Optical fiber adapter and optical module
By designing the fiber optic adapter as a separate body component and locking component, and using a latch to limit the MT ferrule, the problem of product scrapping caused by ferrule repair or replacement in the existing technology is solved, the difficulty and cost of mold design are reduced, and the compatibility and optical signal stability of the adapter are improved.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- DONGGUAN LUXSHARE TECH CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-18
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-19
AI Technical Summary
The existing MPO adapter has a ferrule and adapter body as an integrated structure, which means that the entire product is scrapped when the ferrule is repaired or replaced, and cannot be reused. In addition, the mold design is difficult and expensive.
The fiber optic adapter is designed as a separate main body component and locking component. The MT ferrule is limited by a hook structure, which allows for the repair or replacement of the ferrule. It is connected as a whole by a snap-fit method, which reduces the possibility of the entire product being scrapped.
This technology enables the repairability or replacement of fiber optic adapter ferrules, reducing the overall product scrap rate, minimizing mold design difficulty and development costs, and improving compatibility and optical signal stability.
Smart Images

Figure CN224383495U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of fiber optic connectors, and in particular to a fiber optic adapter and an optical module. Background Technology
[0002] With the rapid development of information technology, the demand for high-speed data transmission is increasing daily. Among various transmission media, optical fiber, with its advantages of high speed, high bandwidth, and anti-interference, has become an indispensable part of modern communication networks. The MPO interface, or Multi-fiber Push-On connector, is a standardized interface designed for high-density fiber optic connections. An MPO connector can connect multiple fibers at once, typically arranging 12 fibers in a row, but it can also support one or more rows of fibers within the same MPO connector. Depending on the number of fibers arranged within the connector, it can be divided into single-row (12 fibers) and multi-row (24 fibers or more). Its standard is specified by IEC 61754-7. The type of MPO connector can be distinguished by several factors, including the number of fibers (fiber array number), male / female connector, polarity (key), and polishing type (PC or APC). Certain principles must be followed when connecting: connectors must be connected with the same number of fibers (e.g., 12-core to 12-core, 24-core to 24-core, etc.); connectors must be connected with the same polishing type (e.g., PC to PC, APC to APC). A male MPO connector and a female MPO connector form a pair, and a pair of MPO connectors are mated through an MPO adapter. The MT ferule is the core component of the MPO fiber optic connector. Its characteristic is that a small ferule contains multiple fiber optic holes (commonly 8, 12, 16, 24, or even more), and high-precision positioning pin holes ensure accurate alignment of each fiber. Fiber optic arrays composed of 8, 12, 16, 24, or even more fibers are called Fiber Arrays (FAs). Because existing MPO adapters have a one-piece structure with a molded, fixed ferule, if the ferule needs repair or replacement, it must be unlocked from the adapter body. Therefore, this one-piece structure easily leads to the entire fiber optic adapter becoming unusable and unreusable. Utility Model Content
[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a fiber optic adapter and optical module that reduces the possibility of the entire fiber optic adapter becoming unusable and unrecyclable.
[0004] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model adopts the following technical solution: an optical fiber adapter for positioning MT ferrules, the optical fiber adapter comprising:
[0005] The main body component and the locking component are separate components. The locking component abuts against the MT insert from the front, and the main body component abuts against the MT insert from the rear. One of the main body component and the locking component is provided with a hook. The main body component and the locking component are connected as one unit by the hook to limit and retain the MT insert.
[0006] As a further improvement of this utility model, the MT ferrule further includes an optical fiber array and a ferrule body. The extension direction of the optical fiber array is defined as the front-rear direction. The optical fiber array is fixed and exposed at the front end of the ferrule body. The ferrule body has a front stop surface and a rear stop surface, which are arranged opposite to each other in the front-rear direction. The latch is disposed on the locking component and engages with the body component. The locking component includes a vertical baffle perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The vertical baffle has a front wall surface and a rear wall surface arranged opposite to each other. The front stop surface abuts against the rear wall surface of the vertical baffle. The latch extends backward integrally from the vertical baffle. The vertical baffle has a through hole that allows the portion of the MT ferrule before the front stop surface to continue to extend forward.
