LC fiber optic connector

Abstract

This application discloses an LC fiber optic connector, including a body with a ferrule extending through it. A plug fitted onto the ferrule is located at the rear end of the body. A telescopic spring is provided between the ferrule and the plug. The front end of the body and the button are hinged by a locating pin. A pressing spring is provided between the rear end of the body and the button. A limiting washer is provided between the button and the plug. The advantages of this application are: the powder metallurgy solution combined with stainless steel machining results in high device precision and good repeatability and consistency of product insertion and removal; the hinged structure of the button and body, with interference fit and riveting, ensures good centering of the pressing button and prevents lateral displacement, resulting in good centering during insertion and removal and stable insertion loss; the button uses an exposed pin guide spring, with a recessed design on the body to constrain spring movement, simplifying the structure, making pressing easy and flexible, and improving the convenience of insertion and removal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of fiber optic connector technology, specifically relating to an LC fiber optic connector for mating LC interface fiber optic patch cords with equipment or other fiber optic connectors, especially suitable for optical path connections in high-reliability and harsh environments. Background Technology

[0002] In the optical communication industry, plastic parts are typically used for processing. The structure is complex, the device is required to be flexible, the structure at the press button is thin, and the plastic has low hardness. Therefore, the overall structural strength is low, the wear resistance is poor, and the number of repeated presses is about 200.

[0003] The LC fiber optic connector is an internationally universal connector. Due to its structural limitations (traditional products have buttons that require repeated pressing during use), the front shell design is currently made of plastic. Plastic is generally suitable for indoor conditions, but it has poor acid and alkali resistance, is prone to aging, and has a short lifespan. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this application is to provide an LC fiber optic connector that uses stainless steel machining and powder metallurgy to achieve a lifespan of over 1000 cycles. It is suitable for various harsh environments such as acids and alkalis. The button and the main structure are made into a linkage interface, riveted with a positioning pin, and the press-and-reset method is achieved with a spring. This reduces manufacturing difficulty, achieves precise positioning, and has high accuracy and repeatability, thus solving the problems of short lifespan and inaccurate press-and-reset of existing fiber optic connectors.

[0005] The objective of this application is achieved through the following technical solution: An LC fiber optic connector includes a body, a ferrule with a handle extending through the body, a plug fitted onto the ferrule at the tail end of the body, a telescopic spring between the ferrule and the plug, a front end hinged to a button, a pressing spring between the rear end of the body and the button, and a limiting washer between the button and the plug.

[0006] Furthermore, at least one of the main body, button, telescopic spring, plug, pressing spring, and limiting washer is made of metal.

[0007] Furthermore, except for the ferrule-type insert, all the metal materials are made of powder metallurgy stainless steel.

[0008] Furthermore, the main body has an internal through hole along its length, and a limiting step is provided inside the internal through hole. The front end of the ferrule with the handle engages with the limiting step, and a limiting groove is provided at the rear end of the internal through hole. The front end of the plug engages with the limiting groove.

[0009] Furthermore, a support is provided on the outer side of the main body, and a keyway is provided on the support along the central direction of the main body, with the front end of the button located in the keyway.

[0010] Furthermore, a spring guide post is provided on the outer side of the main body, and a pressing spring is sleeved on the spring guide post.

[0011] Furthermore, the main body is hinged to the button via a riveted positioning pin.

[0012] Furthermore, the limiting pad acts on the tail end of the button.

[0013] Furthermore, the button is provided with a spring groove and a pad slot, the pressing spring is located in the spring groove, and the limiting pad acts in the pad slot.

[0014] Furthermore, the plug includes a front thread, a gasket segment, and a rear thread. The front thread is located on the main body, and the limiting gasket acts on the gasket segment.

[0015] Furthermore, the limiting gasket has a ring-shaped structure and is sleeved on the button and the plug.

[0016] The beneficial effects of this application are: 1. Powder metallurgy combined with stainless steel machining results in high precision components and good repeatability and consistency of product insertion and removal.

[0017] 2. The button and the main body adopt a hinge structure with interference fit and locating pin riveting. The button has good centering and no lateral displacement. It has good centering when plugging and unplugging and stable insertion loss.

[0018] 3. The button uses an exposed pin guide spring, and the main body is recessed to constrain the movement of the spring, which simplifies the structure, makes pressing easy and flexible, and improves the convenience of plugging and unplugging.

[0019] The aforementioned main solution and its various further alternatives can be freely combined to form multiple solutions, all of which are solutions that can be adopted and claimed in this application; furthermore, the (non-conflicting alternatives) can also be freely combined with each other and with other alternatives. Those skilled in the art, after understanding this solution, will realize from the prior art and common general knowledge that there are many combinations, all of which are technical solutions to be protected in this application, and will not be exhaustively listed here. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a structural appearance drawing of this application.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a structural cross-sectional view of this application.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a structural breakdown diagram of this application.

