Polarization-Maintaining Fiber Connectors

Abstract

The present invention discloses a polarization-maintaining optical fiber connector, comprising: an interface assembly, comprising an outer tube body, a guide sleeve and a first ferrule; an adjustment ring, which is sleeved on the outer tube body and can rotate relative to the outer tube body; a ferrule assembly, comprising a second ferrule and a tail handle, the butt end of the second ferrule is axially inserted into the guide sleeve and butts with the butt end of the first ferrule, the tail handle is inserted into the adjustment ring so that the ferrule assembly can rotate synchronously when the adjustment ring is rotated; a housing, which is installed on the outer tube body and the tail handle, and is used to limit the relative displacement between the interface assembly and the ferrule assembly along the axial direction. The polarization-maintaining optical fiber connector provided by the present invention realizes the calibration of the fast and slow axes in the polarization-maintaining optical fiber by rotating the second ferrule, which can avoid various problems caused by directly rotating the polarization-maintaining optical fiber in the prior art.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of connectors, and in particular relates to a polarization-maintaining optical fiber connector. Background Art

[0002] In the prior art, when docking polarization-maintaining optical fibers, a plane is made on the metal part, and the polarization-maintaining optical fiber is rotated during assembly to adjust the fast and slow axes of the polarization-maintaining optical fiber to be parallel or perpendicular to the metal part. After the adjustment, the polarization-maintaining optical fiber is solidified to ensure the docking of the polarization-maintaining optical fiber and achieve a good PER value. However, this docking method has low adjustment efficiency, and the PER value does not reach the ideal parameter index. At the same time, because the polarization-maintaining optical fiber is rotated before solidification, it is easy to generate internal stress, resulting in changes in the PER value and fiber breakage.

[0003] Therefore, in view of the above technical problems, it is necessary to provide a polarization-maintaining optical fiber connector. Summary of the invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a polarization-maintaining optical fiber connector which is easy to use and has high adjustment efficiency, so as to solve the problems in the prior art.

[0005] In order to achieve the above object, the technical solution provided by the present invention is as follows:

[0006] A polarization-maintaining optical fiber connector, comprising:

[0007] The interface assembly comprises an outer tube body, a guide sleeve and a first insert core, wherein the outer tube body is sleeved on the guide sleeve, and the butt end of the first insert core is axially inserted into the guide sleeve;

[0008] An adjusting ring, sleeved on the outer tube body and rotatable relative to the outer tube body;

[0009] The ferrule assembly comprises a second ferrule and a tail handle, wherein the tail end of the second ferrule is connected to the tail handle, the butt end of the second ferrule is axially inserted into the guide sleeve and butts with the butt end of the first ferrule, and the tail handle is inserted into the adjusting ring so that the ferrule assembly can rotate synchronously when the adjusting ring is rotated;

[0010] The shell is installed on the outer tube body and the tail handle, and is used to limit the relative displacement between the interface component and the insert core component along the axial direction.

[0011] Furthermore, the shell includes a side wall, and a front wall and a rear wall which are arranged at both ends of the side wall and are opposite to each other. The side wall, the front wall and the rear wall jointly define an installation cavity for installing the interface assembly and the ferrule assembly.

[0012] Furthermore, a first through hole and a second through hole communicating with the mounting cavity are respectively provided on the front wall and the rear wall, the outer tube body is configured to pass through the first through hole and extend outside the mounting cavity, and the tail handle is configured to pass through the second through hole and extend outside the mounting cavity.

[0013] Furthermore, an outer flange is formed on the outer wall of the outer tube body and protrudes outward in the radial direction. The outer flange is arranged in the installation cavity, and the front end surface of the outer flange is axially abutted against the inner surface of the front wall of the shell.

[0014] The front end of the tail handle has a boss extending radially, the boss is arranged in the installation cavity, an elastic member is arranged between the boss and the rear wall of the shell, one end of the elastic member abuts against the boss and the other end abuts against the rear wall to provide thrust to the boss and the rear wall.

[0015] Furthermore, the adjustment ring is arranged in the installation cavity of the shell and is located between the outer flange and the boss; the adjustment ring and the boss are provided with mutually matching plug-in structures that are plugged in along the axial direction.

[0016] Furthermore, an adjustment hole corresponding to the adjustment ring is provided on the side wall of the shell, the adjustment hole passes through the side wall and is connected with the installation cavity, and the adjustment ring can be rotated through the adjustment hole.

