used to achieve locking engagement with a fiber optic adapter. The end of the latch component is provided with a hook. The outer sleeve of the rear shell is provided with a clip. The top of the clip is provided with a push-pull hole that is connected front and back, and a push-pull rod is installed in the push-pull hole. The push-pull rod includes a joystick extending backward and a hanging hole that tilts forward and is matched with the hook at the end of the latch component. When the joystick is manually pushed forward or pulled backward, the hook of the latch component can be driven to move, thereby completing the assembly or disassembly action with the corresponding fiber optic adapter.

[0004] However, the above-mentioned LC fiber optic connector is directly connected to the hook at the end of the latch component by the hanging hole. When the operating rod moves along the axial direction of the fiber optic connector, the direction of the force applied by the hanging hole to the hook of the latch component is oblique to the axial direction of the fiber optic connector, and can be decomposed into two components, one perpendicular to the axial direction and the other parallel to the axial direction. Among them, the component perpendicular to the axial direction is the effective component to separate the latch component from the fiber optic adapter, while the component parallel to the axial direction will cause the latch component and the corresponding structure on the fiber optic adapter to press against each other in the axial direction, which is not conducive to disassembly, affecting the smoothness of disassembly. Summary of the invention

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention is to provide an LC optical fiber connector that can smoothly realize long-distance assembly and disassembly operations.

[0006] To solve the above technical problems, an embodiment of the present invention adopts the following technical solution: an LC fiber optic connector, comprising a connector body, a latch component arranged on the front side of the connector body for locking engagement with a fiber optic adapter, and an operating component arranged at the middle and rear part of the connector body for controlling the latch component, wherein a pressing portion is formed at the end of the latch component, and the operating component comprises a guide structure formed in the middle part of the connector body to define a front-to-back displacement path, an operating rod with a middle section accommodated in the guide structure, and a pressing cantilever formed on the outer side of the middle part of the connector body and with a front end corresponding to the outer side of the pressing portion of the latch component, the guide structure comprises an arch beam arranged near the front end, the front end of the operating rod passes through the bottom of the arch beam and then tilts outward to extend to form an elastic arm, the end of the elastic arm is connected to the free end of the pressing cantilever; the rear end of the operating rod extends toward the tail of the connector body by a predetermined length.

[0007] Furthermore, the end of the elastic arm is pivotally connected to the free end of the pressing cantilever through the cooperation of a pivot and an axis hole or is hooked and connected through the cooperation of a hook and a hanging hole.

[0008] Furthermore, the elastic arm is in an arc shape.

[0009] Furthermore, the connector body includes a front shell, a core, a rear shell, a clamp shell and a tail sleeve, wherein the front shell is plugged into the rear shell, the core is inserted into the front shell and the rear shell, the front end of the clamp shell clamps the rear end of the rear shell, and the tail sleeve is connected to the rear end of the clamp shell.

[0010] Furthermore, the clamping shell is assembled by buckling a bottom shell and a cover plate, the guide structure is formed on the cover plate, and the pressing cantilever is also integrally extended from the cover plate.

[0011] Furthermore, the LC fiber optic connector is a dual-core fiber optic connector, and there are two front shells, two rear shells and two ferrules. A latch component is provided on each front shell, and a pressing cantilever is provided corresponding to the latch component on each front shell. Two fiber optic channels are formed inside the bottom shell, and a rear shell is assembled correspondingly to the front end of each fiber optic channel. A plug hole is formed in the bottom shell between the two fiber optic channels, and a pin with a barb is formed in the middle of the inner side surface of the cover plate. The pin is correspondingly inserted into the plug hole on the bottom shell and is fixed by hooking the barb on the edge of the hole of the plug hole.

[0012] Furthermore, the ends of the two pressing cantilevers are connected into one body through a connecting arm.

