Pre-connector and connector

Abstract

The application discloses a pre-connector for detachably fixing an optical fiber. The pre-connector comprises a shell and a limiting piece. The shell is used for accommodating one end of the optical fiber. The limiting piece is clamped in the shell and is used for pressing on the surface of the optical fiber to fix the optical fiber and the shell. The detachable pre-connector provided by the application can directly clamp the limiting piece on the shell in the assembling process, so that the optical fiber can be fixed, and the fixing mode of using glue bonding in the prior art is replaced. The assembling efficiency is high, the optical fiber does not need to be waited for curing of the glue, and the optical fiber is prevented from being deviated in the curing process of the glue. In addition, the assembling process does not need to be assisted by equipment, and the assembling cost is low. The application further provides a connector comprising the pre-connector.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of optical fiber technology, and more particularly to a pre-connector and connector. Background Technology

[0002] Polarization-maintaining fiber optic patch cords offer excellent environmental stability and are used in the production and research testing of fiber lasers / fiber amplifiers, high-speed fiber optic communications, integrated optical packaging, and interferometer-type sensors. Polarization-maintaining fiber optic patch cords require highly precise connectors and adapters for alignment to ensure the orientation of the polarization-maintaining optical axis, thereby guaranteeing good extinction repeatability and low insertion loss.

[0003] During the manufacturing process, before the adhesive has fully cured, the optical fiber is rotated to adjust its angle to the appropriate position before pre-curing. During pre-curing, the bonding stress between the adhesive and the optical fiber due to the incomplete curing of the adhesive can cause a shift in the slow axis angle. If this shift is too large, the cured product will be scrapped. Furthermore, both the curing and adjustment processes require expensive equipment with high occupancy rates, resulting in low production efficiency and high assembly costs. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In a first aspect, this application provides a pre-connector for detachably securing an optical fiber. The pre-connector includes a housing and a limiting member; the housing is used to accommodate one end of the optical fiber; the limiting member is engaged in the housing and used to press against the surface of the optical fiber to secure the optical fiber and the housing.

[0005] In one possible implementation, the housing has a through hole, the optical fiber is exposed through the through hole, the housing includes a protrusion located in the through hole; the limiting member is placed in the through hole, the limiting member includes a first connecting portion, a first holding portion and a first pressing portion, the first holding portion is disposed on both sides of the first connecting portion, the first pressing portion is disposed between the two first holding portions and spaced apart from the first holding portions, the first holding portion can be held on the protrusion, and the first pressing portion presses on the surface of the optical fiber.

[0006] In one possible implementation, two first retaining portions are disposed on both sides of the first connecting portion along the direction in which the optical fiber extends.

[0007] In one possible implementation, the housing includes a first housing and a second housing, the second housing being detachably connected to the first housing; the first housing has a groove for accommodating one end of the optical fiber, the second housing has a through hole communicating with the groove, the limiting member is accommodated in the through hole, and the limiting member is detachably connected to the second housing.

[0008] In one possible implementation, the housing includes a support portion, and the optical fiber is placed on the support portion; the limiting member includes a second holding portion and a second pressing portion, the second holding portion is disposed on both sides of the second pressing portion, the second pressing portion is pressed against the surface of the optical fiber, and the second holding portion is held on the support portion.

[0009] In one possible implementation, the housing includes a first body portion and a plurality of support portions, the plurality of support portions being spaced apart on the first body portion; each support portion includes a bearing portion and two limiting portions, the bearing portion being fixed to the surface of the first body portion and extending toward a side away from the first body portion, the two limiting portions being disposed on both sides of the bearing portion and protruding relative to the bearing portion, the two limiting portions being spaced apart from the first body portion; the second holding portion can be engaged with the limiting portions.

[0010] In one possible implementation, the housing further includes a second body portion, which is fixedly connected to the first body portion, and the second body portion has a through hole; the area where the first body portion and the second body portion are connected is provided with two slots, which communicate with the through hole; the two ends of the limiting member are engaged in the slots.

[0011] In one possible implementation, the limiting member includes multiple limiting units, multiple bending portions, and two second snap-fit ​​portions. The two second snap-fit ​​portions are located at both ends of the limiting member and are respectively connected to the limiting units. Each second snap-fit ​​portion is snapped into a corresponding slot. The multiple limiting units are spaced apart, and two adjacent limiting units are connected through the bending portions.