[0007] As a further improvement of the present invention, the main body component includes an integrally formed head and tail. The head is closer to the locking component than the tail. The head is in front of the tail and has a first front end face. The tail is behind the head and has a first rear end face. The first front end face abuts against the rear stop face. The head is provided with a slot and a plate arranged adjacent to each other. The slot is located behind the plate. The hook engages with the plate and is partially located in the slot.
[0008] As a further improvement of the present invention, the locking component includes a top plate, a bottom plate and a pair of side plates extending rearward from the vertical retaining wall. The top plate, the bottom plate and the pair of side plates each have a second rear end face. The second rear end face is flush with the rear stop face. The first front end face abuts against the rear stop face and also abuts against the second rear end face.
[0009] As a further improvement of the present invention, the hook extends rearward from the second rear end face of the top plate and the second rear end face of the bottom plate. The hook includes an elastic hook arm and a hook head located at the end of the elastic hook arm. The elastic hook arm crosses the card plate so that the hook head extends into the card slot. The hook head is engaged and positioned with the edge of the card plate facing the card slot.
[0010] As a further improvement of this utility model, the body component further includes a base, which connects the head and the tail in the front-rear direction and protrudes from the head and the tail in the up-down direction and / or left-right direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The base has a third front end face facing the head and a third rear end face facing the tail. The head includes a left side wall and a right side wall connected to the third front end face.
[0011] The card plate includes an upper card plate and a lower card plate, and the two card plates are respectively connected between the upper edge of the front half of the left side wall and the upper edge of the front half of the right side wall, and between the lower edge of the front half of the left side wall and the lower edge of the front half of the right side wall.
[0012] The card slot includes an upper card slot and a lower card slot, and the two card slots are respectively formed between the third front surface of the base, the upper edge of the rear half of the left side wall, the upper edge of the rear half of the right side wall and the upper card plate, and between the third front surface of the base, the lower edge of the rear half of the left side wall, the lower edge of the rear half of the right side wall and the lower card plate.
[0013] As a further improvement of the present invention, the main body component has a receiving cavity that passes through the head and the tail, the upper and lower slots are respectively connected to the receiving cavity, and the upper and lower plates are respectively located on both sides of the receiving cavity.
[0014] As a further improvement of the present invention, each of the hook heads includes a vertical surface facing the vertical retaining wall and an inclined surface facing away from the vertical retaining wall. The inclined surface is used to guide the hook head by bias pressure from the main surface of the card plate during the process of the hook head entering the card slot, and the vertical surface is used to abut against the side edge of the card plate.
[0015] As a further improvement of this utility model, the hooks are provided in two rows, one above the other, with the two rows of hooks protruding opposite each other on the upper and lower sides of the MT insert.
[0016] As a further improvement of the present invention, the upper row is provided with two hooks and the lower row is provided with one hook. The positions of the three hook heads form a triangle in the vertical plane. The two hook heads in the upper row are symmetrically arranged on the left and right in a horizontal plane perpendicular to the vertical plane.
[0017] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution two: an optical module, which includes an MT ferrule, a housing, and an optical fiber adapter as described above. The housing includes an upper housing and a lower housing. The upper housing covers the lower housing, and the upper housing and the lower housing together form a storage space for the optical fiber adapter. The storage space has two openings arranged in opposite directions. One of the two openings is configured as an optical port that can be connected to an optical fiber, and the other is configured as an electrical port that can be connected to an optical network terminal.
[0018] As a further improvement of the present invention, the second technical solution is provided with a locking component, the locking component including an upper row of locking hooks and a lower row of locking hooks, the upper housing is provided with a first step that abuts against the upper row of locking hooks, and the lower housing is provided with a second step that abuts against the lower row of locking hooks.