[0023] Figure 4 This is an assembly diagram of this application.

[0024] In the diagram: 1-Main body, 101-Internal through hole, 102-Limiting step, 103-Limiting groove, 104-Support, 105-Keyway, 106-Spring guide post, 2-Positioning pin, 3-Button, 301-Spring groove, 302-Washer slot, 4-Handled insert, 5-Telescopic spring, 6-Plug, 601-Front end thread, 602-Washer segment, 603-Rear end thread, 7-Pressing spring, 8-Limiting washer. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The present application will be further described below with reference to specific embodiments and accompanying drawings.

[0026] Example refer to Figures 1-4 As shown, an LC fiber optic connector includes a body 1, a positioning pin 2, a button 3, a ferrule with a handle 4, a telescopic spring 5, a plug 6, a pressing spring 7, and a limiting washer 8.

[0027] The main body 1 has a through-hole ferrule 4, which is used for optical fiber transmission and communication connection. At the rear end of the main body 1 is a plug 6 that fits onto the ferrule 4. The plug 6 seals the rear end of the main body 1 and supports the ferrule 4. A telescopic spring 5 is provided between the ferrule 4 and the plug 6, providing a force for the ferrule 4 to extend and retract freely, ensuring that the ferrule 4 can extend and retract freely and flexibly on the main body 1.

[0028] The main body 1 is hinged to the front end of the button 3, allowing the button 3 to flip relative to the main body 1, which facilitates pressing the button 3. A pressing spring 7 is provided between the rear end of the main body 1 and the button 3. When pressing the button 3 downwards, it is necessary to overcome the elastic force. The pressing spring 7 provides elastic support when the button 3 is pressed down.

[0029] A limiting washer 8 is provided between the button 3 and the plug 6. Because the button 3 is supported by the elastic force of the pressing spring 7, the limiting washer 8 can be tightened between the button 3 and the plug 6, thereby keeping the plug 6 firmly fixed on the body 1, and thus keeping the body 1 and the handle insert 4 firmly fixed.

[0030] This connector uses a hinge to enable flexible button operation, while a spring ensures press-and-reset functionality, reducing manufacturing complexity, achieving precise positioning, and providing high accuracy and repeatability. A limiting washer is installed between the button and the plug, allowing for easy connection with a simple press and latch, facilitating on-site operation.

[0031] At least one of the following components—body 1, positioning pin 2, button 3, telescopic spring 5, plug 6, pressing spring 7, and limiting washer 8—is made of metal, preferably all of them, and the metal material is stainless steel produced by powder metallurgy. The process involves metal injection molding (powder + binder), followed by sintering and precision machining of certain dimensions. Utilizing stainless steel machining and powder metallurgy, the device has a lifespan exceeding 1000 cycles, is suitable for harsh environments such as those with acids and alkalis, and exhibits high precision, resulting in good repeatability and consistency during insertion and removal.

[0032] The ferrule 4 is available in two materials: ceramic and metal, depending on the customer's requirements.

[0033] The main body 1 is a cuboid structure with a square cross-section. An internal through-hole 101 is formed along the length of the main body 1. A limiting step 102 is located at the front end of the internal through-hole 101. The front end of the handle-type insert 4 is tightly inserted into and engaged with the limiting step 102, thus positioning the handle-type insert 4. A limiting groove 103 is provided at the rear end of the internal through-hole 101. The front end of the plug 6 is engaged with the limiting groove 103, thus positioning the plug 6.

[0034] A support 104 is provided at the outer front end of the main body 1. A keyway 105 is provided on the support 104 along the center direction of the main body. The front end of the button 3 is located in the keyway 105 and its shape matches the keyway 105. Therefore, when the front end of the button 3 is flipped relative to the main body 1, the limiting of the keyway 105 can ensure the centering of the button 3 and prevent lateral displacement. A spring guide post 106 is provided at the outer rear end of the main body 1. A pressing spring 7 is sleeved on the spring guide post 106, which is also used to improve the centering of the button 3.

[0035] The main body 1 is hinged to the button 3 by a riveted positioning pin 2. The positioning pin 2 and the button 3 are interference fit to achieve the hinged connection of the button 3. The positioning pin 2 is arranged along the length direction perpendicular to the main body 1 to ensure the direction and position of the button 3. Specifically, the positioning pin 2 is riveted to the support 104, and the button 3 is hinged and flipped relative to the support 104.

[0036] The button 3 has a spring groove 301 and a washer slot 302. The pressing spring 7 is located in the spring groove 301, which guides and aligns the pressing spring 7 to improve the centering of the button 3. The limiting washer 8 acts in the washer slot 302 to lock the limiting washer 8 on the button 3 and prevent the button 3 from slipping. The limiting washer 8 also acts at the tail end of the button 3, that is, the washer slot 302 is arranged at the tail end of the button 3 to facilitate the placement of the limiting washer 8.

