Single-path optical rotary connector

Abstract

The utility model provides a single-path optical rotary connector, which comprises a stator end and a rotor end, a stator optical fiber collimator is arranged at the stator end, and a stator packaging sleeve is coaxially sleeved on the stator optical fiber collimator; the rotor end is provided with a rotor optical fiber collimator, and the rotor optical fiber collimator is coaxially sleeved with a rotor packaging sleeve. The stator optical fiber collimator and the rotor optical fiber collimator are coaxially arranged in a manner that the head parts are opposite to each other, photocuring adhesive layers for connection are arranged between the stator packaging sleeve and the stator optical fiber collimator as well as between the rotor packaging sleeve and the rotor optical fiber collimator, and the connector is characterized in that corresponding packaging sleeves are sleeved outside the optical fiber collimators; and meanwhile, light curing adhesive layers which can be cured through light are arranged between the stator packaging sleeve and the stator optical fiber collimator and between the rotor packaging sleeve and the rotor optical fiber collimator, so that rapid packaging of the connector is facilitated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of connector technology, and in particular to a single-channel optical rotary connector. Background Technology

[0002] The primary function of an optical rotary connector is to enable uninterrupted optical signal transmission while the device is rotating, facilitating optical signal transmission between two relatively rotating devices. Currently, most fiber optic rotary connectors on the market use collimator mating for signal transmission during rotation. Please refer to [reference needed]. Figure 6 The optical rotary connector contains a rotating component 14 and a collimator 13, comprising a stationary part and a rotating part, which are fixed between two mutually rotating devices, enabling fiber optic communication between the two devices. The advantage of this method is that it can expand the cross-section of the optical fiber transmitting signal by tens of times, improving signal transmission efficiency. However, since the rotating component 14 is usually made of metal, and the collimator 13 is adjusted within a metal housing, a thermosetting adhesive layer 15 is used to connect the collimator 13 and the rotating component 14. This results in a long curing time, low connector encapsulation efficiency, and the heating may affect the transmission performance of the collimator 13. Utility Model Content

[0003] In view of this, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a single-channel optical rotary connector. The connector has a stator encapsulation sleeve installed outside the stator fiber collimator and a rotor encapsulation sleeve installed outside the rotor fiber collimator. A photocurable adhesive layer is provided between the stator encapsulation sleeve and the stator fiber collimator, and between the rotor encapsulation sleeve and the rotor fiber collimator. The photocurable adhesive layer can be quickly cured by passing light through it, which can realize the rapid encapsulation of the connector.

[0004] The technical solution adopted by this utility model to solve the above-mentioned technical problems is as follows:

[0005] A single-path optical rotary connector includes a stator end and a rotor end. The stator end is provided with a stator fiber collimator, and a stator encapsulation sleeve is coaxially fitted onto the stator fiber collimator. The rotor end is provided with a rotor fiber collimator, and a rotor encapsulation sleeve is coaxially fitted onto the rotor fiber collimator. The stator fiber collimator and the rotor fiber collimator are coaxially arranged with their heads facing each other. A photocurable adhesive layer for connection is provided between the stator encapsulation sleeve and the stator fiber collimator, and between the rotor encapsulation sleeve and the rotor fiber collimator.

[0006] Furthermore, it also includes an outer casing, with the end where the rotor fiber collimator is located as the front and the end where the stator fiber collimator is located as the rear. The stator encapsulation sleeve is at least partially exposed outside the outer casing. Light passing through the stator encapsulation sleeve can cure the photocurable adhesive between the stator encapsulation sleeve and the stator fiber collimator, forming a photocurable adhesive layer.

[0007] Furthermore, the rotor fiber collimator is fitted with a rotating shaft, which is installed inside the front section of the housing. The rotating shaft and the housing are rotatably coupled through a bearing assembly.

[0008] Furthermore, the bearing assembly includes a first bearing, a second bearing, and a bushing disposed between the first bearing and the second bearing. The first bearing, the bushing, and the second bearing are sequentially disposed between the rotating shaft and the outer casing from front to back, thereby realizing relative rotation between the stator end and the rotor end. The bushing is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft or has an interference fit.

[0009] Furthermore, a step is provided on the inner wall of the outer casing to limit the rear side of the second bearing; a bearing retaining ring is provided in front of the first bearing to limit the front side of the first bearing.

[0010] Furthermore, a stator flange is fixedly connected to the front end of the outer casing, and the stator flange cooperates with the outer casing to achieve axial fixed positioning of the bearing retaining ring within the connector.

[0011] Furthermore, the bushing has adhesive holes on its sidewall, which enable the bushing to be glued and fixed to the rotating shaft.