[0012] In one possible implementation, each of the limiting portions is further provided with a positioning groove, which is formed by a recess in the surface of the limiting portion away from the bearing portion. Before the limiting member fixes the optical fiber, the second holding portion can be positioned in the positioning groove.

[0013] Secondly, this application provides a connector that includes a pre-connector.

[0014] The detachable pre-connector provided in this application allows for direct fixation of the optical fiber by snapping the limiting component onto the housing during assembly, replacing the adhesive bonding method used in related technologies. This results in high assembly efficiency, eliminates the need to wait for adhesive to cure, and avoids optical fiber misalignment during adhesive curing; furthermore, the assembly process requires no additional equipment, leading to low assembly costs. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1This is an exploded view of the polarization-maintaining fiber assembly according to an embodiment of this application.

[0016] Figure 2 The exploded view of the male connector provided in the embodiment of this application.

[0017] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a pre-connector for fixing optical fibers according to an embodiment of this application.

[0018] Figure 4 for Figure 3 The exploded view of the structure shown.

[0019] Figure 5 for Figure 3 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of the structure along the VV direction.

[0020] Figure 6 To adopt Figure 4 The diagram shows the process of fixing the optical fiber with the limiting component.

[0021] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a pre-connector for fixing optical fibers, provided in another embodiment of this application.

[0022] Figure 8 for Figure 7 The exploded view of the structure shown.

[0023] Figure 9 for Figure 7 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of the structure along the IX-IX direction.

[0024] Figure 10 To adopt Figure 7 The diagram shows the process of fixing the optical fiber with the limiting component.

[0025] Explanation of main component symbols

[0026]

[0027]

[0028] The following detailed description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, will further illustrate this application. Detailed Implementation

[0029] To better understand the above-mentioned objectives, features, and advantages of this application, the application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in this application can be combined with each other. Many specific details are set forth in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of this application; the described embodiments are merely some, not all, of the embodiments described in this application.

[0030] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. The terminology used in this specification is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of this application. The term "and / or" as used herein includes all and any combination of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0031] In the various embodiments of this application, for ease of description and not limitation, the term "connection" used in the patent application specification and claims is not limited to physical or mechanical connections, whether direct or indirect. Terms such as "upper," "lower," "above," "below," "left," and "right" are used only to indicate relative positional relationships; when the absolute position of the described object changes, the relative positional relationship also changes accordingly.

[0032] Please see Figure 1 This application provides a polarization-maintaining fiber assembly 300, including a connector 200 and an adapter 270. The connector 200 can be divided into a male end and a female end, which can be connected to each other. The part of the male end and the female end connected is housed in the adapter 270, thereby fixing them into a whole.

[0033] Please see Figure 2 Both the male and female connectors may include a pre-connector 100, an optical fiber 210, an inner shell 215, an outer shell 220, a rear shell 225, a first sheath 230, a Z-shaped spring 235, a coil spring 240, a clip 250, and a second sheath 255 (see [link to documentation]). Figure 4 The optical fiber 210 is detachably and fixedly connected to the pre-connector 100. The connection method between the pre-connector 100 and the optical fiber 210 in the male and female ends can be the same. The male end also includes a plug 245, and the female end also includes a slot (not shown) adapted to the plug 245. In this embodiment, the male end is used as an example for explanation.

[0034] During the assembly of connector 200, outer shell 220 can be fitted onto inner shell 215, and Z-shaped spring 235 is disposed between outer shell 220 and inner shell 215; optical fiber 210 is fixed onto pre-connector 100, second sheath 255 connects multiple optical fibers 210 together, circular spring 240 is fitted onto optical fiber 210, and plug 245 is fixed onto clip 250 and passes through pre-connector 100; inner shell 215 is fitted onto circular spring 240, and rear shell 225 is clipped onto pre-connector 100, with circular spring 240 disposed between rear shell 225 and pre-connector 100; finally, first sheath 230 is fitted onto the outer surface of optical fiber 210 and rear shell 225 for protection. The above structure is only illustrative; in other embodiments, the structure of connector 200 is not limited to this.

