Circular plugging self-locking beam expanding optical fiber connector

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of optical fiber communication, and discloses a circular plugging self-locking beam-expanding optical fiber connector, which comprises a male connector and a female connector which are connected in a plugging manner, the male connector comprises a male outer shell and a male inner shell, one end of the male inner shell is provided with a retaining buckle, and the other end of the male inner shell is provided with a clamping groove. The male head outer shell is connected with the male head inner shell in a buckled mode through cooperation of a retaining clamping groove formed in the male head outer shell and a retaining buckle, an inner cavity of the male head inner shell is connected with a male head base in a buckled and limited mode through a male head insertion core assembly, and a male head insertion core assembly is fixedly arranged in an inner cavity of the male head base. Light paths between the female plug core assembly and the male plug core assembly are coupled and connected after beam expansion. According to the utility model, non-contact connection of the end faces of the optical fiber connector is realized through beam expansion, the plugging service life of the connector is prolonged, and the dust and dirt resistance of the connector is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of optical fiber communication technology, specifically a circular pluggable self-locking expanded fiber optic connector. Background Technology

[0002] Traditional optical connectors use a physical contact structure at the fiber end faces. Repeated insertion and removal can cause wear on the end faces, typically limiting their lifespan to only a few hundred cycles. In environments with vibration and shock, fretting friction and wear can also occur at the contact between the two connector end faces, further reducing their lifespan.

[0003] Traditional single-mode optical connectors have a beam diameter of no more than 10µm, making them particularly sensitive to dust and dirt. Frequent cleaning and inspection of the fiber end face are required during insertion and removal, increasing maintenance costs. Utility Model Content

[0004] (a) Technical problems to be solved

[0005] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this utility model provides a circular pluggable self-locking expanded fiber optic connector, which solves the problems of existing single-mode optical connectors having a beam diameter of no more than 10µm, being particularly sensitive to dust and dirt, and requiring frequent cleaning and inspection of the fiber end face during plugging and unplugging, thus increasing maintenance costs.

[0006] (II) Technical Solution

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution:

[0008] A circular pluggable self-locking expanded fiber optic connector includes a pluggable male connector and a female connector. The male connector includes a male outer shell and a male inner shell. One end of the male inner shell is provided with a locking latch. The male outer shell is connected to the male inner shell by a locking slot arranged thereon, which engages with the locking latch. A male base is connected to the inner cavity of the male inner shell by a locking latch of a male ferrule assembly. A male ferrule assembly is fixedly disposed in the inner cavity of the male base. The female connector includes a female outer shell. The inner wall of the female outer shell is concave and has an annular mounting slot. The locking latch on the male inner shell extends into the inner cavity of the female outer shell and is locked with the mounting slot. A female base is mounted in the inner cavity of the female outer shell by a locking latch of a female ferrule assembly. A female ferrule assembly is fixedly disposed in the inner cavity of the female base. The optical path between the female ferrule assembly and the male ferrule assembly is coupled after beam expansion.

[0009] Preferably, the male connector pin assembly buckle has an elongated slot that engages a protrusion at one end of the male connector base, and the male connector inner shell has an inner shell groove to engage and limit the protrusion at one end of the male connector pin assembly buckle. The female connector pin assembly buckle has a U-shaped groove that engages and limits one end of the female connector base.

[0010] Preferably, the male connector base includes a first male connector base and a second male connector base, the first male connector base is fixedly installed in the inner cavity of the second male connector base, and the male connector core assembly is fixedly installed in the hole on the first male connector base; the female connector base includes a first female connector base and a second female connector base, the first female connector base is fixedly installed in the inner cavity of the second female connector base, and the female connector core assembly is fixedly installed in the hole on the first female connector base.

[0011] Preferably, both the male inner shell and the female outer shell are threadedly connected to a tail cable latch at their ends, and the two tail cable latches are respectively pressed against one end of the male connector ferrule assembly and the female connector ferrule assembly by tail cable clamps.

