Switching beam-expanding optical fiber connector

Abstract

A switching and beam expanding optical fiber connector comprises a connector shell and a pin component, the pin component comprises a connector pin, a connector flange plate and a beam expanding end assembly, and the connector pin and the beam expanding end assembly are installed at the two ends of the connector flange plate respectively and extend out of the connector flange plate; the beam expanding end assembly comprises a beam expanding end contact pin, a beam expanding end lens and a beam expanding end fixing tube, the beam expanding end contact pin and the beam expanding end lens are fixed in the beam expanding end fixing tube in an end face opposite mode, the outer diameter of the beam expanding end fixing tube is fixed in the connector flange plate, and the beam expanding end contact pin and the beam expanding end lens are matched with each other to achieve light path collimation and beam expanding; and two ends of the optical fiber are respectively arranged in the connector pin and the beam expanding end pin in a penetrating manner. According to the invention, the existing physical contact device and the non-physical contact technology are organically fused, so that the optical fiber parameter difference can be flexibly adapted, and the efficient and stable transmission of optical signals can be ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of optical fiber connectors, and in particular relates to a switching and beam-expanding optical fiber connector. Background Art

[0002] Traditional fiber optic connectors can be broadly categorized as physical contact and non-physical contact. Physical contact connectors (common types such as FC, SC, and LC) operate by closely fitting the end faces of two connected optical fibers together, enabling optical signal transmission from one fiber to the other. This connection method offers the significant advantage of achieving low insertion loss, thus ensuring efficient optical signal transmission. However, this type of connector also has significant limitations. It is extremely sensitive to factors such as the cleanliness of the fiber end faces and the presence of physical damage. This means that in practical applications, to ensure optimal insertion loss performance, the two fibers must not only be strictly identical in model, but also closely matched in key parameters such as mode field diameter and divergence angle. Any inconsistency in these parameters will significantly compromise connector performance, failing to meet the stringent requirements for signal transmission accuracy and stability in optical communication systems.

[0003] Non-contact connectors utilize beam expansion technology, amplifying the optical signal before transmission. This unique technology effectively mitigates the negative impact of fiber endface contamination and physical damage on optical signal transmission quality, significantly improving connector reliability and stability.

[0004] In the existing fiber optic connector technology system, both physical contact and non-physical contact connectors are generally designed and applied based on the connection of the same optical fiber. This means that when the two optical fibers to be connected have different parameters, structures, or materials, these traditional connectors often have difficulty effectively coping, which directly leads to a serious decline in connector performance and failure to meet the performance requirements of actual application scenarios.

[0005] To fundamentally resolve this thorny issue, industry research and development has increasingly focused on designing adapter connectors specifically for connecting dissimilar optical fibers. However, in-depth research has revealed that due to the structural characteristics and operating principle of physical contact connectors, where two optical fibers transmit optical signals through direct physical contact, there is virtually no space or feasibility to add additional adapter functionality within this tightly connected link. This technical bottleneck has left physical contact connectors in a difficult position in solving the problem of connecting dissimilar optical fibers.

[0006] Therefore, how to achieve the docking of different optical fibers while ensuring efficient and stable transmission of optical signals has become a key technical problem that needs to be overcome in the current industry. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a transfer and beam expansion optical fiber connector, which organically integrates the existing physical contact type device with the non-physical contact technology to form a new type of optical fiber connector with the advantages of both. It can flexibly adapt to the differences in different optical fiber parameters and ensure efficient and stable transmission of optical signals.

[0008] To achieve the above-mentioned object, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is: a transfer beam expansion optical fiber connector, comprising a connector housing and a pin component disposed in the connector housing, the pin component comprising a connector pin, a connector flange, and a beam expansion end assembly, the connector pin and the beam expansion end assembly being respectively mounted at two ends of the connector flange; The beam expansion end assembly includes a beam expansion end pin, a beam expansion end lens, and a beam expansion end fixing tube. The beam expansion end pin and the beam expansion end lens are fixed in the beam expansion end fixing tube in a form of end faces facing each other. The outer diameter of the beam expansion end fixing tube is fixed in the connector flange. The beam expansion end pin and the beam expansion end lens cooperate with each other to achieve optical path collimation and beam expansion. It also includes an optical fiber, with two ends of the optical fiber respectively inserted into the connector pin and the beam expansion end pin.

