High-density small-insertion-force optical fiber connector
By incorporating air gaps and lenses into the fiber optic connector, the problem of high mating force in high-density fiber optic connectors is solved, achieving a fiber optic connector design with low mating force and no reduction in optical performance.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- JIANGSU TONGGUANG ELECTRONIC WIRE & CABLE CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-05-08
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-05
AI Technical Summary
Traditional fiber optic connectors require a large connection force to overcome elastic recoil force in high-density applications, resulting in excessive mating force.
A high-density, low-mating-force fiber optic connector was designed. By setting air gaps and lenses between the fiber optic contacts to avoid direct contact, and using beam expansion connection technology for collimated output, the mating force is reduced.
It reduces the mating force of fiber optic connectors, making it suitable for high-density fiber optic connectors while maintaining beam quality and ensuring unaffected optical performance.
Smart Images
Figure CN224203460U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of optical fiber connector technology, specifically a high-density, low-mating-force optical fiber connector. Background Technology
[0002] Traditional fiber optic connections achieve the connection of two fiber cores by mating two fiber optic connectors together, such as... Figure 1 As shown, both fiber optic connectors are equipped with fiber optic contacts b. Each fiber optic contact b includes a ferrule and a fiber core inserted into the ferrule. To ensure that the two fiber optic contacts b do not undergo axial displacement under mechanical vibration, an axial spring a is provided between the fiber optic contact b and the housing component. When the two fiber optic connectors are connected, the fiber optic contact b can elastically retract under the action of the spring a. That is, each fiber optic contact b needs to overcome the elastic force (preload) when connected.
[0003] Therefore, when fiber optic contact b is used in a high-density fiber optic connector, i.e., when multiple fiber optic contact b are used in one fiber optic connector, a large connection force (torque) is required to mate the two connectors. However, the more contact pieces there are, the greater the connection force (torque) required to mate the connector. Therefore, those skilled in the art have provided a high-density fiber optic connector with low mating force to solve the problems mentioned in the background section. Utility Model Content
[0004] (a) Technical problems to be solved
[0005] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this utility model provides a high-density, low-interlocking-force fiber optic connector to solve the problem of high connection force in traditional fiber optic movable connection structures, where the fiber optic contact needs to overcome elastic force to elastically retract under the action of a spring.
[0006] (II) Technical Solution
[0007] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: a high-density, low-mating-force fiber optic connector, comprising a housing, an inner hole within the housing, a bushing mounting hole on one side of the inner hole, a fixing device mounted on the inner wall of the inner hole, a contact flange mounted on the end of the fixing device facing the bushing mounting hole, a ferrule inserted into the contact flange, a sleeve fitted on the end of the ferrule facing the bushing mounting hole, a lens provided at the end of the ferrule facing the bushing mounting hole, a mating fiber optic contact provided on the side of the lens away from the ferrule, and a bushing mounted on the inner wall of the bushing mounting hole.
[0008] Preferably, the end of the sleeve facing the contact flange is inserted into the end of the contact flange, and the insert penetrates the contact flange and is inserted into the sleeve.
[0009] Preferably, there is a gap between the contact flange and the inner hole of the housing to facilitate alignment with other contact elements, and there is a gap between the bushing and the bushing mounting hole for the same purpose of aligning with other contact elements.
[0010] Preferably, an air gap is provided between the lens and the interlocking fiber optic contact, so that there is no direct contact between the mating surfaces of the two interlocking fiber optic contacts due to the presence of the air gap.
[0011] (III) Beneficial Effects
[0012] Compared with the prior art, this utility model provides a high-density, low-mating-force optical fiber connector, which has the following advantages:
[0013] Through design, this utility model reduces the mating force caused by the elastic retraction of the fiber optic contact under the action of the spring, thus solving the problem of large connector mating force (torque). It is especially suitable for high-density fiber optic connectors, i.e., when multiple fiber optic contacts are used in one fiber optic connector, the problem of large connector mating force is solved. Attached Figure Description
[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a fiber optic connector connection in the prior art.
[0015] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure of a high-density fiber optic connector in a high-density small mating force fiber optic connector provided in an embodiment of this application.
[0016] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the ferrule structure in a high-density, low-mating-force fiber optic connector provided in an embodiment of this application.
[0017] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the lens structure in a high-density, low-interlocking-force fiber optic connector provided in an embodiment of this application.
[0018] In the figure: 1. Inner hole of the housing; 2. Outer shell; 3. Fixing device; 4. Contact flange; 5. Embedded core; 6. Sleeve; 7. Lens; 8. Air gap; 9. Bushing; 10. Bushing mounting hole; 11. Fiber optic contact at the mating end. Detailed Implementation
[0019] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 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.