[0012] Preferably, each of the two tail cable clamps has a clamp slot on the side where they are close to each other. The clamp slot is used to engage and limit the clamping with a protrusion at one end of the male connector or female connector assembly.

[0013] Preferably, both the male and female ferrule assemblies have beam-expanding lenses arranged at their respective ends where they are close to each other, and a quartz optical fiber that matches the bare optical fiber is arranged inside the ceramic ferrule.

[0014] (III) Beneficial Effects

[0015] This utility model has the following beneficial effects:

[0016] This circular, self-locking, expanded fiber optic connector utilizes a locking latch, a locking slot, and a mounting slot for quick and easy locking and connection, enabling rapid connection between the male and female connectors. Employing high-precision fiber expansion and collimation technology, it ensures superior optical performance and allows for non-contact optical path alignment. After the male and female connectors are fully engaged, a gap exists between the end faces of the male and female ferrules, preventing end-face wear caused by repeated insertions and removals or vibrations. By expanding the optical path, the beam diameter is increased by more than five times, reducing sensitivity to dust and dirt, decreasing the frequency of fiber end-face cleaning, and effectively lowering maintenance costs. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of this utility model;

[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the overall cross-sectional structure of this utility model in the AA direction;

[0019] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the disassembled structure of the components of this utility model;

[0020] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the buckle layout structure of the male connector ferrule assembly and the female connector ferrule assembly of this utility model;

[0021] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the AA-oriented male connector of this utility model.

[0022] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram showing the disassembled structure of each component of the male connector of this utility model;

[0023] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of the male connector assembly of this utility model;

[0024] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view of the AA-direction female connector of this utility model;

[0025] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram showing the disassembled structure of each component of the female connector of this utility model;

[0026] Figure 10 This is a cross-sectional view of the female connector core assembly of this utility model;

[0027] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the optical path coupling structure of this utility model.

[0028] In the diagram: 1. Male connector outer shell; 11. Anti-reverse locking slot; 12. Male connector inner shell; 13. Anti-reverse locking buckle; 14. Male connector ferrule assembly buckle; 15. First male connector base; 16. Second male connector base; 17. Male connector ferrule assembly; 171. Male connector ferrule base; 172. First ceramic ferrule; 2. Female connector outer shell; 21. First female connector base; 22. Female connector ferrule assembly; 221. Female connector ferrule base; 222. Second ceramic ferrule; 223. Female end metal sleeve; 224. Retaining ring; 225. Closed ceramic sleeve; 23. Second female connector base; 24. Female connector ferrule assembly buckle; 25. Mounting slot; 3. Tail cable clamp; 31. Clamp slot; 4. Tail cable lock; 5. Beam expander lens; 6. Quartz optical fiber. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0030] Please see Figure 1 This utility model provides a technical solution: a circular pluggable self-locking expanded fiber optic connector, including a pluggable male connector and a female connector. The male connector includes a male outer shell 1 and a male inner shell 12. One end of the male inner shell 12 is provided with a backstop latch 13. The male outer shell 1 is connected to the male inner shell 12 by a backstop slot 11 arranged thereon in cooperation with the backstop latch 13. The inner cavity of the male inner shell 12 is limited and connected to a male base by a male ferrule assembly latch 14. The inner cavity of the male base is fixed. A male connector ferrule assembly 17 is provided; the female connector includes a female connector housing 2, the inner wall of the female connector housing 2 is concave and has a mounting slot 25 arranged in an annular pattern, the anti-reverse buckle 13 on the male connector inner housing 12 extends into the inner cavity of the female connector housing 2 and is engaged with the mounting slot 25, the inner cavity of the female connector housing is limited and installed with a female connector base by the female connector ferrule assembly buckle 24, and the inner cavity of the female connector base is fixedly provided with a female connector ferrule assembly 22; the optical path between the female connector ferrule assembly 22 and the male connector ferrule assembly 17 is coupled and connected after beam expansion.

