Optical cable end sealing device

Abstract

The embodiment of the utility model provides an optical cable end part sealing device, which comprises an inner crimping ring, the inner crimping ring comprises an extrusion part and a pressing part, the extrusion part and the pressing part are fixedly connected along a first direction, the first direction is the extension direction of an optical fiber, the extrusion part sleeves the outer side of a protection rubber sheet, the pressing part comprises an extrusion surface, the extrusion surface faces the extrusion part, and the pressing part is fixedly connected with the extrusion part; the optical fiber and the aramid fiber penetrate through the extrusion part and the pressing part; the gel block can be elastically deformed, the gel block is arranged in the pressing part, a through hole is formed in the gel block, the optical fiber penetrates through the gel block, and the extrusion surface is pressed on the gel block so that the gel block can abut against the end face of the protection rubber sheet and the optical fiber; and the outer crimping ring is arranged outside the inner crimping ring in a sleeving manner and extrudes the aramid fiber on the outer side of the extrusion part. According to the optical cable end sealing device, the end of the optical cable can be better sealed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of optical cable technology, and in particular to an optical cable end sealing device. Background Technology

[0002] Optical fiber cables are widely used in current technologies. Their primary function is to transmit optical signals, and as a communication transmission medium, they play a crucial role in multiple fields. Their applications are broad; optical cables utilize optical fibers to transmit optical signals, which are converted into light pulses and transmitted through the fiber via total internal reflection. Upon reaching their destination, they are converted back into electrical signals, thus achieving fast and reliable information transmission. Optical cables possess advantages such as high bandwidth, long transmission distance, low loss, and strong anti-interference capabilities, making them the preferred technology for modern communication. When connecting optical cables to splice boxes, terminal equipment, and other devices, the optical fibers need to be exposed, requiring sealing of the fiber ends. However, using traditional heat-shrink tubing for sealing is prone to gaps due to temperature changes, or delamination due to excessive bending. The production and assembly of heat-shrink tubing is difficult, the heat-shrinking temperature is hard to control, and it can easily damage the fragile internal optical fibers. Quality inspection of the heat-shrink tubing's sealing performance is also difficult. Therefore, a more reliable and robust optical cable end sealing device is needed. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention aims to at least solve one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, the present invention proposes an optical cable end sealing device that can better seal the end of the optical cable.

[0004] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an optical cable end sealing device is used to seal the end of an optical cable. The optical cable includes an optical fiber, aramid fiber, and a protective sheath. The protective sheath wraps around the optical fiber, and the aramid fiber is fixedly disposed on the protective sheath and wrapped around the outside of the optical fiber. The optical cable end sealing device includes: an inner crimping ring, which includes a squeezing part and a pressing part, the squeezing part and the pressing part being fixedly connected along a first direction, the first direction being the extension direction of the optical fiber. The squeezing part is sleeved on the outside of the protective sheath, and the pressing part includes a squeezing surface facing the squeezing part. The optical fiber and the aramid fiber pass through the squeezing part and the pressing part; a gel block, which is elastically deformable and disposed inside the pressing part. The gel block has a through hole, through which the optical fiber passes. The squeezing surface presses on the gel block so that the gel block abuts against the end face of the protective sheath and the optical fiber; and an outer crimping ring, which is sleeved outside the inner crimping ring and squeezes the aramid fiber on the outside of the squeezing part.

[0005] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an optical cable end sealing device has at least the following advantages: The inner and outer pressure rings, by compressing the protective rubber, can fix the inner and outer pressure rings to the end of the cable. Simultaneously, the inner pressure ring compresses the gel block, causing the gel block to compress the end of the cable. Furthermore, a tensile force can be applied to the aramid fiber between the inner and outer pressure rings before compressing the outer pressure ring, thus giving the inner pressure ring a pre-pressure on the gel block. Then, while maintaining the tensile force applied to the aramid fiber, the outer pressure ring can be compressed to fix the outer and inner pressure rings relative to the aramid fiber, thereby ensuring that the inner pressure ring applies pressure to the gel block, causing the gel block to seal the end of the cable.

