Optical fiber switching device

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of optical fiber switching, and discloses an optical fiber switching device which comprises an adapter used for being in butt joint with a plug assembly, a centering assembly is assembled in the middle of the interior of the adapter, cleaning assemblies corresponding to the centering assembly are embedded in the two ends of the adapter, and the cleaning assemblies are connected with the centering assembly along with stretching of the plug assembly. The centering assembly can be driven to act, then the centering assembly is centered in the adapter, along with insertion of the plug assembly, the core body is cleaned through the cleaning assembly and then extends into the centering assembly, self-centering of the core body can be achieved under the action of the centering assembly, and the purpose of automatic alignment is achieved. Therefore, it is guaranteed that the core bodies have high concentricity in the butt joint process, automatic clamping and fixing can be achieved after the core bodies are in butt joint, the situation that the core bodies are dislocated and move in the using process is avoided, and using safety is high.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of optical fiber switching and transfer, and in particular to an optical fiber switching and transfer device. Background Art

[0002] The connection and signal transmission between different optical fibers require the use of adapter devices, such as optical fiber connectors. When connecting optical fibers, it is necessary not only to ensure that the connection between the two optical fibers is reliable, but also to minimize the light loss at the connection. Currently, a combination of elastic parts and snap connections is usually used to connect plugs and interfaces to prevent accidental contact and detachment.

[0003] An optical fiber exchange and switching device with application number CN202411621476.7 includes a concentric component and a transmission component; the concentric component includes at least three discs that are distributed in sequence along the axial direction of a fixed tube, and each disc is provided with a threading hole. Before the plug assembly is plugged in, the multiple threading holes of the concentric component are sealed, and the mutual misalignment of the multiple threading holes is used to limit and fix the ferrule, so that the ferrule and the fixed tube remain coaxial, ensuring that the ferrules of the two plug assemblies can be connected in a concentric state.

[0004] However, in actual use, when two sets of wire cores are docked, the ends of the wire cores will have docking deviations due to manufacturing errors in the adapter. Once the concentricity of the cores at both ends exceeds the tolerance, additional insertion loss and return loss will be caused. Therefore, during use, the problem of poor wire core alignment will occur. In addition, the internal end face of the adapter of the wire core is blocked by the outer shell and cannot be directly cleaned, resulting in degradation of the optical path. Moreover, when the ends of the wire cores are docked, dust will easily accumulate on the ends of the wire cores because they cannot be cleaned in time, resulting in unstable signal transmission when the wire cores are connected.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention proposes an optical fiber switching device to solve the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide an optical fiber switching device to solve the problems raised in the above background technology.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solutions: an optical fiber switching device, comprising an adapter for docking with a plug assembly, a centering assembly being assembled in the middle of the adapter, and cleaning assemblies corresponding to the centering assembly being embedded in both ends of the adapter; The centering assembly includes a center tube, both ends of which are integrally formed with conical guide rings, an annular airbag is sleeved on the outer wall of the center tube, and both ends of the adapter are equipped with expansion airbags corresponding to the plug assembly, each group of the expansion airbags is connected to the annular airbag through an air pipe, and clamping rings are symmetrically nested on the inner wall of the center tube, and the clamping rings and the annular airbags are connected through an air guide tube, and a pressure solenoid valve is installed on the air guide tube.

[0008] Preferably, the adapter includes an adapter shell, and a limit ring is integrally formed inside the left and right ends of the adapter shell. A centering channel coaxial with the limit ring is provided at the center of the inside of the adapter shell, and an annular receiving groove is provided on the outside of the limit ring. The end of the limit ring is rotatably assembled with a swivel through a bearing, and a driving slider is integrally formed on the outer wall of the swivel. Limit grooves arranged in the annular receiving groove are provided at both ends of the adapter shell, and locking blocks are evenly distributed on the outer side walls of the ends of the adapter shell.