[0012] Furthermore, the front section of the rotating shaft is located outside the outer casing and is fixedly connected to a rotor flange, allowing the rotating shaft to rotate synchronously with the rotor flange.

[0013] Furthermore, the rotor flange is filled with adhesive to fix the rotor fiber collimator, rotor encapsulation sleeve, and rotor flange.

[0014] Furthermore, the tail end of the outer casing is fixedly connected or interference-fitted with a tail sleeve, and the tail sleeve is filled with glue to fix the stator fiber collimator, stator encapsulation sleeve and tail sleeve.

[0015] Beneficial effects:

[0016] As described above, the single-channel optical rotary connector of this utility model has the following beneficial effects:

[0017] (1) This utility model uses a packaging sleeve to be placed outside the corresponding optical fiber collimator, and a light-curing adhesive layer is set between the packaging sleeve and the optical fiber collimator. The light-curing adhesive layer can be cured by passing light through it, which can realize the rapid packaging of the connector and avoid the disadvantage of heat curing that can have an adverse effect on the optical fiber collimator.

[0018] (2) In this utility model, the two ends of the bearing assembly are fixed by steps in the outer shell and bearing retaining rings, which can compensate for the cumulative gap caused by machining errors.

[0019] (3) To prevent axial movement of the bearing assembly, the bushing needs to be fixed with adhesive. In the prior art, adhesive is directly applied to the bearing end face or bushing, which causes the adhesive to overflow into the bearing, resulting in the bearing rotating and jamming. This utility model has an adhesive hole on the side wall of the bushing. After assembly, adhesive is applied into the adhesive hole to fix it, which can ensure that the adhesive will not overflow into the bearing.

[0020] (4) In this utility model, the through hole of the outer shell is a stepped hole with a larger front and a smaller back. The stator encapsulation sleeve and the stator fiber collimator are coaxially installed at the small end of the stepped hole, the rotating shaft is coaxially installed at the large end of the stepped hole, and the rotor encapsulation sleeve and the rotor fiber collimator are coaxially installed inside the rotating shaft. This structure facilitates the coaxial setting of the stator fiber collimator and the rotor fiber collimator, thereby reducing the assembly difficulty of the connector.

[0021] (5) The connector in this utility model has a simple and reliable structural design and is relatively easy to process and assemble.

[0022] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. Attached Figure Description

[0023] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in 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.

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the optical rotary connector in this utility model.

[0025] Figure 2 It is a structural schematic diagram of the tail sleeve, outer shell, bearing assembly, rotating shaft, stator flange, bearing retaining ring and rotor flange.

[0026] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the stator end.

[0027] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the rotor end.

[0028] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the bushing structure.

[0029] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an optical rotary connector in the prior art.

[0030] The diagram shows the following markings: 1. Stator fiber optic collimator; 2. Stator encapsulation sleeve; 3. Tail sleeve; 4. Outer shell; 401. Step; 402. Step hole; 5. Bearing assembly; 501. First bearing; 502. Bushing; 5021. Dispensing hole; 503. Second bearing; 6. Rotating shaft; 7. Stator flange; 8. Bearing retaining ring; 9. Rotor encapsulation sleeve; 10. Rotor fiber optic collimator; 11. Rotor flange; 12. Photocurable adhesive layer. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The technical solution of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to specific embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0032] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "upper" and "lower" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of this utility model.

[0033] It should be noted that 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 process, method, article, or apparatus. Unless otherwise specified, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes the element.

[0034] Please refer to Figures 1 to 5 The single-channel optical rotary connector of this invention includes a stator end and a rotor end, the rotor end being able to rotate relative to the stator end. The specific structures of the stator end and the rotor end are described below.

[0035] Please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3The stator end includes an outer casing 4, a tail sleeve 3, a stator fiber collimator 1, a stator encapsulation sleeve 2, and a stator flange 7, with the end containing the stator flange 7 as the front and the end containing the tail sleeve 3 as the rear. Figure 1 For example, the right side is the front end and the left side is the rear end. The outer casing 4 has a sleeve structure, and its internal through hole is a stepped hole 402 that is larger at the front and smaller at the back. The stator fiber collimator 1 is installed at the smaller end of the stepped hole 402, and the stator encapsulation sleeve 2 is coaxially fitted onto the outside of the stator fiber collimator 1. A photocurable adhesive layer 12 is filled between the two. The tail sleeve 3 is fixedly connected to or interference-fitted with the tail of the outer casing 4. The tail sleeve 3 is filled with adhesive to fix the stator fiber collimator 1, the stator encapsulation sleeve 2 and the tail sleeve 3. The stator flange 7 is fixedly connected to or interference-fitted with the front end of the outer casing 4.

