Optical fiber plug and optical fiber plug assembly

Abstract

The present invention relates to an optical fiber plug and an optical fiber plug assembly. The front end of the plug housing is a plug-in end, which includes a ferrule module, a spring, and a support sleeve. The support sleeve has a connection section for crimping an optical cable and a front housing stop surface. The plug housing and the housing stop surface cooperate in a front-back stop manner to limit the forward movement of the support sleeve. The positioning housing is inserted into the plug housing from the rear to the front. There is an active interval between the positioning housing and the support sleeve of the optical fiber plug of the present invention. The optical cable is crimped and fixed on the support sleeve. The positioning housing is used to keep the spring in a compressed state. When disassembling the optical fiber plug, the stop cooperation relationship between the positioning housing and the plug housing is released, and the positioning housing retreats under the action of the spring. Due to the existence of the active interval, the support sleeve does not move synchronously when the positioning housing starts to move backward, reducing the pulling force on the optical fiber, and the optical fiber is less likely to be damaged, solving the technical problem that the current optical fiber plug is prone to pulling the optical fiber and causing damage to the optical fiber during the disassembly process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an optical fiber plug and an optical fiber plug assembly. Background Art

[0002] The MPO plug is a commonly used optical fiber plug. Chinese Patent Application with publication number CN110989092A and publication date November 25, 2019 discloses an optical cable assembly and an MPO connector. The connector includes an inner housing, an outer housing, a retaining sleeve and a crimping sleeve. During assembly, the retaining seat, the crimping sleeve and the protective tail sleeve are sequentially sleeved on the optical cable. The optical fibers at the front end of the optical cable are first connected to the plug-in assembly, and then the ferrule module is inserted into the inner housing, and the retaining seat is pushed to compress the spring to press-fit the ferrule module into the inner housing. The retaining seat is fixed to the inner housing. Then, the tensile elements in the optical cable are evenly distributed along the circumference on the outer circle of the crimping portion, and the crimping sleeve is sleeved on. The front end of the crimping sleeve is crimped and fixed to the crimping portion, and the rear end of the crimping sleeve is crimped and fixed to the outer skin of the optical cable. Then, a protective tail sleeve is sleeved on the rear end of the crimping sleeve, and finally the outer housing is fixed to the inner housing. When disassembling this kind of optical fiber plug, after removing the locking pin, the retaining seat quickly retreats under the action of the compression spring. At this time, when the retaining seat quickly retreats instantaneously, it pulls the optical fiber, which is likely to cause damage to the optical fiber. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of the present invention is to provide an optical fiber plug, which is used to solve the technical problem that the current optical fiber plug is likely to pull the optical fiber and cause damage to the optical fiber during disassembly. In addition, the purpose of the present invention is also to provide an optical fiber plug assembly using the above optical fiber plug.

[0004] The optical fiber plug of the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0005] The optical fiber plug includes:

[0006] A plug housing with a plug-in end at the front end;

[0007] An optical fiber plug-in member for connecting with an optical fiber, which is configured to be guided and move forward and backward in the plug housing;

[0008] A spring, located at the rear side of the optical fiber plug-in member, for applying a forward elastic force to the optical fiber plug-in member;

[0009] A support sleeve having a connection section for connecting an optical cable and a front housing stop surface. The plug housing and the housing stop surface are in front and rear stop cooperation to limit the forward movement of the support sleeve;

[0010] A positioning housing is inserted into the plug housing from the rear to the front. During the process of inserting the positioning housing from the rear to the front, after being inserted in place, it is in the working position.

[0011] When the positioning housing is in the working position, the spring is press-fitted between the optical fiber connector and the positioning housing. The positioning housing is provided with a locking structure that cooperates with the plug housing in the working position to limit the backward movement of the positioning housing. There is an active interval between the positioning housing and the support sleeve in the front-back direction. The active interval is used for the positioning housing to move backward under the elastic force of the spring after the positioning housing and the plug housing are disengaged from the stop.

[0012] Advantageous effects: Compared with the current optical fiber plug where the retaining seat for fixing the optical fiber quickly retracts during disassembly, there is an active interval between the positioning housing and the support sleeve of the optical fiber plug of the present invention. The optical cable is connected to the support sleeve, and the positioning housing is used to keep the spring in a compressed state. When disassembling the optical fiber plug, the stop cooperation relationship between the positioning housing and the plug housing is released, and the positioning housing moves backward under the action of the spring. Due to the existence of the active interval, the support sleeve does not move synchronously when the positioning housing starts to move backward, reducing the pulling force on the optical fiber, making the optical fiber less likely to be damaged, and solving the technical problem that the current optical fiber plug is prone to pulling the optical fiber and causing damage to the optical fiber during the disassembly process.

[0013] Further, the support sleeve and the positioning housing are slidably and guidingly engaged with each other in the front-back direction. The support sleeve is provided with a pulling action surface, and the pulling action surface is used for cooperating with the positioning housing to stop and drive the positioning housing to move backward, so as to pull the positioning housing backward through the support sleeve when disassembling the positioning housing.

[0014] Advantageous effects: When disassembling the positioning housing, the positioning housing can be pulled out of the plug housing through the pulling action surface, which is convenient for disassembly.

[0015] In order to simplify the structure and optimize the form of the pulling action surface, the positioning housing is provided with a mating hole, and the support sleeve is provided with a mating key that is slidably and guidingly engaged with the mating hole in the front-back direction. The mating key and the mating hole realize the anti-disengagement connection between the support sleeve and the positioning housing, and the pulling action surface is formed by the rear end face of the mating key.

[0016] Advantageous effects: The connection by the key and the hole has a simple structure and is convenient for processing and assembly.

[0017] An optimized solution for the active interval is: when the positioning housing is in the working position, the interval between the front end face of the mating key and the front side wall surface of the mating hole forms the active interval.

