Optical fiber connector and sealing element for optical fiber connector

Abstract

The utility model provides an optical fiber connector and a sealing element for the optical fiber connector, and belongs to the field of optical fiber connectors. The sealing element comprises a main body part, at least two through holes for optical fibers to penetrate through are formed in the main body part, each through hole comprises a sealing contact section used for being in sealing contact with the optical fibers and a non-contact section located in front of the sealing contact section, the front end of each non-contact section penetrates through the front end face of the sealing element, and the inner diameter of each non-contact section is larger than that of each sealing contact section. A containing cavity used for containing the optical fiber and allowing the optical fiber to deform is formed. The connector includes a housing, a contact mounted at a front end of the housing, and a seal disposed at a rear end of the housing. According to the utility model, the non-contact section is arranged in the through hole, so that the axial length of the space for the deformation of the optical fiber is prolonged, the bending deformation of the optical fiber can be dispersed on the longer optical fiber, the local deformation of the optical fiber is reduced, the length of the sealing contact section is shortened, and the installation of the optical fiber is easier.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model belongs to the field of optical fiber connectors, in particular to an optical fiber connector and a sealing member used for the optical fiber connector. Background Art

[0002] Fiber optic connectors are devices used to connect optical fibers, including a housing and a contact installed at the front end of the housing. The optical fiber passes through the housing from the rear end and connects to the contact. The rear end of the housing is provided with a seal for sealing and fixing the optical fiber. When the connector connects multiple optical fibers, multiple perforations need to be opened on the seal to fix the optical fibers separately to prevent the multiple optical fibers from crossing and affecting the normal transmission of optical signals.

[0003] The existing Chinese utility model patent with authorization announcement number CN208999609U discloses a fiber optic connector, which includes a protective component, the protective component includes a protective shell and a porous sealing component, the porous sealing component includes a porous seal and a porous sealing fixture, and the porous seal is provided with a plurality of perforations for optical fibers to pass through. In order to facilitate the insertion of optical fibers into the perforations, side grooves are provided between each perforation and the side wall of the porous seal, and during assembly, the porous seal can be broken apart from the side grooves to insert the optical fibers into the perforations. The porous sealing fixture is a cylindrical structure and is sleeved outside the porous sealing fixture, and a split groove is provided on the side wall of the porous sealing fixture so that its side wall can be radially deformed. The tail end of the protective shell is sleeved on the outside of the porous sealing fixture, and the tail end of the protective shell is an inward-retracted structure, which can radially squeeze the porous sealing fixture and make the porous sealing fixture squeeze the porous seal radially, so that the porous seal and the optical fiber are locked and sealed. However, since the porous seal has side grooves, the side grooves weaken the sealing effect of the porous seal and also cause the bonding force between the inner wall of the perforation and the optical fiber to be weak. When the rear end of the protective shell is not squeezed enough, it is difficult to achieve sufficient sealing effect between the porous seal and the optical fiber. In addition, since the porous seal has multiple perforations, when the circumferential side wall of the porous seal is radially squeezed, the radial pressure in the circumferential direction of each perforation is uneven, which also causes the sealing effect between the inner wall of the perforation and the optical fiber to deteriorate.

[0004] The Chinese invention patent application with the existing application publication number CN115236805A and the application publication date of October 25, 2022 discloses an optical fiber switching device for communication engineering, the device includes a connecting tube, the connecting tube includes a middle connecting part and a plug-in part located at both ends, the plug-in part is provided with a sealing structure, the sealing structure includes a rubber part (i.e., a sealing member), and the rubber part is penetrated with a plurality of through holes (i.e., perforations) for the optical fiber to pass through. After the optical fiber passes through the through hole, it is in sealed contact with the inner wall of the through hole, and the optical fiber is fixed in the through hole. In order to ensure sufficient squeezing force between the inner wall of the through hole and the optical fiber, the inner diameter of the through hole needs to be smaller than the outer diameter of the optical fiber. Although this can ensure a better sealing effect, it also causes the technical problem that it is more laborious for the optical fiber to pass through the through hole during assembly.