[0017] Furthermore, one side of the installation cavity is configured to be open, so as to facilitate the assembly of the shell onto the outer tube body and the tail handle.

[0018] Furthermore, the first ferrule has a first optical fiber jack extending in the axial direction, the second ferrule has a second optical fiber jack extending in the axial direction, and the first optical fiber jack and the second optical fiber jack are coaxially arranged.

[0019] Furthermore, the interface assembly also includes an inner flange and a rear cover for limiting the guide sleeve, the inner flange is formed by the inner wall of the front end of the outer tube body protruding radially inward, the rear cover is arranged in the outer tube body and fixedly connected to the inner wall of the rear end of the outer tube body, and the guide sleeve is located between the inner flange and the rear cover.

[0020] Furthermore, the rear cover is provided with an insertion through hole for the second plug core to pass through, and the second plug core can pass through the insertion through hole and be inserted into the guide sleeve; and / or

[0021] A gap is formed between the guide sleeve and the outer tube body, and the gap is filled with insulating glue for fixedly connecting the guide sleeve and the outer tube body.

[0022] Beneficial effects of the present invention:

[0023] Compared with the prior art, the polarization-maintaining optical fiber connector provided by the present invention realizes the calibration of the fast and slow axes in the polarization-maintaining optical fiber by rotating the second ferrule, which can avoid various problems caused by directly rotating the polarization-maintaining optical fiber in the prior art; and this adjustment method does not require making a plane on the metal part, and the adjustment efficiency is high; at the same time, the provision of the elastic part can ensure the plug-in stability between the interface component and the ferrule component, and avoid power changes caused by thermal expansion and contraction between the interface component and the ferrule component due to temperature changes. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments recorded in the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work.

[0025] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of the present application;

[0026] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a three-dimensional structure of the embodiment shown in another viewing angle;

[0027] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 a cross-sectional view of the illustrated embodiment;

[0028] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 Exploded schematic diagram of the illustrated embodiment.

[0029] Explanation of the reference numerals: 1-interface assembly; 11-outer tube body; 12-guide sleeve; 13-first core plug; 14-gap; 15-rear cover; 111-inner flange; 112-outer flange; 131-first optical fiber jack; 151-connection through hole; 2-adjustment ring; 21-insertion strip; 3-core plug assembly; 31-second core plug; 32-tail handle; 311-second optical fiber jack; 321-boss; 322-slot; 323-accommodation chamber; 4-housing; 41-side wall; 42-front wall; 43-rear wall; 44-installation chamber; 411-adjustment hole; 421-first through hole; 431-second through hole; 5-elastic member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The present invention will be described in detail below in conjunction with the various embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. However, these embodiments do not limit the present invention, and any structural, methodological, or functional changes made by a person skilled in the art based on these embodiments are all within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0031] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" another element, it may be directly on the other element or there may also be a centered element. When an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it may be directly connected to the other element or there may be a centered element at the same time. In the illustrated embodiment, the direction representations, i.e., up, down, left, right, front, and back, etc., are relative, and are used to explain that the structure and movement of different components in this application are relative. These representations are appropriate when the components are in the positions shown in the figures. However, if the description of the component positions changes, it is believed that these representations will also change accordingly.

[0032] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art of the present invention. The terms used herein in the specification of the present invention are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. The term "and / or" used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more related listed items.

[0033] Please refer to Figure 1-4 As shown, a polarization-maintaining optical fiber connector in a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes: an interface component 1, an adjustment ring 2, a ferrule component 3 and a housing 4.

[0034] The interface assembly 1 comprises an outer tube body 11, a guide sleeve 12 and a first plug core 13. The outer tube body 11 is sleeved on the guide sleeve 12, and the butt end of the first plug core 13 is at least partially inserted into the guide sleeve 12 along the axial direction. The outer tube body 11 is generally cylindrical, and the inner diameter of the outer tube body 11 is set to be slightly larger than the outer diameter of the guide sleeve 12, so that a gap 14 can be formed between the outer tube body 11 and the guide sleeve 12. The gap 14 is filled with insulating glue, and the insulating glue is used to fix the guide sleeve 12 and the outer tube body 11.

[0035] Specifically, an inner flange 111 is formed on the inner wall of the front end of the outer tube 11 and protrudes radially inward, and the thickness of the inner flange 111 is set to be greater than the distance between the outer tube 11 and the guide sleeve 12, so that the inner flange 111 can be used to limit the axial displacement of the guide sleeve 12 in the outer tube 11. Preferably, the inner diameter of the inner flange 111 is set to be slightly smaller than or equal to the inner diameter of the guide sleeve 12.