[0020] This utility model provides a technical solution: a high-density, low-mating-force optical fiber connector. Please refer to [link / reference needed]. Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 The device includes an outer shell 2, an inner shell hole 1 inside the outer shell 2, a bushing mounting hole 10 on one side of the inner shell hole 1, a fixing device 3 installed on the inner wall of the inner shell hole 1, a contact flange 4 installed in the end of the fixing device 3 facing the bushing mounting hole 10, a core 5 inserted into the contact flange 4, a sleeve 6 sleeved on the end of the core 5 facing the bushing mounting hole 10, a lens 7 provided at the end of the core 5 facing the bushing mounting hole 10, a mating end fiber optic contact 11 provided on the side of the lens 7 away from the core 5, and a bushing 9 installed on the inner wall of the bushing mounting hole 10.
[0021] Please see Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 The sleeve 6 is inserted into the end of the contact flange 4 at one end. The ferrule 5 passes through the contact flange 4 and is inserted into the sleeve 6. There is a gap between the contact flange 4 and the inner hole 1 of the housing to facilitate alignment with other contacts. There is a gap between the bushing 9 and the bushing mounting hole 10, which is also used for alignment with other contacts. An air gap 8 is provided between the lens 7 and the mating fiber contact 11. Due to the presence of the air gap 8, there is no direct contact between the mating surfaces of the two mating fiber contacts.
[0022] In this utility model, the connector housing 2 has an inner bore 1 inside. The contact flange 4 has a step and is installed in the inner bore 1 by a fixing device 3 (the fixing device 3 may also be of other forms). There is a gap between the contact flange 4 and the inner bore 1 to facilitate alignment with other contacts. The front end of the contact flange 4 is respectively equipped with a ferrule 5, a sleeve 6 and a lens 7. A bushing mounting hole 1 is provided in the inner bore 1. The bushing 9 is installed inside the bushing mounting hole 1. There is a gap between the bushing 9 and the bushing mounting hole 1 to facilitate alignment with other contacts.
[0023] During and in the mating state of the two connectors, the two mating fiber optic contacts are aligned through the sleeve 6, but an air gap 8 exists between the mating surfaces of the two mating fiber optic contacts, preventing direct contact. This eliminates the need to overcome the elastic force (preload) generated by the elastic device (spring) in the prior art, avoiding excessive mating force caused by the elastic retraction of the fiber optic contacts under the action of the spring, thus solving the problem of large connector mating force (torque). Simultaneously, due to the use of beam expansion technology, the divergent beam is collimated into parallel light through a lens, ensuring that the beam quality is not reduced due to divergence when the beam propagates within the air gap 8, and thus not affecting the optical performance of the fiber optic connector.
[0024] During assembly, first, the insert 5 and the contact flange 4 are assembled together by interference fit using tooling (or other methods such as adhesive can be used), ensuring that the insert 5 protrudes beyond the length of the contact flange 4. Then, epoxy glue is evenly filled into the inner hole of the contact flange 4 for later use.
[0025] Then, the optical fiber is inserted into the inner hole of the contact flange 4 and the ferrule 5 from left to right along the axial centerline. After the epoxy adhesive has cured, the end face of the ferrule 5 is polished and ground.
[0026] Finally, an anti-reflection coating is applied to the polished end face of the ferrule 5 and the end face of the lens 7. The anti-reflection coating reduces the insertion loss of the corresponding wavelength of light and improves the return loss. Then, the lens 7 and the sleeve 6 are glued to the ferrule 5 and the contact flange 4 (an interference fit can also be used). During bonding, to ensure the relative position and focal position of the lens 7 and the ferrule 5, a fine-tuning fixture or other tooling can be used to test the insertion loss online. The position of the lens 7 is then fixed when the insertion loss is low.
[0027] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only 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.
[0028] In this document, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "setting," "connection," "fixing," "screw connection," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal connection of two components or the interaction between two components. Unless otherwise expressly limited, those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.
[0029] 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 high-density, low-mating-force fiber optic connector, comprising a housing (2), characterized in that: The outer shell (2) has an inner hole (1) and a bushing mounting hole (10) on one side of the inner hole (1). A fixing device (3) is installed on the inner wall of the inner hole (1). A contact flange (4) is installed in the end of the fixing device (3) facing the bushing mounting hole (10). A core (5) is inserted into the contact flange (4). A sleeve (6) is fitted on the end of the core (5) facing the bushing mounting hole (10). A lens (7) is provided at the end of the core (5) facing the bushing mounting hole (10). A fiber optic contact (11) is provided on the side of the lens (7) away from the core (5). A bushing (9) is installed on the inner wall of the bushing mounting hole (10).
2. The high-density, low-mating-force fiber optic connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The end of the sleeve (6) facing the contact flange (4) is inserted into the end of the contact flange (4).
3. The high-density, low-mating-force fiber optic connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The insert (5) penetrates the contact flange (4) and is inserted into the sleeve (6).
4. A high-density, low-mating-force fiber optic connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: There is a gap between the contact flange (4) and the inner hole (1) of the housing.
5. A high-density, low-mating-force fiber optic connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: There is a gap between the bushing (9) and the bushing mounting hole (10).
6. A high-density, low-mating-force fiber optic connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: An air gap (8) is provided between the lens (7) and the fiber optic contact (11) at the insertion end.