Adaptive locking structure of MPO connector

Abstract

The utility model provides an MPO connector adaptive locking structure which is installed in cooperation with an MPO connector, the MPO connector is connected with an adapter or an optical module in an inserted mode, the adapter or the optical module is provided with an insertion opening for the MPO connector to be connected in an inserted mode, and a locking piece is installed in the insertion opening in a combined mode. The MPO connector comprises a connecting sleeve and a cable which are connected, one end, far away from the cable, of the connecting sleeve is provided with a plug, the connecting sleeve is sleeved with a shell, and the plug is externally provided with a locking structure which is matched and locked with the locking piece; and the MPO connector is connected with the connecting sleeve in a clamping manner by matching with a locking structure, and abuts against one end, far away from the plug, of the shell so as to limit the shell. Through the MPO connector adaptive locking structure, the movement of the MPO connector shell can be limited, the plugging action of the MPO connector is prevented, and the MPO connector is prevented from shaking and falling or being unlocked by mistake.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of optical communication technology, and more precisely to an MPO connector adapter locking structure. Background Technology

[0002] MPO connectors are high-speed fiber optic connectors widely used in high-data-volume applications such as data centers. MPO connectors integrate multiple fiber optic cores into a single connector interface, enabling faster data transmission within a smaller footprint. Connecting MPO connectors requires an MPO adapter; two MPO connectors are inserted into the two ends of the adapter, and the connection is achieved through the adapter's internal connection structure. With the rapid development of the optical communication market, the demand for active optical cables is also increasing. Active optical cables are integrated optical modules and fiber optic cables, requiring MPO connectors to be inserted into the optical module.

[0003] When an MPO connector is connected to an adapter or optical module, a fixed connection is formed through the locking structure of the MPO connector itself. However, this connection is often not secure enough, making it prone to shaking and falling off, and accidental activation of the locking structure can lead to false locking. To address the issues of insecure connections and false locking in existing MPO connectors, adhesive bonding is commonly used. This method adds an adhesive bonding step, making manufacturing more complex, less efficient, and more expensive. Another solution involves adding a stop after the MPO connector is connected to the adapter or optical module to prevent shaking, falling off, or accidental unlocking. However, this solution uses a small stop, making operation difficult and cumbersome.

[0004] In summary, there is a need in this field for an MPO connector adapter locking structure that can effectively prevent shaking and falling and mis-locking, and that is easy to install and operate with lower installation costs. Utility Model Content

[0005] In view of this, the purpose of this utility model is to provide an MPO connector adapter locking structure that restricts the movement of the housing from the rear after the MPO connector is inserted, thereby preventing the MPO connector from shaking and mis-locking after insertion.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides an MPO connector adapter locking structure, which is installed in conjunction with an MPO connector. The MPO connector is plugged into an adapter or optical module, and both the adapter and optical module have a socket for the MPO connector to be inserted into. A locking component is installed inside the socket. The MPO connector includes a connecting sleeve and a cable. The end of the connecting sleeve away from the cable has a plug. A housing is fitted onto the connecting sleeve. The plug has a locking structure on its exterior that cooperates with the locking component to lock it in place. The MPO connector adapter locking structure engages with the connecting sleeve and abuts against the end of the housing away from the plug, thus limiting the position of the housing.

[0007] Preferably, it has a sleeve portion that is fitted over the outside of the cable and a snap-fit ​​portion that engages with the connecting sleeve.

[0008] Preferably, it has a side opening that extends through the sleeve portion and the snap-fit ​​portion.

[0009] Preferably, the width of the side opening is less than the thickness of the connecting sleeve.

[0010] Preferably, the sleeve portion is a tubular structure.

[0011] Preferably, the upper and lower portions of the tail end of the connecting sleeve are respectively provided with slots, the slots are located at the end of the outer shell, and the snap-fit ​​portion engages with the slots.