[0036] The butt end of the first ferrule 13 is inserted into the guide sleeve 12 axially from the front end of the outer tube 11, and a certain extrusion force can be formed between the first ferrule 13 and the inner flange 111 of the outer tube 11, so that the first ferrule 13 can be clamped on the inner flange 111. The first ferrule 13 has a first fiber optic plug hole 131 extending along the axial direction, and the first fiber optic plug hole 131 can be used to plug in the polarization-maintaining optical fiber. The diameter of the first fiber optic plug hole 131 is set to be slightly larger than the diameter of the optical fiber core, so that the optical fiber core can be smoothly inserted, and when one end of the optical fiber core is resisted, the optical fiber core can be slightly elastically bent in the first fiber optic plug hole 131, so that the optical fiber core maintains a certain degree of elastic tension. Preferably, the first ferrule 13 is made of ceramic material, and the edge of the butt end of the first ferrule 13 is chamfered to facilitate the insertion of the first ferrule 13.

[0037] Specifically, the interface assembly 1 also includes a rear cover 15, which is disposed in the outer tube body 11 and fixedly connected to the inner wall of the rear end of the outer tube body 11, and the guide sleeve 12 is located between the inner flange 111 and the rear cover 15. The inner flange 111 and the rear cover 15 cooperate to confine the guide sleeve 12 in the outer tube body 11.

[0038] The adjusting ring 2 is sleeved on the outer tube body 11 and can rotate relative to the outer tube body 11. The inner diameter of the adjusting ring 2 is set to be slightly larger than the outer diameter of the outer tube body 11 to form a fine gap between the inner wall of the adjusting ring 2 and the outer wall of the outer tube body 11, thereby facilitating the rotation of the adjusting ring 2.

[0039] The ferrule assembly 3 includes a second ferrule 31 and a tail handle 32. The tail end of the second ferrule 31 is fixedly connected to the tail handle 32, the butt end of the second ferrule 31 is axially inserted into the guide sleeve 12 and butted with the butt end of the first ferrule 13, and the tail handle 32 is inserted into the adjustment ring 2 so that the ferrule assembly 3 can rotate synchronously when the adjustment ring 2 is rotated. The rear cover 15 of the ferrule assembly 3 is provided with an insertion through hole 151 for the second ferrule 31 to pass through, and the second ferrule 31 can pass through the insertion through hole 151 and be inserted into the guide sleeve 12.

[0040] Specifically, the front end of the tail handle 32 has a boss 321 protruding in the radial direction, and the boss 321 is provided with a plurality of slots 322 extending in the axial direction, and the adjusting ring 2 is provided with a plug-in strip 21 matching the slot 322, so that when the plug-in strip 21 and the slot 322 are plugged into each other, the adjusting ring 2 and the plug-in assembly 3 can rotate synchronously. Among them, the shapes of the slot 322 and the plug-in strip 21 are not particularly limited, as long as the axial plug-in can be achieved and the adjusting ring 2 and the plug-in assembly 3 can rotate synchronously. In other embodiments, the positions of part or all of the plug-in strip 21 and the slot 322 can also be interchanged, that is, the plug-in strip 21 can be set on the boss 321 of the tail handle 32, and then the slot 322 can be set on the adjusting ring 2 correspondingly.

[0041] Specifically, the tail end of the second ferrule 31 is fixedly connected to the boss 321 of the tail handle 32, and the second ferrule 31 has a second fiber optic jack 311 extending axially, and the second fiber optic jack 311 can be used to plug in the polarization-maintaining fiber, and the second fiber optic jack 311 and the first fiber optic jack 131 are coaxially arranged. The diameter of the second fiber optic jack 311 is set to be slightly larger than the diameter of the fiber core, so that the fiber core can be smoothly inserted, and when one end of the fiber core is supported, the fiber core can be slightly elastically bent in the second fiber optic jack 311, so that the fiber core maintains a certain degree of elastic tension. Preferably, the second ferrule 31 is made of ceramic material, and the edge of the butt end of the second ferrule 31 is chamfered to facilitate the plugging of the second ferrule 31.