[0009] The beneficial effect is that one end of the connector housing connects to the first connector via a connector pin in a fiber-optic contact-type docking manner, while the other end of the connector housing connects to the second connector via a beam expander lens in a fiber-optic contactless docking manner. This organically integrates existing physical contact devices with non-physical contact technology to form a new fiber optic connector that combines the advantages of both. It can flexibly adapt to the differences in fiber parameters while ensuring efficient and stable transmission of optical signals.

[0010] As an embodiment of the present invention, a gap is provided between the beam expansion end pin and the beam expansion end lens.

[0011] The beneficial effect is that the setting of the gap can reduce the difficulty of processing the beam expansion end lens.

[0012] Furthermore, both opposite end surfaces of the beam expansion end pin and the beam expansion end lens are configured as inclined surfaces.

[0013] The beneficial effect is that due to the different refractive indices of the optical fiber, the gap and the beam expansion end lens, the gap will cause light to be reflected at the end face of the medium, resulting in poor return loss performance, while setting the end face of the medium to a bevel can improve the return loss.

[0014] As an option, the beam expansion end pin is arranged in the beam expansion end fixing tube to be deflected relative to the beam expansion end lens.

[0015] The beneficial effect is that the opposing end faces of the beam expander pin and the beam expander lens are both configured as bevels, which causes the light emitted from the curved end of the beam expander lens to deviate from the axis of the beam expander lens, making it difficult for the light emitted from the curved end of the beam expander lens to pass through the lens of the docking connector and enter the optical fiber. Therefore, the deflection setting can compensate for the eccentricity of the emitted light, making the light emitted from the curved end of the beam expander lens coaxial with the axis of the beam expander lens, so that it can pass through the lens of the docking connector and enter the optical fiber.

[0016] As an embodiment of the present invention, an alignment sleeve is further provided in the connector housing, and the front end of the alignment sleeve is sleeved on the beam expansion end lens and abuts against the end face of the beam expansion end fixing tube.

[0017] The beneficial effect is that the arrangement of the alignment sleeve can ensure the optical alignment of the connector and the connected optical fiber connector.

[0018] As an embodiment of the present invention, the beam expansion end fixing tube extends backward to replace the alignment sleeve.

[0019] The beneficial effect is that the number of parts can be reduced while ensuring the alignment of the sleeve by lengthening the fixed tube at the beam expansion end to replace the counter-rotating sleeve in situ.

[0020] As another option, an outer sleeve is installed at the rear end of the connector flange, the beam expanding end pin and the beam expanding end lens are installed in the beam expanding end fixing tube, and the whole composed of the beam expanding end pin, the beam expanding end lens and the beam expanding end fixing tube is deflected relative to the outer sleeve in the outer sleeve.

[0021] The beneficial effect is that the opposing end faces of the beam expander pin and the beam expander lens are both beveled, causing the light emitted from the curved end of the beam expander lens to deviate from the axis of the beam expander lens, making it difficult for the light emitted from the curved end of the beam expander lens to pass through the lens of the docking connector and enter the optical fiber. Therefore, the deflection setting can compensate for the eccentricity of the emitted light, ensuring that the light remains coaxial with the axis of the beam expander lens after exiting the curved end of the beam expander lens, allowing it to pass through the lens of the docking connector and enter the optical fiber.

[0022] As an embodiment of the present invention, an alignment sleeve is further provided in the connector housing, and the front end of the alignment sleeve is sleeved on the beam expansion end lens and abuts against the end face of the outer sleeve.

[0023] The beneficial effect is that the arrangement of the alignment sleeve can ensure the optical alignment of the connector and the connected optical fiber connector.

[0024] As an embodiment of the present invention, a rotation-stop groove is provided on the flange structure at the front end of the connector flange, and a protrusion is provided in the connector housing, and the rotation-stop groove and the protrusion are matched in a convex-concave manner.

