Hollow-core optical fiber coupling cleaning device for active optical cable

Abstract

The utility model discloses a hollow-core optical fiber coupling cleaning device for an active optical cable, which comprises an operation box for coupling operation, the operation box adopts an openable and closable structure, and the internal space of the operation box is enough to place a hollow-core optical cable and coupling equipment; the air purification module is used for purifying air inside the operation box, the wire inlet ring is used for allowing a hollow-core optical cable to stretch into the operation box in a sealed mode, the operation opening is used for allowing the hands of an operator to stretch into the operation box in a sealed mode for operation, and the wire inlet ring can be matched with the hollow-core optical cables with different outer diameters. The device can provide a clean air environment for hollow-core optical fiber coupling, interference of the external environment on the coupling process is avoided, impurities in the air cannot be doped in the coupling process, the wire inlet ring can adapt to hollow-core optical cables with different outer diameters, and the application range is wide.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of optical transmission, in particular to a hollow fiber coupling and cleaning device for an active optical cable. Background Art

[0002] Optical fiber communication is a communication method that uses light waves as information carriers and optical fibers as transmission media. The propagation speed of light in a medium is inversely proportional to the refractive index of the medium. The core material of traditional optical fibers is glass, and the refractive index is approximately between 1.5 and 1.9. In a hollow fiber, the propagation medium of light is air, and the refractive index of air is approximately equal to 1. The propagation speed of light in a hollow fiber is greater than that in a glass core fiber. According to the calculations of relevant research institutions, the time delay of a glass core fiber is approximately 5 microseconds per kilometer, and that of a hollow fiber is 3.46 microseconds per kilometer. For a distance of 1000 kilometers, the hollow fiber can reduce the time delay by 1.54 milliseconds compared to the glass core fiber.

[0003] At present, the core part of a hollow fiber is mainly air, inert gas or vacuum. When coupling a hollow fiber, it is inevitably necessary to contact the outside. To ensure that the internal components of the core remain unchanged in the case of an inert gas or vacuum core, the coupling environment needs to be filled with the same type of inert gas or a vacuum coupling environment. These two situations are difficult to achieve, so mainly air-type hollow fiber coupling is used.

[0004] For a glass core fiber, the fiber butt joint surface is a relatively large plane. Before coupling, only the fiber end face needs to be cleaned. After coupling, there is less air in the fiber working environment. Therefore, the requirement for air cleanliness during the coupling process is not very high. When coupling a hollow fiber, the air inside the hollow fiber will be exposed to the ambient air. The cleanliness of the ambient air is equivalent to the cleanliness of the glass fiber end face. When the cleanliness of the ambient air does not meet the requirements (for example, the indoor air cleanliness does not meet the requirements, or there are impurities in the outdoor air), impurities will exist in the air in the hollow fiber, thus affecting the signal transmission. Summary of the Utility Model

[0005] The purpose of the utility model is to provide a hollow fiber coupling and cleaning device for an active optical cable. This device can provide a clean air environment for hollow fiber coupling, avoid interference from the external environment during the coupling process, and no impurities in the air will be involved in the coupling process. Moreover, the inlet ring can adapt to hollow optical cables with different outer diameters, and has a wide application range.

[0006] The technical solution adopted by the utility model is as follows:

[0007] A hollow-core optical fiber coupling and cleaning device for an active optical cable, comprising an operation box for coupling operations. The operation box has an opening and closing structure, and its internal space is large enough to accommodate a hollow-core optical cable and coupling equipment; an air purification module for purifying the air inside the operation box is installed on the operation box, an inlet ring for the sealed insertion of the hollow-core optical cable into the operation box, and an operation port for the sealed insertion of the operator's hand into the operation box for operation. The inlet ring can adapt to hollow-core optical cables with different outer diameters.

[0008] Preferably, the air purification module includes an air inlet and a one-way exhaust port provided on the operation box, an air inlet element provided at the air inlet for sucking external air into the operation box, and an air filter element provided at the air inlet for filtering particles in the incoming air.

[0009] Preferably, the air filter element includes a pre-filter and a high-efficiency particulate air filter, and the pre-filter and the high-efficiency particulate air filter are respectively located upstream and downstream of the air inlet element.

