Interchangeable fiber optic connector assembly

Abstract

This invention relates to a switchable fiber optic connector assembly, comprising a pair of fiber optic connectors and a switching structure. Each fiber optic connector has a first retaining portion and a first stopping portion. The switching structure has a pair of guide slots, in which the fiber optic connectors respectively pass, and are movable and rotatable along the corresponding guide slots. The switching structure also has a plurality of second retaining portions and a plurality of second stopping portions located at opposite ends of each guide slot. Each fiber optic connector is secured by its first retaining portion to one of the second retaining portions, such that the second stopping portion adjacent to the secured second retaining portion is located on the movement path of the first stopping portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an interchangeable fiber optic connector assembly. 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] Furthermore, many fiber optic connectors include multiple plugs arranged side-by-side, enabling multi-channel communication. Sometimes, it is desirable to exchange or change the arrangement of the plugs as needed, but under current technology, it is impossible to reconnect the connector to the fiber without disconnecting or separating the connector from its corresponding fiber, or by switching the arrangement. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention provides an interchangeable fiber optic connector assembly, wherein a pair of fiber optic connectors can move without disassembly to facilitate the interchange of fiber optic connectors.

[0005] The present invention discloses a switchable fiber optic connector assembly, comprising a pair of fiber optic connectors and a switching structure. Each fiber optic connector has a first retaining portion and a first stopping portion. The switching structure has a pair of guide slots, in which the fiber optic connectors pass, and are movable and rotatable along the corresponding guide slots. The switching structure further has a plurality of second retaining portions and a plurality of second stopping portions located at opposite ends of each guide slot. Each fiber optic connector is secured by the first retaining portion to one of the second retaining portions, such that a second stopping portion adjacent to the secured second retaining portion is located on the movement path of the first stopping portion.

[0006] Preferably, the pair of guide grooves described above are a portion of a circular trajectory.

[0007] Preferably, the central angle of each of the above guide grooves is 90 degrees.

[0008] Preferably, the optical signals transmitted / received by the pair of optical fiber connectors described above are different from each other.

[0009] Preferably, the aforementioned interchangeable fiber optic connector assembly further includes a retainer and a cable module, wherein the fiber optic connector passes through the switching structure and is connected to the cable module, and the retainer holds the fiber optic connector and the cable module to restrict the movement of the fiber optic connector relative to the switching structure.

[0010] Preferably, the switching structure includes a housing and a cover, the cover having the pair of guide grooves, and the housing having the plurality of second fastening portions and the plurality of second stop portions.

[0011] Preferably, the switching structure further includes multiple guide ribs, each disposed on the side edge of each guide slot. Each fiber optic connector moves along the guide ribs and into its corresponding guide slot via the first holding part.

[0012] Preferably, the switching structure includes a housing and a cover, the cover having a pair of guide grooves, and the housing having the aforementioned plurality of second fastening portions, plurality of second stop portions, and plurality of guide ribs.

[0013] Preferably, the first latching portion and the first stop portion of the fiber optic connector are reversed and opposite to each other.

[0014] Preferably, the first retaining portion is located at the end of the plug of the fiber optic connector and is a protrusion with a T-shaped profile.

[0015] Preferably, the first stop portion is located at the end of the plug of the fiber optic connector and is a convex portion with a wedge-shaped profile.

[0016] Preferably, the first holding portion and the first stop portion are opposite to each other, separated by the plug tail of the fiber optic connector.

[0017] Preferably, each fiber optic connector is held in place by a first holding part on one of the second holding parts, and a second stop part adjacent to the held second holding part is located on the rotation path of the first stop part, and the pair of fiber optic connectors rotate in the same direction to be held in place on the switching structure or released from the switching structure.

[0018] Based on the above, a pair of fiber optic connectors in the fiber optic connector assembly are movably inserted into a pair of guide slots in the switching structure, allowing the fiber optic connectors to move and rotate along the guide slots. Each fiber optic connector has a first latching part and a first stop part, which can correspond to the second latching parts and second stop parts at opposite ends of the guide slots to either latch onto or release from the switching structure. Accordingly, the user can change the position of the fiber optic connectors on the switching structure as needed, thereby adjusting the mating orientation of the fiber optic connector assembly and the mating connector, to achieve the effect of exchanging fiber optic connectors. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a switchable fiber optic connector assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 and Figure 3 They are Figure 1 Exploded view of the interchangeable fiber optic connector assembly.

[0021] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A partial cross-sectional view of the interchangeable fiber optic connector assembly.

[0022] Figures 5 to 8 The switching process of the fiber optic connector is illustrated.

[0023] Figure 9 A schematic diagram illustrating the fiber optic connector undergoing the switching process.