[0025] The beneficial effect is that the cooperation between the anti-rotation groove and the protrusion can prevent the pin component from rotating, thereby preventing the optical fiber from being twisted and ensuring a reliable connection.

[0026] As an embodiment of the present invention, the connector housing includes a front shell, a rear shell and a spring. After the pin component is installed in the connector housing, the front end of the spring abuts against the rear end face of the flange structure of the connector flange, and the rear end of the spring abuts against the step surface of the rear shell.

[0027] The beneficial effect is that the cooperation between the connector flange and the spring can realize the elastic docking of the connector pins when the connectors are plugged in.

[0028] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: the present invention adopts a new idea of using non-physical contact technology to overcome the problem of connecting different optical fibers. The non-physical contact technology is cleverly used to enable one end of the connector to achieve precise physical docking with the existing traditional optical fiber connector, thereby making full use of the physical contact advantages of the existing connector and ensuring the stable transmission of the optical signal in this connection section; while the other end is connected to another expanded beam optical fiber connector using a non-physical contact docking method. The beam expansion technology effectively overcomes the signal transmission obstacles caused by the parameter differences between different optical fibers, so that the optical signal can be efficiently and reliably transferred and transmitted between different optical fibers. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the docking state of the beam-expanding fiber optic connector of the present invention and other types of connectors; Figure 2 This is a schematic structural diagram of the adapter beam expansion optical fiber connector of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the first structure of the pin component in the adapter beam expansion optical fiber connector of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a second structure of the pin component in the adapter beam expansion optical fiber connector of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the third structure of the pin component in the adapter beam expansion optical fiber connector of the present invention; Figure 6 An axonometric view of a connector pin of the adapter beam-expanding optical fiber connector of the present invention; Figure 7 It is a structural schematic diagram of the connector flange of the adapter beam expansion optical fiber connector of the present invention; Figure 8This is a schematic structural diagram of the beam expansion end pin of the beam expansion optical fiber connector of the present invention; Figure 9 This is a schematic structural diagram of the beam expansion end fixing tube of the beam expansion optical fiber connector of the present invention; Figure 10 This is a schematic structural diagram of the beam expansion end lens of the beam expansion optical fiber connector of the present invention; Figure 11 It is a structural schematic diagram of the connector housing of the adapter beam expansion optical fiber connector of the present invention; Figure 12 This is a structural schematic diagram of the alignment sleeve of the adapter beam expansion optical fiber connector of the present invention; In the figure, reference numerals: 100, adapter beam expansion optical fiber connector, 200, first connector, 300, second connector; 1. Connector housing, 11. Front housing, 12. Rear housing, 13. Spring, 2. Pin component, 3. Alignment sleeve, 4. Connector pin, 5. Connector flange, 51. Stop groove, 6. Beam expansion end pin, 7. Beam expansion end fixing tube, 8. Beam expansion end lens, 9. Outer sleeve. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples, but they are not intended to limit the invention in any way.

[0031] This embodiment proposes a transfer beam expansion optical fiber connector, one end of which can be connected to an existing traditional optical fiber connector, namely Figure 1 The first connector 200 in the fiber optic connector is used to achieve precise physical docking, thereby fully utilizing the physical contact advantages of existing fiber optic connectors to ensure stable transmission of optical signals in this connection section; the other end is connected to another expanded beam fiber optic connector (i.e., a non-physical contact docking method) by using a non-physical contact docking method. Figure 1 The second connector 300 in the optical fiber is connected, and the signal transmission obstacle caused by the parameter difference between different optical fibers is effectively overcome by the beam expansion technology, so that the optical signal can be efficiently and reliably switched and transmitted between different optical fibers.

[0032] The structure of the adapter beam expanding optical fiber connector of the present invention is described in detail below.