[0018] Advantageous effects: It makes the structure more compact and convenient for processing.

[0019] Optimize the form of the mating key. The support sleeve includes a positioning housing mating section that extends into the positioning housing. The outer peripheral surface of the positioning housing mating section is slidably engaged with the positioning housing in the front-back direction, and the mating key is arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the positioning housing mating section.

[0020] Beneficial effects: The outer peripheral surface of the supporting sleeve fitting section is in sliding fit with the positioning housing, providing better stability.

[0021] To facilitate the installation of the positioning housing fitting section and the optical fiber, the positioning housing is provided with an optical fiber channel for the optical fiber to pass through and an optical fiber side mounting port communicating with the optical fiber channel. The optical fiber side mounting port allows the optical fiber to be inserted in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the optical fiber channel. The supporting sleeve includes a positioning housing fitting section extending into the positioning housing. The outer peripheral surface of the positioning housing fitting section is in sliding fit with the positioning housing in the front-rear direction. The positioning housing is provided with a supporting sleeve bayonet for the positioning housing fitting section to be snapped into in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the optical fiber channel. The mating key is arranged on the positioning housing fitting section, and the supporting sleeve bayonet is arranged opposite to the mating hole.

[0022] Beneficial effects: The provision of the optical fiber side mounting port enables the optical fiber to be assembled with the optical fiber connector and the supporting sleeve first, and then assembled with the positioning housing together, facilitating the installation of the optical fiber and the optical fiber connector. The supporting sleeve bayonet also facilitates the installation of the positioning housing fitting section on the supporting sleeve.

[0023] Further, to facilitate the operation of the positioning housing, an operation port is provided on the plug housing for operating the positioning housing to move forward to the working position.

[0024] Beneficial effects: The operation port facilitates the disassembly and assembly operation of the positioning housing.

[0025] The connection form between the plug housing and the positioning housing is optimized. The locking structure includes spring claws arranged on the positioning housing, and the plug housing is provided with a card slot or a card hole adapted to the spring claws. The cooperation between the spring claws of the plug housing and the positioning housing restricts the backward movement of the positioning housing.

[0026] Beneficial effects: The spring claw structure is simple and convenient for disassembly.

[0027] The connection form between the supporting sleeve and the plug housing is further optimized. A connection sleeve for pressing the supporting sleeve and the plug housing together is detachably fixed on the plug housing.

[0028] Beneficial effects: By pressing the supporting sleeve with the connection sleeve, the stability of the supporting sleeve is improved.

[0029] The relationship between the pulling-out acting surface and the positioning housing is further optimized. When the supporting sleeve pulls out the positioning housing, the pulling-out acting surface is in blocking fit with the positioning housing, and the spring is in a free state.

[0030] Beneficial effects: When the positioning housing is pulled out, the spring is in a free state and does not apply a force to the optical fiber.

[0031] The mating relationship between the support sleeve and the positioning housing is further optimized. A pushing acting surface is provided on the support sleeve, and the pushing acting surface is used to push against the positioning housing in a pushing manner to move the positioning housing forward when the positioning housing is installed.

[0032] Beneficial effect: The pushing acting surface facilitates the installation of the positioning housing.

[0033] The positional relationship among the pushing acting surface, the positioning housing, and the spring is optimized. When the support sleeve pushes the positioning housing forward until the support sleeve abuts against the plug housing, the spring is in a free state.

[0034] Beneficial effect: After the positioning housing is unlocked from the plug housing, when the positioning housing interacts with the pushing acting surface of the support sleeve, the spring is in its original length. The spring does not exert a force on the support sleeve, and thus does not exert a force on the optical fiber, improving the protection effect on the optical fiber.

[0035] The installation form of the optical fiber is further optimized. The positioning housing is provided with an optical fiber channel for the optical fiber to pass through and an optical fiber side-loading port communicating with the optical fiber channel. The optical fiber side-loading port allows the optical fiber to be inserted in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the optical fiber channel.

[0036] Beneficial effect: The setting of the optical fiber side-loading port enables the optical fiber to be assembled with the optical fiber connector and the support sleeve first, and then assembled with the positioning housing together, facilitating the installation of the optical fiber and the optical fiber connector.

[0037] The assembly method of the support sleeve and the positioning housing is further optimized. The support sleeve includes a positioning housing mating section extending into the positioning housing. The outer peripheral surface of the positioning housing mating section is in sliding fit with the positioning housing in the front-rear direction. The positioning housing is provided with a support sleeve bayonet, and the support sleeve bayonet communicates with the optical fiber side-loading port for the positioning housing mating section to be inserted in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the optical fiber channel.

[0038] Beneficial effect: Facilitates the installation of the support sleeve and the positioning housing, and improves the assembly efficiency.

[0039] On the basis of providing the optical fiber side-loading port, the plug housing is provided with a guiding key for guiding and mating with the optical fiber side-loading port in the front-rear direction and preventing relative rotation in the circumferential direction.

[0040] Beneficial effect: The guiding key is in guiding fit with the optical fiber side-loading port, facilitating the installation of the positioning housing and preventing the positioning housing from rotating relative to the plug housing.

[0041] The technical solution of the optical fiber plug assembly of the present invention:

[0042] The optical fiber plug assembly includes an optical fiber plug and an optical cable connected to the optical fiber plug. The optical fiber plug includes:

[0043] A plug housing, with the front end being the plug-in end;

[0044] An optical fiber connector, which is used to connect with an optical fiber and is configured to be movably guided in the front and rear directions within a plug housing;

[0045] A spring, which is located at the rear side of the optical fiber connector and is used to apply a forward elastic force to the optical fiber connector;

[0046] A support sleeve, which has a connection section for connecting an optical cable and a front-facing housing stop surface. The plug housing and the housing stop surface are in front-rear stop cooperation to limit the forward movement of the support sleeve;

[0047] A positioning housing, which is inserted into the plug housing from the rear to the front. During the process of inserting the positioning housing from the rear to the front, after being inserted in place, it is in a working position.

