A high-density fiber optic connector assembly

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of optical fiber connection, in particular to a high-density optical fiber connector assembly which comprises a female head, a male head and a connecting bolt; a wiring terminal is connected to the male head, and a slot matched with the wiring terminal is arranged on the female head; a first through hole is arranged on the female head, and a second through hole is arranged on the male head; a shaft sleeve coaxial with the second through hole is connected to the male head near the female head, one end of the shaft sleeve is installed on the male head, the other end is inserted into the first through hole when the male head and the female head are inserted, and when the connecting bolt passes through the shaft sleeve, the taper surface of the connecting bolt is in abutment with the inner wall of the shaft sleeve, the shaft sleeve is pushed and expanded to be in abutment with the inner wall of the first through hole, so that the connecting bolt limits the relative movement of the female head and the male head in the direction perpendicular to the insertion direction. The shaft sleeve is arranged between the connecting bolt and the first through hole, so that the friction and abrasion of the inner wall of the first through hole caused by the connecting bolt during the process of passing through the first through hole are avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of optical fiber connection technology, and more specifically to a high-density optical fiber connector assembly. Background Technology

[0002] An MT ferrule is a type of fiber optic connector consisting of a ferrule assembly, an optical fiber, and a ferrule sheath. After the optical fiber passes through the ferrule sheath, the sheath mates with the ferrule assembly. The ferrule assembly has a slot on its upper part for injecting epoxy resin. Precise fiber positioning is achieved through the mating of the guide pin and its hole. The end with the guide pin is typically called the male connector, and the end without the guide pin is called the female connector.

[0003] With the improvement of network transmission speed, the insertion loss of MT-related products is getting lower and lower. Depending on the performance requirements of MT ferrules in different applications, the fitting clearance accuracy between the guide pin and the guide pin hole is generally between 0.1um and 1.5um.

[0004] After the male and female connectors are plugged in, bolts or similar structures are typically used to further secure them. This prevents vibration from causing the male and female connectors to shift and potentially damage the guide pins by moving relative to their holes. The connecting bolts must limit not only the relative movement of the male and female connectors in their insertion direction but also their relative movement perpendicular to that direction. Therefore, the connecting bolts need to fit tightly with the male and female connectors. Frequent disassembly and reassembly of the male and female connectors can cause wear and loosening between the connecting bolts and the connectors, affecting the reliability of the connection. This can lead to loosening and damage of the inserted guide pins and their holes, ultimately impacting connection accuracy. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention provides a high-density fiber optic connector assembly to solve the problem that frequent disassembly or loosening between the connector and the connector after connection of existing fiber optic connectors affects the accuracy of fiber optic connection.

[0006] The high-density fiber optic connector assembly of the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] A high-density fiber optic connector assembly includes a female connector, a male connector, and a connecting bolt. The male connector has a terminal block, and the female connector has a slot that mates with the terminal block. The female connector has a first through hole, and the male connector has a second through hole. Both the first and second through holes extend along the insertion direction of the male and female connectors and are coaxial after insertion. A bushing coaxial with the second through hole is connected to the male connector near the female connector. One end of the bushing is installed on the male connector, and the other end is inserted into the first through hole during insertion and connects with the first through hole. The sidewall of the through hole has a pre-reserved gap; the bushing is a deformable cylindrical structure; a first nut is fitted on the bushing, the first nut being located on the male end away from the female end; the connecting bolt enters from the second through hole, passes through the bushing and exits from the first through hole, and the end of the connecting bolt exiting the first through hole is fixed to the female end by the second nut, while the end closer to the male end is fixed to the male end by the first nut; the connecting bolt has a tapered surface to push the bushing to expand and abut against the inner wall of the first through hole when passing through the bushing; the diameter of the tapered surface gradually decreases from the male end to the female end.

