A fiber coupler pull-resistant packaging device

Abstract

This invention discloses a tensile-resistant encapsulation device for an optical fiber coupler, comprising: an optical fiber coupling assembly, a coupler housing, an input optical fiber, an output optical fiber, an input optical fiber protection device, and an output optical fiber protection device; wherein, the optical fiber coupling assembly is disposed inside the coupler housing; one end of the input optical fiber is disposed within the input optical fiber protection device, and the other end of the input optical fiber is connected to the optical fiber coupling assembly; one end of the output optical fiber is disposed within the output optical fiber protection device, and the other end of the output optical fiber is connected to the optical fiber coupling assembly. This invention effectively enhances the environmental adaptability of the optical fiber coupler, possessing advantages such as moisture resistance, pollution resistance, corrosion resistance, mechanical damage resistance, high tensile strength, and good temperature resistance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of optical fiber coupler technology, and particularly relates to an anti-tensile packaging device for optical fiber couplers. Background Technology

[0002] Fiber optic couplers, based on their principle, generally adopt the form of fused tapered or planar waveguides. They achieve light branching and distribution through side splicing of two or more optical fibers or semiconductor optical waveguides. They are key devices in the field of optical fiber communication, and their application environment places high demands on the reliability of the devices.

[0003] After completing the fused taper of the optical fiber or the coupling of the optical fiber to the optical waveguide, the fiber coupler needs to be encapsulated and protected to ensure the stability of its performance parameters and its long-term reliability. While there are many existing methods for encapsulating and protecting the fiber coupling area, few mention the protection of the input and output fibers at both ends or the improvement of the overall tensile strength of the device.

[0004] Traditional fiber optic couplers are externally encapsulated by directly bonding the optical cable to the housing. Adhesive is filled at the connection point between the fiber optic coupler housing and the optical cable to protect the fiber and secure it to the coupler. Fiber optic couplers bonded with adhesive are prone to detachment under harsh mechanical conditions, and their tensile strength is difficult to guarantee. Furthermore, adhesives are susceptible to aging and failure, which cannot guarantee the lifespan of the fiber optic coupler. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The technical problem solved by this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a tensile packaging device for fiber optic couplers, which effectively enhances the environmental adaptability of fiber optic couplers and has the advantages of moisture resistance, pollution resistance, corrosion resistance, mechanical damage resistance, high tensile strength, and good temperature resistance.

[0006] The objective of this invention is achieved through the following technical solution: a tensile-resistant packaging device for an optical fiber coupler, comprising: an optical fiber coupling assembly, a coupler housing, an input optical fiber, an output optical fiber, an input optical fiber protection device, and an output optical fiber protection device; wherein, the optical fiber coupling assembly is disposed inside the coupler housing; one end of the input optical fiber is disposed within the input optical fiber protection device, and the other end of the input optical fiber is connected to the optical fiber coupling assembly; one end of the output optical fiber is disposed within the output optical fiber protection device, and the other end of the output optical fiber is connected to the optical fiber coupling assembly.

[0007] In the aforementioned fiber optic coupler tensile packaging device, the input fiber protection device and the output fiber protection device have the same structure, both including: a fiber optic cable fixing post, a fiber optic cable fixing sleeve, a fiber optic cable fixing ring, a fiber optic cable sheath, a fiber optic cable protective tail sleeve, and a fiber optic cable inner sheath; wherein, one end of the fiber optic cable fixing post is connected to the coupler housing; the fiber optic cable inner sheath is fitted onto the outer surface of the output fiber or the input fiber; the fiber optic cable inner sheath is disposed in the internal cavity of the fiber optic cable fixing post and the internal cavity of the fiber optic cable sheath; a portion of the fiber optic cable sheath is fitted onto the outer surface of the other end of the fiber optic cable fixing post; the fiber optic cable fixing sleeve is fitted onto the outer surface of the fiber optic cable sheath; the fiber optic cable fixing ring is fitted onto the outer surface of the fiber optic cable sheath, and the fiber optic cable fixing ring is used to press the fiber optic cable sheath against the fiber optic cable fixing sleeve; the fiber optic cable protective tail sleeve is fitted onto the outer surface of the fiber optic cable sheath.