[0037] The plug 6 comprises an integrally formed front thread 601, a middle gasket retaining segment 602, and a rear thread 603. The front thread 601 is tightly inserted into the body 1, securing the plug 6 to the body 1. A limiting gasket 8 acts on the gasket retaining segment 602, specifically at the middle position of the plug 6. Preferably, the outer diameter of the gasket retaining segment 602 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the threads at both ends to facilitate the positioning of the limiting gasket 8. The rear thread 603 is used to fit a protective sleeve or other components.

[0038] The limiting washer 8 has a ring-shaped structure. The end of the button 3 is square, and the end of the plug 6 is arc-shaped. The limiting washer 8 is sleeved on the button 3 and the plug 6 to ensure the stability of the limiting washer 8 and prevent it from falling off.

[0039] This connector employs a linkage riveting interference fit structure, ensuring excellent button alignment and eliminating lateral movement. It also simplifies the separate spring fixing structure, resulting in a smaller space requirement and easy, flexible insertion and removal. This ensures high product stability, excellent insertion repeatability, high insertion loss, and good consistency. The use of stainless steel machining and powder metallurgy further enhances the overall lifespan of the connector.

[0040] The workflow for this application: (See reference) Figure 4 As shown, button 3 is placed on body 1, and body 1 and button 3 are riveted together by interference fit using positioning pin 2, ensuring that button 3 is on the center surface of body 1. After riveting, body 1 and button 3 become a single shell. Then, the handle insert 4 and telescopic spring 5 are placed into the riveted single shell, and the plug 6 is used to form a whole by interference fit of body 1, positioning pin 2, button 3, handle insert 4, telescopic spring 5, and plug 6.

[0041] The pressing spring 7 is placed on the raised circular guide post of the main body 1 and then fixed in the positioning hole of the button 3 for repeated pressing of the button 3. The limiting washer 8 is put on the plug 6 and the button 3 to further fix the pressing spring 7 and ensure the stability and smooth pressing of the pressing spring 7. This product achieves precise positioning during the plugging and unplugging process with the adapter.

[0042] The foregoing basic examples and their further alternative examples can be freely combined to form multiple embodiments, all of which are embodiments that can be adopted and claimed in this application. In the scheme of this application, each alternative example can be arbitrarily combined with any other basic example and alternative example.

[0043] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. An LC fiber optic connector comprising a main body (1), characterized in that: The main body (1) is provided with a handle-type insert (4) inside. The tail end of the main body (1) is provided with a plug (6) fitted on the handle-type insert (4). A telescopic spring (5) is provided between the handle-type insert (4) and the plug (6). The front end of the main body (1) is hinged to the front end of the button (3). A pressing spring (7) is provided between the rear end of the main body (1) and the button (3). A limiting washer (8) is provided between the button (3) and the plug (6) for guidance.

2. The LC fiber optic connector of claim 1, wherein: At least one of the main body (1), button (3), telescopic spring (5), plug (6), pressing spring (7) and limiting gasket (8) is made of metal; the metal material is stainless steel made of powder metallurgy.

3. The LC fiber optic connector of claims 1 or 2, characterized by: The main body (1) has an internal through hole (101) along its length. A limiting step (102) is provided inside the internal through hole (101). The front end of the stalk insert (4) is engaged with the limiting step (102). A limiting groove (103) is provided at the tail end of the internal through hole (101). The front end of the plug (6) is engaged with the limiting groove (103).

4. The LC fiber optic connector of claim 1, wherein: The main body (1) is provided with a support (104) on its outer side. The support (104) is provided with a keyway (105) arranged along the center direction of the main body. The front end of the button (3) is located in the keyway (105).

5. The LC fiber optic connector according to claim 1 or 4, characterized in that: The outer side of the main body (1) is provided with a spring guide post (106), and the pressing spring (7) is sleeved on the spring guide post (106).

6. The LC fiber optic connector of claims 1 or 2, characterized by: The main body (1) is hinged to the button (3) by a riveted positioning pin (2).

7. The LC fiber optic connector of claim 1, wherein: The limiting pad (8) is applied to the tail end of the button (3).

8. The LC fiber optic connector of claims 1 or 7, characterized by: The button (3) is provided with a spring groove (301) and a pad slot (302). The pressing spring (7) is located in the spring groove (301), and the limiting pad (8) acts in the pad slot (302).

9. The LC fiber optic connector of claims 1 or 2, characterized by: The plug (6) includes a front thread (601), a gasket segment (602) and a rear thread (603). The front thread (601) is located on the main body (1), and the limiting gasket (8) acts on the gasket segment (602).

10. The LC fiber optic connector of claims 1 or 2, characterized by: The limiting gasket (8) is a ring structure and is sleeved on the button (3) and the plug (6).

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