Miniature multi-core optical fiber rotary connector rotating mechanism and optical fiber rotary connector

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of miniature optical fiber rotary connectors, in particular to a rotary mechanism of a miniature multi-core optical fiber rotary connector and an optical fiber rotary connector, and solves the problems of limited central optical space and insufficient optical path channels of a mechanical transmission component in the prior art. A rotating body and a rotating body are rotationally arranged in the fixed shell and are in transmission connection through a planet wheel mechanism, the planet wheel mechanism comprises a gear I and a gear IV, the gear I is connected with the rotating body, the gear IV is arranged on the rotating body, a gear positioning seat is arranged between the rotating body and the rotating body, and at least one transmission part is arranged on the outer side of the gear positioning seat. The gear I and the gear IV are in transmission connection through a transmission part. The optical fiber rotary connector has the beneficial effects that the limitation of a transmission part on a central optical space is eliminated, the number of optical channels is expanded from 12 to more than 30 on the premise that the size of the optical fiber rotary connector is not changed, and the multi-optical-path parallel transmission requirement is met.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of micro optical fiber rotary connectors, in particular to a micro multi-core optical fiber rotary connector rotating mechanism and an optical fiber rotary connector. BACKGROUND

[0002] The micro multi-core optical fiber rotary connector is an important element of an optoelectronic system, which can transmit optical signals at high speed, high quality and large capacity between two parts that are closely combined and relatively rotated in an application system, such as radar, camera system, navigation, detection and other systems. With the development of science and technology, the amount of information to be transmitted is increasing, and high-tech equipment has higher and higher requirements for bandwidth, capacity, speed, anti-electromagnetic interference and electromagnetic radiation, security, component volume and weight. The optical fiber rotary connector, with the advantages of non-contact transmission, anti-interference and high bandwidth, has become the core device of the rotary optical communication system, and in the future, the adaptability to complex environments needs to be further solved to support more stringent application requirements.

[0003] The optical fiber rotary connector transmits optical signals in a relative motion state by combining optical and mechanical systems. The collimator and the prism cooperate to form the optical system of the optical fiber rotary connector, and the mechanical system adopts a planetary gear train transmission mechanism. The center position of the planetary gear train is hollow, and all optical paths are arranged in the hollow position. The divergent light emitted from the optical fiber is collimated into parallel light with a large spot by the collimator. When the parallel light rotates at a speed of ω, the prism rotates in the same direction at a speed of ω / 2, so the position of the emitted light and the radiated light remains unchanged. The size of the hollow position of the planetary gear train directly affects the number of optical path channels. The existing micro multi-core optical fiber rotary connector is limited by the rotating mechanism.

[0004] In the prior art, for small structure optical fiber rotary connectors, such as the patent technology with publication number CN111474634A, a planetary gear train design is adopted by optimizing the mechanical transmission structure, which includes a driving assembly, a driven assembly and a mandrel mechanism. The driving assembly includes a rotating shaft of a front end fixed gear I, the driven assembly includes a tail gear IV with a rotating cylinder, and the mandrel component includes a mandrel shell and rotating shafts of two end fixed gears II and III. Gear II meshes with gear I, and gear III meshes with gear IV. This technology uniformly distributes the load of the planetary gear through the elastic element, improves the transmission stability, and optimizes the axial space layout with the help of the corrugated spring, which has certain advantages in small structure design.

[0005] However, the above prior art still has obvious technical limitations, which is difficult to meet the needs of new generation equipment for multi-channel and high integration: first, the gear I of the active component, the rotating shaft, the gear IV of the driven component, the rotating cylinder, and the matching bearing and other transmission parts are arranged along the radial direction of the connector, and the thickness of the parts is large, which leads to a large amount of radial space occupied by mechanical transmission parts, directly compressing the hollow space in the center area of the planetary gear train - and this hollow space is the core installation area of the optical system collimator and the optical path. The limited space makes it difficult to increase the number of optical path channels, and the number of optical path channels of the connector based on this structure is generally limited to 12 or less, which cannot meet the demand of multi-optical path parallel transmission; second, in order to realize small structure design, the size of the elastic element, corrugated spring and other components used is small, which is easy to cause elastic fatigue or deformation deviation in high and low temperature, vibration and other complex environments, leading to the decrease of gear meshing precision and transmission stability, and then affecting the synchronization of prism rotation, causing optical path alignment deviation, increasing optical signal transmission loss, and lacking adaptability to complex environment; third, the radial distribution of transmission parts and the center optical system is easy to produce space interference during assembly, increasing the assembly difficulty.