[0008] In the aforementioned fiber optic coupler tensile sealing device, the optical cable sheath includes an optical cable reinforcing element and an outer optical cable sheath; wherein, a portion of the optical cable reinforcing element is sleeved on the outer surface of the other end of the optical cable fixing post, and the remaining portion of the optical cable reinforcing element is sleeved on the outer surface of the inner optical cable sheath; one end of the optical cable fixing clamp is sleeved on the outer surface of the optical cable reinforcing element; a portion of the outer optical cable sheath is sleeved on the outer surface of the optical cable fixing clamp, and the remaining portion of the outer optical cable sheath is sleeved on the outer surface of the optical cable reinforcing element; and the optical cable fixing ring is sleeved on the outer surface of a portion of the outer optical cable sheath.

[0009] In the above-mentioned tensile packaging device for fiber optic couplers, the fiber optic coupling assembly includes a fiber optic coupling region, a quartz substrate, and a protective sleeve; wherein, the quartz substrate is disposed inside the protective sleeve; the fiber optic coupling region is disposed inside the quartz substrate; the input fiber is connected to the fiber optic coupling region, and the output fiber is connected to the fiber optic coupling region.

[0010] In the above-mentioned tensile packaging device for fiber optic couplers, the coupler housing includes an upper lobe structure and a lower lobe structure; wherein the upper lobe structure and the lower lobe structure are connected; the internal cavity formed by the upper lobe structure and the lower lobe structure is used to house the fiber optic coupling assembly.

[0011] In the above-mentioned fiber optic coupler tensile packaging device, the two ends of the coupler housing are provided with optical cable fixing post mounting slots, and one end of the optical cable fixing post is disposed in the optical cable fixing post mounting slot.

[0012] In the above-mentioned fiber optic coupler tensile packaging device, the inner sheath of the optical cable is disposed in the inner cavity of the optical cable fixing post and the inner cavity of the optical cable sheath by means of adhesive.

[0013] In the above-mentioned tensile encapsulation device for fiber optic couplers, the thermal expansion coefficient of the adhesive material is equal to that of the input fiber or the output fiber.

[0014] In the above-mentioned tensile packaging device for fiber optic couplers, the upper lobe structure and the lower lobe structure are threadedly connected.

[0015] In the above-mentioned fiber optic coupler tensile packaging device, the number of input optical fibers is an integer not less than 1; the number of output optical fibers is an integer not less than 1.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages:

[0017] (1) The present invention adopts a fiber optic coupler tensile packaging device that combines internal protection and external protection, and mechanical fixing and adhesive fixing, which can effectively enhance the tensile strength and environmental adaptability of the fiber optic bundle splitter; the fiber optic coupler tensile packaging device also has the advantage of miniaturization.

[0018] (2) The optical cable outer sheath and the optical cable fixing post of the present invention are connected by a crimping method. The optical cable reinforcing element is crimped onto the optical cable fixing reel by using the optical cable fixing crimping sleeve, and the optical cable outer sheath is crimped onto the tail of the optical cable fixing crimping ring by using the optical cable fixing crimping ring, thereby improving the tensile strength at the connection between the optical cable and the optical fiber coupling device. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Various other advantages and benefits will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description of preferred embodiments. The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the invention. Furthermore, the same reference numerals denote the same parts throughout the drawings. In the drawings:

