A fiber optic coupler assembly

Abstract

The application provides an optical fiber coupler assembly, and belongs to the technical field of light-emitting components. The optical fiber coupler assembly comprises a lower support provided with a first mounting hole, an upper support connected with an optical fiber crystal head, a coupler detachably connected with the first mounting hole, and a circuit board detachably connected with the lower support. The coupler is located between the optical fiber crystal head and the circuit board when the circuit board is connected with the lower support. The circuit board is provided with a light-emitting element. The application has the beneficial effect that the coupler and the circuit board are sequentially mounted to the lower support, the optical fiber crystal head located on the upper support is kept a certain distance from the circuit board connected to the lower support, and the optical fiber crystal head, the coupler and the light-emitting element are reasonably arranged on the upper support or the lower support, so that the light-emitting fiber is less likely to burn out.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of light-emitting component technology and relates to an optical fiber coupler assembly. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, optical fibers are increasingly used in the market. Due to their soft texture, versatile shapes, and soft, uniform light emission, they are well-suited for ambient lighting and decorative lighting fixtures. However, because of their relatively low brightness, they are rarely seen in automotive exterior lighting products. The ends of optical fibers are made of composite glass, which has a low refractive index and a small numerical aperture, making it impossible to couple large-angle light into the fiber's interior. Therefore, the efficiency is very low when using Lambertian light sources. The ends of optical fibers are made of plastic, which poses a risk of burns when using high-power light sources directly. Therefore, if a high-power light source is used, the distance between the light source and the fiber must be large, resulting in very low optical efficiency and an overall low cost-effectiveness.

[0003] In summary, if optical fibers are to be used in automotive exterior lighting products, it is necessary to improve the brightness of the optical fibers. Improving the brightness of optical fibers requires the use of high-power light sources. Using high-power light sources requires increasing the structure of optical fiber coupling. In the current technology, the optical fibers, optical fiber couplers, and light sources are not well fixed together. Therefore, when using high-power light sources, the optical fibers are prone to burnout, indicating that there is considerable room for improvement. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to address the aforementioned problems in the prior art by proposing an optical fiber coupler assembly.

[0005] The objective of this invention can be achieved through the following technical solution: an optical fiber coupler assembly, comprising:

[0006] The lower bracket has a first mounting hole;

[0007] The upper bracket is connected to a fiber optic crystal head;

[0008] A coupler that is detachably connected to the first mounting hole;

[0009] A circuit board is detachably connected to the lower bracket. When the circuit board is connected to the lower bracket, the coupler is located between the fiber optic connector and the circuit board. The circuit board is provided with a light-emitting element. When both the coupler and the circuit board are connected to the lower bracket, the light-emitting element is aligned with the coupler, and the light emitted by the light-emitting element can enter the fiber optic connector through the coupler.

[0010] In the aforementioned fiber optic coupler assembly, the first mounting hole has an unlocking groove along its axial direction and a locking groove along its circumference. The unlocking groove and the locking groove are connected. The coupler is provided with a locking block. The locking block can move along the unlocking groove and can move along the locking groove. When the locking block is located in the locking groove, the locking groove restricts the locking block from moving axially along the first mounting hole.

[0011] In the aforementioned fiber optic coupler assembly, the coupler is provided with a limiting block, which can be connected to the lower bracket to restrict the axial movement of the coupler along the first mounting hole.

[0012] In the aforementioned fiber optic coupler assembly, the upper bracket is provided with a first mounting base, and the first mounting base is detachably connected to a second mounting base. The first mounting base and the second mounting base can be combined to form a second mounting hole for accommodating the fiber optic connector.

[0013] In the aforementioned fiber optic coupler assembly, the second mounting base is provided with a circumferential portion, which surrounds and holds the first mounting base, thereby allowing the second mounting base to slide along the first mounting base.

[0014] In the aforementioned fiber optic coupler assembly, the first mounting base is provided with a first snap-fit ​​portion, and the fiber optic crystal head is provided with a second snap-fit ​​portion. The second snap-fit ​​portion can snap into the first snap-fit ​​portion to confine the fiber optic crystal head within the second mounting hole.

[0015] In the aforementioned fiber optic coupler assembly, the first mounting base is provided with a first limiting part, and the fiber optic connector is provided with a second limiting part. The second limiting part can abut against the first limiting part to restrict the rotation of the fiber optic connector.

[0016] In the aforementioned fiber optic coupler assembly, a first screw is also included. The upper bracket is provided with a first through hole, and the lower bracket is provided with a first threaded hole. The first screw passes through the first through hole and is installed into the first threaded hole.

[0017] The fiber optic coupler assembly described above also includes a heat sink, which is connected to the circuit board and can dissipate heat from the circuit board.

