Angle-adjustable optical fiber reflective connector and method of use thereof

Abstract

An angle-adjustable fiber optic reflective connector and its use method relate to a sensor accessory. The connector includes a housing, a plug-in assembly, a linkage gear located within the housing, and a reflective platform. The linkage gears are symmetrically mounted on either side of the reflective platform, and a double-sided rack of the reflective platform synchronously meshes with the linkage gears on either side. The double-sided rack and the base are provided with reflective surfaces. The plug-in assembly is provided with a fiber optic through-hole along its length, and the plug-in assembly is inserted into the housing and connected to the linkage gears. The method includes first inserting two optical fibers to be connected into the fiber optic through-holes of the plug-in assembly, then inserting the plug-in assembly into the housing and connecting it to the linkage gears. Then, manually operating any set of the plug-in assemblies so that light from the optical fibers shines on different reflective surfaces and the elongated through-hole of the reflective platform, achieving a 0- to 180-degree reflective connection between the two optical fibers. The present invention also features a reliable structure, convenient operation, and suitability for construction environments with limited space and inconvenient electricity supply, making it easy to promote and apply.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a sensor accessory, in particular to an angle-adjustable optical fiber reflective connector and a use method thereof. Background Art

[0002] Currently, there are two methods for connecting two optical fibers: fusion splicing and cold splicing. Fusion splicing uses a fiber fusion splicer, while cold splicing uses cold-splice terminals. For example, the "Hot-melt Field-Assembled Fiber Optic Connector" (Application Publication No. CN102928924A) uses fusion splicing for fiber connection, while the "Optical Fiber Optic Connector for Cable Management" (Application Publication No. CN104049310A) uses cold splicing for fiber connection. Both fusion splicing and cold splicing have one thing in common: they both connect in a straight line and lack the ability to connect at an angle. However, in practical applications, it's common to connect optical fibers at an angle, sometimes even at a 90-degree angle or even completely folded in half. These situations are known to be extremely prone to fiber breakage. Furthermore, because fusion splicing machines are bulky and require power to operate, they're not suitable for construction environments with limited space or inconvenient power. Cold splicing, on the other hand, requires extremely high manufacturing processes, resulting in significant issues with connection quality and yield rates in mass production. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an angle-adjustable optical fiber reflective connector and a method of using the same, so as to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art, such as the fact that the connector can only be connected in a straight line, is not suitable for construction environments with small spaces and inconvenient power supply, and has significant problems with connection quality and qualified rate.

[0004] The technical solution to solve the above technical problems is: an angle-adjustable fiber optic reflective connector, comprising a housing, two linkage gears, two sets of plug-in components, and a reflection platform; the linkage gears and the reflection platform are respectively installed in the housing, and the two linkage gears are symmetrically installed on both sides of the reflection platform, the reflection platform is integrally composed of a double-sided rack and a base, the double-sided rack is synchronously meshed with the linkage gears on both sides, and the middle part of the double-sided rack is provided with a long strip through hole along the longitudinal direction for passing the optical fiber light; the double-sided rack and the base are respectively provided with reflecting surfaces for reflecting the optical fiber light; operating grooves are respectively provided on both sides of the middle part of the housing, and the upper and lower ends of the housing are respectively provided with upper and lower guide channels for the reflection platform to move up and down; the plug-in component is provided with a fiber through hole along its axial direction for the optical fiber to pass through, and the lower end of the plug-in component is inserted from the operating groove of the housing to connect with the linkage gear.

[0005] A further technical solution of the present invention is: the reflecting surface includes reflecting surface A, reflecting surface B, and reflecting surface C; reflecting surface A is a horizontal end surface provided at the bottom end of the long strip through hole on the double-sided rack, and reflecting surface B and reflecting surface C are inclined surfaces symmetrically arranged on both sides of the base, and the base is made of a light-transmitting material.

[0006] A further technical solution of the present invention is: the plug-in assembly includes a fiber optic positioning rod and an end cover, the fiber optic positioning rod is provided with the fiber optic through hole along its axis, one end of the fiber optic positioning rod is connected to the linkage gear through a thread, and the other end of the fiber optic positioning rod is connected to the end cover through a thread.

[0007] A further technical solution of the present invention is: the thread matching between the optical fiber positioning rod and the linkage gear uses a fine thread with an accuracy better than 6H; the thread matching between the optical fiber positioning rod and the end cover uses a coarse thread; and the thread matching clearance between the optical fiber positioning rod and the linkage gear, and between the optical fiber positioning rod and the end cover are both 0.15mm~0.3mm.

