A multi-channel fiber optic rotary connector

Abstract

This application provides a multi-channel fiber optic rotary connector, including a stator, a rotor, an input fiber optic collimator, an automatic adjustment unit, a Dowell prism, and an output fiber optic collimator. The stator has an internal mounting chamber; the rotor is connected to the stator via a bearing assembly; the input fiber optic collimator is mounted on the rotor; the output fiber optic collimator is mounted on the stator and coupled to the input fiber optic collimator; the Dowell prism is fixed within the mounting chamber of the stator and positioned between the input and output fiber optic collimators; the automatic adjustment unit is mounted on the stator and adjusts the output fiber optic collimator's reverse offset based on the offset of the input fiber optic collimator. The multi-channel fiber optic rotary connector provided by this invention can significantly reduce the coupling loss between the input and output fiber optic collimators, ensuring signal quality.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of optoelectronic connection technology, and in particular to a multi-channel fiber optic rotary connector. Background Technology

[0002] A fiber optic rotary connector is a device used to transmit optical signals between a rotating platform and a stationary platform. It offers advantages such as long lifespan, high rotation speed, and strong resistance to electromagnetic interference. Fiber optic rotary connectors can be classified in several ways; based on the number of transmission channels, they can be divided into single-channel and multi-channel types. Multi-channel fiber optic rotary connectors can transmit a larger amount of signal compared to single-channel connectors.

[0003] The core component of a multi-channel fiber optic rotary connector is the fiber collimator, a device that converts a diverging beam from an optical fiber into a parallel beam or focuses a parallel beam into the fiber. The performance of the fiber collimator directly affects the coupling efficiency and signal quality of the fiber optic rotary connector. In a multi-channel fiber optic rotary connector, precise alignment between the fiber collimators at the input and output ends is required to ensure effective transmission of optical signals from each channel. However, in practical applications, factors such as mechanical vibration and temperature changes can cause misalignment between the fiber collimators at the input and output ends, leading to increased coupling loss and decreased signal quality. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a multi-channel fiber optic rotary connector to solve the technical problem that the fiber collimators at the input and output ends will be misaligned due to factors such as mechanical vibration and temperature changes when using traditional multi-channel fiber optic rotary connectors, resulting in high coupling loss.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is: to provide a multi-channel fiber optic rotary joint, the multi-channel fiber optic rotary joint comprising:

[0006] The stator has an installation chamber inside;

[0007] The rotor is connected to the stator via a bearing assembly;

[0008] An input fiber optic collimator is disposed on the rotor;

[0009] An output fiber optic collimator is disposed on the stator and coupled to the input fiber optic collimator.

[0010] The Dowell prism is fixed in the mounting cavity of the stator and is located between the input fiber collimator and the output fiber collimator.

[0011] An automatic adjustment unit is disposed on the stator, and the automatic adjustment unit adjusts the reverse offset of the output fiber optic collimator according to the offset of the input fiber optic collimator.

[0012] In one embodiment, the automatic adjustment unit includes:

[0013] Several pressure transmission channels are provided inside the stator and are evenly arranged around the shaft of the rotor. The pressure transmission channels are filled with pressure transmission fluid.

[0014] A sealing ring is disposed between the stator and the rotor, and a plurality of first pistons are disposed on the outer side of the sealing ring, the first pistons being slidably engaged with one end of the pressure transmission channel;

[0015] An adjustment base is located inside the stator, and an output fiber collimator is fixed on the adjustment base;

[0016] Several second pistons are slidably fitted at the other end of the pressure transmission channel, and each second piston is fitted with a pressure transmission channel;

[0017] An elastic element is disposed between the adjusting seat and the second piston.

[0018] In one embodiment, the left and right sides of the sealing ring are fixed to the stator, and the first piston is connected to the middle of the sealing ring.

[0019] In one embodiment, the sealing ring includes sealing surfaces on both sides and a pressure transmitting surface in the middle, the sealing surfaces and the pressure transmitting surface are connected by a connecting block, and the first piston is disposed on the outside of the pressure transmitting surface.

[0020] In one embodiment, the elastic element is a spring.

[0021] In one embodiment, the sealing ring is made of silicone rubber.

