A bidirectional rotating optical fiber slip ring

Abstract

This application provides a bidirectional rotating fiber optic slip ring, comprising two connecting fiber optic cables, a left rotor, a right rotor, two rotating fiber optic cables, and a connecting portion. Both ends of the connecting portion are provided with mating grooves. The left and right rotors are rotatably mounted within the mating grooves at both ends of the first connecting portion via bearing devices. The two rotating fiber optic cables are respectively positioned on the rotation axes of the left and right rotors. The two connecting fiber optic cables are mounted on the connecting portion, with one end extending into the mating groove and aligned with the rotating fiber optic cables. The connecting fiber optic cables receive and transmit optical signals emitted by the rotating fiber optic cables. The bidirectional rotating fiber optic slip ring provided by this application enables fiber optic signal transmission to the rotating parts at both ends of the device, and the rotating parts at both ends of the device do not interfere with each other, can rotate independently, and will not affect the fiber optic signal transmission at the other end.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of optoelectronic transmission technology, and in particular to a bidirectional rotating fiber optic slip ring. Background Technology

[0002] A fiber optic slip ring is a reliable transmission device that uses optical fiber as the data transmission medium to connect signals and data to rotating parts of equipment. It is particularly suitable for applications requiring unrestricted, continuous or intermittent rotation while transmitting large amounts of data and signals from a fixed position to a rotating position. It improves mechanical performance, simplifies system operation, and prevents damage to the output fiber caused by the rotation of moving joints. Traditional fiber optic slip rings typically have a unidirectional rotating structure: one end is a rotor with a rotating optical fiber connected to the rotating part of the equipment, and the other end is a stator fixed in the non-rotating area of ​​the equipment, containing a fixed optical fiber to receive the output signal from the rotating fiber. However, when both ends of the equipment have rotating parts (such as radar equipment) and both require fiber optic signal transmission, traditional unidirectional rotating fiber optic slip rings are inadequate. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a bidirectional rotating fiber optic slip ring, which solves the problem that traditional fiber optic slip rings can only rotate in one direction and cannot be used in devices where rotating parts are set at both ends and fiber optic signal transmission is required.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is: to provide a bidirectional rotating fiber optic slip ring, the bidirectional rotating fiber optic slip ring comprising:

[0005] The connecting part has mating grooves at both ends;

[0006] The left rotor section and the right rotor section are rotatably mounted in the mating grooves at both ends of the first connecting part via bearing devices;

[0007] Two rotating optical fiber cables are respectively disposed on the rotation axis of the left rotor and the right rotor.

[0008] Two connecting optical fiber cables are disposed on the connecting part, and one end of the connecting optical fiber cable extends into the mating groove and is on the same straight line as the rotating optical fiber cable; the connecting optical fiber cable receives and transmits the optical signal emitted by the rotating optical fiber cable.

[0009] In one embodiment, a dual-axis rotating part is further included, the dual-axis rotating part comprising:

[0010] The stator housing has an installation chamber at one end, and the connecting part is rotatably disposed in the installation chamber of the stator housing via a bearing device;

[0011] Two sets of photoelectric converters are disposed in the connecting part, and the two sets of photoelectric converters are electrically connected to the other end of the two connecting optical fiber cables respectively.

[0012] Two rotating output cables, one end of each of the two rotating output cables being electrically connected to the two sets of the photoelectric converters respectively;

[0013] A rotating electrical connection is disposed in the mounting cavity of the stator housing, and the rotating electrical connection is rotatably connected to the other end of the rotating output cable;

[0014] A fixed output cable is provided, one end of which is electrically connected to the rotating electrical connection part, and the other end of which outputs an electrical signal.

