A variable polarity connector

Abstract

The present invention mainly relates to the field of fiber optic connectors, and particularly to a variable polarity connector; it includes an inner shell, an outer sleeve, a first movable key and a second movable key, and at least a flexible part is provided on both the first movable key and the second movable key; the flexible part is arranged between a first locking part and a second locking part; the second locking part moves along the inner shell with the outer sleeve, and can move close to the first locking part to fix the flexible part, and move away from the first locking part to enable the flexible part to slide relative to the first locking part and the second locking part; the whole flexible part has the ability to swing up and down, so as to be able to slide relative to the first locking part and the second locking part, thus realizing the movement and locking of the first movable key and the second movable key.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention mainly relates to the field of fiber optic connectors, and particularly to a variable polarity connector. Background Art

[0002] The MPO connector is a multi-core fiber optic connector, especially applied in the field of 5G transmission, which can achieve multi-channel data transmission and can transmit a large amount of data at the same time. Its main structure is that there is a retractable ferrule in the shell, and multiple-core optical fibers are fixed on the ferrule. The ferrule is held by a spring, and the other end of the spring abuts against the tailstock. The multiple-core optical fibers pass through the middle of the spring. Due to the large number of fiber cores and different usage scenarios or modes during use, there are also different definitions for the arrangement of fiber cores. Taking 12 cores as an example, for A polarity, the fiber core arrangements at both ends of the jumper are the same, that is, fiber 1 (number) at one end corresponds to fiber 1 at the other end, and so on. Finally, fiber 12 at one end corresponds to fiber 12 at the other end. For B polarity, the fiber core arrangements at both ends of the jumper are opposite, that is, fiber 1 at one end corresponds to fiber 12 at the other end, and so on. Finally, fiber 12 at one end corresponds to fiber 1 at the other end. Generally, in order to prevent incorrect connection, most MPO connectors are provided with a protruding and fixed key, which is combined with the adapter to ensure access according to the set polarity. Therefore, it is very difficult to change the polarity of the MPO on site. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention now provides a variable polarity connector, which is realized by the following technical solutions:

[0004] A variable polarity connector,

[0005] comprising:

[0006] An inner shell, on two opposite faces of the inner shell, first locking portions are provided, and a first end for inserting into an adapter and a second end opposite to the first end are provided;

[0007] An outer shell, on two opposite inner faces of the outer shell, second locking portions cooperating with the first locking portions are provided. At least a part of the outer shell is sleeved on the inner shell and can move along the inner shell;

[0008] A first movable key and a second movable key, which are used to set the polarity of the connector and are provided on two opposite faces of the inner shell, and can move along the inner shell and can move at least to the first end and close to the second end for storage; both the first movable key and the second movable key are provided with at least flexible portions;

[0009] The flexible part is disposed between the first locking part and the second locking part; the second locking part moves along the inner shell with the outer sleeve and can move closer to the first locking part to fix the flexible part, and move away from the first locking part to enable the flexible part to slide relative to the first locking part and the second locking part.

[0010] Preferably, one of the first locking part and the second locking part is configured to have first teeth facing the flexible part, and the other is configured to have a stud.

[0011] Preferably, the flexible part is configured with second teeth that cooperate with the first teeth, and the second teeth are configured such that,

[0012] when the second locking part moves along the inner shell with the outer sleeve and moves closer to the first locking part to fix the flexible part so as to fix the first movable key and / or the second movable key, the first teeth and the second teeth engage; and when the second locking part moves away from the first locking part, so that the first movable key and / or the second movable key can move along the inner shell, the first teeth and the second teeth disengage.

[0013] Preferably, the inner shell further includes a third locking part, which is configured to be close to the second end. The third locking part is used to engage with the second teeth of the flexible part when the second locking part moves away from the first locking part and the first movable key and / or the second movable key move closer to the second end for storage.

[0014] Preferably, the flexible part is configured with third teeth, and the third teeth are configured such that when the second locking part moves away from the first locking part and the first movable key and / or the second movable key move along the inner shell and move closer to the second end for storage, the third teeth engage with the first teeth.

[0015] Preferably, the heads of the first movable key and the second movable key are configured with sliders, and the inner shell or the outer sleeve is configured with a chute that cooperates with the sliders to enable the first movable key and the second movable key to slide along the inner shell.

[0016] Preferably, the first movable key and the second movable key are configured to have a hollow strip-shaped through groove part, and the two side walls forming the through groove part are the flexible part, and the first locking part or the second locking part is disposed in the through groove part.