[0006] Therefore, the existing multi-core small structure optical rotary connector has the problems of limited center optical space, insufficient number of optical path channels, and poor adaptability to complex environment due to the radial layout design of mechanical transmission parts, which cannot meet the application requirements of new generation high-tech equipment. SUMMARY

[0007] The present application provides a micro multi-core optical fiber rotary connector rotating mechanism and an optical fiber rotary connector, which solves the problem of limited center optical space and insufficient number of optical path channels of mechanical transmission parts in the prior art.

[0008] The technical scheme of the present application is as follows: A micro multi-core optical fiber rotary connector rotating mechanism, comprising a fixed shell, a rotating body and a rotating body rotatingly arranged in the fixed shell, the rotating body and the rotating body being transmissionally connected through a planetary gear mechanism, the planetary gear mechanism comprising a gear I and a gear IV, the gear I being connected with the rotating body, the gear IV being arranged on the rotating body, a gear positioning seat being arranged between the rotating body and the rotating body, at least one transmission part being arranged on the outer side of the gear positioning seat, the gear I and the gear IV being transmissionally connected through the transmission part. The limitation of the transmission part on the size of the center optical space is cancelled, the space of the annular structure position of the optical fiber rotary connector is utilized, the number of optical channels is expanded from 12 to more than 30 under the premise of unchanged volume of the optical fiber rotary connector, and the demand of multi-optical path parallel transmission is met; the product structure is compact, and the signal transmission efficiency of the product is improved.

[0009] The rotating body, the rotating body, and the gear positioning seat are provided with through-hole structures that correspond to each other in position. The through-hole size of the gear positioning seat is greater than or equal to the through-hole size of the rotating body. The restriction of the gear positioning seat on the central optical space is eliminated, and the size of the central optical space is limited by the through-hole size of the rotating body or the rotating body.

[0010] The fixed housing has an opening on its side, through which the transmission component is installed. The fixed housing also has a side cover for sealing the opening. The opening facilitates the installation of the transmission component, and after installation, the side cover seals the opening, preventing the transmission component from being exposed and thus protecting it.

[0011] The transmission component includes a bearing housing connected to a gear positioning seat. Gears II and III are rotatably mounted on the bearing housing, located on the left and right sides of the bearing housing. Gears II and III rotate synchronously. Gear II meshes with gear I, and gear III meshes with gear IV. By changing the gear ratio of each gear, the speed of the mechanical transmission is changed. Specifically, when the rotating body rotates at a speed ω, the rotating body rotates in the same direction at a speed ω / 2.

[0012] A rotating shaft is provided on one side of gear III. The rotating shaft is connected to a bearing housing via bearing II, and the rotating shaft passes through the bearing housing to connect with gear II. Two bearings II are mounted on the rotating shaft, and a bearing retaining ring II is provided between the two bearings II. The outer rings of the two bearings II are interference-fitted with the bearing housing. The end of the rotating shaft passes through gear II and connects to a threaded retaining ring. The threaded retaining ring limits and fixes gear II, ensuring a stable connection between gear II and the rotating shaft. At the same time, gear II and the rotating shaft are connected by a key, ensuring that gear II and the rotating shaft rotate synchronously, thereby ensuring that gear II and gear III rotate synchronously.