[0015] In one embodiment, the rotating electrical connection includes:

[0016] An insulating base is fixed to the mounting cavity of the stator housing;

[0017] An annular electrical connection cavity is disposed within the insulating base;

[0018] An electrical connection ball is connected to the end of the rotating output cable, and the electrical connection ball is located within the annular electrical connection cavity;

[0019] A concentric electrical connection ring assembly; the concentric electrical connection ring assembly includes two concentrically arranged electrical connection rings, the center of which is located on the rotation axis of the connection part, the gap between the two electrical connection rings is smaller than the diameter of the electrical connection ball, the electrical connection ball is located on the side of the two electrical connection rings away from the photoelectric converter, the rotating output cable passes through the gap between the two electrical connection rings and connects to the electrical connection ball; the electrical connection ball is slidably fitted on the concentric electrical connection ring assembly.

[0020] In one embodiment, the distances between the two rotating output cables and the rotation axis of the connector are different.

[0021] In one embodiment, the rotating output cable includes a resilient section that has a helical, coiled spring-like structure.

[0022] In one embodiment, a wire guard is provided at one end of the connecting portion near the rotating electrical connection portion, and the wire guard protrudes along the direction of the rotating electrical connection portion.

[0023] In one embodiment, the electrical connection ball is made of a wear-resistant metal material.

[0024] In one embodiment, a mechanical seal device is further included, which is disposed between the left rotor portion / right rotor portion and the connecting portion. The mechanical seal device is used to seal the connection area between the rotating optical fiber cable and the connecting optical fiber cable, and the connection area between the rotating optical fiber cable and the connecting optical fiber cable is vacuum-sealed.

[0025] In one embodiment, an optical fiber collimator is further included, which is disposed at the mating end of the rotating optical fiber cable and the connecting optical fiber cable.

[0026] The above-described technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention have at least the following technical effects or advantages:

[0027] The bidirectional rotating fiber optic slip ring provided in this invention features mating grooves at both ends of the connector. A left and right rotor section are rotatably mounted within these grooves using bearings. Two rotating fiber optic cables connect the rotating parts at both ends of the device, and the connecting fiber optic cable receives signals emitted by the rotating fiber optic cable. Therefore, the bidirectional rotating fiber optic slip ring provided in this invention enables fiber optic signal transmission to the rotating parts at both ends of the device. Furthermore, the rotating parts at both ends of the device do not interfere with each other and can rotate independently without affecting the fiber optic signal transmission at the other end. Attached Figure Description

[0028] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0029] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a bidirectional rotating fiber optic slip ring provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A magnified view of a portion of point A in the middle.

[0031] The labels for the various figures are as follows:

[0032] 1. Connecting part; 2. Left rotor part; 3. Right rotor part; 4. Rotating fiber optic cable; 5. Connecting fiber optic cable; 6. Dual-axis rotating part; 7. Fiber optic collimator; 11. Cable protection part; 61. Stator housing; 62. Photoelectric converter; 63. Rotating output cable; 64. Rotating electrical connection part; 65. Fixed output cable; 631. Flexible section; 641. Insulating base; 642. Annular electrical connection cavity; 643. Electrical connection ball; 644. Concentric electrical connection ring assembly. Detailed Implementation

[0033] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0034] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "length", "width", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0035] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0036] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0037] Please see Figures 1 to 2This application provides a bidirectional rotating fiber optic slip ring, comprising two connecting fiber optic cables 5, a left rotor 2, a right rotor 3, two rotating fiber optic cables 4, and a connecting part 1. Both ends of the connecting part 1 are provided with mating grooves. The left rotor 2 and right rotor 3 are rotatably mounted in the mating grooves at both ends of the first connecting part 1 via bearing devices. The two rotating fiber optic cables 4 are respectively disposed on the rotation axes of the left rotor 2 and right rotor 3. The two connecting fiber optic cables 5 are disposed on the connecting part 1, with one end of each connecting fiber optic cable 5 extending into the mating groove and aligned with the rotating fiber optic cables 4. The connecting fiber optic cables 5 receive and transmit optical signals emitted by the rotating fiber optic cables 4.

