Optical fiber coupling joint

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the technical field of optical fiber connectors, and discloses an optical fiber coupling connector which comprises a main body piece, a sapphire lens, a first connector and a second connector. The sapphire lens is fixedly arranged in the mounting hole; one end of the first connector is mounted in the mounting hole and located at the first end of the sapphire lens in the axial direction, the other end of the first connector is used for mounting an incident optical fiber, and the end of the incident optical fiber is located at the object point position of the sapphire lens; one end of the second connector is installed in the installation hole and located at the second end, in the axial direction, of the sapphire lens, the other end of the second connector is used for installing an emergent optical fiber, and the end of the emergent optical fiber is located at the image point position of the sapphire lens. According to the optical fiber coupling joint, the joint structure can be simplified, the number of optical reflecting surfaces is reduced, and the optical transmission efficiency is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of optical fiber connector technology, and more particularly to an optical fiber coupling connector. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of information technology and the continuous evolution of network transmission technology, optical fiber communication, due to its advantages such as large bandwidth, low transmission loss, and strong anti-interference capability, has been widely used in many fields such as communications, power, transportation, medical care, and industrial control. Optical fibers are typically made of glass or plastic materials and serve as the transmission medium for optical signals. By connecting optical fibers to terminal equipment, high-speed and stable data communication can be achieved.

[0003] As a key connection component between optical fiber and terminal equipment, the fiber optic connector's structure and performance directly affect the stability and transmission efficiency of the entire communication system. Currently, to achieve the pressure resistance performance of fiber optic connectors, common optical connectors typically employ a pair of aligned lenses combined with a pressure-resistant optical window structure. While this design can meet the pressure resistance requirements to a certain extent, the structure is relatively complex, and the presence of multiple optical interfaces increases reflection loss. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this application is to provide an optical fiber coupling connector that simplifies the connector structure and reduces reflection loss.

[0005] The technical solution provided in this application is as follows:

[0006] An optical fiber coupling connector, comprising:

[0007] The main body has a through mounting hole along the axial direction;

[0008] A sapphire lens is fixedly installed in the mounting hole;

[0009] The first connector has one end installed in the mounting hole and located at the first end of the sapphire lens along the axial direction, and the other end is used to install the incident optical fiber, with the end of the incident optical fiber located at the object point position of the sapphire lens.

[0010] The second connector has one end installed in the mounting hole and located at the second end of the sapphire lens along the axial direction, and the other end is used to install the output optical fiber, with the end of the output optical fiber located at the image point position of the sapphire lens.

[0011] In some embodiments, the first connector is axially adjustable so that the end of the incident optical fiber is located at the object point of the sapphire lens; and / or;

[0012] The second connector is axially adjustable so that the end of the outgoing optical fiber is located at the image point of the sapphire lens.

[0013] In some embodiments, the first connector includes a first connector base and a first connector head, the first connector head being used to mount the incident optical fiber, one end of the first connector base being mounted in the mounting hole, and the first connector head being axially movably mounted in the first connector base so that the end of the incident optical fiber is located at the object point position of the sapphire lens.

[0014] In some embodiments, the second connector includes a second connector base and a second connector head. The second connector head is used to mount the outgoing optical fiber. One end of the second connector base is mounted in the mounting hole. The second connector head is axially movably mounted in the second connector base so that the end of the outgoing optical fiber is located at the image point position of the sapphire lens.

[0015] In some embodiments, the sapphire lens includes an inner lens and an outer lens disposed around the inner lens, the two end faces of the inner lens being outwardly convex curved surfaces, the two end faces of the outer lens being plane surfaces, and the diameter of the inner lens being larger than the beam diameter of the incident optical fiber.

[0016] In some embodiments, the mounting holes include a first mounting hole, a second mounting hole, and a third mounting hole that are sequentially connected. One end of the first connector is mounted in the first mounting hole, the sapphire lens is mounted in the second mounting hole, one end of the second connector is mounted in the third mounting hole, the first end of the inner lens extends into the first mounting hole, and the second end of the inner lens extends into the third mounting hole.

[0017] In some embodiments, the diameter of the first mounting hole is smaller than the diameter of the second mounting hole, and a step is formed at the connection between the first mounting hole and the second mounting hole, with the first end of the outer lens abutting against the step.

[0018] In some embodiments, a pressure ring is also included, wherein the diameter of the second mounting hole is smaller than the diameter of the third mounting hole, the pressure ring is fixedly installed in the third mounting hole and abuts against the second end of the outer lens to fix the sapphire lens, and the second end of the inner lens extends into the inner hole of the pressure ring.