[0019] Compared to existing technologies, this invention sets the fiber optic adapter in the optical module as a separate body component and locking component. Because the body component and locking component of the MT ferrule are separate, they are interlocked to limit the MT ferrule. Repair or replacement of the MT ferrule can be performed simply by releasing the interlocking state between the body component and the locking component, reducing the possibility of the entire fiber optic adapter becoming unusable. Secondly, the separate structure of the body component and the locking component significantly reduces the design difficulty of the mold and saves on mold development costs. The locking component abuts against the MT ferrule from the front, and the body component abuts against the MT ferrule from the rear. One of the body component and the locking component has a hook; by engaging with the hook, the body component and the locking component are connected as one unit to limit and hold the MT ferrule. That is, the main body component and the locking component clamp and limit the MT ferrule and then snap them together as one, which can stably fix the MT ferrule in the main body component and the locking component. It can ensure the stability of the structure and the stability of the optical signal without relying on the outer shell for positioning, thereby reducing optical loss. Moreover, since this utility model does not rely on the outer shell for positioning, it can be compatible with different models and different manufacturers' shells, and has good compatibility. Attached Figure Description
[0020] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional assembly diagram of the optical module of this utility model;
[0021] Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view of the optical module of this utility model;
[0022] Figure 3 This is a top view of the optical module of this utility model;
[0023] Figure 4 It is along Figure 3 Sectional view of line AA in the middle;
[0024] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 Enlarged view of section B;
[0025] Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional assembly diagram of the fiber optic adapter of this utility model;
[0026] Figure 7 This is a partial exploded perspective view of the fiber optic adapter of this utility model;
[0027] Figure 8 This is an exploded perspective view of the fiber optic adapter of this utility model;
[0028] Figure 9 This is a three-dimensional composite view of the fiber optic adapter of this utility model from another angle;
[0029] Figure 10 This is a partial exploded perspective view of the fiber optic adapter of this utility model from another angle;
[0030] Figure 11 This is an exploded perspective view of the fiber optic adapter of this utility model from another angle;
[0031] Figure 12 This is a top view of the optical fiber adapter of this utility model in a three-dimensional exploded state;
[0032] Figure 13 yes Figure 12 A cross-sectional view of the CC line;
[0033] Figure 14 This is a top view of the optical fiber adapter part of this utility model in a three-dimensional exploded state;
[0034] Figure 15 yes Figure 14 Sectional view of the DD line;
[0035] Figure 16 This is a top view of the fiber optic adapter of this utility model in a three-dimensional assembled state;
[0036] Figure 17 yes Figure 16 Sectional view of the middle EE line;
[0037] Figure 18 This is a rear view of the fiber optic adapter of this utility model in a three-dimensional assembled state. Detailed Implementation
[0038] The exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. If several embodiments exist, features in these embodiments may be combined with each other without conflict. When the description refers to the drawings, unless otherwise stated, the same numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements. The descriptions in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with the present invention; rather, they are merely examples of apparatuses, products, and / or methods consistent with some aspects of the present invention as set forth in the claims.
[0039] The terminology used in this invention is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this invention. The singular forms “a,” “the,” or “the” used in the specification and claims of this invention are also intended to include the plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
[0040] It should be understood that the terms "first," "second," and similar words used in the specification and claims of this utility model do not indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but are merely used to distinguish the features. Similarly, the terms "an" or "a" do not indicate a quantity limitation, but rather indicate the presence of at least one. Unless otherwise stated, the terms "front," "back," "left," "right," "upper," "lower," and similar words appearing in this utility model are for ease of explanation only and are not limited to a specific location or spatial orientation. The terms "comprising" or "including" are an open-ended expression, meaning that the element preceding "comprising" or "including" covers the element following "comprising" or "including" and its equivalents, which does not exclude that the element preceding "comprising" or "including" may also include other elements. If "several" appears in this utility model, it means two or more.
[0041] Please refer to Figures 1 to 18As shown, this utility model discloses an optical module 100 and an optical fiber adapter 200 for positioning an MT ferrule 1. The optical fiber adapter 200 includes a body component 2 and a locking component 3. The locking component 3 abuts against the MT ferrule 1 from the front, and the body component 2 abuts against the MT ferrule 1 from the rear. One of the body component 2 and the locking component 3 is provided with a hook 34. By engaging with the hook 34, the body component 2 and the locking component 3 are connected as a single unit to limit and hold the MT ferrule 1. The engagement of the body component 2 and the locking component 3 limits the position of the MT ferrule 1. Therefore, the MT ferrule 1 can be repaired or replaced simply by releasing the engagement between the body component 2 and the locking component 3. This firstly reduces the possibility of the entire optical fiber adapter 200 being scrapped and unusable. Secondly, the body component 2 and the locking component 3 are separate structures, which greatly reduces the design difficulty of the mold and saves on mold development costs.
