Multi-core optical fiber connector and connection structure

Abstract

The invention provides a multi-core optical fiber connector and a connecting structure. The multi-core optical fiber connector comprises a positioning tail handle, an insertion core, a fixing sleeve, an elastic piece, a tail sheath and a supporting piece. The fixing sleeve is fixedly connected with the supporting piece, the fixing sleeve is provided with a mounting hole for accommodating the insertion core, the tail sheath is mounted at one end, far away from the fixing sleeve, of the supporting piece, and the positioning tail handle is movably mounted in the fixing sleeve and the supporting piece through the elastic piece; one end of the positioning tail handle is embedded with the inner wall of the fixing sleeve through a non-rotational symmetric connecting assembly, the insertion core extends into the positioning tail handle, and the other end of the positioning tail handle extends into the tail sheath. The insertion core is connected and fixed through the positioning tail handle, and the positioning tail handle and the fixing sleeve are embedded through the non-rotational symmetric connecting assembly, so that the rotation angle of the multi-core optical fiber in the insertion core is fixed, and only a unique installation mode is provided, so that alignment among different fiber cores is realized, and the convenience of installation is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of optical fiber communication, and in particular to a multi-core optical fiber connector and a connection structure. Background Art

[0002] Multi-core fiber (MCF) refers to a new type of optical fiber with multiple cores in a common cladding area. Because it can improve the integration density per unit area of ​​the transmission line, it has the characteristics of multiple physical channels, low crosstalk between cores, and good attenuation consistency of each core. It is increasingly widely used in space-division multiplexing ultra-large capacity optical fiber communication systems, new large-capacity multi-service access networks, distributed optical fiber sensing systems, and medical equipment.

[0003] Multi-core optical fiber refers to an optical fiber with multiple cores in one cladding. Existing multi-core optical fibers often rely on fan-in and fan-out devices to achieve multiplexing of multiple cores. The operation of splicing two multi-core optical fibers is relatively complicated, requiring not only axial alignment of the optical fibers, but also angular alignment of the optical fibers.

[0004] The existing Chinese patent application document with publication number CN213600930U discloses a multi-core optical fiber connector, including a protective shell and a limiting groove, the outer wall of the protective shell is provided with a connecting hole, and a mounting block is connected above the connecting hole, an upper cover is fixed above the mounting block, and a rubber pad is provided on the inner wall of the upper cover, a connector body is provided inside the protective shell, and an optical fiber is connected to one side of the connector body, a wiring groove is provided on one side of the optical fiber, and a first sponge block is provided inside the wiring groove, a second sponge block is provided above the optical fiber, a connecting plate is fixed below the protective shell, and a fixing plate is connected below the connecting plate, and a fixing block is provided on one side of the fixing plate.

[0005] The multi-core optical fiber connector in the prior art needs to be debugged during installation to ensure that the respective optical cores in the two multi-core optical fibers are connected correspondingly, which is inconvenient to operate and needs to be improved. Summary of the invention

[0006] In view of the defects in the prior art, an object of the present invention is to provide a multi-core optical fiber connector and a connection structure.

[0007] A multi-core optical fiber connector and connection structure provided by the present invention comprises a positioning tail handle, a core insert, a fixing sleeve, an elastic member, a tail sleeve and a supporting member; the fixing sleeve is tightly connected to the supporting member, a mounting hole for accommodating the core insert is provided on the fixing sleeve, the tail sleeve is mounted on an end of the supporting member away from the fixing sleeve, and the positioning tail handle is movably mounted inside the fixing sleeve and the supporting member through an elastic member; one end of the positioning tail handle is engaged with the inner wall of the fixing sleeve through a non-rotationally symmetrical connecting component, the core insert is inserted into the positioning tail handle, and the other end of the positioning tail handle is inserted into the tail sleeve.

[0008] Preferably, the connecting assembly comprises a groove arranged on the positioning tail handle and a protrusion arranged on the inner wall of the fixing sleeve, and the protrusion is plug-fitted with the groove.

[0009] Preferably, at least two groups of the connection components are provided, and the shapes and / or sizes of the grooves of any group of the connection components are different.

[0010] Preferably, at least two groups of the connecting components are provided, and the grooves of the multiple groups of the connecting components are arranged in a non-rotationally symmetrical manner in the circumferential direction of the positioning tail handle.