[0008] A further technical solution of the present invention is that the matching clearance between the optical fiber through hole and the optical fiber is ≤0.03mm.

[0009] A further technical solution of the present invention is that: the precision grade of the linkage gear is better than grade 5; the transmission precision of the linkage gear and the double-sided rack of the reflection platform is better than grade 8.

[0010] Another technical solution of the present invention is: a method for using an angle-adjustable fiber optic reflective connector. This method is a method for using the above-mentioned angle-adjustable fiber optic reflective connector, and the method includes first inserting two optical fibers to be connected into the fiber optic through-holes of two sets of plug-in components, respectively, and then inserting the two sets of plug-in components into the interior of the housing and connecting them with the linkage gears; then manually operating any one set of plug-in components so that the light from the optical fiber is irradiated on different reflective surfaces or elongated through-holes of the reflective platform, thereby achieving a 0-degree to 180-degree reflective connection between the two optical fibers.

[0011] A further technical solution of the present invention is: when the two groups of plug-in components are in a state greater than 0° and less than 180°, the optical fiber light in one group of plug-in components is irradiated on the reflective surface A of the reflective platform, and the reflected light is emitted from the optical fiber in the other group of plug-in components, and the two optical fibers are connected in a reflective state greater than 0° and less than 180°.

[0012] A further technical solution of the present invention is: when the two groups of plug-in components are in a vertically parallel state, the optical fiber light in one group of plug-in components is irradiated on the reflective surface B of the reflective platform in the vertical direction, and the reflected light passes through the base of the reflective platform in the horizontal direction and irradiates the reflective surface C, where it is reflected again, and then vertically emitted from the optical fiber in the other group of plug-in components. The two optical fibers are connected with a 0° reflection.

[0013] A further technical solution of the present invention is: when the two groups of plug-in components are in the same horizontal state, the optical fiber light in one group of plug-in components is horizontally irradiated to the long strip through hole of the reflection platform, directly passes through the long strip through hole and is horizontally emitted from the optical fiber in the other group of plug-in components. At this time, the two optical fibers are connected in a 180° reflection.

[0014] Due to the above structure, the angle-adjustable optical fiber reflective connector and its use method of the present invention have the following advantages compared with the prior art:

[0015] 1. Ability to connect optical fibers at a certain angle

[0016] The connector of the present invention includes a housing, two interlocking gears, two sets of plug-in assemblies, and a reflective platform. The interlocking gears and the reflective platform are respectively mounted within the housing, with the two interlocking gears symmetrically mounted on either side of the reflective platform. The reflective platform is integrally formed of a double-sided rack and a base. The double-sided racks are synchronously meshed with the interlocking gears on either side. The middle portion of the double-sided racks is provided with a longitudinally extending elongated through-hole for optical fiber light to pass through. The double-sided racks and the base are each provided with a reflective surface for reflecting optical fiber light. The plug-in assembly is provided with an axially extending optical fiber through-hole for optical fiber light to pass through. The lower end of the plug-in assembly is inserted through an operating slot of the housing and connected to the interlocking gears. When the two sets of plug-in assemblies are manually controlled to form different angles, the two optical fibers within the plug-in assemblies are illuminated by different reflective surfaces or elongated through-holes of the reflective platform, enabling the two optical fibers to form a reflective connection between 0 and 180 degrees.

[0017] Specifically, the reflective surface of the connector of the present invention includes reflective surface A, reflective surface B, and reflective surface C; reflective surface A is a horizontal end surface provided at the bottom end of the long strip through hole on the double-sided rack, and reflective surface B and reflective surface C are inclined surfaces symmetrically provided on both sides of the base, and the base is made of a light-transmitting material. When the two groups of plug-in components are in a state where the angle is greater than 0° and less than 180°, the optical fiber light in one group of plug-in components is irradiated on the reflecting surface A of the reflecting platform, and the reflected light is emitted from the optical fiber in the other group of plug-in components. At this time, the two optical fibers are connected in a reflective manner greater than 0° and less than 180°; when the two groups of plug-in components are in a vertically parallel state, the optical fiber light in one group of plug-in components is irradiated on the reflecting surface B of the reflecting platform in a vertical direction, and the reflected light passes through the base of the reflecting platform in a horizontal direction and irradiates the reflecting surface C for further reflection, and then is emitted vertically from the optical fiber in the other group of plug-in components. At this time, the two optical fibers are connected in a reflective manner at 0°; when the two groups of plug-in components are in the same horizontal state, the optical fiber light in one group of plug-in components is horizontally irradiated on the long strip through-hole of the reflecting platform, directly passes through the long strip through-hole and is emitted horizontally from the optical fiber in the other group of plug-in components. At this time, the two optical fibers are connected in a reflective manner at 180°.