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the fiber optic coupler tensile packaging device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the optical cable sheath, optical cable fixing post, optical cable fixing sleeve, and optical cable fixing ring crimping structure provided in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the optical fiber coupling component structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0023] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. While exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the present disclosure may be implemented in various forms and should not be limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to enable a more thorough understanding of the present disclosure and to fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described herein can be combined with each other. The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the fiber optic coupler tensile packaging device provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 As shown, the tensile-resistant packaging device for the fiber optic coupler includes: a fiber optic coupling assembly 1, a coupler housing 2, an input fiber 9, an output fiber 10, an input fiber protection device, and an output fiber protection device. Among them,

[0025] The fiber optic coupling assembly 1 is disposed inside the coupler housing 2; one end of the input fiber 9 is disposed inside the input fiber protection device, and the other end of the input fiber 9 is connected to the fiber optic coupling assembly 1; one end of the output fiber 10 is disposed inside the output fiber protection device, and the other end of the output fiber 10 is connected to the fiber optic coupling assembly 1.

[0026] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the input fiber optic protection device and the output fiber optic protection device have the same structure, both including: fiber optic cable fixing post 3, fiber optic cable fixing sleeve 4, fiber optic cable fixing ring 5, fiber optic cable sheath 6, fiber optic cable protective tail sleeve 7, and fiber optic cable inner sheath 13. Among them,

[0027] One end of the optical cable fixing post 3 is connected to the coupler housing 2; the inner sheath 13 of the optical cable is fitted on the outer surface of the output optical fiber or the input optical fiber; the inner sheath 13 of the optical cable is set in the inner cavity of the optical cable fixing post 3 and the inner cavity of the optical cable sheath 6; a portion of the optical cable sheath 6 is fitted on the outer surface of the other end of the optical cable fixing post 3; the optical cable fixing clamp 4 is fitted on the outer surface of the optical cable sheath 6; the optical cable fixing clamp ring 5 is fitted on the outer surface of the optical cable sheath 6, and the optical cable fixing clamp ring 5 is used to press the optical cable sheath 6 against the optical cable fixing clamp 4; the optical cable protective tail sleeve 7 is fitted on the outer surface of the optical cable sheath 6.

[0028] The optical cable sheath is fitted over the input and output optical fibers. The inner sheath of the optical cable is inserted into the coupler housing and fixed with adhesive. The optical cable fixing sleeve presses the optical cable reinforcing element onto the optical cable fixing post. The optical cable fixing ring presses the outer sheath of the optical cable onto the tail of the optical cable fixing sleeve.

[0029] A flexible fiber optic cable protective tail sleeve 7 is installed on the outside of the fiber optic coupler housing to protect the crimped part. When the fiber optic cable is bent, the fiber optic cable protective tail sleeve can release the bending stress to protect the optical transmission from being affected.

[0030] like Figure 2 As shown, the optical cable sheath 6 includes an optical cable reinforcing element 14 and an optical cable outer sheath 15; wherein, a portion of the optical cable reinforcing element 14 is fitted onto the outer surface of the other end of the optical cable fixing post 3, and the remaining portion of the optical cable reinforcing element 14 is fitted onto the outer surface of the optical cable inner sheath 13; one end of the optical cable fixing clamp 4 is fitted onto the outer surface of the optical cable reinforcing element 14; a portion of the optical cable outer sheath 15 is fitted onto the outer surface of the optical cable fixing clamp 4, and the remaining portion of the optical cable outer sheath 15 is fitted onto the outer surface of the optical cable reinforcing element 14; and the optical cable fixing ring 5 is fitted onto the outer surface of a portion of the optical cable outer sheath 15.

[0031] like Figure 2 The diagram shows the crimping structure of the optical cable sheath 6, optical cable fixing post 3, optical cable fixing sleeve 4, and optical cable fixing ring 5. As shown in the diagram, the inner sheath 13 of the optical cable passes through the inner hole of the optical cable fixing post 3, the optical cable reinforcing element 14 is crimped to the tail of the optical cable fixing post 3 by the optical cable fixing sleeve 4, and the outer sheath 15 of the optical cable is crimped to the tail of the optical cable fixing sleeve 4 by the optical cable fixing ring 5.

