Multi-cladding optical fiber and multi-core optical fiber coupler

Abstract

The invention relates to a multi-clad optical fiber and a multi-core optical fiber coupler, and belongs to the technical field of optical fibers. The optical fiber comprises a plurality of fiber cores and a wrapping layer arranged outside the fiber cores in a sleeving mode, the fiber cores are sleeved with a plurality of sleeves, the sleeves are flexible cylinders, the sleeves are provided with a plurality of through holes allowing the fiber cores to penetrate through, one end of each sleeve is provided with a step face, the other end of each sleeve is provided with a lantern ring, and the step faces are provided with step faces. The sleeves are sequentially connected in a lap joint mode through matching of the step faces and the lantern rings, and the wrapping layers are attached to the outer walls of the sleeves. The multi-core optical fiber coupler has the effect of facilitating installation of the multi-core optical fiber coupler.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of optical fiber technology, and in particular to a multi-clad optical fiber and a multi-core optical fiber coupler. Background Art

[0002] In order to meet the growing demand for network communications, multi-core optical fiber has become increasingly popular because it can greatly increase the capacity of communication systems. Multi-clad optical fiber has an additional inner cladding outside the core compared to ordinary optical fiber. For pump light, its diameter and wide angle are larger, and it can absorb a large amount of high-brightness multi-mode pump light. The emergence of multi-clad optical fiber is to meet specific needs and application scenarios. For example, in high-power fiber lasers, the multi-cladding structure helps to improve the absorption efficiency of pump light, thereby achieving higher-power laser output.

[0003] Fiber optic couplers are tools used to realize the splitting and combining of optical signals, distribute one input optical signal to multiple outputs, or combine multiple input optical signals into one optical signal output. When installing existing multi-core fiber optic couplers, you need to prepare professional multi-core fiber optic strippers, cleaning kits and other tools. Use the fiber optic strippers to remove the protective cover on the outer layer of the optical fiber and then clean the surface of the optical fiber. Then insert the processed multi-core optical fiber into the coupler port and fix it.

[0004] The existing multi-core optical fiber is complicated and time-consuming to install the multi-core optical fiber coupler, which makes the installation of the multi-core optical fiber coupler inconvenient. Summary of the invention

[0005] In order to facilitate the installation of a multi-core optical fiber coupler, the present application provides a multi-clad optical fiber and a multi-core optical fiber coupler.

[0006] On the one hand, the present application provides a multi-clad optical fiber, which adopts the following technical solution: A multi-clad optical fiber comprises a plurality of fiber cores and a cladding sleeved outside the plurality of fiber cores. A plurality of sleeves are sleeved on the plurality of fiber cores. The sleeves are flexible cylinders. A plurality of through holes are provided on the sleeves for the fiber cores to pass through. A step surface is provided at one end of the sleeve and a ring is provided at the other end of the sleeve. The plurality of sleeves are overlapped in sequence through the cooperation of the step surface and the ring, and the cladding is attached to the outer wall of the sleeve.

[0007] Optionally, glue is applied between the step surface of the sleeve and the ring.

[0008] On the other hand, the present application provides a multi-core optical fiber coupler, including a coupler body, which is used in conjunction with the above-mentioned multi-clad optical fiber, and also includes a clamping assembly, one end of the coupler body is provided with an annular plug plate and an annular cover plate, a gap is left between the plug plate and the cover plate for inserting the cladding, the plug plate is inserted between the cladding and the step surface, and the clamping assembly is arranged on the cover plate and is used to press the cover plate onto the cladding.

[0009] Optionally, a plurality of deformation seams are provided on the cover plate along the axial direction of the cover plate.

[0010] Optionally, a plurality of deformation seams are provided on the plug plate along the axial direction of the plug plate.

[0011] Optionally, the clamping assembly includes a rotating sleeve and a threaded seat, the rotating sleeve is arranged on the cover plate, and a bevel is provided on the end of the cover plate away from the coupler body, so that the outer diameter of the end of the cover plate away from the coupler body is small, and threads are processed on the bevel. The threaded seat is arranged around the inner wall of the rotating sleeve and adapted to the bevel, and threads are also processed on the threaded seat.

[0012] Optionally, the rotating sleeve is further provided with an anti-slip component, which is connected to the cover plate and is used to prevent the rotating sleeve from detaching from the cover plate.