[0042] Please refer to Figure 1 , Figures 11 to 17As shown, the MT ferrule 1 has an optical fiber array 11 and a ferrule body 12. The extension direction of the optical fiber array 11 is defined as the front-rear direction, and the optical fiber array 11 is fixed and exposed at the front end of the ferrule body 12. The body component 2 and the locking component 3 are separately arranged. The ferrule body 12 has a front stop surface 121 and a rear stop surface 122, which are arranged opposite to each other in the front-rear direction. Specifically, the front stop surface 121 is used to abut against the locking component 3 in front; the rear stop surface 122 is used to abut against the body component 2 behind, so that the body component 2 and the locking component 3 clamp and limit the MT ferrule 1 in the front-rear direction. That is, the locking component 3 abuts against the front stop surface 121 in front of the MT ferrule 1, and the body component 2 abuts against the rear stop surface 122 in front of the MT ferrule 1. One of the main body component 2 and the locking component 3 is provided with a hook 34. The main body component 2 and the locking component 3 are connected as a whole by engaging with the hook 34 to limit and hold the MT insert 1. Thus, since the main body component 2 and the locking component 3 are separate units, their engagement to limit the MT insert 1 significantly reduces the design difficulty of the mold and saves on mold development costs. After the MT insert 1 is limited and held between the main body component 2 and the locking component 3, the main body component 2 and the locking component 3 are then connected as a whole by engaging with the hook 34. That is, the main body component 2 and the locking component 3 clamp and limit the MT insert 1 before engaging it as a whole, ensuring structural stability and stable optical signal transmission without relying on external auxiliary positioning, thereby reducing optical loss. This greatly reduces the difficulty of mold design and saves on mold costs. This invention has good compatibility and can be compatible with shells of different models and manufacturers.
[0043] Please refer to Figures 7 to 15As shown, the hook 34 is disposed on the locking component 3 and engages with the body component 2. The locking component 3 includes a vertical stop 30 perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The vertical stop 30 has a front wall surface 301 and a rear wall surface 302 arranged oppositely. The front stop surface 121 abuts against the rear wall surface 302 of the vertical stop 30. The hook 34 extends integrally rearward from the vertical stop 30. This arrangement allows the MT insert 1 to be inserted into the locking component 3 from back to front. When the front stop surface 121 abuts against the rear wall surface 302 of the vertical stop 30, the MT insert 1 is stopped from being further inserted. Although the MT insert 1 is stopped from being further inserted when the front stop surface 121 abuts against the rear wall surface 302 of the vertical stop 30, the vertical stop 30 is provided with a through hole 300 that allows the portion of the MT insert 1 before the front stop surface 121 to continue to extend forward. The MT insert 1 also has two positioning pins 13, which serve as positioning guides when the MT insert 1 enters the through hole 300 of the locking component 3.
[0044] Please refer to Figures 6 to 11 as well as Figure 13 , Figure 15 , Figure 17 As shown, the main body component 2 includes an integrally formed head 21 and tail 22, with the head 21 being closer to the locking component 3 than the tail 22. The head 21 is in front of the tail 22 and has a first front end face 201, while the tail 22 is behind the head 21 and has a first rear end face 202. The first front end face 201 abuts against the rear stop face 122. The head 21 is provided with a slot 211 and a plate 212 arranged adjacent to each other. The slot 211 is located behind the plate 212, and the hook 34 engages with the plate 212 and is partially located within the slot 211. When the MT ferrule 1 is first inserted from back to front to assemble the locking component 3, and then the assembly of the MT ferrule 1 and the locking component 3 is inserted from front to back to assemble the main body component 2, the end of the hook 34 is first pushed up / down, and then when the end of the hook 34 moves to the slot 211 in the middle of the main body component 2 and is confined in the slot 211. By setting the slot 211 and the locking plate 212 in this way, the main body component 2 and the locking component 3, which are separately arranged on the front and rear sides of the MT ferrule 1, can be stably engaged into one unit.
