Elastic floating structure and optical fiber connector

Abstract

The present invention relates to an elastic floating structure and an optical fiber connector, wherein the elastic floating structure includes a fixed part and a floating part, a cavity is provided in the fixed part, a non-metallic elastic part is provided in the cavity, the floating part is movably assembled at one end of the fixed part, and the floating part realizes a floating function in the front-to-back direction in the fixed part by squeezing the non-metallic elastic part. The floating function of the elastic floating structure of the present invention is mainly realized by the non-metallic elastic part. When the non-metallic elastic part is subjected to force, it will deform, so that the front end plug of the inner core part and the optical module are stably contacted and connected, and the length of the inner core part brought by the tensile resistance of the optical cable is changed, and because such non-metallic elastic part replaces the existing spring, no metal contact will be generated during floating compression, so no PIM interference will be generated, thereby avoiding the PIM interference affecting the normal operation of the communication equipment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of connectors, and in particular relates to an elastic floating structure inside a connector for realizing axial floating of an inner core, and an optical fiber connector comprising the elastic floating structure. Background Art

[0002] In the prior art, the communication base station field currently has increasingly stringent requirements for various indicators. There are more and more scenarios for PIM (Passive Inter-Modulation, which requires the use of non-magnetic metal or non-metallic materials). The principle of PIM generation is as follows: intermodulation products generated when two or more signals are transmitted through a passive device with nonlinear characteristics. The interaction of mechanical connection parts generally causes nonlinear effects. This is particularly evident at the junction between two different metals. Examples include: loose connections, corroded connectors, springs, rusty screws, etc. It can be seen that unreliable metal contact will lead to PIM problems, which puts higher requirements on the connector structure, especially the connector structure that requires a certain degree of elasticity and can float.

[0003] In order to realize the on-site assembly function of the existing waterproof optical fiber connector, all internal parts need to be smaller than the external shell. At this time, the tensile strength of the optical cable 01 in the connector is borne by the rubber ring 02. The direction of the tensile force is as follows: Figure 1 As shown, the rubber ring 02 is deformable. In order to prevent the rubber ring from deforming, causing the internal core component distance L1 to become longer, and the external pulling force to be transmitted to the front optical fiber transmission, causing signal interruption, when the internal locking structure 03 and the external locking structure 04 of the connector are in the locked state, the inner core component of the connector needs to be designed with an elastic floating structure 05 to meet the tensile resistance requirements.

[0004] In the prior art, the elastic floating structure 05 is generally realized by a spring to realize the floating function along the plugging and unplugging direction, such as Figure 2 The elastic floating mechanism includes a base 06, a spring 07, and a support sleeve 08. The front end of the base is used to assemble the ferrule that is connected to the optical module. The optical cable 01 connected to the ferrule is installed in the support sleeve. A certain amount of floating is required between the base 07 and the support sleeve 08. At this time, the spring 07 and the bracket 09 are used to float and constrain the position of the product. This spring 07 is generally made of stainless steel, beryllium bronze and other metal materials. It may not have an impact in normal conditions, but when the spring is compressed and coiled (such as Figure 3 ) will produce metal contact, resulting in PIM interference and affecting the normal operation of communication equipment. Summary of the invention

[0005] In order to solve the problems of the prior art, the present invention proposes an elastic floating structure, which uses a non-metallic elastomer as an elastic part to achieve elastic floating between the base and the support sleeve, thereby achieving the same function as a spring and avoiding the technical problem of PIM.

[0006] The purpose of the present invention and the technical problem to be solved are achieved by adopting the following technical solutions. An elastic floating structure proposed in the present invention includes a fixed part and a floating part. The fixed part is provided with a cavity, and the cavity is provided with a non-metallic elastic part. The floating part is movably assembled at one end of the fixed part. The floating part realizes the floating function of the floating part in the front-to-back direction in the fixed part by squeezing the non-metallic elastic part. The beneficial effects are: the non-metallic elastic part is compressed when subjected to force, and recovers when not subjected to force, so as to complete the floating function of the floating part in the fixed part; since the elastic part is made of non-metallic material, no metal contact will be generated during floating compression, and no PIM interference will be generated, thereby avoiding PIM interference from affecting the normal operation of communication equipment.

[0007] Furthermore, the non-metallic elastic member can be compressed laterally to an "S" shape, where the laterally direction is the floating direction of the floating member relative to the fixed member.

[0008] Furthermore, the non-metallic elastic member can be compressed longitudinally to a wave shape, with the longitudinal direction being perpendicular to the floating direction of the floating member.