[0006] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the cross-sections of both the inner and outer pressure rings are hexagonal, and the normal direction of the cross-sections is a first direction.

[0007] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the side of the outer pressure ring facing the outer pressure ring is provided with a protrusion.

[0008] According to some embodiments of the present invention, one end of the outer pressure ring extends out from the side of the extrusion portion opposite to the pressing portion, and extrudes the aramid fiber to the outside of the protective rubber.

[0009] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the outer pressure ring is provided with a positioning surface, and the positioning surface abuts against the outer pressure ring along the first direction.

[0010] According to some embodiments of the present invention, one end of the outer pressure ring extends out of the side of the pressing portion opposite to the squeezing portion, and at least a portion of the outer pressure ring abuts against the side of the pressing portion opposite to the squeezing portion.

[0011] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the inner pressure ring further includes an extension through which both the optical fiber and the aramid fiber pass, and the outer pressure ring does not extend beyond the end of the extension that is away from the pressing portion.

[0012] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the pressing part further includes an abutting surface, the normal direction of the abutting surface being a first direction, and used to abut against the end face of the protective rubber.

[0013] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the aramid fibers are wrapped around the outside of the gel block.

[0014] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the gel block has an opening that extends through the gel block along the first direction and connects the through hole to the outside of the gel block, so that the optical fiber can enter the through hole through the opening.

[0015] Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is an exploded structural diagram of an optical cable end sealing device according to the present invention;

[0017] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an optical cable end sealing device before the outer pressure ring is fitted;

[0018] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the optical cable end sealing device before the compression external pressure ring of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional structural schematic diagram of an optical cable end sealing device according to the present invention;

[0020] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an optical cable end sealing device before and after the compression of the external pressure ring according to the present invention.

[0021] Icon labels:

[0022] 1. Optical cable; 11. Optical fiber; 12. Aramid fiber; 13. Protective rubber; 2. Inner pressure ring; 21. Extrusion part; 22. Pressing part; 23. Extension part; 24. Extrusion surface; 25. Abutment surface; 3. Outer pressure ring; 31. Positioning surface; 32. Protrusion; 4. Gel block; 41. Through hole. Detailed Implementation

[0023] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0024] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the orientation descriptions, such as up, down, front, back, left, right, etc., are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention 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 this invention.

[0025] In the description of this invention, "several" means one or more, "multiple" means two or more, "greater than," "less than," and "exceeding" are understood to exclude the stated number, while "above," "below," and "within" are understood to include the stated number. The use of "first" and "second" in the description is merely for distinguishing technical features and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance, or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features, or implicitly indicating the order of the indicated technical features.

[0026] In the description of this invention, unless otherwise explicitly defined, terms such as "set up," "install," and "connect" should be interpreted broadly, and those skilled in the art can reasonably determine the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention in conjunction with the specific content of the technical solution.

[0027] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5According to a first aspect embodiment of the present invention, an optical cable end sealing device is used to seal the end of an optical cable 1. The optical cable 1 includes an optical fiber 11, an aramid fiber 12, and a protective sheath 13. The protective sheath 13 wraps around the optical fiber 11, and the aramid fiber 12 is fixedly disposed on the protective sheath 13 and wrapped around the outside of the optical fiber 11. The optical cable end sealing device includes: an inner pressure ring 2, an outer pressure ring 3, and a gel block 4. The inner pressure ring 2 includes a squeezing part 21 and a pressing part 22, which are fixedly connected along a first direction, the extension direction of the optical fiber 11. Part 21 is sleeved on the outside of the protective rubber 13. Pressing part 22 includes extrusion surface 24 facing extrusion part 21. Optical fiber 11 and aramid fiber 12 pass through extrusion part 21 and pressing part 22. Gel block 4 is elastically deformable and is disposed inside pressing part 22. Gel block 4 is provided with through hole 41. Optical fiber 11 passes through gel block 4. Extrusion surface 24 presses on gel block 4 so that gel block 4 abuts against end face of protective rubber 13 and optical fiber 11. Outer crimping ring 3 is sleeved on the outside of inner crimping ring 2 and presses aramid fiber 12 on the outside of extrusion part 21. At the end of the optical cable 1, the protective sheath 13 needs to be peeled off to expose the optical fiber 11. Aramid fiber 12 extends from the protective sheath 13, passing through the gel block 4 and the inner crimping ring 2. After passing through the inner crimping ring 2, the aramid fiber 12 is turned outwards, wrapping around the outside of the inner crimping ring 2. When the aramid fiber 12 is tightened, it presses against the inner crimping ring 2, thus pressing it firmly against the gel block 4. Then, an outer crimping ring 3 is fitted over the inner crimping ring 2 and the aramid fiber 12, fixing the aramid fiber 12 between them. This fixing can be achieved by threaded compression or by deforming the outer crimping ring. It should be noted that in optical cable 1, aramid fiber 12 is fixed in the protective rubber 13, and aramid fiber 12 cannot be pulled out by pulling.