[0038] The bidirectional rotating fiber optic slip ring provided in this embodiment features mating grooves at both ends of the connecting part 1. A left rotor 2 and a right rotor 3 are rotatably mounted within these grooves using bearing devices. Two rotating fiber optic cables 4 connect the rotating parts at both ends of the device, and a connecting fiber optic cable 5 receives signals emitted by the rotating fiber optic cables 4. This bidirectional rotating fiber optic slip ring enables fiber optic signal transmission to the rotating parts at both ends of the device, and the rotating parts at both ends rotate independently without interfering with each other, without affecting the fiber optic signal transmission at the other end.

[0039] To improve the flexibility of the fiber optic slip ring and allow for rotational adjustment of the rotation axes of the left rotor section 2 and the right rotor section 3, one embodiment further includes a dual-axis rotating section 6. The dual-axis rotating section 6 includes a fixed output cable 65, two sets of photoelectric converters 62, two rotating output cables 63 (wires with an insulating layer on their surface), a rotating electrical connection section 64, and a stator housing 61. One end of the stator housing 61 has an installation chamber, and the connection section 1 is rotatably mounted within the installation chamber of the stator housing 61 via a bearing device. The photoelectric converters 62 are disposed within the connection section 1, and the two sets of photoelectric converters 62 are electrically connected to the other ends of the two connecting fiber optic cables 5, respectively. One end of each of the two rotating output cables 63 is electrically connected to one of the two sets of photoelectric converters 62, respectively. The rotating electrical connection section 64 is disposed within the installation chamber of the stator housing 61, and is rotatably connected to the other end of the rotating output cables 63. One end of the fixed output cable 65 is electrically connected to the rotating electrical connection section 64, and the other end of the fixed output cable 65 outputs an electrical signal.

[0040] Optionally, the connecting part 1 can be configured as a T-shaped structure, with the left rotor part 2 and the right rotor part 3 respectively located at the left and right ends of the T-shaped connecting part 1, and the other end of the T-shaped connecting part 1 connected to the stator housing 61.

[0041] After receiving the optical signal emitted by the rotating optical fiber cable 4, the connecting fiber optic cable 5 transmits the optical signal to the photoelectric converter 62. The photoelectric converter 62 converts the optical signal into an electrical signal, which is then output by the rotating output cable 63. The rotating electrical connector 64 receives the electrical signal from the rotating output cable 63 and then outputs the electrical signal outward by the fixed output cable 65. By setting the dual-axis rotating part 6, the left rotor 2 and the right rotor 3 can rotate around their own axes, and can also rotate around the axis of the connecting part 1 as the connecting part 1 rotates, thereby adjusting the rotation direction of the rotating optical fiber cable 4. For example, when a radar device is connected to the left rotor 2 and the right rotor 3 respectively, the radar device can not only rotate around the rotating optical fiber cable 4 to adjust the scanning direction, but can also rotate around the axis of the connecting part 1 by rotating the connecting part 1. Since the axis of rotation of the connecting part 1 is not parallel to the axis of rotation of the left rotor part 2 / right rotor part 3, the radar equipment connected to the left rotor part 2 / right rotor part 3 can achieve dual-axis rotation adjustment direction, greatly improving the range of scanning angles.

[0042] In one embodiment, the rotating electrical connection portion 64 includes an insulating base 641, a concentric electrical connection ring assembly 644, an electrical connection ball 643, and an annular electrical connection cavity 642. The insulating base 641 (which may be made of an insulating material such as ceramic) is fixed to the mounting cavity of the stator housing 61; the annular electrical connection cavity 642 is disposed within the insulating base 641; the electrical connection ball 643 is connected to the end of the rotating output cable 63 and is located within the annular electrical connection cavity 642; the concentric electrical connection ring assembly 644 includes two concentrically arranged electrical connection rings, the center of which is located on the rotation axis of the connection portion 1, the gap between the two electrical connection rings is smaller than the diameter of the electrical connection ball 643, and the electrical connection ball 643 is located on the side of the two electrical connection rings away from the photoelectric converter 62; the rotating output cable 63 passes through the gap between the two electrical connection rings and connects to the electrical connection ball 643; the electrical connection ball 643 is slidably fitted onto the concentric electrical connection ring assembly 644.