[0024] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of some components of a switchable fiber optic connector assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Symbol Explanation

[0026] 100: Fiber optic connector assembly

[0027] 110, 120: Fiber optic connectors

[0028] 111, 121: First fastening part

[0029] 112, 122: First stop section

[0030] 113, 123: Depression

[0031] 130, 230: Switching Structure

[0032] 131, 231: Cover

[0033] 131a, 232a: Card slot

[0034] 132, 232: Shell

[0035] 132a, 231a: Hook

[0036] 140: Fastener

[0037] 141: C-shaped buckle

[0038] 142:convex part

[0039] 150: Cable Module

[0040] A1, A2, A3, A4: Guide ribs

[0041] B1, B2, B3, B4: Second fastening part

[0042] C1, C2, C3, C4: Second stop section

[0043] T1, T2: Guide grooves

[0044] XYZ: Rectangular coordinates. Detailed Implementation

[0045] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a switchable fiber optic connector assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 and Figure 3 They are Figure 1 An exploded view of the interchangeable fiber optic connector assembly. Please also refer to... Figures 1 to 3 In this embodiment, the switchable fiber optic connector assembly 100 (hereinafter referred to as the fiber optic connector assembly 100) includes a pair of fiber optic connectors 110 and 120, a switching structure 130, a fastening member 140, and a cable module 150. The fiber optic connectors 110 and 120 pass through the switching structure 130 and are connected to the cable module 150. Figure 2 and Figure 3 The assembly lines of the fiber optic connectors 110 and 120 shown can also represent fiber optic cores, extending from the fiber optic connectors 110 and 120 and connecting to the cable module 150. Each fiber optic connector 110 and 120 has a first retaining portion 111, 121 and a first stop portion 112, 122. The switching structure 130 has a pair of guide slots T1 and T2, through which the fiber optic connectors 110 and 120 respectively pass, and the fiber optic connectors 110 and 120 are movable and rotatable along the corresponding guide slots T1 and T2.

[0046] The retaining element 140 retains the fiber optic connectors 110 and 120 and the cable module 150 to restrict the movement of the fiber optic connectors 110 and 120 relative to the switching structure 130. Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, one end of the retaining member 140 has a C-shaped retaining ring 141 for securing the cable 150 adjacent to the switching structure 130, while the other end of the retaining member 140 has a pair of protrusions 142 that respectively secure the recesses 113 and 123 of the fiber optic connectors 110 and 120. Simply put, although there is a possibility of relative movement between the fiber optic connectors 110 and 120 and the switching structure 130, securing the fiber optic connectors 110 and 120 to the cable module 150 with the retaining member 140 effectively eliminates the possibility of such movement.

[0047] In this embodiment, the optical signals transmitted / received by fiber optic connectors 110 and 120 are different from each other, for example, they have different polarities. Therefore, in order to provide users with a clear indication of the relative position and mating orientation of fiber optic connectors 110 and 120, the fiber optic connector assembly 100 provides the numbers "X", "Y", "W", and "N" on different surfaces of the switching structure 130, and also provides the corresponding four numbers on different surfaces of the plug structures of fiber optic connectors 110 and 120, so that users can know the current mating orientation of fiber optic connectors 110 and 120. For example, Figures 1 to 3As shown, the side of fiber optic connector 110 has a number "X" corresponding to the switching structure 130, and the side of fiber optic connector 120 also has a number corresponding to the switching structure 130. Here, this embodiment also provides rectangular coordinates XYZ, allowing these coordinates to correspond to the numbers "X" and "Y" of the switching structure 130. That is, the rectangular coordinates XYZ are based on the switching structure 130. The fiber optic connectors 110 and 120 shown side-by-side at the position indicated by the number "X" also represent that the fiber optic connectors 110 and 120 are side-by-side along the X-axis and both located on the XZ plane. This also means that the other fiber optic connector socket (not shown) that mates with the fiber optic connector assembly 100 is also configured as described above.

[0048] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A partial cross-sectional view of the interchangeable fiber optic connector assembly. Please also refer to... Figures 2 to 4 In detail, the switching structure 130 of this embodiment includes a cover 131 and a housing 132 that are interlocked with each other. They are held together by a latching groove 131a on the cover 131 and a hook 132a on the housing 132. The cover 131 has the aforementioned guide grooves T1 and T2. Furthermore, the switching structure 130 also has a plurality of second holding portions B1, B2, B3, B4, a plurality of second stop portions C1, C2, C3, C4, and a plurality of guide ribs A1, A2, A3, A4 located on the inner wall of the housing 132. The guide ribs A1 to A4 are arranged along the side edges of the guide grooves T1 and T2. The guide ribs A1 and A2 are spaced apart along the inner edge of the guide groove T1, and the guide ribs A3 and A4 are spaced apart along the inner edge of the guide groove T2. Furthermore, each guide groove T1 and T2 has a second holding part B1 to B4 and a second stop part C1 to C4 at its opposite ends. The second holding parts B1 and B2 and the second stop parts C1 and C2 are located at opposite ends of the guide groove T1, and the second holding parts B3 and B4 and the second stop parts C3 and C4 are located at opposite ends of the guide groove T2. In another embodiment not shown, the hook and the slot of the switching structure can be interchanged, that is, the hook of the cover is used to fasten the cover to the slot of the housing, thereby achieving the same assembly effect as described above.