[0028] When the outer pressure ring 3 is squeezed and deformed, not only the outer pressure ring 3 but also the inner pressure ring 2 will deform. At this time, not only can the aramid fiber 12 be fixed between the outer pressure ring 3 and the inner pressure ring 2, but the inner pressure ring 2 can also be fixed to the protective rubber 13 by squeezing.

[0029] Aramid 12 is a high-performance synthetic fiber with excellent properties such as lightweight, flame retardancy, temperature resistance, insulation, radiation resistance, high strength, and high elastic modulus. It is a high-tech synthetic fiber produced by the polycondensation and spinning of aromatic compounds, and its full name is aromatic polyamide fiber. The unique advantages of aramid 12 fiber, such as its light weight, good flexibility, high tensile strength, high tensile modulus, low coefficient of linear expansion, and good environmental resistance, make it very suitable as a reinforcing material for optical fiber cables. In optical cable 1, aramid 12 mainly plays the following roles: First, aramid 12 fiber can serve as a tensile element in optical cable 1. In some special situations, such as high-voltage and other strong electric field locations, metal materials cannot be used to prevent lightning strikes. However, non-metallic materials like aramid 12 have good insulation properties, which can prevent lightning strikes and ensure that optical cable 1 is not affected. At the same time, optical cable 1 using aramid 12 as a reinforcing element is lighter, reducing the load on power poles. Second, aramid 12 fiber can protect optical fiber 11. Aramid 12 fibers can buffer external stress by making full contact with optical fiber 11, thereby protecting the optical fiber 11. This characteristic allows aramid 12 fibers to fully meet the requirements of optical cable 1 for mechanical protection, flame retardancy, environmental protection, and environmental resistance of the reinforcing element. Furthermore, aramid 12 fibers can also improve the flexibility and abrasion resistance of optical cable 1. During the use of optical cable 1, it often needs to undergo various complex environments and conditions, such as bending, stretching, and abrasion. The flexibility and abrasion resistance of aramid 12 fibers enable optical cable 1 to better adapt to these environments and conditions, thereby ensuring the normal transmission and service life of optical cable 1.

[0030] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the cross-sections of both the inner crimp ring 2 and the outer crimp ring 3 are hexagonal, with the normal direction of the cross-section being the first direction. The fact that the cross-sections of both the inner and outer crimp rings 2 and 3 are hexagonal means that after the outer crimp ring 3 is compressed, the cross-sections of both the inner and outer crimp rings deform into hexagons. At this point, the inner and outer crimp rings 2 and 3 are less prone to relative rotation, and also less prone to rotation relative to the optical cable 1. The cross-sections of both the inner and outer crimp rings 2 and 3 are set to regular hexagons because a regular hexagon is one of the most mechanically stable polygons, providing a uniform stress distribution and reducing deformation during tightening or loosening. The diagonal direction of a regular hexagon has higher strength, enabling it to withstand greater torque, thus providing better mechanical properties and making the inner and outer crimp rings 2 and 3 less prone to rotation.

[0031] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the outer crimping ring 3 is characterized by having a protrusion 32 on the side facing the outer crimping ring 3, which means that the protrusion 32 is formed after the outer crimping ring 3 is squeezed. After the protrusion 32 is formed on the side facing the outer crimping ring 3, the inner crimping ring 2 will also form a shape that matches the volume, thereby making it less likely for the inner crimping ring 2 and the outer crimping ring 3 to rotate with the cable.