[0018] Therefore, the present application can avoid the use of fusion splicing and cold splicing methods, complete light guidance without affecting the quality of the optical fiber itself, and achieve optical fiber connection between 0 degrees and 180 degrees.

[0019] 2. Flexible and diverse connection angles

[0020] The present invention realizes the connection mode of two optical fibers at various angles within a range of 0 to 180 degrees, and the angles can still be rotated to change after connection, so the connection angles are flexible and diversified.

[0021] 3. Reliable structure

[0022] The connector of the present invention includes a housing, two linkage gears, two sets of plug-in components, and a reflection platform. The linkage gears and the reflection platform are linked to ensure that the transmission paths of the two optical fibers in the same plane are always symmetrical with the reflection surface of the reflection platform, thereby ensuring that the optical fiber paths inside the connector are always connected, realizing the reflective connection of the optical fiber signals, and the structure is relatively reliable.

[0023] 4. Easy to operate

[0024] Since the double-sided racks of the reflection platform of the present invention are respectively engaged with the linkage gears on both sides, when in use, any operation of one set of plug-in components can cause the linkage gears on both sides to rotate synchronously, and the operation is relatively convenient and labor-saving.

[0025] 5. Suitable for construction environments with limited space and inconvenient electricity supply

[0026] The connector of the present invention includes a housing, two linkage gears, two sets of plug-in components, and a reflection platform. When in use, the plug-in components are manually controlled to control the linkage of the linkage gears and the double-sided rack of the reflection platform to achieve angular connection of optical fibers. There is no need for large equipment such as a fiber optic fusion splicer, and no power is required on site. Therefore, the present invention is suitable for construction environments with limited space and inconvenient power supply.

[0027] 6. Good connection quality and high pass rate

[0028] The present invention controls the linkage of the linkage gear and the double-sided rack of the reflection platform by manually controlling the plug-in assembly, thereby realizing the angular connection of the optical fiber. The invention has low requirements on the manufacturing process, thereby effectively improving the connection quality and the qualified rate.

[0029] The technical features of an angle-adjustable optical fiber reflective connector and a method of using the same according to the present invention are further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Figure 1 : A front cross-sectional view of an angle-adjustable optical fiber reflective connector according to the present invention described in Example 1,

[0031] Figure 2 : A schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of an angle-adjustable optical fiber reflective connector according to the present invention described in Example 1;

[0032] Figure 3 : A front cross-sectional view of the reflection platform described in Example 1,

[0033] Figure 4 : Figure 3 Left view of;

[0034] Figure 5 : A schematic diagram of the structure of the two optical fibers connected at 0 to 180 degrees of reflection in Example 2,

[0035] Figure 6 : A schematic diagram of the structure of the two optical fibers connected at 0 degree reflection in Example 2,

[0036] Figure 7 : A schematic diagram of the structure of the two optical fibers connected at 180 degrees of reflection in Example 2;

[0037] In the above drawings, the descriptions of the reference numerals are as follows:

[0038] 1-housing, 101-upper guide channel, 102-operation slot, 103-lower guide channel,

[0039] 2-linkage gear, 201-gear shaft,

[0040] 3-connector assembly, 301-fiber positioning rod, 3011-fiber through hole, 302-end cover,

[0041] 4-reflection platform, 401-double-sided rack, 4011-long strip through hole, 4012-reflection surface A,

[0042] 402-base, 4021-reflecting surface B, 4022-reflecting surface C,

[0043] 5- Optical fiber, the arrow direction is the direction of the light path. Implementation Method Example 1

[0044] An angle-adjustable optical fiber reflective connector includes a housing 1, two linkage gears 2, two sets of plug-in components 3, and a reflective platform 4; wherein:

[0045] The housing 1 has operating slots 102 on both sides of its middle for inserting the plug assembly 3 , and an upper guide channel 101 and a lower guide channel 103 on its upper and lower ends for the reflection platform 4 to move up and down.