[0010] Preferably, the air inlet element is driven by a brushless motor.

[0011] Preferably, the outer ring of the inlet ring is installed on the operation box, and the inner ring is a sealing surface for inserting the hollow-core optical cable. The size of the outer ring of the inlet ring is fixed, and the size of the inner ring is adapted according to the outer diameter of the hollow-core optical cable.

[0012] Preferably, the operation box is formed by enclosing an upper box body and a lower box body, and the two can be locked and separated. The inlet ring is divided into upper and lower parts in the center. The upper part and the lower part of the inlet ring are respectively installed on the upper box body and the lower box body. When the upper box body and the lower box body are separated, the inlet ring is separated in the center. When the upper box body and the lower box body are locked, the inlet ring resumes to a complete body.

[0013] Preferably, the upper part of the inlet ring is inserted and placed on the semi-circular groove of the upper box body through the card slot at the outer edge, and the lower part of the inlet ring is inserted and placed on the semi-circular groove of the lower box body through the card slot at the outer edge.

[0014] Preferably, the upper box body and the lower box body are hinged at the back by a hinge and locked and unlocked at the front by a locking mechanism.

[0015] Preferably, the inlet rings are provided on both sides of the operation box, the operation ports are provided on the front of the operation box, the air inlets are provided on the top surface of the operation box, and the one-way exhaust ports are provided on the back of the operation box.

[0016] Preferably, the operation box is installed by being elevated by a bracket.

[0017] The beneficial effects of the present utility model are as follows:

[0018] This device can provide a clean air environment for hollow-core optical fiber coupling, avoid interference from the external environment during the coupling process, and impurities in the air will not be involved in the coupling process. Moreover, the inlet ring can adapt to hollow-core optical cables with different outer diameters, and has a wide application range. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the drawings required for use in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of the present application and should not be regarded as a limitation of the scope. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other relevant drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings.

[0020] Figure 1 is an exploded view of the hollow fiber coupling cleaning device for an active optical cable in an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0021] Figure 2 is a schematic view of the closed state of the hollow fiber coupling cleaning device for an active optical cable in an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0022] Figure 3 is a schematic view of the open state of the hollow fiber coupling cleaning device for an active optical cable in an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0023] In the figure: 1, pre-filter; 2, air inlet element; 3, high-efficiency particulate air filter; 4, air inlet; 5, upper box body; 6, operation port; 7, unidirectional exhaust port; 8, lower box body; 9, bracket; 10, upper part of the hinge; 11, lower part of the hinge; 12, upper part of the cable inlet ring; 13, lower part of the cable inlet ring; 14, upper part of the locking mechanism; 15, lower part of the locking mechanism; 16, operation box; 17, cable inlet ring; 18, locking mechanism; 19, hinge. Detailed Description of the Embodiments

[0024] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are some, but not all, of the embodiments of the present application. Usually, the components of the embodiments of the present application described and illustrated in the drawings here can be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0025] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present application provided in the drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the present application claimed, but merely represents the selected embodiments of the present application. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present application without creative efforts fall within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0026] It should be noted that: similar reference numerals and letters denote similar items in the following drawings. Therefore, once an item is defined in one drawing, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent drawings.

[0027] In the description of the present application, it should be noted that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by terms such as "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "inner", "outer", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship in which the product of this application is customarily placed during use. It is only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation to the present application.

[0028] In the description of the present application, it should also be noted that unless otherwise clearly specified and defined, the terms "set", "install", "connect", "couple" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0029] The features and performance of the present application will be further described in detail below in conjunction with embodiments.

[0030] As Figures 1 to 3 shown, this embodiment discloses a hollow fiber coupling and cleaning device for an active optical cable, including an operation box 16, an air purification module, an inlet ring 17, and an operation port 6; where: the operation box 16 is used for coupling operations, and it adopts an openable and closable structure and its internal space is large enough to accommodate a hollow optical cable and coupling equipment, see Figures 1 to 3 ; the air purification module is installed on the operation box 16, and it is used to purify the air inside the operation box 16, see Figures 1 to 3 ; the inlet ring 17 is installed on the operation box 16, and it is used for the sealed insertion of a hollow optical cable into the operation box 16. The inlet ring 17 can adapt to hollow optical cables with different outer diameters, see Figures 1 to 3 ; the operation port 6 is installed on the operation box, and it is used for the sealed insertion of the hand of an operator into the operation box 16 for operations, see Figures 1 to 3 . This device can provide a clean air environment for hollow fiber coupling, avoid interference from the external environment during the coupling process, and no impurities in the air will be involved in the coupling process. Moreover, the inlet ring 17 can adapt to hollow optical cables with different outer diameters, and has a wide application range.

