A fiber optic switching adapter

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of fiber optic switching and conversion technology, and discloses a fiber optic switching and conversion device, including an adapter for mating with a plug assembly. An alignment component is installed in the middle of the adapter, and cleaning components corresponding to the alignment component are embedded at both ends of the adapter. As the plug assembly is inserted, the alignment component is driven to align itself inside the adapter. With the insertion of the plug assembly, the core is first cleaned by the cleaning component before being inserted into the alignment component. This allows the core to self-center under the action of the alignment component, achieving automatic alignment and ensuring high concentricity of the core during mating. Furthermore, after mating, the core is automatically clamped and fixed, preventing misalignment during use and ensuring high safety.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of optical fiber switching technology, and in particular to an optical fiber switching device. Background Technology

[0002] Connections and signal transmission between different optical fibers require the use of adapters, such as fiber optic connectors. When connecting optical fibers, it is necessary not only to ensure the reliable connection between the two fibers, but also to minimize the optical loss at the connection point. Currently, a combination of elastic elements and snap-fit ​​connections is commonly used to connect plugs and interfaces to prevent accidental disconnection.

[0003] A fiber optic switching adapter with application number CN202411621476.7 includes a concentric assembly and a transmission assembly. The concentric assembly includes at least three discs that are sequentially attached along the axial direction of a fixed tube. Each disc has a through hole. Before the plug assembly is inserted, the through holes of the concentric assembly are blocked. The mutual misalignment of the through holes limits and fixes 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 the two sets of wire cores are connected, the wire core ends may have a connection deviation due to the manufacturing error of the adapter. Once the concentricity of the two ends of the core exceeds the tolerance, it will cause additional insertion loss and return loss. Therefore, the problem of poor wire core alignment will occur during use. Moreover, the internal end face of the wire core adapter is blocked by the shell and cannot be cleaned directly, which leads to the deterioration of the optical path. In addition, when the wire core ends are connected, dust can easily fall on them because the wire core ends 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 adapter to solve the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide an optical fiber switching and conversion device to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a fiber optic switching adapter, comprising an adapter for docking with a plug assembly, wherein an alignment component is assembled in the middle of the adapter, and cleaning components corresponding to the alignment component are embedded at both ends of the adapter.

[0008] The centering assembly includes a central cylinder with conical guide rings integrally formed at both ends. An annular airbag is fitted on the outer side wall of the central cylinder. Both ends of the adapter are equipped with expansion airbags corresponding to the plug assembly. Each set of expansion airbags is connected to the annular airbag through an air supply pipe. Clamping rings are symmetrically nested on the inner side wall of the central cylinder, and the clamping rings and the annular airbags are connected through an air guide pipe. A pressure solenoid valve is installed on the air guide pipe.

[0009] Preferably, the adapter includes an adapter shell, with limit rings integrally formed inside the left and right ends of the adapter shell, a centering channel coaxial with the limit rings at the center of the adapter shell, an annular storage groove on the outer side of the limit rings, a rotating ring rotatably mounted on the end of the limit rings via a bearing, a drive slider integrally formed on the outer wall of the rotating rings, limit grooves set in the annular storage grooves at both ends of the adapter shell, and locking blocks evenly distributed on the outer wall of the end of the adapter shell.

[0010] Preferably, the inflatable airbag is housed in an annular storage groove, the central cylinder is assembled in the centering channel, and the two sets of annular airbags are fixedly assembled on the inner sidewall of the centering channel. The inner sidewall of the central cylinder is provided with an annular opening groove corresponding to the annular airbag, and the clamping ring is embedded in the annular opening groove.

[0011] Preferably, the plug assembly includes a housing, on which a connector is integrally formed, and an optical fiber body is mounted on the housing. A ferrule connected to the optical fiber body is fixed inside the connector. Limiting blocks are evenly distributed on the outer side wall of the connector end. A locking buckle is hinged to the outer side wall of the housing via a pin. A locking spring is connected between each set of locking buckles and the housing. A threaded slide is formed on the inner side wall of the connector, and a transition groove connected to the threaded slide is formed at the end of the connector.

[0012] Preferably, the size of the connector matches the size of the annular storage groove, the limiting groove matches the limiting block, the latch corresponds to the locking block, and the connector is sleeved and assembled on the outside of the limiting ring.

