A micro rectangular active connector assembly with decoupled optical port

Abstract

A micro rectangular active connector assembly with decoupled optical port, comprising a shell, an optoelectronic conversion module fixedly arranged in the shell, a socket structure fixedly arranged outside the optical port in the optoelectronic conversion module, and a plug structure arranged at the end of an optical cable fixedly arranged at the rear end of the shell, the plug structure being inserted into the socket structure; an elastic member arranged in the shell, the elastic member applying force to the plug structure in the direction of insertion after the plug structure is inserted into the socket structure. One end of the optoelectronic conversion module 1 is provided with a micro rectangular electrical connector, and the other end is provided with a parallel optical module with an MT interface, the MT interface comprising an ultra-short MT assembly, and the end of the optical fiber is provided with an MT assembly matched with the ultra-short MT assembly, so as to realize external decoupling, facilitate disassembly and installation when replacing the optoelectronic conversion module, and avoid the need to completely remove the assembly and the optical cable.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a connector, and more specifically to a micro-rectangular active connector assembly with decoupled optical port. Background Technology

[0002] Military-grade active optical cable connector assemblies are components that place the photoelectric conversion module and optical fiber connection surface inside the electrical connector accessory to form an electrical interface-optical transmission. This can fundamentally eliminate the problem of optical fiber connection surface contamination and significantly improve the environmental resistance of optical transmission.

[0003] As the application areas and forms of military active optical fiber connector assemblies become increasingly widespread, their use is no longer limited to single-cable network connections; the demand for multi-cable networks is growing. In network deployment scenarios, product maintainability becomes particularly important. Once the network is fully deployed, it is crucial to be able to repair any faulty photoelectric conversion module without dismantling the entire network.

[0004] Currently, common military-grade micro-rectangular interface active optical cable connector assemblies contain an optoelectronic conversion module and an MT fiber optic connector. The coupling method between the fiber optic connector end face and the optoelectronic conversion module is usually a coupling method that uses epoxy resin to fix them together. This cannot achieve decoupling between the MT fiber optic connector end face and the optoelectronic conversion module. During maintenance, the active optical cable connector assembly and the optical cable need to be disassembled and repaired at the same time. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the technical problem of difficulty in decoupling the fiber connection end face of the aforementioned micro-rectangular active optical cable connector assembly, which leads to difficulty in rework, this invention provides a micro-rectangular active connector assembly with decoupling optical port.

[0006] The objective of this invention is achieved through the following technical solution. According to this invention, a micro-rectangular active connector assembly with a decoupled optical port includes a housing. A photoelectric conversion module is fixedly disposed within the housing. A socket structure is fixedly disposed externally on the optical port of the photoelectric conversion module, with the mating end of the socket structure located at the rear of the photoelectric conversion module. An optical cable is fixed to the rear end of the housing, and an optical fiber in the cable passes through the rear end of the housing, with a plug structure disposed at its end. The plug structure and the socket structure are mated. An elastic element is disposed within the housing. After the plug structure and the socket structure are mated, the elastic element applies a force in the mating direction to the plug structure.

[0007] Furthermore, a reinforcement component is fixedly installed inside the housing. After the elastic element applies force to the plug structure, the reinforcement component is fixed to the plug structure by injection of glue.

[0008] Furthermore, a positioning component is provided inside the housing. The positioning component includes a front slider and a rear slider. The front slider and the rear slider are connected by an elastic element. The rear slider is fixed inside the housing. The front slider moves relative to the rear slider in the insertion direction. The number of front sliders is the same as the number of plug structures. The plug structures are located on the movement path of the front sliders. Under the action of the elastic element, the front sliders abut against the plug structures.

[0009] Furthermore, positioning springs are provided on both sides of the inner cavity of the housing, and elastic cantilever arms are provided on the positioning springs. The fixed end of the elastic cantilever arm is located on the rear side, the movable end is located on the front side, and the elastic cantilever arm is tilted inward. The rear slider is provided with locking platforms on both sides. When the positioning component is installed, after the positioning component moves to the front end, the locking platforms of the rear slider are locked on the positioning springs. At the same time, the front slider applies force to the plug structure under the action of the elastic element.