[0008] Optionally, the connecting bolt includes a first threaded segment, a smooth shaft segment, and a second threaded segment that are connected and coaxially along the direction from the male head to the female head. The first threaded segment is used to thread with the first nut, and the second threaded segment is used to thread with the second nut. The tapered surface is the outer peripheral surface of the smooth shaft segment. The small end diameter of the smooth shaft segment is larger than the diameter of the second threaded segment, and the smooth shaft segment and the second threaded segment are transitioned through a shoulder.

[0009] Optionally, the bushing includes a fixed part and a cylindrical part. One end of the cylindrical part is installed on the male end through the fixed part. The cylindrical wall is formed by alternating connections of protrusions and recesses. The recesses are recessed toward the center of the cylindrical part. The inner wall of the recesses abuts against the tapered surface of the connecting bolt, so as to bulge outward under the push of the tapered surface of the connecting bolt, thereby increasing the outer diameter of the cylindrical part.

[0010] Optionally, the inner wall surface of the cylinder is a conical surface, and the inclination direction is consistent with the inclination direction of the conical surface of the connecting bolt.

[0011] Optionally, the fixing part includes a plurality of protrusions spaced apart around the circumference of the cylindrical part, and the inner wall of the second through hole of the male head is provided with a mounting groove. The protrusions cooperate with the mounting groove and have a movable space in the mounting groove to adapt to the diameter change of the cylindrical part.

[0012] Optionally, a bushing is fixed inside the second through hole, the connecting bolt passes through the bushing, and the bushing has a higher wear resistance than the male end.

[0013] Optionally, the bushing has higher wear resistance than the female head.

[0014] Optionally, there are at least two connecting bolts, located on both sides of the male or female head, and at least two corresponding first through holes, second through holes, and bushings.

[0015] Optionally, a guide shell is provided on the outside of the male connector. Before the male and female connectors approach each other and the wiring terminals enter the slot, the female connector slides into the guide shell. The guide shell guides the female and male connectors to approach each other until the wiring terminals engage with the slot.

[0016] Optionally, the end of the female connector away from the male connector is connected to a first wire that is electrically connected to the slot, and the end of the male connector away from the female connector is connected to a second wire that is electrically connected to the terminal block.

[0017] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: When the connecting bolt of the high-density fiber optic connector assembly of this invention passes through the bushing, its tapered surface abuts against the inner wall of the bushing, pushing the bushing to expand and abut against the inner wall of the first through hole, thereby restricting the relative movement of the female and male heads in a direction perpendicular to their insertion direction. Furthermore, the bushing separates the connecting bolt from the first through hole, preventing frictional wear on the inner wall of the first through hole during its passage.

[0018] Furthermore, when repeated disassembly of the male and female heads causes wear between the connecting bolts and the bushing, the connecting bolts can be moved further towards the female head, thereby further abutting against the bushing through the tapered surface. This ensures both the abutting effect between the shaft connecting bolts and the bushing, as well as the abutting effect between the bushing and the first through hole, thus improving the connection reliability of the male and female heads. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of an embodiment of a high-density fiber optic connector assembly according to the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the overall structure of an embodiment of a high-density fiber optic connector assembly according to the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Enlarged view of point B in the middle;

[0023] Figure 4 for Figure 3 Enlarged view of point C in the middle;

[0024] Figure 5 for Figure 4 Enlarged view of point D in the middle;

[0025] Figure 6This is a schematic diagram showing the state of a connecting bolt at another location in an embodiment of a high-density fiber optic connector assembly of the present invention after it has been connected to the male and female connectors.

[0026] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the bushing structure in an embodiment of a high-density fiber optic connector assembly according to the present invention.

[0027] In the diagram: 100, female connector; 110, second nut; 120, first wire; 200, male connector; 210, first nut; 220, bushing; 230, guide shell; 240, second wire; 300, connecting bolt; 310, first threaded section; 320, optical axis section; 330, second threaded section; 400, bushing; 410, fixing part; 420, cylindrical part. Detailed Implementation

[0028] 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 some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0029] An embodiment of a high-density fiber optic connector assembly of the present invention, such as... Figures 1 to 7 As shown, it includes a female connector 100, a male connector 200, and a connecting bolt 300.