[0005] When two optical fiber connectors are plugged in and connected, it is necessary to ensure that the end faces of the contacts in the two optical fiber connectors are tightly pressed together to prevent light from being refracted between the end faces of the two contacts and affecting the normal transmission of the optical signal. In order to avoid a gap after the contacts are connected, the contacts need to be telescopically arranged in the housing and extended forward a certain distance. A spring for applying a forward thrust to the contacts is also arranged in the housing to keep the contacts extended forward. When the contacts are in contact with the contacts of another optical fiber connector, they will be pressed and retreat.

[0006] Since the optical fiber is fixed by the seal, after the contact piece retreats, the optical fiber connected to the contact piece and located in the housing will bend. The bending of the optical fiber will affect the effect of transmitting the optical signal, so it is necessary to minimize the degree of local bending of the optical fiber. A deformation space is specially reserved in the housing for the optical fiber to bend and deform. In order to reduce the degree of local bending of the optical fiber, the size of the housing can be increased, so that the deformation space in the housing is axially longer so that the bending is dispersed on a longer optical fiber. However, a larger housing will increase the overall size of the connector, which is not conducive to use in occasions with limited space. Utility Model Content

[0007] One of the purposes of the utility model is to provide a seal for an optical fiber connector to solve the technical problem in the prior art that it is relatively laborious for an optical fiber to pass through a hole in the seal and the technical problem in the prior art that there is little space in the optical fiber connector for bending and deformation of the optical fiber.

[0008] One of the purposes of the present invention is to provide an optical fiber connector to solve the above technical problems.

[0009] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the technical solution of the seal for the optical fiber connector provided by the utility model is:

[0010] A seal for an optical fiber connector, comprising a main body portion. At least two through holes for the optical fiber to pass through are provided on the main body portion. The through holes include a sealing contact section for making a sealed contact with the optical fiber and a non-contact section located in front of the sealing contact section. The front end of the non-contact section penetrates through the front end face of the seal. The inner diameter of the non-contact section is larger than that of the sealing contact section, forming a receiving cavity for accommodating the optical fiber and allowing the optical fiber to deform.

[0011] As a further improvement, an inner conical surface is provided between the non-contact section and the sealing contact section, and the large diameter end of the inner conical surface is close to the non-contact section.

[0012] As a further improvement, the inner diameter of the non-contact section is 1.5 - 3 times that of the sealing contact section.

[0013] As a further improvement, the axial length of the non-contact section is greater than or equal to 1 / 3 of the axial length of the seal.

[0014] As a further improvement, a ring groove is provided on the inner wall of the sealing contact section.

[0015] As a further improvement, the seal for the optical fiber connector further includes an annular raised portion provided on the outer peripheral side of the main body portion. The raised portion is used to be installed in a sealing groove on the outer shell and make a sealed fit with the groove bottom.

[0016] As a further improvement, the raised portion is located at the front end of the main body portion.

[0017] As a further improvement, an annular convex rib is provided on the outer peripheral wall of the raised portion, and the convex rib is in interference fit with the sealing groove.

[0018] The beneficial effects are as follows: The seal for the optical fiber connector provided by the present utility model belongs to an invention creation with element changes. The through holes on the main body portion of the seal for the optical fiber connector are divided into a sealing contact section and a non-contact section. The sealing contact section is used for making a sealed contact with the optical fiber, and the non-contact section does not contact the optical fiber and is used to provide a receiving cavity for allowing the optical fiber to deform. During use, the receiving cavity is connected to the deformation space in the outer shell of the optical fiber connector, increasing the length of the space for the optical fiber to deform in the axial direction of the optical fiber connector. Thus, the bending deformation of the optical fiber is dispersed to a longer optical fiber, reducing the local deformation amount of the optical fiber and improving the transmission quality of the optical signal by the optical fiber. In addition, after setting the non-contact section, the length of the sealing contact section is shortened, thereby reducing the resistance of the optical fiber passing through the through hole and making it easier to install the optical fiber.