[0048] When the positioning housing is in the working position, the spring is pressed between the optical fiber connector and the positioning housing. The positioning housing is provided with a locking structure that is in locking cooperation with the plug housing to limit the backward movement of the positioning housing when in the working position. There is an active interval between the positioning housing and the support sleeve in the front-rear direction. The active interval is used to allow the positioning housing to move backward under the elastic force of the spring after the stop between the positioning housing and the plug housing is released.

[0049] Advantageous effects: Compared with the current optical fiber plug where the retaining seat for fixing the optical fiber quickly retracts during disassembly, there is an active interval between the positioning housing and the support sleeve of the optical fiber plug of the present invention. The optical cable is connected to the support sleeve, and the positioning housing is used to keep the spring in a compressed state. When disassembling the optical fiber plug, after releasing the stop cooperation relationship between the positioning housing and the plug housing, the positioning housing moves backward under the action of the spring. Due to the existence of the active interval, the support sleeve does not move synchronously when the positioning housing starts to move backward, reducing the pulling force on the optical fiber, and the optical fiber is less likely to be damaged, solving the technical problem that the current optical fiber plug is prone to pulling the optical fiber and causing damage to the optical fiber during the disassembly process.

[0050] Further, the support sleeve and the positioning housing are in guiding sliding cooperation in the front-rear direction. The support sleeve is provided with a pulling action surface, and the pulling action surface is used to be in stop cooperation with the positioning housing to drive the positioning housing to move backward, so as to pull the positioning housing backward through the support sleeve when disassembling the positioning housing.

[0051] Advantageous effects: When disassembling the positioning housing, the positioning housing can be pulled out of the plug housing through the pulling action surface, which is convenient for disassembly.

[0052] In order to simplify the structure and optimize the form of the pulling action surface, the positioning housing is provided with a mating hole, and the support sleeve is provided with a mating key that is in front-rear guiding sliding cooperation with the mating hole. The mating key and the mating hole realize the anti-disconnection connection between the support sleeve and the positioning housing, and the pulling action surface is formed by the rear end surface of the mating key.

[0053] Advantageous effects: Through the connection of the key and the hole, the structure is simple and convenient for processing and assembly.

[0054] The optimization scheme of the movable interval is as follows: when the positioning housing is in the working position, the interval between the front end face of the mating key and the front side wall surface of the mating hole forms the movable interval.

[0055] Beneficial effects: Make the structure more compact and facilitate processing.

[0056] Optimize the form of the mating key. The support sleeve includes a positioning housing mating section extending into the positioning housing. The outer peripheral surface of the positioning housing mating section is slidably mated with the positioning housing in the front-back direction. The mating key is arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the positioning housing mating section.

[0057] Beneficial effects: Through the sliding fit between the outer peripheral surface of the support sleeve mating section and the positioning housing, the stability is better.

[0058] In order to facilitate the installation of the positioning housing mating section and the optical fiber, the positioning housing is provided with an optical fiber channel for the optical fiber to pass through and an optical fiber side mounting port communicating with the optical fiber channel. The optical fiber side mounting port allows the optical fiber to be inserted along a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the optical fiber channel. The support sleeve includes a positioning housing mating section extending into the positioning housing. The outer peripheral surface of the positioning housing mating section is slidably mated with the positioning housing in the front-back direction. The positioning housing is provided with a support sleeve bayonet for the positioning housing mating section to be snapped in along a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the optical fiber channel. The mating key is arranged on the positioning housing mating section. The support sleeve bayonet is arranged opposite to the mating hole.

[0059] Beneficial effects: The setting of the optical fiber side mounting port enables the optical fiber to be assembled with the optical fiber connector and the support sleeve, and then assembled with the positioning housing together, facilitating the installation of the optical fiber and the optical fiber connector. The support sleeve bayonet also facilitates the installation of the positioning housing mating section on the support sleeve.

[0060] Furthermore, in order to facilitate the operation of the positioning housing, the plug housing is provided with an operation port for operating the positioning housing to move forward to the working position.

[0061] Beneficial effects: The operation port facilitates the disassembly and assembly operation of the positioning housing.

[0062] Optimize the connection form between the plug housing and the positioning housing. The locking structure includes a spring claw arranged on the positioning housing. The plug housing is provided with a clamping groove or a clamping hole adapted to the spring claw. The cooperation between the spring claw of the plug housing and the positioning housing restricts the backward movement of the positioning housing.

[0063] Beneficial effects: The spring claw structure is simple and easy to disassemble.

[0064] Further optimize the connection form between the support sleeve and the plug housing. The plug housing is detachably fixed with a connection sleeve for pressing the support sleeve and the plug housing tightly.

[0065] Beneficial effects: By pressing and supporting the support sleeve with the connecting sleeve, the stability of the support sleeve is improved.

[0066] Further optimize the relationship between the pulling working surface and the positioning housing. When the support sleeve is pulled out of the positioning housing, the pulling working surface is in blocking fit with the positioning housing, and the spring is in a free state.

[0067] Beneficial effects: When the positioning housing is pulled out, the spring is in a free state and does not exert a force on the optical fiber.

[0068] Further optimize the mating relationship between the support sleeve and the positioning housing. A pushing working surface is provided on the support sleeve, and the pushing working surface is used for pushing against the positioning housing to move the positioning housing forward during the installation of the positioning housing.

[0069] Beneficial effects: The pushing working surface facilitates the installation of the positioning housing.

[0070] Optimize the positional relationship between the pushing working surface, the positioning housing, and the spring. When the support sleeve pushes the positioning housing forward until the support sleeve is in blocking fit with the plug housing, the spring is in a free state.

