Optical fiber connector used for air-blowing installation

Abstract

The invention relates to an optical fiber connector for air-blowing installation, which comprises a connector core preassembled at one end of an optical cable, the connector core comprises an insertion core seat and an insertion core, the insertion core seat is provided with a first through hole for insertion of the insertion core, and the insertion core is provided with an optical fiber hole coaxial with the through hole; the optical fiber connector further comprises a pipe assembly, the pipe assembly is engaged with one end of the optical cable and clamped to the end, away from the insertion core, of the insertion core seat, the optical fiber sequentially passes through the pipe assembly and the first through hole, a bare core is led out from the insertion core and inserted into the optical fiber hole, and the bare core is preprocessed at the end, away from the insertion core seat, of the insertion core to form an optical fiber end face. The outer diameters of the pipe assembly, the insertion core seat and the insertion core are all smaller than 4mm. According to the technical scheme of the invention, the situation that the optical cable cannot pass through the air-blowing pipe with the smaller turning radius due to the large friction force when the optical fiber is blown into the air-blowing pipe with the inner diameter of 4mm in the air-blowing mode in the related technology is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of optical fiber connectors, and particularly to an optical fiber connector for installation by air blowing method. Background Art

[0002] An optical fiber connector is a device for detachably (actively) connecting between optical fibers. It precisely docks the two end faces of the optical fibers so that the optical energy output from the transmitting optical fiber can be coupled into the receiving optical fiber to the maximum extent, and the impact on the system caused by its intervention in the optical link is minimized.

[0003] Installing an optical cable by air blowing means blowing the optical cable into a pre-buried silicon core pipe by means of high-pressure air flow.

[0004] In the construction of fiber optic access networks, a large number of optical fibers need to be laid to the fiber optic box access points on the user side. Currently, the main construction method is to splice the incoming optical fiber with the pigtail pre-set in the fiber optic box to complete the termination of the incoming optical fiber.

[0005] This construction method requires splicing the optical fiber at the fiber optic box on the user side. Since the fiber optic box is close to the user side, the installation environment is complex and changeable. The splicing operation has certain requirements for the environment to ensure the splicing quality, and it is also inconvenient to carry and place the splicing equipment. In addition, when new users are added or expanded and faults are maintained, the above operations need to be repeated, resulting in high construction intensity and low efficiency.

[0006] Chinese Patent No. CN118859426A discloses an optical cable connection module, an in-house optical cable module, and an optical cable connection device. The sub-optical cable connection module includes a fiber distribution box and an air blown cable. The fiber distribution box includes a housing and a connection component. The connection component is fixed to the housing and exposed outside the housing, and this connection component can be used to connect the optical cable on the user side. One end of the air blown cable is located inside the housing and connected to the connection component, and the other end of the air blown cable extends outside the housing for connecting to the optical cable distribution box.

[0007] The above technical solution provides an optical cable that can support installation by air blowing after fiber splitting. However, there are two coiling cores in the housing, and its structural distribution determines that the outer diameter of the housing is relatively large and the length of the housing is relatively long, which requires a relatively large outer diameter of the air blowing pipe. In actual wiring, the air blowing pipe needs to be selected in different specifications according to different core numbers. In the application scenario of fiber to the home in Europe, an air blowing pipe with an inner diameter of 4 mm is mostly used. The smaller inner diameter results in an increased contact area between the optical cable and the air blowing pipe, and the corresponding optical cable is subject to greater friction when passing through the air blowing pipe. Among them, when the turning radius of the air blowing pipe is relatively small, there is even a situation where the optical cable is subject to too much friction and cannot pass through. Summary of the Invention

[0008] In order to improve the situation in the related art where when blowing an optical fiber into an air blowing pipe with an inner diameter of 4 mm by means of air blowing, when the optical cable passes through an air blowing pipe with a relatively small bending radius, the optical cable cannot pass through due to the relatively large frictional force it receives, the present application provides an optical fiber connector for installation by means of air blowing.

[0009] The present application provides an optical fiber connector for installation by means of air blowing, adopting the following technical solutions: An optical fiber connector for installation by means of air blowing includes a connector core pre-installed at one end of an optical cable. The connector core includes a ferrule seat and a ferrule. The ferrule seat has a first through hole for the ferrule to be inserted, and the ferrule has an optical fiber hole coaxial with the through hole. The optical fiber connector further includes a tube assembly. The tube assembly bites at one end of the optical cable and is snap-connected to one end of the ferrule seat away from the ferrule. The optical fiber sequentially passes through the tube assembly and the first through hole and leads out a bare core at the ferrule and inserts it into the optical fiber hole. The bare core is pre-processed to form an optical fiber end face at one end of the ferrule away from the ferrule seat. The outer diameters of the tube assembly, the ferrule seat, and the ferrule are all less than 4 mm.