[0033] like Figure 2As shown, the transfer beam expansion fiber optic connector includes a connector housing 1, a pin component 2 and an alignment sleeve 3. The pin component 2 and the alignment sleeve 3 are plugged together and installed together in the connector housing 1, and the alignment sleeve 3 is located at the rear end of the connector housing 1. The two ends of the connector housing 1 are used for physical connection with the two docking fiber optic connectors, the pin component 2 is used to achieve optical path transfer between the two docking fiber optic connectors, and the alignment sleeve 3 is used to achieve optical alignment with the docking fiber optic connector. The structure of the alignment sleeve 3 is shown in FIG. Figure 12 shown.

[0034] like Figure 3 As shown, the structure of the pin component 2 includes a connector pin 4, a connector flange 5, a beam expansion end pin 6, a beam expansion end fixing tube 7, and a beam expansion end lens 8. The connector pin 4 and the beam expansion end pin 6 respectively fix the two ends of the optical fiber, and the connector pin 4 is installed at the front end of the connector flange 5 and extends out of the connector flange 5 to mate with the butt end of the corresponding optical fiber connector. The beam expansion end pin 6 and the beam expansion end lens 8 are installed in the beam expansion end fixing tube 7 and extend a portion from the two ends of the beam expansion end fixing tube 7 respectively. The end of the beam expansion end lens 8 facing away from the beam expansion end pin 6 is a curved surface. The beam expansion end pin 6 and the beam expansion end lens 8 cooperate to achieve optical path collimation and expansion; the beam expansion end fixing tube 7 is installed in the connector flange 5 and is located at opposite ends of the connector flange 5 with the connector pin 4. The connector flange 5 is mounted in the connector housing 1 and is inserted into a spring in the connector housing 1. When the connector pin 4 is mated with another optical fiber connector, the spring is compressed to achieve elastic mating of the connector pin 4. In this embodiment, the beam expansion end fixing tube 7 is a glass tube.

[0035] Figure 6-11 The structural diagrams of each structure in the pin component are shown separately. The front end of the connector flange 5 is a flange structure, the rear end of which is used to abut the spring. The front end of the flange structure is provided with one or two anti-rotation grooves 51. The anti-rotation grooves 51 can cooperate with the raised portion within the connector housing 1 to prevent the pin component 2 from rotating within the connector housing 1, avoiding twisting of the optical fiber and ensuring reliable connection and signal transmission quality. The connector housing 1 includes a front shell 11 and a rear shell 12 coaxially connected together. The spring 13 is disposed between the front shell 11 and the rear shell 12 around the center hole thereof. After the pin component 2 is installed in the center hole of the connector housing 1, the rear end of the flange structure of the connector flange 5 abuts the front end of the spring 13, and the rear end of the spring 13 abuts the stepped surface of the rear shell 12.

[0036] Figure 3In the structure of the pin component 2 shown, the opposite end faces of the beam expanding end pin 6 and the beam expanding end lens 8 are both planes perpendicular to the axis of the pin component 2, and the optical fiber is arranged in the center of the beam expanding end pin 6 to ensure the collimation and expansion of the optical path. However, in actual use, due to the limitations of the lens processing technology, if there is a gap between the end faces of the beam expanding end pin 6 and the beam expanding end lens 8, the refractive indexes of the optical fiber, the gap and the beam expanding end lens 8 are different. This gap will cause the light to be reflected at the end face of the medium, resulting in poor return loss performance. In order to improve the return loss performance, the opposite end faces of the beam expanding end pin 6 and the beam expanding end lens 8 can be changed to bevels. However, the bevel will cause the light from the curved end of the beam expanding end lens 8 to deviate from the axis of the beam expanding end lens 8 when it is emitted, which will make it difficult for the light emitted from the curved end of the beam expanding end lens 8 to pass through the docking connector (such as Figure 1 The lens of the second connector 300 in the embodiment of the present invention enters the optical fiber. To this end, the following two structures can be used to solve this problem.

[0037] (1) If Figure 4 In the illustrated pin assembly 2, the beam expander end lens 8 extends partially out of the beam expander end fixing tube 7 and can be plugged into the alignment sleeve 3. The beam expander end pin 6 is arranged to be deflected relative to the beam expander end lens 8 within the beam expander end fixing tube 7. This deflection arrangement includes the axis of the beam expander end pin 6 forming a certain angle with the axis of the beam expander end lens 8, and the axis of the beam expander end pin 6 deviating from the axis of the beam expander end lens 8 in the radial direction.