[0011] Preferably, the manufacturing error of the groove on the positioning tail handle satisfies that the deviation distance of the optical fiber core is less than 0.3 μm.

[0012] Preferably, the connecting portion between the fixing sleeve and the supporting member is provided with a nut for connecting the flange.

[0013] Preferably, a boss is provided on the outer wall of the fixing sleeve, a first boss is provided on the outer wall of the fixing sleeve, a second boss is provided on the outer wall of the supporting member, and the nut includes a limiting portion, which is movably provided between the first boss and the second boss.

[0014] Preferably, one end of the support member extends into the fixing sleeve, and the support member is threadedly connected to the fixing sleeve.

[0015] Preferably, the elastic member is in a compressed state.

[0016] According to the present invention, a connection structure for a multi-core optical fiber includes a first multi-core optical fiber, a second multi-core optical fiber and two multi-core connectors. The first multi-core optical fiber and the second multi-core optical fiber are respectively installed in the two multi-core connectors. The two multi-core connectors are connected by a flange, and the multi-core end face of the first multi-core optical fiber is aligned and connected with the multi-core end face of the second multi-core optical fiber.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0018] 1. The present invention connects and fixes the ferrule through a positioning tail handle, and the positioning tail handle and the fixing sleeve are engaged through a non-rotationally symmetric connection component, thereby fixing the rotation angle of the multi-core optical fiber inside the ferrule, and there is only one installation method to achieve alignment between different fiber cores, which helps to improve the convenience of installation.

[0019] 2. When the multi-core connector is installed in place, the elastic member is in a compressed state, which helps to improve the stability of the overall structure of the multi-core connector.

[0020] 3. The present invention realizes the alignment and connection of multi-core optical fibers by modifying some components of the traditional single-mode optical fiber connector, and is based on existing devices, making it easy to realize. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of non-limiting embodiments made with reference to the following drawings:

[0022] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view mainly showing the overall structure of the multi-core connector of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the asymmetric groove and protrusion structure of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the components of a multi-core optical fiber connector mainly embodied in the present invention.

[0025] As shown in the figure: 1. Positioning tail handle; 2. Insert core; 3. Fixing sleeve; 4. Nut; 5. Elastic part; 6. Tail sleeve; 7. Support part; 8. Groove; 9. Protrusion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The present invention is described in detail below in conjunction with specific embodiments. The following embodiments will help those skilled in the art to further understand the present invention, but are not intended to limit the present invention in any form. It should be noted that, for those of ordinary skill in the art, several changes and improvements can also be made without departing from the concept of the present invention. These all belong to the protection scope of the present invention.

[0027] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 as well as Figure 3As shown, a multi-core optical fiber connector and connection structure provided by the present invention comprises a positioning tail handle 1, a core ferrule 2, a fixing sleeve 3, an elastic member 5, a tail sleeve 6 and a support member 7. The fixing sleeve 3 is tightly connected to the support member 7, and a mounting hole for accommodating the core ferrule 2 is provided on the fixing sleeve 3. The tail sleeve 6 is installed at one end of the support member 7 away from the fixing sleeve 3. The positioning tail handle 1 is movably installed inside the fixing sleeve 3 and the support member 7 through the elastic member 5. One end of the positioning tail handle 1 is engaged with the inner wall of the fixing sleeve 3 through an asymmetric connection component, the core ferrule 2 extends into the positioning tail handle 1, and the other end of the positioning tail handle 1 extends into the tail sleeve 6.

[0028] Specifically, the tail sheath 6 is used to protect the tail of the optical fiber. The tail sheath 6 includes a head and a tail. The length of the tail is greater than the length of the head. The diameter of the head gradually increases from the end away from the tail to the end close to the tail. The diameter of the tail gradually increases from the end away from the head to the end close to the head. A step surface is formed at the connection between the tail and the head. The tail sheath 6 is a hollow barrel structure, and the diameter of the hollow structure of the tail sheath 6 gradually decreases from the head to the tail.

[0029] The support member 7 is used to connect with the fixing sleeve 3 to assemble the entire connector structure. The support member 7 is a hollow barrel-shaped structure. The opening size of the end of the support member 7 connected to the fixing sleeve 3 allows the tail sleeve 6 to pass through. The opening size of the end of the support member 7 away from the fixing sleeve 3 allows the tail of the tail sleeve 6 to pass through but does not allow the head of the tail sleeve 6 to pass through, and the step surfaces of the head and tail of the tail sleeve 6 abut against the inner wall of the opening of the support member 7 away from the fixing sleeve 3.