[0019] In some embodiments, a first sealing ring is also included, which is disposed between the outer lens and the stepped portion.

[0020] In some embodiments, a second sealing ring is also included, which is disposed on the outer side wall of the main body.

[0021] The technical advantages of this application are as follows: In the optical fiber coupling connector, sapphire is directly made into an optical coupling lens, which makes the connector have better pressure resistance and eliminates the need for a pressure-resistant plane window, thereby reducing the number of components. This not only simplifies the structure and reduces the size of the connector, but also reduces the number of optical reflective surfaces and improves optical transmission efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0022] The present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments:

[0023] Figure 1 This is an exploded view of an optical fiber coupling connector provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an optical fiber coupling connector provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0025] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of an optical fiber coupling connector provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0026] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a sapphire lens provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0027] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a sapphire lens provided in another embodiment of this application.

[0028] Explanation of icon numbers:

[0029] 10. Main body; 11. Mounting hole; 111. First mounting hole; 112. Second mounting hole; 113. Third mounting hole; 114. Stepped portion; 20. Sapphire lens; 21. Inner lens; 22. Outer lens; 30. First connector; 31. First connecting seat; 32. First connector head; 40. Second connector; 41. Second connecting seat; 42. Second connector head; 50. Pressure ring; 60. First sealing ring; 70. Second sealing ring. Detailed Implementation

[0030] In the following description, specific details such as particular system architectures and techniques are set forth for illustrative purposes and not for limitation, in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of this application. However, those skilled in the art will understand that this application can also be implemented in other embodiments without these specific details. In other instances, detailed descriptions of well-known systems, apparatuses, circuits, and methods have been omitted so as not to obscure the description of this application with unnecessary detail.

[0031] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the specific implementation methods of this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings and other implementation methods can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0032] To keep the drawings concise, each drawing only schematically shows the parts relevant to this application, and they do not represent the actual structure of the product. Furthermore, for ease of understanding, in some drawings, only one of the components with the same structure or function is schematically shown, or only one is labeled. In this document, "one" not only means "only one," but can also mean "more than one."

[0033] It should also be further understood that the term “and / or” as used in this application specification and the appended claims means any combination of one or more of the associated listed items and all possible combinations, and includes such combinations.

[0034] In this document, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linkage" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; they can refer to mechanical connections or electrical connections; they can refer to direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; or they can refer to the internal connection between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0035] In the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, the directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, and back) are relative rather than absolute when describing the structure and movement of the various components, and are not intended to limit the direction of the product during actual use.

[0036] Furthermore, in the description of this application, ordinal numbers, such as "first" and "second," are used only to distinguish related objects and should not be construed as indicating or implying the relative importance or order between related objects.

[0037] like Figures 1 to 3As shown, in one or more embodiments, this disclosure provides an optical fiber coupling connector, including a main body 10, a sapphire lens 20, a first connector 30, and a second connector 40. The main body 10 has an axially penetrating mounting hole 11. The sapphire lens 20 is fixedly disposed within the mounting hole 11. One end of the first connector 30 is installed within the mounting hole 11 and located at the first axial end of the sapphire lens 20. The other end of the first connector 30 is used to install an incident optical fiber, and the end of the incident optical fiber is located at the object point position of the sapphire lens 20. One end of the second connector 40 is installed within the mounting hole 11 and located at the second axial end of the sapphire lens 20. The other end of the second connector 40 is used to install an outgoing optical fiber, and the end of the outgoing optical fiber is located at the image point position of the sapphire lens 20.

[0038] Specifically, the main body 10 serves as the base for the fiber optic coupling connector, and the sapphire lens 20, the first connector 30, and the second connector 40 are all mounted on the main body 10. The main body 10 has a mounting hole 11 that extends axially through the main body 10. The sapphire lens 20 is fixedly disposed within the mounting hole 11. One end of the first connector 30 and one end of the second connector 40 are disposed within the mounting hole 11, respectively located at opposite ends of the sapphire lens 20. The other end of the first connector 30 is used to mount the incident fiber, and the other end of the second connector 40 is used for the output fiber. When mounting the incident and output fibers, the end of the incident fiber closest to the sapphire lens 20 needs to be located at the object point position of the sapphire lens 20, and the end of the output fiber closest to the sapphire lens 20 needs to be located at the rubber point position of the sapphire lens 20, so that the beam emitted from the incident fiber is focused and coupled to the output fiber for transmission through the sapphire lens 20, achieving efficient optical coupling.