[0013] Preferably, the drive slider corresponds to the transition groove, and the drive slider matches the threaded slide, with two sets of threaded slides corresponding to two sets of drive sliders respectively, and each set of drive sliders is an arc block.

[0014] Preferably, the cleaning component includes a retaining ring, and an annular groove is formed on the inner sidewall of the rotating ring. The retaining ring is snapped into the annular groove. A first protective ring is integrally formed on the outer end of the retaining ring, and a second protective ring is integrally formed on the inner end of the retaining ring. A liquid reservoir is assembled between the first protective ring, the second protective ring, and the retaining ring. The liquid reservoir extends from the first protective ring and the second protective ring to serve as a pressure-bearing part, and the pressure-bearing part corresponds to the insert. The liquid reservoir is filled with cleaning alcohol.

[0015] Preferably, a cleaning ring is integrally formed on the side wall of the pressure-bearing part away from the central cylinder, and the end of the cleaning ring is aligned with the axis of the central cylinder.

[0016] Preferably, a porous PTFE membrane is sintered on the outer wall of the cleaning ring, the pore size of which is 1µm, and an ultrafine glass fiber pad is provided on the outer side of the porous PTFE membrane. A silicone microtube with an inner diameter of 50µm is reserved inside the porous PTFE membrane, and the silicone microtube is connected to the liquid reservoir.

[0017] The technical effects and advantages of this invention are as follows:

[0018] 1. As the plug assembly extends into the device, the present invention drives the centering component to align itself inside the adapter. As the plug assembly is inserted, the core is first cleaned by the cleaning component before being inserted into the centering component. This allows the core to self-center under the action of the centering component, achieving automatic alignment and ensuring high concentricity of the core during insertion. Furthermore, the core is automatically clamped and fixed after mating, preventing misalignment during use and ensuring high safety.

[0019] 2. When the cleaning component of this invention is used, as the insert is inserted, the pressure-bearing part can clean the insert. After the end of the insert is cleaned, it will come into contact with the cleaning ring, which makes it easy for the cleaning ring to push the residue and particles on the end face of the insert away from the center, making it easy to recycle. The drive slider moves along the threaded slide, and since the insert does not rotate, the rotating ring starts to rotate with the drive slider. Therefore, the rotating ring will drive the cleaning ring on the cleaning component to rotate. The cleaning ring wipes and cleans the residue on the end face of the insert, improving the cleanliness of the insert. Some of the dirty alcohol is reabsorbed by the porous PTFE membrane at the edge of the cleaning ring, completing the alcohol self-recovery and preventing the residue from flowing out. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the overall structure of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3This is a cross-sectional view of the adapter structure of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the plug assembly structure of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the cleaning component structure of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the assembly structure of the centering component and adapter of the present invention;

[0026] In the diagram: 10. Adapter; 101. Adapter shell; 102. Limiting ring; 103. Centering channel; 104. Annular storage groove; 105. Rotary ring; 106. Drive slider; 107. Limiting groove; 108. Locking block; 20. Plug assembly; 201. Shell; 202. Connector; 203. Fiber optic body; 204. Filament; 205. Limiting block; 206. Locking buckle; 207. Locking spring; 208. Threaded slide; 209. Transition groove; 30. Cleaning assembly; 301. Snap ring; 302. First protective ring; 303. Second protective ring; 304. Liquid reservoir; 305. Pressure bearing part; 306. Cleaning ring; 40. Centering assembly; 401. Inflation airbag; 402. Central cylinder; 403. Annular airbag; 404. Clamping ring; 405. Conical guide ring. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0028] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, this embodiment discloses a fiber optic switching adapter, including an adapter 10 for mating with a plug assembly 20. An alignment component 40 is installed inside the adapter 10, and cleaning components 30 corresponding to the alignment component 40 are embedded at both ends of the adapter 10. In actual use, the plug assembly 20 is installed inside the adapter 10. As the plug assembly 20 extends, it drives the alignment component 40 to move, thus aligning it inside the adapter 10. With the insertion of the plug assembly 20, the core is first cleaned by the cleaning component 30 before extending into the alignment component 40. This allows the core to self-center under the action of the alignment component 40, achieving automatic alignment and ensuring high concentricity of the core during mating. Furthermore, after mating, the core is automatically clamped and fixed, preventing misalignment during use and ensuring high safety. Specifically:

[0029] Please see Figures 1-3 The adapter 10 includes an adapter shell 101. Limiting rings 102 are integrally formed inside the left and right ends of the adapter shell 101. A centering channel 103 coaxial with the limiting ring 102 is provided at the center of the adapter shell 101. An annular storage groove 104 is provided on the outer side of the limiting ring 102. A rotating ring 105 is rotatably mounted on the end of the limiting ring 102 via a bearing. A drive slider 106 is integrally formed on the outer wall of the rotating ring 105. Limiting grooves 107 are provided in the annular storage grooves 104 at both ends of the adapter shell 101. Locking blocks 108 are evenly distributed on the outer wall of the end of the adapter shell 101.