[0030] The fixing sleeve 3 is a hollow barrel-shaped structure, one end of the support member 7 extends into the fixing sleeve 3, and the support member 7 is threadedly connected to the fixing sleeve 3. The ferrule 2 of the present application can be a ceramic ferrule, and one end of the ferrule 2 is installed in the fixing sleeve 3 from the end of the fixing sleeve 3 away from the support member 7 until it is installed in the positioning tail handle 1. The ferrule 2 is connected and fixed by the positioning tail handle 1, and the positioning tail handle 1 and the fixing sleeve 3 are asymmetrically interlocked through the connection assembly, which fixes the rotation angle of the multi-core optical fiber inside the ferrule 2, and there is only one installation method to achieve alignment between different fiber cores, thereby improving the convenience of installation.

[0031] The elastic member 5 includes a spring, and the elastic member 5 is coaxially sleeved with the positioning tail handle 1, and one end of the elastic member 5 abuts against the head of the positioning tail handle 1, and the other end of the elastic member 5 abuts against the head of the tail sleeve 6. When the multi-core connector is installed in place, the elastic member 5 is in a compressed state, ensuring the stability of the overall structure of the multi-core connector.

[0032] More specifically, the connecting assembly includes a groove 8 provided on the positioning tail handle 1 and a protrusion 9 provided on the inner wall of the fixing sleeve 3 , and the protrusion 9 is plug-fitted with the groove 8 .

[0033] Further, at least two groups of connection components are provided, and the shape and / or size of the groove 8 of any group of connection components are different. By setting the shape and / or size of the groove 8 of each group of connection components to be different, it is possible to achieve that one end of the positioning tail handle 1 and the inner wall of the fixing sleeve 3 are engaged through the non-rotationally symmetrical connection component, and a unique installation method is provided.

[0034] Furthermore, at least two groups of connection components are provided, and the grooves 8 of the multiple groups of connection components are arranged asymmetrically in the circumferential direction of the positioning tail handle 1. Through the multiple groups of asymmetrically arranged connection components, one end of the positioning tail handle 1 and the inner wall of the fixing sleeve 3 can be engaged through the non-rotationally symmetrical connection components, which has a unique installation method, and the uniformity of the overall force of the multi-core connector can be improved by providing multiple groups of connection components.

[0035] Furthermore, the manufacturing error of the groove 8 on the positioning tail handle 1 satisfies that the optical fiber core deviation distance is less than 0.3μm, and the corresponding groove 8 deviation angle error varies due to the different core arrangements of the actual multi-core optical fiber, but the goal is to achieve a core deviation distance of less than 0.3μm.

[0036] It should be emphasized that the present application does not limit the number and shape of the grooves 8 on the positioning tail handle 1, and only aims to achieve the asymmetry of the arrangement of the grooves 8. The shape can be fan-shaped, rectangular, etc., and the number is preferably 2-3.

[0037] The present application provides a feasible implementation method: the groove 8 on the positioning tail handle 1 includes two parts, which are symmetrical in structure, but the shapes of the grooves 8 are large and small, thus forming an asymmetrical structure. The large and small grooves 8 are both fan-shaped structures, the fan-shaped expansion angle of the small groove 8 is 10 degrees to 15 degrees, and the fan-shaped expansion angle of the large groove 8 is 30 degrees to 35 degrees. If there are three grooves 8, it is better to arrange them axially symmetrically. The asymmetrical structural position makes the force uneven, which will affect the positioning error.

[0038] The connection between the fixing sleeve 3 and the supporting member 7 is provided with a nut 4 for connecting the flange. The outer wall of the fixing sleeve 3 is provided with a first boss, the outer wall of the supporting member 7 is provided with a second boss, and the nut 4 includes a limiting portion, which is movably arranged between the first boss and the second boss. Specifically, when the limiting portion moves to the first boss, the limiting portion contacts the end face of the first boss close to the second boss. When the limiting portion moves to the second boss, the limiting portion contacts the end face of the second shoulder close to the first boss.