[0009] Preferably, the expansion airbag is housed and installed in an annular receiving groove, the center tube is assembled in the centering channel, and the two groups of the annular airbags are fixedly assembled on the inner side wall of the centering channel, an annular opening groove corresponding to the annular airbag is opened on the inner side wall of the center tube, and the clamping ring is embedded in the annular opening groove.

[0010] Preferably, the plug assembly includes a shell, on which a plug connector is integrally formed, an optical fiber body is installed on the plug connector, and a core connected to the optical fiber body is fixed in the plug connector, and limiting blocks are evenly distributed on the outer wall of the end of the plug connector, and a lock is hingedly installed on the outer wall of the shell through a pin shaft, and a locking spring is connected between each group of the lock and the shell, a threaded slide is provided on the inner wall of the plug connector, and a transition groove connected to the threaded slide is provided at the end of the plug connector.

[0011] Preferably, the size of the plug connector matches the annular receiving groove, the limiting groove matches the limiting block, the locking buckle corresponds to the locking block, and the plug connector is sleeved and assembled on the outside of the limiting ring.

[0012] Preferably, the driving slider corresponds to the transition groove, and the driving slider matches the threaded slideway, the two groups of threaded slideways correspond to the two groups of driving sliders respectively, and each group of driving sliders is an arc block.

[0013] Preferably, the cleaning component includes a snap ring, an annular groove is provided on the inner side wall of the rotating ring, the snap ring is snap-fitted inside the annular groove, a first protective ring is integrally formed at the outer end of the snap ring, a second protective ring is integrally formed at the inner end of the snap ring, a liquid storage bag is assembled between the first protective ring, the second protective ring and the snap ring, the first protective ring and the second protective ring extending from the liquid storage bag are configured as a pressure-bearing part, and the pressure-bearing part corresponds to the insert, and the liquid storage bag is filled with cleaning alcohol.

[0014] Preferably, a cleaning ring is integrally formed on the side wall of the pressure-bearing portion away from the central tube, and the end of the cleaning ring is aligned with the axis of the central tube.

[0015] Preferably, a porous PTFE membrane is sintered on the outer wall of the cleaning ring, the pore size of the surface of which is 1um, and an ultra-fine glass fiber pad is provided on the outside of the porous PTFE membrane. A silicone microtube with an inner diameter of 50um is reserved inside the porous PTFE membrane, and the silicone microtube is connected to the liquid storage capsule.

[0016] Technical effects and advantages of the present invention: 1. According to the present invention, as the plug assembly is extended, the centering assembly can be driven to move, and then the plug assembly is centered inside the adapter. As the plug assembly is inserted, the core body is first cleaned by the cleaning assembly, and then extended into the centering assembly. The core body can be self-centered under the action of the centering assembly, achieving the purpose of automatic alignment, thereby ensuring that the core body has a high concentricity when plugged in, and can be automatically clamped and fixed after the core body is docked, avoiding the situation of misalignment during use, and having high safety in use.