[0019] An optical fiber connector includes a housing, a contact member installed at the front end of the housing, and a seal member provided at the rear end of the housing. The seal member includes a main body portion, and at least two through holes for the optical fiber to pass through are formed on the main body portion. The through holes include a sealing contact section for making a sealing contact with the optical fiber and a non-contact section located in front of the sealing contact section. The front end of the non-contact section penetrates through the front end face of the seal member, and the inner diameter of the non-contact section is larger than that of the sealing contact section, forming a receiving cavity for accommodating the optical fiber and allowing the optical fiber to deform.

[0020] As a further improvement, an inner conical surface is provided between the non-contact section and the sealing contact section, and the large diameter end of the inner conical surface is close to the non-contact section.

[0021] As a further improvement, the inner diameter of the non-contact section is 1.5 - 3 times that of the sealing contact section.

[0022] As a further improvement, the axial length of the non-contact section is greater than or equal to 1 / 3 of the axial length of the seal member.

[0023] As a further improvement, a ring groove is provided on the inner wall of the sealing contact section.

[0024] As a further improvement, the seal member for the optical fiber connector further includes an annular convex portion provided on the outer peripheral side of the main body portion. The convex portion is used to be installed in a sealing groove on the housing and make a sealing fit with the groove bottom.

[0025] As a further improvement, the convex portion is located at the front end of the main body portion.

[0026] As a further improvement, an annular convex rib is provided on the outer peripheral wall of the convex portion, and the convex rib is in an interference fit with the sealing groove.

[0027] As a further improvement, a pressing structure is provided at the tail end of the housing for applying a radial pressing force to the sealing contact section of the through hole on the seal member.

[0028] The beneficial effects are as follows: The optical fiber connector provided by the present utility model belongs to an invention creation of element change type. The seal member for the optical fiber connector divides the through holes on the main body portion into a sealing contact section and a non-contact section. The sealing contact section is used for making a sealing contact with the optical fiber, and the non-contact section does not contact the optical fiber and is used to provide a receiving cavity for allowing the optical fiber to deform. During use, the receiving cavity is connected to the deformation space in the housing of the optical fiber connector, increasing the length of the space for the optical fiber to deform in the optical fiber connector axially. Thus, the bending deformation of the optical fiber is dispersed to a longer optical fiber, reducing the local deformation amount of the optical fiber and improving the transmission quality of the optical signal by the optical fiber. In addition, after the non-contact section is provided, the length of the sealing contact section is shortened, thereby reducing the resistance of the optical fiber passing through the through hole and making the installation of the optical fiber easier. Description of the Drawings

[0029] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the overall structure of an embodiment of the fiber optic connector in the present utility model;

[0030] Figure 2 Partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the fiber optic connector in the present utility model;

[0031] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the partial structure of an embodiment of the fiber optic connector in the present utility model;

[0032] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the structure of the rear end of the fiber optic connector in the present utility model;

[0033] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the structure of the front end of the fiber optic connector in the present utility model.

[0034] Explanation of reference numerals:

[0035] 1. Housing; 11. Main housing; 12. Stopping edge; 13. Ear seat; 14. Protruding part; 15. Deformation space; 2. Contact member; 3. Sealing member; 31. Main body part; 32. Raised part; 33. Convex rib; 34. Perforation; 341. Sealing contact section; 342. Non-contact section; 35. Ring groove; 36. Inner conical surface; 37. Inner conical structure; 38. Notch; 4. Pressure plate; 41. Pressing part; 42. Connecting part; 5. Optical fiber; 6. Bolt. Detailed implementation manners

[0036] The following further describes the present utility model in detail in conjunction with embodiments.

[0037] To solve the problems in the prior art, the basic concept of the present utility model is to set a non-contact section in the perforation of the sealing member, which extends the axial length of the space for the optical fiber to deform, enabling the bending deformation of the optical fiber to be dispersed over a longer optical fiber, so as to reduce the local deformation amount of the optical fiber, and also shortens the length of the sealing contact section, making the installation of the optical fiber easier.