[0017] Preferably, when the outer sleeve is at the extreme position near the first end, the second locking portion and the first locking portion cooperate to fix the flexible portion, thereby fixing the first movable key and / or the second movable key.

[0018] Preferably, it further includes a resilient member disposed between the outer sleeve and the inner housing and enabling the outer sleeve to return to the extreme position near the first end.

[0019] Preferably, the flexible portion is configured to have the ability of bending deformation allowing it to slide relative to the first locking portion and the second locking portion when the first locking portion and the second locking portion move away from each other.

[0020] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0021] For the variable-polarity connector provided by the present invention, the movement of the outer sleeve drives the second locking portion. The second locking portion cooperates with the first locking portion fixed on the inner housing. When the outer sleeve is near the first end, i.e., the optical fiber core interface end, the corresponding first movable key or second movable key is fixed by locking the flexible portion, and the movable key on the other side is brought close to the second end for storage. At this time, it is the first polarity. When an external force is applied to the outer sleeve to move it towards the second end, the second locking portion is disengaged (moves away) from the first locking portion. At this time, although the flexible member is located between the first locking portion and the second locking portion, due to its flexibility, the entire flexible portion has the ability to swing up and down, and thus has the ability to slide relative to the first locking portion and the second locking portion. At this time, the originally stored first movable key or second movable key is pulled out and the movable key on the other side is pushed in and brought close to the second end for storage. Then, the outer sleeve is returned to the position near the first end. At this time, it is the second polarity; the whole operation is simple and reliable, and can be achieved without a complex structure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 is a schematic top view of the exploded structure of the variable-polarity connector (short type) of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the exploded structure of the variable-polarity connector (short type) of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of the outer sleeve of the variable-polarity connector of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the operation of the single-arm flexible portion of the variable-polarity connector (long type) of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the operation of the locking state of the movable key of the variable-polarity connector (long type) of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the inward movement of the second tooth of the variable-polarity connector (long type) of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the movement when the first tooth of the variable-polarity connector (long type) of the present invention is set inside the outer sleeve;

[0029] Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the movement when the movable key of the variable-polarity connector (long type) of the present invention is in the retracted state;

[0030] Figure 9 Schematic diagram of the movement when the movable key of the variable-polarity connector (long type) of the present invention is in the movable state;

[0031] Figure 10 Schematic diagram of the movement after the outer sleeve of the variable-polarity connector (short type) of the present invention is pulled;

[0032] Figure 11 Schematic diagram of the movement when the outer sleeve of the variable-polarity connector (short type) of the present invention is not stressed;

[0033] Figure 12 Schematic cross-sectional view of the movement when the outer sleeve of the variable-polarity connector (short type) of the present invention is not stressed. Detailed implementation manners

[0034] The following further describes the preferred mechanisms and methods for realizing the movement of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific implementation manners.

[0035] It should be noted that this patent mainly relates to the variable-polarity structure of the connector. However, those skilled in the art can know that the connector also includes other components, such as the ferrule, PIN pins, PIN pin sockets, tail sleeves, springs, etc. Since this patent does not improve the above components, no further description will be made here.

[0036] As Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown,

[0037] Inner shell 1, on two opposite surfaces of the inner shell 1, first locking portions 2 are provided, and a first end 3 for insertion into the adapter and a second end 4 opposite to the first end 3 are provided; wherein the inner shell 1 is integrally hollow and elongated, and the hollow part is used to configure components such as the ferrule and the PIN pin socket;

[0038] Outer sleeve 5, on two opposite inner surfaces of the outer sleeve 5, second locking portions 6 that cooperate with the first locking portions 2 are provided, and at least a part of the outer sleeve 5 is sleeved on the inner shell 1 and can move along the inner shell 1;

[0039] In the drawings of this patent, to more clearly show the positional relationship between the first locking portion 2 and the second locking portion 6, the two are marked together, but it should be understood that they are provided on different fittings.

[0040] A resilient member 17, the resilient member 17 is provided between the outer sleeve 5 and the inner housing 1 and positions the outer sleeve 5 at the extreme position close to the first end 3 in a state where no external force is applied. Here, the resilient member 17 is usually a spring. For an MPO connector, the outer sleeve 5 needs to be able to move back and forth to correspond to the engagement and separation of the adapter's hook with the inner housing 1, as Figure 1 and Figure 3 shown, a first stopper 7 is provided on the inner housing 1, and a second stopper 8 is provided inside the outer sleeve 5. By the cooperation of the two, the outer sleeve 1 is limited when moving towards the first end 3, that is, the outer sleeve 5 stays at this extreme position. Figure 11 That is the extreme position of the outer sleeve 5 when not under force, Figure 10 is the position of the outer sleeve after moving towards the second end 4 under force.