[0018] In the aforementioned fiber optic coupler assembly, a second screw is also included. The heat sink is provided with a second through hole, the circuit board is also provided with a third through hole, and the lower bracket is provided with a second threaded hole. The second screw passes through the second through hole and the third through hole in sequence and is installed into the second threaded hole.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0020] 1. Install the coupler and circuit board onto the lower bracket in sequence, and keep a certain distance between the fiber optic connector on the upper bracket and the circuit board connected to the lower bracket. Arrange the fiber optic connector, coupler and light-emitting element reasonably on the upper or lower bracket to prevent the light-emitting fiber from burning out.

[0021] 2. The unlocking slot and the locking slot are L-shaped structures. When the locking block is located in the locking slot, the locking slot restricts the locking block from moving axially along the first mounting hole. Thus, the connection and separation of the coupler and the first mounting hole are realized by the movement of the locking block in the unlocking slot and the locking slot, which is very simple and convenient.

[0022] 3. When the locking block is in the locking groove, the limiting block just touches and connects with the lower bracket, thus playing a dual axial limiting role.

[0023] 4. Both the first mounting base and the second mounting base have a semi-perforated arc-shaped curved surface structure. When the first mounting base and the second mounting base are assembled, the two semi-perforated arc-shaped curved surface structures can be spliced ​​together to form the second mounting hole.

[0024] 5. The two sides of the second mounting base extend and bend to form a closed loop structure. The extended and bent part is the embracing part. The embracing part surrounds the first mounting base, so that the second mounting base can slide along the longitudinal direction of the first mounting base and splice the two together.

[0025] 6. The first limiting part is set as a recessed structure, and the second limiting part is set as a protruding structure. The fiber optic crystal head is connected to the first limiting part of the first mounting base through the second limiting part, thereby preventing the fiber optic crystal head from rotating on the first mounting base. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is an exploded view of the fiber optic coupler assembly of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the fiber optic coupler assembly of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the lower support structure of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 4 This is a structural schematic diagram of the lower support of the present invention from another perspective.

[0030] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the upper bracket and the first mounting base of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second mounting base of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 7This is a schematic diagram of the fiber optic crystal head of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the coupler structure of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the heat sink of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the housing structure of the present invention.

[0036] In the diagram, 100 is the lower bracket; 110 is the first mounting hole; 111 is the unlocking slot; 112 is the locking slot; 120 is the first threaded hole; 130 is the second threaded hole; 200 is the upper bracket; 210 is the fiber optic connector; 211 is the second limiting part; 212 is the second snap-fit ​​part; 220 is the first mounting base; 221 is the first limiting part; 222 is the first snap-fit ​​part; 230 is the second mounting base; 231 is the second mounting hole; 232 is the circumferential part; 240 is the first through hole; 300 is the coupler; 310 is the locking block; 320 is the limiting block; 400 is the circuit board; 410 is the light-emitting element; 420 is the third through hole; 500 is the heat sink; 510 is the second through hole; and 600 is the housing. Detailed Implementation

[0037] The following are specific embodiments of the present invention, which are described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[0038] It should be noted that all directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.) in the embodiments of the present invention are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of each component in a certain specific posture (as shown in the figure). If the specific posture changes, the directional indication will also change accordingly.

[0039] Furthermore, in this invention, descriptions involving terms such as "first," "second," and "a" are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0040] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connection," "fixed," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, "fixed" can mean a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; it can mean a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can mean a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; it can mean the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise explicitly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0041] Furthermore, the technical solutions of the various embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other, but only if they are feasible for those skilled in the art. If the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or cannot be implemented, it should be considered that such combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection claimed by the present invention.

[0042] The specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the spirit of the invention. Those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains may make various modifications or additions to the described specific embodiments or use similar methods to substitute them, without departing from the spirit of the invention or exceeding the scope defined by the appended claims.

[0043] like Figures 1-10 As shown, an optical fiber coupler assembly includes: a lower bracket 100, an upper bracket 200 connected with an optical fiber crystal head 210, a coupler 300, and a circuit board 400.

[0044] The lower bracket 100 is provided with a first mounting hole 110, which is a circular through hole structure, allowing the coupler 300 to pass through.

[0045] The upper bracket 200 is connected to a fiber optic crystal head 210, which is the end of the light-emitting fiber.

[0046] The coupler 300 is detachably connected to the first mounting hole 110. The specific detachable connection method is not limited; it can be a snap-fit ​​or a screw and nut fixing.

[0047] The circuit board 400 is detachably connected to the lower bracket 100. When the circuit board 400 is connected to the lower bracket 100, the coupler 300 is located between the fiber optic connector 210 and the circuit board 400. The circuit board 400 is provided with a light-emitting element 410. When both the coupler 300 and the circuit board 400 are connected to the lower bracket 100, the light-emitting element 410 is aligned with the coupler 300, and the light emitted by the light-emitting element 410 can enter the fiber optic connector 210 through the coupler 300.