[0013] Optionally, the anti-slip component includes a steel ball and a spring, a plurality of limit grooves are opened on the inner wall of the rotating sleeve, the bottom wall of the limit groove is inclined, and the limit groove is shallow at one end close to the coupler body, the spring and the steel ball are both arranged on the rotating sleeve and located in the limit groove, and the spring makes the steel ball always have a tendency to move toward the end of the limit groove with a shallow depth.

[0014] In summary, the present application includes at least one of the following beneficial technical effects: 1. The fiber core sleeve is arranged outside the multiple fiber cores, and the sleeve plays the role of fixing and protecting the fiber core, so that the optical cable in this application does not need to be filled with cable core fillers, sleeve fillers, filling ropes, etc. inside the traditional optical cable; 2. The sleeve is directly sleeved outside the fiber core, and multiple sleeves are overlapped in sequence. When installing the coupler, heat the optical cable joint to melt the glue between adjacent sleeves at the optical cable joint, and pull out the sleeve at the optical cable joint to install the subsequent coupler on the fiber core; there is no need to use optical fiber strippers to strip the sheaths outside multiple fiber cores in sequence, which greatly shortens the preliminary preparation time for coupler installation, improves the installation efficiency of the coupler, and achieves the effect of facilitating the installation of the coupler. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of the present application.

[0016] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the sleeve in the embodiment of the present application.

[0017] Figure 3 It is a cross-sectional view used to show the structure of the clamping assembly in the embodiment of the present application.

[0018] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Enlarged view of part A in the middle.

[0019] Description of reference numerals: 1. Fiber core; 2. Cladding; 3. Sleeve; 31. Step surface; 32. Ring; 4. Coupler body; 5. Clamping assembly; 51. Rotating sleeve; 511. Limiting groove; 52. Threaded seat; 53. Steel ball; 54. Spring; 6. Insert plate; 7. Cover plate; 71. Inclined surface. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The following is combined with Figure 1-4 This application is described in further detail.

[0021] The present application embodiment discloses a multi-clad optical fiber, referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2 A multi-clad optical fiber includes a plurality of fiber cores 1 and a cladding 2 sleeved outside the plurality of fiber cores 1. The fiber cores 1 and the cladding 2 are both conventional optical cable components. A plurality of sleeves 3 are sleeved on the plurality of fiber cores 1. The sleeves 3 are cylindrical structures and are made of flexible materials. A plurality of through holes for the fiber cores 1 to pass through are provided in a square shape along the length of the sleeve 3. A step surface 31 having an outer diameter smaller than that of the sleeve 3 is provided at one end of the sleeve 3. A collar 32 is provided around the other end of the sleeve 3. The outer diameter of the collar 32 is the same as that of the sleeve 3, and the inner diameter of the collar 32 is the same as that of the step surface 31. The plurality of sleeves 3 are overlapped and arranged in sequence through the cooperation of the step surface 31 and the collar 32, and the cladding 2 is attached to the outer wall of the sleeve 3. Glue is also applied between the step surface 31 of the sleeve 3 and the collar 32, and the glue is a hot melt adhesive.

[0022] The fiber core 1 is sleeved outside the multiple fiber cores 1, and the sleeve 3 plays the role of fixing the fiber core 1 and protecting the fiber core 1, so that the optical cable in this application does not need to be filled with cable core fillers, casing fillers, filling ropes, etc. in the traditional optical cable. The sleeve 3 is directly sleeved outside the fiber core 1, and multiple sleeves 3 are overlapped in sequence. When installing the coupler, the optical cable joint is heated to melt the glue between the adjacent sleeves 3 at the optical cable joint, and the sleeve 3 at the optical cable joint is pulled out to install the subsequent coupler on the fiber core 1; there is no need to use optical fiber strippers to strip the outer sheaths of multiple fiber cores 1 in sequence, which greatly shortens the pre-preparation time for the installation of the coupler, improves the installation efficiency of the coupler, and achieves the effect of facilitating the installation of the coupler.

[0023] The embodiment of the present application also discloses a multi-core optical fiber coupler, which is used in conjunction with the multi-clad optical fiber of the present application. Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 The multi-core optical fiber coupler includes a coupler body 4 and a pressing assembly 5 arranged on the coupler body 4. A cover plate 7 and an insert plate 6 are arranged around one end of the coupler body 4 close to the multi-clad optical fiber. The cover plate 7 and the insert plate 6 are both annular, and the cover plate 7 is located outside the insert plate 6. A gap is left between the insert plate 6 and the cover plate 7 for inserting the cladding 2. The insert plate 6 is inserted between the cladding 2 and the step surface 31. The pressing assembly 5 is arranged on the cover plate 7, and the pressing assembly 5 is used to press the cover plate 7 onto the cladding 2.