[0045] Please refer to Figures 1 to 18 And special photos Figure 8 and Figure 11As shown, the locking component 3 includes a top plate 31, a bottom plate 32, and a pair of side plates 33 extending rearward from the vertical retaining wall 30. The top plate 31, the bottom plate 32, and the pair of side plates 33 each have a second rear end face 3123, which is flush with the rear stop face 122. This arrangement ensures that when the MT ferrule 1 is inserted from rear to front to assemble the locking component 3, and then the body component 2 is inserted from rear to front to assemble the combination of the MT ferrule 1 and the locking component 3, the first front end face 201 abuts against the rear stop face 122 and the second rear end face 3123, allowing external observation of whether the assembly is in place.
[0046] Please refer to Figures 1 to 18 And special photos Figure 8 and Figure 13 As shown, the hook 34 extends rearward from the second rear end face 3123 of the top plate 31 and the second rear end face 3123 of the bottom plate 32. The hook 34 includes an elastic hook arm 341 and a hook head 342 located at the end of the elastic hook arm 341. The elastic hook arm 341 crosses the locking plate 212 so that the hook head 342 extends into the locking groove 211. The hook head 342 engages and is positioned with the edge of the locking plate 212 facing the locking groove 211. The purpose of this elastic hook arm 341 is to ensure the elasticity of the hook 34 so that it can be pushed up / down during assembly; the hook head 342 is designed to form a snap-fit.
[0047] Please refer to Figures 1 to 18 Special reference Figure 6 , Figure 7 As shown, the body component 2 further includes a base 20, which connects the head 21 and the tail 22 in the front-rear direction and protrudes from the head 21 and the tail 22 in the vertical and / or horizontal directions perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The base 20 has a third front end surface 2001 facing the head 21 and a third rear end surface 2002 facing the tail 22. See also... Figure 9 As shown, the head 21 includes a left side wall 213 and a right side wall 214 connected to the third front end face 2001. See also... Figure 10 and Figure 17 As shown, the clamping plate 212 includes two plates: an upper clamping plate 2121 and a lower clamping plate 2122. The two clamping plates 212 are respectively connected between the upper edge of the front half of the left side wall 213 and the upper edge of the front half of the right side wall 214, and between the lower edge of the front half of the left side wall 213 and the lower edge of the front half of the right side wall 214. (Continue referring to...) Figure 10 and Figure 17As shown, the card slot 211 includes two slots, an upper slot 2111 and a lower slot 2112. The two slots 211 are respectively formed between the third front end surface 2001 of the base 20, the upper edge of the rear half of the left side wall 213, the upper edge of the rear half of the right side wall 214 and the upper card plate 2121, and between the third front end surface 2001 of the base 20, the lower edge of the rear half of the left side wall 213, the lower edge of the rear half of the right side wall 214 and the lower card plate 2122. This structure ensures that the slot 211 and the plate 212 are arranged adjacent to each other on the head 21, that is, the slot 211 is located between the base 20 and the plate 212, which is conducive to the hook 34 engaging in front of the base 20. The hook 34 is not engaged on the third rear end face 2002 of the tail 22, so the hook 34 can be reduced to a certain length. This ensures the elasticity of the elastic hook arm 341 while also ensuring the engaging force of the hook head 342.
[0048] Please refer to Figures 1 to 18 As shown, the main body component 2 has a receiving cavity that extends through the head 21 and the tail 22, with through holes on both the first front end surface 201 and the first rear end surface 202. The upper and lower slots 211 are respectively connected to the receiving cavity, and the upper and lower plates 212 are respectively located on both sides of the receiving cavity. This arrangement facilitates the forming of the upper and lower slots 211.
[0049] Please refer to Figures 1 to 18 Special reference Figure 13 As shown, each of the hook heads 342 includes a vertical surface 3421 facing the vertical retaining wall 30 and an inclined surface 3422 facing away from the vertical retaining wall 30. The inclined surface 3422 is used to guide the hook head 342 upward or downward by the main surface of the card plate 212 during the process of the hook head 342 entering the card slot 211. The vertical surface 3421 is used to abut against the side edge of the card plate 212.
