Fiber optic connectors

Abstract

This invention relates to an optical fiber connector, comprising a sleeve, a retainer, a connector body, a spring, and a retainer. The sleeve is assembled to the retainer. The connector body has multiple first slots. The spring is sleeved on the retainer. The retainer has multiple first hooks, which are respectively engaged in the first slots to assemble the spring, retainer, and sleeve into the space between the retainer and the connector body, wherein the spring is compressed to press the retainer, retainer, spring, and connector body together.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an optical fiber connector. Background Technology

[0002] Due to its advantages of high bandwidth and low loss, optical fiber has been widely used as a signal transmission medium in recent years. As a result, with the expansion of optical communication network technology, wide area networks such as the Internet and intranets have become widespread, which has also increased communication traffic.

[0003] To meet the needs of home fiber optic networks, related components (including fiber optic connectors) must be compatible with the requirements of being wired within the building structure, such as being able to pass through wiring conduits within the structure. Existing products, due to their large size, are clearly unable to meet these requirements.

[0004] Therefore, how to improve the structure of existing fiber optic connectors to meet the above requirements has become a problem that those skilled in the art need to consider and solve. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention provides an optical fiber connector that achieves a reduction in size through a simple structure, thereby facilitating wiring in conduits with limited space and saving space.

[0006] The fiber optic connector of the present invention includes a ferrule, a holder, a connector body, a spring, and a retainer. The ferrule is assembled to the holder. The connector body has a plurality of first slots. The spring is sleeved on the holder. The retainer has a plurality of first hooks, which are respectively engaged in the first slots to assemble the spring, holder, and ferrule into the space between the retainer and the connector body, wherein the spring is compressed to cause the retainer, holder, spring, and connector body to abut against each other.

[0007] Preferably, the sleeve is riveted inside the barrel of the retainer, and the barrel abuts against the retainer.

[0008] Preferably, the outer contour of the cylinder and the inner wall of the retainer are polygons that are consistent with and correspond to each other.

[0009] Preferably, the polygon is a hexagon.

[0010] Preferably, the connector body includes a base and a compression ring, the compression ring being sleeved on the outer surface of one end of the base, and the other end of the base having the first slot mentioned above.

[0011] Preferably, the aforementioned fixture includes a cylindrical body and a column, a sleeve is disposed in the cylindrical body, the column extends from the cylindrical body away from the sleeve to the base, and a spring is sleeved on the column and abuts against the inner step of the base and the cylindrical body.

[0012] Preferably, the outer surface described above is a rough surface.

[0013] Preferably, the fiber optic connector further includes a protective cover, with one end of the sleeve away from the retainer extending out of the retainer, and the protective cover is detachably fitted onto the portion of the sleeve extending out of the retainer.

[0014] Preferably, the outer surface of the protective cover has a rough surface.

[0015] Preferably, the protective cover described above has a tapered profile that deviates from the sleeve.

[0016] Preferably, the fiber optic connector further includes a retaining sleeve that is fastened to the outside of the retainer away from the base.

[0017] Preferably, the aforementioned fixing sleeve has a plurality of second hooks that are fastened to a plurality of second slots of the retainer.

[0018] Preferably, the outer surface of the retainer has a positioning surface, and the fixing sleeve also has a positioning inner wall, with the positioning surface correspondingly abutting against the positioning inner wall.

[0019] Preferably, the fiber optic connector further includes a tail sleeve fitted onto the base of the connector body and covering the compression ring of the connector body. The base has the first slot described above, exposed outside the tail sleeve, and the tail sleeve abuts against the fixing sleeve described above.

[0020] Preferably, the fiber optic connector further includes a coupling cap, which is fitted over the tail sleeve and covers the fixing sleeve.

[0021] Preferably, the fixing sleeve has a guide protrusion, the inner wall of the coupling cap has a guide groove, and the guide protrusion slides into the guide groove.

[0022] Preferably, the fiber optic connector described above is used to pass through a conduit, wherein the inner diameter of the conduit is 5.5 mm, and the maximum cross-sectional outer diameter of the assembled sleeve, retainer, connector body, spring and retainer is less than 5.5 mm.

[0023] Preferably, the aforementioned fiber optic connector is an SC connector (standard connector).