[0010] Optionally, the tube assembly includes a riveting tube and a tail sleeve. One end of the riveting tube is sleeved on one end of the optical cable, and the riveting tube is in interference fit with the optical cable. One end of the tail sleeve is inserted and fixed at the end of the riveting tube away from the optical cable, and the other end of the tail sleeve is sleeved and fixed on the ferrule seat.

[0011] Optionally, one end of the tail sleeve inserted into the riveting tube has a plurality of first convex rings. Each of the first convex rings is evenly distributed on the outer wall of the tail sleeve along the axial direction of the tail sleeve, and the inner wall of the riveting tube abuts against the outer walls of each of the first convex rings.

[0012] Optionally, the optical fiber connector further includes a limiting ring. A limiting ring groove for the limiting ring to be sleeved and fixed is provided at one end of the ferrule seat away from the ferrule. The inner wall of the limiting ring abuts against the groove wall of the limiting ring groove. A snap ring protrudes radially from the outer wall of the limiting ring. A stepped groove for the snap ring to be snap-connected is provided on the inner wall of the tail sleeve. The snap ring is snap-connected to the tail sleeve to axially limit the ferrule seat.

[0013] Optionally, a second convex ring is provided on one side of the ferrule seat close to the ferrule. A spring is sleeved on the surface of the ferrule seat. One end of the spring abuts against the side of the second convex ring facing the tail sleeve, and the other end of the spring abuts against the end of the tail sleeve away from the riveting tube.

[0014] Optionally, one end of the ferrule extends out of the first through hole. In this case, the optical fiber connector further includes a protective sleeve. The protective sleeve is sleeved on the end of the ferrule away from the ferrule base, and the protective sleeve has a blunt head.

[0015] Optionally, the optical fiber hole has a transition section. The inner diameter of the transition section gradually decreases from large to small, and the transition section communicates with the first through hole.

[0016] Optionally, the optical fiber connector includes a connector housing. The connector housing is assembled to the connector core on the user side to connect to the optical fiber interface of the optical fiber box. A claw is convexly provided on the inner wall of the connector housing, and an annular groove for the claw to be clamped is provided on the outer wall of the tail sleeve.

[0017] By adopting the above technical solutions, on the one hand, the optical fiber connector is a factory pre-terminated connector, which provides an optical fiber end face that can be directly connected to the optical fiber box on the user side, eliminating the need for optical fiber fusion splicing and avoiding on-site fusion splicing operations at the laying point. On the other hand, for a pneumatic blowing tube with an inner diameter of 4 mm, an optical fiber connector with an outer diameter not greater than 4 mm is provided. Among them, the optical fiber in the optical cable is inserted into the ferrule base, and the bare core led out from the optical fiber is inserted into the ferrule. The connector core travels at high speed in the pneumatic blowing tube along with the high-pressure air flow. The ferrule base and the ferrule play a role in isolating the optical fiber from the inner wall of the pneumatic blowing tube, reducing the contact area between the optical fiber connector and the inner wall of the pneumatic blowing tube to reduce the friction force, and avoiding the situation where the optical cable cannot pass through due to excessive friction force when the turning radius of the pneumatic blowing tube is small. Thereby, the efficiency of laying optical fibers by pneumatic blowing in a pneumatic blowing tube with an inner diameter of 4 mm is improved. Description of the Drawings

[0018] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the following will discuss the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the technical solutions described in conjunction with the drawings are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other embodiments and their drawings can be obtained based on the embodiments shown in these drawings.

[0019] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of the optical fiber connector.

[0020] Figure 2 is an exploded view of the connector core.

[0021] Figure 3 is a schematic structural diagram of the connector core.

[0022] Figure 4 is an exploded view of the connector core and the connector housing.

[0023] Figure 5It is a schematic structural diagram of a connector housing.

[0024] Figure 6 It is a cross-sectional view of an optical fiber connector.

[0025] Figure 7 It is a cross-sectional view of the connector core in a blowing tube with a bending radius of 100 mm.