[0048] Coupler 300 can focus the light from high-power light-emitting element 410 into fiber optic connector 210, thereby increasing brightness. The glass lens and metal shell in coupler 300 are made of high-temperature resistant materials. Coupler 300 is located between fiber optic connector 210 and light-emitting element 410, and can effectively prevent the heat from high-power light-emitting element 410 from burning out fiber optic connector 210.

[0049] In this embodiment, the coupler 300 and the circuit board 400 are sequentially installed on the lower bracket 100, and the fiber optic connector 210 located on the upper bracket 200 is kept at a certain distance from the circuit board 400 connected to the lower bracket 100. The fiber optic connector 210, the coupler 300 and the light-emitting element 410 are reasonably arranged on the upper bracket 200 or the lower bracket 100, which makes it less likely for the light-emitting fiber to burn out.

[0050] like Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 8 As shown, based on the above embodiment, the first mounting hole 110 has an unlocking groove 111 along its axial direction and a locking groove 112 along its circumference. The unlocking groove 111 and the locking groove 112 are connected. The coupler 300 is provided with a locking block 310. The locking block 310 can move along the unlocking groove 111 and can move along the locking groove 112. When the locking block 310 is located in the locking groove 112, the locking groove 112 restricts the locking block 310 from moving axially along the first mounting hole 110.

[0051] In this embodiment, the unlocking groove 111 and the locking groove 112 are L-shaped structures. When the locking block 310 is located in the locking groove 112, the locking groove 112 restricts the locking block 310 from moving axially along the first mounting hole 110. Thus, the connection and separation of the coupler 300 and the first mounting hole 110 are realized by the movement of the locking block 310 in the unlocking groove 111 and the locking groove 112, which is very simple and convenient.

[0052] like Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 8 As shown, based on the above embodiment, the coupler 300 is provided with a limiting block 320, which can be connected to the lower bracket 100 to restrict the coupler 300 from moving axially along the first mounting hole 110.

[0053] In this embodiment, when the locking block 310 is located in the locking groove 112, the limiting block 320 is in contact with the lower bracket 100, thereby playing a dual axial limiting role.

[0054] like Figure 2 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 As shown, based on the above embodiment, the upper bracket 200 is provided with a first mounting base 220, and the first mounting base 220 is detachably connected to a second mounting base 230. The first mounting base 220 and the second mounting base 230 can be combined to form a second mounting hole 231 for accommodating the fiber optic crystal head 210.

[0055] In this embodiment, both the first mounting base 220 and the second mounting base 230 have a semi-hole-shaped arc-shaped curved surface structure. When the first mounting base 220 and the second mounting base 230 are assembled, the two semi-hole-shaped arc-shaped curved surface structures can be spliced ​​together to form the second mounting hole 231.

[0056] like Figure 2 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 As shown, based on the above embodiment, the second mounting base 230 is provided with a circumferential portion 232, which surrounds the first mounting base 220 so that the second mounting base 230 can slide along the first mounting base 220.

[0057] In this embodiment, the two sides of the second mounting base 230 extend and bend to form a closed loop structure. The extended and bent part is the embracing part 232. The embracing part 232 surrounds the first mounting base 220, so that the second mounting base 230 can slide along the longitudinal direction of the first mounting base 220 and the two can be spliced ​​together.

[0058] like Figure 1 , Figure 5 , Figure 7 As shown, based on the above embodiment, the first mounting base 220 is provided with a first limiting part 221, and the fiber optic connector 210 is provided with a second limiting part 211. The second limiting part 211 can be connected to the first limiting part 221 to restrict the rotation of the fiber optic connector 210.

[0059] In this embodiment, the first limiting part 221 is configured as a recessed structure, and the second limiting part 211 is configured as a protruding structure. The fiber optic crystal head 210 is connected to the first limiting part 221 of the first mounting base 220 through the second limiting part 211, thereby preventing the fiber optic crystal head 210 from rotating on the first mounting base 220.

[0060] As Figure 1 , Figure 5 , Figure 7 As shown, based on the above embodiment, the first mounting base 220 is provided with a first snap-fit ​​portion 222, and the fiber optic connector 210 is provided with a second snap-fit ​​portion 212. The second snap-fit ​​portion 212 can snap-fit ​​with the first snap-fit ​​portion 222 to restrict the fiber optic connector 210 within the second mounting hole 231.

[0061] In this embodiment, the first snap-fit ​​portion 222 is configured as a protruding structure, and the second snap-fit ​​portion 212 is configured as a recessed structure. The fiber optic connector 210 is snapped into the first snap-fit ​​portion 222 of the first mounting base 220 through the second snap-fit ​​portion 212, thereby restricting the fiber optic connector 210 within the second mounting hole 231.

