Polarization maintaining optical fiber contact

Abstract

The application relates to a polarization maintaining optical fiber contact, which comprises a plug pin part formed by pressure connection of a plug pin at the front end and a shell at the rear end, a guide key with an axial extension at the front end of the plug pin part shell and provided with a positioning key for axial adjustment of a polarization maintaining optical fiber, and a polarization maintaining optical cable core wire inserted into the plug pin at the front end from the tail of the plug pin part shell and fixed with the plug pin part shell tail. The application fixes the polarization maintaining optical cable and the plug pin part as a whole, and is provided with a guide key for axial adjustment of the optical cable. During adjustment, the plug pin part and the polarization maintaining optical cable rotate as a whole, so that the polarization maintaining optical cable is adjusted conveniently and quickly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of polarization-maintaining fiber optic connectors and relates to a polarization-maintaining fiber optic contact. Background Technology

[0002] Polarization-maintaining fiber optic connectors are a type of fiber optic connector, distinguished by the axis adjustment of the polarization-maintaining fiber, i.e., the adjustment and fixation of its position. Polarization-maintaining fiber optic connectors enable movable connections between polarization-maintaining fibers. These fibers generate a strong birefringence effect, eliminating the influence of stress on the polarization state of incident light, thereby transmitting polarized light signals. Polarization-maintaining fiber optic connectors are widely used in various sectors of the national economy, including aerospace, aviation, marine, industrial manufacturing, and communications.

[0003] Due to the high difficulty in debugging polarization-maintaining optical fibers, the most common polarization-maintaining optical fiber connectors on the market are single-core FC type connectors. However, these connectors only have one core in the contact element, which cannot meet the market demand for multi-core polarization-maintaining optical fiber connectors. Currently, there are no mature multi-core polarization-maintaining optical fiber connector products (i.e., core count ≥ 2) available domestically or internationally. The polarization-maintaining optical fiber contact element described in this invention is designed for multi-core polarization-maintaining optical fiber connectors. After debugging, the contact element can be directly installed into the housing to complete the production of the multi-core polarization-maintaining optical fiber connector. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention relates to a polarization-maintaining fiber contact component. By designing the structure and positioning method of the guide key, ferrule component, and fixing sleeve, it can ensure that the polarization-maintaining fiber axis maintains a fixed positional relationship with the positioning key on the product guide key, thereby ensuring the transmission of polarized light.

[0005] The objective of this invention and the technical problem it solves are achieved by the following technical solution. According to this invention, a polarization-maintaining fiber contact includes a ferrule component formed by pressing together a front-end ferrule and a rear-end housing, and a guide key that is axially extended and fixedly mounted on the front end of the ferrule component housing for axial alignment adjustment of the polarization-maintaining fiber. The polarization-maintaining fiber core is inserted into the front-end ferrule from the rear end of the ferrule component housing, and the outer sheath of the polarization-maintaining fiber is fixedly connected to the rear end of the ferrule component housing.

[0006] The objectives of this invention and the technical problems it addresses can be further achieved by the following technical measures.

[0007] The aforementioned polarization-maintaining fiber contact, wherein the guide key is further provided with a side key on its outer periphery for limiting the circumferential rotation of the contact within the connector housing.

[0008] The aforementioned polarization-maintaining fiber contact, wherein the ferrule housing is further slidably guided by an outer shell, which has a front stop and a rear stop within its sliding stroke, and a spring fitted on the ferrule housing provides a force to hold the outer shell in the rear stop position.

[0009] The aforementioned polarization-maintaining fiber contact, wherein the outer periphery of the rear end of the guide key has a protrusion that stops and limits the movement of the front end face of the flange on the housing of the ferrule component.

[0010] The aforementioned polarization-maintaining fiber contact, wherein the front end of the guide key is further provided with an inwardly turned edge that limits and cooperates with the front end face of the ferrule housing, and the positioning key is located at the front end of the inwardly turned edge and extends along the axial direction of the guide key.

[0011] The aforementioned polarization-maintaining fiber contact, wherein the outer housing is stopped and limited by the rear end face of the flange of the ferrule component housing when it is in the front end stop position, and by the front end face of the fixing sleeve fixed on the ferrule component housing when it is in the rear end stop position.

[0012] The aforementioned polarization-maintaining optical fiber contact, wherein the outer sheath of the polarization-maintaining optical cable is fitted onto the outer peripheral surface of the tail of the ferrule component housing and is pressed and fixed by a clamping sleeve.