[0041] A first movable key 9 and a second movable key 10, used to set the polarity of the connector and provided on two opposite faces of the inner housing 1, and can move along the inner housing 1 and can move at least to the first end 3 and close to the second end 4 for storage; both the first movable key 9 and the second movable key 10 at least include a flexible portion;

[0042] The heads of the first movable key 9 and the second movable key 10 are configured with sliders 11, and the inner housing 1 or the outer sleeve 5 is configured with a chute 12 that cooperates with the sliders 11 to enable the first movable key 9 and the second movable key 10 to slide along the inner housing 1. Here, it should be noted that generally, it is the optimal usage method to set the chute 12 on the inner housing 1, but theoretically, the chute 12 can also be configured on the outer sleeve 5. Among them, the chute 12 is designed in the form of a dovetail groove.

[0043] The flexible portion is configured to have the deformation ability to slide relative to the first locking portion 2 and the second locking portion 6 when the first locking portion 2 and the second locking portion 6 move away from each other; specifically,

[0044] The flexible portion refers to having a certain fine movement ability or bending ability, such as Figure 4As shown, its main body can be a single arm 13. The single arm 13 and the head are integrally formed into a movable key. When the first locking part 2 and the second locking part 6 move away from each other, if the single arm 13 is pushed backward by force, at this time the single arm 13 can have a slight bend, and through this bend, the single arm 13 can slide relative to the first locking part 2 and the second locking part 6; when the first locking part 2 and the second locking part 6 are opposite or the distance between the two is the closest, at this time the gap between the two is the smallest, and the flexible part can be clamped to fix the corresponding first movable key 9 or second movable key 10.

[0045] When the outer sleeve 5 is at the extreme position near the first end 3, the second locking part 6 and the first locking part 2 cooperate to fix the flexible part, thereby fixing the first movable key 9 and / or the second movable key 10.

[0046] Or the best technical solution provided by the present invention is, as Figure 5 shown, the first movable key 9 and the second movable key 10 are configured to have a hollow strip-shaped through groove part 14. The two side walls 15 forming the through groove part 14 are the flexible parts, and the first locking part 9 or the second locking part 10 is arranged in the through groove part 14. Such a structure belongs to a symmetric structure, and the force is evenly distributed when pushing the movable key. The two flexible parts are symmetric, and between them is the first locking part 9 or the second locking part 10. The corresponding second locking part 10 or the first locking part 9 is arranged on the outer side of the two flexible parts respectively. In this way, when pushing the movable key, the flexible part can only be subjected to the thrust along the inner shell 1, and the operation is smoother. In addition, the advantage of such a structure is, as Figure 2 and Figure 12 shown, a limit post 20 can be arranged on the inner shell 1. The limit post 20 is arranged in the through groove part 14, and at the same time, it is ensured that the second locking part 6 can cross over from its top. In this way, the tails of the first movable key 9 and the second movable key 10 can hook the limit post 20, and at the same time, it does not affect the operation of the second locking part 6, so as to limit the first movable key 9 and the second movable key 10 when they are pulled out and moved to the first end 3, and prevent the first movable key 9 and the second movable key 10 from being pulled out.

[0047] In principle, the first locking part 2 and the second locking part 6 can clamp and fix the flexible part by interference fit. However, such a form has high requirements for the clearance distance, that is, relatively precise dimensions are needed to prevent excessive interference so that it is completely locked or the movable key slides smoothly; for this reason, a second tooth 16 is provided on the flexible part, and the second tooth 16 protrudes slightly from the flexible part. In this way, while the cooperation between the second tooth 16 and the corresponding first locking part 2 or second locking part 6 can achieve a better locking effect, the entire flexible part can be slid by a small bend. In addition, the second tooth 16 can be arranged outward as shown in the figure, such as Figure 6 shown, the second tooth 16 can also be arranged on the inner side.

