Multi-channel parallel pluggable connector with optical fiber butt joint

Abstract

The invention provides a multi-channel parallel pluggable connector with optical fiber butt joint, and relates to the technical field of optical fiber pluggable connectors, the multi-channel parallel pluggable connector comprises a connector seat and a connector head, the connector seat comprises an outer shell, the inner side of the outer shell is provided with a mounting block, the space between the mounting block and the outer shell is filled with an elastic rubber mat, the elastic rubber mat is provided with a deformation port, and the deformation port is connected with the connector head. The connector head comprises a connecting shell, the connecting shell is connected with the outer shell through a buckle assembly, a first MT insertion core is installed in the connecting shell, a second MT insertion core is installed on the inner side of the installation block, and the second MT insertion core and the first MT insertion core are each provided with an optical fiber micropore array; according to the invention, the design of a floating connection structure is adopted, so that the internal MT insertion core can be slightly adjusted in a self-adaptive manner at the moment of insertion and extraction, rigid impact and abrasion to the precise guide pin and the end surface of the insertion core are avoided, and tiny tolerance in manufacturing and mounting is effectively compensated, so that long-term stability of optical performance after multiple times of insertion and extraction is ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of fiber optic pluggable connector technology, and more particularly to a multi-channel parallel pluggable connector with fiber optic docking. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of data centers, high-performance computing, and 5G mobile communication technologies, the demand for data transmission bandwidth and density is exploding. Against this backdrop, pluggable optical connectors employing multi-fiber parallel transmission technology, such as multi-channel parallel connectors based on MT ferrules, have become key components for meeting the needs of high-density, high-speed interconnection. The core of these connectors lies in achieving precise, stable, and low-loss mating of dozens or even hundreds of independent fiber optic channels between two MT ferrule end faces.

[0003] In existing technologies, a common approach to achieving MT ferrule mating is to employ a rigid positioning structure. Specifically, the connector plug and socket are typically aligned using a precision housing and a fixed guiding mechanism. However, this rigid design reveals significant limitations in practice. For instance, micron-level cumulative tolerances are unavoidable in socket installation and the plug itself. During insertion and removal operations, these minute deviations cause radial compression between the guide pin and the guide hole, commonly known as "pin biting," and result in impact and scratches on the ceramic ferrule end face. This wear not only directly increases the single insertion loss but also worsens with increasing insertion and removal cycles, severely limiting the connector's mechanical lifespan and long-term stability of optical performance. Therefore, this invention proposes a multi-channel parallel pluggable connector with fiber optic mating to address the problems existing in the prior art. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the aforementioned problems, the present invention aims to provide a multi-channel parallel pluggable connector with fiber optic docking. This invention has the advantage of improving long-term stability during use and can solve the problems in the prior art.

[0005] To achieve the objectives of this invention, the invention is implemented through the following technical solution: a multi-channel parallel pluggable connector with fiber optic docking, comprising a connector socket and a connector head, wherein the connector head is adapted to the connector socket, the connector socket includes a housing, the inner side of the housing is hollow, and the front of the housing is an open design, the inner side of the housing is provided with a mounting block, an elastic pad is filled between the mounting block and the housing, and the elastic pad has a deformation opening, the deformation opening being provided in several groups, the connector head includes a connecting shell, the connecting shell is connected to the housing through a snap-fit ​​assembly, a first MT ferrule is installed inside the connecting shell, a second MT ferrule is installed inside the mounting block, and both the second MT ferrule and the first MT ferrule have fiber optic micro-hole arrays.

[0006] A further improvement is that: a rectangular slot is provided on the mounting block, the front of the rectangular slot is open to the outside, and a sealing strip is filled in the rectangular slot; a rectangular hollow plug is installed on the inner side of the connecting housing, and the rectangular hollow plug is adapted to the rectangular slot; when the connector head is connected to the connector seat, the rectangular hollow plug contacts the sealing strip.

[0007] A further improvement is that: the mounting block has two sets of symmetrically arranged guide holes, and the inner side of the connecting housing has two sets of symmetrically arranged guide pins, the position and size of which are adapted to the guide holes.