[0032] like Figure 3 As shown, the optical fiber coupling assembly 1 includes an optical fiber coupling region 8, a quartz substrate 11, and a protective sleeve 12; wherein, the quartz substrate 11 is disposed inside the protective sleeve 12; the optical fiber coupling region 8 is disposed inside the quartz substrate 11; the input optical fiber 9 is connected to the optical fiber coupling region 8, and the output optical fiber 10 is connected to the optical fiber coupling region 8.

[0033] Specifically, the quartz substrate 11 is used to protect the optical fiber coupling area 8, and the protective sleeve 12 is located outside the quartz substrate to protect the entire optical fiber coupling area. The protective sleeve 12 is not limited to metal or non-metal protective sleeves, and has waterproof, anti-pollution and anti-corrosion functions. The two sides of the protective sleeve 12 are fixed and sealed with the input optical fiber 9 and the output optical fiber 10 using adhesive.

[0034] The fiber coupling assembly 1 is fabricated using methods not limited to fiber fused taper or planar waveguide fiber coupling. The fiber coupling assembly 1 includes a fiber coupling region 8, an input fiber 9, an output fiber 10, a quartz substrate 11, and a protective sleeve 12. The quartz substrate 11 and the protective sleeve 12 are protective structures for the fiber coupling region 8. The number of input fibers and output fibers is an integer not less than 1.

[0035] The coupler housing 2 includes an upper lobe structure and a lower lobe structure; wherein, the upper lobe structure and the lower lobe structure are connected; the internal cavity formed by the upper lobe structure and the lower lobe structure is used to house the optical fiber coupling assembly 1. Specifically, the coupler housing 2 has an upper and lower lobe structure, and after the optical fiber coupling assembly 1 is fixed in the coupler housing 2, the upper and lower lobes are locked together by threads.

[0036] The coupler housing 2 has optical cable fixing post mounting slots on both sides. After the upper and lower halves of the coupler housing are fastened together, the lateral and axial positions of the optical cable fixing posts 3 are fixed.

[0037] The optical cable sheath 6 and the optical cable fixing post 3 are fixed by the optical cable fixing crimp sleeve 4 and the optical cable fixing ring 5. The optical cable sheath 6 includes an optical cable reinforcing element 14 and an optical cable outer sheath 15. The optical cable reinforcing element 14 is fixed to the optical cable fixing post 3 by the optical cable fixing crimp sleeve 4, and the optical cable outer sheath 15 is fixed to the optical cable fixing crimp sleeve 4 by the optical cable fixing ring 5. The above serves as the outer protective structure for the input optical fiber 9 and the output optical fiber 10 outside the optical fiber coupler housing.

[0038] The crimping joint between the optical cable sheath 6 and the optical cable fixing post 3 is protected by an optical cable protective tail sleeve 7. When the optical cable is bent, the optical cable protective tail sleeve can release the bending stress to protect the optical transmission from being affected.

[0039] The optical cable fixing post 3 has an internal through hole for the inner sheath 13 of the optical cable to pass through; after crimping, the optical cable sheath is fitted onto the input optical fiber 9 and the output optical fiber 10, and is fixed in position in the mounting slot of the coupler housing 2 by the optical cable fixing post 3.

[0040] The optical fibers and fiber coupling components inside the coupler housing 2 that are not protected by the optical cable sheath are fixed with adhesive, ensuring that the inner sheath 13, input optical fiber 9, output optical fiber 10, and protective sleeve 12 inside the coupler housing 2 are fixed and not suspended. Specifically, the adhesive material is similar to the coefficient of thermal expansion of the optical fiber.