[0017] 2. When the cleaning assembly of the present invention is used, as the insert is extended, the pressure-bearing part can clean the insert. After the cleaning of the end of the insert is completed, it will contact the cleaning ring, which is convenient for the cleaning ring to push the residue and particles on the end face of the insert away from the center for easy recycling. The driving slider moves along the threaded slide. Since the plug connector does not rotate, the rotating ring starts to rotate along with the driving slider, and the cleaning ring on the cleaning assembly is driven to rotate through the rotating ring. The residue on the end face of the insert is wiped and cleaned by the cleaning ring, thereby improving the cleanliness of the insert. A part of the dirty alcohol is sucked back by the porous PTFE membrane at the edge of the cleaning ring, completing the self-recovery of the alcohol and preventing the residual from flowing out. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the overall cross-sectional structure of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the adapter of the present invention; Figure 4This is a schematic structural diagram of the plug assembly of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic structural diagram of the cleaning component of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the assembly structure of the centering component and adapter of the present invention; In the figure: 10, adapter; 101, adapter shell; 102, limit ring; 103, centering channel; 104, annular receiving groove; 105, swivel; 106, drive slider; 107, limit groove; 108, locking block; 20, plug assembly; 201, shell; 202, plug connector; 203, optical fiber body; 204, ferrule; 205, limit block; 206, lock buckle; 207, locking spring; 208, threaded slide; 209, transition groove; 30, cleaning assembly; 301, retaining ring; 302, first protective ring; 303, second protective ring; 304, liquid storage bag; 305, pressure-bearing part; 306, cleaning ring; 40, centering assembly; 401, expansion airbag; 402, center tube; 403, annular airbag; 404, clamping ring; 405, tapered guide ring. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0020] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, this embodiment discloses an optical fiber switching device, including an adapter 10 for docking with a plug assembly 20, a centering assembly 40 is assembled in the middle of the adapter 10, and cleaning assemblies 30 corresponding to the centering assembly 40 are embedded in both ends of the adapter 10. In actual use, the plug assembly 20 is installed in the adapter 10. As the plug assembly 20 is extended, the centering assembly 40 can be driven to move, and then it is centered inside the adapter 10. As the plug assembly 20 is inserted, the core body is first cleaned by the cleaning assembly 30, and then it is extended into the centering assembly 40. The core body can be self-centered under the action of the centering assembly 40 to achieve the purpose of automatic alignment, thereby ensuring that the core body has a high concentricity when plugging, and can be automatically clamped and fixed after the core body is docked to avoid the situation of misalignment during use, and has high safety in use. Specifically: See also Figure 1-Figure 3The adapter 10 includes an adapter shell 101, and limit rings 102 are integrally formed inside the left and right ends of the adapter shell 101. A centering channel 103 coaxial with the limit ring 102 is provided at the center of the adapter shell 101. An annular receiving groove 104 is provided on the outside of the limit ring 102. A swivel 105 is rotatably assembled on the end of the limit ring 102 through a bearing. A driving slider 106 is integrally formed on the outer wall of the swivel 105. Limit grooves 107 arranged in the annular receiving groove 104 are provided at both ends of the adapter shell 101, and locking blocks 108 are evenly distributed on the outer side walls of the ends of the adapter shell 101.

[0021] See also Figures 1-4 The plug assembly 20 includes a shell 201, on which a plug connector 202 is integrally formed. The plug connector 202 has an optical fiber body 203 installed on the shell 201, and a core 204 connected to the optical fiber body 203 is fixed in the plug connector 202. Limiting blocks 205 are evenly distributed on the outer wall of the end of the plug connector 202, and a lock buckle 206 is hingedly installed on the outer wall of the shell 201 through a pin shaft. A locking spring 207 is connected between each group of lock buckles 206 and the shell 201, and a threaded slide 208 is provided on the inner wall of the plug connector 202. A transition groove 209 connected to the threaded slide 208 is provided at the end of the plug connector 202. The size of the plug connector 202 matches the annular receiving groove 104, the limiting groove 107 matches the limiting block 205, the lock buckle 206 corresponds to the locking block 108, and the plug connector 202 is sleeved and assembled on the outside of the limiting ring 102.

[0022] See also Figure 2 and Figure 6 The centering assembly 40 includes a central tube 402, and conical guide rings 405 are integrally formed at both ends of the central tube 402. An annular airbag 403 is sleeved on the outer wall of the central tube 402. Both ends of the adapter 10 are equipped with expansion airbags 401 corresponding to the plug assembly 20. Each group of expansion airbags 401 is connected to the annular airbag 403 through an air pipe. A clamping ring 404 is symmetrically nested on the inner wall of the central tube 402, and the clamping ring 404 and the annular airbag 403 are connected through an air guide tube, and a pressure solenoid valve is installed on the air guide tube.