[0026] In the figure: 1. ferrule seat; 2. ferrule; 3. first through hole; 4. optical fiber hole; 5. riveting tube; 6. tail sleeve; 7. first convex ring; 8. limiting ring; 9. limiting ring groove; 10. snap ring; 11. stepped groove; 12. second convex ring; 13. spring; 14. protective sleeve; 15. blunt head; 16. transition section; 17. connector housing; 18. clamping claw; 19. annular groove; 20. second through hole; 21. annular platform. Specific embodiments

[0027] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0028] An embodiment of the present invention provides an optical fiber connector for installation by blowing method, as Figures 1 to 7 shown, which includes a connector core pre-installed at one end of an optical cable. The connector core includes a ferrule seat 1 and a ferrule 2. The ferrule seat 1 has a first through hole 3 for the ferrule 2 to be inserted, and the ferrule 2 has an optical fiber hole 4 coaxial with the through hole. The optical fiber connector further includes a tube assembly. The tube assembly is engaged with one end of the optical cable and clamped to the end of the ferrule seat 1 away from the ferrule 2. The optical fiber sequentially passes through the tube assembly and the first through hole 3 and leads out a bare core at the ferrule 2 and inserts it into the optical fiber hole 4. The bare core is pre-processed at the end of the ferrule 2 away from the ferrule seat 1 to form an optical fiber end face. The outer diameters of the tube assembly, the ferrule seat 1 and the ferrule 2 are all less than 4 mm.

[0029] Specifically, in this embodiment, the optical fiber led out from the optical cable sequentially passes through the tube assembly and the first through hole 3. The optical fiber leads out a bare core at the ferrule 2. The bare core passes through the optical fiber hole 4. Through pre-processing, the bare core at the orifice on the side of the optical fiber hole 4 away from the ferrule seat 1 is processed to form an optical fiber end face, which can be connected to the optical fiber box on the user side without optical fiber fusion on the user side.

[0030] All components of the connector core are made of rigid materials. For a blowing tube with an inner diameter of 4 mm, the maximum diameter of the connector core is 3 mm, and the length of the connector core is 30 mm. The construction and laying specification of the blowing tube requires that the bending radius of the blowing tube with an inner diameter of 4 mm is not less than 100 mm.

[0031] Refer to Figure 7 , when the minimum turning radius of the air blowing pipe is 100 mm, the connector core can smoothly pass through the air blowing pipe at this place under the action of high-pressure air flow.

[0032] Utilize the gap between the connector core and the air blowing pipe to enable the connector core to smoothly pass through the turning part of the air blowing pipe.

[0033] Since the outer diameters of the pipe assembly, the ferrule seat 1 and the ferrule 2 are all less than 4 mm, the connector core can smoothly pass through the air blowing pipe. When the connector core travels at high speed in the air blowing pipe following the high-pressure air flow, the ferrule seat 1 and the ferrule 2 play a role in isolating the optical fiber from the air blowing pipe, and can effectively avoid the situation that the optical fiber collides with the inner wall of the air blowing pipe during the air blowing process due to the complex path of the air blowing pipe, resulting in optical fiber breakage. And by reducing the contact area between the optical fiber connector and the inner wall of the air blowing pipe to reduce the friction force, it avoids the situation that the optical cable cannot pass through due to the large friction force received by the optical cable caused by the small turning radius of the air blowing pipe, thereby improving the efficiency of laying optical fibers by air blowing method in the air blowing pipe with an inner diameter of 4 mm.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pipe assembly includes a riveted pipe 5 and a tail sleeve 6. One end of the riveted pipe 5 is sleeved on one end of the optical cable, and the riveted pipe 5 is in interference fit with the optical cable. One end of the tail sleeve 6 is inserted and fixed at the end of the riveted pipe 5 away from the optical cable, and the other end of the tail sleeve 6 is sleeved and fixed on the ferrule seat 1.

[0035] Specifically, in this embodiment, the riveted pipe 5, the tail sleeve 6, the ferrule seat 1 and the ferrule 2 are all coaxially arranged to hold the optical fiber in the connector core. The riveted pipe 5 is sleeved on one end of the optical cable, and the inner diameter of the riveted pipe 5 is smaller than the outer diameter of the optical cable. When the riveted pipe 5 is sleeved on one end of the optical cable, it is not easy to loosen, improving the connection reliability between the connector core and the optical cable, and avoiding the situation that the connector core comes off the optical cable under the action of high-speed air flow.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, one end of the tail sleeve 6 inserted into the riveted pipe 5 has a plurality of first convex rings 7, and each first convex ring 7 is uniformly distributed on the outer wall of the tail sleeve 6 along the axial direction of the tail sleeve 6, and the inner wall of the riveted pipe 5 abuts against the outer walls of each first convex ring 7.