[0013] The bearing housing has a positioning hole at its lower part, and a groove is provided on the side of the gear positioning seat. A positioning pin is provided in the center of the groove, and the positioning pin is inserted into the positioning hole. When installing the transmission component, the bearing housing is inserted through the opening on the side of the fixed housing, and the lower part of the bearing housing is inserted into the groove on the side of the gear positioning seat. During the installation of the bearing housing, the positioning pin in the groove is inserted into the positioning hole of the bearing housing.

[0014] A compression spring is provided between the top surface of the bearing housing and the side cover; a positioning groove is provided on the top surface of the bearing housing, and the end of the compression spring extends into the positioning groove. After the side cover is installed, the side cover provides support for the compression spring, at which time the compression spring applies a radial centripetal force to the bearing housing, ensuring that the gears on the transmission components mesh fully with the gears on the rotating body or the rotating body.

[0015] The bearing housing has limiting parts on both the front and rear sides of its upper part, which engage with the side walls of the openings on the fixed housing. This ensures the bearing housing is stably installed within the fixed housing, thereby ensuring the stability of the transmission components.

[0016] The fixed housing has a limiting step inside, and a threaded end cap is connected to the end of the fixed housing. The end of the rotating body away from the gear positioning seat mates with the limiting step, and the end of the rotating body away from the gear positioning seat mates with the threaded end cap. Wave springs are respectively provided between the rotating body and the limiting step, and between the rotating body and the threaded end cap. The wave springs play the role of floating and adjusting the axial position of the rotating body, the rotating body, and the transmission components. Finally, the threaded end cap is used to fix them.

[0017] A fiber optic rotary connector includes a miniature multi-core fiber optic rotary connector rotation mechanism; a prism component is provided inside the rotating body, and a collimator is also provided inside the rotating body. A collimator is also provided on the side of the rotating body away from the rotating body, and parallel light emitted from one collimator is totally reflected by the prism component into the other collimator.

[0018] The beneficial effects of this invention are: 1. It eliminates the limitation of the transmission component on the size of the central optical space, utilizes the space of the annular structure on the optical fiber rotary connector, and expands the number of optical channels from 12 to more than 30 without changing the volume of the optical fiber rotary connector, thus meeting the requirements of multi-optical-path parallel transmission.

[0019] 2. Eliminate the restriction of the central optical space on the gear positioning seat. The size of the central optical space is limited by the through hole size of the rotating body or rotating body. This allows the optical channel to be filled in the rotating body and rotating body, making full use of the central optical space of the rotating body and rotating body, making the product structure more compact and improving the product signal transmission efficiency.

[0020] 3. The side cover uses a compression spring to radially limit the bearing seat in the transmission component, and the opening on the side of the fixed housing can circumferentially limit the bearing seat in the transmission component, improving the installation stability of the transmission component in the fixed housing and ensuring that the gears in the transmission component can stably mesh with the gears on the rotating body or rotating body. Attached Figure Description

[0021] 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.

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an optical fiber rotary connector structure according to the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a rotating mechanism for a miniature multi-core fiber optic rotary connector. Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the interaction between the rotating body and the transmission components; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the transmission component structure; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the bearing housing structure in Example 2; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the bearing housing installation in Example 2; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the bearing housing structure in Example 3; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the bearing housing installation in Example 3.

[0023] In the diagram: 1. Fixed housing, 2. Rotating body, 3. Rotating body, 4. Gear I, 5. Gear II, 6. Gear III, 7. Gear IV, 8. Prism component, 9. Side cover, 10. Wave spring, 11. Bearing I, 12. Bearing retaining ring I, 13. Transmission component, 14. Compression spring, 15. Gear positioning seat, 16. Threaded end cover, 17. Bearing II, 18. Bearing seat, 19. Bearing retaining ring II, 20. Threaded retaining ring, 181. Positioning groove, 182. Limiting part. Detailed Implementation

[0024] 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.