[0008] A further improvement is that: the outer casing is provided with a cable connection port, and a first sector fiber optic array is provided between the cable connection port and the mounting block, and the first sector fiber optic array is connected to the mounting block, and the position of the first sector fiber optic array corresponds to the cable connection port.

[0009] A further improvement is that a contact ring is installed on the inner side of the outer casing, and the contact ring contacts the back of the mounting block. The contact ring is connected to the outer casing by a spring, and several sets of springs are evenly arranged.

[0010] A further improvement is that the buckle assembly includes two sets of symmetrically arranged elastic clips, each elastic clip is fitted with a limiting block, and both sides of the outer shell are provided with guide grooves and limiting grooves. The guide grooves can accommodate the elastic clips, and the limiting grooves are adapted to the limiting blocks.

[0011] A further improvement is that: an elastic protective shell is installed on the connecting housing, the inner side of the elastic protective shell is provided with a cavity, and the inner side of the cavity is connected to the external optical cable through a fastening ring; a second sector fiber array is installed on the first MT ferrule, and the optical fiber in the external optical cable enters the first MT ferrule through the second sector fiber array.

[0012] A further improvement is that the elastic protective shell is provided with an annular groove, and a fastening strap is installed on the inner side of the annular groove.

[0013] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: This invention adopts a floating connection structure design, which supports the mounting block through an elastic pad with a deformable opening, allowing the internal MT ferrule to make slight adaptive adjustments at the moment of insertion and removal. This not only greatly reduces the difficulty of alignment and avoids rigid impact and wear on the precision guide pin and ferrule end face, but also effectively compensates for minor tolerances in manufacturing and installation, thereby ensuring the long-term stability of optical performance after multiple insertions and removals. At the same time, the combination of the rectangular slot and the hollow ferrule, along with the design of the sealing strip, provides a better dustproof protection structure, ensuring the long-term safety of the core optical interface in harsh industrial environments. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a front view schematic diagram of the outer casing of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a top view of the outer shell structure of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 3 This is a top view of the connecting housing structure of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 4 This is a top view of the structure after the connecting shell and the outer shell of the present invention are connected.

[0018] Figure 5 This is a top view of the connecting shell and the outer shell of the present invention after they are connected.

[0019] The components are as follows: 1. Outer shell; 2. Mounting block; 3. Elastic pad; 4. Deformation opening; 5. Connecting shell; 6. First MT ferrule; 7. Second MT ferrule; 8. Fiber micro-aperture array; 9. Rectangular slot; 10. Rectangular hollow insert; 11. Guide hole; 12. Guide pin; 13. Cable connection port; 14. First sector fiber array unit; 15. Contact ring; 16. Spring; 17. Elastic retaining strip; 18. Limiting block; 19. Guide groove; 20. Limiting groove; 21. Elastic protective shell; 22. Fastening ring; 23. External optical cable; 24. Second sector fiber array unit; 25. Annular groove; 26. Fastening cable tie. Detailed Implementation

[0020] To enhance understanding of the present invention, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to embodiments. These embodiments are only used to explain the present invention and do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0021] according to Figures 1-5 As shown, this embodiment proposes a multi-channel parallel pluggable connector with fiber optic docking, including a connector socket and a connector head. The connector head is adapted to the connector socket. The connector socket is fixedly installed on the device panel or in the external chassis, while the connector head is located at the end of the optical cable. When they are connected, the optical connection of the multi-channel optical fiber is realized.

[0022] The connector housing includes a housing 1, the inner side of which is hollow and the front of which is open. A mounting block 2 is located on the inner side of the housing 1, and an elastic rubber pad 3 is filled between the mounting block 2 and the housing 1. The elastic rubber pad 3 has several sets of deformation openings 4. The housing 1 adopts a rectangular design, with the front completely open to accommodate the insertion of the connector head. Externally, it is connected to external mounting components via bolts, flanges, and other fasteners. Inside the housing 1, an independent mounting block 2 is designed. This mounting block 2 is not a directly fixed component but is connected to the housing 1 via the elastic rubber pad 3. Several sets of deformation openings 4 are provided on the elastic rubber pad 3. These deformation openings allow the elastic rubber pad to deform more easily in specific directions, thus giving the mounting block 2 a limited, multi-degree-of-freedom (front-back, left-right, up-down) floating space within the housing.