[0023] In actual use, the central tube 402 is in a "relaxed" state inside the adapter 10. After the plug assembly 20 is inserted, the plug assembly 20 is directly inserted into the adapter 10, that is, the plug connector 202 is sleeved on the outside of the limiting ring 102, and the limiting block 205 is inserted into the limiting groove 107, so as to realize the positioning and plugging of the plug assembly 20 and the adapter 10, and avoid the displacement of the plug assembly 20 during the installation process. At the same time, the plug connector 202 squeezes the expansion airbag 401, so that the gas inside the expansion airbag 401 is directly introduced into the annular airbag 403 through the gas pipe. , thereby automatically aligning the center tube 402 and the centering channel 103 through the expansion of the annular airbag 403. Moreover, when the ferrule 204 is inserted into the centering channel 103, it will contact the conical guide ring 405, so that the ferrule 204 is guided into the centering channel 103 under the guidance of the conical guide ring 405, completing the centering operation. As the expansion airbag 401 is squeezed, the expansion amount of the annular airbag 403 gradually increases, thereby making the concentricity of the center tube 402 and the centering channel 103 higher, making the docking operation of the ferrule 204 more convenient.

[0024] It is worth noting that the expansion airbag 401 is housed in the annular receiving groove 104, the center tube 402 is assembled in the centering channel 103, and the two sets of annular airbags 403 are fixedly assembled on the inner wall of the centering channel 103. An annular opening groove corresponding to the annular airbag 403 is opened on the inner wall of the center tube 402, and the clamping ring 404 is embedded in the annular opening groove. When the core 204 is docked, the gas pressure inside the annular airbag 403 reaches the threshold of the solenoid valve. The gas inside it will be introduced into the clamping ring 404 through the air duct, causing the clamping ring 404 to expand, which can cause the clamping ring 404 to clamp on the surface of the ferrule 204, completing the clamping and fixing operation of the ferrule 204 after docking, improving the safety of the ferrule 204, and the lock 206 is engaged with the locking block 108 to complete the locking of the plug assembly 20 and the adapter 10, and the locking spring 207 provides the locking strength of the lock 206 to the locking block 108.

[0025] See also Figures 1-6 The cleaning component 30 includes a snap ring 301, and an annular groove is provided on the inner wall of the rotating ring 105. The snap ring 301 is snap-fitted and assembled inside the annular groove, so that the snap ring 301 can be quickly removed from the annular groove, which is convenient for replacing the cleaning component 30. The outer end of the snap ring 301 is integrally provided with a first protective ring 302, and the inner end of the snap ring 301 is integrally provided with a second protective ring 303. A liquid storage capsule 304 is installed between the first protective ring 302, the second protective ring 303 and the snap ring 301. The liquid storage capsule 304 extends from the first protective ring 302 and the second protective ring 303 to be configured as a pressure-bearing part 305, and the pressure-bearing part 305 corresponds to the insert 204, and the liquid storage capsule 304 is filled with cleaning alcohol.

[0026] When the ferrule 204 on the plug assembly 20 is inserted into the centering channel 103, it will first contact the pressure-bearing part 305, which will cause the pressure-bearing part 305 to be squeezed, and the alcohol inside the liquid reservoir 304 will begin to seep out. Then, as the ferrule 204 is extended, clean alcohol will continue to seep out, and the alcohol will immediately mix with the dust and oil stains on the end face of the ferrule 204 to form a "dirty alcohol" liquid film. The pressure-bearing part 305 is squeezed on the end face of the ferrule 204, which can play a scraping role and form a layer of alcohol droplet film covering the surface of the ferrule 204. As the ferrule 204 is extended, the pressure-bearing part 305 can clean the ferrule 204. After the end of the ferrule 204 is cleaned, it will contact the cleaning ring 306, so that the cleaning ring 306 can push the residue and particles at the end face of the ferrule 204 away from the center for easy recycling.

