Optical fiber assembly and laser radar transmitting assembly

Abstract

The utility model provides an optical fiber assembly and a laser radar transmitting assembly. The optical fiber assembly comprises an optical fiber array, an optical fiber coupler, a plurality of optical fibers and a protective sleeve. The optical fiber array and the optical fiber coupler are connected through a plurality of optical fibers; the protective sleeve passes through the plurality of optical fibers between the optical fiber array and the optical fiber coupler, and one end, close to the optical fiber coupler, of the protective sleeve at least partially covers the surface of the optical fiber coupler. A protective sleeve is arranged outside a plurality of parallel optical fibers between an optical fiber array and an optical fiber coupler, the protective sleeve wraps part of the optical fibers, one end of the protective sleeve at least covers part of the surface of the optical fiber coupler, and the other end of the protective sleeve does not completely wrap the plurality of parallel optical fibers. Therefore, partial optical fibers on one side, close to the optical fiber array, of the plurality of parallel optical fibers are completely exposed; the protective sleeve can protect a plurality of parallel optical fibers from being damaged in the using process, the working capability of the optical fiber assembly in different environments is improved, the service life of the product is prolonged, and meanwhile the manufacturing cost is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of fiber optic detection technology, and in particular to a fiber optic assembly and a lidar transmitting assembly. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of fiber optic detection technology, improving the effective detection distance and detection capability under complex conditions has always been a key pursuit. For example, the 1550nm detection component uses single-mode fiber, enabling the fiber laser at the transmitter end of the detection component to achieve nearly 100% energy transmission efficiency when passing through a single-mode fiber splitter. This significant advantage greatly enhances the effective detection distance of the detection component, while also ensuring its detection capability under various complex conditions such as rain, fog, and dust, demonstrating excellent application potential and performance.

[0003] However, it cannot be ignored that the inherent structural characteristics of single-mode fiber make it susceptible to damage. This problem has become increasingly prominent as fiber optic components have progressed towards large-scale commercialization. During the manufacturing process of detection components, fiber damage is relatively frequent, directly leading to a significant decrease in yield. A lower yield means that more resources need to be invested in the production process to compensate for the losses caused by damaged products, resulting in high production costs for the entire detection component. This severely restricts its large-scale promotion and application, hindering its further development on the path to commercialization. Utility Model Content

[0004] This invention provides an optical fiber assembly and a lidar transmitting assembly, which solves the problem of easy damage to existing single-mode optical fibers and improves product yield.

[0005] An optical fiber assembly includes an optical fiber array, an optical fiber coupler, a plurality of optical fibers, and a protective sleeve; the optical fiber array and the optical fiber coupler are connected by the plurality of optical fibers; the protective sleeve passes through the plurality of optical fibers between the optical fiber array and the optical fiber coupler, and the end of the protective sleeve near the optical fiber coupler at least partially covers the surface of the optical fiber coupler.

[0006] Furthermore, the protective sleeve does not completely cover several of the optical fibers at the end near the optical fiber array, leaving several optical fibers near the optical fiber array exposed and not covered.

[0007] Furthermore, the optical fiber is a single-mode optical fiber or a multimode optical fiber, etc.

[0008] Optionally, the protective sleeve is a heat-shrinkable sleeve, which can achieve the function of heat shrinking at a certain temperature.

[0009] Furthermore, optionally, the material of the heat shrink tubing includes ethylene vinyl acetate or polyolefin materials.

[0010] In some other embodiments, the inner diameter of the protective sleeve is greater than 2.5 mm.

[0011] In some embodiments, at least one optical fiber is provided at the end of the optical fiber coupler away from the protective sleeve.

[0012] The protective sleeve covering the fiber optic coupler has a coverage length of 0.5 to 10 cm.

[0013] Based on the above embodiment, a flexible sleeve is provided outside the optical fiber at the end of the optical fiber coupler away from the protective sleeve.

[0014] Optionally, the flexible sleeve is made of a different material than the protective sleeve.

[0015] Furthermore, the fiber array and the fiber coupler include at least four optical fibers.

[0016] Meanwhile, this application provides a lidar emitting component, which includes the fiber optic component described in any of the foregoing embodiments; the wavelength of the laser is 1535±25nm.