[0023] Furthermore, a second MT ferrule 7 is installed on the inner side of the mounting block 2. The end face of the ferrule has been ground and polished, and an array of fiber micropores 8 is processed on it to fix the fiber transmitted from inside the device.

[0024] The connector head includes a connecting housing 5, which is connected to the outer housing 1 via a snap-fit ​​assembly. A first MT ferrule 6 is installed inside the connecting housing 5, and an optical fiber micro-hole array 8 is also formed on the first MT ferrule 6.

[0025] The mounting block 2 has a rectangular slot 9, the front of which is open to the outside. The rectangular slot 9 is filled with a sealing strip, providing a larger sealing contact area compared to the circular interface design. A rectangular hollow insert 10 is installed inside the connecting housing 5, and it mates with the rectangular slot 9. When the connector head is connected to the connector seat, the rectangular hollow insert 10 contacts the sealing strip. After the rectangular hollow insert 10 is inserted into the rectangular slot 9, an effective dustproof sealing structure is formed.

[0026] The mounting block 2 has two sets of symmetrically arranged guide holes 11. The inner side of the connecting housing 5 has two sets of symmetrically arranged guide pins 12. The position and size of the guide pins 12 are adapted to the guide holes 11. The cooperation between the guide pins 12 and the guide holes 11 is the basis for achieving precise positioning.

[0027] The outer casing 1 has a cable connection port 13. A first sector fiber optic array 14 is located between the cable connection port 13 and the mounting block 2, and the first sector fiber optic array 14 is connected to the mounting block 2. The position of the first sector fiber optic array 14 corresponds to the cable connection port 13. The optical cable inside the device enters through the cable connection port 13 at the bottom of the outer casing 1. Multiple loose fibers in the cable first pass through a first sector fiber optic array 14. This array has V-grooves inside, which comb the messy fibers into a precisely spaced linear array, and then guide them into the micro-holes on the back of the second MT ferrule 7 and fix them with glue.

[0028] A contact ring 15 is installed on the inner side of the outer casing 1, and the contact ring 15 contacts the back of the mounting block 2. The contact ring 15 is connected to the outer casing 1 via springs 16, and several sets of springs 16 are evenly arranged. Under the push of several sets of springs 16, a gentle forward pressure is continuously applied to the mounting block 2 to ensure the stability of the end face contact during docking.

[0029] The snap-fit ​​assembly includes two sets of symmetrically arranged elastic clips 17, with limiting blocks 18 mounted on the elastic clips 17. Guide grooves 19 and limiting grooves 20 are provided on both sides of the outer casing 1. The guide grooves 19 accommodate the elastic clips 17, and the limiting grooves 20 are adapted to the limiting blocks 18. Figure 2 As shown, the guide groove 19 is inclined. During the insertion of the connector head, the front end of the elastic retaining strip 17 enters the guide groove 19 and is opened as guided by the guide groove 19. That is, the elastic retaining strip 17 itself is under force. When the limiting block 18 leaves the guide groove 19 and enters the area of ​​the limiting groove 20, the force on the elastic retaining strip 17 is released, and the limiting block 18 springs into the outer limiting groove 20, indicating locking.

[0030] An elastic protective shell 21 is installed on the connecting housing 5. The elastic protective shell 21 is a split design, divided into two halves connected by bolts. The inner side of the elastic protective shell 21 has a cavity, and the inner side of the cavity is connected to the external optical cable 23 via a fastening ring 22. Specifically, the fastening ring 22 firmly clamps the aramid tensile fibers of the external optical cable 23. Simultaneously, the elastic protective shell 21 has an annular groove 25, and a fastening strap 26 is installed inside the annular groove 25. The fastening strap 26 further clamps the external optical cable 23, achieving secondary stress release and preventing sharp-angle bending of the optical cable at the interface.