[0031] Regarding the air purification module, in this embodiment, preferably:

[0032] As Figures 1 to 3As shown, the air purification module includes an air inlet 4 and a one-way exhaust port 7 provided on the work box 16, an air inlet element 2 provided at the air inlet 4 and used to draw external air into the work box 16, and an air filter element provided at the air inlet 4 and used to filter particles in the incoming air. The principle of the air purification module is to filter the external air and pass it into the work box 16, and use the pressure difference to discharge the air in the work box 16, so that the air in the work box 16 can be gradually replaced with clean air; and, as shown in FIG. Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the air filter element includes a pre-filter 1 and a high-efficiency particulate air filter 3. The pre-filter 1 and the high-efficiency particulate air filter 3 are respectively located upstream and downstream of the air inlet element 2. The use of two filters can further improve the filtering effect and avoid excessive burden on the high-efficiency particulate air filter 3. In addition, the air inlet element 2 is driven by a brushless motor, has a compact structure, and is easy to install.

[0033] Regarding the incoming line ring 17, in this embodiment, preferably:

[0034] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the outer ring of the incoming wire ring 17 is installed on the working box 16, and the inner ring is the sealing surface for inserting the hollow-core optical cable. The outer ring size of the incoming wire ring 17 is fixed, and the inner ring size is adapted according to the outer diameter of the hollow-core optical cable. When working, you only need to select the incoming wire ring 17 with the corresponding inner ring size according to the outer diameter of the hollow-core optical cable.

[0035] Regarding the work box 16, in this embodiment, preferably:

[0036] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the operation box 16 is formed by the upper box body 5 and the lower box body 8, and the two can be locked and separated. The wire feed ring 17 is divided into an upper and a lower part. The upper part 12 of the wire feed ring and the lower part 13 of the wire feed ring are respectively installed on the upper box body 5 and the lower box body 8. When the upper box body 5 and the lower box body 8 are separated, the wire feed ring 17 is centered and separated. When the upper box body 5 and the lower box body 8 are locked, the wire feed ring 17 is restored to a complete body. The advantages of this arrangement are as follows: First, the opening and closing action of the operation box 16 does not affect the hollow-core optical cable, and the hollow-core optical cable will not be driven to move; second, the hollow-core optical cable can be placed on the lower part 13 of the wire feed ring first, and then its axial position can be adjusted, and then the upper box body 5 can be closed, and its position adjustment is convenient; and, as shown in FIG. Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the upper portion 12 of the wire feed ring is inserted into the semicircular groove of the upper box body 5 through the card slot at the outer edge, and the lower portion 13 of the wire feed ring is inserted into the semicircular groove of the lower box body 8 through the card slot at the outer edge, which is convenient for production, installation and replacement; and, as shown Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the upper box body 5 and the lower box body 8 are hinged at the back by a hinge 19 and are locked and unlocked at the front by a locking mechanism 18, which is convenient for operation. The upper hinge part 10 and the lower hinge part 11 are respectively provided on the upper box body 5 and the lower box body 8, and the upper locking mechanism 14 and the lower locking mechanism 15 are respectively provided on the upper box body 5 and the lower box body 8; and, as shown in FIG.Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the incoming line ring 17 is provided on both sides of the operation box 16, the operation port 6 is provided on the front of the operation box 16, the air inlet 4 is provided on the top surface of the operation box 16, and the one-way exhaust port 7 is provided on the back of the operation box 16, which is convenient for operation; and, as Figures 1 to 3 shown, the operation box 16 is elevated and installed through the bracket 9, which can increase the elevation and avoid the discomfort of the operator bending down.