[0010] Furthermore, the positioning component also includes a sliding column and a spring. The front end of the sliding column is fixed on the front slider and the rear end slides through the rear slider. A spring is sleeved on the sliding column, with one end of the spring abutting against the front slider and the other end abutting against the rear slider. A limiting platform is provided at the rear end of the sliding column.

[0011] Furthermore, both the front and rear sliders are provided with clearance slots at their bottoms to avoid optical fibers.

[0012] Furthermore, the rear slider is provided with a guide groove extending forward and backward, and correspondingly, a guide rib is provided at the bottom of the housing, the guide rib slidingly nested in the guide groove.

[0013] Furthermore, a pressure plate is provided on the positioning component, and the pressure plate is fixedly mounted on the housing.

[0014] Furthermore, the end of the optical cable is provided with a potting sleeve, the front end of which is fixed to a fixing plate. The optical fiber in the optical cable passes through the fixing plate, which is fixed to the rear end of the housing. A conductive rubber ring is provided on the fixing plate. After the fixing plate is fixed, the conductive rubber ring is nested in the fixing hole on the housing for passing through the optical fiber.

[0015] Furthermore, a micro rectangular connector is connected to the photoelectric conversion module, and the micro rectangular connector is fixed to the front end of the housing; an opening is provided on the upper part of the housing, and a fixed cover plate is provided on the opening.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are:

[0017] In this invention, one end of the photoelectric conversion module 1 is provided with a micro rectangular electrical connector and the other end is provided with a parallel optical module with an MT interface. The MT interface includes an ultra-short MT component. The end of the optical fiber is provided with an MT component that matches the ultra-short MT component, so as to achieve external decoupling. When replacing the photoelectric conversion module, it is convenient to disassemble and install without having to completely remove the component and optical cable.

[0018] The fiber end of the component is equipped with an MT component, and the housing is equipped with a positioning component with pre-tightening function to facilitate the docking, locking and decoupling of the MT interface.

[0019] The above description is merely an overview of the technical solution of the present invention. In order to better understand the technical means of the present invention and to implement it in accordance with the contents of the specification, and to make the above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, preferred embodiments are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an existing military-grade micro-rectangular interface active optical cable connector assembly.

[0021] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the cover plate removal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 for Figure 2 The illustrated embodiment shows an assembly diagram of the cover plate removal process;

[0023] Figure 4 for Figure 3 Sectional view at point A in the middle;

[0024] Figure 5 for Figure 2 The illustrated embodiment is a schematic diagram of the assembly after removing the cover plate, housing, and positioning snap ring;

[0025] Figure 6 for Figure 5 Top view of the embodiment shown;

[0026] Figure 7 for Figure 6 Sectional view at point B;

[0027] Figure 8 for Figure 5 The bottom view of the embodiment shown;

[0028] Figure 9 for Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the housing and positioning spring in the embodiment shown.

[0029] [Attached image labels]

[0030] 1-Photoelectric conversion module, 2-Pressure plate, 3-Positioning component, 301-Front slider, 302-Rear slider, 303-Sliding column, 304-Spring, 305-Avoidance slot, 306-Guide slot, 307-Card holder, 4-Positioning spring clip, 401-Elastic cantilever, 5-Dual MT assembly, 501-MT fiber optic connector, 6-Ultra-short MT assembly, 7-Reinforcing component, 701-Injection hole, 8-Housing, 801-Fixing hole, 802-Mounting hole, 803-Guide rib, 9-Micro rectangular connector, 10-Optical cable, 11-Injection sleeve, 12-Fixing plate, 13-Conductive rubber ring, 14-Fiber optic cable. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0032] An embodiment of the present invention provides a micro-rectangular active connector assembly with decoupled optical port, such as... Figures 2 to 9 As shown, hereinafter referred to as the component, this component is used to be inserted into a device, with the insertion end being the front end of the component. The component includes a housing 8, within which a photoelectric conversion module 1 is disposed. The front end of the photoelectric conversion module 1 is connected to a micro-rectangular connector 9, which is fixed to the front end of the housing 8, with its front end extending out of the housing 8 for insertion into the device. The contacts of the micro-rectangular connector 9 are fixed to a rigid printed circuit board, which is electrically connected to the photoelectric conversion module 1 via a flexible printed circuit board. In this embodiment, the component connects two optical cables 10; in other embodiments, the component can connect to one or more optical cables.