[0012] Preferably, the snap-fit ​​portion includes a connecting plate that abuts with the sleeve portion and a set of snap-fit ​​plates that abut with the connecting plate. The snap-fit ​​plates are symmetrically arranged vertically, and the ends of the snap-fit ​​plates away from the connecting plate have snap-fit ​​strips. The snap-fit ​​strips of the two snap-fit ​​plates face opposite directions and are aligned with each other, and the snap-fit ​​strips engage with the slot.

[0013] Preferably, the end of the snap-fit ​​strip away from the connecting plate has a chamfered edge, and the end of the snap-fit ​​strip facing the connecting plate has a right-angled edge.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the MPO connector adapter locking structure disclosed in this utility model are as follows: the MPO connector adapter locking structure can restrict the movement of the MPO connector housing, prevent the MPO connector from being inserted or removed, and prevent the MPO connector from shaking and falling off or mis-locking; the MPO connector adapter locking structure is convenient and quick to use and install, and has a lower installation cost. Attached Figure Description

[0015] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0016] like Figure 1 The diagram shown is a schematic of the mating of an MPO connector adapter locking structure before the MPO connector and MPO adapter are connected.

[0017] like Figure 2 The diagram shown is a schematic of the mating of an MPO connector adapter locking structure according to this application after the MPO connector and the MPO adapter are connected.

[0018] like Figure 3 The diagram shown is a schematic of the mating of an MPO connector adapter locking structure before the MPO connector and optical module are connected.

[0019] like Figure 4 The diagram shown is a schematic of the mating of an MPO connector adapter locking structure according to this application after the MPO connector and the optical module are connected.

[0020] like Figure 5 The diagram shown is a structural schematic of an MPO connector adapter locking structure according to this application.

[0021] like Figure 6 The diagram shown is a structural schematic of an MPO connector adapter locking structure according to this application.

[0022] like Figure 7 The diagram shown is a schematic of the MPO connector adapter locking structure and the MPO connector after assembly.

[0023] like Figure 8 The diagram shown is a structural schematic of a variant of the MPO connector adapter locking structure of this application.

[0024] like Figure 9 The diagram shown is a structural schematic of a variant of the MPO connector adapter locking structure of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0025] 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.

[0026] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, taking the mating of MPO connector 1 and MPO adapter 2 as an example, MPO adapter 2 has a socket 20, and a locking member 21 is installed inside the socket 20. MPO connector 1 includes a connecting sleeve 10 and a cable 100. The end of the connecting sleeve 10 away from the cable 100 has a plug 12. A shell 11 is fitted on the connecting sleeve 10. The plug 12 has a locking structure 121 on its exterior that cooperates with the locking member 21 to lock. Sliding the shell 11 back and forth changes the locking state of the locking structure 121. In this application, an MPO connector adapter locking structure 3 is installed in conjunction with MPO connector 1. The MPO connector adapter locking structure 3 is engaged with the connecting sleeve 10 and abuts against the end of the shell 11 away from the plug 12, thus limiting the position of the shell 11. The MPO connector adapter locking structure 3 has a socket portion 31 sleeved on the outside of the cable 100 and a locking portion 32 that engages with the connecting sleeve 10. The MPO connector adapter locking structure 3 also has a side opening 30 penetrating the socket portion 31 and the locking portion 32. Preferably, the width of the side opening 30 is less than the thickness of the connecting sleeve 10. In use, the MPO connector 1 is first inserted into the MPO adapter 2. Then, the MPO connector adapter locking structure 3 is sleeved onto the cable 100 through the side opening 30. The MPO connector adapter locking structure 3 is then pushed towards the connecting sleeve 10 until the locking portion 32 engages with the connecting sleeve 10. At this point, the socket portion 31 wraps around the cable 100, and the locking portion 32 abuts against the end of the outer shell 11 away from the plug 12, thus limiting the outer shell 11 and preventing the MPO connector 1 from falling off due to shaking. It also prevents accidental locking due to accidental contact with the outer shell 11.