[0035] Please see Figure 3 The pre-connector 100 includes a housing 10 and a limiting member 30. One end of the optical fiber 210 is housed in the housing 10, and the limiting member 30 is detachably connected to the housing 10 and pressed against the surface of the optical fiber 210, thereby detachably fixing the optical fiber 210.

[0036] Please refer to the following: Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 In this embodiment, the housing 10 includes a first housing 11 and a second housing 13, which are detachably connected. Specifically, the first housing 11 includes a first body portion 112 and two first snap-fit ​​portions 114. The first body portion 112 is generally L-shaped, and the two first snap-fit ​​portions 114 are disposed on both sides of the first body portion 112. The second housing 13 includes a second body portion 132 and two extension portions 134. The two extension portions 134 extend from the surface of the second body portion 132, and each extension portion 134 has a retaining groove 136. Each first snap-fit ​​portion 114 can be snapped into the corresponding retaining groove 136, thereby enabling the detachable connection between the first housing 11 and the second housing 13.

[0037] In other embodiments, the positions of the first snap-fit ​​portion 114 and the extension portion 134 can be interchanged, that is, the first snap-fit ​​portion 114 is disposed on the second body portion 132, and the extension portion 134 is disposed on the first body portion 112, which can also achieve a detachable connection between the first housing 11 and the second housing 13. In other embodiments, the first housing 11 and the second housing 13 can also adopt other detachable connection methods. In some embodiments, the first housing 11 and the second housing 13 can also be an integral structure.

[0038] The first body portion 112 has a plurality of grooves 116, each groove 116 extending along a first direction, and the plurality of grooves 116 are spaced apart and arranged along a second direction. The optical fiber 210 extends along the first direction, and one end of each optical fiber 210 is placed in a corresponding groove 116.

[0039] The second body portion 132 has a plurality of through holes 138, which are spaced apart from each other, and each through hole 138 communicates with a corresponding groove 116. When the optical fiber 210 is placed in the groove 116, a portion of the surface of the optical fiber 210 is exposed to the through hole 138.

[0040] Each of the through holes 138 accommodates a limiting member 30, and each limiting member 30 is used to limit one of the optical fibers 210. Each of the through holes 138 is approximately a flattened cuboid. The long side of each of the through holes 138 is along a first direction and the short side is along a second direction, that is, the long side direction is along the direction in which the optical fiber 210 extends. This can increase the contact area between the limiting member 30 and the optical fiber 210, thereby increasing the stability of the limiting member 30 in fixing the optical fiber 210.

[0041] Please refer to the following: Figure 6 The second body portion 132 includes a plurality of protrusions 139 extending toward the through hole 138. In this embodiment, each through hole 138 is provided with two protrusions 139.

[0042] Each of the limiting members 30 includes a first connecting portion 31, a first pressing portion 32, and two first retaining portions 33. The first pressing portion 32 extends from one side of the first connecting portion 31, and the first retaining portions 33 are disposed on both sides of the first connecting portion 31. The two first retaining portions 33 are disposed on both sides of the first connecting portion 31 along the direction of extension of the optical fiber 210. The first pressing portion 32 is disposed between the two first retaining portions 33 and spaced apart from the first retaining portions 33, so that the first retaining portions 33 can deform relative to the first pressing portion 32. Each first retaining portion 33 is hook-shaped, with the hook-shaped structure facing away from the first pressing portion 32, so that the protrusion 139 can limit the first retaining portion 33.

[0043] When assembling the limiting member 30, the optical fiber 210 is pre-placed in the groove 116, and then the limiting member 30 is placed in the through hole 138. The first pressing part 32 first enters the through hole 138 and moves toward the optical fiber 210. When the first holding part 33 contacts the protrusion 139, the limiting member 30 is pressed down further, and the two first holding parts 33 deform toward the first pressing part 32 until the first holding part 33 slides from one side of the protrusion 139 to the other side of the protrusion 139. The protrusion 139 limits the first holding part 33. At this time, the first pressing part 32 contacts the surface of the optical fiber 210 exposed in the through hole 138, thereby fixing the optical fiber 210 in the housing 10.

[0044] The surface of the first pressing part 32 that contacts the optical fiber 210 is an arc surface, so that the first pressing part 32 fits the optical fiber 210 and increases the contact area between the first pressing part 32 and the optical fiber 210.