[0017] This application involves installing protective sleeves around multiple parallel optical fibers between the fiber array and the fiber coupler. The protective sleeves partially cover the fibers, with one end covering at least a portion of the fiber coupler's surface. The other end of the sleeve does not completely cover the multiple parallel optical fibers, leaving a portion of the fibers closer to the fiber array completely exposed. This facilitates operation of the fiber array when adapted to a laser emitter. The protective sleeves protect the multiple parallel optical fibers from damage during use or exposure to high temperatures, high humidity, and high pressure environments, improving the fiber optic assembly's performance in various conditions, preventing damage, extending product lifespan, and reducing the manufacturing cost of the lidar. Furthermore, a flexible sleeve is installed around the fiber at the end of the fiber coupler furthest from the protective sleeve, providing protection for fibers at different locations. This is beneficial. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments 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.

[0019] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an optical fiber device provided by this utility model Figure 1 ;

[0020] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of an optical fiber device provided by this utility model Figure 2 ;

[0021] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of an optical fiber device provided by this utility model Figure 3 ;

[0022] Figure 4 A schematic diagram showing the protective sleeve provided by this utility model encasing several optical fibers;

[0023] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a flexible sleeve wrapping an optical fiber, as provided in this embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0024] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present invention, the technical solutions of the present invention 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 invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort should fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0025] like Figure 1 As shown, this application provides an optical fiber assembly, including an optical fiber array 1, an optical fiber coupler 3, a plurality of optical fibers 2, and a protective sleeve 4; the optical fiber array 1 and the optical fiber coupler 3 are connected by a plurality of optical fibers 2; the protective sleeve 4 passes through the plurality of optical fibers 2 between the optical fiber array 1 and the optical fiber coupler 3, and the end of the protective sleeve 4 near the optical fiber coupler 3 at least partially covers the surface of the optical fiber coupler 3.

[0026] In detail, such as Figure 1 The optical fiber assembly includes an optical fiber array 1 and an optical fiber coupler 3, with the optical fiber array 1 and the optical fiber coupler 3 connected by multiple optical fibers 2. In one embodiment, the optical fiber array 1 and the optical fiber coupler 3 are connected by four optical fibers 2. A protective sleeve 4 passes through the multiple optical fibers 2, and the end of the protective sleeve 4 near the optical fiber coupler 3 at least partially covers the surface of the optical fiber coupler 3.

[0027] like Figure 1 As shown, one end of the protective sleeve 4 partially covers part of the surface of the fiber optic coupler 3, thereby achieving a sealed connection between one end of the protective sleeve 4 and the fiber optic coupler 3.

[0028] The optical fiber 2 is a single-mode optical fiber or a multimode optical fiber, or other optical fiber devices commonly used in the field.

[0029] The fiber optic assembly is used in a lidar with a wavelength of 1550nm.

[0030] Furthermore, the protective sleeve 4 covers one end of the surface of the fiber optic coupler 3, and the coverage distance does not exceed half the length of the fiber optic coupler 3.

[0031] Furthermore, based on the aforementioned embodiments, the protective sleeve 4 covers the fiber optic coupler with a coverage length of 0.5 to 10 cm.

[0032] Optionally, the protective sleeve 4 is a heat-shrink tubing. The material and heat shrinkage rate of the heat-shrink tubing are selected to ensure that it can protect multiple optical fibers after heat shrinking, significantly reducing fiber damage, and meeting the reliability requirements of 1550nm lidar on automotive-grade 16949 without damaging the optical fibers.

[0033] In detail, heat shrink tubing can achieve heat shrinkage at certain temperatures, such as within a temperature range of -40℃ to 125℃. This allows the heat shrink tubing to completely wrap around multiple optical fibers, protecting them from damage caused by environmental disturbances.

[0034] Furthermore, the heat shrink tubing includes polyolefin materials.

[0035] Furthermore, the heat shrink tubing includes ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA).

[0036] Optionally, the inner diameter of the protective sleeve is greater than 2.5 mm or greater than 3 mm; and the shrunk size is less than 1.25 mm or less than 1.5 mm.

[0037] In some embodiments, the protective sleeve 4 passes through multiple optical fibers 2 at one end near the optical fiber array 1 but does not completely cover the optical fiber array 1. That is, several optical fibers 2 are partially exposed at one end near the optical fiber array 1 and are not completely covered by the protective sleeve 4.

[0038] In the above embodiment, the protective sleeve 4 does not cover one end of the optical fiber 2. The exposed part of the optical fiber 2 is sealed to achieve a sealed connection between the two, that is, the end of the protective sleeve 4 is sealed to the optical fiber.

[0039] Alternatively, adhesive can be used to seal the connection between the protective sleeve 4 and the optical fiber 2.