[0013] Furthermore, the pressing cantilever includes a U-shaped elastic bending portion integrally extending from the rear end edge of the cover plate and a pressing portion extending from the end of the elastic bending portion further parallel to the cover plate to the outside of the pressing portion of the latch component.

[0014] Furthermore, the guide structure also includes a limit block formed on the rear end of the cover plate for guiding and limiting the operating rod. Two limit blocks are provided and are respectively arranged on both sides of the travel path of the operating rod. Convex hooks are also formed on the tops of the two limit blocks. The middle section of the operating rod passes through between the two limit blocks. The part of the operating rod corresponding to the limit block forms a positioning block with a width that matches the spacing between the two limit blocks and a predetermined thickness and abuts against the convex hook. The width of the part of the operating rod located at the rear end of the positioning block is greater than the spacing between the two limit blocks and a stop wall is formed toward one end of the positioning block.

[0015] Furthermore, the two sides of the stopping wall extend parallel to the positioning block to form an auxiliary block respectively, and gaps are formed between the positioning block and the two auxiliary blocks respectively. The two limit blocks on the cover plate are respectively accommodated in the corresponding gaps, and convex hooks are formed on the inner and outer sides of the top of the limit block. The convex hook formed on the inner side of the top of the limit block is hooked on the positioning block, and the convex hook formed on the outer side of the top of the limit block is hooked on the top surface of the auxiliary block.

[0016] By adopting the above technical solution, the embodiment of the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects: the embodiment of the present invention provides a pressing cantilever outside the pressing part of the latch component, and forms an elastic arm at the front end of the operating rod to connect with the free end of the pressing cantilever. When the operating rod is pulled backward, the elastic arm will be elastically deformed under the action of the arch beam and drive the pressing cantilever to move toward the latch component and press the pressing part of the latch component, so as to achieve the unlocking action. In this process, the force on the pressing part is basically perpendicular to the axial direction of the connector, and will not be interfered by the component force parallel to the axial direction, so that the whole disassembly process is smoother. When locking is required, the operating rod is pushed forward, and the elastic arm, the pressing cantilever and the pressing part all have elastic potential energy to restore the original state, and can quickly return to their original position, so that the latch component and the optical fiber adapter can be quickly engaged. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of an optional embodiment of the LC optical fiber connector of the present invention in a combined state.

[0018] Figure 2 It is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of an optional embodiment of the LC optical fiber connector of the present invention in a disassembled state.

[0019] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of a cover plate of a clamping shell of an optional embodiment of the LC optical fiber connector of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 4 It is a top view schematically showing a joystick of an optional embodiment of the LC optical fiber connector of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 5 It is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the combined state of another optional embodiment of the LC optical fiber connector of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 6 It is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of a joystick of another optional embodiment of the LC optical fiber connector of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 7 It is a schematic cross-sectional structure diagram of an optional embodiment of the LC optical fiber connector of the present invention when assembled with the optical fiber adapter.

[0024] Figure 8 It is a schematic cross-sectional structure diagram of an optional embodiment of the LC optical fiber connector of the present invention when it is disassembled from the optical fiber adapter. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] The present invention is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be understood that the following exemplary embodiments and descriptions are only used to explain the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. In addition, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of the present invention may be combined with each other without conflict.

[0026] like Figures 1 to 8 As shown, an optional embodiment of the present invention provides an LC fiber optic connector, comprising a connector body 1, a latch component 3 arranged on the front side of the connector body 1 for locking engagement with a fiber optic adapter 9, and an operating component 5 arranged at the middle and rear part of the connector body 1 for controlling the latch component 3, wherein a pressing portion 30 is formed at the end of the latch component 3, and the operating component 5 comprises a guide structure 50 formed in the middle of the connector body 1 to define a front-to-back displacement path, an operating rod 52 with a middle section accommodated in the guide structure 50, and a pressing cantilever 54 formed on the outer side of the middle of the connector body 1 and corresponding to the outer side of the pressing portion 30 of the latch component 3 with a free end, the guide structure 50 comprises an arch beam 500 arranged near the front end, the front end of the operating rod 52 passes through the bottom of the arch beam 500 and then tilts outward to extend to form an elastic arm 520, and the end of the elastic arm 520 is also connected to the free end of the pressing cantilever 54; the rear end of the operating rod 52 extends toward the tail of the connector body 1 by a predetermined length.