[0049] It should also be mentioned that, in this embodiment, the first retaining portions 111 and 121 are located at the plug tails of the fiber optic connectors 110 and 120, and are protrusions with a T-shaped profile. The first stopping portions 112 and 122 are located at the plug tails of the fiber optic connectors 110 and 120, and are protrusions with a wedge-shaped profile. In this pair of fiber optic connectors 110 and 120, the first retaining portions 111 and 121 and the first stopping portions 112 and 122 are inverted relative to each other, and in each fiber optic connector 110 and 120, the first retaining portions 111 and 121 and the first stopping portions 112 and 122 are opposite to each other across the plug tails of the fiber optic connectors 110 and 120. Accordingly, as Figure 4 As shown, each fiber optic connector 110, 120 can be fastened to one of the second fastening parts B1 to B4 by the first fastening parts 111, 121, and the second stop parts C1 to C4 adjacent to the fastened second fastening parts B1 to B4 are located on the moving path of the first stop parts 112, 122.

[0050] Figures 5 to 8 The switching process of the fiber optic connector is illustrated, and the rectangular coordinates XYZ follow the aforementioned... Figures 1 to 4 Please refer to this first. Figure 5 It is the same as Figure 4 As shown, for fiber optic connector 110, it is located in guide groove T1, with the first holding part 111 holding the second holding part B1, and the first stop part 112 moving away from the second stop part C1. For fiber optic connector 120, it is located in guide groove T2, with the first holding part 121 holding the second holding part B4, and the first stop part 122 moving away from the second stop part C4.

[0051] Next, please refer to the following: Figure 5 and Figure 6 As mentioned above, when the user removes the fastener 140, the fixing relationship between the fiber optic connectors 110 and 120 and the switching structure 130 can be released. Therefore, in Figure 6 In this process, the user drives the fiber optic connectors 110 and 120 to rotate counterclockwise around the Z-axis, thereby releasing the aforementioned fastening relationship between the first fastening part 111 and the second fastening part B1, and between the first fastening part 121 and the second fastening part B4. Since the second stop part C1 is located on the rotation path of the first stop part 112, and the second stop part C4 is located on the rotation path of the first stop part 122, the fiber optic connectors 110 and 120 can maintain their position after rotation. Figure 6 The state shown.

[0052] Next, please refer to the following: Figure 6 and Figure 7The user drives the fiber optic connectors 110 and 120 respectively, and moves them along guide grooves T1 and T2 by means of the engagement of the first holding part 111 with guide ribs A1 and A2, and by the engagement of the first holding part 121 with guide ribs A3 and A4 (i.e., the heads of the T-shaped first holding parts 111 and 121 movably rest on guide ribs A1 to A4). Here, the fiber optic connectors 110 and 120 move in a clockwise direction. For example... Figure 7 As shown, for guide groove T1, the second stop C2 is located on the moving path of the first stop 112, and for guide groove T2, the second stop C3 is located on the moving path of the first stop 122. Therefore, when fiber optic connectors 110 and 120 move to the opposite ends of guide grooves T1 and T2 respectively, they can stop smoothly and maintain their position. Figure 7 The state shown.

[0053] Finally, please also refer to Figure 7 and Figure 8 The user drives fiber optic connectors 110 and 120 to rotate them counterclockwise again until the first retaining part 111 engages with the second retaining part B2, and the first retaining part 121 engages with the second retaining part B3. This completes the exchange process of fiber optic connectors 110 and 120. (Simultaneously, compare...) Figure 5 and Figure 8 This clearly shows that fiber optic connectors 110 and 120 have transitioned from the XZ plane to the YZ plane. In other words, simultaneous comparison... Figure 5 and Figure 8 Fiber optic connectors 110 and 120 are actually along... Figure 8 It moves along an arc-shaped trajectory drawn by a single-point chain line, with each guide groove T1 and T2 having a central angle of 90 degrees. Conversely, if executed sequentially... Figures 8 to 5 The process involves converting fiber optic connectors 110 and 120 to the XZ plane.