[0050] Please refer to Figures 1 to 18 Special reference Figure 8 and Figure 17 As shown, the latches 34 have two rows, one above the other, which protrude opposite each other on the upper and lower sides of the MT insert 1. The arrangement of the two rows ensures the stability of the latching connection.
[0051] Please refer to Figures 1 to 18 Special reference Figure 18As shown, the upper row has two hooks 34 and the lower row has one hook 34. The positions of the three hook heads 342 form a triangle in the vertical plane. The two hook heads 342 in the upper row are symmetrically arranged in a horizontal plane perpendicular to the vertical plane, which helps to ensure the elastic deformation of the two hooks 34 in the upper row. The triangular arrangement of the three hook heads 342, that is, the upper and lower rows are not completely symmetrical, ensures the stability of the snap-fit while splitting the hook 34 in the upper row into two, ensuring the elastic deformation of the two hooks 34 in the upper row.
[0052] Please refer to Figures 1 to 18 As shown, the optical module 100 disclosed in this utility model includes a housing 5, a circuit board, an optical engine, and a fiber optic adapter 200 as described above. The housing 5 includes an upper housing 51 and a lower housing 52. The upper housing 51 covers the lower housing 52, and the upper housing 51 and the lower housing 52 together form a storage space 50 for the fiber optic adapter 200. The storage space 50 has two openings arranged in opposite directions. One of the two openings is configured as an optical port 501 for connecting to an optical fiber, and the other is configured as an electrical port 502 for connecting to an optical network terminal. The assembly method of combining the upper housing 51 and the lower housing 52 facilitates the installation of circuit boards and other devices into the storage space 50 formed by the upper housing 51 and the lower housing 52. The upper housing 51 and the lower housing 52 can encapsulate and protect these devices.
[0053] Please refer to Figures 1 to 18 Special reference Figure 5 As shown, the locking component 3 is provided with hooks 34, which include an upper row of hooks 3401 and a lower row of hooks 3402. The upper housing 51 is provided with a first step 511 that abuts against the upper row of hooks 3401, and the lower housing 52 is provided with a second step 521 that abuts against the lower row of hooks 3402. The provision of the first step 511 and the second step 521 ensures the stable engagement of the upper and lower rows of hooks 34 in the slot 211 and the locking plate 212, and further ensures that the hooks 34 will not detach from the main body component 2.
[0054] The assembly method of the optical module of this utility model includes the following steps:
[0055] Insert the MT insert 1 into the locking component 3 from back to front; and
[0056] The locking component 3, which contains the MT ferrule 1, is inserted into the body component 2 from front to back to complete the assembly. The body component 2 and the locking component 3 cooperate to limit the MT ferrule 1. The locking component 3 abuts against the MT ferrule 1 in front of it, and the body component 2 abuts against the MT ferrule 1 in rear. One of the body component 2 and the locking component 3 is provided with a hook 34. The body component 2 and the locking component 3 are connected as one unit by the hook 34 to limit and retain the MT ferrule 1.
[0057] Furthermore, the assembly method of the optical module of this utility model also includes the step of: after the main body component 2 and the locking component 3 are fitted together to limit the MT ferrule 1, the whole assembly is placed into the lower housing 52 from top to bottom.
[0058] Furthermore, the assembly method of the optical module of this utility model also includes the following steps: covering the lower housing 52 with the upper housing 51 from top to bottom to form a storage space 50 between the upper housing 51 and the lower housing 52.
[0059] It should also be noted that the optical module 100 of this utility model further includes an unlocking pull ring 6. Specifically, when the optical module 100 is inserted into the cage of the host computer (not shown), the unlocking pull ring 6 is engaged by its locking component 60, which locks the optical module 100 into the cage of the host computer. When the unlocking pull ring 6 is pulled, the locking component 60 moves accordingly, thereby changing the connection between the locking component 60 and the host computer, thus releasing the engagement between the optical module 100 and the host computer.
