Connector module

Abstract

The present invention discloses a connector module, comprising: at least one connector, each connector comprising a shell, a plug installed in the shell and a rear body inserted into the rear end of the shell; and a fixing device connected to the rear body of each connector. The fixing device comprises a single integrated fixing member, and the fixing member comprises: a connecting portion, located at the front end of the fixing member, for connecting to the rear body of each connector; and a flexible protective member, adjacent to the connecting portion, for protecting the cables passing therethrough. In the present invention, the connecting portion for connecting the rear body of the connector and the flexible protective member for protecting the cables are made into a single integrated fixing member, so the problem of cracking of the flexible protective member during installation and use can be effectively avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a connector module. Background Art

[0002] In the prior art, the optical fiber connector module generally includes a plurality of LC optical fiber connectors, a flexible protective member and a fixing seat. In the prior art, the flexible protective member generally includes two flexible halves, which are suitable for being assembled together. The front end of each flexible half is snapped onto the rear body of the connector, and the rear end of each flexible half is snapped onto the fixing seat. The existing flexible protective member has too many connection points and is prone to cracking during on-site installation and use. Summary of the invention

[0003] The purpose of the present invention is to solve at least one aspect of the above-mentioned problems and defects in the prior art.

[0004] According to one aspect of the present invention, a connector module is provided, comprising: at least one connector, each connector comprising a housing, a ferrule installed in the housing, and a rear body inserted into the rear end of the housing; and a fixing device connected to the rear body of each connector. The fixing device comprises a single integrated fixing member, the fixing member comprising: a connecting portion, located at the front end of the fixing member, for connecting to the rear body of each connector; and a flexible protective member, adjacent to the connecting portion, for protecting the cable passing therethrough.

[0005] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the cable is an optical cable, and the connector is an optical fiber connector suitable for connecting to an optical fiber of the optical cable.

[0006] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the fixing member further includes a fixing seat, which is located at the rear end of the fixing member and is used to fix the reinforcing element of the optical cable.

[0007] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the fixing member is a single molded member molded from a thermoplastic material.

[0008] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a hollow structure is formed on the flexible protective member so that the flexible protective member can achieve a predetermined flexibility.

[0009] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connecting portion is suitable for being connected to the rear body of each of the connectors in a snap-fit ​​manner.

[0010] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an insertion cavity is formed on the connecting part, and the rear end portion of the rear body is suitable for being inserted into the insertion cavity of the connecting part; a notch is formed on the side wall of the insertion cavity, and a protrusion is formed on the rear end portion of the rear body; when the rear end portion of the rear body is inserted into the insertion cavity of the connecting part, the protrusion on the rear body snaps into the notch.

[0011] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the protrusion on the rear body is in the shape of a barb to prevent the protrusion from being separated from the notch.

[0012] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the fixing seat includes a seat body portion and a tail tube portion, the seat body portion is connected to the rear end of the flexible protective member, the tail tube portion is connected to the rear end of the seat body portion, and the reinforcing element of the optical cable is fixed on the tail tube portion.

[0013] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a circle of grooves is formed on the seat body, and an elastic sealing ring is arranged in the groove; the connector module is suitable for being inserted into a fiber optic adapter, and the elastic sealing ring is used to achieve sealing between the connector module and the fiber optic adapter.

[0014] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of grooves are formed on the rear end of the tail tube portion, and the plurality of grooves are evenly spaced in the circumferential direction of the tail tube portion; the reinforcing element of the optical cable is divided into a plurality of strands, each reinforcing element passes through a corresponding groove on the tail tube portion, and is evenly laid on the outer wall of the tail tube portion; the fixing device also includes a fixing sleeve, and the fixing sleeve is covered on the tail tube portion of the fixing seat, so as to fix the reinforcing element of the optical cable on the tail tube portion.

[0015] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the fixing sleeve is an overmolded part molded on the tail pipe portion on which the reinforcing element has been laid.