[0040] Furthermore, at least one optical fiber 2 is provided at the end of the optical fiber coupler 3 furthest from the protective sleeve 4; combined with Figure 2 ,for Figure 1 Enlarged view of local structure, such as Figure 2 As shown, a flexible sleeve 6 is provided outside the optical fiber 2 at the end of the optical fiber coupler 3 away from the protective sleeve 4. The flexible sleeve 6 is used to protect the optical fiber 2, and the flexible sleeve 6 completely wraps the optical fiber 2.

[0041] The protective sleeve 4 is made of a different material than the flexible sleeve 6.

[0042] The flexible sleeve 6 has an inner diameter greater than or equal to 0.4 mm and an outer diameter less than or equal to 0.9 mm.

[0043] exist Figure 5 The diagram shows a schematic of a flexible sleeve 6 wrapping an optical fiber 2.

[0044] like Figure 2 As shown, one end of the flexible sleeve 6 extends into the interior of the optical fiber coupler 3, while the other end completely encloses the optical fiber.

[0045] Combination Figure 1 and Figure 3 The fiber array 1 and the fiber coupler 3 include at least four optical fibers. Figure 4 As shown, four optical fibers 2 are wrapped in a protective sleeve 4.

[0046] like Figure 3 The protective sleeve 4 partially wraps around the four optical fibers, such that one end of the protective sleeve 4 covers one end of the optical fiber coupler 3, and the other end of the protective sleeve 4 partially wraps around all the optical fibers, leaving the portion of the optical fiber close to the optical fiber array 1 exposed.

[0047] This application provides a lidar transmitter, including the fiber optic assembly of the aforementioned embodiment; the lidar has a wavelength of 1535±25nm, or in one embodiment, a wavelength of 1550nm.

[0048] This application provides a protective sleeve 4 around multiple parallel optical fibers between the fiber array 1 and the fiber coupler 3. One end of the protective sleeve covers at least part of the surface of the fiber coupler, while the other end does not completely enclose the multiple parallel optical fibers. This leaves a portion of the multiple parallel optical fibers near the fiber array completely exposed, facilitating operation of the fiber array when adapted to a laser emitter. The protective sleeve protects the multiple parallel optical fibers from damage during use or resistance to high temperature, high humidity, and high pressure environments, improving the fiber optic assembly's performance in different environments, preventing damage, extending product lifespan, and reducing the manufacturing cost of the lidar. Simultaneously, a flexible sleeve is provided around the optical fiber at the end of the fiber coupler furthest from the protective sleeve, providing protection for the optical fibers at different locations.

[0049] The specific embodiments described above do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this utility model. Those skilled in the art should understand that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations, and substitutions can be made according to design requirements and other factors. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the scope of protection of this utility model.

Claims

1. An optical fiber assembly, comprising: It includes an optical fiber array, an optical fiber coupler, a plurality of optical fibers, and a protective sleeve; the optical fiber array and the optical fiber coupler are connected by the plurality of optical fibers; the protective sleeve passes through the plurality of optical fibers between the optical fiber array and the optical fiber coupler, and the end of the protective sleeve near the optical fiber coupler at least partially covers the surface of the optical fiber coupler.

2. An optical fiber assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The protective sleeve does not completely cover several of the optical fibers at one end near the optical fiber array.

3. An optical fiber assembly according to any one of claims 1-2, characterized in that The protective sleeve is a heat shrink tubing.

4. An optical fiber assembly according to claim 3, wherein, The heat shrink tubing is made of ethylene vinyl acetate or polyolefin materials.

5. An optical fiber assembly according to claim 2 or 4, wherein, The inner diameter of the protective sleeve is greater than 2.5 mm.

6. An optical fiber assembly according to claim 5, wherein, At least one optical fiber is provided at the end of the optical fiber coupler away from the protective sleeve.

7. An optical fiber assembly according to claim 6, wherein, A flexible sleeve is provided outside the optical fiber at the end of the optical fiber coupler away from the protective sleeve.

8. An optical fiber assembly according to claim 7, wherein, The protective sleeve covering the fiber optic coupler has a coverage length of 0.5 to 10 cm.

9. The fiber optic assembly of claim 1, wherein, The fiber array and the fiber coupler include at least four optical fibers.

10. A ladar launch assembly, comprising: The lidar emitting component includes the fiber optic component as described in any one of claims 1 to 9; the wavelength of the laser is 1535±25nm.

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