[0027] In the embodiment of the present invention, a pressing cantilever 54 is arranged outside the pressing portion 30 of the latch component 3, and an elastic arm 520 is formed at the front end of the operating rod 52 to be connected to the free end of the pressing cantilever 54. When the operating rod 52 is pulled backward, Figure 8 As shown, the elastic arm 520 will be elastically deformed under the action of the arch beam 500 and drive the cantilever arm 54 to move toward the latch component 3 and press the pressing portion 30 of the latch component 3, so that the unlocking action can be achieved. In this process, the force applied to the pressing portion 30 is basically perpendicular to the axial direction of the optical fiber connector, and will not be interfered by the component force parallel to the axial direction, so that the entire disassembly process is smoother. When locking is required, the joystick 52 is pushed forward, and the elastic arm 520, the cantilever arm 54 and the pressing portion 30 of the latch component 3 all have elastic potential energy to restore to their original state, and can quickly return to their original position, so that the latch component 3 and the optical fiber adapter 9 can be quickly engaged. At this time, the structure is as shown in FIG. Figure 7 shown.

[0028] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the end of the elastic arm 520 is pivotally connected to the free end of the pressing cantilever 54 through the pivot 521 and the shaft hole 523; Figure 5 and Figure 6 In the illustrated embodiment, the end of the elastic arm 520 is connected to the free end of the pressing cantilever arm 54 by means of a hook 525 and a hook hole 527. This embodiment provides different connection modes of pivoting or hooking between the elastic arm 520 and the pressing cantilever arm 54, so that different connection modes can be flexibly selected to meet different needs.

[0029] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, the elastic arm 520 is in an arc shape. In this embodiment, by designing the elastic arm 520 to be in an arc shape, it has better elastic deformation ability and a smoother deformation process, which is conducive to effective control of the operation process.

[0030] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, in combination with Figure 2 As shown, the connector body 1 includes a front shell 10, a ferrule 12, a rear shell 14, a clamp shell 16 and a tail sleeve 18, wherein the front shell 10 is plugged with the rear shell 14, the ferrule 12 is inserted into the front shell 10 and the rear shell 14, the front end of the clamp shell 16 clamps the rear end of the rear shell 14, and the tail sleeve 18 is connected to the rear end of the clamp shell 16. In this embodiment, the connector body 1 is designed to be composed of multiple components, which can be easily manufactured and assembled.

[0031] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, the clamping shell 16 is assembled by interlocking a bottom shell 160 and a cover plate 162, the guide structure 50 is formed on the cover plate 162, and the pressing cantilever 54 is also integrally extended from the cover plate 162. In this embodiment, by designing the guide structure 50 and the pressing cantilever 54 to be formed on the cover plate 162 of the clamping shell 16, manufacturing and assembly can be facilitated, and costs can be reduced.

[0032] In another optional embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the LC fiber optic connector is a dual-core fiber optic connector, the front shell 10, the rear shell 14 and the ferrule 12 are all two, each front shell 10 is provided with a latch component 3, and a pressing cantilever 54 is provided corresponding to the latch component 3 on each front shell 10, two fiber channels 161 are formed inside the bottom shell 160, and the front end of each fiber channel 161 is assembled with a rear shell 14, and the bottom shell 160 is formed with a plug hole 163 between the two fiber channels 111, and the middle part of the inner side surface of the cover plate 162 is formed with a pin 165 with a barb 164, and the pin 165 is correspondingly inserted into the plug hole 163 on the bottom shell 160 and is fixed by hooking the barb 164 on the edge of the hole of the plug hole 163. This embodiment expands the scope of application by applying the corresponding latch component 3 and the operating component 5 to the dual-core fiber optic connector.

