Optical fiber signal connection structure of underwater wet plug connector and method of use

Abstract

The application provides an optical fiber signal connection structure of an underwater wet plug connector and a use method thereof, which comprises a plug, a socket, a rotary sealing assembly, a rotating drum assembly and an insertion part; the plug and the socket are abuttingly connected; the rotary sealing assembly makes the interiors of the plug and the socket be in a sealed state relative to the external environment or makes the interiors of the plug and the socket be communicated to form a channel; the rotating drum assembly can convert the self-rotation force into driving force for driving the two rotary sealing assemblies to switch states at the same time; the insertion part moves along the axial direction of the plug and is inserted into the socket through the channel; the rotary sealing assembly is switched by rotating the rotating drum assembly to drive the sealing elements in the plug and the socket to rotate; the plug and the socket always keep abutting connection during the rotation of the rotary sealing assembly, so that the abutting connection environment is in a sealed state, thereby ensuring that the abutting connection environment of the optical fiber signal connection is always in a sealed environment and achieving the purpose of effectively connecting the optical fiber signal of the underwater connector.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of underwater connector technology, and in particular to an optical fiber signal connection structure and its usage method for an underwater wet-plug connector. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, fiber optic communication is widely used for communication connections between surface equipment and underwater production systems, as well as between various underwater devices. Underwater pluggable fiber optic connectors, as a connection device, primarily function to achieve electrical signal connections between underwater devices and the transmission of fiber optic signals. Their performance directly affects the reliability and safety of the underwater production system.

[0003] Currently, most fiber optic connectors used in China are dry-type pluggable connectors, which require connection before the equipment is submerged and lack underwater pluggable functionality. Maintenance and testing of the equipment necessitate removal to the surface, making the process complex and costly. To enable underwater pluggable fiber optic connectors, Chinese patent CN116009152A discloses an underwater wet-type pluggable fiber optic connector. This connector employs a rotary sealing structure, using a roller to isolate residual seawater outside the front seal, thus ensuring the plug and socket oil-filled chambers remain sealed. When the roller needs to be rotated, the sealing rod extends forward and pushes the upper boss of the roller to rotate it.

[0004] However, the connector does not specify the mechanism that provides forward pushing force to the sealing rod. If the sealing rod is pushed forward as the plug moves into the socket, the roller will have already rotated before the plug and socket are sealed, which will cause the seal to fail. If the sealing rod is pushed forward after the plug and socket are sealed, an active drive mechanism needs to be installed in the equipment to drive the sealing rod to move, which may cause the internal structure of the equipment to become more complex and increase its size. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, the present invention proposes an optical fiber signal connection structure and its usage method for an underwater wet-plug connector, which solves the problem that existing underwater wet-plug optical fiber connectors with rotary sealing structures require the installation of an active drive mechanism inside the device to drive the sealing rod to move in order to rotate the sealing structure for sealing.

[0006] The technical solution of this invention is implemented as follows: This invention provides an optical fiber signal connection structure for an underwater wet-plug connector, including a plug, a socket, a rotary sealing assembly, a rotating cylinder assembly, and an insertion part; the plug and socket abut against each other; two rotary sealing assemblies are respectively disposed in the plug and socket, the rotary sealing assemblies have two states and switch between the two states, so that the interior of the plug and socket is in a sealed state relative to the external environment, or the interior of the plug and socket is connected to form a channel; the rotating cylinder assembly is sleeved on the plug or socket and rotates relative to the plug or socket axis, the rotating cylinder assembly can convert the rotational force into a driving force that drives the two rotary sealing assemblies to switch states simultaneously; the insertion part is disposed in the plug, the insertion part moves along the plug axis and inserts into the socket through the channel.

[0007] Based on the above technical solutions, preferably, the rotary sealing assembly includes a seal and a rotating shaft; the plug and socket each have a corresponding identical cavity, which connects the external environment with the inside of the plug or the socket; the seal is tightly disposed in the cavity and rotates relative to the cavity, and a through hole is formed in the seal; one end of the rotating shaft is fixed to the outer wall of the seal and the other end is axially connected to the inner wall of the cavity, so that the seal rotates relative to the cavity through the rotating shaft and switches states to allow the through hole to connect to the cavity or the seal to seal the cavity; the plug and socket are connected, and both seals in the plug and socket switch states to allow the through hole to connect to the cavity to form a channel, and the insertion part moves along the axial direction of the plug and passes through the two through holes to insert into the socket.