[0036] Please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 4 The rotor end includes a rotor fiber collimator 10, a rotor encapsulation sleeve 9, a rotating shaft 6, a bearing assembly 5, and a rotor flange 11. The rotor encapsulation sleeve 9 is coaxially fitted onto the outside of the rotor fiber collimator 10, with a photocurable adhesive layer 12 filling the space between them. The rotor fiber collimator 10 is externally fitted with the rotating shaft 6, which is at least partially installed at the large end of the stepped hole 402 in the outer casing 4. The rotating shaft 6 and the outer casing 4 are rotatably engaged via the bearing assembly 5. The rotor flange 11 is fixedly connected to the front section of the rotating shaft 6, allowing the rotating shaft 6 to rotate synchronously with the rotor flange 11. Adhesive is injected into the rotor flange 11 to secure the rotor fiber collimator 10, the rotor encapsulation sleeve 9, and the rotor flange 11.

[0037] This invention provides photocurable adhesive layers 12 between the stator encapsulation sleeve 2 and the stator fiber collimator 1, and between the rotor encapsulation sleeve 9 and the rotor fiber collimator 10. The photocurable adhesive layers 12 can be cured by passing light through them, thereby realizing the connection between the stator encapsulation sleeve 2 and the stator fiber collimator 1, and the connection between the rotor encapsulation sleeve 9 and the rotor fiber collimator 10. The operation is simple and the curing time is short.

[0038] It should be noted that, in order to facilitate the curing of the photocurable adhesive layer 12 by allowing light to pass through the stator encapsulation sleeve 2 or the rotor encapsulation sleeve 9, the location and materials of the stator encapsulation sleeve 2 or the rotor encapsulation sleeve 9 must meet the following requirements: (1) The stator encapsulation sleeve 2 is at least partially exposed outside the outer shell 4, so that light (usually ultraviolet light) can pass through the stator encapsulation sleeve 2 to cure the photocurable adhesive poured between the exposed part of the stator encapsulation sleeve 2 and the stator fiber collimator 1; similarly, the rotor encapsulation sleeve 9 is at least partially exposed outside the rotating shaft 6, so that light can pass through the rotor encapsulation sleeve 9 to cure the photocurable adhesive poured between the exposed part of the rotor encapsulation sleeve 9 and the rotor fiber collimator 10; (2) The stator encapsulation sleeve 2 or the rotor encapsulation sleeve 9 is made of a light-transmitting material, such as glass or ceramic, to facilitate light transmission.

[0039] For details, please refer to Figure 2 The bearing assembly 5 of this invention includes a first bearing 501, a second bearing 503, and a bushing 502 disposed between the first bearing 501 and the second bearing 503. The first bearing 501, bushing 502, and second bearing 503 are sequentially arranged from front to back between the rotating shaft 6 and the outer casing 4, thereby achieving relative rotation between the stator end and the rotor end. The bushing 502 is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft 6 or has an interference fit. A step 401 is provided on the inner wall of the outer casing 4 to limit the rear side of the second bearing 503; a bearing retaining ring 8 is provided in front of the first bearing 501 to limit the front side of the first bearing 501. The bearing retaining ring 8 is fixed by the fit between the stator flange 7 and the inner wall of the outer casing 4.

[0040] To prevent axial movement of the bearing assembly 5, the bushing 502 needs to be fixed with adhesive. The conventional practice in the prior art is to apply adhesive to the bearing end face or the bushing 502 for fixation, but this may cause adhesive to overflow into the bearing assembly 5, leading to bearing rotational jamming. Therefore, please refer to... Figure 5 This utility model has two glue dispensing holes 5021 on the bushing 502. After assembly, glue is dispensed into the glue dispensing holes 5021 for fixation, which can ensure that the glue will not overflow into the bearing assembly 5.

[0041] The debugging and installation method of the connector in this utility model is as follows:

[0042] (1) Debugging: First, assemble the outer shell 4, bearing assembly 5, rotating shaft 6, bearing retaining ring 8, and stator flange 7 into a whole. Then, install the stator encapsulation sleeve 2 inside the outer shell 4 and the rotor encapsulation sleeve 9 inside the rotating shaft 6. Use an adjustment frame to clamp the stator fiber collimator 1 and insert it into the stator encapsulation sleeve 2. Then, use another adjustment frame to clamp the rotor fiber collimator 10 and insert it into the rotor encapsulation sleeve 9. The rotating shaft 6 is coaxial with the mechanical shaft of the outer shell 4. The two are connected by the bearing assembly 5 to achieve relative rotation. The fiber collimator expands the fine beam transmitted in the fiber into a larger collimated beam. By adjusting the adjustment frames at both ends, the stator fiber collimator 1 and the rotor fiber collimator 10 are aligned and coupled to ensure that the optical axes of the stator fiber collimator 1 and the rotor fiber collimator 10 are coaxial, so that the beam can achieve bidirectional transmission when the stator and rotor rotate relative to each other. At the same time, the larger beam has a certain anti-interference capability. Even if there is a certain jump during the rotation, it will not have a significant impact on the signal transmission process.