[0031] This invention utilizes a locking latch 13 in conjunction with a locking slot 11 and a mounting slot 25 for quick and easy locking and limiting connection between the male and female connectors. High-precision fiber optic beam expansion and collimation technology ensures superior optical performance and enables non-contact optical path alignment. After the male and female connectors are fully engaged, a gap exists between the end faces of the male ferrule assembly 17 and the female ferrule assembly 22, preventing end face wear caused by repeated insertion / removal and vibration impacts. By expanding the optical path, the beam diameter is increased by more than five times, reducing sensitivity to dust and dirt, decreasing the frequency of fiber end face cleaning, and effectively lowering maintenance costs.

[0032] Reference Figure 4 , 6As shown in Figure 9, in this embodiment, the male connector ferrule assembly latch 14 uses an elongated oval slot to engage a protrusion at one end of the male connector base. The male connector inner shell 12 has an inner shell groove to engage and limit the protrusion at one end of the male connector ferrule assembly latch 14. The female connector ferrule assembly latch 24 uses a U-shaped groove to engage and limit one end of the female connector base. The elongated oval slot, inner shell groove, and U-shaped groove ensure that during the initial assembly of the male and female connector bases, the grooves and protrusions can quickly limit the position of the male or female connector base with the ferrule assembly, facilitating subsequent overall installation and improving overall assembly efficiency.

[0033] Reference Figure 5 and 8 As shown, in this embodiment, the male connector base includes a first male connector base 15 and a second male connector base 16. The first male connector base 15 is fixedly installed in the inner cavity of the second male connector base 16, and the male connector ferrule assembly 17 is fixedly installed in the hole on the first male connector base 15. The female connector base includes a first female connector base 21 and a second female connector base 23. The first female connector base 21 is fixedly installed in the inner cavity of the second female connector base 23, and the female connector ferrule assembly 22 is fixedly disposed in the hole on the first female connector base 21. The first male connector base 15 and the second male connector base 16 can be fixed by interference fit or adhesive bonding. The step of the male connector ferrule assembly 17 is blocked and limited by the holes of the first male connector base 15 and the second male connector base 16. The step of the female connector ferrule assembly 22 is blocked and limited by the holes of the first female connector base 21 and the second female connector base 23. The overall system ensures stable positioning of the ferrule assembly, improves the overall impact resistance during subsequent operation, and guarantees the coaxiality of the transmission between the male and female ferrule assemblies 22.

[0034] In this embodiment, both the male inner shell 12 and the female outer shell 2 are threadedly connected to the end of the tail cable latch 4. The two tail cable latches 4 are respectively pressed against one end of the male plug assembly latch 14 and the female plug assembly 22 by the tail cable clamp 3.

[0035] Reference Figure 1 , 2As shown in Figures 5 and 8, in this embodiment, each of the two tail cable clamps 3 has a clamp slot 31 on one side that is close to each other. The clamp slot is used to engage and limit the protrusion at one end of the male connector plug assembly buckle 14 or the female connector plug assembly buckle 24. The male connector base buckle is inserted into the male connector inner shell 12, and its front protrusion is locked and limited by the inner shell slot on the male connector inner shell 12. The clamp slot on the tail cable clamp 3 is locked and limited by the rear protrusion of the male connector plug assembly buckle 14. The tail cable lock 4 is threadedly locked to the male connector inner shell 12, pressing and fixing all components inside the male connector inner shell 12. The female connector base buckle is inserted into the female connector outer shell 2. The clamp slot 31 of the tail cable clamp 3 is locked and limited by the rear protrusion of the female connector plug assembly buckle 24. The tail cable lock 4 is threadedly locked to the female connector outer shell 2, pressing and fixing all components inside the female connector outer shell 2. After initial positioning of each component of the male and female connectors, the components can be clamped and fixed with a single click by turning the tail cable locking buckle 4, making the overall installation quick and convenient.