[0038] Specific embodiments of the fiber optic connector provided by the present utility model:

[0039] An optical fiber connector, see attached Figure 1 , including a housing 1, a contact member 2 and a sealing member 3.

[0040] See attached Figure 1 and attached Figure 5, the contact member 2 is telescopically arranged at the front end of the housing 1 through a spring. When this optical fiber connector is inserted and connected to a mating optical fiber connector, the contact member 2 is pushed backward by the contact member 2 in the mating optical fiber connector. The installation method of the contact member 2 is prior art and will not be elaborated here. The part between the front end and the rear end inside the housing 1 is a deformation space 15. When the contact member 2 moves backward, the front end of the optical fiber 5 also moves backward, and the optical fiber 5 bends and deforms in the deformation space 15.

[0041] See the appendix Figure 1 and the appendix Figure 2 , the seal 3 is installed at the rear end of the housing 1. Specifically, the seal 3 includes a cylindrical main body portion 31 and a protruding portion 32 integrally provided on the outer peripheral side of the main body portion 31. The protruding portion 32 is annular. A sealing groove is provided on the inner side of the tail of the housing 1, and the protruding portion 32 is assembled in the sealing groove.

[0042] An annular convex rib 33 is provided on the outer peripheral wall of the protruding portion 32. The convex rib 33 is in interference fit with the bottom of the sealing groove to achieve a better sealing effect between the seal 3 and the housing 1. The convex rib 33 can be provided with one, two or three, and the specific number can be selected according to requirements. The cross-sectional shape of the convex rib 33 is hemispherical. In other embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the convex rib 33 can also be rectangular, triangular or trapezoidal. In other embodiments, the convex rib 33 may not be provided on the protruding portion 32, and the outer peripheral wall of the protruding portion 32 is directly in interference fit with the bottom of the sealing groove.

[0043] See the appendix Figure 2 , the housing 1 includes a main housing 11. An annular stop edge 12 is provided on the inner side of the tail end of the main housing 11. Two ear seats 13 are symmetrically provided on the end wall of the tail end of the main housing 11. An inwardly protruding portion 14 is provided at the end of the ear seat 13 away from the main housing 11 backward. The space between the protruding portion 14 and the stop edge 12 forms a sealing groove. After the protruding portion 32 is inserted into the sealing groove, one end wall in the axial direction of the protruding portion 32 is in stop fit with the stop edge 12, and the other end wall in the axial direction of the protruding portion 32 is in stop fit with the protruding portion 14. The radially inward end wall of the protruding portion 14 is an arc-shaped wall. After the seal 3 is inserted into the housing 1, the radially inward end wall of the protruding portion 14 is in contact with the outer peripheral wall of the main body portion 31 of the seal 3.

[0044] A pressing structure is provided at the tail end of the housing 1 for applying a radial pressing force to the seal 3 to enhance the sealing effect of the seal 3. See the appendix Figure 3 and the appendix Figure 4, the pressing structure includes two pressing plates 4. The pressing plate 4 includes an arc-shaped pressing portion 41 and connecting portions 42 located at both ends of the pressing portion 41. The connecting portion 42 is provided with mounting holes for bolts 6 to pass through. The ear seat 13 is provided with through connecting holes for bolts 6 to pass through. During assembly, first, the seal 3 is installed into the housing 1, and then the pressing plates 4 are respectively installed on both sides of the seal 3. The pressing portion 41 of the pressing plate 4 abuts against and clamps the main body portion 31 of the seal 3.

[0045] One of the mounting holes at the two connecting portions 42 of the pressing plate 4 is a smooth hole, and the other is a threaded hole. When the two pressing plates 4 are installed, the smooth hole of one pressing plate 4 and the threaded hole of the other pressing plate 4 are correspondingly installed on both sides of the same ear seat 13. Then, after the bolt 6 passes through the smooth hole and the connecting hole on the ear seat 13, it is threadedly connected to the threaded hole on the other pressing plate 4. In other embodiments, the mounting holes on the pressing plate 4 can also be all smooth holes, and nuts are configured for the bolts 6 to press the pressing plate 4.