[0071] Beneficial effects: After the positioning housing is unlocked from the plug housing, when the pushing working surface of the positioning housing and the support sleeve interact, the spring is in its original length and does not exert a force on the support sleeve, nor does it exert a force on the optical fiber, improving the protection effect on the optical fiber.

[0072] Further optimize the installation form of the optical fiber. The positioning housing is provided with an optical fiber channel for the optical fiber to pass through and an optical fiber side mounting port communicating with the optical fiber channel. The optical fiber side mounting port allows the optical fiber to be inserted in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the optical fiber channel.

[0073] Beneficial effects: The setting of the optical fiber side mounting port enables the optical fiber to be assembled with the optical fiber connector and the support sleeve first, and then assembled with the positioning housing together, facilitating the installation of the optical fiber and the optical fiber connector.

[0074] Further optimize the assembly method of the support sleeve and the positioning housing. The support sleeve includes a positioning housing mating section extending into the positioning housing. The outer peripheral surface of the positioning housing mating section is in sliding fit with the positioning housing in the front-rear direction. The positioning housing is provided with a support sleeve bayonet, and the support sleeve bayonet communicates with the optical fiber side mounting port for the positioning housing mating section to be inserted in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the optical fiber channel.

[0075] Beneficial effects: Facilitate the installation of the support sleeve and the positioning housing and improve the assembly efficiency.

[0076] On the basis of providing the optical fiber side mounting port, the plug housing is provided with a guiding key for front-rear guiding fit and circumferential anti-rotation fit with the optical fiber side mounting port.

[0077] Beneficial effects: The guiding key is in guiding cooperation with the optical fiber side mounting port, facilitating the positioning of the installation of the housing and preventing the positioning housing from rotating relative to the plug housing.

[0078] The installation state of the optical fiber is further optimized. The optical fiber of the optical cable inside the plug housing is in a bent state, enabling the support sleeve and the optical fiber connector to move relative to each other in the front-rear direction when the optical fiber plug is disassembled and assembled and the spring is in a free state.

[0079] Beneficial effects: The support sleeve can move relative to the optical fiber connector, further improving the protection ability for the optical fiber. Description of the Drawings

[0080] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of Specific Embodiment 1 of the optical fiber plug of the present invention (the arrow direction in the figure indicates the insertion direction of the optical fiber plug);

[0081] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the states of the ferrule module, spring, positioning housing, support sleeve and optical cable during installation in Specific Embodiment 1 of the optical fiber plug of the present invention;

[0082] Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the positioning housing, plug housing and support sleeve in Specific Embodiment 1 of the optical fiber plug assembly of the present invention;

[0083] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the assembled state of the positioning housing and support sleeve in Specific Embodiment 1 of the optical fiber plug assembly of the present invention;

[0084] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the plug housing in Specific Embodiment 1 of the optical fiber plug assembly of the present invention;

[0085] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the connection structure between the support sleeve and the optical cable in Specific Embodiment 1 of the optical fiber plug assembly of the present invention;

[0086] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the support sleeve and the optical cable in Specific Embodiment 1 of the optical fiber plug assembly of the present invention;

[0087] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the states of the positioning housing, support sleeve, spring and ferrule module before assembly in Specific Embodiment 1 of the optical fiber plug assembly of the present invention;

[0088] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the states of the positioning housing, support sleeve, spring and ferrule module before assembly in Specific Embodiment 1 of the optical fiber plug assembly of the present invention;

[0089] Figure 10It is a schematic diagram of the state before assembly of the positioning housing, support sleeve, spring, ferrule module and plug housing in Specific Embodiment 1 of the fiber optic plug assembly of the present invention;

[0090] Figure 11 It is a schematic structural diagram of the positioning housing in Specific Embodiment 1 of the fiber optic plug assembly of the present invention;

[0091] In the figure: 1 - Plug housing; 11 - Card hole; 12 - Operation port; 13 - Guide key; 2 - Ferrule module; 3 - Spring; 4 - Positioning housing; 41 - Elastic claw; 42 - Fitting hole; 43 - Guide groove; 44 - Optical fiber channel; 45 - Optical fiber side mounting port; 46 - Support sleeve bayonet; 47 - Buckle; 5 - Support sleeve; 51 - Fitting key; 521 - Card slot; 52 - Positioning housing fitting section; 53 - Connection sleeve fitting section; 54 - Connection section; 55 - Housing stop surface; 56 - Thrust action surface; 6 - Optical cable; 7 - Connection sleeve; 8 - Crimping sleeve; 9 - Optical fiber; 10 - Moving spacer. Specific embodiments

[0092] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention clearer and more understandable, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention and are not used to limit the present invention, that is, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments. Usually, the components of the embodiments of the present invention described and shown in the accompanying drawings herein can be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0093] Therefore, the detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided in the accompanying drawings below is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed present invention, but only represents the selected embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative efforts belong to the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0094] It should be noted that relational terms such as "first" and "second" are only used to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Moreover, the terms "include", "comprise" or any other variant thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article or device including a series of elements not only includes those elements, but also includes other elements not expressly listed, or also includes elements inherent to such process, method, article or device. Without further limitation, an element defined by the statement "including a..." does not exclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article or device including the said element.

[0095] The features and performance of the present invention will be further described in detail below in conjunction with embodiments.

[0096] Specific Embodiment 1 of the fiber optic plug assembly of the present invention:

[0097] As Figures 1 to 7 shown, in this embodiment, the fiber optic plug assembly includes a fiber optic plug and an optical cable 6 connected to the fiber optic plug. The fiber optic plug is an MPO plug, which includes a plug housing 1. The front end of the plug housing 1 is a plug-in end. When the fiber optic plug is used, it is inserted into the mating socket from the rear to the front. An insert module 2 is provided in the plug housing 1. The insert module 2 includes an insert housing and a fiber optic connector disposed in the insert housing. In this embodiment, the fiber optic connector is a pin. The insert module 2 is assembled in the plug housing 1 in a forward and backward guiding manner. A spring 3 is provided at the rear side of the insert module 2. The spring 3 is used to apply an elastic force to the insert module 2, so that when the insert module 2 is inserted into the mating socket, the insert module 2 can move backward to meet the requirements of the insertion. The insert module in the fiber optic plug of the present invention can also be a common fiber optic insert module including MT pins, ceramic pins, LC pins, and FC pins. In other embodiments, according to actual installation requirements, the insert module can directly install the fiber optic connector into the plug housing without an insert housing.