[0043] Since the center of the concentric electrical connection ring group 644 is located on the rotation axis of the connecting part 1, the distance between the end of the rotating output cable 63 and the concentric electrical connection ring group 644 is a fixed value when the rotating output cable 63 rotates with the connecting part 1. Therefore, after the rotating output cable 63 is inserted into the concentric electrical connection ring group 644 and connected to the electrical connection ball 643, the rotating output cable 63 transmits the electrical signal to the electrical connection ball 643. Since the electrical connection ball 643 always maintains contact and sliding fit with the concentric electrical connection ring group 644, the electrical connection ball 643 transmits the electrical signal to the concentric electrical connection ring group 644, and then the electrical signal is output by the fixed output cable 65 electrically connected to the concentric electrical connection ring group 644.

[0044] The electrical connection ring and electrical connection ball 643 can be made of a wear-resistant conductive metal, specifically a copper alloy. Copper alloy electrical connection rings and balls 643 have good conductivity (facilitating signal transmission and reducing signal loss during transmission) and good wear resistance, making them less prone to wear during sliding contact and extending the service life of the fiber optic slip ring. Furthermore, the surfaces of the electrical connection ring and electrical connection ball 643 can be designed with a smooth structure to further reduce sliding friction and minimize wear.

[0045] like Figure 1 As shown, in one embodiment, the distances between the two rotating output cables 63 and the rotation axis of the connecting part 1 are different. By setting the distances between the two rotating output cables 63 and the rotation axis of the connecting part 1 to be different, the rotation radii of the two rotating output cables 63 are different when the connecting part 1 rotates. This facilitates the provision of two sets of annular electrical connection cavities 642 and concentric electrical connection ring groups 644 (the two sets of concentric electrical connection ring groups 644 have different diameters) on the insulating base 641 for respectively connecting with the two rotating output cables 63.

[0046] In one embodiment, the rotating output cable 63 includes a resilient segment 631, which has a helical, coiled spring-like structure. The resilient element provides the electrical connection ball 643 with an orientation towards the photoelectric converter 62 (e.g., ...). Figure 2 The elastic force of the middle section 631 (facing downwards) ensures that the electrical connection ball 643 remains in sliding connection with the concentric electrical connection ring group 644, preventing intermittent information transmission interruption and providing good shock resistance (when the equipment vibrates, the elastic force of the elastic section 631 can offset the vibration, so that the electrical connection ball 643 is always connected to the concentric electrical connection ring group 644).

[0047] Furthermore, since the rotating output cable 63 is elongated, when the electrical connection ball 643 fails to slide in time with the rotation of the connecting part 1 due to friction, the elastic segment 631 in the rotating output cable 63 elongates, causing the upper end of the rotating output cable 63 to tilt downwards towards the direction of the rotational linear velocity. At this time, the elastic force provided by the elastic segment 631 partially pulls the electrical connection ball 643 downwards (ensuring contact between the electrical connection ball 643 and the concentric electrical connection ring assembly 644), and simultaneously provides a pulling force to the electrical connection ball 643 in the direction of the rotational linear velocity of the connecting part 1. Under the action of this pulling force, the electrical connection ball 643 can be driven to slide to match the rotation of the rotating output cable 63. In addition, the elastic segment 631 can act as a buffer to prevent damage to the rotating output cable 63 due to the pulling force provided by the electrical connection ball 643 during the rotation of the connecting part 1, caused by the slow movement of the electrical connection ball 643.

[0048] In one embodiment, a wire guard 11 is provided at one end of the connecting portion 1 near the rotating electrical connection portion 64, and the wire guard 11 protrudes along the direction of the rotating electrical connection portion 64. The wire guard 11 can reduce the length of the exposed section of the rotating output cable 63 and reduce the risk of the rotating output cable 63 getting wound on the insulating base 641.