[0048] When the second locking part 6 moves along the inner shell 1 with the outer shell 5 and moves close to the first locking part 2 to fix the flexible part so as to fix the first movable key 9 and / or the second movable key 10, the first tooth and the second tooth 16 are combined; and when the second locking part 6 moves away from the first locking part 2 so that the first movable key 9 and / or the second movable key 10 can move along the inner shell 2, the first tooth and the second tooth 16 are separated.

[0049] For the first locking part 2 and the second locking part 6, their specific shapes can be configured such that one of the first locking part 2 and the second locking part 6 is configured to have a first tooth facing the flexible part, and the other is configured to have a stud.

[0050] Specifically, for the first locking part 2, it is fixed on the inner shell 1, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, it can be configured in the form of a first tooth, and the corresponding second locking part 6 is configured in the form of a stud, or as Figure 6 shown, the first locking part 2 is configured in the form of a stud, and the corresponding second locking part 6 is configured in the form of a first tooth; in addition, it can also be as Figure 3 and Figure 7 shown, the first locking part 2 is a cylinder, and the second locking part 6 is two first teeth arranged on both sides of the flexible part.

[0051] The flexible part is arranged between the first locking part 2 and the second locking part 6; the second locking part 2 moves along the inner shell 1 with the outer sleeve, and can move close to the first locking part 6 to fix the flexible part of the first movable key 9 and / or the second movable key 10 that moves to the first end 3, so as to fix the corresponding first movable key 9 and / or the second movable key 10, and move away from the first locking part 6 to enable the flexible part to slide relative to the first locking part 2 and the second locking part 6, so that the first movable key 9 and / or the second movable key 10 can move along the inner shell 1. Specifically, as Figure 5 shown, when the outer sleeve 5 is not stressed, it is in the extreme position close to the first end 3. At this time, the linear distance between the first locking part 2 and the second locking part 6 is the shortest, and the two clamp the first movable key 9 or the second movable key 10 located at the first end 3, and the corresponding other side is as Figure 8 shown, the first movable key 9 or the second movable key 10 is located close to the second end 4 for storage and is in the storage state, so that the first polarity can be corresponding; when the outer sleeve 5 is stressed, it moves towards the second end 4, as Figure 9 shown, so that the outer sleeve 5 drives the second locking part 6 to move. At this time, the distance between the first locking part 2 and the second locking part 6 is relatively far, and the flexible part has a certain degree of freedom, so that both the first movable key 9 and the second movable key 10 can slide. At this time, the first movable key 9 or the second movable key 10 originally located at the first end 3 is pushed to a position close to the second end 4, and the first movable key 9 or the second movable key 10 originally located at the storage position is pulled out to the first end 3. At this time, the outer sleeve 5 is released, and the outer sleeve 5 returns to the original extreme position under the drive of the elastic member 17. At this time, the corresponding first movable key 9 or the second movable key 10 is locked, so as to switch the polarity.

[0052] In addition, as Figure 7As shown, when the first locking part 2 is a cylinder and the second locking part 6 is two first teeth arranged on both sides of the flexible part, the form of movement is slightly different from the above. Since the first teeth are in a movable state, and at the same time, since sliders 11 are arranged at the heads of the first movable key 9 and the second movable key 10, and the chute 12 has a limit when the first movable key 9 and the second movable key 10 are pushed towards the second end 4, the action mode is as follows. When the first movable key 9 or the second movable key 10 is located at the first end 3 and is fixed by the first locking part 2 and the second locking part 6, the first teeth are combined with the second teeth 16. At this time, when the outer sleeve 5 is pushed, the outer sleeve 5 will drive the corresponding first movable key 9 or the second movable key 10 to move towards the second end 4. During the movement, the corresponding first movable key 9 or the second movable key 10 can be pushed to disengage the two. When the outer sleeve 5 reaches the limit at the second end 4, at this time, the second locking part 6 is combined with the second teeth 16 of the other first movable key 9 or the second movable key 10 in the storage state on the other side. When the outer sleeve 5 is returned to the extreme position at the first end 3, the corresponding first movable key 9 or the second movable key 10 slides with the outer sleeve 5 and thus reaches the first end 3, so that the polarity can be changed. The biggest difference between this embodiment and the above embodiment is that the first movable key 9 or the second movable key 10 will move together with the outer sleeve 5 during the locking stage or the initial stage of separation.