[0027] It is worth noting that see Figure 3 and Figure 4 A cleaning ring 306 is integrally formed on the side wall of the pressure-bearing portion 305 away from the center tube 402, and the end of the cleaning ring 306 is aligned with the axis of the center tube 402. The driving slider 106 corresponds to the transition groove 209, and the driving slider 106 matches the threaded slide 208. The two sets of threaded slides 208 correspond to the two sets of driving sliders 106 respectively, and each set of driving sliders 106 are arc blocks. When the plug connector 202 is plugged into the annular receiving groove 104, the driving slider 106 is first embedded in the transition groove 209. Inside, then with the movement of the plug connector 202, the driving slider 106 naturally transitions to the inside of the threaded slide 208. When the plug connector 202 moves inward, the driving slider 106 moves along the threaded slide 208. Since the plug connector 202 does not rotate, the swivel 105 starts to rotate along with the driving slider 106. Therefore, the swivel 105 drives the cleaning ring 306 on the cleaning assembly 30 to rotate, and the cleaning ring 306 is used to wipe and clean the residue on the end face of the ferrule 204, thereby improving the cleanliness of the ferrule 204.

[0028] A porous PTFE membrane is sintered on the outer wall of the cleaning ring 306, and the pore size of its surface is 1um. An ultra-fine glass fiber pad is arranged on the outside of the porous PTFE membrane. A silicone microtube with an inner diameter of 50um is reserved inside the porous PTFE membrane, and the silicone microtube is connected to the liquid storage capsule 304. During specific use, after the alcohol seeping out of the pressure-bearing part 305 completes the cleaning function, the alcohol droplets dissolve oil stains and dust and are scraped away from the central area by the cleaning ring 306. Moreover, a part of the dirty alcohol is sucked back by the porous PTFE membrane at the edge of the cleaning ring 306, completing the self-recovery of the alcohol and avoiding the outflow of residual alcohol.

[0029] It is worth noting that when the cleaning ring 306 is wiping, the dirty alcohol is sucked away by the capillary action of the ultra-fine glass fiber pad, and the dust particles are trapped, realizing solid-liquid separation. This part of alcohol is defined as pre-filtrate, which actually no longer contains solids larger than 1µm. When the insert 204 is pulled out and the plug assembly 20 and the adapter 10 are separated, the insert 204 and the pressure-bearing part 305 are separated, and then the silicone wall of the liquid reservoir 304 rebounds to generate negative pressure, and the pre-filtrate is sucked back into the liquid reservoir 304 along the silicone microtube. Due to the extremely small tube diameter, the flow Reynolds number is less than 1, and the back-absorption process is completed within 20ms. It should be noted that the solid particles have been trapped by the ultra-fine glass fiber pad. The ultra-fine glass fiber pad is a disposable part and is replaced with the cleaning assembly after every 5,000 plugging and unplugging. Part 30 is replaced as a whole, and the liquid returned to the liquid reservoir 304 contains only soluble oil and no longer contains particles. At the same time, the total amount of alcohol in the liquid reservoir 304 is 0.8µL, and the back suction is only 0.02µL, with a dilution ratio of 1:40. The oil concentration is far below the saturation precipitation limit and will not crystallize. At the same time, each time the alcohol seeps out of the liquid reservoir 304 is high-purity alcohol, it can further dilute the old liquid to form a dynamic balance. Therefore, the dirty alcohol is not sucked back intact, but first undergoes solid-liquid separation at the outer edge of the cleaning ring 306, and then is pulled back by negative pressure. Finally, it is diluted and re-participates in the next cleaning. The solids that actually remain in the system are isolated by the ultra-fine glass fiber pad to ensure that the liquid reservoir 304 and the end face of the ferrule 204 will not be contaminated again.

[0030] Finally, it should be noted that the above is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features therein. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An optical fiber switching device, comprising an adapter (10) for docking with a plug assembly (20), characterized in that: A centering component (40) is assembled in the middle of the adapter (10), and cleaning components (30) corresponding to the centering component (40) are embedded in both ends of the adapter (10); The centering assembly (40) includes a central tube (402), and both ends of the central tube (402) are integrally provided with conical guide rings (405). An annular airbag (403) is sleeved on the outer wall of the central tube (402). Both ends of the adapter (10) are equipped with expansion airbags (401) corresponding to the plug assembly (20). Each group of the expansion airbags (401) is connected to the annular airbag (403) through an air pipe. A clamping ring (404) is symmetrically nested and installed on the inner wall of the central tube (402), and the clamping ring (404) and the annular airbag (403) are connected through an air guide pipe, and a pressure solenoid valve is installed on the air guide pipe.