[0049] In one embodiment, a mechanical seal is further included, disposed between the left rotor portion 2 / right rotor portion 3 and the connecting portion 1. The mechanical seal is used to seal the connection area between the rotating optical fiber cable 4 and the connecting optical fiber cable 5, thereby creating a vacuum in the connection area between the rotating optical fiber cable 4 and the connecting optical fiber cable 5. This vacuum reduces signal loss during transmission between the rotating optical fiber cable 4 and the connecting optical fiber cable 5.

[0050] In one embodiment, an optical fiber collimator 7 is further included, which is disposed at the mating end of the rotating optical fiber cable 4 and the connecting optical fiber cable 5. The optical fiber collimator 7 enables the optical signal emitted by the rotating optical fiber cable 4 to be coupled into the connecting optical fiber cable 5 with maximum efficiency.

[0051] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A bidirectional rotating fiber optic slip ring, characterized in that, The bidirectional rotating fiber optic slip ring includes: The connecting part has mating grooves at both ends; The left rotor section and the right rotor section are rotatably mounted in the mating grooves at both ends of the connecting section via bearing devices; Two rotating optical fiber cables are respectively disposed on the rotation axis of the left rotor and the right rotor. Two connecting optical fiber cables are disposed on the connecting part, with one end of each connecting optical fiber cable extending into the mating groove and aligned with the rotating optical fiber cable; the connecting optical fiber cables receive and transmit optical signals emitted by the rotating optical fiber cable; the system also includes a dual-axis rotating part, which comprises: The stator housing has an installation chamber at one end, and the connecting part is rotatably disposed in the installation chamber of the stator housing via a bearing device; Two sets of photoelectric converters are disposed in the connecting part, and the two sets of photoelectric converters are electrically connected to the other end of the two connecting optical fiber cables respectively. Two rotating output cables, one end of each of the two rotating output cables being electrically connected to the two sets of the photoelectric converters respectively; A rotating electrical connection is disposed in the mounting cavity of the stator housing, and the rotating electrical connection is rotatably connected to the other end of the rotating output cable; A fixed output cable is provided, one end of which is electrically connected to the rotating electrical connection part, and the other end of which outputs an electrical signal.

2. A bi-directional rotary fiber optic rotary joint as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The rotary electrical connection includes: An insulating base is fixed to the mounting cavity of the stator housing; An annular electrical connection cavity is disposed within the insulating base; An electrical connection ball is connected to the end of the rotating output cable, and the electrical connection ball is located within the annular electrical connection cavity; A concentric electrical connection ring assembly; the concentric electrical connection ring assembly includes two concentrically arranged electrical connection rings, the center of which is located on the rotation axis of the connection part, the gap between the two electrical connection rings is smaller than the diameter of the electrical connection ball, the electrical connection ball is located on the side of the two electrical connection rings away from the photoelectric converter, the rotating output cable passes through the gap between the two electrical connection rings and connects to the electrical connection ball; the electrical connection ball is slidably fitted on the concentric electrical connection ring assembly.

3. The bidirectional rotating fiber optic slip ring according to claim 1, characterized in that: The distances between the two rotating output cables and the rotation axis of the connection are different.

4. The bidirectional rotating fiber optic slip ring according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rotating output cable includes an elastic section, which has a spiral wound spring-like structure.

5. The bidirectional rotating fiber optic slip ring according to claim 1, characterized in that: A wire guard is provided at one end of the connecting part near the rotating electrical connection part, and the wire guard protrudes along the direction of the rotating electrical connection part.

6. The bidirectional rotating fiber optic slip ring according to claim 2, characterized in that: The electrical connection ball is made of wear-resistant metal material.

7. The bidirectional rotating fiber optic slip ring according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a mechanical seal device, which is disposed between the left rotor / right rotor and the connecting part. The mechanical seal device is used to seal the connection area between the rotating optical fiber cable and the connecting optical fiber cable, and the connection area between the rotating optical fiber cable and the connecting optical fiber cable is vacuumed.

8. The bidirectional rotating fiber optic slip ring according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes an optical fiber collimator, which is disposed at the mating end of the rotating optical fiber cable and the connecting optical fiber cable.

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