[0053] As Figure 1 shown, if the inner shell 1 is shorter, when the first movable key 9 or the second movable key 10 is stored near the second end 4, the inner shell 1 further includes a third locking part 18, and the third locking part 18 is configured to be close to the second end 4. The third locking part 18 is used for when the first movable key 9 and / or the second movable key 10 is close to the second end 4 as the storage, the third locking part 18 is combined with the second teeth 16 of the flexible part, so as to prevent the first movable key 9 or the second movable key 10 in the storage state from moving around.

[0054] As Figure 9 shown, if the inner shell 1 is longer, when the first movable key 9 or the second movable key 10 is stored near the second end 4, the flexible part is provided with third teeth 19, and the third teeth 19 are configured such that when the second locking part 6 moves away from the first locking part 2, and the first movable key 9 and / or the second movable key 10 moves along the inner shell to be close to the second end 3 as the storage (attached Figure 8 state), the third teeth 19 are combined with the first teeth 2, so as to prevent the first movable key 9 or the second movable key 10 in the storage state from moving around.

[0055] In addition, in the embodiments of this patent, the form of combining the engaging teeth with the column to clamp the engaging teeth on the flexible part is mostly adopted because this form can not only have a strong fixing effect, but also facilitate the separation or sliding of the flexible part relative to the two. If engaging teeth are adopted on both sides and engaging teeth are also provided on the flexible part, although the fixing effect is strong, the moving space between the engaging teeth is limited, and a large deformation of the flexible part is required to make it separate or slide.

[0056] Finally, it should be noted that the above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not used to limit the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions recorded in the foregoing embodiments, or perform equivalent replacements on some of the technical features. However, any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A variable polarity connector, characterized in that: It includes: An inner shell, on two opposite surfaces of the inner shell, first locking portions are provided, and a first end for insertion into an adapter and a second end opposite to the first end are provided; An outer shell, on two opposite inner surfaces of the outer shell, second locking portions cooperating with the first locking portions are provided, at least a part of the outer shell is sleeved on the inner shell and can move along the inner shell; A first movable key and a second movable key, used to set the polarity of the connector and provided on two opposite surfaces of the inner shell, and can move along the inner shell and can at least move to the first end and close to the second end as a storage; both the first movable key and the second movable key are at least provided with flexible portions; The flexible portion is disposed between the first locking portion and the second locking portion; the second locking portion moves along the inner shell with the outer shell and can move close to the first locking portion to fix the flexible portion, and move away from the first locking portion to enable the flexible portion to slide relative to the first locking portion and the second locking portion; One of the first locking portion and the second locking portion is configured to have first teeth facing the flexible portion, and the other is configured to have a stud; The flexible portion is configured with second teeth cooperating with the first teeth, and the second teeth are configured to When the second locking portion moves along the inner shell with the outer shell and moves close to the first locking portion to fix the flexible portion so as to fix the first movable key and / or the second movable key, the first teeth and the second teeth are engaged; and when the second locking portion moves away from the first locking portion, so that the first movable key and / or the second movable key can move along the inner shell, the first teeth and the second teeth are separated.

2. The variable polarity connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner shell further includes a third locking portion, the third locking portion is configured to be close to the second end, and the third locking portion is used for, when the second locking portion moves away from the first locking portion and the first movable key and / or the second movable key are close to the second end as a storage, the third locking portion engages with the second teeth of the flexible portion.

3. The variable polarity connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flexible portion is configured with third teeth, and the third teeth are configured to, when the second locking portion moves away from the first locking portion and the first movable key and / or the second movable key move along the inner shell to be close to the second end as a storage, the third teeth engage with the first teeth.

4. The variable polarity connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: Sliders are arranged at the heads of the first movable key and the second movable key, and chutes for sliding the first movable key and the second movable key along the inner shell are arranged on the inner shell or the outer shell and cooperate with the sliders.

5. The variable polarity connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The first movable key and the second movable key are configured to have a hollow strip-shaped through groove portion, and two side walls forming the through groove portion are the flexible portions, and the first locking portion or the second locking portion is disposed in the through groove portion.

6. The variable polarity connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: When the outer sleeve is at the extreme position near the first end, the second locking portion and the first locking portion cooperate to fix the flexible portion, thereby fixing the first movable key and / or the second movable key.

7. The variable polarity connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: It further includes a resilient member, and the resilient member is disposed between the outer sleeve and the inner housing and enables the outer sleeve to return to the extreme position near the first end.

8. The variable polarity connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The flexible portion is configured to have a bending deformation ability that allows it to slide relative to the first locking portion and the second locking portion when the first locking portion and the second locking portion move away from each other.

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