[0046] The linkage gear 2 and the reflection platform 4 are respectively located in the housing 1, wherein the two linkage gears 2 are symmetrically mounted on both sides of the reflection platform 4 through the gear shaft 201, and the precision level of the linkage gear 2 is better than Class 5; the reflection platform 4 is integrally composed of a long double-sided rack 401 and an inverted trapezoidal base 402, and the double-sided rack 401 is synchronously meshed with the linkage gears 2 on both sides, and the transmission precision of the double-sided rack 401 and the linkage gear 2 is better than Class 8; the middle part of the double-sided rack 401 is provided with a longitudinal groove for passing the optical fiber light. A long strip through hole 4011; the double-sided rack 401 and the base 402 are respectively provided with reflecting surfaces for reflecting optical fiber light; the reflecting surfaces include reflecting surface A4012, reflecting surface B4021, and reflecting surface C4022; reflecting surface A4012 is a horizontal end surface provided at the bottom end of the long strip through hole 4011 on the double-sided rack 401, and reflecting surface B4021 and reflecting surface C4022 are inclined surfaces symmetrically provided on both sides of the base 402, and the base 402 is made of a well-known light-transmitting material, for example, a material using a total reflection prism.

[0047] The plug-in assembly 3 includes a fiber optic positioning rod 301 and an end cap 302. The fiber optic positioning rod 301 has a fiber optic through-hole 3011 along its central axis for the optical fiber 5 to pass through. The clearance between the fiber optic through-hole 3011 and the optical fiber 5 is ≤0.03mm. Both ends of the fiber optic positioning rod 301 are provided with external threads, and the linkage gear 2 and end cap 302 are provided with internal threaded holes. The upper end of the fiber optic positioning rod 301 is connected to the internal threaded hole of the end cap 302 via external threads. The threads are coarse, with a clearance of 0.15mm to 0.3mm. The lower end of the fiber optic positioning rod 301 is inserted through the operating slot 102 of the housing 1 and connected to the internal threaded hole of the linkage gear 2. The threads are fine, with a precision better than 6H, and a clearance of 0.15mm to 0.3mm. Example 2

[0048] A method for using an angle-adjustable fiber optic reflective connector, which is the method for using an angle-adjustable fiber optic reflective connector described in Example 1, comprises first inserting two optical fibers 5 to be connected into the fiber through-holes 3011 of two sets of plug-in components 3, respectively, then inserting the two sets of plug-in components 3 into the interior of a housing 1 and connecting them to the linkage gear 2; then manually operating any one set of plug-in components 3 so that light from the optical fibers 5 is irradiated on different reflective surfaces or elongated through-holes of a reflective platform 4, thereby achieving a 0-degree to 180-degree reflective connection between the two optical fibers 5.

[0049] When the two groups of plug-in components 3 are in a state greater than 0° and less than 180°, the light from the optical fiber 5 in one group of plug-in components 3 is irradiated on the reflective surface A4012 of the reflective platform 4, and the reflected light is emitted from the optical fiber 5 in the other group of plug-in components 3. The two optical fibers 5 are connected by a reflection angle greater than 0° and less than 180° (excluding 0° and 180°) (see Figure 5 ).

[0050] When the two groups of plug-in components 3 are in a vertically parallel state, the light from the optical fiber 5 in one group of plug-in components 3 is irradiated vertically onto the reflecting surface B4021 of the reflecting platform 4. The reflected light passes through the base of the reflecting platform 4 horizontally and irradiates the reflecting surface C4022 for further reflection. Then, the reflected light is vertically emitted from the optical fiber 5 in the other group of plug-in components 3. The two optical fibers 5 are connected at a 0° reflection angle (see Figure 6 ).

[0051] When the two groups of plug-in components 3 are in the same horizontal state, the light from the optical fiber 5 in one group of plug-in components 3 is horizontally irradiated to the long strip through hole 4011 of the reflection platform 4, and directly passes through the long strip through hole 4011 and is horizontally emitted from the optical fiber 5 in the other group of plug-in components 3. At this time, the two optical fibers 5 are connected by 180° reflection (see Figure 7 ).

[0052] In the above method of use, the two plug-in assemblies are linked by a linkage gear, ensuring that the transmission paths of the two optical fibers within the same plane are always symmetrical with the reflective surface of the reflective platform. This ensures that the optical paths within the connector are always connected, achieving a reflective connection of the optical signals. After installation, if necessary, the reflective platform base can be secured to the housing by adding adhesive such as metal glue, or the operating ends of the two plug-in assemblies can be fixed to the construction site.