[0045] In some embodiments, the plurality of through holes 138 may also be interconnected by a single through hole, and the plurality of limiting members 30 may also be connected into a whole by a connecting part (not shown).

[0046] The first housing 11 and the second housing 13 together form a space for accommodating the plug 245. One end of the plug 245 is fixed to the second sheath 255, and the other end passes through the space between the first housing 11 and the second housing 13 and protrudes from the first housing 11 for connection with the female end.

[0047] Please see Figure 7 Another embodiment of this application also provides a pre-connector 100a, which includes a housing 10a and a limiting member 30a.

[0048] Please refer to the following: Figure 8 The housing 10a includes a first body portion 112a, a second body portion 132a, and a plurality of support portions 15a, all of which are integrally formed. The first body portion 112a and the second body portion 132a are fixedly connected, and the plurality of support portions 15a are spaced apart on the first body portion 112a. The first body portion 112a has a receiving groove 118a, and the second body portion 132a has a through hole 138a, the receiving groove 118a communicating with the through hole 138a. The support portion 15a is placed in the receiving groove 118a and exposed in the through hole 138a. One end of the optical fiber 210 can be placed on the corresponding support portion 15a. Each support portion 15a is used to support one optical fiber 210, and a portion of the surface of the optical fiber 210 is exposed in the through hole 138a.

[0049] Please refer to the following: Figure 9 Each support portion 15a includes a bearing portion 152a and two limiting portions 154a. The bearing portion 152a is fixed to the surface of the first body portion 112a and extends toward the side opposite to the first body portion 112a. The two limiting portions 154a are disposed on both sides of the bearing portion 152a and protrude relative to the bearing portion 152a. The two limiting portions 154a are spaced apart from the first body portion 112a, and the limiting portions 154a form a hook shape relative to the bearing portion 152a. The surfaces of the bearing portion 152a and the two limiting portions 154a opposite to the first body portion 112a together form a support surface 156a, which is an arc surface adapted to the optical fiber 210.

[0050] The area where the first body part 112a and the second body part 132a are connected is provided with two slots 38a. The slots 38a are connected to the through hole 138a and are used to hold the limiting member 30a.

[0051] The limiting member 30a includes multiple limiting units 35a, multiple bending portions 36a, and two second locking portions 37a. The two second locking portions 37a are located at both ends of the limiting member 30a and are respectively connected to the limiting units 35a. Each second locking portion 37a is locked in the corresponding locking slot 38a. The multiple limiting units 35a are spaced apart, and two adjacent limiting units 35a are connected by bending portions 36a. Each limiting unit 35a can fix one optical fiber 210.

[0052] Each of the limiting units 35a includes two second holding portions 352a and a second pressing portion 354a. The two second holding portions 352a are connected to the second pressing portion 354a and are disposed on both sides of the second pressing portion 354a. The bending portion 36a connects two adjacent second pressing portions 354a. When the limiting member 30a does not fix the optical fiber 210, the bending portion 36a bends relative to the two adjacent limiting units 35a, that is, the bending portion 36a has a certain curvature and bends towards the side away from the limiting unit 35a. The cross-section of the limiting unit 35a formed by the second pressing portion 354a and the second holding portion 352a is approximately C-shaped. The second holding part 352a is hook-shaped at one end away from the second pressing part 354a. The hook-shaped structure extends toward the interior of the limiting unit 35a. The hook-shaped second holding part 352a can be locked onto the limiting part 154a, thereby limiting the optical fiber 210.

[0053] Each of the limiting parts 154a is also provided with a positioning groove 1542a. The positioning groove 1542a is formed by the surface of the limiting part 154a that is opposite to the bearing part 152a. The positioning groove 1542a is used to position the limiting part 30a during the assembly of the limiting part 30a. The second holding part 352a is pre-positioned in the positioning groove 1542a so as to adjust the position of the limiting part 30a and the rotation angle of the optical fiber 210.