[0030] Please see Figures 1-4 The plug assembly 20 includes a housing 201, on which a plug 202 is integrally formed. An optical fiber body 203 is mounted on the housing 201, and a ferrule 204 connected to the optical fiber body 203 is fixed inside the plug 202. Limiting blocks 205 are evenly distributed on the outer side wall of the end of the plug 202. A latch 206 is hinged to the outer side wall of the housing 201 by a pin. A locking spring 207 is connected between each set of latches 206 and the housing 201. A threaded slide 208 is provided on the inner side wall of the plug 202. A transition groove 209 connected to the threaded slide 208 is provided at the end of the plug 202. The size of the plug 202 matches the annular receiving groove 104. The limiting groove 107 matches the limiting block 205. The latch 206 corresponds to the locking block 108. The plug 202 is sleeved and assembled on the outside of the limiting ring 102.

[0031] Please see Figure 2 and Figure 6 The centering component 40 includes a central cylinder 402. Conical guide rings 405 are integrally formed at both ends of the central cylinder 402. An annular airbag 403 is sleeved on the outer side wall of the central cylinder 402. Both ends of the adapter 10 are equipped with an expansion airbag 401 corresponding to the plug component 20. Each set of expansion airbags 401 is connected to the annular airbag 403 through an air supply pipe. Clamping rings 404 are symmetrically nested on the inner side wall of the central cylinder 402. The clamping rings 404 and the annular airbags 403 are connected through an air guide pipe. A pressure solenoid valve is installed on the air guide pipe.

[0032] In actual use, the central cylinder 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 connector 202 is sleeved on the outside of the limiting ring 102, and the limiting block 205 is inserted into the limiting groove 107, realizing the positioning and insertion of the plug assembly 20 and the adapter 10, and preventing the plug assembly 20 from shifting during installation. At the same time, the connector 202 compresses the inflatable airbag 401, causing the gas inside the inflatable airbag 401 to be directly introduced into the annular airbag 403 through the air supply pipe. The expansion of the annular airbag 403 enables the central cylinder 402 and the centering channel 103 to automatically align. When the insert 204 is inserted into the centering channel 103, it will contact the conical guide ring 405, allowing the insert 204 to be guided into the centering channel 103 under the guidance of the conical guide ring 405, thus completing the centering operation. As the expanding airbag 401 is compressed, the expansion amount of the annular airbag 403 gradually increases, which in turn makes the concentricity of the central cylinder 402 and the centering channel 103 higher, making it easier for the insert 204 to dock.

[0033] It is worth noting that the inflatable airbag 401 is housed and installed in the annular storage groove 104, the central cylinder 402 is assembled in the centering channel 103, and the two sets of annular airbags 403 are fixedly assembled on the inner side wall of the centering channel 103. The inner side wall of the central cylinder 402 has an annular opening groove corresponding to the annular airbag 403, and the clamping ring 404 is embedded in the annular opening groove. When the insert 204 is aligned, the gas pressure inside the annular airbag 403 reaches the threshold of the solenoid valve. The gas inside is introduced into the clamping ring 404 through the air guide tube, causing the clamping ring 404 to expand. This allows the clamping ring 404 to clamp onto the surface of the plug 204, completing the clamping and fixing operation of the plug 204 after docking, thus improving the safety of the plug 204. In addition, the latch 206 engages with the locking block 108, completing the locking of the plug assembly 20 and the adapter 10. Furthermore, the locking spring 207 provides the locking strength of the latch 206 on the locking block 108.