[0041] The optical cable fixing post 3 and the inner sheath 13 form a crimping surface; the optical cable reinforcing element 14 and the optical cable fixing post 3 form a crimping surface; the optical cable fixing sleeve 4 and the optical cable reinforcing element 14 form a crimping surface; the optical cable fixing ring 5 and the optical cable fixing sleeve 4 form a crimping surface; the outer sheath 15 and the optical cable fixing ring 5 form a crimping surface; and the optical cable protective tail sleeve 7 and the outer sheath 15 form a crimping surface. Thus, when crimping the inner sheath 13, six crimping surfaces are formed. Therefore, the force applied to the inner sheath 13 has the following constraint relationship:

[0042] F L =6μτA=6μτat;

[0043] Among them, F LThe force applied to the inner sheath 13 of the optical cable is μ, the coefficient of friction, τ, the shear strength, and A, the cross-sectional area of ​​a single crimping surface (i.e., the width of a single crimping surface a × the wall thickness t of the optical cable fixing crimping sleeve). Considering both device size and mechanical performance, the cross-sectional area of ​​the crimping surface of the fiber optic coupler tensile encapsulation device is 0.6 mm². 2 It has a tensile strength of over 100N, and the outer diameter of the device can be better than Φ8, taking into account both miniaturization and high tensile strength.

[0044] This invention employs a fiber optic coupler tensile-resistant encapsulation device that combines internal and external protection, as well as mechanical and adhesive fixing, effectively enhancing the tensile strength and environmental adaptability of the fiber optic splitter. The outer sheath of the optical cable and the optical cable fixing post are connected by a crimping method. The optical cable reinforcing element is crimped onto the optical cable fixing reel using the optical cable fixing crimp sleeve, and the outer sheath is crimped onto the tail of the optical cable fixing crimp sleeve using the optical cable fixing ring, thereby improving the tensile strength at the connection between the optical cable and the fiber optic coupler.

[0045] Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make possible changes and modifications to the technical solutions of the present invention by utilizing the methods and techniques disclosed above without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, any simple modifications, equivalent changes and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the content of the technical solutions of the present invention shall fall within the protection scope of the technical solutions of the present invention.