[0042] Specifically, the tail handle 32 has a receiving cavity 323 extending in the axial direction, which passes through the tail handle 32 and communicates with the second optical fiber plug hole 311 of the second ferrule 31. An opening for accommodating and receiving an optical fiber is formed at one end of the receiving cavity 323, and a hole communicating with the second optical fiber plug hole 311 is formed at the other end of the receiving cavity 323, so that the optical fiber can pass through the receiving cavity 323 of the tail handle 32 to reach the second optical fiber plug hole 311. Preferably, the tail end of the second optical fiber plug hole 311 is configured to be a trumpet shape that gradually contracts from the rear to the front, so as to facilitate the insertion of the optical fiber core.

[0043] The housing 4 is mounted on the outer tube 11 and the tail handle 32, and is used to limit the relative displacement along the axial direction between the outer tube 11 and the tail handle 32. The housing 4 includes a side wall 41, and a front wall 42 and a rear wall 43 disposed at both ends of the side wall 41 and opposite to each other, wherein the side wall 41, the front wall 42 and the rear wall 43 jointly define an installation cavity 44 for installing the interface assembly 1 and the ferrule assembly 3.

[0044] Specifically, a first through hole 421 and a second through hole 431 communicating with the mounting cavity 44 are respectively provided on the front wall 42 and the rear wall 43 of the shell 4. The outer tube 11 is configured to pass through the first through hole 421 and extend to the outside of the mounting cavity 44. The tail handle 32 is configured to pass through the second through hole 431 and extend to the outside of the mounting cavity 44, so that the shell 4 is generally covered by the outer tube body 11 and the outside of the tail handle 32.

[0045] Specifically, the outer wall of the outer tube body 11 protrudes radially outward to form an outer flange 112, which is arranged in the installation cavity 44 of the shell 4, and the front end surface of the outer flange 112 is axially abutted against the inner surface of the front wall 42 of the shell 4; the boss 321 of the tail handle 32 and the adjustment ring 2 are both arranged in the installation cavity 44, and the adjustment ring 2 is located between the outer flange 112 and the boss 321.

[0046] Specifically, an elastic member 5 is further provided between the boss 321 and the rear wall 43 of the housing 4, one end of the elastic member 5 abuts against the boss 321 and the other end abuts against the rear wall 43, so as to provide thrust to the boss 321 and the rear wall 43, so that the front end face of the adjustment ring 2 can abut against the rear end face of the outer flange 112 in the axial direction. With the cooperation of the aforementioned structures, the relative displacement between the interface assembly 1 and the plug assembly 3 in the axial direction can be limited, thereby ensuring the plug-in stability between the interface assembly 1 and the plug assembly 3, and avoiding power changes caused by thermal expansion and contraction between the interface assembly 1 and the plug assembly 3 due to temperature changes. Preferably, the elastic member 5 is a compression spring sleeved on the tail handle 32. In other embodiments, the elastic member 5 can also be a rubber gasket, etc.

[0047] Specifically, an adjustment hole 411 corresponding to the position of the adjustment ring 2 is provided on the side wall 41 of the housing 4, and the adjustment hole 411 passes through the side wall 41 of the housing 4 and communicates with the installation cavity 44. The adjustment ring 2 can be rotated through the adjustment hole 411, so as to adjust the angle of the second ferrule 31 driven by the adjustment ring 2. Preferably, there is a certain distance between the adjustment ring 2 and the side wall 41 of the housing 4 to facilitate the rotation of the adjustment ring 2.

[0048] Specifically, one side of the mounting cavity 44 is configured to be open to facilitate assembly of the housing 4 to the outer tube 11 and the tail handle 32 , so that the housing 4 can be assembled to the outer tube 11 and the tail handle 32 from the open side in a snap-fit ​​manner.

[0049] The following is a further description of the polarization-maintaining optical fiber connector provided by the present invention in conjunction with specific usage scenarios:

[0050] When in use, first insert the polarization-maintaining optical fibers to be connected into the first ferrule 13 and the second ferrule 31 respectively, and solidify them by glue; then press Figure 1As shown in the figure, the assembly of the components is completed. After the assembly is completed, the angle of the polarization-maintaining optical fiber in the second ferrule 31 is adjusted by rotating the adjustment ring 2, so as to achieve the calibration of the fast and slow axes in the polarization-maintaining optical fiber.

[0051] The polarization-maintaining optical fiber connector provided by the present invention realizes the calibration of the fast and slow axes in the polarization-maintaining optical fiber by rotating the second ferrule 31, which can avoid various problems caused by directly rotating the polarization-maintaining optical fiber in the prior art; and this adjustment method does not require making a plane on the metal part, and the adjustment efficiency is high; at the same time, the setting of the elastic part 5 can ensure the plug-in stability between the interface component 1 and the ferrule component 3, and avoid power changes caused by thermal expansion and contraction between the interface component 1 and the ferrule component 3 due to temperature changes.