[0024] When installing the multi-core fiber optic coupler, insert the coupler body 4 into the multi-clad optical fiber joint, and insert the plug plate 6 between the cladding 2 and the step surface 31 of the sleeve 3, and insert the cladding 2 between the cover plate 7 and the plug plate 6, and then use the clamping assembly 5 to press the cover plate 7 onto the cladding 2. At this time, the plug plate 6 is pressed onto the sleeve 3, so that the coupler body 4 is installed on the multi-clad optical fiber, thereby facilitating the installation of the coupler body 4.

[0025] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 , multiple deformation seams are provided on the cover plate 7 along the axial direction of the cover plate 7, and multiple deformation seams are also provided on the plug plate 6 along the axial direction of the plug plate 6, and the deformation seams separate the front end of the cover plate 7 and the plug plate 6 into multiple arc-shaped plates. Thus, when the pressing assembly 5 is pressed, the plug plate 6 can undergo a corresponding phase change and be pressed against the sleeve 3, and the cover plate 7 can undergo a corresponding deformation and be pressed against the cladding 2 and the internal plug plate 6, so as to facilitate fixing the coupler to the multi-clad optical fiber.

[0026] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 The clamping assembly 5 includes a rotating sleeve 51 and a threaded seat 52. The rotating sleeve 51 is an annular sleeve. The rotating sleeve 51 is sleeved on the end of the cover plate 7 away from the coupler body 4. The end of the rotating sleeve 51 is processed with a slope and fits with the outer wall of the cladding 2. The end of the cover plate 7 away from the coupler body 4 is provided with an inclined surface 71, so that the end of the cover plate 7 away from the coupler body 4 has a small outer diameter and the end close to the coupler body 4 has a large outer diameter. The inclined surface 71 is processed with threads around it. The threaded seat 52 is arranged around the inner wall of the rotating sleeve 51 and is adapted to the inclined surface 71. The threaded seat 52 is also processed with threads.

[0027] By rotating the rotating sleeve 51, the threaded seat 52 and the cover plate 7 are threadedly arranged, so that the rotating seat moves toward one end of the coupler body 4. As the rotating sleeve 51 moves, the rotating sleeve 51 squeezes the cover plate 7 inward, and then presses the cover plate 7 against the cladding 2, thereby achieving the effect of fixing the coupler body 4 on the optical fiber.

[0028] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 , an anti-slipping piece is also provided on the rotating sleeve 51, and the anti-slipping piece is connected to the cover plate 7, and is used to prevent the rotating sleeve 51 from being detached from the cover plate 7. The anti-slipping piece includes a steel ball 53 and a spring 54. A plurality of limiting grooves 511 are provided on the inner wall of the rotating sleeve 51. The bottom wall of the limiting groove 511 is inclined, and the depth of the limiting groove 511 is shallow at one end close to the coupler body 4 and deep at the end away from the coupler body 4. The steel ball 53 is provided on the rotating sleeve 51 and is located in the limiting groove 511. The inner width of the limiting groove 511 is greater than the width of the opening of the limiting groove 511, so that the steel ball 53 can partially protrude out of the rotating sleeve 51 but cannot be detached from the limiting groove 511. The spring 54 is arranged on the rotating sleeve 51 and is located in the limiting groove 511. One end of the spring 54 is connected to the end wall of the limiting groove 511 and the other end is in contact with the steel ball 53. The spring 54 makes the steel ball 53 always have a tendency to move toward the end of the limiting groove 511 with a shallow depth.

[0029] When the rotating sleeve 51 moves toward the coupler body 4 on the cover plate 7, the steel ball 53 moves toward the end of the limit groove 511 with a deeper depth under the action of friction, and the rotating sleeve 51 can move normally. When the rotating sleeve 51 has a tendency to move away from the coupler body 4, the steel ball 53 has a tendency to move toward the end of the limit groove 511 with a shallower depth under the action of friction and the spring 54. At this time, the steel ball 53 clamps the rotating sleeve 51 on the cover plate 7, thereby preventing the rotating sleeve 51 from moving away from the coupler and detaching from the cover plate 7.