[0008] More preferably, the rotating cylinder assembly includes a gear, a gear ring, a cylinder body, and a first sliding pin; a gear is provided on the end of the inner wall of the rotating shaft connecting the cavity; the gear drives the rotating shaft and the seal to rotate synchronously; two gear rings are respectively fitted on the plug and the socket and rotate axially relative to the plug or the socket, and the gear rings cooperate with the gear; one end of the cylinder body is fitted on the end of the plug facing the socket and fixedly fitted on the outside of the gear ring, the cylinder body drives the gear ring to rotate synchronously relative to the plug, the other end of the cylinder body extends along the plug axially and forms a hollow cylinder, a first sliding groove is provided on the inner wall of the cylinder body along its own axial direction, the end of the first sliding groove facing the socket is provided with an opening and the other end is closed; the first sliding pin is set on the gear ring located on the socket and drives the gear ring to rotate synchronously, when the plug and the socket abut and mate, the socket and the gear ring on the socket are inserted into the cylinder body synchronously, and the first sliding pin enters the first sliding groove.

[0009] More preferably, the plug includes a first body and a first housing, and the socket includes a second body and a second housing; the first body and the second body abut and connect, and both the first body and the second body have cavities and are provided with seals and rotating shafts; gears are fitted on both the first body and the second body; one end of the first housing is fitted on the first body and rotates axially relative to the first body, the gear is fixedly fitted inside the first housing, a cylinder is fixed on the end of the first housing, and an insertion part is provided inside the first housing; one end of the second housing is fitted on the second body and rotates axially relative to the second body, the second housing can be inserted into the cylinder and a first sliding pin is fixed on its outer wall.

[0010] More preferably, it also includes a drive unit and a linkage assembly; one end of the insertion part is inserted into the first body and located on the side of the seal away from the socket, the insertion end of the insertion part is aligned with the cavity, and the insertion part can move relative to the first body along the plug axis and be inserted into the cavity; the drive unit is inserted into the end of the first housing away from the first body and is connected to the insertion part through the linkage assembly, the drive unit drives the first housing to rotate synchronously relative to the insertion part and the first body, or the drive unit drives the insertion part to move relative to the plug.

[0011] More preferably, the linkage assembly includes a ring body, a second sliding pin, and a third sliding pin; the insertion end of the drive unit has an insertion cavity; the end of the first main body located inside the first housing is fitted into the insertion cavity; the outer wall of the first main body located inside the first housing has a second sliding groove closed at both ends along its own axial direction; the outer wall of the first main body located inside the first housing also has an arc-shaped third sliding groove along its own radial cross-sectional outer contour, one end of the third sliding groove is connected to the end of the second sliding groove away from the socket and the other end is closed; the ring body is disposed inside the first housing and fitted outside the insertion end of the drive unit; the inner wall of the ring body is arranged along its radial cross-section... The outer contour of the surface is symmetrically provided with at least two arc-shaped fourth sliding grooves; the second sliding pin is fixed on the inner wall of the insertion cavity and disposed in the third sliding groove; the third sliding pin is fixed on the outer wall of the drive part located inside the first housing and disposed in the fourth sliding groove; the end of the insertion part away from the first main body is disposed on the ring body and moves synchronously with the ring body; the drive part rotates axially relative to the first main body and the insertion part, and drives the second sliding pin to move along the third sliding groove and enter the second sliding groove, and at the same time drives the third sliding pin to move along the fourth sliding groove; the drive part drives the insertion part to move synchronously along the plug axis, and drives the second sliding pin to move along the second sliding groove.

[0012] More preferably, the rotary sealing assembly further includes a mating part, a limiting part, and an elastic part; a mating part is provided inside the socket, located on the side of the seal away from the plug and aligned with the cavity, the mating part abuts against the insertion part to achieve optical signal connection; the mating part is provided inside the plug or socket, and the mating part is located on the side of the seal facing the insertion part or the mating part, one end of the mating part is inserted into the cavity and abuts against the surface of the seal, the other end of the mating part extends along the plug axis, and the interior of the mating part is hollow; one end of the insertion part is inserted into the mating part, and the insertion part moves relative to the mating part along the plug axis, or the insertion part and the mating part move synchronously along the plug axis; the mating part is provided inside the mating part and moves synchronously with the mating part along the socket axis; the limiting part is fixedly provided inside the plug or socket and spaced apart from the mating part; the elastic part is provided between the mating part and the limiting part, and its two ends abut against the mating part and the limiting part respectively.

[0013] More preferably, the end face of the mating part that abuts against the outer surface of the seal matches the outer surface of the seal, and the end face of the mating part that abuts against the outer surface of the seal smoothly connects with the inner wall of the cavity.

[0014] More preferably, the seal is spherical, and the end face of the mating part that abuts against the outer surface of the seal is spherical.