[0024] Based on the above, the fiber optic connector of the present invention includes an assembly consisting of a sleeve, a retainer, a connector body, a spring, and a retainer. This facilitates the initial insertion through a wiring conduit, after which other components are fitted over the assembly that has already passed through the conduit, thereby completing the assembly of the fiber optic connector. This is possible because the pre-assembled components can be sized to accommodate the required inner diameter of the conduit. Simultaneously, the retainer and connector body are interlocked, allowing the spring, retainer, and sleeve to fit into the space between the retainer and connector body. The spring is compressed by this interlocking mechanism, causing the retainer, retainer, spring, and connector body to press against each other, thus ensuring the first assembly maintains its structural connection. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an optical fiber connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the assembly of the fiber optic connector.

[0027] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Exploded view of the first component.

[0028] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A partial cross-sectional view of the fiber optic connector.

[0029] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A partial side view of the fiber optic connector.

[0030] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of the fiber optic connector along section AA.

[0031] Symbol Explanation

[0032] 20: Pipeline

[0033] 30: Cable

[0034] 100: Fiber Optic Connector

[0035] 110: Sleeve

[0036] 120: Fixture

[0037] 121: Cylinder

[0038] 122: Column

[0039] 130: Holder

[0040] 131: Inner wall

[0041] 132: First hook

[0042] 133: Positioning Surface

[0043] 134: Second Card Slot

[0044] 140: Spring

[0045] 150: Connector body

[0046] 151: Base

[0047] 151a: First card slot

[0048] 151b: Outer surface

[0049] 152: Compression Ring

[0050] 160: Protective cover

[0051] 161: Rough surface

[0052] 170: Tail Shelter

[0053] 180: Fixing sleeve

[0054] 181: Second hook

[0055] 182: Guide bump

[0056] 183: Opening

[0057] 184: Locating the inner wall

[0058] 190: Coupling cap

[0059] 191: Guide groove

[0060] 192: Opening

[0061] AA: Section line

[0062] D1, D2: Inner diameter

[0063] D3: Maximum cross-sectional outer diameter

[0064] M1: First Component

[0065] M2: Second Component

[0066] R1: Assembly direction

[0067] T1: Inner Phase

[0068] T2: External stage. Detailed Implementation

[0069] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an optical fiber connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 yes Figure 1The diagram below shows the assembly of the fiber optic connector. Please also refer to... Figure 1 and Figure 2 In this embodiment, the fiber optic connector 100 is, for example, an SC connector used to meet the wiring requirements within a building. Therefore, during installation, it needs to pass through the wiring conduit 20 within the building structure. Under this premise, the fiber optic connector 100 in this embodiment needs further adjustment of its structural configuration to ensure successful installation. Accordingly, the fiber optic connector 100 in this embodiment includes a first component M1 and a second component M2, such as... Figure 2 As shown, the second component M2 includes a tail sleeve 170, a fixing sleeve 180, and a coupling cap 190. These three components are limited by the standard dimensions of the fiber optic connector 100 and cannot pass smoothly through the conduit 20. Therefore, in this embodiment, the assembly of the first component M1 must be completed first, and then it is passed through the conduit 20 along the assembly direction R1. After the first component M1 exits from the other end of the conduit 20, the second component M2 is then installed onto the first component M1. In this way, the outer diameter of the first component M1 in this embodiment can be effectively reduced. That is, taking the conduit 20 with an inner diameter D1 of 5.5mm as an example, after the first component M1 completes its assembly, its maximum outer diameter D3 is less than 5.5mm, allowing the first component M1 to pass smoothly through the conduit 20. In this embodiment, the assembly direction R1 is actually located on the common central axis (shown by the center line in the diagram) of the first component M1 and the second component M2.

[0070] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Exploded view of the first component. Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A partial cross-sectional view of the fiber optic connector. Please refer to... Figure 3 and Figure 4 The first component M1 in this embodiment includes a sleeve 110, a retainer 120, a connector body 150, a spring 140, a retainer 130, and as shown in the figure. Figure 1 The (fiber optic) cable 30 shown is omitted in several figures for the sake of illustration of the first component M1. A sleeve 110 is assembled to the retainer 120 and allows the fiber optic cable (not shown) to pass through. The connector body 150 has a plurality of first slots 151a. A spring 140 is fitted onto the retainer 120. A retainer 130 has a plurality of first hooks 132, which are respectively engaged in the first slots 151a to assemble the spring 140, retainer 120, and sleeve 110 into the space between the retainer 130 and connector body 150, wherein the spring 140 is thus compressed, causing the retainer 130, retainer 110, spring 140, and connector body 150 to abut against each other along their central axis.