[0030] The male connector 200 is connected to a terminal block, and the female connector 100 has a slot that mates with the terminal block. The end of the female connector 100 furthest from the male connector 200 is connected to a first wire 120 that is electrically connected to the slot, and the end of the male connector 200 furthest from the female connector 100 is connected to a second wire 240 that is electrically connected to the terminal block. The terminal block of the male connector 200 is inserted into the slot of the female connector 100 to achieve electrical connection between the first wire 120 and the second wire 240.

[0031] The female connector 100 has a first through hole, and the male connector 200 has a second through hole. Both the first and second through holes extend along the insertion direction of the male connector 200 and the female connector 100, and are coaxial after the male connector 200 and the female connector 100 are inserted. A bushing 400, coaxial with the second through hole, is connected to the side of the male connector 200 near the female connector 100. One end of the bushing 400 is installed on the male connector 200, and the other end is inserted into the first through hole when the male connector 200 and the female connector 100 are inserted, with a gap reserved between the bushing 400 and the side wall of the first through hole. The bushing 400 is a deformable cylindrical structure.

[0032] A first nut 210 is fitted on the connecting bolt 300, and the first nut 210 is located on the side of the male head 200 away from the female head 100;

[0033] The connecting bolt 300 enters through the second through hole, passes through the bushing 400, and exits through the first through hole. One end of the connecting bolt 300 that exits through the first through hole is fixed to the female head 100 by the second nut 110, and the end near the male head 200 is fixed to the male head 200 by the first nut 210. The connecting bolt 300 has a tapered surface to push the bushing 400 to expand and abut against the inner wall of the first through hole when it passes through the bushing 400. The diameter of the tapered surface gradually decreases from the male head 200 to the female head 100.

[0034] When the male connector 200 and the female connector 100 are plugged in, the terminal block mates with the slot, and one end of the bushing 400 mates with the first through hole, with a gap reserved between the bushing 400 and the side wall of the first through hole. When the male connector 200 and the female connector 100 abut, the first through hole and the second coaxial connector are aligned. The connecting bolt 300 enters through the second through hole, passes through the bushing 400, and exits through the first through hole. The second nut 110 mates with the end of the connecting bolt 300 that exits the first through hole, and the first nut 210 mates with the end of the connecting bolt 300 that does not enter the second through hole. The first nut 210 and the second nut 110 work together to lock the male connector 200 and the female connector 100 in their insertion direction. When the connecting bolt 300 passes through the bushing 400, its tapered surface abuts against the inner wall of the bushing 400, pushing the bushing 400 to expand and abut against the inner wall of the first through hole. This restricts the relative movement of the female head 100 and the male head 200 in a direction perpendicular to their insertion direction. Furthermore, the bushing 400 separates the connecting bolt 300 from the first through hole, preventing frictional wear on the inner wall of the first through hole during its passage.

[0035] Furthermore, when wear occurs between the connecting bolt 300 and the bushing 400 due to repeated disassembly and reassembly of the male head 200 and the female head 100, the connecting bolt 300 can be moved further towards the female head 100, thereby further abutting against the bushing 400 through the tapered surface. This ensures both the abutting effect between the shaft connecting bolt 300 and the bushing 400, and the abutting effect between the bushing 400 and the first through hole.

[0036] In this embodiment, the connecting bolt 300 includes a first threaded segment 310, a smooth shaft segment 320, and a second threaded segment 330 that are sequentially connected and coaxial along the direction from the male head 200 to the female head 100. The first threaded segment 310 is used to thread into the first nut 210, and the second threaded segment 330 is used to thread into the second nut 110. The tapered surface is the outer peripheral surface of the smooth shaft segment 320, and the diameter of the small end of the smooth shaft segment 320 is larger than the diameter of the second threaded segment 330. The smooth shaft segment 320 and the second threaded segment 330 are transitioned by a shoulder. A retaining ring protrusion can be provided on the inner wall of the end of the first through hole away from the male head 200 to abut against the shoulder between the smooth shaft segment 320 and the second threaded segment 330, limiting the extreme position of the connecting bolt 300 to move towards the female head 100, and reminding the operator to replace the bushing 400 or the connecting bolt 300.