[0015] On the other hand, the present invention also provides a method for using the fiber optic signal connection structure of an underwater wet-plug connector. The fiber optic signal connection structure includes the following steps: Step 1, inserting the socket into the cylinder and engaging with the plug to achieve an electrical signal connection, and causing the first sliding pin to enter the first sliding groove; Step 2, rotating the drive unit to drive the first housing and the cylinder to rotate synchronously relative to the first main body, and pushing the first sliding pin through the first sliding groove to drive the second housing to rotate synchronously relative to the second main body; Step 3, operating the drive unit to move along the plug axis toward the socket, so that the insertion part is inserted into the socket and the fiber optic signal connection is achieved.

[0016] The fiber optic signal connection structure and its usage method of the underwater wet-plug connector of the present invention have the following advantages over the prior art:

[0017] (1) The present invention drives the sealing components inside the plug and socket to rotate by rotating the rotating cylinder assembly, thereby switching the state of the rotating sealing assembly. During the rotation of the rotating sealing assembly, the plug and socket always remain in contact and docking, so that the docking environment is in a sealed state, thereby ensuring that the docking environment for fiber optic signal connection is always in a sealed environment, and realizing the purpose of underwater connector to effectively connect fiber optic signals.

[0018] (2) The present invention uses a mating part inserted into the cavity to abut against the surface of the sealing part, so that the sealing part is always in sealing contact with the inner wall of the cavity and the contact surface of the mating part during the rotation process, thereby ensuring that the rotary sealing assembly always plays the role of maintaining a sealed environment during the switching of states. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, 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.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the wet-plug connector of the present invention in its disassembled state.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the mating state of the wet-plug connector of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 This is an exploded perspective view of the wet-plug connector of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 4 This is a side sectional view of the wet-plug connector of the present invention in its disassembled state;

[0024] Figure 5 This is an exploded perspective view of the rotary sealing assembly of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 6 For the present invention Figure 4 Enlarged view of point A in the middle.

[0026] In the diagram: 1. Plug; 11. First body; 12. First housing; 101. Cavity; 102. Second slide groove; 103. Third slide groove; 2. Socket; 21. Second body; 22. Second housing; 3. Rotary sealing assembly; 31. Seal; 32. Rotating shaft; 33. Mating part; 34. Limiting part; 35. Elastic part; 301. Through hole; 4. Rotary cylinder assembly; 41. Gear; 42. Gear ring; 43. Cylinder; 44. First sliding pin; 401. First slide groove; 5. Insertion part; 6. Drive part; 7. Linkage assembly; 71. Ring body; 72. Second sliding pin; 73. Third sliding pin; 701. Fourth slide groove; 8. Connecting part. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0028] like Figure 1 As shown, combined with Figure 2 The present invention discloses an underwater wet-plug connector fiber optic signal connection structure, comprising a plug 1, a socket 2, a rotary sealing assembly 3, a rotating cylinder assembly 4, and an insertion part 5.

[0029] In this setup, plug 1 and socket 2 are engaged and mated. Typically, socket 2 remains stationary, while plug 1 is operated by a robot to mate with socket 2. The mating points of plug 1 and socket 2 are secured by wedges, ensuring that once engaged, their positions remain relatively fixed and do not rotate relative to each other.

[0030] Two rotary sealing components 3 are respectively installed in the plug 1 and the socket 2. Before the plug 1 and the socket 2 are joined to form a sealed contact part, the two need to ensure that the inside is relatively sealed from the outside. Therefore, the rotary sealing component 3 has two states and switches between the two states, so that the inside of the plug 1 and the socket 2 are both sealed relative to the external environment, or the inside of the plug 1 and the socket 2 are connected to form a channel.

[0031] The insertion part 5 is disposed inside the plug 1. The insertion part 5 moves axially along the plug 1 and is inserted into the socket 2 through the channel. An optical fiber is inserted into the insertion part 5 and an optical fiber connector is provided at the end, while a corresponding optical fiber interface is provided in the socket 2.

[0032] The rotating cylinder assembly 4 is fitted onto the plug 1 or socket 2 and rotates relative to the plug 1 or socket 2. The rotating cylinder assembly 4 can convert its rotational force into a driving force that drives the two rotating sealing assemblies 3 to switch states simultaneously. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is not necessary to install an active drive mechanism inside the underwater connector device to drive the rotating sealing assembly 3 to switch states. Instead, the purpose of switching states of the rotating sealing assembly 3 is achieved by rotating the rotating cylinder assembly 4, which eliminates the need to increase the size of the device to install an active drive mechanism and its supporting components. At the same time, in this embodiment, the process of switching states of the rotating sealing assembly 3 by rotating the rotating cylinder assembly 4 occurs after the plug 1 and socket 2 have completed their contact and docking. At this time, the contact surfaces of the plug 1 and socket 2 have already formed a sealing structure. Therefore, when the rotating sealing assembly 3 rotates and switches states, the channel formed by the internal connection between the plug 1 and socket 2 is also isolated from the external environment, thereby ensuring the airtightness of the environment for fiber optic signal docking of the insertion part 5.