[0071] Furthermore, the retainer 120 includes a cylindrical body 121 and a column 122. A sleeve 110 is riveted inside the cylindrical body 121. The column 122 extends from the cylindrical body 121 away from the sleeve 110 into the connector body 150. The end of the cylindrical body 121 away from the column 122 abuts against the retainer 130. The column 122 and the cylindrical body 121 are coaxial structures and form an outer step T2 due to their different outer diameters. Here, the outer contour of the cylindrical body 121 and the inner wall 131 of the retainer 130 are corresponding polygons. Preferably, in this embodiment, the cylindrical body 121 is hexagonal, and correspondingly, the inner wall 131 of the retainer 130 is also hexagonal. This arrangement, by matching the outer and inner contours of the cylindrical body 121 and the retainer 130, achieves a positioning effect for the assembled retainer 130 and retainer 120, and prevents relative rotation between them along the central axis. At the same time, the hexagonal cylindrical body 121 also has the advantages of being easy to process and occupying less space.

[0072] Furthermore, the connector body 150 includes a base 151 and a compression ring 152. The compression ring 152 is fitted onto the outer surface 151b of one end of the base 151, and the outer surface 151b is a rough surface with a grid pattern to facilitate the engagement of the base 151 and the compression ring 152. The other end of the base 151, not covered by the compression ring 152, has the aforementioned first groove 151a to facilitate engagement with the retainer 130, and the post 122 of the retainer 120 extends into the base 151 through the spring 140. The side of the compression ring 152 facing away from the base 151 is connected to the cable 30. In this embodiment, the base 150 has through holes with the same central axis but different diameters, thus forming an inner stage T1. The spring 140 is fitted onto the post 122 and abuts against the inner stage T1 and the outer stage T2 of the aforementioned retainer 120.

[0073] In addition, the fiber optic connector 100 also includes a protective cover 160, with one end of the sleeve 110 away from the retainer 120 extending out of the retainer 130, and the protective cover 160 is detachably fitted onto the portion of the sleeve 110 extending out of the retainer 130. In this embodiment, the outer surface of the protective cover 160 has a rough surface 161, such as multiple grooves, to facilitate user handling. Simultaneously, the protective cover 160 has a tapered profile away from the sleeve 110, and... Figure 2 As shown, the tapered profile facilitates the user's passage through the pipe 20 in the assembly direction R1.

[0074] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A partial side view of the fiber optic connector. Figure 6 yes Figure 5 The cross-sectional view of the fiber optic connector along section AA. Please also refer to... Figure 2 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 In this embodiment, the retaining sleeve 180 of the fiber optic connector 100 is fastened to the outside of the retainer 130 away from the base 150. The retaining sleeve 180 has a plurality of second hooks 181, which are, for example, elastic hooks suspended at the opening 183, for correspondingly fastening to a plurality of second slots 134 of the retainer 130. Furthermore, the outside of the retainer 130 has a positioning surface 133, for example, a chamfered surface formed on the outer cylindrical surface of the cylindrical structure of the retainer 130. Correspondingly, the retaining sleeve 180 has a positioning inner wall 184, which is also planar, so that when the retaining sleeve 180 is fitted onto the outside of the retainer 130, the positioning surface 133 abuts against the positioning inner wall 184, thereby achieving a positioning effect that prevents the two components from rotating relative to each other along the central axis.

[0075] Furthermore, the tail sleeve 170 of the fiber optic connector 100 is fitted onto the base 151 of the connector body 150, while the compression ring 152 covering the connector body 150 abuts against the fixing sleeve 180. After fitting, the first slot 151a of the base 151 is substantially exposed outside the tail sleeve 170. The coupling cap 190 of the fiber optic connector 100 is fitted onto the tail sleeve 170 and covers the aforementioned fixing sleeve 180. The fixing sleeve 180 has a guide protrusion 182, and the inner wall of the coupling cap 190 has a guide groove 191. The guide protrusion 182 slides into the guide groove 191. After fitting, the second hook 181 of the fixing sleeve 180 is exposed through the opening 192 of the coupling cap 190.

[0076] Please refer to this again. Figure 2 As mentioned above, the first component M1 needs to pass through the pipe 20 first, and then the tail sleeve 170, the fixing sleeve 180 and the coupling cap 190 are sequentially put on the first component M1. In order to facilitate the fitting process, the tail sleeve 170 in this embodiment has a fixed inner diameter D2, and the inner diameter D2 is greater than the maximum cross-sectional outer diameter D3 of the first component M1.