[0016] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, at least one circle of grooves is formed on the tail pipe portion to enhance the bonding force between the fixing sleeve and the tail pipe portion.

[0017] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the rear body includes a tubular main body suitable for being inserted into the shell, at least one circle of raised rings is formed on the outer wall of the tubular main body, and at least one circle of annular grooves is formed on the inner wall of the shell; when the tubular main body of the rear body is inserted into the shell, the raised ring engages with the annular groove to connect the rear body to the shell.

[0018] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, each of the connectors further includes a tailstock and a spring accommodated in the housing, wherein the tailstock is connected to the rear end of the ferrule, and the spring is squeezed between the tailstock and the rear body to apply an axial thrust to the ferrule.

[0019] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, each of the connectors further comprises a guide sleeve housed in the housing, the guide sleeve being connected to the rear end of the tail seat; the central axis of the guide sleeve is aligned with the central axis of the ferrule so as to guide the optical fiber of the optical cable passing therethrough into the optical fiber jack of the ferrule.

[0020] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an elastic locking member is disposed on the housing of each connector, and the elastic locking member is suitable for locking onto the optical fiber adapter so as to fix the connector to the optical fiber adapter.

[0021] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an unlocking pressing member is disposed on the housing of each of the connectors, and the elastic locking member can be separated from the optical fiber adapter by pressing the unlocking pressing member.

[0022] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector is an LC type fiber optic connector.

[0023] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the reinforcing element of the optical cable is Kevlar fiber.

[0024] In the aforementioned exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the connecting part for connecting the rear body of the connector and the flexible protective part for protecting the cable are made into a single integrated fixing part, thereby effectively avoiding the problem of cracking of the flexible protective part during installation and use.

[0025] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, which will help to provide a comprehensive understanding of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 A three-dimensional schematic diagram showing a connector module according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 show Figure 1 A partial enlarged schematic diagram of the connector module shown in ;

[0028] Figure 3 A longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a connector module according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 4 show Figure 3 A partial enlarged schematic diagram of the connector module shown in ;

[0030] Figure 5 show Figure 3 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of a fixing base of a connector module shown in ;

[0031] Figure 6 show Figure 3 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the rear body of the connector of the connector module shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The technical solution of the present invention is further specifically described below by examples and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the specification, the same or similar reference numerals indicate the same or similar components. The following description of the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings is intended to explain the overall inventive concept of the present invention and should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention.

[0033] In addition, in the detailed description below, for ease of explanation, many specific details are set forth to provide a comprehensive understanding of the disclosed embodiments. However, it is apparent that one or more embodiments may be implemented without these specific details. In other cases, known structures and devices are embodied in a schematic manner to simplify the accompanying drawings.

[0034] According to an overall concept of the present invention, a connector module is provided, comprising: at least one connector, each connector comprising a housing, a ferrule installed in the housing, and a rear body inserted into the rear end of the housing; and a fixing device connected to the rear body of each connector. The fixing device comprises a single integrated fixing member, the fixing member comprising: a connecting portion, located at the front end of the fixing member, for connecting to the rear body of each connector; and a flexible protective member, adjacent to the connecting portion, for protecting the cable passing therethrough.

[0035] Figure 1 A three-dimensional schematic diagram showing a connector module according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 show Figure 1 A partial enlarged schematic diagram of the connector module shown in FIG.

[0036] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the connector module mainly includes at least one connector 100 and fixing devices 200, 300. In the illustrated embodiment, the connector module includes two connectors 100, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the connector module may also include one, three, four or more connectors 100.

[0037] Figure 3A longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a connector module according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 show Figure 3 A partial enlarged schematic diagram of the connector module shown in FIG.

[0038] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, each connector 100 includes a housing 110 , a ferrule 120 installed in the housing 110 , and a rear body 130 inserted into a rear end of the housing 110 .

[0039] Although not shown in the figure, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector may be an optical fiber connector suitable for connecting to an optical fiber of an optical cable. The optical cable has at least one optical fiber, and each optical fiber of the optical cable is connected to a corresponding connector.