[0054] Please see Figure 10 When assembling the limiting member 30a, the optical fiber 210 is pre-placed on the support surface 156a, and the two second snap-fit ​​portions 37a of the limiting member 30a are respectively snapped into the corresponding slots 38a, and the second holding portion 352a is positioned in the positioning slot 1542a; then the second pressing portion 354a is pressed in sequence to move the second pressing portion 354a toward the optical fiber 210, and the second holding portion 352a contacts the limiting portion 154a until the second holding portion 352a and the limiting portion 154a are mutually snapped, at which point the second pressing portion 354a contacts the optical fiber 210. During the assembly of the limiting member 30a, the bending portion 36a can deform, so that the multiple limiting units 35a can fix the optical fiber 210; after assembly, the bending portion 36a of the limiting member 30a is in a flat state, that is, each bending portion 36a is flat, the multiple bending portions 36a are on the same plane, the bending portion 36a abuts against the limiting unit 35a, so that the second holding portion 352a is more firmly held on the support portion 15a.

[0055] The detachable pre-connectors 100 and 100a provided in this application embodiment can directly fix the optical fiber 210 by snapping the limiting members 30 and 30a onto the housing 10 and 10a during the assembly process, replacing the adhesive bonding method used in related technologies. This method offers high assembly efficiency, eliminates the need to wait for the adhesive to cure, and avoids the optical fiber 210 shifting during the adhesive curing process. Furthermore, the assembly process requires no equipment, resulting in low assembly costs.

[0056] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application and are not intended to limit it. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the above preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions to the technical solutions of this application should not depart from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of this application.

Claims

1. A pre-connector for detachably securing optical fibers, characterized in that, include: A housing for accommodating one end of the optical fiber; as well as A limiting member is fitted into the housing and used to press against the surface of the optical fiber to fix the optical fiber and the housing; The housing has a through hole to expose the optical fiber. The housing includes a protrusion located in the through hole. A limiting member is placed in the through hole and includes a first connecting portion, a first holding portion, and a first pressing portion. The first holding portion is disposed on both sides of the first connecting portion, and the first pressing portion is disposed between the two first holding portions and spaced apart from the first holding portions. The first holding portion can hold onto the protrusion, and the first pressing portion is used to press against the surface of the optical fiber. The two first holding portions are disposed on both sides of the first connecting portion along the direction of the optical fiber extension.

2. The pre-joint according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing includes a first housing and a second housing, the second housing being detachably connected to the first housing; the first housing has a groove for accommodating one end of the optical fiber, the second housing has a through hole communicating with the groove, the limiting member is accommodated in the through hole, and the limiting member is detachably connected to the second housing.

3. A pre-connector for detachably fixing optical fibers, characterized in that, include: A housing for accommodating one end of the optical fiber; as well as A limiting member is fitted into the housing and used to press against the surface of the optical fiber to fix the optical fiber and the housing; The housing includes a support portion for supporting the optical fiber; the limiting member includes a second holding portion and a second pressing portion, the second holding portion being disposed on both sides of the second pressing portion and pressing the second pressing portion onto the surface of the optical fiber, and the second holding portion being held onto the support portion; the housing includes a first body portion and a plurality of support portions, the plurality of support portions being spaced apart on the first body portion; each support portion includes a bearing portion and two limiting portions, the bearing portion being fixed to the surface of the first body portion and extending toward a side away from the first body portion, the two limiting portions being disposed on both sides of the bearing portion and protruding relative to the bearing portion, the two limiting portions being spaced apart from the first body portion; the second holding portion can be locked onto the limiting portion; the housing also includes a second body portion, the second body portion being fixedly connected to the first body portion, the second body portion having a through hole; the area where the first body portion and the second body portion are connected is provided with two slots, the slots communicating with the through hole; the two ends of the limiting member are locked into the slots.

4. The pre-joint according to claim 3, characterized in that, The limiting member includes multiple limiting units, multiple bending portions, and two second snap-fit ​​portions. The two second snap-fit ​​portions are located at both ends of the limiting member and are respectively connected to the limiting units. Each second snap-fit ​​portion is snapped into the corresponding slot. The multiple limiting units are spaced apart, and two adjacent limiting units are connected through the bending portions.

5. The pre-joint according to claim 3, characterized in that, Each of the limiting parts is also provided with a positioning groove, which is formed by the surface of the limiting part facing away from the bearing part. Before the limiting member fixes the optical fiber, the second holding part can be positioned in the positioning groove.

6. A connector, characterized in that, The connector includes the pre-connector as described in any one of claims 1-5.

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