[0062] Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 5 As shown, based on the above embodiment, it also includes a first screw (not shown in the figure), the upper bracket 200 is provided with a first through hole 240, the lower bracket 100 is provided with a first threaded hole 120, and the first screw passes through the first through hole 240 and is installed into the first threaded hole 120.

[0063] In this embodiment, the first screw passes through the first through hole 240 and is installed into the first threaded hole 120, thereby detachably connecting the upper bracket 200 and the lower bracket 100 together.

[0064] like Figure 1 , Figure 9 As shown, based on the above embodiment, a heat sink 500 is also included. The heat sink 500 is connected to the circuit board 400 and can dissipate heat for the circuit board 400.

[0065] In this embodiment, the heat sink 500 can dissipate heat from the circuit board 400, preventing the heat generated by the circuit board 400 and the light-emitting element 410 from accumulating, which could lead to the failure or performance reduction of the light-emitting element 410, thereby affecting the brightness of the optical fiber.

[0066] like Figure 1 , Figure 4 , Figure 9 As shown, based on the above embodiment, a second screw (not shown in the figure) is also included. The heat sink 500 is provided with a second through hole 510, the circuit board 400 is also provided with a third through hole 420, and the lower bracket 100 is provided with a second threaded hole 130. The second screw passes through the second through hole 510 and the third through hole 420 in sequence and is installed into the second threaded hole 130.

[0067] In this embodiment, the second screw passes through the second through hole 510 and the third through hole 420 in sequence and is installed into the second threaded hole 130, thereby detachably connecting the heat sink 500, the circuit board 400 and the lower bracket 100 together.

[0068] like Figure 2 , Figure 9 , Figure 10As shown, based on the above embodiment, a housing 600 is also included, which can be connected to the lower bracket 100 and cover the heat sink 500.

[0069] In this embodiment, the housing 600 is located below the lower bracket 100. The housing 600 can be connected to the lower bracket 100 and cover the heat sink 500, thereby playing a role in dust protection.

[0070] Preferably, it also includes a third screw (not shown in the figure), the lower bracket 100 is provided with a fourth through hole (not shown in the figure), the housing 600 is provided with a third threaded hole (not shown in the figure), the third screw passes through the fourth through hole and is installed into the third threaded hole, thereby detachably connecting the housing 600 and the lower bracket 100 together.

Claims

1. An optical fiber coupler assembly, characterized in that, include: The lower bracket has a first mounting hole; The upper bracket is connected to a fiber optic crystal head; A coupler that is detachably connected to the first mounting hole; A circuit board is detachably connected to the lower bracket. When the circuit board is connected to the lower bracket, the coupler is located between the fiber optic crystal head and the circuit board. The circuit board is provided with a light-emitting element. When both the coupler and the circuit board are connected to the lower bracket, the light-emitting element is aligned with the coupler and the light emitted by the light-emitting element can enter the fiber optic crystal head through the coupler. The first mounting hole has an unlocking groove along its axial direction and a locking groove along its circumference. The unlocking groove and the locking groove are connected. The coupler is provided with a locking block. The locking block can move along the unlocking groove and can move along the locking groove. When the locking block is located in the locking groove, the locking groove restricts the locking block from moving along the axial direction of the first mounting hole. The coupler is provided with a limiting block, which can be connected to the lower bracket to restrict the axial movement of the coupler along the first mounting hole; The upper bracket is provided with a first mounting base, and the first mounting base is detachably connected to a second mounting base. The first mounting base and the second mounting base can be combined to form a second mounting hole for accommodating the fiber optic connector.

2. The fiber optic coupler assembly as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The second mounting base is provided with a circumferential portion, which surrounds the first mounting base so that the second mounting base can slide along the first mounting base.

3. The fiber optic coupler assembly as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The first mounting base is provided with a first limiting part, and the fiber optic connector is provided with a second limiting part. The second limiting part can abut against the first limiting part to restrict the rotation of the fiber optic connector.

4. The fiber optic coupler assembly as described in claim 3, characterized in that: The first mounting base is provided with a first snap-fit ​​portion, and the fiber optic connector is provided with a second snap-fit ​​portion. The second snap-fit ​​portion can snap into the first snap-fit ​​portion to confine the fiber optic connector within the second mounting hole.

5. The fiber optic coupler assembly as described in claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a first screw, the upper bracket is provided with a first through hole, the lower bracket is provided with a first threaded hole, and the first screw passes through the first through hole and is installed into the first threaded hole.

6. The fiber optic coupler assembly as described in claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a heat sink, which is connected to the circuit board and can dissipate heat from the circuit board.

7. The fiber optic coupler assembly as described in claim 6, characterized in that: It also includes a second screw, the heat sink is provided with a second through hole, the circuit board is also provided with a third through hole, the lower bracket is provided with a second threaded hole, and the second screw passes through the second through hole and the third through hole in sequence and is installed into the second threaded hole.

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