[0037] In this embodiment, the bushing 400 includes a fixing part 410 and a cylindrical part 420. One end of the cylindrical part 420 is installed on the male head 200 through the fixing part 410. The cylindrical wall of the cylindrical part 420 is formed by alternating connections of protrusions and recesses. The recesses are recessed toward the center of the cylindrical part 420. The inner wall of the recesses abuts against the tapered surface of the connecting bolt 300, so as to protrude outward under the pushing of the tapered surface of the connecting bolt 300, thereby increasing the outer diameter of the cylindrical part 420.

[0038] In this embodiment, the inner wall surface of the cylindrical portion 420 is a conical surface, and its inclination direction is consistent with the inclination direction of the conical surface of the connecting bolt 300. The outer wall surface of the cylindrical portion 420 is a cylindrical surface, so that it can uniformly abut against the first through hole when it is expanded by the connecting bolt 300.

[0039] In this embodiment, the fixing part 410 includes a plurality of protrusions circumferentially spaced around the cylindrical part 420. The inner wall of the second through hole of the male head 200 is provided with a mounting groove. The protrusions engage with the mounting groove and have room to move within it to accommodate changes in the diameter of the cylindrical part 420. Furthermore, by compressing and deforming the cylindrical part 420, the protrusions can be disengaged from the mounting groove, facilitating the replacement of the bushing 400. A certain distance exists between the mounting groove and the contact surfaces of the male head 200 and the female head 100, such that after the male head 200 and the female head 100 are inserted, the bushing 400 is partially located in the first through hole and partially in the second through hole. When it is compressed and expanded by the connecting bolt 300, it can simultaneously abut against the inner walls of both the first and second through holes, thereby simultaneously restricting the relative movement of the male head 200 and the female head 100 in a direction perpendicular to their insertion.

[0040] In this embodiment, a bushing 220 is fixed inside the second through hole, and the connecting bolt 300 passes through the bushing 220. The bushing 220 has higher wear resistance than the male head 200. Preferably, the inner wall of the bushing 220 abuts against the outer wall of the first threaded section 310.

[0041] In this embodiment, the wear resistance of bushing 400 is higher than that of female head 100.

[0042] In this embodiment, there are at least two connecting bolts 300, located on both sides of the male head 200 or the female head 100, and at least two corresponding first through holes, second through holes, bushings 220 and bushings 400.

[0043] In this embodiment, a guide shell 230 is provided on the outside of the male connector 200. Before the male connector 200 and the female connector 100 approach each other and the terminal block enters the slot, the female connector 100 slides with the guide shell 230. The guide shell 230 guides the female connector 100 and the male connector 200 to approach each other until the terminal block engages with the slot, and can prevent external moisture and dust from entering between the contact surfaces of the male connector 200 and the female connector 100.

[0044] When the male connector 200 and female connector 100 of the high-density fiber optic connector assembly of the present invention are inserted, the male connector 200 and female connector 100 approach each other. The female connector 100 first contacts and slides into the guide shell 230. The female connector 100 moves along the guide shell 230 to make the terminal engage with the slot, and the bushing 400 engages with the first through hole until the male connector 200 and female connector 100 abut against each other. The first through hole and the second coaxial hole correspond to the coaxiality of the second coaxial hole. The connecting bolt 300 enters from the second through hole, passes through the bushing 400 and exits from the first through hole. When the optical axis section 320 of the connecting bolt 300 passes through the bushing 400, the tapered surface of its optical axis section 320 abuts against the inner wall of the bushing 400, and the cylindrical part 420 of the bushing 400 expands and abuts against the inner wall of the first through hole, so that the connecting bolt 300 restricts the relative movement of the female connector 100 and the male connector 200 in a direction perpendicular to their insertion direction. After the connecting bolt 300 is moved into place, the second threaded section 330 near the female head 100 is threadedly engaged with the second nut 110. The second nut 110 rotates relative to the connecting bolt 300 and moves to abut against the female head 100. The first threaded section 310 of the connecting bolt 300 near the male head 200 is threadedly engaged with the first nut 210. The first nut 210 rotates relative to the connecting bolt 300 and moves to abut against the male head 200. The first nut 210 and the second nut 110 work together to lock the male head 200 and the female head 100 in their insertion direction.