[0032] According to some embodiments of the present invention, one end of the outer compression ring 3 extends out as a compression portion 21 facing away from the pressing portion 22, and presses the aramid fiber 12 against the outside of the protective rubber 13. This makes it easier to apply tension to the aramid fiber 12 simultaneously when compressing the outer compression ring 3. This allows the inner compression ring 2 to better maintain the compressive force on the gel block 4, thereby allowing the gel block 4 to better seal the end of the optical cable 1.

[0033] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a positioning surface 31 is provided on the outer pressure ring 3, and the positioning surface 31 abuts against the outer pressure ring 3 along a first direction. By providing the positioning surface 31, the outer pressure ring 3 can be positioned in the first direction. This makes the position of the outer pressure ring 3 in the first direction more accurate when it is fitted.

[0034] According to some embodiments of the present invention, one end of the outer pressure ring 3 extends out to the side of the pressing portion 22 opposite to the pressing portion 21, and at least a portion of the outer pressure ring 3 abuts against the side of the pressing portion 22 opposite to the pressing portion 21. This allows the outer pressure ring 3 and the inner pressure ring 2 to fit more tightly, thereby better securing the outer pressure ring 3 and the inner pressure ring 2.

[0035] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the inner compression ring 2 further includes an extension 23 through which both the optical fiber 11 and the aramid fiber 12 pass, and the outer compression ring 3 does not extend beyond the end of the extension 23 away from the pressing part 22. By providing the extension 23, the outer compression ring 3 is prevented from touching the optical fiber 11 after being squeezed and deformed, thereby better protecting the optical fiber 11 from damage.

[0036] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the pressing part 22 further includes an abutting surface 25, the normal direction of which is a first direction, and is used to abut against the end face of the protective rubber 13. After the gel block 4 is squeezed, the abutting surface 25 abuts against the end face of the protective rubber 13, thereby preventing excessive squeezing of the gel block 4, i.e., avoiding damage to the gel block 4, and also avoiding damage caused by excessive squeezing force of the gel block 4 on the optical fiber 11.

[0037] When sealing the end of optical cable 1, the sealing method includes: fitting a gel block 4 onto optical fiber 11; fitting an inner crimping ring 2 over optical fiber 11 and aramid fiber 12, and abutting the gel block 4 against the end face of protective sheath 13. After fitting the gel block 4 onto optical fiber 11, aramid fiber 12 can pass through the inside of the gel block 4 or wrap around the gel block 4 from the outside. Fitting an outer crimping ring 3 over the outside of the inner crimping ring 2, and placing the aramid fiber 12 between the inner and outer crimping rings, the outer crimping ring 3 presses against the inner crimping ring 2 so that the gel block 4 abuts against the end face of protective sheath 13 and optical fiber 11. At this time, the gel block 4 undergoes elastic deformation and seals the end of optical cable 1. The outside of the outer crimping ring is squeezed by a clamp to deform the outer crimping ring 3 and the inner crimping ring 2, and the aramid fiber 12 is clamped between the outer crimping ring 3 and the inner crimping ring 2. After the outer crimping ring 3 and the inner crimping ring 2 are deformed, they are not only relatively fixed together, but the inner crimping ring 2 is also fixed to the protective rubber 13. Simultaneously, the inner crimping ring 2 remains in a pressing state against the gel block 4, thus sealing the end of the optical cable 1. Furthermore, after the outer crimping ring 3 and the inner crimping ring 2 are deformed, the gel block 4 fills the gap between the inner crimping ring 2 and the end face of the protective rubber 13.

[0038] According to some embodiments of the present invention, after the inner crimping ring 2 is fitted over the optical fiber 11 and the aramid fiber 12, and before the outer crimping ring 3 is pressed by the clamp, the aramid fiber 12 is wrapped around the outside of the inner crimping ring 2 and tightened so that the inner crimping ring 2 presses against the gel block 4. Tightening the aramid fiber 12 can better control the pressure applied by the inner crimping ring 2 to the gel block 4. At the same time, it can also prevent the aramid fiber 12 from loosening, making the fixation of the inner crimping ring 2 and the outer crimping ring 3 on the optical cable 1 more secure.