[0033] exist Figure 5 In a preferred embodiment shown, specifically, the rotary sealing assembly 3 of this embodiment includes a seal 31 and a rotating shaft 32.

[0034] The plug 1 and socket 2 each have a corresponding cavity 101, which connects the external environment to the interior of the plug 1 or the socket 2. Specifically, a through groove is generally formed in the plug 1 and socket 2, the insertion part 5 is inserted into the through groove and moves along the through groove, and the cavity 101 is located in the middle of the through groove or at the end near the outside. The inner diameter of the cavity 101 is larger than that of the through groove.

[0035] One end of the rotating shaft 32 is fixed to the outer wall of the seal 31, and the other end is axially connected to the inner wall of the cavity 101. The rotating shaft 32 can be integrally formed with the seal 31.

[0036] The sealing element 31 is tightly disposed within the cavity 101 and rotates relative to the cavity 101. A through hole 301 is provided within the sealing element 31. The sealing element 31 rotates relative to the cavity 101 via a rotating shaft 32, switching states to allow the through hole 301 to connect to the cavity 101 or to seal the cavity 101. When the sealing element 31 seals the cavity 101, the axial direction of the through hole 301 intersects the axial direction of the cavity 101 at a 90-degree angle, causing both ends of the through hole 301 to be blocked by the inner wall of the cavity 101. Conversely, when the sealing element 31 connects to the cavity 101, it rotates 90 degrees, aligning the axial direction of the through hole 301 with the axial direction of the cavity 101. Therefore, when the plug 1 and socket 2 are connected, both sealing elements 31 within the plug 1 and socket 2 switch states, allowing the through hole 301 to connect to the cavity 101, forming a channel. The insertion part 5 moves along the axial direction of the plug 1, passing through both through holes 301 and inserting into the socket 2.

[0037] exist Figure 3 In a preferred embodiment shown, in order to drive the two seals 31 in the plug 1 and the socket 2 to rotate synchronously through the rotating drum assembly 4, the rotating drum assembly 4 includes a gear 41, a gear ring 42, a cylinder 43 and a first sliding pin 44.

[0038] Among them, a gear 41 is provided on the end of the shaft 32 that is connected to the inner wall of the cavity 101.

[0039] Gear 41 drives shaft 32 and seal 31 to rotate synchronously.

[0040] Two gear rings 42 are respectively fitted onto the plug 1 and the socket 2 and rotate axially relative to the plug 1 or the socket 2. The gear rings 42 cooperate with the gear 41, and the teeth of the two gear rings 42 are usually arranged in opposite directions.

[0041] One end of the cylindrical body 43 is fitted onto the end of the plug 1 facing the socket 2 and fixedly fitted onto the toothed ring 42. The cylindrical body 43 drives the toothed ring 42 to rotate synchronously relative to the plug 1. The other end of the cylindrical body 43 extends along the axial direction of the plug 1 and forms a hollow cylinder. A first groove 401 is provided on the inner wall of the cylindrical body 43 along its own axial direction. The end of the first groove 401 facing the socket 2 is provided with an opening and the other end is closed.

[0042] The first sliding pin 44 is set on the gear ring 42 located in the socket 2, which drives the gear ring 42 to rotate synchronously.

[0043] When the above technical solution is adopted, after the plug 1 and the socket 2 are mated, the socket 2 and the toothed ring 42 on the socket 2 are simultaneously inserted into the cylinder 43, and the first sliding pin 44 enters the first sliding groove 401. At this time, rotating the cylinder 43 will drive the toothed ring 42 on the plug 1 to rotate, and the first sliding pin 44 will drive the toothed ring 42 on the socket 2 to rotate under the push of the first sliding groove 401, thereby realizing the synchronous rotation of the two toothed rings 42 and driving the seals 31 on the plug 1 and the socket 2 to rotate synchronously.

[0044] exist Figure 3 In a preferred embodiment shown, since the process of switching the state of the seal 31 also needs to be carried out in a state of isolation from water, the toothed ring 42 is actually fitted inside the outer shell of the plug 1 and the socket 2. However, the cylinder 43 needs to be installed on the outer wall of the plug 1. Therefore, in order to realize the linkage between the cylinder 43 and the toothed ring 42, the plug 1 includes a first body 11 and a first shell 12, and the socket 2 includes a second body 21 and a second shell 22.