[0098] In order to avoid fiber breakage during the assembly of the fiber optic plug and at the same time not be subjected to tensile force during the disassembly of the fiber optic plug, in this embodiment, the fiber optic plug is provided with a positioning housing 4 and a support sleeve 5. The positioning housing 4 is used to compress the spring 3 to make the spring 3 in a compressed state, and has a fiber optic channel 44 for the fiber 9 to pass through. The support sleeve 5 is crimped and fixed to the optical cable 6, and the fiber connected to the insert module 2 passes through it. In addition to being crimped by a crimping sleeve between the support sleeve and the optical cable, in other embodiments, the support sleeve and the optical cable can be fastened by a screw sleeve, or the optical cable can be directly bonded and fixed to the support sleeve.

[0099] The support sleeve 5 and the positioning housing 4 are detachably connected in the front-rear direction and can be slidably matched in the front-rear direction. Through the combined action of the positioning housing 4 and the support sleeve 5, the fiber 9 is protected, so that the fiber will not be broken during the assembly and disassembly of the fiber optic plug. Since the support sleeve 5 and the positioning housing 4 are slidably matched in the front-rear direction, there is an active interval between them in the front-rear direction. The active interval allows the positioning housing 4 in the position where it is in a blocking fit with the plug housing to move backward. After the blocking relationship between the positioning housing 4 and the plug housing 1 is released, the fiber will not be subjected to a large tensile force. The positioning housing 4 and the support sleeve 5 will be introduced in detail below.

[0100] The positioning housing 4 is inserted into the plug housing 1 from the rear to the front. During the insertion process into the plug housing 1, the positioning housing 4 is in a sliding fit with the plug housing 1 in the front-rear direction. The positioning housing 4 is provided with spring claws 41, and the plug housing 1 is provided with locking holes 11. The spring claws 41 are snap-connected and locked with the locking holes 11 to limit the backward movement of the positioning housing 4. In this embodiment, the spring claws constitute a locking structure provided on the positioning housing that is in locking cooperation with the plug housing at the working position to limit the backward movement of the positioning housing. When unlocking, the spring claws can be pressed from the outer orifice of the locking hole. In this embodiment, two spring claws 41 are provided, and the two spring claws 41 are arranged oppositely along the radial direction of the positioning housing 4. In other embodiments, the locking hole can also be replaced by a slot. At this time, when unlocking, the spring claws need to be operated and unlocked from inside the plug housing. The positioning housing can adopt other structures to lock with the plug housing to maintain the position of the positioning housing and the plug housing. For example, a locking pin is provided on the plug housing, and the positioning housing is stopped in the front-rear direction by the locking pin to limit the backward movement of the positioning housing. After the locking pin is pulled out, the plug housing can move backward. A spring claw can also be provided on the plug housing, and a matching slot is provided on the positioning housing. At this time, the slot constitutes the locking structure.

[0101] The support sleeve 5 is in a stop fit with the plug housing 1 in the front-rear direction to limit the forward movement of the support sleeve 5. A connecting sleeve 7 is fixed on the plug housing 1, and the support sleeve 5 is pressed against the plug housing 1 through the connecting sleeve 7.

[0102] The support sleeve 5 is in a guiding and sliding fit with the positioning housing 4 in the front-rear direction and is detachably connected through a mating key 51 and a mating hole 42. The mating key 51 is provided on the support sleeve 5, and the mating hole 42 is provided on the positioning housing 4. The mating hole 42 is an oblong hole with a long waist extending along the front-rear direction.

[0103] In this embodiment, the cross-section of the mating key 51 perpendicular to the optical fiber plug insertion direction is square. Through the mating relationship between the support sleeve 5 and the positioning housing 4, during installation, the support sleeve 5 and the positioning housing 4 can only move in the front-rear direction, avoiding the optical fiber passing through the support sleeve 5 and the positioning housing 4 from being broken.

[0104] The support sleeve 5 is provided with a pushing acting surface 56. The pushing acting surface 56 is in a pushing fit with the rear end surface of the positioning housing 4 for pushing the positioning housing to move forward. The rear end surface of the mating key 51 forms a pulling acting surface that is in a stop fit with the positioning housing 4 for pulling the positioning housing to move backward. During the process of the positioning housing 4 being inserted into the plug housing 1 from the rear to the front, it has a working position and an initial position behind the working position. The positioning housing 4 is in the working position when it is in a stop fit with the plug housing 1. When the positioning housing 4 is in the initial position, the plug housing 1 and the support sleeve 5 are stopped in the front-rear direction, and the spring 3 is in a free state. At this time, the spring 3 is neither compressed nor stretched. The two ends of the spring are in contact with the ferrule housing and the positioning housing respectively.

[0105] When the support sleeve 5 pushes the positioning housing 4 to move forward from the initial position, the spring 3 is in a free state until the front end of the ferrule housing abuts against the plug housing, and the ferrule module no longer moves. At this time, the support sleeve 5 is in a stop fit with the plug housing 1, and the support sleeve 5 can no longer push the positioning housing 4. In other embodiments, when the positioning housing is in the initial position, the spring can also be in a pre-compressed state, but at this time, the compression amount of the spring should be controlled so that the elastic force of the spring does not damage the optical fiber.