[0022] In one embodiment, a reflective layer is provided on the outer side of the bottom surface of the Daowei prism.

[0023] In one embodiment, the stator has an upper boss and a lower boss in its mounting chamber, and the Daowei prism is clamped and fixed between the upper boss and the lower boss.

[0024] In one embodiment, both the input fiber collimator and the output fiber collimator include an optical fiber and a collimating lens, wherein the collimating lens is a self-focusing lens.

[0025] The above-described technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention have at least the following technical effects or advantages:

[0026] The multi-channel fiber optic rotary connector provided in this invention, by setting an automatic adjustment unit on the stator, allows the automatic adjustment unit to adjust the output fiber optic collimator in the opposite direction based on the offset and direction of the input fiber optic collimator when the input fiber optic collimator deviates from its coupling position due to vibration or other reasons during operation. This causes the output fiber optic collimator to deviate in the opposite direction to cancel the offset of the input fiber optic collimator, thereby significantly reducing the coupling loss between the input and output fiber optic collimators and ensuring signal quality. Attached Figure Description

[0027] 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.

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a multi-channel fiber optic rotary joint provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A magnified view of a portion of point A in the middle;

[0030] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A magnified view of a portion of point B in the middle;

[0031] Figures 4-5 This is a schematic diagram of the adjustment principle of the automatic adjustment unit provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] The labels for the various figures are as follows:

[0033] 1. Stator; 2. Rotor; 3. Input fiber optic collimator; 4. Output fiber optic collimator; 5. Dowell prism; 7. Bearing assembly; 11. Mounting chamber; 12. Upper boss; 13. Lower boss; 61. Pressure transmission channel; 62. Sealing ring; 63. Adjusting seat; 64. Second piston; 65. Elastic element; 66. First piston; 621. Sealing surface; 622. Pressure transmission surface; 623. Connecting block. Detailed Implementation

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] Please see Figures 1 to 5 This application provides a multi-channel fiber optic rotary connector, including a stator 1, a rotor 2, an input fiber optic collimator 3, an automatic adjustment unit, a Dowell prism 5, and an output fiber optic collimator 4. The stator 1 has an internal mounting chamber 11; the rotor 2 is connected to the stator 1 via a bearing assembly 7; the input fiber optic collimator 3 is mounted on the rotor 2; the output fiber optic collimator 4 is mounted on the stator 1 and coupled to the input fiber optic collimator 3; the Dowell prism 5 is fixed within the mounting chamber 11 of the stator 1 and is located between the input fiber optic collimator 3 and the output fiber optic collimator 4; the automatic adjustment unit is mounted on the stator 1 and adjusts the output fiber optic collimator 4 to offset in the opposite direction based on the offset of the input fiber optic collimator 3.

[0039] The multi-channel fiber optic rotary connector provided in this embodiment has an automatic adjustment unit on the stator 1. During operation, when the input fiber optic collimator 3 deviates from its coupling position due to vibration or other reasons, the automatic adjustment unit will adjust the output fiber optic collimator 4 in the opposite direction according to the offset and direction of the input fiber optic collimator 3. This causes the output fiber optic collimator 4 to deviate in the opposite direction to cancel the offset of the input fiber optic collimator 3, thereby significantly reducing the coupling loss between the input fiber optic collimator 3 and the output fiber optic collimator 4 and ensuring signal quality.

[0040] In one embodiment, the automatic adjustment unit includes an elastic element 65, a sealing ring 62, an adjusting seat 63, a plurality of second pistons 64, and a plurality of pressure transmission channels 61. The pressure transmission channels 61 are disposed within the stator 1 and uniformly surround the shaft of the rotor 2, and are filled with pressure transmission fluid. The sealing ring 62 is disposed between the stator 1 and the rotor 2, and a plurality of first pistons 66 are disposed on the outer side of the sealing ring 62, the first pistons 66 being slidably engaged with one end of the pressure transmission channel 61. The adjusting seat 63 is located within the stator 1, and the output fiber collimator 4 is fixed to the adjusting seat 63. The second pistons 64 are slidably engaged with the other end of the pressure transmission channel 61, with each second piston 64 engaging with one pressure transmission channel 61. The elastic element 65 is disposed between the adjusting seat 63 and the second pistons 64.