[0045] The first body 11 and the second body 21 are abutted and connected. Both the first body 11 and the second body 21 have cavities 101 and are equipped with seals 31 and rotating shafts 32. Gears 41 are fitted on both the first body 11 and the second body 21.

[0046] One end of the first housing 12 is fitted onto the first body 11 and rotates axially relative to the first body 11. A gear ring 42 is fixedly fitted inside the first housing 12. A cylindrical body 43 is fixed to the end of the first housing 12. An insertion part 5 is provided inside the first housing 12. The first housing 12 serves as a bridging structure, enabling the cylindrical body 43 outside the first housing 12 and the gear ring 42 inside the first housing 12 to move together.

[0047] One end of the second housing 22 is sleeved on the second body 21 and rotates axially relative to the second body 21. The second housing 22 can be inserted into the cylinder 43 and a first sliding pin 44 is fixed on its outer wall. Similarly, the second housing 22 serves as a bridging structure, enabling the first sliding pin 44 outside the second housing 22 to move in conjunction with the gear ring 42 inside the second housing 22.

[0048] exist Figure 4 In a preferred embodiment shown, to facilitate operation of the rotary drum assembly 4, a drive unit 6 and a linkage assembly 7 are also included.

[0049] One end of the insertion part 5 is inserted into the first body 11 and located on the side of the seal 31 away from the socket 2. The insertion end of the insertion part 5 is aligned with the cavity 101. The insertion part 5 can move relative to the first body 11 along the axial direction of the plug 1 and be inserted into the cavity 101.

[0050] The drive unit 6 is inserted at the end of the first housing 12 away from the first body 11 and is connected to the insertion part 5 through the linkage component 7. The drive unit 6 drives the first housing 12 to rotate synchronously relative to the insertion part 5 and the first body 11, or the drive unit 6 drives the insertion part 5 to move relative to the plug 1.

[0051] exist Figure 4 In a preferred embodiment shown, since the driving unit 6 needs to drive different components to move simultaneously when performing each step, the linkage component 7 includes a ring 71, a second sliding pin 72, and a third sliding pin 73 in order to enable the driving unit 6 to be linked with each component.

[0052] The insertion end of the drive unit 6 has an insertion cavity.

[0053] The end of the first main body 11 located inside the first housing 12 is fitted into the insertion cavity. The outer wall of the first main body 11 located inside the first housing 12 has a second sliding groove 102 with both ends closed along its own axial direction. The outer wall of the first main body 11 located inside the first housing 12 also has an arc-shaped third sliding groove 103 with its own radial cross-sectional outer contour. One end of the third sliding groove 103 is connected to the end of the second sliding groove 102 away from the socket 2 and the other end is closed.

[0054] The ring 71 is disposed inside the first housing 12 and sleeved outside the insertion end of the drive part 6. The inner wall of the ring 71 has at least two arc-shaped fourth sliding grooves 701 symmetrically formed along its radial cross-sectional outer contour. In order to prevent the ring 71 from rotating relative to the first body 11 but to allow it to move back and forth relative to the first body 11, the ring 71 can be provided with a slot. A guide rail is provided on the outer wall of the first body 11, and the ring 71 is slidably connected to the guide rail through the slot.

[0055] The second sliding pin 72 is fixed on the inner wall of the insertion cavity and is located in the third sliding groove 103.

[0056] The third sliding pin 73 is fixed on the outer wall of the drive unit 6 located inside the first housing 12 and is disposed in the fourth sliding groove 701.

[0057] The end of the insertion part 5 away from the first body 11 is provided on the ring body 71 and moves synchronously with the ring body 71.

[0058] When the above technical solution is adopted, the driving part 6 rotates axially relative to the first body 11 and the insertion part 5, and drives the second sliding pin 72 to move along the third sliding groove 103 and enter the second sliding groove 102, and at the same time drives the third sliding pin 73 to move along the fourth sliding groove 701; the driving part 6 drives the insertion part 5 to move synchronously along the plug 1 axially, and drives the second sliding pin 72 to move along the second sliding groove 102.

[0059] exist Figure 6 In a preferred embodiment shown, in order to keep the seal 31 sealed during rotation, the rotary sealing assembly 3 further includes a mating part 33, a limiting part 34, and an elastic part 35.

[0060] The socket 2 is provided with a docking part 8, which is located on the side of the seal 31 away from the plug 1 and aligned with the cavity 101. The docking part 8 abuts against the insertion part 5 to achieve optical signal connection.