Claims

1. A tensile-resistant packaging device for an optical fiber coupler, characterized in that... include: The fiber optic coupling assembly (1), coupler housing (2), input fiber (9), output fiber (10), input fiber protection device, and output fiber protection device; wherein, The optical fiber coupling assembly (1) is disposed inside the coupler housing (2); One end of the input optical fiber (9) is disposed in the input optical fiber protection device, and the other end of the input optical fiber (9) is connected to the optical fiber coupling component (1); One end of the output optical fiber (10) is disposed in the output optical fiber protection device, and the other end of the output optical fiber (10) is connected to the optical fiber coupling component (1). The input fiber optic protection device and the output fiber optic protection device have the same structure, both including: fiber optic cable fixing post (3), fiber optic cable fixing sleeve (4), fiber optic cable fixing ring (5), fiber optic cable sheath (6), fiber optic cable protection tail sleeve (7), and fiber optic cable inner sheath (13); wherein, One end of the optical cable fixing post (3) is connected to the coupler housing (2); The inner sheath (13) of the optical cable is fitted onto the outer surface of the output optical fiber or the input optical fiber; The inner sheath (13) of the optical cable is disposed in the inner cavity of the optical cable fixing post (3) and the inner cavity of the optical cable sheath (6); Part of the optical cable sheath (6) is fitted onto the outer surface of the other end of the optical cable fixing post (3); The optical cable fixing sleeve (4) is sleeved on the outer surface of the optical cable sheath (6); The optical cable fixing ring (5) is sleeved on the outer surface of the optical cable sheath (6), and the optical cable fixing ring (5) is used to press the optical cable sheath (6) against the optical cable fixing sleeve (4); The optical cable protective tail sleeve (7) is fitted onto the outer surface of the optical cable sheath (6); The optical cable sheath (6) includes an optical cable reinforcing element (14) and an optical cable outer sheath (15); wherein, A portion of the optical cable reinforcing element (14) is sleeved on the outer surface of the other end of the optical cable fixing post (3), and the remaining portion of the optical cable reinforcing element (14) is sleeved on the outer surface of the inner sheath (13) of the optical cable. One end of the optical cable fixing sleeve (4) is sleeved on the outer surface of the optical cable reinforcing element (14); Part of the optical cable outer sheath (15) is fitted onto the outer surface of the optical cable fixing sleeve (4), and the remaining part of the optical cable outer sheath (15) is fitted onto the outer surface of the optical cable reinforcing element (14). The optical cable fixing ring (5) is sleeved on the outer surface of the portion of the optical cable outer sheath (15); The optical cable fixing post and the inner sheath of the optical cable form a crimping surface; the optical cable reinforcing element and the optical cable fixing post form a crimping surface; the optical cable fixing sleeve and the optical cable reinforcing element form a crimping surface; the optical cable fixing ring and the optical cable fixing sleeve form a crimping surface; the optical cable outer sheath and the optical cable fixing ring form a crimping surface; and the optical cable protective tail sleeve and the optical cable outer sheath form a crimping surface. Thus, six crimping surfaces are formed when crimping the inner sheath of the optical cable. Therefore, the force applied to the inner sheath of the optical cable has the following constraint relationship: ； in, The force applied to the inner sheath of the optical cable is μ, the coefficient of friction is τ, the shear strength is A, and the cross-sectional area of ​​a single crimping surface is A. The fiber optic coupling assembly (1) includes a fiber optic coupling region (8), a quartz substrate (11), and a protective sleeve (12); wherein, The quartz substrate (11) is disposed inside the protective sleeve (12); The optical fiber coupling region (8) is disposed inside the quartz substrate (11); The input optical fiber (9) is connected to the optical fiber coupling region (8), and the output optical fiber (10) is connected to the optical fiber coupling region (8); The coupler housing (2) includes an upper lobe structure and a lower lobe structure; wherein, The upper lobe structure and the lower lobe structure are connected; The internal cavity formed by the upper lobe structure and the lower lobe structure is used to house the optical fiber coupling assembly (1). The coupler housing (2) has optical cable fixing post mounting slots at both ends, and one end of the optical cable fixing post (3) is located in the optical cable fixing post mounting slot. The optical cable sheath and the optical cable fixing post are fixed by the optical cable fixing crimp sleeve and the optical cable fixing crimp ring. The optical cable sheath includes the optical cable reinforcing element and the optical cable outer sheath. The optical cable reinforcing element is fixed to the optical cable fixing post by the optical cable fixing crimp sleeve, and the optical cable outer sheath is fixed to the optical cable fixing crimp sleeve by the optical cable fixing crimp ring. The above serves as the outer protective structure for the input and output optical fibers outside the housing of the optical fiber coupler. The crimping joint between the optical cable sheath and the optical cable fixing post is protected by an optical cable protective tail sleeve. When the optical cable is bent, the optical cable protective tail sleeve can release the bending stress to protect the optical transmission from being affected. The optical cable fixing post has an internal through hole for the inner sheath of the optical cable to pass through; after crimping, the optical cable sheath is fitted onto the input and output optical fibers and fixed in position in the mounting slot of the coupler housing by the optical cable fixing post.

2. The fiber optic coupler tensile packaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner sheath (13) of the optical cable is installed in the inner cavity of the optical cable fixing post (3) and the inner cavity of the optical cable sheath (6) by means of adhesive.

3. The fiber optic coupler tensile packaging device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The thermal expansion coefficient of the adhesive material is equal to that of the input optical fiber (9) or the output optical fiber (10).

4. The fiber optic coupler tensile packaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper lobe structure and the lower lobe structure are threaded together.

5. The fiber optic coupler tensile packaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The number of input optical fibers is an integer not less than 1; the number of output optical fibers is an integer not less than 1.

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