[0039] Sapphire possesses high hardness, a high melting point, a wide spectral transmittance range, and excellent resistance to high pressure and corrosion, allowing it to be directly exposed to high-pressure environments. In this embodiment, sapphire material is directly fabricated into an optical coupling lens. The sapphire lens has a solid structure to improve pressure resistance, thereby eliminating the need for a pressure-resistant planar window, reducing the number of components, simplifying the structure, reducing connector size, and decreasing the number of optical reflective surfaces, thus improving light transmission efficiency.

[0040] In some embodiments, the position of the first connector 30 along the axial direction is adjustable so that the end of the incident optical fiber is located at the object point position of the sapphire lens 20; and / or the position of the second connector 40 along the axial direction is adjustable so that the end of the outgoing optical fiber is located at the image point position of the sapphire lens 20.

[0041] In this embodiment, the first connector 30 and the second connector 40 are both single components. The incident optical fiber is installed on the first connector 30 and the outgoing optical fiber is installed on the second connector 40. The first connector 30 and / or the second connector 40 are adjustable along the axial position of the main body 10 to adjust the position of the incident optical fiber and / or the outgoing optical fiber in the axial direction of the main body 10, thereby making the end of the incident optical fiber located at the object point position of the sapphire lens 20 and the end of the outgoing optical fiber located at the image point position of the sapphire lens 20.

[0042] In this embodiment, the first connector 30 and the second connector 40 can be connected to the mounting hole 11 of the main body 10 by means of threads to achieve adjustment of the axial position of the first connector 30 and the second connector 40. An optical fiber connector can be installed at the end of the incident optical fiber, and an optical fiber connector is also installed at the end of the outgoing optical fiber. Both the first connector 30 and the second connector 40 have threaded holes inside. The optical fiber connector of the incident optical fiber is threadedly connected to the threaded hole of the first connector 30 to achieve a fixed connection between the incident optical fiber and the first connector 30. The optical fiber connector of the outgoing optical fiber is threadedly connected to the threaded hole of the second connector 40 to achieve a fixed connection between the outgoing optical fiber and the second connector 40.

[0043] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the first connector 30 includes a first connector 31 and a first connector 32. The first connector 32 is used to install the incident optical fiber. One end of the first connector 31 is installed in the mounting hole 11. The first connector 32 is axially movable in the first connector 31 so that the end of the incident optical fiber is located at the object point position of the sapphire lens 20.

[0044] The first connector 31 can be fixedly connected to the mounting hole 11 of the main body 10 by means of threaded connection, snap-fit, or welding. The first connector 32 is installed in the first connector 31, and the fiber optic connector of the incident fiber is threadedly connected to the first connector 32 to install the incident fiber in the first connector 32. The position of the first connector 32 relative to the first connector 31 along the axial direction of the main body 10 is adjustable to adjust the axial position of the incident fiber.

[0045] In one example, the first connector 32 and the first connecting seat 31 can be connected by threads to adjust the axial position of the first connector 32. In another example, the side wall of the first connecting seat 31 is provided with multiple threaded holes along the circumference, and bolts are installed in the threaded holes. When the first connector 32 needs to be moved axially, the bolts are first loosened, and then the first connector 32 is moved axially within the first connecting seat 31. After it is moved into place, the bolts are tightened so that the bolts press against the side wall of the first connector 32 to fix the first connector 32 within the first connecting seat 31. In other examples, the first connector 32 can be provided with a telescopic part, and the first connecting seat 31 is provided with multiple holes along the axial direction. By adjusting the locking position of the telescopic part and the holes, the axial position of the first connector 32 can be adjusted.

[0046] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the second connector 40 includes a second connector 41 and a second connector 42. The second connector 42 is used to install the output optical fiber. One end of the second connector 41 is installed in the mounting hole 11. The second connector 42 is axially movable in the second connector 41 so that the end of the output optical fiber is located at the image point position of the sapphire lens 20.

[0047] The second connector 41 can be fixedly connected to the mounting hole 11 of the main body 10 by means of threaded connection, snap-fit, or welding. The second connector 42 is installed in the second connector 41, and the fiber optic connector of the output fiber is threadedly connected to the second connector 42 to install the output fiber in the second connector 42. The position of the second connector 42 relative to the second connector 41 along the axial direction of the main body 10 is adjustable to adjust the axial position of the output fiber.