[0040] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the fixing devices 200, 300 are connected to the rear body 130 of each connector 100 and are used to fix the strength member of the cable (not shown, such as an optical cable).

[0041] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the fixing device 200, 300 includes a single integrated fixing member 200, and the single integrated fixing member 200 includes: a connecting portion 221, a fixing seat 210, 230 and a flexible protective member 220. The connecting portion 221 is located at the front end of the fixing member 200, and is used to connect to the rear body 130 of each connector 100. The fixing seats 210, 230 are located at the rear end of the fixing member 200, and are used to fix the strengthening element of the optical cable. The flexible protective member 220 is located between the connecting portion 221 and the fixing seats 210, 230, and is used to protect the optical cable passing therethrough.

[0042] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, when an axial pulling force is applied to the optical cable in the axial direction, the axial pulling force is transmitted to the housing 110 of the connector 100 via the fixing member 200 and the rear body 130, thereby preventing the axial pulling force from being transmitted to the optical fiber of the optical cable. When a lateral pulling force is applied to the optical cable in the radial direction, the lateral pulling force causes the flexible protective member 220 to undergo elastic deformation, thereby preventing the optical cable from being excessively bent (if the bending radius of the optical cable is less than the minimum bending radius allowed, the optical fiber will be damaged).

[0043] Figure 5 show Figure 3 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of a fixing base of a connector module is shown in FIG.

[0044] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the fixing member 200 may be a single molded member molded from a thermoplastic material.

[0045] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, a hollow structure is formed on the flexible protection member 220 so that the flexible protection member 220 can achieve a predetermined flexibility.

[0046] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the connecting portion 221 is adapted to be connected to the rear body 130 of each connector 100 in a snap-fit ​​manner.

[0047] Figure 6 show Figure 3 FIG. 1 is a perspective schematic diagram of the rear body 130 of the connector 100 of the connector module shown in FIG.

[0048] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, an insertion cavity 223 is formed on the connecting portion 221, and the rear end portion 131 of the rear body 130 is suitable for being inserted into the insertion cavity 223 of the connecting portion 221. A notch 222 is formed on the side wall of the insertion cavity 223, and a protrusion 132 is formed on the rear end portion 131 of the rear body 130. When the rear end portion 131 of the rear body 130 is inserted into the insertion cavity 223 of the connecting portion 221, the protrusion 132 on the rear body 130 is snapped into the notch 222.

[0049] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the protrusion 132 on the rear body 130 is in a barb shape to prevent the protrusion 132 from being separated from the notch 222 .

[0050] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the fixing seat 210, 230 includes a seat body 210 and a tail tube 230. The seat body 210 is connected to the rear end of the flexible protective member 220, the tail tube 230 is connected to the rear end of the seat body 210, and the strengthening element of the optical cable is fixed on the tail tube 230.

[0051] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, in the embodiment shown in the figure, a circle of grooves 211 are formed on the seat body 210, and an elastic sealing ring 212 is arranged in the groove 211. The connector module is suitable for being inserted into a fiber optic adapter (not shown), and the elastic sealing ring 212 is used to achieve sealing between the connector module and the fiber optic adapter. The connector 100 of the connector module of the present invention is suitable for docking with the connector of another connector module (not shown) through the fiber optic adapter.

[0052] like Figures 1 to 6As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of grooves 231 are formed on the rear end of the tail tube portion 230, and the plurality of grooves 231 are evenly spaced and distributed in the circumferential direction of the tail tube portion 230. The strength element of the optical cable is divided into multiple strands, each of which passes through a corresponding groove 231 on the tail tube portion 230 and is evenly laid on the outer wall of the tail tube portion 230. The fixing device 200, 300 further includes a fixing sleeve 300, which is covered on the tail tube portion 230 of the fixing seat 210, 230, so as to fix the strength element of the optical cable on the tail tube portion 230.

[0053] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the fixing sleeve 300 is an overmolded part molded on the tail pipe portion 230 on which the reinforcement element has been laid.