[0037] During work: The operator unlocks the locking mechanism 18, opens the operation box 16, puts the coupling device into the operation box 16, selects the incoming line ring 17 according to the outer diameter of the hollow optical cable, and places the hollow optical cable on the lower part 13 of the incoming line ring; then the upper box body 5 and the lower box body 8 are surrounded and locked by using the locking mechanism 18, the incoming line ring 17 is restored to a complete body and seals the hollow optical cable by using the inner ring; then the air inlet element 2 is turned on, and the air inlet element 2 sucks the external air into the operation box 16. At the same time, the pre-filter 1 and the high-efficiency particulate air filter 3 filter the particles in the incoming air. The filtered air continuously enters the operation box 16 and continuously discharges through the one-way exhaust port 7 until after a certain period of time, all the air in the operation box 16 is replaced with clean air; then keep the air inlet element 2 turned on. At the same time, the operator's hand reaches into the operation box 16 through the operation port 6 for coupling operation; after the coupling operation is completed, turn off the air inlet element 2, unlock the locking mechanism 18, open the operation box 16, and then the hollow optical cable can be taken out.

[0038] The embodiments described above are some, but not all, of the embodiments of the present application. The detailed description of the embodiments of the present application is not intended to limit the scope of the present application claimed, but merely represents the selected embodiments of the present application. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments in the present application without creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims

1. A hollow fiber coupling and cleaning device for an active optical fiber cable, characterized in that: It includes a work box for coupling operations. The work box adopts an openable and closable structure, and its internal space is large enough to accommodate a hollow optical cable and coupling equipment. An air purification module for purifying the air inside the work box, an inlet ring for the sealed insertion of the hollow optical cable into the work box, and an operation port for the sealed insertion of the operator's hand into the work box for operation are installed on the work box. The inlet ring can adapt to hollow optical cables with different outer diameters.

2. The hollow fiber coupling and cleaning device for an active optical cable according to claim 1, wherein: The air purification module includes an air inlet and a one-way exhaust port provided on the work box, an air inlet element provided at the air inlet for pumping external air into the work box, and an air filter element provided at the air inlet for filtering particles in the incoming air.

3. The hollow fiber coupling and cleaning device for an active optical cable according to claim 2, characterized in that: The air filter element includes a pre-filter and a high-efficiency particulate air filter, and the pre-filter and the high-efficiency particulate air filter are located upstream and downstream of the air inlet element respectively.

4. The hollow fiber coupling and cleaning device for an active optical cable according to claim 2, wherein: The air inlet element is driven by a brushless motor.

5. The hollow fiber coupling and cleaning device for an active optical cable according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer ring of the inlet ring is installed on the work box, and the inner ring is a sealing surface for the insertion of the hollow optical cable. The size of the outer ring of the inlet ring is fixed, and the size of the inner ring is adapted according to the outer diameter of the hollow optical cable.

6. The hollow fiber coupling and cleaning device for an active optical fiber cable according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The work box is surrounded by an upper box body and a lower box body, and the two can be locked and separated. The inlet ring is divided into upper and lower parts in the center. The upper part and the lower part of the inlet ring are installed on the upper box body and the lower box body respectively. When the upper box body and the lower box body are separated, the inlet ring is separated in the center. When the upper box body and the lower box body are locked, the inlet ring resumes as a complete body.

7. The hollow fiber coupling and cleaning device for an active optical fiber cable according to claim 6, characterized in that: The upper part of the inlet ring is inserted into the semi-circular groove of the upper box body through the card slot at the outer edge, and the lower part of the inlet ring is inserted into the semi-circular groove of the lower box body through the card slot at the outer edge.

8. The hollow fiber coupling and cleaning device for an active optical fiber cable according to claim 6, characterized in that: The upper box body and the lower box body are hinged at the back by a hinge and locked and unlocked at the front by a locking mechanism.

9. The hollow fiber coupling and cleaning device for an active optical fiber cable according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inlet rings are provided on both sides of the work box, the operation ports are provided on the front of the work box, the air inlets are provided on the top surface of the work box, and the one-way exhaust ports are provided on the back of the work box.

10. The hollow fiber coupling and cleaning device for an active optical cable according to claim 1, characterized in that: The work box is installed by being elevated with a bracket.

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