[0030] The implementation principle of a multi-clad optical fiber and a multi-core optical fiber coupler in the embodiment of the present application is as follows: the optical fiber core 1 is sleeved outside the multiple optical fiber cores 1, and the sleeve 3 plays the role of fixing the optical fiber core 1 and protecting the optical fiber core 1. The sleeve 3 is directly sleeved outside the optical fiber core 1, and multiple sleeves 3 are overlapped in sequence. When installing the coupler, the sleeve 3 at the optical cable joint can be pulled out to install the subsequent coupler on the optical fiber core 1; there is no need to use optical fiber strippers to strip the sheaths outside the multiple optical fiber cores 1 in sequence, which greatly shortens the preliminary preparation time for installing the coupler, improves the installation efficiency of the coupler, and achieves the effect of facilitating the installation of the coupler.

[0031] Finally, it should be noted that in the description of this application, it should be noted that the terms "vertical", "up", "down", "horizontal", etc. indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they cannot be understood as limitations on this application.

[0032] The above are all preferred embodiments of the present application, and the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Therefore, any equivalent changes made according to the structure, shape, and principle of the present application should be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A multi-clad optical fiber, comprising a plurality of fiber cores (1) and a cladding (2) disposed outside the plurality of fiber cores (1), characterized in that: A plurality of sleeves (3) are sleeved on the plurality of fiber cores (1); the sleeves (3) are flexible cylinders, and a plurality of through holes are provided on the sleeves (3) for the fiber cores (1) to pass through; a step surface (31) is provided at one end of the sleeve (3), and a ring (32) is provided at the other end of the sleeve (3); the plurality of sleeves (3) are overlapped in sequence through the cooperation of the step surface (31) and the ring (32), and the cladding (2) is attached to the outer wall of the sleeve (3).

2. A multi-clad optical fiber according to claim 1, characterized in that: Glue is applied between the step surface (31) of the sleeve (3) and the collar (32).

3. A multi-core optical fiber coupler, comprising a coupler body (4), wherein the coupler body (4) is used in conjunction with the multi-clad optical fiber according to any one of claims 1 to 2, and characterized in that: The invention also comprises a clamping assembly (5), wherein one end of the coupler body (4) is provided with an annular plug plate (6) and an annular cover plate (7), a gap for inserting the cladding (2) is reserved between the plug plate (6) and the cover plate (7), the plug plate (6) is inserted between the cladding (2) and the step surface (31), and the clamping assembly (5) is arranged on the cover plate (7) and is used to clamp the cover plate (7) onto the cladding (2).

4. A multi-core optical fiber coupler according to claim 3, characterized in that: The cover plate (7) is provided with a plurality of deformation seams along the axial direction of the cover plate (7).

5. The multi-core optical fiber coupler according to claim 3, characterized in that: The inserting plate (6) is provided with a plurality of deformation seams along the axial direction of the inserting plate (6).

6. The multi-core optical fiber coupler according to claim 3, characterized in that: The clamping assembly (5) comprises a rotating sleeve (51) and a threaded seat (52), wherein the rotating sleeve (51) is sleeved on the cover plate (7), and an inclined surface (71) is provided at one end of the cover plate (7) away from the coupler body (4), so that the outer diameter of the end of the cover plate (7) away from the coupler body (4) is small, and threads are processed on the inclined surface (71). The threaded seat (52) is arranged around the inner wall of the rotating sleeve (51) and is adapted to the inclined surface (71), and threads are also processed on the threaded seat (52).

7. A multi-core optical fiber coupler according to claim 6, characterized in that: The rotating sleeve (51) is also provided with an anti-slipping piece, which is connected to the cover plate (7) and is used to prevent the rotating sleeve (51) from being detached from the cover plate (7).

8. The multi-core optical fiber coupler according to claim 7, characterized in that: The anti-dropping component comprises a steel ball (53) and a spring (54); a plurality of limiting grooves (511) are provided on the inner wall of the rotating sleeve (51); the bottom walls of the limiting grooves (511) are arranged obliquely, and the limiting grooves (511) are shallow at one end close to the coupler body (4); the spring (54) and the steel ball (53) are both arranged on the rotating sleeve (51) and located in the limiting grooves (511); the spring (54) enables the steel ball (53) to always have a tendency to move towards the end of the limiting groove (511) with a shallow depth.

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