[0033] The upper part of the housing 8 is provided with a mounting hole 802. A cover plate is fixed on the mounting hole 802 to close the housing 8. After the cover plate is opened, the components inside the housing 8 can be installed and removed. The components inside the housing 8 include a photoelectric conversion module 1, a pressure plate 2, a positioning component 3, a positioning spring 4, a dual MT assembly 5, an ultra-short MT assembly 6, and a reinforcing component 7. A groove is provided around the mounting hole 802 on the upper part of the housing 8. A conductive rubber ring is nested in the groove. When the cover plate is fixed on the mounting hole 802, the conductive rubber ring achieves sealing and electromagnetic shielding.

[0034] The photoelectric conversion module 1 contains an internal optical module for transmitting the optical signal after the electrical signal has been converted. The optical port of the optical module is located at the rear end of the photoelectric conversion module 1. The optical port is designed as a standard MT interface, which consists of an ultra-short MT component 6 added to the lens mating surface of a conventional optical module's optical port. One end of the ultra-short MT component 6 is fixed to the optical port of the optical module, and the other end extends out of the photoelectric conversion module 1 as the external MT interface. The photoelectric conversion module has two MT interfaces, meaning it has two ultra-short MT components 6, forming a dual MT interface. One interface serves as the transmission channel, and the other as the reception channel. Guide posts 601 are provided on both sides of each ultra-short MT component 6 to guide the dual MT component 5 to connect with the ultra-short MT component 6. After the dual MT component 5 and the ultra-short MT component 6 are connected, optical signal transmission can be achieved.

[0035] Corresponding to the dual MT interface, a dual MT assembly 5 is provided at the ends of the two optical cables. The dual MT assembly 5 includes two MT fiber optic connectors 501, with one MT fiber optic connector 501 connected to each optical cable 10. The MT fiber optic connectors 501 of the two optical cables 10 are combined to form a dual MT assembly 5. A guide hole is provided on the MT fiber optic connector 501, and a fixing hole 801 is provided at the rear end of the housing 8. The MT fiber optic connector 501 passes through the fixing hole 801, allowing the guide post of the ultra-short MT assembly 6 to pass through the guide hole, and mates with the ultra-short MT assembly 6. That is, the dual MT assembly 5 mates with the dual MT interface.

[0036] The ultra-short MT assembly 6 is a socket structure, with the tail of the socket structure fixed to the optical port. The optical signal emitted from the optical port passes through the socket structure and is transmitted out. The MT fiber optic connector is a plug structure, with the end of the optical fiber in the optical cable fixed to the plug structure. Multiple plug structures form an MT assembly, and the number of plug structures is the same as the number of ultra-short MT assemblies. After the mating end of the plug structure is inserted into the socket structure, the optical signal emitted from the optical port is transmitted out through the optical fiber, or the optical signal in the optical fiber is received by the optical port.

[0037] An encapsulated sleeve 11 is provided at the end of the optical cable 10. The front ends of the encapsulated sleeves 11 of the two optical cables 10 are fixed together on the same fixing plate 12. The optical fiber 14 in the optical cable 10 passes through the fixing plate 12, and the end of the optical fiber 14 is provided with an MT optical fiber connector 501. A through hole is provided on the fixing plate 12, and a threaded hole is provided at the rear end of the housing 8. The dual MT assembly 5 and the optical fiber pass through the fixing hole 801 at the rear end of the housing 8. After docking with the dual MT interface, the fixing plate 12 is attached to the rear end face of the housing 8. The fixing plate 12 is fixed to the housing 8 by screwing through the through hole and into the threaded hole.

[0038] A conductive rubber ring 13 is provided on the front end face of the fixing plate 12. The optical fiber passes through the conductive rubber ring 13. After the fixing plate 12 is fixed on the housing 8, the conductive rubber ring 13 is nested in the fixing hole 801. The conductive rubber ring 13, together with the fixing plate 12, seals the optical fiber and the fixing hole 801 and provides electromagnetic shielding.

[0039] Positioning springs 4 are provided on both sides of the inner cavity of the housing 8. Elastic cantilever arms 401 are provided on the positioning springs 4. The fixed end of the elastic cantilever arm 401 is located on the rear side, the movable end is located on the front side, and the elastic cantilever arm 401 is tilted inward.