[0033] In another optional embodiment of the present invention, the ends of the two pressing cantilevers 54 are further connected as one body by a connecting arm 540. In this embodiment, the ends of the two pressing cantilevers 54 are connected by the connecting arm 540, so that the structural stability of the pressing cantilevers 54 is better, and when the pressing portion 30 of the latch component 3 is pressed, the stability is good, and the movement synchronization of the two pressing cantilevers 54 is better.

[0034] In another optional embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 As shown, the pressing cantilever 54 includes a U-shaped elastic bending portion 541 integrally extending from the rear end edge of the cover plate 162 and a pressing portion 542 extending from the end of the elastic bending portion 541 further parallel to the cover plate 162 to the outside of the pressing portion 30 of the latch component 3. In this embodiment, by designing a U-shaped elastic bending portion 541, the pressing cantilever 54 has a better elastic deformation ability, and can more effectively follow the operation of the operating rod 52 to achieve the locking and unlocking of the latch component 3.

[0035] In another optional embodiment of the present invention, the guide structure 50 also includes a limit block 502 formed on the rear end of the cover plate 162 for guiding and limiting the operating rod 52. Two limit blocks 502 are provided and are respectively arranged on both sides of the travel path of the operating rod 52. The tops of the two limit blocks 502 are also formed with convex hooks 504 respectively. The middle section of the operating rod passes through between the two limit blocks 502. The part of the operating rod 52 corresponding to the limit block 502 forms a positioning block 522 with a width that matches the spacing between the two limit blocks 502 and a predetermined thickness and abuts against the convex hook 504. The width of the part of the operating rod 52 located at the rear end of the positioning block 522 is greater than the spacing between the two limit blocks 502, and a stop wall 524 is formed at the end facing the positioning block 503. In this embodiment, a limit block 502 is further provided on the cover plate 162 to effectively limit the joystick 52, so that the joystick can maintain a straight line motion during the forward and backward movement, avoid deflection, and make the assembly and disassembly operations smoother. A positioning block 522 and a stop wall 524 are correspondingly provided on the joystick 52. The positioning block 522 can cooperate with the limit block 502 to effectively guide the joystick 52 to move in a straight line, and the stop wall 524 can stop and limit when it touches the limit block 502, so as to avoid the joystick 52 being pushed forward too much and causing damage to the internal structure; the positioning block 522 also abuts against the convex hook 504, so as to effectively prevent the joystick 52 from falling off.

[0036] In another optional embodiment of the present invention, the two sides of the stop wall 524 are further extended in parallel to the positioning block 522 to form an auxiliary block 526, and a gap 528 is formed between the positioning block 522 and the two auxiliary blocks 526. The two limit blocks 502 on the cover plate 162 are respectively accommodated in the corresponding gap 528. The inner and outer sides of the top of the limit block 502 are formed with convex hooks 504. The convex hook 504 formed on the inner side of the top of the limit block 502 is hooked on the positioning block 522, and the convex hook 504 formed on the outer side of the top of the limit block 502 is hooked on the top surface of the auxiliary block 526. In this embodiment, by further providing the auxiliary block 526, the limit block 502 is well accommodated in the gap 528 between the positioning block 522 and the auxiliary block 526, and the directional guiding function is further enhanced. The convex hook 504 on the outer side of the top of the limit block 502 is hooked on the top surface of the auxiliary block 526, which can also further prevent the joystick 52 from falling off.