[0039] The multi-core connector of the present application can be installed by connecting the nut 4 to the external flange. The multi-core connector structure of the present application is based on the basic structure of the traditional single-mode optical fiber connector, so that it has high feasibility.

[0040] A multi-core optical fiber connection structure provided by the present invention includes a first multi-core optical fiber, a second multi-core optical fiber and two multi-core connectors, wherein the first multi-core optical fiber and the second multi-core optical fiber are respectively installed in the two multi-core connectors, and the end face of the first multi-core optical fiber is parallel to the end face of the ferrule 2 of the corresponding multi-core connector, and the end face of the second multi-core optical fiber is parallel to the end face of the ferrule 2 of the corresponding multi-core connector, and the two multi-core connectors are connected by a flange, and the multi-core end face of the first multi-core optical fiber is aligned and connected with the multi-core end face of the second multi-core optical fiber. The rotation angle of the multi-core optical fiber inside the ferrule 2 is fixed by the unique connection method of the positioning tail handle 1 and the fixing sleeve 3, so as to achieve alignment between different fiber cores.

[0041] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that the terms "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", etc., indicating orientations or positional relationships, are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the referred device or element must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation on the present application.

[0042] The above describes the specific embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the above specific embodiments, and those skilled in the art can make various changes or modifications within the scope of the claims, which does not affect the essence of the present invention. In the absence of conflict, the embodiments of the present application and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other arbitrarily.

Claims

1. A multi-core optical fiber connector, characterized in that: It comprises a positioning tail handle (1), a core insert (2), a fixing sleeve (3), an elastic member (5), a tail sleeve (6) and a supporting member (7); The fixing sleeve (3) is tightly connected to the supporting member (7); a mounting hole for accommodating the ferrule (2) is provided on the fixing sleeve (3); the tail sleeve (6) is mounted on an end of the supporting member (7) away from the fixing sleeve (3); and the positioning tail handle (1) is movably mounted inside the fixing sleeve (3) and the supporting member (7) via an elastic member (5); One end of the positioning tail handle (1) is engaged with the inner wall of the fixing sleeve (3) via a non-rotationally symmetrical connecting component, the insert (2) extends into the positioning tail handle (1), and the other end of the positioning tail handle (1) extends into the tail sleeve (6).

2. The multi-core optical fiber connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connection assembly comprises a groove (8) arranged on the positioning tail handle (1) and a protrusion (9) arranged on the inner wall of the fixing sleeve (3), wherein the protrusion (9) is plug-fitted with the groove (8).

3. The multi-core optical fiber connector according to claim 2, characterized in that: At least two groups of the connection components are provided, and the shapes and / or sizes of the grooves (8) of any group of the connection components are different.

4. The multi-core optical fiber connector according to claim 2, characterized in that: At least two groups of the connection components are provided, and the grooves (8) of the multiple groups of the connection components are arranged in a non-rotationally symmetrical manner in the circumferential direction of the positioning tail handle (1).

5. The multi-core optical fiber connector according to claim 2, wherein: The manufacturing error of the groove (8) on the positioning tail handle (1) satisfies that the optical fiber core deviation distance is less than 0.3 μm.

6. The multi-core optical fiber connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connection portion between the fixing sleeve (3) and the supporting member (7) is provided with a nut (4) for connecting the flange.

7. The multi-core optical fiber connector according to claim 6, characterized in that: A first boss is provided on the outer wall of the fixing sleeve (3), a second boss is provided on the outer wall of the supporting member (7), and the nut (4) comprises a limiting portion, which is movably arranged between the first boss and the second boss.

8. The multi-core optical fiber connector according to claim 1, wherein: One end of the support member (7) extends into the fixing sleeve (3), and the support member (7) is threadedly connected to the fixing sleeve (3).

9. The multi-core optical fiber connector according to claim 1, wherein: The elastic member (5) is in a compressed state.

10. A multi-core optical fiber connection structure, characterized in that: The multi-core optical fiber connector according to any one of claims 1 to 9 comprises a first multi-core optical fiber, a second multi-core optical fiber and two multi-core connectors, wherein the first multi-core optical fiber and the second multi-core optical fiber are respectively installed in the two multi-core connectors, the two multi-core connectors are connected by a flange, and the multi-core end face of the first multi-core optical fiber is aligned and connected with the multi-core end face of the second multi-core optical fiber.

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