[0060] It should also be noted that when disassembling the main body component 2 and locking component 3 of the fiber optic adapter 200, it is only necessary to use external tools such as tweezers to pry up the upper and lower rows of hooks 34 at the positions of the upper and lower slots 211 respectively.
[0061] In summary, because the adapter body (i.e., the body component 2 and the locking component 3) in the fiber optic adapter 200 of this invention are separate components, and the body component 2 and the locking component 3 are snapped together to limit the MT ferrule 1, the assembly and disassembly of the fiber optic adapter 200 are very convenient. Furthermore, if repair or replacement is required, only the snap-fit between the body component 2 and the locking component 3 needs to be released to repair or replace the MT ferrule 1, reducing the possibility that the entire fiber optic adapter 200 will be scrapped and cannot be reused. This invention firstly reduces the possibility that the adapter body (the body component 2 and the locking component 3) in the fiber optic adapter 200 will be scrapped and cannot be reused; secondly, it greatly reduces the design difficulty of the mold and saves mold development costs. After the MT ferrule 1 is limited and held between the body component 2 and the locking component 3, the body component 2 and the locking component 3 are connected together by the snap-fit hook 34. That is, the main body component 2 and the locking component 3 clamp and limit the MT insert 1 before snapping them together as a whole. This ensures structural stability and stable optical signal transmission without relying on external auxiliary positioning, thereby reducing optical loss. This invention has good compatibility, low precision requirements for the outer shell, and can be compatible with shells of different models and manufacturers, greatly reducing mold design difficulty and saving mold costs. This invention adopts a split structure, making disassembly easy. Even if some of the hooks 34 break during disassembly, the entire assembly can be avoided from being scrapped.
[0062] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the present utility model and are not intended to limit the technical solutions described in the present utility model. The understanding of the present utility model should be based on those skilled in the art. Although the present utility model has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still make modifications or equivalent substitutions to the present utility model. All technical solutions and improvements that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present utility model should be covered within the scope of the claims of the present utility model.
Claims
1. An optical fiber adapter for positioning an MT ferrule (1); characterized in that: The fiber optic adapter includes: The main body component (2) and the locking component (3) are separate components. The locking component (3) abuts against the MT ferrule (1) from the front, and the main body component (2) abuts against the MT ferrule (1) from the rear. One of the main body component (2) and the locking component (3) is provided with a hook (34). The main body component (2) and the locking component (3) are connected as one unit by the hook (34) to limit and retain the MT ferrule (1).
2. The fiber optic adapter as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The MT ferrule (1) includes an optical fiber array (11) and a ferrule body (12). The extension direction of the optical fiber array (11) is defined as the front-rear direction. The optical fiber array (11) is fixed and exposed at the front end of the ferrule body (12). The ferrule body (12) has a front stop surface (121) and a rear stop surface (122). The front stop surface (121) and the rear stop surface (122) are arranged opposite to each other in the front-rear direction. The latch (34) is disposed on the locking component (3) and engages with the body component (2). The locking component (3) includes a vertical stop (30) perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The vertical stop (30) has a front wall surface (301) and a rear wall surface (302) arranged opposite to each other. The front stop surface (121) abuts against the rear wall surface (302) of the vertical stop (30). The hook (34) extends backward integrally from the vertical stop (30). The vertical stop (30) is provided with a through hole (300) that allows the portion of the MT insert (1) in front of the front stop surface (121) to continue to extend forward.
3. The fiber optic adapter as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The main body component (2) includes an integrally formed head (21) and tail (22). The head (21) is closer to the locking component (3) than the tail (22). The head (21) is in front of the tail (22) and has a first front end face (201). The tail (22) is behind the head (21) and has a first rear end face (202). The first front end face (201) abuts against the rear stop face (122). The head (21) is provided with a slot (211) and a plate (212) arranged adjacent to each other. The slot (211) is located behind the plate (212). The hook (34) engages with the plate (212) and is partially located in the slot (211).