[0025] Example 1, as Figure 2As shown, a rotating mechanism for a miniature multi-core fiber optic rotary connector includes a fixed housing 1. A rotating body 2 and a rotating body 3 are rotatably disposed within the fixed housing 1. The rotating body 2 and rotating body 3 are connected by a planetary gear mechanism, which includes gear I4 and gear IV7. Gear I4 is connected to the rotating body 3, and gear IV7 is disposed on the rotating body 2. A gear positioning seat 15 is provided between the rotating body 2 and rotating body 3. At least one transmission component 13 is provided on the outer side of the gear positioning seat 15. Gear I4 and gear IV7 are connected by the transmission component 13. In this embodiment, the transmission component 13 is disposed on the outer side of the gear positioning seat 15, eliminating the limitation of the transmission component 13 on the size of the central optical space. This utilizes the space of the annular structure position on the fiber optic rotary connector. Specifically, the interior of the fiber optic rotary connector is hollowed out, and the transmission component 13 is disposed inside the annular structure position. This allows for the expansion of the number of optical channels without changing the volume of the fiber optic rotary connector, increasing the number of optical channels from 12 to more than 30, meeting the requirements of multi-optical parallel transmission. The product has a compact structure and improved signal transmission efficiency.

[0026] Furthermore, such as Figure 5 As shown, the gear positioning seat 15 is connected to the fixed housing 1 by a fixing screw. When assembling the fiber optic rotary connector, the gear positioning seat 15 is installed in the designated position in the fixed housing 1. The fixing screw passes through the side wall of the fixed housing 1 and extends into the fixed housing 1 to be threadedly connected to the gear positioning seat 15, ensuring that the gear positioning seat 15 is stably installed in the fixed housing 1.

[0027] In this embodiment, there are two transmission components 13, which are symmetrically arranged on the outside of the gear positioning seat 15. Furthermore, gear IV7 is integrally formed with the rotating body 2, while gear I4 is separately formed with the rotating body 3. The rotating body 2 and rotating body 3 are respectively fitted to the inner wall of the fixed housing 1 via two bearings I11. Both the rotating body 2 and rotating body 3 are fitted with bearing retaining rings I12, which limit the movement of the bearings on the rotating body 2 or rotating body 3.

[0028] Furthermore, rotating bodies 2 and 3, and gear positioning seat 15 are provided with corresponding through-hole structures. The through-hole size of gear positioning seat 15 is greater than or equal to the through-hole size of rotating body 2, and the through-hole size of gear positioning seat 15 is greater than or equal to the through-hole size of rotating body 3. This eliminates the restriction of the central optical space imposed by gear positioning seat 15. The size of the central optical space is now limited by the through-hole size of rotating body 2 or 3. When designing and manufacturing fiber optic rotary connectors, the optical path can be filled with the through-holes within the rotating bodies, fully utilizing the central optical space of the rotating bodies and making the product structure more compact and improving signal transmission efficiency.

[0029] Furthermore, the fixed housing 1 has an opening on its side, through which the transmission component 13 is installed into the fixed housing 1; the fixed housing 1 is provided with a side cover 9 for sealing the opening. During the assembly of the fiber optic rotary connector, after the transmission component 13 is assembled outside the fixed housing 1, it is rotated into the fixed housing 1 through the opening on the side of the fixed housing 1, facilitating the installation of the transmission component 13. After the transmission component 13 is installed, the side cover 9 can seal the opening, preventing the transmission component 13 from being exposed on the surface, and the side cover 9 provides protection for the transmission component 13.

[0030] Example 2, based on Example 1, provides a rotating mechanism for a miniature multi-core fiber optic rotary connector, such as... Figure 3 , Figure 4 As shown, the transmission component 13 includes a bearing housing 18 connected to the gear positioning seat 15. Gears II5 and III6 are rotatably mounted on the bearing housing 18, located on the left and right sides of the bearing housing 18. Gears II5 and III6 rotate synchronously. Gear II5 meshes with gear I4, and gear III6 meshes with gear IV7. By changing the gear ratio of each gear, the speed change of the mechanical transmission is achieved. Specifically, when the rotating body 3 rotates at a speed ω, the rotating body 2 rotates in the same direction at a speed ω / 2.