[0040] The positioning spring 4 is used to limit the positioning component 3. The positioning component 3 includes a front slider 301, a rear slider 302, a sliding post 303, and a spring 304. The front end of the sliding post 303 is fixed to the front slider 301, and the rear end slides through the rear slider 302. The spring 304 is sleeved on the sliding post 303. One end of the spring 304 abuts against the front slider 301, and the other end abuts against the rear slider 302. A limiting platform is provided at the rear end of the sliding post 303 to prevent the sliding post 303 from dislodging from the rear slider 302 under the elastic force of the spring 304. In this embodiment, two front sliders 301 are provided, corresponding to the number of MT fiber optic connectors 501. Each front slider 301 is provided with two sliding posts 303 and two springs 304. The sliding posts 303 and springs 304 corresponding to the two front sliders 301 are matched with the same rear slider 302. The bottom of both the front slider 301 and the rear slider 302 is provided with a clearance slot 305 for avoiding optical fibers. The rear slider 302 is provided with a guide groove 306 extending forward and backward. Correspondingly, a guide rib plate 803 is provided at the bottom of the housing 8, and the guide rib plate 803 is slidably nested in the guide groove 306. A locking platform 307 is provided on both sides of the rear slider 302.

[0041] After the dual MT assembly 5 is connected to the dual MT interface, the positioning component 3 is placed into the rear end of the inner cavity of the housing 8. When the guide groove 306 is fitted onto the guide rib plate 803, the rear slider 302 is pushed forward. The guide rib plate 803 can prevent the positioning component 3 from swaying left and right during the sliding process. Under the pressure of the clamping platform 307, the elastic cantilever 401 is deformed. When the clamping platform 307 passes the front end of the elastic cantilever 401, the elastic cantilever 401 is clamped on the clamping platform 307. As the rear slider 302 slides forward, the front slider 301 moves towards the front end under the push of the spring 304. The MT fiber optic connector 501 is located on the path of the front slider 301's forward and backward movement. After the front slider 301 abuts against the dual MT assembly 5, that is, the front slider abuts against its corresponding MT fiber optic connector, the rear slider 302 continues to move, the spring 304 is compressed, and then the rear slider 302 is locked onto the positioning spring 4. The spring 304 provides pre-tightening force for the docking of the dual MT assembly 5 and the dual MT interface, ensuring that the dual MT assembly 5 and the dual MT interface can still dock under external impact, thus realizing the transmission of optical signals.

[0042] The upper part of the reinforcement component 7 has two injection holes 701. When the positioning component is installed in place, the dual MT assembly is firmly mated to the dual MT interface. Then, the cover of the reinforcement component 7 is attached to the dual MT assembly 5. Each of the two injection holes 701 is aligned with one MT fiber optic connector 501. High-strength epoxy resin is injected into the injection holes 701, simultaneously fixing the reinforcement component 7 to both MT fiber optic connectors 501. This fixes the relative positions of the two MT fiber optic connectors 501 and matches their relative positions with the two ultra-short MT assemblies 6. When the optoelectronic conversion module is disassembled and replaced, the MT fiber optic connectors 501 in the dual MT assembly 5 can simultaneously mate with both ultra-short MT assemblies 6. The dual MT assembly 5 and the reinforcement component are fixed with epoxy resin, ensuring consistency between the dual MT assembly 5 and the dual MT interface. The reinforcement component is fixed to the housing with screws. This structure can prevent instantaneous breakage of the MT interface connection under high impact conditions.

[0043] After the two MT fiber optic connectors and reinforcement 7 are fixed with glue, the reinforcement 7 is then fixed to the bottom of the housing 8 with screws, thus locking the dual MT assembly and dual MT interface. If the photoelectric conversion module 1 is damaged and needs to be replaced, loosen the screws to detach the reinforcement 7 and dual MT assembly from the housing 8, then disassemble the photoelectric conversion module 1, replace the photoelectric conversion module 1, and then connect the dual MT assembly and reinforcement to the dual MT interface for a quicker replacement.

[0044] After the dual MT assembly and dual MT interface are locked, the pressure plate 2 is placed on the positioning component 3, and then the pressure plate 2 is fixed to the housing 8 with screws. With the insertion direction as the X direction, the direction perpendicular to the side wall of the housing as the Y direction, and the direction perpendicular to the bottom of the housing as the Z direction, the positioning component is positioned in the X and Y directions by the positioning snap ring 4, and the positioning component is positioned in the Z direction by the pressure plate 2.