[0061] The mating component 33 is disposed within the plug 1 or the socket 2. The mating component 33 is located on the side of the sealing component 31 facing the insertion portion 5 or the mating portion 8. One end of the mating component 33 is inserted into the cavity 101 and abuts against the surface of the sealing component 31, while the other end extends axially along the plug 1. The mating component 33 is hollow inside. When the sealing component 31 rotates, it applies outward pressure to the inner wall of the cavity 101 and the mating component 33. The ability of the mating component 33 to move and reset can buffer the pressure applied by the sealing component 31.

[0062] One end of the insertion part 5 is inserted into the mating member 33. The insertion part 5 moves relative to the mating member 33 along the axial direction of the plug 1, or the insertion part 5 and the mating member 33 move synchronously along the axial direction of the plug 1.

[0063] The mating part 8 is located inside the mating part 33. When the insertion part 5 is inserted into the socket 2 and abuts against the mating part 8, the insertion part 5 will apply an impact force to the mating part 8. Therefore, the mating part 8 can move synchronously with the mating part 33 along the axial direction of the socket 2 to buffer the impact force.

[0064] The limiting member 34 is fixedly installed inside the plug 1 or socket 2 and spaced apart from the mating member 33.

[0065] The elastic element 35 is disposed between the mating part 33 and the limiting part 34, with its two ends abutting against the mating part 33 and the limiting part 34 respectively. The elastic element 35 serves to push the mating part 33 to elastically return to its original position. The elastic element 35 can be a spring.

[0066] exist Figure 6 In a preferred embodiment shown, the end face of the mating part 33 that abuts against the outer surface of the sealing part 31 mates with the outer surface of the sealing part 31, and the end face of the mating part 33 that abuts against the outer surface of the sealing part 31 smoothly connects with the inner wall of the cavity 101, thereby maintaining a good sealing effect.

[0067] exist Figure 6 In a preferred embodiment shown, the seal 31 is spherical, and the end face of the mating part 33 that abuts against the outer surface of the seal 31 is spherical.

[0068] like Figure 1 As shown, combined with Figure 2 and Figure 4 The present invention discloses a method for using an underwater wet-plug connector fiber optic signal connection structure, employing any of the fiber optic signal connection structures described above, and includes the following steps.

[0069] Step 1: The operator holds the drive unit 6 and pushes it forward, inserting the socket 2 into the cylinder 43 and engaging it with the plug 1 to establish an electrical signal connection. During this process, it can be observed that the first sliding pin 44 enters the first sliding groove 401. At this time, inside the first housing 12, the second sliding pin 72 on the drive unit 6 abuts against the third sliding groove 103, and the third sliding pin 73 abuts against the fourth sliding groove 701 of the ring 71, making the drive unit 6 fixed relative to the plug 1 and the insertion part 5. Therefore, the drive unit 6 can be operated to move the plug 1 and the socket 2 forward for engagement without moving the insertion part 5 forward or moving the drive unit 6 forward relative to the plug 1.

[0070] Step two: The rotating drive unit 6 drives the first housing 12 and the cylinder 43 to rotate synchronously relative to the first main body 11. This rotation, via the first sliding groove 401, pushes the first sliding pin 44, causing the second housing 22 to rotate synchronously relative to the second main body 21. This, in turn, releases the seal assembly 3 from the sealing state of the plug 1 and the socket 2. Specifically, the synchronous rotation of the first housing 12 and the second housing 22 drives the two gear rings 42 to rotate synchronously. The rotation of the gear rings 42 drives the gear 41 to rotate via the rotating shaft 32, causing the axial direction of the through hole 301 relative to the axial direction of the cavity 101 to change from an angle to coincidence. This establishes a connection between the plug 1 and the socket 2 through the through holes 301 of the two seals 31, forming a channel. Simultaneously, inside the first housing 12, the rotating drive unit 6 causes the third sliding pin 73 to move along the fourth sliding groove 701. Even when the drive unit 6 rotates relative to the ring 71, it also causes the second sliding pin 72 to move along the third sliding groove 103 into the second sliding groove 102. This locks the drive unit 6 to the first main body 11, allowing it to move back and forth.

[0071] Step 3: The drive unit 6 moves axially along the plug 1 toward the socket 2, causing the insertion part 5 to be inserted into the socket 2 and establishing a fiber optic signal connection. Since the socket 2 is fully inserted into the cylinder 43, the first housing 12 is held in place by the rear end of the socket 2 via the cylinder 43, allowing the drive unit 6 to move forward relative to the first housing 12. Simultaneously, inside the first housing 12, on one hand, the second sliding pin 72 has entered the second sliding groove 102, and the third sliding pin 73, which abuts against the fourth sliding groove 701, pushes the ring 71. Therefore, the drive unit 6 can move the ring 71 and the insertion part 5 relative to the plug 1 as a whole without obstruction. On the other hand, the plug 1 and the interior of the socket 2 are connected through the through holes 301 of the two sealing members 31, forming a channel. Therefore, the insertion part 5 can pass through the two through holes 301 and be inserted into the socket 2 through the channel to complete the connection.