[0037] Specifically, in this embodiment, by providing a plurality of first convex rings 7, the connection reliability between the tail sleeve 6 and the riveted pipe 5 is improved. Among them, the riveted pipe 5 is a thin-walled structure. When the tail sleeve 6 is inserted into the riveted pipe 5, the riveted pipe 5 is slightly deformed under force, so that the static friction force between the riveted pipe 5 and the tail sleeve 6 increases, reducing the probability of loosening between the tail sleeve 6 and the riveted pipe 5 during the high-speed passing process.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the optical fiber connector further includes a limiting ring 8. One end of the ferrule holder 1 away from the ferrule 2 is provided with a limiting ring 8 groove for sleeving and fixing the limiting ring 8. The inner wall of the limiting ring 8 abuts against the groove wall of the limiting ring 8 groove. A snap ring 10 is formed to protrude radially from the outer wall of the limiting ring 8. A stepped groove 11 for snap - connecting the snap ring 10 is provided on the inner wall of the tail sleeve 6. The snap ring 10 is snap - connected to the tail sleeve 6 to axially limit the ferrule holder 1.

[0039] Specifically, in this embodiment, when blowing and laying the optical fiber, one end of the limiting ring 8 facing the ferrule 2 abuts against the groove wall of the limiting ring 8 groove, avoiding the situation that the ferrule holder 1 disengages from the end of the tail sleeve 6 away from the riveting tube 5, and improving the connection strength between the tail sleeve 6 and the ferrule holder 1.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a second convex ring 12 is provided on one side of the ferrule holder 1 close to the ferrule 2. A spring 13 is sleeved on the surface of the ferrule holder 1. One end of the spring 13 abuts against the side of the second convex ring 12 facing the tail sleeve 6, and the other end of the spring 13 abuts against the end of the tail sleeve 6 away from the riveting tube 5.

[0041] Specifically, in this embodiment, after the spring 13 is installed, it is in a deformed and compressed state, and its two ends respectively exert opposite thrusts on the second convex ring 12 and the tail sleeve 6, thereby enhancing the acting force between the limiting ring 8 and the tail sleeve 6, making the snap ring 10 on the limiting ring 8 and the stepped groove 11 in the tail sleeve 6 resist each other, and avoiding the situation that the ferrule holder 1 shrinks into the end of the tail sleeve 6 close to the riveting tube 5. When the optical fiber connector is inserted into the optical fiber interface on the user side, the spring 13 can also provide a certain pressure for the top end of the optical fiber connector, making its connection more reliable.

[0042] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, one end of the ferrule 2 extends out of the first through - hole 3, then the optical fiber connector further includes a protective sleeve 14. The protective sleeve 14 is sleeved on the end of the ferrule 2 away from the ferrule holder 1, and the protective sleeve 14 has a blunt head 15.

[0043] Specifically, in this embodiment, the protective sleeve 14 is used to protect the optical fiber end face. In addition, by setting the blunt head 15, the contact area between the connector core and the inner wall of the air - blowing tube is reduced when the connector core is bent, so that the connector core can pass smoothly within a smaller turning radius of the air - blowing tube.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the optical fiber hole 4 has a transition section 16. The inner diameter of the transition section 16 gradually decreases from large to small, and the transition section 16 communicates with the first through - hole 3.

[0045] Specifically, in this embodiment, since the inner diameter of the optical fiber hole 4 is smaller than that of the first through hole 3, when the bare core directly penetrates into the optical fiber hole 4 from the first through hole 3, there is a situation where the end of the bare core is difficult to align with the optical fiber hole 4 and directly penetrates, resulting in damage to the bare core. By providing the transition section 16, the bare core can be effectively guided into the optical fiber hole 4, reducing the probability of damage to the bare core due to difficult penetration into the optical fiber hole 4 during factory pre-installation.

[0046] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the optical fiber connector includes a connector housing 17. The connector housing 17 is assembled to the connector core on the user side to connect to the optical fiber interface of the optical fiber box. A claw 18 is convexly provided on the inner wall of the connector housing 17, and an annular groove 19 for the claw 18 to be clamped is provided on the outer wall of the tail sleeve 6.