[0054] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, at least one circle of grooves 232 is formed on the tail pipe portion 230 to enhance the bonding force between the fixing sleeve 300 and the tail pipe portion 230 .

[0055] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the rear body 130 includes a tubular body 133 suitable for being inserted into the housing 110, at least one circle of raised rings 134 is formed on the outer wall of the tubular body 133, and at least one circle of annular grooves is formed on the inner wall of the housing 110. When the tubular body 133 of the rear body 130 is inserted into the housing 110, the raised ring 134 engages with the annular groove to connect the rear body 130 to the housing 110.

[0056] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, each connector 100 also includes a tail seat 121 and a spring 140 accommodated in the housing 110, the tail seat 121 is connected to the rear end of the ferrule 120, and the spring 140 is squeezed between the tail seat 121 and the rear body 130 to apply axial thrust to the ferrule 120.

[0057] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, each connector 100 also includes a guide sleeve 122 accommodated in the housing 110, and the guide sleeve 122 is connected to the rear end of the tail seat 121; the central axis of the guide sleeve 122 is aligned with the central axis of the ferrule 120 so as to guide the optical fiber of the optical cable passing therethrough into the optical fiber jack of the ferrule 120.

[0058] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, an elastic locking member 150 is disposed on the housing 110 of each connector 100 , and the elastic locking member 150 is suitable for locking onto the optical fiber adapter so as to fix the connector 100 to the optical fiber adapter.

[0059] like Figures 1 to 6As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, an unlocking pressing member 160 is disposed on the housing 110 of each connector 100 , and the elastic locking member 150 can be separated from the optical fiber adapter by pressing the unlocking pressing member 160 .

[0060] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the connector 100 may be an LC type fiber optic connector or other types of fiber optic connectors.

[0061] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the strength element of the optical cable may be Kevlar fiber or other types of strength elements.

[0062] Those skilled in the art can understand that the embodiments described above are exemplary and can be improved by those skilled in the art. The structures described in various embodiments can be freely combined without causing conflicts in structure or principle.

[0063] Although the present invention has been described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the embodiments disclosed in the accompanying drawings are intended to exemplify the preferred implementations of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0064] Although some embodiments of the present general inventive concept have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present general inventive concept, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

[0065] It should be noted that the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the word "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. In addition, any element reference signs in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A connector module, comprising: A plurality of connectors (100), each connector (100) comprising a housing (110), a ferrule (120) installed in the housing (110), and a rear body (130) inserted into a rear end of the housing (110); and A fixing device (200, 300) connected to the rear body (130) of each of the connectors (100), Features: The fixing device (200, 300) comprises a single integrated fixing member (200), wherein the fixing member (200) comprises: a connecting portion (221), located at the front end of the fixing member (200), and used for connecting to the rear body (130) of each of the connectors (100); and The flexible protective member (220) is adjacent to the connecting portion (221) and is used to protect the cables passing therethrough.

2. The connector module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cable is an optical cable, and the connector is an optical fiber connector suitable for connecting to the optical fiber of the optical cable.

3. The connector module according to claim 2, characterized in that: The fixing member (200) further comprises a fixing seat (210, 230), wherein the fixing seat (210, 230) is located at the rear end of the fixing member (200) and is used to fix the reinforcing element of the optical cable.

4. The connector module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fixing member (200) is a single molded member molded from a thermoplastic material.

5. The connector module according to claim 1, characterized in that: A hollow structure is formed on the flexible protective member (220) so that the flexible protective member (220) can achieve a predetermined flexibility.

6. The connector module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connecting portion (221) is suitable for being connected to the rear body (130) of each connector (100) in a snap-fit ​​manner.