[0038] By means of the above-mentioned deflection setting, the eccentricity of the outgoing light caused by the inclined surface can be compensated, so that the outgoing light of the curved surface end of the beam expanding end lens 8 is coaxial with the axis of the beam expanding end lens 8. In this way, when the pin component 2 is installed in the connector housing 1, the beam expanding end lens 8 is plugged into the alignment sleeve 3, so that the outgoing light of the beam expanding end lens 8 is finally coaxial with the alignment sleeve 3, and the alignment sleeve 3 is connected to another beam expanding optical fiber connector (such as Figure 1 After the second connector 300 in the beam expansion optical fiber connector is plugged in, the outgoing light of the beam expansion end lens 8 can enter the optical fiber through the lens of this beam expansion optical fiber connector.

[0039] For other embodiments, Figure 4 On the basis of this, if the beam expansion end lens 8 is completely located in the beam expansion end fixed tube 7, the alignment sleeve 3 needs to be plugged into the beam expansion end fixed tube 7. At this time, the coaxiality of the final output light and the alignment sleeve 3 can also be achieved according to the above-mentioned deflection setting method.

[0040] (2) If Figure 5In the illustrated pin assembly 2, an outer sleeve 9 is mounted at the rear end of the connector flange 5. The beam expander pin 6 and the beam expander lens 8 are mounted within a beam expander fixed tube 7. The entire structure, consisting of the beam expander pin 6, the beam expander lens 8, and the beam expander fixed tube 7, is arranged within the outer sleeve 9, which is a glass or ceramic tube, with an offset arrangement relative to the outer sleeve 9. This offset arrangement means that the axis of the entire structure, consisting of the beam expander pin 6, the beam expander lens 8, and the beam expander fixed tube 7, forms a certain angle with the axis of the outer sleeve 9.

[0041] By means of the above-mentioned deflection setting, the eccentricity of the outgoing light caused by the inclined surface can be compensated, so that the outgoing light of the curved surface end of the beam expanding end lens 8 is coaxial with the axis of the outer sleeve 9. In this way, when the pin component 2 is installed in the connector housing 1, the outer sleeve 9 is docked with the alignment sleeve 3, so that the outgoing light of the beam expanding end lens 8 is finally coaxial with the alignment sleeve 3, and the alignment sleeve 3 is docked with another beam expanding optical fiber connector (such as Figure 1 After the second connector 300 in the beam expansion optical fiber connector is connected, the output light of the beam expansion end lens 8 can enter the optical fiber through the lens of this beam expansion optical fiber connector.

[0042] Below Figure 2 The LC connector shown in the figure is used as an example to illustrate the connector assembly process.

[0043] 1. Assembly of pin components (1) Beam expansion end assembly ① Insert one end of the optical fiber into the expanded beam end pin 6 and grind it according to the requirements; ② Fix the beam expansion end pin 6 and the beam expansion end lens 8 in the two fixtures of the adjustment frame respectively; ③ By adjusting the relative positions of the beam expander pin 6 and the beam expander lens 8, the beam expander lens 8 outputs coaxial collimated light; ④ Use the beam expansion end fixing tube 7 to fix the beam expansion end pin 6 and the beam expansion end lens 8.

[0044] (2) Pin end assembly ① Install the connector pin 4 on the front end of the connector flange 5 and secure it; ② Insert the other end of the optical fiber into connector pin 4; ③ Install the expansion end fixing tube 7 at the rear end of the connector flange 5 and secure it.

[0045] The assembly of the pin component 2 is now completed.

[0046] 2. Connector assembly (1) Insert the spring 13 and the alignment sleeve 3 onto the pin component 2; (2) Insert the pin component 2 into the front shell 11 of the connector housing 1, and then mate the rear shell 12 with the front shell 11.