[0009] Furthermore, a first protrusion or a first depression is provided on one side of the non-metallic elastic part, and the first protrusion or the first depression forms a first groove with the side of the non-metallic elastic part, so that the top width of the transverse cross-section of the non-metallic elastic part is smaller than the bottom width. Its beneficial effects are: the protrusion or the depression forms a groove with the side of the non-metallic elastic part, which increases the deformation space of the non-metallic elastic part, reduces the compression force of the non-metallic elastic part while ensuring the resilience of the non-metallic elastic part, makes the non-metallic elastic part easier to compress, and the compression and rebound are softer, which makes manual operation more labor-saving, and avoids the destructive consequences caused by violent squeezing and pulling.

[0010] Furthermore, a second protrusion or a second depression is provided on the other side of the non-metallic elastic member, and the second protrusion or the second depression forms a second groove with the side surface of the elastic member. The beneficial effect is that the compression deformation of the non-metallic elastic member can be further increased.

[0011] Furthermore, an extending direction of the first protrusion or the first recess is perpendicular to an extending direction of the second protrusion or the second recess.

[0012] Furthermore, the non-metallic elastic member is an elastic rubber strip.

[0013] Furthermore, the fixing part is a base, the floating part is a support sleeve, and relatively distributed elastic stop parts are provided on the inner side of the rear end of the base. A stop is provided on the support sleeve. After the support sleeve is installed in the base, the stop cooperates with the elastic stop part in the backward direction to limit the non-metallic elastic part in the cavity.

[0014] The present invention further provides an optical fiber connector, in which any of the elastic floating structures mentioned above is provided.

[0015] By means of the above technical solution, the floating of the elastic floating structure of the present invention is mainly realized by the elastic rubber strip. When the elastic rubber strip is subjected to force, the protrusions on the upper and lower sides of the rubber strip will deform along the force direction. The function of the protrusions is to automatically restore and reduce the compression force. When the force is over, the protrusions on the upper and lower sides of the rubber strip will overcome the friction force and automatically restore to achieve the reset function. Since such non-metallic elastic parts replace the existing springs, no metal contact will be generated during floating compression, so no PIM interference will be generated, thereby avoiding PIM interference affecting the normal operation of communication equipment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the elastic floating structure in the optical fiber connector in the prior art.

[0017] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the elastic floating structure in the prior art when it is in a normal state.

[0018] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the elastic floating structure in the prior art when it is in a compressed state.

[0019] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of an elastic floating structure of the present invention in a normal state.

[0020] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of an elastic floating structure of the present invention in a compressed state.

[0021] Figure 6 It is an exploded schematic diagram of an elastic floating structure of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 7A to FIG. 7C It is a structural diagram of an elastic rubber strip in Embodiment 1 of an elastic floating structure of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 8 It is a structural diagram of an elastic rubber strip in Embodiment 2 of an elastic floating structure of the present invention.

[0024] Fig. 9 It is a structural diagram of the elastic rubber strip in Embodiment 3 of an elastic floating structure of the present invention.

[0025] Description of reference numerals:

[0026] 1-fixing member; 11-cavity; 12-elastic stopper; 2-floating member; 21-stopper; 3-non-metallic elastic member; 31-first protrusion; 32-second depression; 33-first groove; 34-second protrusion; 35-second depression; 36-second groove; h-top width of the transverse section of the non-metallic elastic member; H-bottom width of the transverse section of the non-metallic elastic member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The present invention will be further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments.

[0028] An embodiment of an elastic floating structure, such as Figures 4 to 6 The elastic floating structure is installed in the optical fiber connector, with the plug end of the optical fiber connector as the front end, and the elastic floating structure is used to realize the front and rear floating function of the inner core component. The elastic floating structure includes a fixing part 1 and a floating part 2. The fixing part 1 is a base, and the front end of the base is used to install the ferrule. The floating part 2 is a support sleeve, which is movably assembled at the rear end of the base and can float relative to the base in the front and rear directions. The support sleeve is used to wear the optical cable, and the core in the optical cable enters the base and is connected to the ferrule. A cavity 11 is provided in the base, and the cavity 11 extends from the rear end of the base to the front direction. A non-metallic elastic part 3 is provided in the cavity 11.

[0029] Relatively distributed elastic stoppers 12 are provided on the inner side of the rear end of the base, and matching stoppers 21 are provided on both sides of the support sleeve. The support sleeve is inserted into the rear end of the base in a forward forced installation manner, and the elastic stoppers are relative to the deformable opening so as to stop the elastic stoppers 12. After being inserted into place, the stoppers 21 and the elastic stoppers 12 are matched in the backward direction. At this time, the support sleeve and the non-metallic elastic member 3 are elastically contacted and matched, so that the non-metallic elastic member 3 is confined in the cavity 11. The non-metallic elastic member 3 will be compressed when subjected to a forward force, and will recover when not subjected to a force, thereby completing the floating function of the floating member 2 in the fixed member 1 along the front-to-back direction. Since the elastic member is made of non-metallic material, no metal contact will be generated during floating compression, and no PIM interference will be generated, thereby preventing PIM interference from affecting the normal operation of the communication equipment.