[0054] Figure 9 A schematic diagram illustrating a fiber optic connector undergoing a switching process, corresponding to... Figure 8 The status shown is correct. Please also refer to the following: Figure 1 and Figure 9 After the above Figures 5 to 8 After the exchange process, the user can then... Figure 9 As shown, the fastener 140 is fastened to the cable module 150 and the fiber optic connectors 110 and 120, which are now arranged side-by-side in the YZ plane, thereby restricting the fiber optic connectors 110 and 120 from rotating or moving relative to the switching structure 130. In this state, the fiber optic connectors 110 and 120 are significantly more stable than before. Figure 1 The interchangeability has been achieved as shown.

[0055] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of some components of a switchable fiber optic connector assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to... Figure 10 And compare Figure 2 or Figure 3 This embodiment provides another form of switching structure 230, which, like the previous embodiment, includes a cover 231 and a housing 232. The same structural features as the previous embodiment will not be repeated. The difference is that the cover 231 has a hook 231a, and the housing 232 has a slot 232a, which can also smoothly complete the assembly of the cover 231 and the housing 232.

[0056] In summary, in the above embodiments of the present invention, a pair of fiber optic connectors of the fiber optic connector assembly are movably disposed in a pair of guide slots of the switching structure, allowing the fiber optic connectors to move and rotate along the guide slots. Each fiber optic connector has a first latching portion and a first stop portion, which can be structurally connected with the second latching portion and the second stop portion at opposite ends of the guide slot, thus latching onto or releasing from the switching structure. In other words, the fiber optic connector assembly uses the switching structure as a reference, allowing the fiber optic connectors to move and rotate on the switching structure along a local circular trajectory. Simply put, each fiber optic connector is equivalent to traveling a distance of 90 degrees along the circular trajectory and rotating 90 degrees, wherein the direction of movement is actually opposite to the direction of rotation, thereby achieving the effect of changing position.

[0057] Accordingly, users can change the position of the fiber optic connector on the switching structure as needed, thereby adjusting the mating orientation of the fiber optic connector assembly and the mating connector to achieve the effect of exchanging fiber optic connectors.

Claims

1. A switchable fiber optic connector assembly, characterized in that... : A pair of fiber optic connectors, each of the fiber optic connectors having a first fastening portion and a first stop portion; as well as The switching structure has a pair of guide slots, and a pair of fiber optic connectors are respectively inserted into the pair of guide slots. The fiber optic connectors are movable and rotatable along the corresponding guide slots. The switching structure also has a plurality of second holding parts and a plurality of second stop parts located at opposite ends of each guide slot. Each fiber optic connector is held by the first holding part to one of the second holding parts, and the second stop part adjacent to the held second holding part is located on the movement path of the first stop part.

2. The interchangeable fiber optic connector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that... The pair of guide grooves are a portion of a circular trajectory.

3. The interchangeable fiber optic connector assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that... The central angle of each guide groove is 90 degrees.

4. The interchangeable fiber optic connector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that... The pair of fiber optic connectors used to transmit / receive optical signals are different from each other.

5. The interchangeable fiber optic connector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that... It also includes a fastener and a cable module, wherein the pair of fiber optic connectors pass through the switching structure and are connected to the cable module, and the fastener holds the pair of fiber optic connectors and the cable module to restrict movement of the pair of fiber optic connectors relative to the switching structure.

6. The interchangeable fiber optic connector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that... The switching structure includes a housing and a cover, the cover having the pair of guide grooves, and the housing having the plurality of second fastening portions and the plurality of second stop portions.

7. The interchangeable fiber optic connector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that... The switching structure also has multiple guide ribs, which are respectively disposed on the side edge of each guide groove. Each fiber optic connector moves along the guide ribs and the corresponding guide groove through the first fastening part.

8. The interchangeable fiber optic connector assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that... The switching structure includes a housing and a cover. The cover has the pair of guide grooves, and the housing has the plurality of second fastening parts, the plurality of second stop parts, and the plurality of guide ribs.

9. The interchangeable fiber optic connector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that... The first latching portion and the first stop portion of the pair of fiber optic connectors are reversed and opposite to each other.

10. The interchangeable fiber optic connector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that... The first retaining part is located at the end of the plug of the optical fiber connector and is a protrusion with a T-shaped profile.

11. The interchangeable fiber optic connector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that... The first stop portion is located at the end of the plug of the optical fiber connector and is a convex portion with a wedge-shaped profile.

12. The interchangeable fiber optic connector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that... The first holding part and the first stop part are opposite to each other, separated by the plug of the optical fiber connector.

13. The interchangeable fiber optic connector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that... Each of the fiber optic connectors is held in place by the first holding portion at one of the second holding portions, and the second stop portion adjacent to the held second holding portion is located on the rotation path of the first stop portion, and the pair of fiber optic connectors rotate in the same direction and are simultaneously held in place at the switching structure or simultaneously released from the switching structure.

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