[0072] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An optical fiber signal connection structure for an underwater wet-plug connector, characterized in that: It includes a plug (1), a socket (2), a rotary sealing assembly (3), a rotating cylinder assembly (4), an insertion part (5), a drive part (6), and a linkage assembly (7); The plug (1) and socket (2) abut against each other; The two rotary sealing components (3) are respectively disposed in the plug (1) and the socket (2). The rotary sealing components (3) have two states and switch between the two states, so that the interior of the plug (1) and the socket (2) are sealed relative to the external environment, or the interior of the plug (1) and the socket (2) are connected to form a channel. The rotating drum assembly (4) is sleeved on the plug (1) and rotates relative to the plug (1) axis. The rotating drum assembly (4) can convert the rotational force into a driving force that drives the two rotating sealing assemblies (3) to switch states simultaneously. The insertion part (5) is disposed inside the plug (1), and the insertion part (5) moves axially along the plug (1) and is inserted into the socket (2) through the channel; The rotary sealing assembly (3) includes a seal (31) and a rotating shaft (32). The plug (1) and socket (2) are provided with the same cavity (101) in a corresponding manner, and the cavity (101) is connected between the external environment and the inside of the plug (1) or the inside of the socket (2); The sealing element (31) is tightly disposed inside the cavity (101) and rotates relative to the cavity (101). A through hole (301) is provided inside the sealing element (31). One end of the rotating shaft (32) is fixed to the outer wall of the sealing element (31) and the other end is axially connected to the inner wall of the cavity (101). The sealing element (31) rotates relative to the cavity (101) and switches states through the rotating shaft (32), so that the through hole (301) connects to the cavity (101) or the sealing element (31) seals the cavity (101). The plug (1) and socket (2) are connected, and the two seals (31) in the plug (1) and socket (2) are switched to make the through hole (301) connect to the cavity (101) to form a channel. The insertion part (5) moves along the axial direction of the plug (1) and passes through the two through holes (301) to insert into the socket (2). The rotary drum assembly (4) includes a gear (41), a gear ring (42), a cylinder (43), and a first sliding pin (44). A gear (41) is provided on the end of the shaft (32) that is connected to the inner wall of the cavity (101). The gear (41) drives the rotating shaft (32) and the seal (31) to rotate synchronously; One of the gear rings (42) is fitted onto the plug (1) and rotates axially relative to the plug (1), and the other gear ring (42) is fitted onto the socket (2) and rotates axially relative to the socket (2). The gear ring (42) is engaged with the gear (41). One end of the cylindrical body (43) is sleeved on the end of the plug (1) facing the socket (2) and fixedly sleeved on the outside of the toothed ring (42). The cylindrical body (43) drives the toothed ring (42) to rotate synchronously relative to the plug (1). The other end of the cylindrical body (43) extends along the axial direction of the plug (1) and forms a hollow cylinder. A first sliding groove (401) is provided on the inner wall of the cylindrical body (43) along its own axial direction. The end of the first sliding groove (401) facing the socket (2) is provided with an opening and the other end is closed. The first sliding pin (44) is set on the toothed ring (42) located in the socket (2) to drive the toothed ring (42) to rotate synchronously. When the plug (1) and the socket (2) abut against each other, the socket (2) and the toothed ring (42) on the socket (2) are inserted into the cylinder (43) synchronously, and the first sliding pin (44) enters the first sliding groove (401). The plug (1) includes a first body (11) and a first housing (12), and the socket (2) includes a second body (21) and a second housing (22). The first body (11) and the second body (21) abut against each other. Both the first body (11) and the second body (21) have cavities (101) and are equipped with seals (31) and rotating shafts (32). A toothed ring (42) is fitted on the first body (11) and the second body (21). One end of the first housing (12) is sleeved on the first body (11) and rotates axially relative to the first body (11). The same toothed ring (42) is fixedly sleeved inside the first housing (12) and on the first body (11). A cylindrical body (43) is fixedly installed on the end of the first housing (12). An insertion part (5) is provided inside the first housing (12). One end of the second housing (22) is sleeved on the second body (21) and rotates axially relative to the second body (21). The second housing (22) can be inserted into the cylinder (43) and a first sliding pin (44) is fixed on the outer wall. One end of the insertion part (5) is inserted into the first body (11) and located on the side of the seal (31) away from the socket (2). The insertion end of the insertion part (5) is aligned with the cavity (101). The insertion part (5) can move relative to the first body (11) along the plug (1) axis and be inserted into the cavity (101). The drive unit (6) is inserted at the end of the first housing (12) away from the first body (11) and connected to the insertion part (5) through the linkage component (7). The drive unit (6) drives the first housing (12) to rotate synchronously relative to the insertion part (5) and the first body (11), or the drive unit (6) drives the insertion part (5) to move relative to the plug (1).