[0031] A second sector fiber array 24 is installed on the first MT ferrule 6. The optical fiber in the external optical cable 23 enters the first MT ferrule 6 through the second sector fiber array 24. That is, the optical fiber is also sorted by a second sector fiber array 24 before being fixed into the first MT ferrule 6.

[0032] The foregoing has shown and described the basic principles, main features, and advantages of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The embodiments and descriptions in the specification are merely illustrative of the principles of the invention. Various changes and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from its framework and scope of application, and all such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the present invention as claimed. The scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A multi-channel parallel pluggable connector with fiber optic docking, comprising a connector socket and a connector head, wherein the connector head is adapted to the connector socket, characterized in that: The connector housing includes an outer shell (1), the inner side of which is hollow and the front of which is open. An mounting block (2) is provided on the inner side of the outer shell (1), and an elastic pad (3) is filled between the mounting block (2) and the outer shell (1). A deformation port (4) is provided on the elastic pad (3), and several sets of deformation ports (4) are provided. The connector head includes a connecting housing (5), which is connected to the outer shell (1) through a snap-fit ​​assembly. A first MT ferrule (6) is installed inside the connecting housing (5), and a second MT ferrule (7) is installed on the inner side of the mounting block (2). Both the second MT ferrule (7) and the first MT ferrule (6) are provided with an optical fiber micro-hole array (8).

2. The multi-channel parallel pluggable connector with fiber optic docking as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The mounting block (2) has a rectangular slot (9) with the front of the rectangular slot (9) connected to the outside. The rectangular slot (9) is filled with a sealing strip. A rectangular hollow plug (10) is installed on the inner side of the connecting housing (5). The rectangular hollow plug (10) is adapted to the rectangular slot (9). When the connector head is connected to the connector seat, the rectangular hollow plug (10) contacts the sealing strip.

3. A multi-channel parallel pluggable connector with fiber optic docking as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The mounting block (2) has two sets of symmetrically arranged guide holes (11), and the inner side of the connecting housing (5) is equipped with two sets of symmetrically arranged guide pins (12), and the position and size of the guide pins (12) are adapted to the guide holes (11).

4. A multi-channel parallel pluggable connector with fiber optic docking as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The outer casing (1) is provided with a cable connection port (13), and a first sector fiber array (14) is provided between the cable connection port (13) and the mounting block (2), and the first sector fiber array (14) is connected to the mounting block (2), and the position of the first sector fiber array (14) corresponds to the cable connection port (13).

5. A multi-channel parallel pluggable connector with fiber optic docking as described in claim 1, characterized in that: A contact ring (15) is installed on the inner side of the outer shell (1), and the contact ring (15) contacts the back of the mounting block (2). The contact ring (15) is connected to the outer shell (1) through a spring (16), and the spring (16) is evenly provided in several groups.

6. A multi-channel parallel pluggable connector with fiber optic docking as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The buckle assembly includes two sets of symmetrically arranged elastic clips (17), and a limiting block (18) is installed on the elastic clips (17). The outer shell (1) has a guide groove (19) and a limiting groove (20) on both sides. The guide groove (19) can accommodate the elastic clips (17) to enter, and the limiting groove (20) is adapted to the limiting block (18).

7. A multi-channel parallel pluggable connector with fiber optic docking as described in claim 1, characterized in that: An elastic protective shell (21) is installed on the connecting housing (5). The inner side of the elastic protective shell (21) is provided with a cavity, and the inner side of the cavity is connected to the external optical cable (23) through a fastening ring (22). A second sector fiber array (24) is installed on the first MT ferrule (6). The optical fiber in the external optical cable (23) enters the first MT ferrule (6) through the second sector fiber array (24).

8. A multi-channel parallel pluggable connector with fiber optic docking as described in claim 7, characterized in that: The elastic protective shell (21) is provided with an annular groove (25), and a fastening strap (26) is installed on the inner side of the annular groove (25).

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