[0030] Combination FIG. 7A to FIG. 7C In this embodiment, the non-metallic elastic member 3 is an elastic rubber strip, which can be compressed horizontally to an "S" shape, where the horizontal direction is the floating direction of the floating member relative to the fixed member. The non-metallic elastic member 3 can be compressed longitudinally to a wave shape, where the longitudinal direction is perpendicular to the floating direction of the floating member, that is, the height direction of the non-metallic elastic member. When the elastic rubber strip is subjected to an extrusion force, it can be compressed in the horizontal direction, compressed in the longitudinal direction, or compressed and deformed in the horizontal and longitudinal directions at the same time.

[0031] In this embodiment, a first protrusion 31 or a first depression 32 is provided on the top side of the non-metallic elastic member 3, and a first groove 33 is formed between the first protrusion or the first depression and the top surface of the non-metallic elastic member. A plurality of first grooves are provided, so that the top width h of the transverse cross-section of the non-metallic elastic member is smaller than the bottom width H; the provision of the first groove increases the deformation space of the non-metallic elastic member 3, reduces the compression force of the non-metallic elastic member while ensuring the resilience of the non-metallic elastic member, makes the non-metallic elastic member easier to compress, and the compression and rebound are softer, and the manual operation is more labor-saving, avoiding the destructive consequences caused by violent squeezing and pulling. Furthermore, a second protrusion 34 or a second depression 35 is provided on the bottom side of the non-metallic elastic member 3, and a second groove 36 is formed between the second protrusion or the second depression and the bottom surface of the non-metallic elastic member, further increasing the compression deformation of the elastic rubber strip, reducing the compression force and making it easier to compress. The extension direction of the first protrusion 31 or the first depression 32 is perpendicular to the extension direction of the second protrusion 34 or the second depression 35, so that the elastic strip is more easily deformed in the horizontal and vertical directions when subjected to force, further increasing the compression deformation and maintaining good resilience in the horizontal / vertical directions.

[0032] A second embodiment of an elastic floating structure, such as Figure 8 As shown, compared with the first embodiment of the elastic floating structure, the number of raised features on the elastic rubber strip can be reduced, for example, the number of raised features on the bottom end of the elastic rubber strip can be reduced, or the number of raised features on the top end of the elastic rubber strip can be reduced, or the top and bottom sides can be reduced at the same time. In this case, the elastic rubber strip can still achieve similar functions as the spring in the prior art, but the elastic force will be relatively large.

[0033] A third embodiment of an elastic floating structure, such as Fig. 9 As shown, compared with the first embodiment of the elastic floating structure, the raised features on the elastic rubber strip can be removed, for example, the raised features on the bottom end of the elastic rubber strip can be removed or the raised features on the top end can be removed, or even the raised features on the top and bottom sides can be removed at the same time. At this time, the floating function of the floating part relative to the fixed part can still be achieved to maintain stable docking and conduction between the optical module and the ferrule, but the elastic force will be relatively large.

[0034] Embodiment of optical fiber connector:

[0035] An inner core component is provided in the optical fiber connector. The inner core component includes the elastic floating structure described in any of the above elastic floating structure embodiments, which will not be described in detail here.

[0036] The above is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Any technician familiar with the profession, without departing from the scope of the technical solution of the present invention, any simple modification, equivalent change and modification made to the above embodiment based on the technical essence of the present invention, still falls within the scope of the technical solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. An optical fiber connector, wherein an elastic floating structure is provided inside the optical fiber connector, characterized in that: The elastic floating structure includes a fixed part and a floating part. The fixed part is a base for installing the core at the front end, and the floating part is a support sleeve for installing the optical cable. A cavity is provided in the base and extends from the rear end of the base to the front direction. A non-metallic elastic part is provided in the cavity. The support sleeve is movably assembled at one end of the base. The support sleeve realizes the floating function along the front-to-back direction in the base by squeezing the non-metallic elastic part. A first protrusion or a first depression is provided on one side of the non-metallic elastic part, and a second protrusion or a second depression is provided on the other side. The extension direction of the first protrusion or the first depression is perpendicular to the extension direction of the second protrusion or the second depression. The non-metallic elastic part can be compressed horizontally to an "S" shape and longitudinally to a wave shape at the same time. The horizontal direction is the floating direction of the floating part relative to the fixed part, and the longitudinal direction is the floating direction perpendicular to the floating part.

2. The optical fiber connector according to claim 1, wherein: The non-metallic elastic part is an elastic rubber strip.

3. The optical fiber connector according to claim 1, wherein: The inner side of the rear end of the base is provided with relatively distributed elastic stop parts, and the support sleeve is provided with a stop. After the support sleeve is installed on one end of the base, the stop cooperates with the elastic stop part in the backward direction to limit the non-metallic elastic part in the cavity.

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