2. The fiber optic signal connection structure of an underwater wet-plug connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The linkage component (7) includes a ring (71), a second sliding pin (72) and a third sliding pin (73). The drive unit (6) has an insertion cavity at its insertion end; The end of the first body (11) located inside the first housing (12) is sleeved in the insertion cavity. The first body (11) located inside the first housing (12) has a second sliding groove (102) with both ends closed along its own axial direction on the outer wall of the first body (11) located inside the first housing (12). The first body (11) also has an arc-shaped third sliding groove (103) with its own radial cross-sectional outer contour on the outer wall of the first housing (12). One end of the third sliding groove (103) is connected to the end of the second sliding groove (102) away from the socket (2) and the other end is closed. The ring (71) is disposed inside the first housing (12) and sleeved outside the insertion end of the drive part (6). The inner wall of the ring (71) is symmetrically provided with at least two arc-shaped fourth grooves (701) along its radial cross-sectional outer contour. The second sliding pin (72) is fixed on the inner wall of the insertion cavity and is disposed in the third sliding groove (103); The third sliding pin (73) is fixed on the outer wall of the drive unit (6) located inside the first housing (12) and is disposed in the fourth sliding groove (701); The end of the insertion part (5) away from the first body (11) is disposed on the ring body (71) and moves synchronously with the ring body (71); The driving part (6) rotates axially relative to the first body (11) and the insertion part (5), and drives the second sliding pin (72) to move along the third sliding groove (103) and enter the second sliding groove (102), and at the same time drives the third sliding pin (73) to move along the fourth sliding groove (701); The driving part (6) drives the insertion part (5) to move synchronously along the axial direction of the plug (1), and drives the second sliding pin (72) to move along the second sliding groove (102).

3. The fiber optic signal connection structure of an underwater wet-plug connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rotary sealing assembly (3) also includes a mating part (33), a limiting part (34), and an elastic part (35); The socket (2) is provided with a docking part (8), which is located on the side of the seal (31) away from the plug (1) and aligned with the cavity (101). The docking part (8) abuts against the insertion part (5) to achieve optical signal connection. The mating part (33) is disposed in the plug (1) or socket (2). The mating part (33) is disposed on the side of the sealing part (31) facing the insertion part (5) or the docking part (8). One end of the mating part (33) is inserted into the cavity (101) and abuts against the surface of the sealing part (31). The other end of the mating part (33) extends along the axial direction of the plug (1). The mating part (33) is hollow inside. One end of the insertion part (5) is inserted into the mating part (33), and the insertion part (5) moves relative to the mating part (33) along the axial direction of the plug (1), or the insertion part (5) and the mating part (33) move synchronously along the axial direction of the plug (1); The docking part (8) is disposed inside the mating part (33) and moves synchronously with the mating part (33) along the axial direction of the socket (2); The limiting member (34) is fixedly installed inside the plug (1) or socket (2) and spaced apart from the mating member (33); The elastic element (35) is disposed between the mating element (33) and the limiting element (34) and its two ends abut against the mating element (33) and the limiting element (34) respectively.

4. The fiber optic signal connection structure of an underwater wet-plug connector according to claim 3, characterized in that: The end face of the mating part (33) that abuts against the outer surface of the sealing part (31) is mated with the outer surface of the sealing part (31), and the end face of the mating part (33) that abuts against the outer surface of the sealing part (31) is smoothly connected to the inner wall of the cavity (101).

5. The fiber optic signal connection structure of an underwater wet-plug connector according to claim 4, characterized in that: The sealing element (31) is spherical, and the end face of the mating part (33) that abuts against the outer surface of the sealing element (31) is spherical.

6. A method of using an underwater wet-plug connector's fiber optic signal connection structure, employing the fiber optic signal connection structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that: Includes the following steps, Step 1: Insert the socket (2) into the cylinder (43) and connect it with the plug (1) to achieve electrical signal connection, and make the first sliding pin (44) enter the first sliding groove (401); Step 2: Rotate the drive unit (6) to drive the first housing (12) and the cylinder (43) to rotate synchronously relative to the first main body (11), and push the first sliding pin (44) through the first sliding groove (401) to drive the second housing (22) to rotate synchronously relative to the second main body (21); Step 3: Operate the drive unit (6) to move along the axial direction of the plug (1) toward the socket (2), so that the insertion part (5) is inserted into the socket (2) and the optical fiber signal connection is realized.

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