[0077] In summary, the fiber optic connector of the present invention includes a first component consisting of a sleeve, a retainer, a connector body, a spring, and a retainer, which facilitates the initial insertion through a wiring conduit. A second component is then fitted over the first component, which has already passed through the conduit, thereby completing the assembly of the fiber optic connector. This approach simplifies the manufacturing process because the pre-assembled first component can be reduced in size according to the required inner diameter of the conduit. Furthermore, while reducing the size, the retainer and connector body are interlocked, allowing the spring, retainer, and sleeve to fit into the space between the retainer and connector body. The spring is compressed by this interlocking mechanism, causing the retainer, retainer, spring, and connector body to press against each other, thus ensuring the first component maintains its structural connection and positioning relationship.

Claims

1. An optical fiber connector, characterized in that: For adaptation to a conduit, the fiber optic connector includes: A set of pipes; A fastener, wherein the sleeve is assembled to the fastener, the fastener includes a cylindrical body and a column, the sleeve is riveted to the cylindrical body, and the column and the cylindrical body are structures that extend along the same central axis and form an outer section between them due to their different outer diameters; A connector body includes a base, one end of which has a plurality of first slots, and the base has through holes with the same central axis but different diameters, thus forming an inner stage; A spring, fitted onto the retainer; and A retainer having a plurality of first hooks, each respectively fastened to a first slot, to assemble the spring, the retainer, and the sleeve into the space between the retainer and the connector body, wherein the spring is compressed to abut against each other the retainer, the retainer, the spring, and the connector body, wherein the post of the retainer extends from the cylinder opposite to the sleeve through the spring into the connector body, and the spring is sleeved on the post and abuts against the inner stage and the outer stage of the retainer.

2. The fiber optic connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sleeve is riveted to a cylinder of the retainer, and the cylinder abuts against the retainer.

3. The fiber optic connector according to claim 2, characterized in that: The outer contour of the cylinder and the inner wall of the retainer are polygons that are consistent with and correspond to each other.

4. The fiber optic connector according to claim 3, characterized in that: The polygon is hexagonal.

5. The fiber optic connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connector body further includes a compression ring, which is sleeved on the outer surface of one end of the base, and the other end of the base has each of the first slots.

6. The fiber optic connector according to claim 5, characterized in that: The spring is sleeved on the column and abuts against the inner section of the base between the cylinder and the column.

7. The fiber optic connector according to claim 5, characterized in that: The outer surface is a rough surface.

8. The fiber optic connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a protective cap, with one end of the sleeve away from the retainer extending out of the retainer, and the protective cap being detachably fitted onto the portion of the sleeve extending out of the retainer.

9. The fiber optic connector according to claim 8, characterized in that: The outer surface of the protective cover has a rough surface.

10. The fiber optic connector according to claim 8, characterized in that: The protective cover has a tapered profile that deviates from the sleeve.

11. The fiber optic connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a retaining sleeve that is fastened to the outside of the retainer away from the base.

12. The fiber optic connector according to claim 11, characterized in that: The fixing sleeve has multiple second hooks that are fastened to multiple second slots of the retainer.

13. The fiber optic connector according to claim 11, characterized in that: The retainer has a positioning surface on its exterior, and the fixing sleeve also has a positioning inner wall, with the positioning surface correspondingly abutting against the positioning inner wall.

14. The fiber optic connector according to claim 11, characterized in that: It also includes a tail sleeve fitted onto a base of the connector body and covering a compression ring of the connector body. The base has the first slot and is exposed outside the tail sleeve. The tail sleeve abuts against the retaining sleeve.

15. The fiber optic connector according to claim 14, characterized in that: It also includes a coupling cap, which is fitted over the tail sleeve to cover the fixing sleeve.

16. The fiber optic connector according to claim 15, characterized in that: The fixing sleeve has a guide protrusion, and the inner wall of the coupling cap has a guide groove, with the guide protrusion slidingly into the guide groove.

17. The fiber optic connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner diameter of the pipe is 5.5 mm, while the maximum outer diameter of the assembled sleeve, the fixer, the connector body, the spring, and the retainer is less than 5.5 mm.

18. The fiber optic connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fiber optic connector is an SC connector.

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