[0045] In this invention, one end of the photoelectric conversion module 1 is provided with a micro rectangular electrical connector, and the other end is provided with a parallel optical module with an MT interface. The MT interface includes an ultra-short MT component. The end of the optical fiber is provided with an MT component that matches the ultra-short MT component, so as to achieve external decoupling. When replacing the photoelectric conversion module, it is convenient to disassemble and install without having to completely remove the component and optical cable.

[0046] The fiber end of the component is equipped with an MT component, and the housing is equipped with a positioning component with pre-tightening function to facilitate the docking, locking and decoupling of the MT interface.

[0047] The reinforcement components are fixed to the MT fiber optic connector with glue, which can meet the reliability of optical port docking under high impact conditions.

[0048] In other embodiments, the positioning component may be replaced with other elastic elements, or the spring in the positioning component may be replaced with other elastic elements that apply a force in the mating direction to the MT fiber optic connector to achieve locking.

[0049] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A micro-rectangular active connector assembly with decoupled optical port, comprising a housing, wherein a photoelectric conversion module is fixedly disposed within the housing, characterized in that: Several socket structures are fixedly installed on the outside of the optical port of the photoelectric conversion module. The mating end of the socket structure is located on the rear side of the photoelectric conversion module. An optical cable is fixed at the rear end of the housing. The optical fiber in the optical cable corresponding to the socket structure passes through the rear end of the housing and its end is provided with a corresponding plug structure. The plug structure is mated with the corresponding socket structure. An elastic element is provided inside the housing. After the plug structure and the socket structure are mated, the elastic element applies a force in the mating direction to the plug structure to provide a pre-tightening force for the mating of the plug structure and the corresponding socket structure. The housing contains detachable reinforcement components. After the elastic element applies force to the plug structure, the reinforcement components are fixed to the plug structure by injection molding, thereby fixing the relative positions of each plug structure and matching the relative positions of each plug structure with the relative positions of the socket structure. The housing contains positioning components, including a front slider and a rear slider, which are connected by an elastic element. The rear slider is fixed inside the housing, and the front sliders move relative to the rear slider in the mating direction. The number of front sliders is the same as the number of plug structures, and the plug structures are located on the movement path of the front sliders. Under the action of the elastic element, the front sliders abut against the plug structures. Positioning springs are installed on both sides of the cavity, and elastic cantilever arms are installed on the positioning springs. The fixed end of the elastic cantilever arm is located on the rear side, and the movable end is located on the front side. The elastic cantilever arm is tilted inward. The rear slider is provided with locking platforms on both sides. When the positioning component is installed, after the positioning component moves to the front end, the locking platforms of the rear slider are locked on the positioning springs. At the same time, the front slider applies force to the plug structure under the action of the elastic element. The positioning component also includes a sliding column and a spring. The front end of the sliding column is fixed on the front slider and the rear end slides through the rear slider. A spring is sleeved on the sliding column. One end of the spring abuts against the front slider and the other end abuts against the rear slider. A limiting platform is provided at the rear end of the sliding column.

2. The optical port decoupled micro-rectangular active connector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: Both the front and rear sliders have clearance slots at their bottoms to avoid optical fibers.

3. The optical port decoupled micro-rectangular active connector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rear slider is provided with a guide groove extending forward and backward, and correspondingly, a guide rib is provided at the bottom of the housing, and the guide rib slides and is nested in the guide groove.

4. The optical port decoupled micro-rectangular active connector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: A pressure plate is provided on the positioning component, and the pressure plate is fixedly mounted on the housing.

5. The optical port decoupled micro-rectangular active connector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The end of the optical cable is provided with a potting sleeve, the front end of which is fixed to a fixing plate. The optical fiber in the optical cable passes through the fixing plate, which is fixed to the rear end of the housing. A conductive rubber ring is provided on the fixing plate. After the fixing plate is fixed, the conductive rubber ring is nested in the fixing hole on the housing for passing through the optical fiber.

6. The optical port decoupled micro-rectangular active connector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The photoelectric conversion module is connected to a micro rectangular connector, which is fixed to the front end of the housing; an opening is provided on the upper part of the housing, and a fixed cover plate is placed over the opening.

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