[0036] Reference Figure 7 , 10 As shown in Figure 11, in this embodiment, beam-expanding lenses 5 are arranged at the ends of the ceramic ferrules in the male ferrule assembly 17 and the female ferrule assembly 22 that are close to each other. A quartz optical fiber 6, which mates with the bare optical fiber, is arranged inside the ceramic ferrule. The beam-expanding lens 5 is a self-focusing lens or an aspherical lens. When the fiber end face is at the focal point of the lens, the beam output from the lens end face is collimated. The bare optical fiber is cut and its end face is ground to 0 degrees. The end face coating can improve the light transmittance and return loss. The bare optical fiber is inserted into the ceramic ferrule until its end face is at the focal point of the beam-expanding lens 5. Thus, the light emitted from the end face of the beam-expanding lens 5 is an expanded collimated beam. Furthermore, the beam-expanding lens 5 and the front end hole of the ceramic ferrule have a μm-level clearance fit, which ensures the mechanical coaxiality of the optical fiber and the beam-expanding lens 5. Since both the fiber end face and the end face of the beam-expanding lens 5 are at 0 degrees, the optical axis of the beam output from the beam-expanding lens 5 coincides with the mechanical axis of the ceramic ferrule.

[0037] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used merely to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, the phrase "comprising an element defined as..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0038] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A circular pluggable self-locking expanded fiber optic connector, comprising a pluggable male connector and a female connector, characterized in that: The male connector includes a male outer shell and a male inner shell. One end of the male inner shell is provided with a locking latch. The male outer shell is connected to the male inner shell via a locking slot that engages with the locking latch. A male base is connected to the inner cavity of the male inner shell via a male ferrule assembly. A male ferrule assembly is fixedly disposed within the inner cavity of the male base. The female connector includes a female outer shell. The inner wall of the female outer shell is concave and has an annular mounting slot. The locking latch on the male inner shell extends into the inner cavity of the female outer shell and engages with the mounting slot. A female base is mounted to the inner cavity of the female outer shell via a female ferrule assembly. A female ferrule assembly is fixedly disposed within the inner cavity of the female base. The optical path between the female ferrule assembly and the male ferrule assembly is coupled after beam expansion.

2. The circular pluggable self-locking expanded fiber optic connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The male connector ferrule assembly buckle has an elongated slot that engages with a protrusion at one end of the male connector base. The male connector inner shell has an inner shell retaining groove to engage and limit the protrusion at one end of the male connector ferrule assembly buckle. The female connector ferrule assembly buckle has a U-shaped groove that engages and limits one end of the female connector base.

3. A circular pluggable self-locking expanded fiber optic connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The male connector base includes a first male connector base and a second male connector base. The first male connector base is fixedly installed in the inner cavity of the second male connector base, and the male connector core assembly is fixedly installed in a hole on the first male connector base. The female connector base includes a first female connector base and a second female connector base. The first female connector base is fixedly installed in the inner cavity of the second female connector base, and the female connector core assembly is fixedly installed in a hole on the first female connector base.

4. A circular pluggable self-locking expanded fiber optic connector according to claim 2, characterized in that: Both the male inner shell and the female outer shell are threadedly connected to a tail cable latch at their ends. The two tail cable latches are respectively pressed against one end of the male connector ferrule assembly and the female connector ferrule assembly by tail cable clamps.

5. A circular pluggable self-locking expanded fiber optic connector according to claim 4, characterized in that: Both of the two tail cable clamps are provided with clamp slots on the side that is close to each other. The clamp slots are used to engage and limit the clamping with the protrusion provided at one end of the male connector or female connector assembly.

6. A circular pluggable self-locking expanded fiber optic connector according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that: Both the male and female ferrule assemblies have beam-expanding lenses arranged at their respective ends where the ceramic ferrules are close to each other, and a quartz optical fiber that matches the bare optical fiber is arranged inside the ceramic ferrule.

Images