7. The connector module according to claim 6, characterized in that: An insertion cavity (223) is formed on the connecting portion (221), and the rear end portion (131) of the rear body (130) is suitable for being inserted into the insertion cavity (223) of the connecting portion (221); A notch (222) is formed on the side wall of the insertion cavity (223), and a protrusion (132) is formed on the rear end portion (131) of the rear body (130); When the rear end portion (131) of the rear body (130) is inserted into the insertion cavity (223) of the connecting portion (221), the protrusion (132) on the rear body (130) is snapped into the notch (222).

8. The connector module according to claim 7, characterized in that: The protrusion (132) on the rear body (130) is in the shape of a barb, so as to prevent the protrusion (132) from being separated from the notch (222).

9. The connector module according to claim 3, characterized in that: The fixing seat (210, 230) comprises a seat body (210) and a tail tube (230), wherein the seat body (210) is connected to the rear end of the flexible protective member (220), and the tail tube (230) is connected to the rear end of the seat body (210), and the reinforcing element of the optical cable is fixed on the tail tube (230).

10. The connector module according to claim 9, characterized in that: A circle of grooves (211) is formed on the seat body (210), and an elastic sealing ring (212) is arranged in the groove (211); The connector module is suitable for being inserted into an optical fiber adapter, and the elastic sealing ring (212) is used to achieve sealing between the connector module and the optical fiber adapter.

11. The connector module according to claim 9, characterized in that: A plurality of grooves (231) are formed on the rear end of the tail pipe portion (230), and the plurality of grooves (231) are evenly spaced and distributed in a circumferential direction of the tail pipe portion (230); The strength element of the optical cable is divided into a plurality of strands, each strength element passes through a corresponding groove (231) on the tail tube portion (230) and is evenly laid on the outer wall of the tail tube portion (230); The fixing device (200, 300) further comprises a fixing sleeve (300), wherein the fixing sleeve (300) covers the tail tube portion (230) of the fixing seat (210, 230), thereby fixing the reinforcing element of the optical cable on the tail tube portion (230).

12. The connector module according to claim 11, characterized in that: The fixing sleeve (300) is a covering molded part molded on the tail pipe portion (230) on which the reinforcing element has been laid.

13. The connector module according to claim 12, characterized in that: At least one circle of grooves (232) is formed on the tail pipe portion (230) to enhance the joining force between the fixing sleeve (300) and the tail pipe portion (230).

14. The connector module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rear body (130) comprises a tubular body (133) suitable for being inserted into the housing (110), at least one circle of raised rings (134) being formed on the outer wall of the tubular body (133), and at least one circle of annular grooves being formed on the inner wall of the housing (110); When the tubular main body (133) of the rear body (130) is inserted into the housing (110), the raised ring (134) engages with the annular groove to connect the rear body (130) to the housing (110).

15. The connector module according to claim 3, characterized in that: Each connector (100) further comprises a tailstock (121) and a spring (140) accommodated in the housing (110); the tailstock (121) is connected to the rear end of the ferrule (120); the spring (140) is squeezed between the tailstock (121) and the rear body (130) to apply an axial thrust to the ferrule (120).

16. The connector module according to claim 15, characterized in that: Each of the connectors (100) further comprises a guide sleeve (122) accommodated in the housing (110), the guide sleeve (122) being connected to the rear end of the tailstock (121); The central axis of the guide sleeve (122) is aligned with the central axis of the ferrule (120) so as to guide the optical fiber of the optical cable passing through the guide sleeve into the optical fiber insertion hole of the ferrule (120).

17. The connector module according to claim 2, characterized in that: An elastic locking member (150) is provided on the housing (110) of each connector (100), and the elastic locking member (150) is suitable for locking onto an optical fiber adapter so as to fix the connector (100) to the optical fiber adapter.

18. The connector module according to claim 17, characterized in that: An unlocking pressing piece (160) is provided on the housing (110) of each connector (100), and the elastic locking piece (150) can be separated from the optical fiber adapter by pressing the unlocking pressing piece (160).

19. The connector module according to claim 2, characterized in that: The connector (100) is an LC type optical fiber connector.

20. The connector module according to claim 3, characterized in that: The reinforcing element of the optical cable is Kevlar fiber.

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