[0043] (2) Forming photocurable adhesive layer 12: After debugging, fill the space between the stator encapsulation sleeve 2 and the stator fiber collimator 1, and between the rotor encapsulation sleeve 9 and the rotor fiber collimator 10 with photocurable adhesive, and pass light through it to quickly cure and form photocurable adhesive layer 12.

[0044] (3) Assemble other components: fix the tail sleeve 3 to the tail of the outer shell 4, fix the rotor flange 11 to the front of the rotating shaft 6, and fill the tail sleeve 3 and rotor flange 11 with glue so that the stator encapsulation sleeve 2 is reliably connected to the tail sleeve 3 and the rotor encapsulation kit 9 ​​is reliably connected to the rotor flange 11, and finally achieve a reliable connection of the connector as a whole.

[0045] The single-channel optical rotary connector provided by this utility model has been described in detail above. Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principle and specific implementation of this utility model. The above embodiments are only used to help understand the method and core idea of ​​this utility model. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, any simple modifications, equivalent changes, and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of this utility model fall within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A single-channel optical rotary connector, characterized in that, The device includes a stator end and a rotor end. The stator end is provided with a stator fiber collimator (1), and a stator encapsulation sleeve (2) is coaxially fitted on the stator fiber collimator (1). The rotor end is provided with a rotor fiber collimator (10), and a rotor encapsulation sleeve (9) is coaxially fitted on the rotor fiber collimator (10). The stator fiber collimator (1) and the rotor fiber collimator (10) are coaxially arranged with their heads facing each other. A photocurable adhesive layer (12) is provided between the stator encapsulation sleeve (2) and the stator fiber collimator (1), and between the rotor encapsulation sleeve (9) and the rotor fiber collimator (10) to serve as a connection.

2. The single-channel optical rotary connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes an outer shell (4), with the end where the rotor fiber collimator (10) is located as the front and the end where the stator fiber collimator (1) is located as the rear. The stator encapsulation sleeve (2) is at least partially exposed outside the outer shell (4). Light passing through the stator encapsulation sleeve (2) can cure the photocurable adhesive between the stator encapsulation sleeve (2) and the stator fiber collimator (1) to form a photocurable adhesive layer (12).

3. A single-channel optical rotary connector according to claim 2, characterized in that, The rotor fiber collimator (10) is fitted with a rotating shaft (6), which is installed inside the front section of the outer shell (4). The rotating shaft (6) and the outer shell (4) are rotated together by a bearing assembly (5).

4. A single-channel optical rotary connector according to claim 3, characterized in that, The bearing assembly (5) includes a first bearing (501), a second bearing (503), and a bushing (502) disposed between the first bearing (501) and the second bearing (503). The first bearing (501), the bushing (502), and the second bearing (503) are arranged sequentially from front to back between the rotating shaft (6) and the outer casing (4) to achieve relative rotation between the stator end and the rotor end. The bushing (502) is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft (6) or has an interference fit.

5. A single-channel optical rotary connector according to claim 4, characterized in that, The inner wall of the outer shell (4) is provided with a step (401) for limiting the rear side of the second bearing (503); a bearing retaining ring (8) is provided in front of the first bearing (501) for limiting the front side of the first bearing (501).

6. A single-channel optical rotary connector according to claim 5, characterized in that, The front end of the outer shell (4) is fixedly connected to a stator flange (7), and the stator flange (7) cooperates with the outer shell (4) to achieve axial fixed positioning of the bearing retainer (8) in the connector.

7. A single-channel optical rotary connector according to claim 4, characterized in that, The bushing (502) has a glue hole (5021) on its side wall, which can be used to glue and fix the bushing (502) to the rotating shaft (6).

8. A single-channel optical rotary connector according to claim 3, characterized in that, The front section of the rotating shaft (6) is located outside the outer shell (4) and is fixedly connected to the rotor flange (11). The rotating shaft (6) can rotate synchronously with the rotor flange (11).

9. A single-channel optical rotary connector according to claim 8, characterized in that, The rotor flange (11) is filled with glue to fix the rotor fiber collimator (10), rotor encapsulation sleeve (9) and rotor flange (11).

10. A single-channel optical rotary connector according to claim 2, characterized in that, The tail of the outer shell (4) is fixedly connected or interference-fitted with a tail sleeve (3), and the tail sleeve (3) is filled with glue to fix the stator fiber collimator (1), the stator encapsulation sleeve (2) and the tail sleeve (3).

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