Claims

1. An angle-adjustable optical fiber reflective connector, characterized by: The invention comprises a housing (1), two linkage gears (2), two sets of plug-in components (3), and a reflection platform (4); the linkage gears (2) and the reflection platform (4) are respectively installed in the housing (1), and the two linkage gears (2) are symmetrically installed on both sides of the reflection platform (4); the reflection platform (4) is integrally formed by a double-sided rack (401) and a base (402); the double-sided rack (401) is synchronously meshed with the linkage gears (2) on both sides respectively; a long strip through hole (4011) for passing optical fiber light is provided in the middle of the double-sided rack (401) along the longitudinal direction ); The double-sided rack (401) and the base (402) are respectively provided with reflecting surfaces for reflecting optical fiber light; the housing (1) is provided with operating grooves (102) on both sides of the middle part, and the upper and lower ends of the housing (1) are respectively provided with an upper guide channel (101) and a lower guide channel (103) for the reflection platform (4) to move up and down; the plug-in component (3) is provided with an optical fiber through hole (3011) along its axial direction for the optical fiber (5) to pass through, and the lower end of the plug-in component (3) is inserted into the operating groove (102) of the housing (1) and connected to the linkage gear (2).

2. The angle-adjustable optical fiber reflective connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The reflecting surfaces include a reflecting surface A (4012), a reflecting surface B (4021), and a reflecting surface C (4022); the reflecting surface A (4012) is a horizontal end surface provided at the bottom end of the long strip through hole (4011) on the double-sided rack (401); the reflecting surface B (4021) and the reflecting surface C (4022) are inclined surfaces symmetrically provided on both sides of the base (402); and the base (402) is made of a light-transmitting material.

3. The angle-adjustable optical fiber reflective connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plug-in assembly (3) comprises an optical fiber positioning rod (301) and an end cap (302). The optical fiber positioning rod (301) is provided with the optical fiber through hole (3011) along its axis. One end of the optical fiber positioning rod (301) is connected to the linkage gear (2) via a thread, and the other end of the optical fiber positioning rod (301) is connected to the end cap (302) via a thread.

4. The angle-adjustable optical fiber reflective connector according to claim 3, characterized in that: The thread matching between the optical fiber positioning rod (301) and the linkage gear (2) uses a fine thread with an accuracy better than 6H; the thread matching between the optical fiber positioning rod (301) and the end cover (302) uses a coarse thread; and the thread matching clearance between the optical fiber positioning rod (301) and the linkage gear (2) and between the optical fiber positioning rod (301) and the end cover (302) is 0.15mm to 0.3mm.

5. The angle-adjustable optical fiber reflective connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The matching clearance between the optical fiber through hole (3011) and the optical fiber (5) is ≤0.03 mm.

6. The angle-adjustable optical fiber reflective connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The precision grade of the linkage gear (2) is better than grade 5; the transmission precision of the linkage gear (2) and the double-sided rack (401) of the reflection platform (4) is better than grade 8.

7. A method for using an angle-adjustable optical fiber reflective connector, characterized in that: This method is a method for using an angle-adjustable fiber optic reflective connector as described in claim 1. The method includes first inserting two optical fibers to be connected into the fiber optic through holes of two sets of plug-in components respectively, and then inserting the two sets of plug-in components into the interior of the outer shell and connecting them with the linkage gears; then manually operating any one set of plug-in components so that the light of the optical fiber is irradiated on different reflective surfaces or long strip through holes of the reflective platform, thereby realizing a 0-degree to 180-degree reflective connection between the two optical fibers.

8. The method for using the angle-adjustable optical fiber reflective connector according to claim 7, characterized in that: When the two groups of plug-in components (3) are in a state of being greater than 0° and less than 180°, light from the optical fiber (5) in one group of plug-in components (3) is irradiated on the reflection surface A (4012) of the reflection platform (4), and the reflected light is emitted from the optical fiber (5) in the other group of plug-in components (3), and the two optical fibers (5) are connected in a reflective state of being greater than 0° and less than 180°.

9. The method for using the angle-adjustable optical fiber reflective connector according to claim 8, wherein: When the two groups of plug-in components (3) are in a vertically parallel state, the light from the optical fiber (5) in one group of plug-in components (3) is irradiated on the reflection surface B (4021) of the reflection platform (4) in the vertical direction, and the reflected light passes through the base (402) of the reflection platform (4) in the horizontal direction and irradiates the reflection surface C (4022) for further reflection, and then is vertically emitted from the optical fiber (5) in the other group of plug-in components (3), and the two optical fibers (5) are connected in a 0° reflection manner.

10. A method for using the angle-adjustable optical fiber reflective connector according to claim 9: when the two groups of plug-in components (3) are in the same horizontal state, the light from the optical fiber (5) in one group of plug-in components (3) is horizontally irradiated onto the long strip through hole (4011) of the reflective platform (4), directly passes through the long strip through hole (4011), and is horizontally emitted from the optical fiber (5) in the other group of plug-in components (3). At this time, the two optical fibers (5) are connected in a 180° reflection manner.

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