[0106] When the support sleeve 5 pushes the positioning housing 4 to move forward until the plug housing 1 is in a stop fit with the support sleeve 5, the positioning housing 4 cannot continue to move forward. At this time, the spring 3 is in a free state. As Figure 5 shown, in order to facilitate the operation of the positioning housing 4, in this embodiment, the plug housing 1 is provided with an operation port 12 for the operator to push the positioning housing 4 forward until the spring claw 41 on the positioning housing 4 is engaged and locked with the card hole, and the positioning housing 4 moves to the working position.

[0107] After the positioning housing 4 is assembled, there is a certain movable interval 10 between the front end face of the mating key 51 and the front side wall surface of the mating hole 42. This movable interval is the movable interval between the positioning housing 4 and the support sleeve 5 in the front and rear directions. Through this movable interval, after the positioning housing 4 and the plug housing 1 are unlocked, the stop relationship between the two is released, and the positioning housing 4 can move backward until the spring 3 is in a free state. At this time, the support sleeve 5 remains in place, and the optical fiber will not be subjected to excessive tensile force due to the elastic force of the spring 3. In other embodiments, when the positioning housing moves backward until the spring is in a free state, the support sleeve can move backward a certain distance slightly. At this time, the optical fiber is subjected to a certain tensile force, but since the elastic force of the spring is small before it returns to the free state, the optical fiber will not be damaged at this time.

[0108] The optical fiber in the plug housing 1 is in a bent state before the optical fiber plug is disassembled, so that the support sleeve 5 and the optical fiber connector can move relative to each other in the front and rear directions. When disassembling the optical fiber plug, the support sleeve 5 can be pulled backward, and the optical fiber in the plug housing elongates, so that the mating key 51 of the support sleeve 5 is pulled out to abut against the rear side wall surface of the mating hole 42. The mating key 51 drives the positioning housing 4 to move backward together and disengages from the plug housing 1 to realize the disassembly of the positioning housing 4.

[0109] As Figures 1 to 4As shown in the figure, in this embodiment, the support sleeve 5 includes a positioning housing mating section 52 extending into the positioning housing 4, a connection sleeve mating section 53 mating with the connection sleeve 7, and a connection section 54 for crimping the optical cable. A crimping sleeve 8 is provided outside the connection section 54. The mating key 51 is arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the positioning housing mating section 52. The outer peripheral surface of the positioning housing mating section 52 is in clearance fit with the inner peripheral surface of the positioning housing 4, so that the positioning housing mating section 52 is in sliding fit with the positioning housing 4. The outer diameter of the connection sleeve mating section 53 is larger than the outer diameter of the positioning housing mating section 52 and also larger than the outer diameter of the connection section 54. A part of the front end face of the connection sleeve mating section forms a forward housing stop surface 55, and another part forms a pushing surface 56. The plug housing and the housing stop surface 55 are in front and rear stop fit to limit the forward movement of the support sleeve. The pushing surface 56 is used to push the positioning housing into the plug housing. In other embodiments, the pushing surface can be the front end face of the support sleeve.

[0110] To facilitate the installation of the optical fiber 9 and the ferrule module 2, in this embodiment, a fiber side-loading port 45 is provided on the positioning housing 4. The fiber side-loading port 45 is communicated with the fiber channel 44 for the optical fiber 9 to be loaded into the fiber channel along a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the fiber channel 44. Since the support sleeve 5 has a positioning housing mating section 52 extending into the positioning housing 4, to facilitate the installation of the positioning housing mating section 52, a support sleeve bayonet 46 is also provided on the positioning housing 4. The support sleeve bayonet 46 is communicated with the fiber side-loading port 45 for the positioning housing mating section 52 to be snapped in along a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the fiber channel. The mating hole 42 and the support sleeve bayonet 46 are arranged opposite to each other along the radial direction of the positioning housing 4. In this way, after the positioning housing mating section 52 is snapped into the positioning housing 4 through the support sleeve bayonet 46, the mating key 51 is directly inserted into the mating hole.

[0111] As Figures 8 to 11 shown in the figure, the outer peripheral surface of the positioning housing mating section 52 is integrally U-shaped to achieve anti-rotation fit between the positioning housing mating section 52 and the positioning housing 4. A snap 47 for snapping into the positioning housing mating section 52 is provided at the support sleeve bayonet 46. A corresponding slot 521 is provided on the positioning housing mating section 52. After the snap 47 is snapped into the slot 521, it restricts the positioning housing mating section 52 from radially disengaging from the positioning housing 4 and realizes anti-rotation between the positioning housing 4 and the positioning housing mating section 52. The slot 521 is a V-shaped slot extending in the front and rear directions, and the snap 47 also extends in the front and rear directions. The slot 521 and the snap 47 are in sliding fit in the front and rear directions. When the positioning housing mating section 52 is inserted into the positioning housing 4, the support sleeve bayonet 46 is expanded and deformed, and the positioning housing mating section 52 enters the positioning housing 4. Until the snap 47 is snapped into the slot 521, the installation of the positioning housing mating section 52 is completed. While installing the support sleeve 5, the optical fiber enters the fiber channel 44 from the fiber side-loading port 45.

[0112] To prevent the positioning housing 4 from rotating within the plug housing 1, a guiding key 13 is provided within the plug housing 1, which is in front-back guiding sliding fit with the optical fiber side mounting port 45. After the positioning housing 4 is inserted in place, its position is fixed relative to the plug housing 1.