[0047] In other implementations of the above embodiment, the alignment sleeve 3 may no longer be arranged in the connector housing 1, but may be arranged on another optical fiber connector docked with the rear end of the adapter beam expansion optical fiber connector to achieve non-contact docking of the optical fibers of the two connectors.

[0048] In other implementations of the above embodiment, the alignment sleeve 3 may no longer be provided, but the Figure 3 、 4 The length of the expansion end fixing tube 7 in the structure shown is extended to replace the alignment sleeve 3, or Figure 5 The outer sleeve 9 in the structure shown is extended in length to replace the alignment sleeve 3 , and can achieve the function of the original alignment sleeve 3 .

[0049] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention rather than to limit the same. Those skilled in the art should understand that the specific implementation methods of the present invention can be modified or replaced with equivalents with reference to the above embodiments. Any modifications or equivalent replacements that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention are within the scope of protection of the pending claims.

Claims

1. A transfer beam expansion optical fiber connector, comprising a connector housing (1) and a pin component (2) arranged in the connector housing (1), characterized in that: The pin component (2) comprises a connector pin (4), a connector flange (5) and a beam expansion end assembly, wherein the connector pin (4) and the beam expansion end assembly are respectively mounted on two ends of the connector flange (5); The beam expansion end assembly comprises a beam expansion end pin (6), a beam expansion end lens (8) and a beam expansion end fixed tube (7); the beam expansion end pin (6) and the beam expansion end lens (8) are fixed in the beam expansion end fixed tube (7) in a form of end faces facing each other; the outer diameter of the beam expansion end fixed tube (7) is fixed in the connector flange (5); the beam expansion end pin (6) and the beam expansion end lens (8) cooperate with each other to realize optical path collimation and beam expansion; It also includes an optical fiber, with both ends of the optical fiber respectively inserted into the connector pin (4) and the beam expansion end pin (6).

2. The adapter beam expansion optical fiber connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: A gap is provided between the beam expansion end pin (6) and the beam expansion end lens (8).

3. The adapter beam expansion optical fiber connector according to claim 2, characterized in that: The two opposite end faces of the beam expansion end pin (6) and the beam expansion end lens (8) are both configured as inclined surfaces.

4. The adapter beam expansion optical fiber connector according to claim 3, characterized in that: The beam expansion end pin (6) is arranged in a deflected manner relative to the beam expansion end lens (8) within the beam expansion end fixing tube (7).

5. The adapter beam expansion optical fiber connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: An alignment sleeve (3) is also provided in the connector housing (1); the front end of the alignment sleeve (3) is sleeved on the beam expansion end lens (8) and abuts against the end face of the beam expansion end fixing tube (7).

6. The adapter beam expansion optical fiber connector according to claim 5, characterized in that: The beam expansion end fixing tube (7) extends backward to replace the alignment sleeve (3).

7. The adapter beam expansion optical fiber connector according to claim 3, characterized in that: An outer sleeve (9) is installed at the rear end of the connector flange (5), the beam expanding end pin (6) and the beam expanding end lens (8) are installed in the beam expanding end fixed tube (7), and the entirety of the beam expanding end pin (6), the beam expanding end lens (8) and the beam expanding end fixed tube (7) is arranged in a deflected manner relative to the outer sleeve (9) in the outer sleeve (9).

8. The adapter beam expansion optical fiber connector according to claim 7, characterized in that: An alignment sleeve (3) is also provided in the connector housing (1), and the front end of the alignment sleeve (3) is sleeved on the beam expansion end lens (8) and abuts against the end face of the outer sleeve (9).

9. The adapter beam expansion optical fiber connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: A rotation-stop groove (51) is provided on the flange structure at the front end of the connector flange (5), and a raised portion is provided in the connector housing (1), and the rotation-stop groove (51) and the raised portion are matched in a convex-concave manner.

10. The adapter beam expansion optical fiber connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connector housing (1) comprises a front housing (11), a rear housing (12) and a spring (13). After the pin component (2) is installed in the connector housing (1), the front end of the spring (13) abuts against the rear end face of the flange structure of the connector flange (5), and the rear end of the spring (13) abuts against the step surface of the rear housing (12).

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