[0013] The aforementioned polarization-maintaining fiber contact component, wherein the portion of the ferrule housing that contacts the polarization-maintaining fiber sheath is provided with several annular grooves to increase the friction between the two.

[0014] The objective of this invention and the technical problem it solves are also achieved by the following technical solution. A multi-core polarization-maintaining fiber optic connector according to this invention includes a connector housing and a plurality of the aforementioned polarization-maintaining fiber optic contacts assembled within the connector housing. The guide key direction of the different polarization-maintaining fiber optic contacts is aligned by the guiding engagement between the outer peripheral key of the guide key of the aforementioned polarization-maintaining fiber optic contact and the keyway within the connector housing.

[0015] Compared with existing technologies, this invention has significant advantages and beneficial effects. Through the above technical solution, this invention achieves considerable technological advancement and practicality, and has broad industrial application value, possessing at least the following advantages:

[0016] This invention is a polarization-maintaining fiber optic contact that can transmit linearly polarized light signals. It also uses a 1.25mm ferrule and is a core component of a multi-core polarization-maintaining fiber optic connector.

[0017] This invention fixes the polarization-maintaining optical cable and the ferrule component into one piece, and provides a guide key for adjusting the optical cable axis. During adjustment, the ferrule component and the polarization-maintaining optical cable rotate together, making the adjustment of the polarization-maintaining optical cable convenient and quick.

[0018] The polarization-maintaining fiber contact of the present invention has a side key on the outer periphery of the guide key at the front end for guiding and limiting with the connector housing. The setting of the side key realizes the consistency of the fixed axis direction of the polarization-maintaining fiber connected by the polarization-maintaining fiber contact in multi-core installation, thereby meeting the requirements of multi-core polarization-maintaining fiber connector. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the polarization-maintaining fiber contact of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the guide key structure of the polarization-maintaining optical fiber contact element of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A sectional view;

[0022] Figure 4 for Figure 2 The main view;

[0023] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the polarization-maintaining fiber contactor after one assembly according to the present invention;

[0024] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the reassembled polarization-maintaining fiber contact of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram showing the fixed position of the polarization axis of the polarization-maintaining fiber contact element of the present invention.

[0026] [Explanation of Key Component Symbols]

[0027] 1: Pin assembly

[0028] 2: Guide key

[0029] 3: Spring

[0030] 4: Outer shell

[0031] 5: Fixing sleeve

[0032] 6: Crimping sleeve

[0033] 7: Positioning key

[0034] 8: Side buttons

[0035] 9: Fast axis

[0036] 10: Slow axis

[0037] 11: Polarization-maintaining optical cable Detailed Implementation

[0038] To further illustrate the technical means and effects adopted by the present invention to achieve the intended purpose, the following detailed description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments, details the specific implementation, structure, features, and effects of the polarization-maintaining fiber contact element proposed according to the present invention.

[0039] Please see Figure 1-7 This is a schematic diagram of the polarization-maintaining fiber contact of the present invention. The polarization-maintaining fiber contact includes a ferrule component 1, which includes a front ferrule and a rear housing. The front end of the housing has a flange, and the rear end of the housing component is slidably guided to a housing body 4. The housing body 4 has a front stop position and a rear stop position within its sliding stroke, and a spring 3 is provided inside the housing body 4 for pressing the inner housing onto the rear stop position. In this embodiment of the invention, the front end of the spring 3 presses against the rear end face of the flange of the ferrule component housing, and the rear end presses against the stepped surface of the inner periphery of the housing body. When the housing body 4 is in the front stop position, it is stopped and limited by the rear end face of the flange of the ferrule component housing; when it is in the rear stop position, it is stopped and limited by the front end face of the fixing sleeve 5 fixed on the ferrule component housing.

[0040] In this embodiment of the invention, the outer periphery of the rear end of the pin component housing is provided with an annular groove, and the fixing sleeve 5 is pressed and fixed in the groove.

[0041] The core wires inside the polarization-maintaining optical cable extend into the housing of the insertion pin assembly and connect to the front insertion pin. The outer sheath of the polarization-maintaining optical cable is fitted onto the outer circumferential surface of the tail end of the insertion pin assembly housing and is pressed and fixed to the tail end of the insertion pin housing by a clamping sleeve 6. Preferably, the portion of the insertion pin assembly housing that contacts the outer sheath of the polarization-maintaining optical cable is provided with several annular grooves to increase the friction between the two and make their connection more reliable.