[0034] Please see Figures 1-6 The cleaning component 30 includes a retaining ring 301. An annular groove is provided on the inner side wall of the rotating ring 105. The retaining ring 301 is snapped into the annular groove, which facilitates quick removal of the retaining ring 301 from the annular groove and makes it easy to replace the cleaning component 30. A first protective ring 302 is integrally formed at the outer end of the retaining ring 301, and a second protective ring 303 is integrally formed at the inner end of the retaining ring 301. A liquid reservoir 304 is assembled between the first protective ring 302, the second protective ring 303 and the retaining ring 301. The liquid reservoir 304 extends from the first protective ring 302 and the second protective ring 303 to form a pressure-bearing part 305, and the pressure-bearing part 305 corresponds to the insert 204. The liquid reservoir 304 is filled with cleaning alcohol.

[0035] When the plug 204 on the plug assembly 20 is inserted into the centering channel 103, it first comes into contact with the pressure bearing part 305, causing the pressure bearing part 305 to be squeezed. The alcohol inside the reservoir 304 begins to seep out. Then, as the plug 204 extends further in, clean alcohol continues to seep out. The alcohol immediately mixes with the dust and oil stains on the end face of the plug 204, forming a "dirty alcohol" liquid film. The pressure bearing part 305 presses against the end face of the plug 204, which can play a scraping role. At the same time, a layer of alcohol droplets is formed to cover the surface of the plug 204. As the plug 204 extends further in, the pressure bearing part 305 can clean the plug 204. After the end of the plug 204 is cleaned, it will come into contact with the cleaning ring 306, which makes it easy for the cleaning ring 306 to push the residue and particles on the end face of the plug 204 away from the center, making it easy to recycle.

[0036] It is worth noting that, please refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 A cleaning ring 306 is integrally formed on the side wall of the pressure-bearing part 305 away from the central cylinder 402, and the end of the cleaning ring 306 is aligned with the axis of the central cylinder 402. The drive slider 106 corresponds to the transition groove 209, and the drive slider 106 matches the threaded slide 208. The two sets of threaded slides 208 correspond to the two sets of drive sliders 106 respectively, and each set of drive sliders 106 is an arc block. When the plug connector 202 is inserted into the annular receiving groove 104, the drive slider 106 is first embedded in the transition groove 209. Inside, as the connector 202 moves, the drive slider 106 naturally transitions into the threaded slide 208. When the connector 202 moves inward, the drive slider 106 moves along the threaded slide 208. Since the connector 202 does not rotate, the rotating ring 105 starts to rotate along with the drive slider 106. Therefore, the rotating ring 105 drives the cleaning ring 306 on the cleaning assembly 30 to rotate. The cleaning ring 306 wipes and cleans the residue on the end face of the plug 204, improving the cleanliness of the plug 204.

[0037] A porous PTFE membrane is sintered on the outer wall of the cleaning ring 306. The pore size on its surface is 1µm, 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 50µm is reserved inside the porous PTFE membrane, and the silicone microtube is connected to the liquid reservoir 304. In actual use, after the alcohol that leaks out of the pressure bearing part 305 completes the cleaning action, the alcohol droplets dissolve the oil stains and dust and are scraped away from the central area by the cleaning ring 306. Moreover, some of the dirty alcohol is reabsorbed by the porous PTFE membrane at the edge of the cleaning ring 306, completing the alcohol self-recovery and preventing residual leakage.

[0038] It is worth noting that during the wiping process with the cleaning ring 306, the dirty alcohol is drawn away by the capillary action of the ultra-fine glass fiber pad, while dust particles are trapped, achieving solid-liquid separation. This portion of alcohol is defined as pre-filtrate, which actually no longer contains solids larger than 1µm. When the plug 204 is pulled out and the plug assembly 20 and adapter 10 are separated, the plug 204 and the pressure-bearing part 305 disengage. Subsequently, the silicone wall of the reservoir 304 rebounds, generating negative pressure. The pre-filtrate is then drawn back into the reservoir 304 along the silicone microtubes. Due to the extremely small tube diameter and a flow Reynolds number of less than 1, the back-suction process is completed within 20ms. It should be noted that the solid particles have been trapped by the ultra-fine glass fiber pad, which is a disposable component and is replaced with the cleaning assembly after every 5000 insertions and removals. The entire component 30 is replaced. Moreover, the liquid returned to the reservoir 304 contains only soluble grease and no longer contains particles. At the same time, the total alcohol content in the reservoir 304 is 0.8µL, and the backflow is only 0.02µL, with a dilution ratio of 1:40. The grease concentration is far below the saturation precipitation limit and will not crystallize. In addition, the alcohol that seeps out of the reservoir 304 each time is high-purity alcohol, which can further dilute the old liquid and form a dynamic equilibrium. Therefore, the dirty alcohol is not simply drawn back in its original state, but undergoes solid-liquid separation at the outer edge of the cleaning ring 306, is then pulled back by negative pressure, and finally diluted and participates in the next cleaning cycle. The solids that are actually left in the system are isolated by the ultra-fine glass fiber pad, ensuring that the reservoir 304 and the end face of the insert 204 will not be contaminated again.