[0031] Furthermore, a rotating shaft is provided on one side of gear III6. The rotating shaft is connected to bearing housing 18 via bearing II17, and the rotating shaft passes through bearing housing 18 to connect with gear II5. Two bearings II17 are installed on the rotating shaft, and a bearing retaining ring II19 is provided between the two bearings II17. The outer rings of the two bearings II17 are interference-fitted with bearing housing 18. The end of the rotating shaft passes through gear II5 and connects to threaded retaining ring 20. Threaded retaining ring 20 limits and fixes gear II5 to ensure stable connection between gear II5 and rotating shaft. At the same time, gear II5 and rotating shaft are connected by a key to ensure synchronous rotation of gear II5 and rotating shaft, thereby ensuring synchronous rotation of gear II5 and gear III6.

[0032] Furthermore, such as Figure 6 As shown, the lower part of the bearing housing 18 is provided with a positioning hole, and the side of the gear positioning seat 15 is provided with a groove. A positioning pin is provided in the center of the groove, and the positioning pin is inserted into the positioning hole. When installing the transmission component 13, the bearing housing 18 is inserted into the opening on the side of the fixed housing 1, and the lower part of the bearing housing 18 is inserted into the groove on the side of the gear positioning seat 15. During the installation of the bearing housing 18, the positioning pin in the groove is inserted into the positioning hole of the bearing housing 18, ensuring that the relative position of the transmission component 13 and the gear positioning seat 15 is accurate, thereby ensuring the accurate installation position of the transmission component 13.

[0033] Furthermore, a compression spring 14 is provided between the top surface of the bearing housing 18 and the side cover 9; a positioning groove 181 is provided on the top surface of the bearing housing 18, and the end of the compression spring 14 extends into the positioning groove 181.Figure 5 , Figure 6 As shown, after the side cover 9 is installed, the side cover 9 provides support for the compression spring 14. At this time, the compression spring 14 applies a radial centripetal force to the bearing seat 18 to ensure that the gear on the transmission component 13 meshes fully with the gear on the rotating body 2 or the rotating body 3.

[0034] In this embodiment, the bearing seat 18 is a cuboid block. The length and width of the cuboid block correspond to the dimensions of the groove on the side of the gear positioning seat 15. The groove on the side of the gear positioning seat 15 limits the bearing seat 18, thereby ensuring the accurate installation position of the transmission component 13.

[0035] Furthermore, a limiting step is provided inside the fixed housing 1, and a threaded end cap 16 is connected to the end of the fixed housing 1; the end of the rotating body 2 away from the gear positioning seat 15 engages with the limiting step, and the end of the rotating body 3 away from the gear positioning seat 15 engages with the threaded end cap 16. Wave springs 10 are respectively provided between the rotating body 2 and the limiting step, and between the rotating body 3 and the threaded end cap 16. The wave springs 10 play the role of floating to adjust the axial position of the rotating body 2 and the rotating body 3, and finally they are fixed by the threaded end cap 16.

[0036] Example 3 differs from Example 2 in that it includes a rotating mechanism for a miniature multi-core fiber optic rotary connector, such as... Figure 7 , Figure 8 As shown, the bearing housing 18 has limiting parts 182 on both the front and rear sides of its upper part, which limit the fit between the limiting parts 182 and the side wall of the opening on the fixed housing 1. In this embodiment, the bearing housing 18 is a T-shaped block. The lower part of the T-shaped block corresponds to the groove size on the side of the gear positioning seat 15, and the upper part of the T-shaped block corresponds to the opening size on the side of the fixed housing 1. The gear positioning seat 15 and the fixed housing 1 simultaneously position the bearing housing 18, achieving secondary limiting, thereby ensuring that the bearing housing 18 is stably installed in the fixed housing 1, and thus ensuring the stability of the transmission component 13.

[0037] Example 4, based on Example 1, such as Figure 1 As shown, an optical fiber rotary connector includes the aforementioned miniature multi-core optical fiber rotary connector rotation mechanism; a prism component 8 is provided inside the rotating body 2, and a collimator is provided inside the rotating body 3. A collimator is also provided on the side of the rotating body 2 away from the rotating body 3, and parallel light emitted from one collimator is totally reflected by the prism component 8 into the collimator at the other end.