[0041] like Figure 4-5 As shown, where, Figure 4 In the normal operating state of the fiber optic rotary connector, when the input fiber optic collimator 3 shifts upwards (due to vibration or temperature variations), the beam emitted from the input fiber optic collimator 3, after passing through the Dowell prism 5, will have its exit point shifted downwards. Therefore, the output fiber optic collimator 4 needs to be adjusted downwards to ensure accurate coupling between the output fiber optic collimator 4 and the input fiber optic collimator 3 (e.g., ...). Figure 5 (As shown).

[0042] Therefore, when rotor 2 shifts upward due to vibration or temperature, the input fiber optic collimator 3, fixed to rotor 2, will also shift upward. This upward shift causes the sealing ring 62 on the upper side of rotor 2 to experience greater pressure, leading to the first piston 66 connected to the sealing ring 62 sliding upward due to the pressure. This forces the liquid in the pressure transmission channel 61 towards the adjusting seat 63, causing the second piston 64 to slide downward and apply greater downward pressure to the elastic element 65 (spring), resulting in the adjusting seat 6... 3. Under greater downward pressure, the original balance is broken, causing the adjusting seat 63 to overcome the elastic force of the elastic element 65 at its bottom and shift downward by a certain distance. This causes the output fiber collimator 4 to shift downward, thus offsetting the upward shift of the input fiber collimator 3. This maintains the coupling between the output fiber collimator 4 and the input fiber collimator 3, ensuring good coupling even when the input fiber collimator 3 is shifted due to vibration or temperature, thereby ensuring the stability of signal transmission.

[0043] In one implementation, the left and right sides of the sealing ring 62 can be fixed to the stator 1, and the first piston 66 is connected to the middle of the sealing ring 62. When the rotor 2 shifts upward due to vibration or temperature, the adjusting seat 63 in the automatic adjusting part will automatically adjust downward (the principle is as described above). As the adjusting seat 63 adjusts downward, the elastic element 65 on the lower side of the adjusting seat 63 is compressed more, and its elastic force increases. At this time, the second piston 64 on the lower side of the adjusting seat 63 is subjected to greater pressure (elastic force) from the elastic element 65, which causes the second piston 64 to move downward and squeeze the liquid in the pressure transmission channel 61 that cooperates with the second piston 64 towards the end closer to the rotor 2. This causes the first piston 66 on the lower side of the rotor 2 to slide upward. Since the left and right sides of the sealing ring 62 are fixed to the stator 1, the upward sliding first piston 66 will give an upward pressure to the middle position of the sealing ring 62, causing the sealing ring 62 to deform upward. This keeps the middle part of the sealing ring 62 in close contact with the surface of the rotor 2, thereby ensuring the sealing effect of the sealing ring 62. Therefore, by fixing the left and right sides of the sealing ring 62 to the stator 1 and connecting the first piston 66 to the middle of the sealing ring 62, it is possible to ensure that when the rotor 2 shifts upward due to vibration or temperature, the sealing ring 62 on the lower side will not lose contact with the surface of the rotor 2 and leak, thus ensuring the sealing between the rotor 2 and the stator 1.

[0044] like Figure 3As shown, in one embodiment, the sealing ring 62 includes sealing surfaces 621 on both sides and a pressure transmitting surface 622 in the middle. The sealing surfaces 621 and the pressure transmitting surface 622 are connected by a connecting block 623. The first piston 66 is located on the outer side of the pressure transmitting surface 622. The sealing surfaces 621 on both sides serve a sealing function. When the rotor 2 deviates, the pressure transmitting surface 622 moves upward and drives the first piston 66 on its outer side to slide upward (at this time, the connecting block 623 is stretched and deformed). By using the connecting block 623 to connect the sealing surfaces 621 and the pressure transmitting surface 622, the sealing surfaces 621 can not only seal the gap between the rotor 2 and the stator 1, but also significantly reduce the resistance of the sealing surfaces 621 to the upward movement of the pressure transmitting surface 622, so that the pressure transmitting surface 622 can sensitively push the first piston 66 to slide according to the amount of displacement of the rotor 2.