[0037] The embodiments of the present invention are described above in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned specific implementation methods. The above-mentioned specific implementation methods are merely illustrative and not restrictive. Under the enlightenment of the present invention, ordinary technicians in this field can also make many forms without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention and the claims, which all belong to the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An LC optical fiber connector, comprising a connector body, a latch component disposed on the front side of the connector body for locking with an optical fiber adapter, and an operating component disposed at the middle and rear part of the connector body for controlling the latch component, wherein a pressing portion is formed at the end of the latch component, characterized in that: The operating component includes a guide structure formed in the middle of the connector body to define a forward and backward displacement path, an operating rod with a middle section accommodated in the guide structure, and a pressing cantilever formed on the outer side of the middle of the connector body and with a free end corresponding to the outer side of the pressing portion of the latch component. The guide structure includes an arch beam arranged at the front end, and the front end of the operating rod passes through the bottom of the arch beam and then rises outward to extend to form an elastic arm, and the end of the elastic arm is connected to the free end of the pressing cantilever; the rear end of the operating rod extends toward the rear of the connector body by a predetermined length; the elastic arm is in the shape of an arc surface; the connector body includes a front shell, a plug core, a rear shell, a clamp shell and a tail sleeve, wherein the front shell is plugged into the rear shell, the plug core is inserted into the front shell and the rear shell, the front end of the clamp shell clamps the rear end of the rear shell, and the tail sleeve is connected to the rear end of the clamp shell.

2. The LC optical fiber connector according to claim 1, wherein: The end of the elastic arm is pivotally connected to the free end of the pressing cantilever through the cooperation of a pivot and an axis hole or is hooked and connected through the cooperation of a hook and a hanging hole.

3. The LC optical fiber connector according to claim 1, wherein: The clamping shell is assembled by buckling a bottom shell and a cover plate, the guide structure is formed on the cover plate, and the pressing cantilever is also integrally extended from the cover plate.

4. The LC optical fiber connector according to claim 3, wherein: The LC fiber optic connector is a dual-core fiber optic connector, and there are two front shells, two rear shells, and two ferrules. A latch component is provided on each front shell, and a pressing cantilever is provided corresponding to the latch component on each front shell. Two fiber optic channels are formed inside the bottom shell, and a rear shell is assembled correspondingly at the front end of each fiber optic channel. A plug hole is formed in the bottom shell between the two fiber optic channels, and a pin with a barb is formed in the middle of the inner side surface of the cover plate. The pin is correspondingly inserted into the plug hole on the bottom shell and is fixed by hooking the barb on the edge of the hole of the plug hole.

5. The LC optical fiber connector according to claim 4, wherein: The ends of the two pressing cantilevers are connected into one body through a connecting arm.

6. The LC optical fiber connector according to claim 3, wherein: The pressing cantilever comprises an elastic bending portion integrally extending from the rear end edge of the cover plate to form a U shape, and a pressing portion extending from the end of the elastic bending portion further parallel to the cover plate to the outside of the pressing portion of the latch component.

7. The LC optical fiber connector according to claim 3, wherein: The guide structure also includes a limit block formed on the cover plate at the rear end portion for guiding and limiting the joystick. Two limit blocks are provided and are respectively arranged on both sides of the travel path of the joystick. Convex hooks are also formed on the tops of the two limit blocks. The middle section of the joystick passes through between the two limit blocks. The portion of the joystick corresponding to the limit block forms a positioning block with a width that matches the spacing between the two limit blocks and a predetermined thickness that abuts against the convex hook. The width of the portion of the joystick located at the rear end of the positioning block is greater than the spacing between the two limit blocks and forms a stop wall toward one end of the positioning block.

8. The LC optical fiber connector according to claim 7, wherein: The two sides of the stopping wall also extend parallel to the positioning block to form an auxiliary block respectively, and gaps are formed between the positioning block and the two auxiliary blocks respectively. The two limit blocks on the cover plate are respectively accommodated in the corresponding gaps, and convex hooks are formed on the inner and outer sides of the top of the limit block. The convex hook formed on the inner side of the top of the limit block is hooked on the positioning block, and the convex hook formed on the outer side of the top of the limit block is hooked on the top surface of the auxiliary block.

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