[0039] According to some embodiments of the present invention, after the gel block 4 is fitted onto the optical fiber 11, and before the inner compression ring 2 is fitted onto the optical fiber 11 and the aramid fiber 12, the aramid fiber 12 is wrapped around the gel block 4. This allows the gel block 4 to better adhere to the optical fiber 11 when the aramid fiber 12 is tightened, thereby achieving a better sealing effect.

[0040] Furthermore, the gel block 4 has an opening that extends through the gel block 4 along a first direction, connecting the through hole 41 and the outside of the gel block 4, so that the optical fiber 11 can enter the through hole 41 through the opening. When the gel block 4 is fitted onto the optical fiber 11, it is not necessary for the end of the optical fiber 11 to pass through the through hole 41; the optical fiber 11 can be accommodated in the through hole 41 simply by wrapping it around from the side through the opening.

[0041] According to some embodiments of the present invention, before the outer edge of the outer crimp sleeve is pressed by the clamp, the cross-sections of the inner crimp ring 2 and the outer crimp ring 3 are both circular, thus facilitating their placement on the protective rubber 13. After the outer edge of the outer crimp sleeve is pressed by the clamp, the cross-sections of the inner crimp ring 2 and the outer crimp ring 3 are both hexagonal, and protrusions 32 are formed on the inner side of the inner crimp ring 2 and the outer crimp ring 3, thereby better preventing the inner crimp ring 2 and the outer crimp ring 3 from rotating relative to the optical cable 1.

[0042] In the description of this invention, the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiment," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of the invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

Claims

1. A sealing device for the end of an optical cable, characterized in that, Used to seal the end of an optical cable, the optical cable including optical fiber, aramid fiber and protective sheath, the protective sheath being wrapped around the optical fiber, and the aramid fiber being fixedly disposed on the protective sheath and wrapped around the outside of the optical fiber; The optical cable end sealing device includes: An inner pressure ring includes a pressing part and a pressing part, which are fixedly connected along a first direction, which is the extension direction of the optical fiber. The pressing part is sleeved on the outside of the protective rubber, and the pressing part includes a pressing surface facing the pressing part. The optical fiber and the aramid fiber pass through the pressing part and the pressing part. A gel block, which is elastically deformable, is disposed within the pressing part, and has a through hole. An optical fiber passes through the gel block, and the extrusion surface presses against the gel block so that the gel block abuts against the end face of the protective rubber and the optical fiber. An outer pressure ring is sleeved outside the inner pressure ring and presses the aramid fiber onto the outside of the pressing part.

2. The optical cable end sealing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the inner and outer pressure rings have hexagonal cross-sections, and the normal direction of the cross-section is the first direction.

3. The optical cable end sealing device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The outer pressure ring has a protrusion on the side facing the outer pressure ring.

4. The optical cable end sealing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, One end of the outer pressure ring extends out from the side of the extrusion part opposite to the pressing part, and extrudes the aramid fiber to the outside of the protective rubber.

5. The optical cable end sealing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer pressure ring is provided with a positioning surface, which abuts against the outer pressure ring along the first direction.

6. The optical cable end sealing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, One end of the outer pressure ring extends out of the side of the pressing part opposite to the squeezing part, and at least a portion of the outer pressure ring abuts against the side of the pressing part opposite to the squeezing part.

7. The optical cable end sealing device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The inner pressure ring further includes an extension, through which both the optical fiber and the aramid fiber pass, and the outer pressure ring does not extend beyond the end of the extension that is away from the pressing part.

8. The optical cable end sealing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pressing part further includes an abutting surface, the normal direction of which is a first direction, and is used to abut against the end face of the protective rubber.

9. The optical cable end sealing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The aramid fibers are wrapped around the outside of the gel block.

10. The optical cable end sealing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, An opening is provided on the gel block, the opening penetrates the gel block along the first direction, and the opening connects the through hole and the outside of the gel block, so that the optical fiber can enter the through hole through the opening.

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