[0052] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above and that the present invention can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential features of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered exemplary and non-restrictive in all respects, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the above description, and it is intended that all changes falling within the meaning and scope of the equivalent elements of the claims be included in the present invention.

[0053] In addition, it should be understood that although the present specification is described according to embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. This narrative method of the specification is only for the sake of clarity. Those skilled in the art should regard the specification as a whole. The technical solutions in each embodiment may also be appropriately combined to form other implementation methods that those skilled in the art can understand.

Claims

1. A polarization-maintaining optical fiber connector, characterized in that: include: The interface assembly comprises an outer tube body, a guide sleeve and a first insert core, wherein the outer tube body is sleeved on the guide sleeve, and the butt end of the first insert core is axially inserted into the guide sleeve; An adjusting ring, sleeved on the outer tube body and rotatable relative to the outer tube body; The ferrule assembly comprises a second ferrule and a tail handle, wherein the tail end of the second ferrule is connected to the tail handle, the butt end of the second ferrule is axially inserted into the guide sleeve and butts with the butt end of the first ferrule, and the tail handle is inserted into the adjusting ring so that the ferrule assembly can rotate synchronously when the adjusting ring is rotated; The shell is installed on the outer tube body and the tail handle, and is used to limit the relative displacement between the interface component and the insert core component along the axial direction.

2. The polarization-maintaining optical fiber connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The shell comprises a side wall, and a front wall and a rear wall which are arranged at two ends of the side wall and are arranged opposite to each other. The side wall, the front wall and the rear wall jointly define an installation cavity for installing the interface component and the ferrule component.

3. The polarization-maintaining optical fiber connector according to claim 2, characterized in that: The front wall and the rear wall are respectively provided with a first through hole and a second through hole connected to the installation cavity, the outer tube body is configured to pass through the first through hole and extend outside the installation cavity, and the tail handle is configured to pass through the second through hole and extend outside the installation cavity.

4. The polarization-maintaining optical fiber connector according to claim 3, characterized in that: An outer flange is formed on the outer wall of the outer tube body and protrudes outward in the radial direction. The outer flange is arranged in the installation cavity, and the front end surface of the outer flange is axially abutted against the inner surface of the front wall of the shell; The front end of the tail handle has a boss extending radially, the boss is arranged in the installation cavity, an elastic member is arranged between the boss and the rear wall of the shell, one end of the elastic member abuts against the boss and the other end abuts against the rear wall to provide thrust to the boss and the rear wall.

5. The polarization-maintaining optical fiber connector according to claim 4, characterized in that: The adjusting ring is arranged in the installation cavity of the shell and is located between the outer flange and the boss; the adjusting ring and the boss are provided with mutually matched plug-in structures that are plug-in along the axial direction.

6. The polarization-maintaining optical fiber connector according to claim 5, characterized in that: An adjustment hole corresponding to the adjustment ring is provided on the side wall of the shell, the adjustment hole passes through the side wall and is communicated with the installation cavity, and the adjustment ring can be rotated through the adjustment hole.

7. The polarization-maintaining optical fiber connector according to claim 6, characterized in that: One side of the installation cavity is configured to be open, so as to facilitate the assembly of the housing onto the outer tube body and the tail handle.

8. The polarization-maintaining optical fiber connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first ferrule has a first optical fiber insertion hole extending in the axial direction, and the second ferrule has a second optical fiber insertion hole extending in the axial direction. The first optical fiber insertion hole and the second optical fiber insertion hole are coaxially arranged.

9. The polarization-maintaining optical fiber connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The interface assembly also includes an inner flange and a rear cover for limiting the guide sleeve, wherein the inner flange is formed by the inner wall at the front end of the outer tube body protruding radially inward, the rear cover is arranged in the outer tube body and fixedly connected to the inner wall at the rear end of the outer tube body, and the guide sleeve is located between the inner flange and the rear cover.

10. The polarization-maintaining optical fiber connector according to claim 9, characterized in that: The rear cover is provided with an insertion through hole for the second plug core to pass through, and the second plug core can pass through the insertion through hole and be inserted into the guide sleeve; and / or A gap is formed between the guide sleeve and the outer tube body, and the gap is filled with insulating glue for fixedly connecting the guide sleeve and the outer tube body.

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