[0039] Finally, it should be noted that the above description 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 foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A fiber optic switching adapter, comprising an adapter (10) for mating with a plug assembly (20), characterized in that: The adapter (10) has a centering component (40) installed in the middle inside, 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 cylinder (402), with conical guide rings (405) integrally formed at both ends of the central cylinder (402). An annular airbag (403) is sleeved on the outer side wall of the central cylinder (402). Both ends of the adapter (10) are equipped with inflatable airbags (401) corresponding to the plug assembly (20). Each set of inflatable airbags (401) is connected to the annular airbag (403) through an air supply pipe. Clamping rings (404) are symmetrically nested on the inner side wall of the central cylinder (402), and the clamping rings (404) and the annular airbags (403) are connected through an air guide pipe. A pressure solenoid valve is installed on the air guide pipe. The cleaning component (30) includes a retaining ring (301), a first protective ring (302) integrally formed on the outer end of the retaining ring (301), and a second protective ring (303) integrally formed on the inner end of the retaining ring (301). A reservoir (304) is assembled between the first protective ring (302), the second protective ring (303) and the retaining ring (301). The reservoir (304) extends out the first protective ring (302) and the second protective ring (303) as a pressure-bearing part (305), and the pressure-bearing part (305) and the insert (204) are directly opposite each other. The reservoir (304) is filled with cleaning alcohol. A cleaning ring (306) is integrally formed on the side wall of the pressure-bearing part (305) away from the central cylinder (402), and the end of the cleaning ring (306) is aligned with the axis of the central cylinder (402). The outer wall of the cleaning ring (306) is sintered with a porous PTFE membrane with a pore size of 1 μm. An ultrafine glass fiber pad is provided on the outer side 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 reservoir (304).

2. The optical fiber switching and adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The adapter (10) includes a transition shell (101). Limiting rings (102) are integrally formed inside the left and right ends of the transition shell (101). A centering channel (103) coaxial with the limiting ring (102) is provided at the center of the transition shell (101). An annular storage groove (104) is provided on the outer side of the limiting ring (102). A rotating ring (105) is rotatably assembled at the end of the limiting ring (102) through a bearing. A driving slider (106) is integrally formed on the outer wall of the rotating ring (105). Limiting grooves (107) are provided in the annular storage groove (104) at both ends of the transition shell (101). Locking blocks (108) are evenly distributed on the outer wall of the end of the transition shell (101).

3. The optical fiber switching and adapter according to claim 2, characterized in that: The inflatable airbag (401) is housed in the annular storage groove (104), the central cylinder (402) is assembled in the centering channel (103), and the two sets of annular airbags (403) are fixedly assembled on the inner side wall of the centering channel (103). The inner side wall of the central cylinder (402) is provided with an annular opening groove corresponding to the annular airbag (403), and the clamping ring (404) is embedded in the annular opening groove.

4. The optical fiber switching and adapter according to claim 3, characterized in that: The plug assembly (20) includes a housing (201), on which a plug (202) is integrally formed. An optical fiber body (203) is installed on the housing (201), and a ferrule (204) connected to the optical fiber body (203) is fixed inside the plug (202). Limiting blocks (205) are evenly distributed on the outer side wall of the end of the plug (202). A latch (206) is hinged to the outer side wall of the housing (201) by a pin. A locking spring (207) is connected between each set of latches (206) and the housing (201). A threaded slide (208) is opened on the inner side wall of the plug (202), and a transition groove (209) connected to the threaded slide (208) is opened at the end of the plug (202).

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

6. The optical fiber switching adapter according to claim 5, characterized in that: The drive slider (106) corresponds to the transition groove (209), and the drive slider (106) matches the threaded slide (208). The two sets of threaded slides (208) correspond to the two sets of drive sliders (106) respectively, and each set of drive sliders (106) is an arc block.

7. The optical fiber switching adapter according to claim 2, characterized in that: The inner wall of the rotating ring (105) is provided with an annular groove, and the retaining ring (301) is snapped into the inside of the annular groove.

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