2. The optical fiber switching device according to claim 1, wherein: The adapter (10) includes an adapter shell (101), wherein limit rings (102) are integrally formed inside the left and right ends of the adapter shell (101), a centering channel (103) coaxial with the limit ring (102) is provided at the center of the inside of the adapter shell (101), an annular receiving groove (104) is provided on the outside of the limit ring (102), and a rotating ring (105) is rotatably assembled at the end of the limit ring (102) through a bearing, and a driving slider (106) is integrally formed on the outer wall of the rotating ring (105), and limit grooves (107) arranged in the annular receiving groove (104) are provided at both ends of the adapter shell (101), and locking blocks (108) are evenly distributed on the outer wall of the end of the adapter shell (101).

3. The optical fiber switching device according to claim 2, wherein: The expansion airbag (401) is accommodated and installed in the annular accommodation groove (104), the central tube (402) is assembled in the centering channel (103), and two groups of the annular airbags (403) are fixedly assembled on the inner side wall of the centering channel (103), and an annular opening groove corresponding to the annular airbag (403) is opened on the inner side wall of the central tube (402), and the clamping ring (404) is embedded in the annular opening groove.

4. The optical fiber switching device according to claim 3, wherein: The plug assembly (20) comprises a shell (201), a plug connector (202) integrally formed on the shell (201), an optical fiber body (203) mounted on the plug connector (202), and a plug core (204) connected to the optical fiber body (203) fixed in the plug connector (202), a limit block (205) evenly distributed on the outer wall of the end of the plug connector (202), a lock buckle (206) hingedly mounted on the outer wall of the shell (201) via a pin shaft, a locking spring (207) connected between each group of the lock buckle (206) and the shell (201), a threaded slideway (208) provided on the inner wall of the plug connector (202), and a transition groove (209) connected to the threaded slideway (208) provided at the end of the plug connector (202).

5. The optical fiber switching device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The plug connector (202) has a size that matches the annular receiving groove (104), the limiting groove (107) matches the limiting block (205), the locking buckle (206) corresponds to the locking block (108), and the plug connector (202) is sleeved and assembled on the outside of the limiting ring (102).

6. The optical fiber switching device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The driving slider (106) corresponds to the transition groove (209), and the driving slider (106) matches the threaded slideway (208). The two groups of threaded slideways (208) correspond to the two groups of driving sliders (106), respectively, and each group of driving sliders (106) is an arc block.

7. The optical fiber switching device according to claim 2, wherein: The cleaning assembly (30) includes a snap ring (301), an annular groove is provided on the inner side wall of the rotating ring (105), and the snap ring (301) is snap-fitted inside the annular groove. The outer end of the snap ring (301) is integrally provided with a first protective ring (302), and the inner end of the snap ring (301) is integrally provided with a second protective ring (303). A liquid storage capsule (304) is provided between the first protective ring (302), the second protective ring (303) and the snap ring (301). The liquid storage capsule (304) extends from the first protective ring (302) and the second protective ring (303) to form a pressure-bearing portion (305), and the pressure-bearing portion (305) corresponds to the insert (204). The liquid storage capsule (304) is filled with cleaning alcohol.

8. The optical fiber switching device according to claim 7, characterized in that: A cleaning ring (306) is integrally formed on the side wall of the pressure-bearing portion (305) away from the central tube (402), and the end of the cleaning ring (306) is aligned with the axis of the central tube (402).

9. The optical fiber switching device according to claim 8, characterized in that: A porous PTFE membrane is sintered on the outer wall of the cleaning ring (306), the pore size of the surface of which is 1 μm, and an ultra-fine glass fiber pad is provided on the outside of the porous PTFE membrane. A silicone microtube with an inner diameter of 50 μm is reserved inside the porous PTFE membrane, and the silicone microtube is connected to the liquid storage capsule (304).

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