4. The fiber optic adapter as described in claim 3, characterized in that: The locking component (3) includes a top plate (31), a bottom plate (32) and a pair of side plates (33) extending rearward from the vertical retaining wall (30). The top plate (31), the bottom plate (32) and the pair of side plates (33) each have a second rear end face (3123). The second rear end face (3123) is flush with the rear stop face (122). The first front end face (201) abuts against the rear stop face (122) and against the second rear end face (3123).
5. The fiber optic adapter as described in claim 4, characterized in that: The hook (34) extends rearward from the second rear end face (3123) of the top plate (31) and the second rear end face (3123) of the bottom plate (32). The hook (34) includes an elastic hook arm (341) and a hook head (342) located at the end of the elastic hook arm (341). The elastic hook arm (341) crosses the card plate (212) so that the hook head (342) extends into the card slot (211). The hook head (342) is engaged and positioned with the edge of the card plate (212) facing the card slot (211).
6. The fiber optic adapter as described in claim 5, characterized in that: The body component (2) further includes a base (20), which connects the head (21) and the tail (22) in the front-rear direction and protrudes from the head (21) and the tail (22) in the up-down and / or left-right directions perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The base (20) has a third front end face (2001) facing the head (21) and a third rear end face (2002) facing the tail (22). The head (21) includes a left side wall (213) and a right side wall (214) connected to the third front end face (2001). The card plate (212) includes two plates: an upper card plate (2121) and a lower card plate (2122). The two card plates (212) are respectively connected between the upper edge of the front half of the left side wall (213) and the upper edge of the front half of the right side wall (214), and between the lower edge of the front half of the left side wall (213) and the lower edge of the front half of the right side wall (214). The slot (211) includes two slots: an upper slot (2111) and a lower slot (2112). The two slots (211) are respectively formed between the third front end face (2001) of the base (20), the upper edge of the rear half of the left side wall (213), the upper edge of the rear half of the right side wall (214) and the upper card plate (2121), and between the third front end face (2001) of the base (20), the lower edge of the rear half of the left side wall (213), the lower edge of the rear half of the right side wall (214) and the lower card plate (2122).
7. The fiber optic adapter as described in claim 6, characterized in that: The main body component (2) has a receiving cavity that passes through the head (21) and the tail (22), and the upper and lower slots (211) are respectively connected to the receiving cavity, and the upper and lower plates (212) are respectively located on both sides of the receiving cavity.
8. The fiber optic adapter as described in claim 5, characterized in that: Each of the hook heads (342) includes a vertical surface (3421) facing the vertical retaining wall (30) and an inclined surface (3422) facing away from the vertical retaining wall (30). The inclined surface (3422) is used to guide the hook head (342) by biasing the main surface of the card plate (212) during the process of the hook head (342) entering the card slot (211). The vertical surface (3421) is used to abut against the side edge of the card plate (212).
9. The fiber optic adapter as described in claim 8, characterized in that: The hooks (34) are provided in two rows, and the hooks (34) in the upper and lower rows protrude opposite each other on the upper and lower sides of the MT insert (1).
10. The fiber optic adapter as described in claim 9, characterized in that: The upper row has two hooks (34) and the lower row has one hook (34). The positions of the three hook heads (342) form a triangle in the vertical plane. The two hook heads (342) in the upper row are symmetrically arranged on the left and right in a horizontal plane perpendicular to the vertical plane.
11. An optical module, characterized in that: The device includes an MT ferrule (1), a housing (5), and an optical fiber adapter as described in any one of claims 1-10. The housing (5) includes an upper housing (51) and a lower housing (52). The upper housing (51) covers the lower housing (52), and the upper housing (51) and the lower housing (52) together form a storage space (50) for the optical fiber adapter. The storage space (50) has two openings arranged in opposite directions. One of the two openings is configured as an optical port (501) that can be connected to an optical fiber, and the other is configured as an electrical port (502) that can be connected to an optical network terminal.
12. The optical module as described in claim 11, characterized in that: The locking component (3) is provided with a hook (34), the hook (34) includes an upper row of hooks (3401) and a lower row of hooks (3402), the upper housing (51) is provided with a first step (511) that abuts against the upper row of hooks (3401), and the lower housing (52) is provided with a second step (521) that abuts against the lower row of hooks (3402).