[0027] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, taking the MPO connector 1 and optical module 2A as an example, the optical module 2A has a socket 20A, and a locking member 21A is installed inside the socket 20A. The MPO connector 1 includes a connecting sleeve 10 and a cable 100. The end of the connecting sleeve 10 away from the cable 100 has a plug 12. A housing 11 is fitted on the connecting sleeve 10. The plug 12 has a locking structure 121 on its exterior that cooperates with the locking member 21A to lock. Sliding the housing 11 back and forth changes the locking state of the locking structure 121. The MPO connector adapter locking structure 3 is installed in conjunction with the MPO connector 1, and the installation method is the same as described above.

[0028] The upper and lower parts of the tail end of the connecting sleeve 10 have slots 101 respectively. The slots 101 are located at the end of the outer shell 11, and the snap-fit ​​part 32 engages with the slots 101.

[0029] For details, see Figures 5 to 7 The sleeve part 31 has a tubular structure. The snap-fit ​​part 32 includes a connecting plate 321 that abuts with the sleeve part 31 and a set of snap-fit ​​plates 322 that abut with the connecting plate 321. The snap-fit ​​plates 322 are arranged symmetrically on the top and bottom, and the upper or lower part of the end of the snap-fit ​​plate 322 away from the connecting plate 321 has a snap-fit ​​strip 323. The snap-fit ​​strips 323 of the two snap-fit ​​plates 322 face opposite directions and are aligned with each other. The snap-fit ​​strips 323 engage with the slot 101.

[0030] The preferred snap-fit ​​strip 323 has a chamfered edge at the end away from the connecting plate 321, making it easier to push and snap into the slot 101. The snap-fit ​​strip 323 has a right-angled edge at the end facing the connecting plate 321, making it less likely to come out after being snapped into the slot 101, resulting in better connection stability.

[0031] See Figure 8 and Figure 9 This is a variant of the MPO connector adapter locking structure 3A, which has a socket portion 31A sleeved on the outside of the cable 100 and a snap-fit ​​portion 32A that engages with the connecting sleeve 10, but does not have a side opening. The MPO connector adapter locking structure 3A is pre-installed during the manufacturing of the MPO connector, eliminating the risk of it falling off or being lost. Its usage is the same as the MPO connector adapter locking structure 3 described above. However, if damaged during disassembly, it cannot be reused.

[0032] The above description of the disclosed embodiments enables those skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. An MPO connector adapter locking structure, characterized in that, The MPO connector is installed in conjunction with an adapter or optical module. The adapter or optical module has a socket for the MPO connector to be inserted into, and a locking element is installed inside the socket. The MPO connector includes a connecting sleeve and a cable. The end of the connecting sleeve away from the cable has a plug. A housing is fitted onto the connecting sleeve, and the plug has a locking structure that engages with the locking element to lock in place. The MPO connector's adapter locking structure engages with the connecting sleeve and abuts against the end of the housing away from the plug, thus limiting the housing's position.

2. The MPO connector adapter locking structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It has a sleeve portion that is fitted over the outside of the cable and a snap-fit ​​portion that engages with the connecting sleeve.

3. The MPO connector adapter locking structure as described in claim 2, characterized in that, It has a side opening that extends through the sleeve portion and the snap-fit ​​portion.

4. The MPO connector adapter locking structure as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The width of the side opening is less than the thickness of the connecting sleeve.

5. The MPO connector adapter locking structure as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The sleeve part has a tubular structure.

6. The MPO connector adapter locking structure as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The upper and lower portions of the tail end of the connecting sleeve have slots, which are located at the end of the outer shell, and the snap-fit ​​part engages with the slots.

7. The MPO connector adapter locking structure as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The snap-fit ​​part includes a connecting plate that mates with the sleeve part and a set of snap-fit ​​plates that mate with the connecting plate. The snap-fit ​​plates are symmetrically arranged vertically, and each snap-fit ​​plate has a snap-fit ​​strip at its end away from the connecting plate. The snap-fit ​​strips of the two snap-fit ​​plates face opposite directions and are aligned with each other. The snap-fit ​​strips engage with the slot.

8. The MPO connector adapter locking structure as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The end of the snap-fit ​​strip away from the connecting plate has a chamfered edge, and the end of the snap-fit ​​strip facing the connecting plate has a right-angled edge.

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