[0048] In one example, the second connector 42 and the second connector 41 can be connected by threads to adjust the axial position of the second connector 42. In another example, the sidewall of the second connector 41 has multiple threaded holes along its circumference, and bolts are installed in the threaded holes. When the second connector 42 needs to be moved axially, the bolts are first loosened, and then the second connector 42 is moved axially within the second connector 41. After it is moved into place, the bolts are tightened so that the bolts press against the sidewall of the second connector 42 to fix the second connector 42 within the second connector 41. In other examples, the second connector 42 can be provided with a telescopic part, and the second connector 41 has multiple holes along its axial direction. By adjusting the locking position of the telescopic part and the holes, the axial position of the second connector 42 can be adjusted.

[0049] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1As shown, the sapphire lens 20 includes an inner lens 21 and an outer lens 22 arranged around the inner lens 21. The two end faces of the inner lens 21 are outwardly convex curved surfaces, and the two end faces of the outer lens 22 are flat surfaces. The diameter of the inner lens 21 is larger than the beam diameter of the incident optical fiber.

[0050] The inner lens 21 is mainly used for fiber coupling. The diameter of the inner lens 21 is larger than the beam diameter of the incident fiber, so that the entire beam of the incident fiber can enter the inner lens 21, avoiding optical loss caused by edge rays not being able to enter the inner lens 21. Preferably, the diameter of the inner lens 21 is 1.5 to 2 times the beam diameter of the incident fiber to ensure full beam capture. The outer lens 22 is arranged around the inner lens 21 to form a ring support structure to facilitate the installation of the sapphire lens 20.

[0051] In this embodiment, the sapphire lens 20 has various shapes. In one example, such as... Figure 4 As shown, the minimum thickness of the inner lens 21 is greater than the thickness of the outer lens 22, and a step is formed at the connection between the inner lens 21 and the outer lens 22. In another example, as... Figure 5 As shown, the minimum thickness of the inner lens 21 is equal to the thickness of the outer lens 22, and no step is formed at the connection between the inner lens 21 and the outer lens 22. All sapphire lenses 20 with the above-described shapes can achieve fiber optic coupling. In practical applications, the diameter, thickness, and curvature of the inner lens 21 can be designed according to the fiber type.

[0052] In some embodiments, such as Figure 3 As shown, the mounting hole 11 includes a first mounting hole 111, a second mounting hole 112, and a third mounting hole 113 that are sequentially connected. One end of the first connector 30 is installed in the first mounting hole 111, the sapphire lens 20 is installed in the second mounting hole 112, one end of the second connector 40 is installed in the third mounting hole 113, the first end of the inner lens 21 extends into the first mounting hole 111, and the second end of the inner lens 21 extends into the third mounting hole 113.

[0053] In this embodiment, the two ends of the inner lens 21 extend into the first mounting hole 111 and the third mounting hole 113, respectively, and one end of the first connector 30 is installed in the first mounting hole 111, and one end of the second connector 40 is installed in the third mounting hole 113, so that the incident optical fiber and the outgoing optical fiber can be optically coupled through the inner lens 21.

[0054] Furthermore, the diameter of the first mounting hole 111 is smaller than the diameter of the second mounting hole 112, and a step portion 114 is formed at the connection between the first mounting hole 111 and the second mounting hole 112. The first end of the outer lens 22 abuts against the step portion 114. The step portion 114 can provide limiting support for the sapphire lens 20 to achieve the positioning and installation of the sapphire lens 20.

[0055] Furthermore, such as Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the fiber optic coupling connector also includes a pressure ring 50. The diameter of the second mounting hole 112 is smaller than the diameter of the third mounting hole 113. The pressure ring 50 is fixedly installed in the third mounting hole 113 and abuts against the second end of the outer lens 22 to fix the sapphire lens 20. The second end of the inner lens 21 extends into the inner hole of the pressure ring 50.

[0056] The retaining ring 50 is positioned corresponding to the outer lens 22 of the sapphire lens 20, and the inner lens 21 is positioned corresponding to the inner hole of the retaining ring 50, to prevent the retaining ring 50 from obstructing the inner lens 21. One end of the sapphire lens 20 abuts against the stepped portion 114, and the other end is fixed by the retaining ring 50, thereby fixing the sapphire lens 20 within the mounting hole 11. The retaining ring 50 has external threads, allowing it to be threadedly connected to the third mounting hole 113. When the retaining ring 50 is installed, one end of the second connector 40 extends into the inner hole of the retaining ring 50 and is threadedly connected to the inner hole of the retaining ring 50. In this embodiment, the sapphire lens 20 is fixed by the stepped portion 114 and the retaining ring 50. In other embodiments, the sapphire lens 20 can also be fixed within the mounting hole 11 by adhesive.