[0045] In one embodiment, the sealing ring 62 is made of silicone rubber. The silicone rubber sealing ring 62 not only has good deformability but also good resistance to high and low temperatures and wear, thereby significantly improving the service life of the sealing ring 62.

[0046] In one embodiment, a reflective layer is provided on the outer side of the bottom surface of the Daowei prism 5. Specifically, the reflective layer may be black adhesive paper attached to the bottom surface of the Daowei prism 5 or a layer of silver powder coated on the bottom surface of the Daowei prism 5. By providing a reflective layer on the outer side of the bottom surface of the Daowei prism 5, when the light beam incident on the Daowei prism 5 is reflected by the bottom surface of the Daowei prism 5, the reflective layer prevents the light beam from passing through the bottom surface of the Daowei prism 5, allowing the light beam to be reflected almost completely through the bottom surface of the Daowei prism 5, thereby reducing the loss of the light beam when passing through the Daowei prism 5 and improving the quality of information transmission.

[0047] In one embodiment, the stator 1 has an upper boss 12 and a lower boss 13 in its mounting chamber 11, and the Daowei prism 5 is clamped and fixed between the upper boss 12 and the lower boss 13. Figure 1 As shown, the upper boss 12 and lower boss 13 are used to clamp the Dowell prism 5 to prevent it from becoming loose. Optionally, while clamping, adhesive or other methods can be used to further fix the Dowell prism 5 to the mounting chamber 11 of the stator 1 to prevent the Dowell prism 5 from becoming loose and causing a decrease in the coupling between the output fiber collimator 4 and the input fiber collimator 3.

[0048] In one embodiment, both the input fiber collimator 3 and the output fiber collimator 4 include an optical fiber and a collimating lens, wherein the collimating lens is a self-focusing lens.

[0049] 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 multi-channel fiber optic rotary connector, characterized in that, The multi-channel fiber optic rotary joint includes: The stator has an installation chamber inside; The rotor is connected to the stator via a bearing assembly; An input fiber optic collimator is disposed on the rotor; An output fiber optic collimator is disposed on the stator and coupled to the input fiber optic collimator. The Dowell prism is fixed in the mounting cavity of the stator and is located between the input fiber collimator and the output fiber collimator. An automatic adjustment unit, disposed on the stator, adjusts the reverse offset of the output fiber optic collimator according to the offset of the input fiber optic collimator; the automatic adjustment unit includes: Several pressure transmission channels are provided inside the stator and are evenly arranged around the shaft of the rotor. The pressure transmission channels are filled with pressure transmission fluid. A sealing ring is disposed between the stator and the rotor, and a plurality of first pistons are disposed on the outer side of the sealing ring, the first pistons being slidably engaged with one end of the pressure transmission channel; An adjustment base is located inside the stator, and an output fiber collimator is fixed on the adjustment base; Several second pistons are slidably fitted at the other end of the pressure transmission channel, and each second piston is fitted with a pressure transmission channel; An elastic element is disposed between the adjusting seat and the second piston.

2. A multi-channel fiber optic rotary connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The left and right sides of the sealing ring are fixed to the stator, and the first piston is connected to the middle of the sealing ring.

3. A multi-channel fiber optic rotary connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sealing ring includes sealing surfaces on both sides and a pressure transmitting surface in the middle. The sealing surfaces and the pressure transmitting surface are connected by a connecting block. The first piston is located on the outside of the pressure transmitting surface.

4. A multi-channel fiber optic rotary connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The elastic element is a spring.

5. A multi-channel fiber optic rotary connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sealing ring is made of silicone rubber.

6. A multi-channel fiber optic rotary joint according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer side of the bottom surface of the Daowei prism is provided with a reflective layer.

7. A multi-channel fiber optic rotary connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The stator has an upper boss and a lower boss in its mounting chamber, and the Daowei prism is clamped and fixed between the upper boss and the lower boss.

8. A multi-channel fiber optic rotary connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: Both the input fiber collimator and the output fiber collimator include an optical fiber and a collimating lens, wherein the collimating lens is a self-focusing lens.

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