[0038] 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 micro multi-core fiber rotary connector rotary mechanism, comprising a fixed housing (1), a rotating body (2) and a rotating body (3) are arranged in the fixed housing (1), the rotating body (2) and the rotating body (3) are connected through a planetary gear mechanism, characterized in that, The planetary gear mechanism comprises gear I (4) and gear IV (7), gear I (4) is connected with the rotating body (3), gear IV (7) is arranged on the rotating body (2), gear positioning seat (15) is arranged between the rotating body (2) and the rotating body (3), at least one transmission component (13) is arranged on the outer side of the gear positioning seat (15), gear I (4) and gear IV (7) are connected through the transmission component (13).

2. The miniature multi-core fiber rotary connector rotary mechanism of claim 1, wherein, The rotating body (2), the rotating body (3) and the gear positioning seat (15) are provided with through hole structures corresponding to each other in position, the through hole size of the gear positioning seat (15) is greater than or equal to the through hole size of the rotating body (2), and the through hole size of the gear positioning seat (15) is greater than or equal to the through hole size of the rotating body (3).

3. The miniature multi-core fiber rotary connector rotary mechanism of claim 2, wherein, The side edge of the fixed shell (1) is provided with an opening, and the transmission component (13) is arranged in the fixed shell (1) through the opening; the fixed shell (1) is provided with a side cover (9) for plugging the opening.

4. The miniature multi-core fiber rotary joint rotary mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by, The transmission component (13) comprises a bearing seat (18) connected with the gear positioning seat (15), gear II (5) and gear III (6) are rotatably arranged on the bearing seat (18), gear II (5) and gear III (6) are located on the left and right sides of the bearing seat (18), and gear II (5) and gear III (6) rotate synchronously; gear II (5) is engaged with gear I (4), and gear III (6) is engaged with gear IV (7).

5. The miniature multi-core fiber rotary connector rotary mechanism of claim 4, wherein, One side of the gear III (6) is provided with a rotating shaft, the rotating shaft is connected with the bearing seat (18) through the bearing II (17), and the rotating shaft is connected with the gear II (5) through the bearing seat (18).

6. The miniature multi-core fiber rotary connector rotary mechanism of claim 4, wherein, The lower part of the bearing seat (18) is provided with a positioning hole, the side edge of the gear positioning seat (15) is provided with a groove, the center of the groove is provided with a positioning column, and the positioning column is inserted and matched with the positioning hole.

7. The miniature multi-core fiber rotary connector rotary mechanism of claim 6, wherein, The top surface of the bearing seat (18) and the side cover (9) are provided with a compression spring (14); the top surface of the bearing seat (18) is provided with a positioning groove (181), and the end of the compression spring (14) extends into the positioning groove (181).

8. The miniature multi-core fiber rotary connector rotary mechanism of claim 7, wherein, The front and rear sides of the upper part of the bearing seat (18) are provided with limiting parts (182), and the limiting parts (182) are limited and matched with the side wall of the opening of the fixed shell (1).

9. The miniature multi-core fiber rotary joint rotary mechanism according to any one of claims 1-3, 5-8, wherein, The fixed shell (1) is provided with a limiting step, and the end of the fixed shell (1) is connected with a threaded end cover (16); one end of the rotating body (2) away from the gear positioning seat (15) is matched with the limiting step, one end of the rotating body (3) away from the gear positioning seat (15) is matched with the threaded end cover (16), and the rotating body (2) and the limiting step, and the rotating body (3) and the threaded end cover (16) are respectively provided with wave springs (10).

10. An optical fiber rotary joint, characterized by, The micro multi-core optical fiber rotary connector rotary mechanism comprises the micro multi-core optical fiber rotary connector rotary mechanism, the rotating body (2) is provided with a prism component (8), and the rotating body (3) is provided with a collimator.

Images