[0046] After the pressing plate 4 is installed, one end of the pressing plate 4 in the axial direction is in abutting fit with the end of the convex portion 32 of the seal 3 that is axially away from the stop edge 12. The pressing plate 4 limits the convex portion 32 of the seal 3 axially at the position where the protruding portion 14 is not provided, further improving the reliability of the seal 3 and preventing the seal 3 from slipping out backward.

[0047] See appendix Figure 4 , four through holes 34 for the optical fibers 5 to pass through are provided on the main body portion 31 of the seal 3. Each through hole 34 includes a sealing contact section 341 for making sealing contact with the optical fiber 5 and a non-contact section 342 located in front of the sealing contact section 341. The sealing contact section 341 is in interference fit with the passed optical fiber 5 so that there is a good sealing performance between the seal 3 and the optical fiber 5. The inner diameter of the non-contact section 342 is larger than the inner diameter of the sealing contact section 341. During use, the inner hole wall of the non-contact section 342 does not contact the optical fiber 5, and the inner cavity of the non-contact section 342 constitutes a receiving cavity for accommodating the optical fiber 5 and allowing the optical fiber 5 to deform.

[0048] The non-contact section 342 is provided. On the one hand, it can shorten the length of the sealing contact section 341 while keeping the axial length of the seal 3 unchanged, thereby reducing the resistance of the optical fiber 5 passing through the through hole 34 and improving the convenience of installing the optical fiber 5. On the other hand, the front end of the receiving cavity is communicated with the deformation space 15 of the housing 1. Without changing the size of the housing 1, the axial length of the space allowing the optical fiber 5 to deform is extended, enabling a longer optical fiber 5 to participate in bending deformation. After the deformation amount is dispersed on a longer optical fiber 5, the local deformation amount on the optical fiber 5 will be reduced, thereby reducing the influence of the optical fiber 5 deformation on the optical signal transmission.

[0049] The inner diameter of the non-contact section 342 is 1.5 - 3 times that of the inner diameter of the sealed contact section 341, and the axial length of the non-contact section 342 is greater than or equal to 1 / 3 of the axial length of the seal 3, so that the accommodation cavity has sufficient space.

[0050] In addition, the axial position of the convex portion 32 of the seal 3 also corresponds to the non-contact section 342 of the perforation 34. In this way, when the seal 3 is installed into the housing 1, radial deformation can more easily occur at the position where the convex portion 32 is adjacent to the non-contact section of the perforation 34, facilitating the installation of the seal 3.

[0051] Two annular grooves 35 are provided on the inner hole wall of the sealed contact section 341. The annular grooves 35 can further reduce the contact area between the sealed contact section 341 and the optical fiber 5, facilitating the more convenient installation of the optical fiber 5. The front and rear side walls of the annular grooves 35 are both curved walls that gradually expand from the groove bottom to the groove opening, so that the rib portion between the two annular grooves 35 has a structure with a narrow top and a wide root. During the cooperation with the optical fiber 5, the radial pressure is concentrated at the top of the rib portion, enhancing the sealing effect.

[0052] An inner conical surface 36 is provided between the non-contact section 342 and the sealed contact section 341. The inner conical surface 36 can increase the axial length of the accommodation cavity, and at the same time, it can also make the rib portion between the inner conical surface 36 and the adjacent annular groove 35 have a structure with a narrow top and a wide root. In addition, an inner conical structure 37 is provided at one end of the sealed contact section 341 away from the non-contact section 342. The inner conical structure 37 can play a guiding role in the end of the optical fiber 5, facilitating the installation of the optical fiber 5. On the other hand, it can also make the rib portion between the inner conical structure 37 and the adjacent annular groove 35 have a structure with a narrow top and a wide root.

[0053] A positioning notch 38 is provided at the edge of the rear end wall of the main body portion 31. The positioning notch 38 is used to axially align the perforation 34 on the seal 3 with the contact member 2 when installing the seal 3, preventing the optical fiber 5 from crossing or twisting inside the housing 1.