[0045] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. 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 high-density fiber optic connector assembly, characterized in that: Includes female connector, male connector, and connecting bolts; The male connector has a terminal block, and the female connector has a slot that mates with the terminal block. The female end has a first through hole, and the male end has a second through hole. Both the first and second through holes extend along the insertion direction of the male and female ends and are coaxial after the male and female ends are inserted. A bushing coaxial with the second through hole is connected to the side of the male end near the female end. One end of the bushing is installed on the male end, and the other end is inserted into the first through hole when the male and female ends are inserted, with a gap reserved between it and the side wall of the first through hole. The bushing is a deformable cylindrical structure. A first nut is fitted onto the bushing, and the first nut is located on the male end away from the female end; The connecting bolt enters through the second through hole, passes through the bushing, and exits through the first through hole. One end of the connecting bolt exiting the first through hole is fixed to the female head by the second nut, and the end near the male head is fixed to the male head by the first nut. The connecting bolt has a tapered surface to push the bushing to expand and abut against the inner wall of the first through hole when passing through it. The diameter of the tapered surface gradually decreases from the male head to the female head. The connecting bolt includes a first threaded section, a smooth shaft section, and a second threaded section that are connected and coaxially along the direction from the male head to the female head. The first threaded section is used to engage with the first nut, and the second threaded section is used to engage with the second nut. The tapered surface is the outer circumferential surface of the smooth shaft section. The small end diameter of the smooth shaft section is larger than the diameter of the second threaded section, and the smooth shaft section and the second threaded section are transitioned by a shoulder. The bushing includes a fixed part and a cylindrical part. One end of the cylindrical part is installed on the male end through the fixed part. The cylindrical wall is formed by alternating protrusions and recesses. The recesses are recessed towards the center of the cylindrical part. The inner wall of the recesses abuts against the tapered surface of the connecting bolt, so as to bulge outward under the push of the tapered surface of the connecting bolt, thereby increasing the outer diameter of the cylindrical part. The inner wall surface of the cylinder is a conical surface, and the inclination direction is consistent with the inclination direction of the conical surface of the connecting bolt; the outer wall surface of the cylinder is a cylindrical surface, so that it can uniformly abut against the first through hole when it is expanded by the connecting bolt.

2. The high-density fiber optic connector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fixing part includes multiple protrusions that are spaced apart around the circumference of the cylindrical part. The inner wall of the second through hole of the male head is provided with a mounting groove. The protrusions cooperate with the mounting groove and have room to move within the mounting groove to adapt to changes in the diameter of the cylindrical part.

3. A high-density fiber optic connector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: A bushing is fixed inside the second through hole, and the connecting bolt passes through the bushing. The bushing has a higher wear resistance than the male connector.

4. A high-density fiber optic connector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The wear resistance of the bushing is higher than that of the female head.

5. A high-density fiber optic connector assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: There are at least two connecting bolts, located on either side of the male or female head, and there are at least two corresponding first through holes, second through holes, and bushings.

6. A high-density fiber optic connector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The male connector is provided with a guide shell. Before the male and female connectors approach each other and the terminal blocks enter the slot, the female connector slides into the guide shell. The guide shell guides the female and male connectors to approach each other until the terminal blocks mate with the slot.

7. A high-density fiber optic connector assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The end of the female connector furthest from the male connector is connected to a first wire that is electrically connected to the slot, and the end of the male connector furthest from the female connector is connected to a second wire that is electrically connected to the terminal block.

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