[0057] In some embodiments, such as Figure 3 As shown, the fiber optic coupling connector also includes a first sealing ring 60, which is disposed between the outer lens 22 and the stepped portion 114. The first sealing ring 60 is mounted on the stepped portion 114, and the end face of the sapphire lens 20 presses against the first sealing ring 60, thereby sealing the mounting hole 11. This allows light to pass through the sapphire lens 20, while liquids and gases are blocked by the sapphire lens 20 and the first sealing ring 60, achieving a sealing effect.

[0058] In some embodiments, such as Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the fiber optic coupling connector also includes a second sealing ring 70, which is disposed on the outer side wall of the main body 10. The outer side wall of the main body 10 has a groove, and the second sealing ring 70 is installed in the groove on the side of the main body 10. A portion of the second sealing ring 70 protrudes from the groove. When the fiber optic coupling connector is in use, it is installed inside the cylinder. The second sealing ring 70 on the main body 10 is pressed against the inner wall of the cylinder, thereby blocking and sealing the space on both sides of the fiber optic coupling connector inside the cylinder.

[0059] In the above embodiments, the descriptions of each embodiment have different focuses. For parts that are not described in detail or recorded in a certain embodiment, please refer to the relevant descriptions of other embodiments.

[0060] It should be noted that the above embodiments can be freely combined as needed. The above description is only a preferred embodiment of this application. It should be pointed out that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principle of this application, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. An optical fiber coupling connector, characterized in that, include: The main body has a through mounting hole along the axial direction; A sapphire lens is fixedly installed in the mounting hole; The first connector has one end installed in the mounting hole and located at the first end of the sapphire lens along the axial direction, and the other end is used to install the incident optical fiber, with the end of the incident optical fiber located at the object point position of the sapphire lens. The second connector has one end installed in the mounting hole and located at the second end of the sapphire lens along the axial direction, and the other end is used to install the output optical fiber, with the end of the output optical fiber located at the image point position of the sapphire lens.

2. The fiber optic coupling connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first connector is axially adjustable so that the end of the incident optical fiber is located at the object point position of the sapphire lens; and / or; The second connector is axially adjustable so that the end of the outgoing optical fiber is located at the image point of the sapphire lens.

3. The optical fiber coupling connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first connector includes a first connector base and a first connector head. The first connector head is used to install the incident optical fiber. One end of the first connector base is installed in the mounting hole. The first connector head is axially movable in the first connector base so that the end of the incident optical fiber is located at the object point position of the sapphire lens.

4. A fiber optic coupling connector according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that, The second connector includes a second connector base and a second connector head. The second connector head is used to install the outgoing optical fiber. One end of the second connector base is installed in the mounting hole. The second connector head is axially movable in the second connector base so that the end of the outgoing optical fiber is located at the image point position of the sapphire lens.

5. The fiber optic coupling connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sapphire lens includes an inner lens and an outer lens surrounding the inner lens. The two end faces of the inner lens are outwardly convex curved surfaces, and the two end faces of the outer lens are flat surfaces. The diameter of the inner lens is larger than the beam diameter of the incident optical fiber.

6. The fiber optic coupling connector according to claim 5, characterized in that, The mounting holes include a first mounting hole, a second mounting hole, and a third mounting hole that are connected in sequence. One end of the first connector is installed in the first mounting hole, the sapphire lens is installed in the second mounting hole, one end of the second connector is installed in the third mounting hole, the first end of the inner lens extends into the first mounting hole, and the second end of the inner lens extends into the third mounting hole.

7. The fiber optic coupling connector according to claim 6, characterized in that, The diameter of the first mounting hole is smaller than that of the second mounting hole, and a step is formed at the connection between the first mounting hole and the second mounting hole, with the first end of the outer lens abutting against the step.

8. The fiber optic coupling connector according to claim 7, characterized in that, It also includes a pressure ring, the diameter of the second mounting hole is smaller than the diameter of the third mounting hole, the pressure ring is fixedly installed in the third mounting hole and abuts against the second end of the outer lens to fix the sapphire lens, and the second end of the inner lens extends into the inner hole of the pressure ring.

9. The fiber optic coupling connector according to claim 7, characterized in that, It also includes a first sealing ring, which is disposed between the outer lens and the stepped portion.

10. The optical fiber coupling connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a second sealing ring, which is disposed on the outer side wall of the main body.

Images