[0054] In other embodiments, the convex portion of the seal can also be located at the middle position or the rear position of the main body portion as needed. In other embodiments, the seal can also be provided without a convex portion. In this embodiment, an annular groove can be provided on the main body portion of the seal, and an annular sealing portion for embedding into the annular groove and making sealed contact with the bottom wall of the annular groove can be provided on the inner side of the housing.

[0055] In other embodiments, annular grooves can also not be provided on the inner wall of the sealed contact section. In this embodiment, the inner wall of the sealed contact section directly contacts the optical fiber.

[0056] In other embodiments, no inner conical surface is provided between the perforated non-contact section and the sealed contact section, and a stepped structure is formed between the perforated non-contact section and the sealed contact section. At the same time, an inner conical structure may not be provided at one end of the sealed contact section away from the non-contact section.

[0057] In other embodiments, the pressing structure may also be a pressing sleeve. One axial end of the pressing sleeve is connected to the rear end of the housing by a thread. An inner conical surface is provided inside the pressing sleeve, so that the inner side of the rear end of the pressing sleeve contracts inward. After the pressing sleeve is fixedly connected to the rear end of the housing, the rear end portion of the pressing sleeve is sleeved outside the seal and radially compresses the seal, so that the sealed contact section on the seal is radially pressed to enhance the sealing effect with the optical fiber.

[0058] Specific embodiments of the seal for the fiber optic connector provided by the present utility model:

[0059] The seal for the fiber optic connector is the seal in the specific embodiment of the above-mentioned fiber optic connector, and will not be elaborated here.

[0060] Finally, it should be noted that the above are only the preferred embodiments of the present utility model and are not used to limit the present utility model. Although the present utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, for those skilled in the art, they can still make modifications to the technical solutions recorded in the foregoing embodiments without creative efforts, or make equivalent replacements for some of the technical features. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present utility model shall be included in the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A seal for an optical fiber connector, characterized in that: The invention comprises a main body (31), the main body (31) is provided with at least two through-holes (34) for optical fibers (5) to pass through, the through-holes (34) comprising a sealing contact section (341) for sealingly contacting the optical fibers (5) and a non-contact section (342) located in front of the sealing contact section (341), the front end of the non-contact section (342) passes through the front end surface of the sealing member (3), the inner diameter of the non-contact section (342) is larger than the inner diameter of the sealing contact section (341), and a receiving cavity is formed for receiving the optical fibers (5) and allowing the optical fibers (5) to deform.

2. The seal for an optical fiber connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the seal is non-contact An inner conical surface (36) is provided between the section (342) and the sealing contact section (341), and the large diameter end of the inner conical surface (36) is close to the non-contact section.

3. The seal for an optical fiber connector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The inner diameter of the non-contact section (342) is 1.5-3 times the inner diameter of the sealing contact section (341).

4. The seal for an optical fiber connector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The axial length of the non-contact section (342) is greater than or equal to 1 / 3 of the axial length of the sealing element (3).

5. The seal for an optical fiber connector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: An annular groove (35) is provided on the inner wall of the sealing contact section (341).

6. The seal for an optical fiber connector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The sealing member for the optical fiber connector also includes an annular protrusion (32) arranged on the outer peripheral side of the main body (31). The protrusion (32) is used to be installed in the sealing groove on the housing (1) and to seal with the groove bottom.

7. The seal for an optical fiber connector according to claim 6, wherein: The protrusion (32) is located at the front end of the main body (31).

8. The seal for an optical fiber connector according to claim 6, wherein: An annular convex ridge (33) is arranged on the outer peripheral wall of the raised portion (32), and the convex ridge (33) is interference-fitted with the sealing groove.

9. An optical fiber connector, comprising a housing (1) and a contact (2) mounted at the front end of the housing (1), characterized in that: A sealing member (3) is arranged at the rear end of the housing (1), and the sealing member (3) is a sealing member for an optical fiber connector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The optical fiber connector according to claim 9, characterized in that: The rear end of the housing (1) is provided with a clamping structure for applying a radial clamping force to a sealing contact section (341) of a through hole (34) on the sealing element (3).

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