[0113] During the assembly of the optical fiber plug of the present invention, first, the ferrule module 2, the spring 3, the positioning housing 4, the support sleeve 5, the crimping sleeve 8, and the optical cable 6 are assembled together and assembled to the state as shown in Figure 2 The specific assembly method is as follows: The optical fiber 9 is stripped out and then passed through the spring 3 and the support sleeve 5. The optical fiber 9 is installed on the ferrule module 2. Since the installation of the optical fiber 9 and the ferrule module 2 requires a special installation tool, it is convenient to operate by first installing the optical fiber 9 and the ferrule module 2 together. Then, according to the size of the optical fiber plug, the support sleeve 5 is fixed so that the length of the optical fiber between the support sleeve 5 and the ferrule module meets the requirements. The support sleeve 5 and the optical cable 6 are fixed by crimping. Then, the assembled optical fiber 9, spring 3, support sleeve 5, ferrule assembly / 2 and the positioning housing 4 are assembled together. The optical fiber 9 is installed from the optical fiber side mounting port 45 of the positioning housing 4, and at the same time, the positioning housing mating section 52 on the support sleeve 5 is installed from the support sleeve bayonet 46 to complete the installation of the positioning housing 4.

[0114] The assembled positioning housing 4, support sleeve 5, optical fiber 9, spring 3, etc. are installed into the plug housing 1. The positioning housing 4 is pushed forward by the mating key 51 on the support sleeve 5. The guiding key 13 within the plug housing 1 is in guiding fit with the optical fiber side mounting port 45 to guide the positioning housing 4 to be inserted until the support sleeve 5 is in stop fit with the plug housing 1 and the support sleeve 5 cannot move forward further. At this time, the spring is in its original length state; the positioning housing 4 is further pushed forward through the operation port 12 on the plug housing 1, and at this time the spring is compressed; until the spring pawl 41 on the positioning housing 4 is snapped into the keyhole 11 on the positioning housing 4, and the positioning housing 4 moves to the working position. At this time, there is a movable interval between the front end face of the mating key 51 and the mating hole 42. Then, the connection sleeve 7 is fixed to the plug housing 1 to complete the assembly of the plug housing 1.

[0115] When disassembling the optical fiber plug, first remove the connection sleeve 7, and then release the locking relationship between the spring pawl 41 and the keyhole 11. The positioning housing 4 retreats backward under the action of the spring 3. Since there is a movable interval between the front end face of the mating key 51 and the mating hole 42, when the positioning housing 4 retreats until the spring 3 is in the free state, the support sleeve 5 does not retreat backward and the optical fiber is not affected by the force of the spring. Then, the positioning housing 4 and the ferrule module 2 can be pulled out through the support sleeve 5.

[0116] In other embodiments of the present invention, the support sleeve and the positioning housing can also be installed together first, and then the optical fiber and the ferrule module are fixed. At this time, there is no need to provide an optical fiber side mounting port.

[0117] In other embodiments, a guiding groove may be additionally provided on the positioning housing and is in guiding sliding fit with a guiding key.

[0118] In other embodiments, the front end of the support sleeve may be force-fitted onto the positioning housing from back to front.

[0119] In other embodiments, the optical fiber of the optical cable in the plug housing may be in a straightened state. At this time, when the support sleeve and the optical fiber connector move relative to each other front and back, the compression spring needs to be compressed, and the optical fiber is subjected to a certain pulling force.

[0120] Specific embodiment 2 of the optical fiber plug assembly of the present invention. The difference between the structure of the optical fiber plug in this embodiment and the optical fiber plug in the above specific embodiment 1 is only that: in this embodiment, there is no anti-disengagement connection relationship between the positioning housing and the support sleeve, and the positioning housing is separated from the support sleeve. When disassembling, the positioning housing needs to be pulled out through the operation port.

[0121] Specific embodiment 3 of the optical fiber plug assembly of the present invention. The difference between the structure of the optical fiber plug in this embodiment and the optical fiber plug in the above specific embodiment 1 is only that: in this embodiment, the support sleeve and the positioning housing may be in stop fit only through the pulling action surface and the positioning housing. When the support sleeve is inserted into the positioning housing, no thrust is applied to the positioning housing, but it needs to be inserted through the operation port.

[0122] Specific embodiment 4 of the optical fiber plug assembly of the present invention. The difference between the structure of the optical fiber plug in this embodiment and the optical fiber plug in the above specific embodiment 1 is only that: in this embodiment, a mating hole is provided on the support sleeve, and a mating key is provided on the positioning housing.

[0123] Specific embodiment 5 of the optical fiber plug assembly of the present invention. The difference between the structure of the optical fiber plug in this embodiment and the optical fiber plug in the above specific embodiment 1 is only that: the mating hole is replaced by a mating long groove, and the notch faces the inside of the positioning housing.

[0124] Specific embodiment 6 of the optical fiber plug assembly of the present invention. The difference between the structure of the optical fiber plug in this embodiment and the optical fiber plug in the above specific embodiment 1 is only that: the positioning housing fitting section of the support sleeve is sleeved outside the positioning housing.

[0125] Specific embodiment 7 of the optical fiber plug assembly of the present invention. The difference between the structure of the optical fiber plug in this embodiment and the optical fiber plug in the above specific embodiment 1 is only that: an operation handle extending out of the plug housing is provided on the positioning housing, which is convenient for the installation and disassembly of the positioning housing.

[0126] Specific embodiment 8 of the optical fiber plug assembly of the present invention. The difference between the structure of the optical fiber plug in this embodiment and the optical fiber plug in the above specific embodiment 1 is only that: a buckle is provided on the support sleeve, and a card slot adapted to the buckle is provided on the plug housing. The support sleeve is fixedly connected to the plug housing by the buckle.

[0127] Specific embodiment of the fiber optic plug of the present invention. In this embodiment, the structure of the fiber optic plug is the same as that of the fiber optic plug described in the above specific embodiment, and will not be elaborated here.