[0042] The front end of the ferrule housing is also press-fitted with a built-in guide key 2, and the outer periphery of the rear end of the guide key 2 has a protrusion that stops and limits the movement of the front end face of the flange of the ferrule housing. The front end of the guide key 2 has two axially extending positioning keys 7 for adjusting the polarization-maintaining fiber axis. During assembly, the guide key is first fixed to the adjustment fixture, and the positions of the positioning keys 7 are directly fixed. The front end of the guide key 2 also has an inwardly turned edge that limits the movement of the front end face of the ferrule housing, and the positioning keys 7 are located at the front end of this inwardly turned edge and extend axially along the guide key.

[0043] The guide key 2 is also provided with a side key 8 on its outer periphery for guiding and limiting the guide key to be aligned with the keyway in the connector housing during assembly.

[0044] In this invention, during assembly, the ceramic ferrule of the ferrule component is first fixed to the housing by crimping. The polarization-maintaining optical fiber, after its outer sheath is stripped, is inserted into the ceramic ferrule. Then, a spring, an outer shell, and a crimping sleeve are sequentially installed onto the housing of the ferrule component, and the crimping sleeve is crimped and fixed at a designated position to limit the movement of the outer shell. The spring provides elastic force, allowing the contact to retract when inserted into the housing, achieving elastic connection. The outer shell protects and secures the spring.

[0045] After the above assembly is completed, fix the guide key on the debugging fixture and start debugging. Clamp the fixing sleeve and rotate to adjust. Use an image detection mechanism to detect. When the positioning key on the guide key coincides with the slow axis of the polarization-maintaining fiber (or the included angle is less than 3°), the debugging is considered complete. Keep the position still and crimp the guide key and the flange.

[0046] Finally, install the crimp sleeve and crimp the outer sheath of the optical cable to the rear end of the pin assembly housing to complete the assembly.

[0047] The optical fiber contact of this invention can be installed in the plug / socket housing to form a multi-core polarization-maintaining optical fiber connector. The side 8 of the guide key has the function of limiting when it is installed in the housing. It is inserted into the keyway of the housing to ensure that the direction of the guide key is the same (ensuring that the direction of the positioning key on the guide key is consistent).

[0048] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way. Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make some modifications or alterations to the above-disclosed technical content to create equivalent embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes, and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention shall still fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A polarization-maintaining fiber contact, characterized in that: The connector includes a pin assembly formed by pressing together a front pin and a rear housing, and a guide key that is axially extended at the front end of the pin assembly housing for adjusting the polarization-maintaining fiber axis. The polarization-maintaining fiber core is inserted into the front pin from the rear end of the pin assembly housing, and the outer sheath of the polarization-maintaining fiber is fixed to the rear end of the pin assembly housing. There are two guide keys, which are evenly distributed at the front end of the guide key. The outer periphery of the guide key is also provided with a side key for limiting the circumferential rotation of the contact within the connector housing. The front end of the guide key is also provided with an inwardly turned edge that limits the fit with the front end face of the pin assembly housing. The guide key is located at the front end of the inwardly turned edge and extends axially along the guide key.

2. The polarization-maintaining fiber contact according to claim 1, characterized in that: The insert component housing is further slidably guided by an outer shell, which has a front stop and a rear stop within its sliding stroke. A spring fitted on the insert component housing provides the outer shell with a force to hold it in the rear stop position.

3. The polarization-maintaining fiber contact according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer periphery of the rear end of the guide key has a protrusion that stops and limits the movement of the front end face of the flange on the housing of the pin component.

4. The polarization-maintaining fiber contact according to claim 2, characterized in that: When the outer housing is in the front stop position, it is stopped and limited by the rear end face of the flange of the pin component housing; when it is in the rear stop position, it is stopped and limited by the front end face of the fixing sleeve fixed on the pin component housing.

5. The polarization-maintaining fiber contact according to claim 1, characterized in that: The polarization-maintaining optical cable sheath is fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the tail of the insert component housing by a clamping sleeve.

6. The polarization-maintaining fiber contact according to claim 5, characterized in that: The portion of the pin assembly housing that contacts the polarization-maintaining optical cable sheath is provided with several annular grooves to increase the friction between the two.

7. A multi-core polarization-maintaining fiber optic connector, characterized in that: The connector includes a connector housing and a plurality of polarization-maintaining fiber contacts as described in any one of claims 1-6, wherein the direction of the guide keys of different polarization-maintaining fiber contacts is consistent through the guiding engagement between the outer peripheral side key of the guide key of the polarization-maintaining fiber contact and the keyway in the connector housing.

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