[0047] Specifically, in this embodiment, the connector housing 17 is a plastic product. The connector housing 17 has a second through hole 20 for the connector core to be inserted. On the side of the connector housing 17 away from the claw 18, an annular platform 21 is convexly provided on its inner wall. The ferrule 2 passes through the annular platform 21, and the side of the second convex ring 12 facing the ferrule 2 abuts against the side of the annular platform 21 facing the tail sleeve 6, thereby playing a role in limiting the connector core within the connector housing 17.

[0048] In summary, the optical fiber connector is composed of a factory-preinstalled optical fiber connector core and a field-installed connector housing 17. The optical fiber connector core is pre-installed in the factory, the optical fiber end face is processed, the protective sleeve 14 is covered, and it is blown along the laid blowing tube from the optical fiber convergence point to the position of the optical fiber box on the user side by means of air blowing. Subsequently, the connector housing 17 is inserted into the front end of the connector core and clamped, and the optical fiber connector can be plugged into the corresponding optical fiber interface of the optical fiber box.

Claims

1. An optical fiber connector for air-blowing installation, characterized in that: The invention comprises a connector core pre-installed on one end of an optical cable, the connector core comprising a core insert seat (1) and a core insert (2), the core insert seat (1) having a first through hole (3) for inserting the core insert (2), and the core insert (2) having an optical fiber hole (4) coaxial with the through hole; The optical fiber connector also includes a tube assembly, which is engaged with one end of the optical cable and clamped to the end of the ferrule seat (1) away from the ferrule (2). The optical fiber passes through the tube assembly and the first through hole (3) in sequence and is led out of the bare core at the ferrule (2) and inserted into the optical fiber hole (4). The bare core is pre-processed at the end of the ferrule (2) away from the ferrule seat (1) to form an optical fiber end face. The outer diameters of the tube assembly, the ferrule seat (1) and the ferrule (2) are all less than 4 mm.

2. The optical fiber connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The tube assembly comprises a riveted tube (5) and a tail sleeve (6); one end of the riveted tube (5) is sleeved on one end of the optical cable; the riveted tube (5) and the optical cable are interference fit; one end of the tail sleeve (6) is plugged and fixed to the end of the riveted tube (5) away from the optical cable; and the other end of the tail sleeve (6) is sleeved and fixed to the core socket (1).

3. The optical fiber connector according to claim 2, characterized in that: The tail sleeve (6) is inserted into one end of the riveted tube (5) and has a plurality of first convex rings (7). The first convex rings (7) are evenly distributed on the outer wall of the tail sleeve (6) along the axial direction of the tail sleeve (6), and the inner wall of the riveted tube (5) is tightly pressed against the outer wall of each first convex ring (7).

4. The optical fiber connector according to claim 3, characterized in that: The optical fiber connector further comprises a limiting ring (8); a limiting ring (8) groove for the limiting ring (8) to be sleeved and fixed is provided at one end of the ferrule seat (1) away from the ferrule (2); the inner wall of the limiting ring (8) is pressed against the groove wall of the limiting ring (8) groove; a retaining ring (10) is formed on the outer wall of the limiting ring (8) protruding radially; a stepped groove (11) for the retaining ring (10) to be clamped is provided on the inner wall of the tail sleeve (6); the retaining ring (10) is clamped on the tail sleeve (6) to axially limit the ferrule seat (1).

5. The optical fiber connector according to claim 4, characterized in that: A second convex ring (12) is provided on a side of the ferrule seat (1) close to the ferrule (2), and a spring (13) is sleeved on the surface of the ferrule seat (1), one end of the spring (13) abuts against a side of the second convex ring (12) facing the tail sleeve (6), and the other end of the spring (13) abuts against an end of the tail sleeve (6) away from the riveted tube (5).

6. The optical fiber connector according to claim 5, characterized in that: One end of the ferrule (2) extends out of the first through hole (3), and the optical fiber connector further comprises a protective sleeve (14), wherein the protective sleeve (14) is sleeved on one end of the ferrule (2) away from the ferrule seat (1), and the protective sleeve (14) has a blunt head (15).

7. The optical fiber connector according to claim 6, characterized in that: The optical fiber hole (4) has a transition section (16), the inner diameter of the transition section (16) gradually decreases from large to small, and the transition section (16) is connected to the first through hole (3).

8. The optical fiber connector according to claim 7, characterized in that: The optical fiber connector comprises a connector housing (17), wherein the connector housing (17) is assembled to the connector core on the user side to connect to the optical fiber interface of the optical fiber box, a claw (18) is protrudingly provided on the inner wall of the connector housing (17), and an annular groove (19) for the claw (18) to engage is formed on the outer wall of the tail sleeve (6).

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