[0128] The above is only the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention. The patent protection scope of the present invention is subject to the claims. Any equivalent structural changes made by using the content of the specification and drawings of the present invention should equally be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. Fiber optic plug, characterized in that, Comprising: A plug housing (1) with a plug-in end at the front end; An optical fiber connector for connecting with an optical fiber (9), configured to be axially guided and movable within the plug housing (1); A spring (3) located at the rear side of the optical fiber connector, for applying a forward elastic force to the optical fiber connector; A support sleeve (5) having a connection section (54) for connecting an optical cable (6) and a front-facing housing stop surface (55), the plug housing (1) and the housing stop surface (55) being axially stop-fitted to limit the forward movement of the support sleeve (5); A positioning housing (4) inserted into the plug housing (1) from the rear to the front. During the process of inserting the positioning housing (4) from the rear to the front, it is in the working position after being inserted in place; When the positioning housing (4) is in the working position, the spring (3) is pressed between the optical fiber connector and the positioning housing (4). The positioning housing (4) is provided with a locking structure that is lock-fitted with the plug housing (1) in the working position to limit the backward movement of the positioning housing (4). There is an axial clearance (10) between the positioning housing (4) and the support sleeve (5), and the axial clearance (10) is used for the positioning housing (4) to move backward under the elastic force of the spring (3) after the stop between the positioning housing (4) and the plug housing (1) is released.

2. The fiber optic plug according to claim 1, characterized in that, The support sleeve (5) and the positioning housing (4) are axially guided and slidably mated. The support sleeve (5) is provided with a pulling surface, and the pulling surface is used for stop-fitting with the positioning housing (4) to drive the positioning housing (4) to move backward, so as to pull the positioning housing (4) backward through the support sleeve (5) when disassembling the positioning housing (4).

3. The fiber optic plug according to claim 2, characterized in that, The positioning housing (4) is provided with a mating hole (42), and the support sleeve (5) is provided with a mating key (51) that is axially guided and slidably mated with the mating hole (42). The mating key (51) and the mating hole (42) realize the anti-disengagement connection between the support sleeve (5) and the positioning housing (4), and the pulling surface is formed by the rear end face of the mating key (51).

4. The fiber optic plug according to claim 3, characterized in that, When the positioning housing (4) is in the working position, the clearance between the front end face of the mating key (51) and the front side wall surface of the mating hole (42) forms the axial clearance (10).

5. The fiber optic plug according to claim 3, wherein, The support sleeve (5) includes a positioning housing mating section (52) extending into the positioning housing (4). The outer peripheral surface of the positioning housing mating section (52) is slidably mated with the positioning housing (4) in the axial direction, and the mating key (51) is arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the positioning housing mating section (52).

6. The fiber optic plug according to claim 3, characterized in that, The positioning housing (4) is provided with an optical fiber channel (44) for the optical fiber (9) to pass through and an optical fiber side mounting port (45) communicating with the optical fiber channel (44). The optical fiber side mounting port (45) is for the optical fiber (9) to be inserted along a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the optical fiber channel (44). The support sleeve (5) includes a positioning housing fitting section (52) extending into the positioning housing (4). The outer peripheral surface of the positioning housing fitting section (52) is in sliding fit with the positioning housing (4) in the front-back direction. The positioning housing (4) is provided with a support sleeve bayonet (46) for the positioning housing fitting section (52) to be snapped in along a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the optical fiber channel (44). The mating key (51) is arranged on the positioning housing fitting section (52), and the support sleeve bayonet (46) is oppositely arranged with the mating hole (42).

7. The fiber optic plug according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The plug housing (1) is provided with an operation port (12) for operating the positioning housing (4) to move the positioning housing (4) forward to the working position.

8. The fiber optic plug according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The locking structure includes a spring claw (41) arranged on the positioning housing (4). The plug housing (1) is provided with a slot or a hole (11) adapted to the spring claw (41). The cooperation between the spring claw (41) of the plug housing (1) and the positioning housing (4) restricts the backward movement of the positioning housing (4).

9. The fiber optic plug according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, A connecting sleeve (7) for pressing the support sleeve (5) and the plug housing (1) together is detachably fixed on the plug housing (1).

10. The fiber optic plug according to any one of claims 2-6, characterized in that, When the support sleeve (5) is pulled out of the positioning housing (4), the pulling action surface is in blocking cooperation with the positioning housing (4), and the spring (3) is in a free state.

11. The fiber optic plug according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The support sleeve (5) is provided with a pushing action surface (56) for pushing and mating with the positioning housing (4) to push the positioning housing (4) forward when the positioning housing (4) is installed.

12. The fiber optic plug according to claim 11, wherein, When the support sleeve (5) pushes the positioning housing (4) forward until the support sleeve (5) is in blocking cooperation with the plug housing (1), the spring (3) is in a free state.

13. The fiber optic plug according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The positioning housing (4) is provided with an optical fiber channel (44) for the optical fiber (9) to pass through and an optical fiber side mounting port (45) communicating with the optical fiber channel (44). The optical fiber side mounting port (45) is for the optical fiber (9) to be inserted along a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the optical fiber channel (44).

14. The fiber optic plug according to claim 13, characterized in that, The support sleeve (5) includes a positioning housing fitting section (52) extending into the positioning housing (4). The outer peripheral surface of the positioning housing fitting section (52) is in sliding fit with the positioning housing (4) in the front-back direction. The positioning housing (4) is provided with a support sleeve bayonet (46). The support sleeve bayonet (46) is communicated with the optical fiber side mounting port (45) for the positioning housing fitting section (52) to be snapped in along a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the optical fiber channel (44).

15. The fiber optic plug according to claim 13, characterized in that, The plug housing (1) is provided with a guiding key (13) for guiding and mating with the optical fiber side mounting port (45) in the front-back direction and preventing circumferential rotation.

16. Fiber optic plug assembly, characterized in that, It includes an optical fiber plug and an optical cable (6) connected to the optical fiber plug. The optical fiber plug is the optical fiber plug according to any one of claims 1-15.

17. The fiber optic plug assembly according to claim 16, wherein, The portion of the optical fiber (9) of the optical cable (6) within the plug housing (1) is in a bent state, so that the support sleeve (5) and the optical fiber connector can move relative to each other in the front-rear direction when the optical fiber plug is disassembled and assembled and the spring (3) is in a free state.

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