A fiber ferrule assembly and a fiber optic quick connector

Abstract

The application relates to an optical fiber ferrule assembly and an optical fiber quick connector. The optical fiber ferrule assembly comprises a ferrule seat and a pressing plate. The ferrule seat is internally provided with a continuation groove for inserting a pre-buried bare fiber and a bare fiber to be connected. An installation clamping groove is formed on the ferrule seat along the length direction of the continuation groove. The continuation groove and the installation clamping groove are in communication. The pressing plate is accommodated in the installation clamping groove. The width of the installation clamping groove gradually decreases from the opening of the installation clamping groove to the groove bottom. The optical fiber quick connector designed by the application can still maintain good indexes in high and low temperature environments, and meets the requirement of high communication quality.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of optical communication, and in particular to an optical fiber ferrule assembly and an optical fiber quick connector. Background Technology

[0002] Fiber optic quick connectors are key components in fiber optic communication systems that enable detachable connections between optical fibers. Their core function is to precisely align the end faces of two optical fibers to ensure that optical signals can be efficiently coupled from the transmitting fiber to the receiving fiber with minimal loss, while minimizing their impact on the optical link.

[0003] Currently, most fiber optic quick connectors on the market are made of plastic. Fiber optic ferrule assemblies typically include a ferrule holder, a pressure plate, and a sliding locking sleeve. The ferrule holder has a splicing groove inside to accommodate bare fibers to be spliced ​​and pre-embedded bare fibers. The pressure plate covers the ferrule holder and is secured to the outside by the sliding locking sleeve. In existing designs, the initial fixation of the pressure plate and ferrule holder usually uses a simple snap-fit ​​method. Specifically, the ferrule holder has a protrusion, and a corresponding groove is made on the pressure plate. The two surfaces or parts of the plate make a snap-fit ​​fixation by the interlocking of the protrusion and groove.

[0004] However, the above structure has significant drawbacks in practical applications. After undergoing high and low temperature cycling tests or long-term environmental temperature fluctuations, the plastic material is significantly affected by the thermal expansion and contraction effect. This can cause the mating gap between the pressure plate and the ferrule to increase due to temperature changes, and the mating surfaces of the protrusion and groove are prone to slight displacement, resulting in the pressure plate shifting or misaligning. The pressure plate's clamping effect on the optical fiber weakens, and may even lead to reduced fiber splicing accuracy, increased insertion loss, or deterioration of connection stability, seriously affecting communication quality. Utility Model Content

[0005] To improve the stability of fiber optic quick connectors in high and low temperature environments, this application provides a fiber optic ferrule assembly and a fiber optic quick connector.

[0006] The optical fiber ferrule assembly provided in this application adopts the following technical solution: An optical fiber ferrule assembly includes a ferrule holder and a pressure plate. The ferrule holder has a splice slot for inserting pre-embedded bare fibers and bare fibers to be spliced. The ferrule holder has a mounting slot along the length of the splice slot. The splice slot is connected to the mounting slot. The pressure plate is housed in the mounting slot. The width of the mounting slot gradually decreases from the opening of the mounting slot to the bottom of the slot.

[0007] Preferably, the width of the pressure plate gradually increases from bottom to top, and when the pressure plate is installed in the mounting slot, the inclined walls on both sides of the pressure plate abut against the inclined walls on both sides of the mounting slot.

[0008] Preferably, the insert is cylindrical.

[0009] Preferably, the upper surface of the pressure plate is arc-shaped, and the arc-shaped surface of the pressure plate is adapted to the outer peripheral wall of the insert seat.

[0010] Preferably, the cross-section of the mounting slot is trapezoidal.

[0011] Preferably, one end of the pressure plate is provided with a widening section, the widening section forming a stepped surface, and a groove is formed on the insert seat. The groove wall of the groove abuts against the stepped surface of the widening section to restrict the axial sliding of the pressure plate.

[0012] Preferably, one end of the pressure plate is provided with an observation port that penetrates the end of the pressure plate, and the observation port is connected to the mounting slot.

[0013] The fiber optic quick connector provided in this application adopts the following technical solution: A fiber optic quick connector includes the aforementioned fiber optic ferrule assembly.

[0014] Preferred options also include: Tail clamp, used to hold optical cables; A locking sleeve is fitted over the fiber optic ferrule assembly and abuts against the pressure plate and ferrule holder; Tail tube, connected to the tail clamp seat; The end of the ferrule has a pin seat for inserting ceramic pins. The tail of the ferrule is inserted into the tail clip seat. The pin seat and the locking sleeve hold a reset member. The tail tube holds the locking sleeve to keep the reset member in a compressed state.

[0015] In summary, this application provides a mounting slot along the length of the splice groove on the ferrule. The cross-section of the mounting slot is designed so that the width gradually decreases from the opening to the bottom. The pressure plate is accommodated and installed within the mounting slot, with its sides and bottom contacting the slot walls, enhancing the circumferential and lateral constraint of the pressure plate within the mounting slot. When the temperature changes, the expansion and contraction directions and trends of the ferrule and the pressure plate are consistent. The gradually narrowing mounting slot ensures that the pressure plate always has a tendency to slide downwards along the slope, and the sloped walls on both sides of the mounting slot force the pressure plate within the slot to move towards the center. Therefore, the pressure plate can always be constrained in the middle position of the mounting slot, thus maintaining a good fiber locking effect. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the fiber optic ferrule assembly according to an embodiment of this application.

[0017] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the fiber optic ferrule assembly according to an embodiment of this application.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the fiber optic ferrule assembly in an embodiment of this application when it explodes.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the fiber optic ferrule assembly and the locking sleeve in an embodiment of this application.

[0020] Figure 5 This is an exploded view of the fiber optic quick connector according to an embodiment of this application.

[0021] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. Molding insert; 2. Pressure plate; 3. Pin holder; 4. Ceramic pin; 5. Locking sleeve; 11. Mounting slot; 12. Continuation slot; 21. Width-changing section; 22. Stepped surface; 13. Insert groove; 23. Observation port; 24. Locking protrusion; 6. Tail clamp seat; 7. Tail tube; 8. Front end housing; 51. Push plate; 9. Reset component. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The following is in conjunction with the appendix Figure 1-5 This application will be described in further detail.

[0023] This application discloses an optical fiber ferrule assembly. (Refer to...) Figure 1 The fiber optic ferrule assembly includes a ferrule holder 1 and a pressure plate 2. The pressure plate 2 covers the ferrule holder 1. The end of the ferrule holder 1 has a pin seat 3, on which a ceramic pin 4 is coaxially inserted. A pre-embedded bare fiber is pre-installed within the ceramic pin 4, passing through the pin seat 3 and extending between the ferrule holder 1 and the pressure plate 2. The tail end of the ferrule holder 1 has a tubular structure. The bare fiber to be connected is inserted from the tail end of the ferrule holder 1 and extends between the ferrule holder 1 and the pressure plate 2. A locking sleeve 5 is fitted over the ferrule assembly. By sliding the locking sleeve 5, the ferrule holder 1 and the pressure plate 2 are pressed together, thereby fixing the bare fiber to be connected and the pre-embedded bare fiber at their end faces.

[0024] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3The ferrule 1 has a mounting slot 11 for accommodating the pressure plate 2. The mounting slot 11 is installed along the axial direction of the ferrule 1. The bottom of the mounting slot 11 has a splicing groove 12 for accommodating the bare fiber to be connected and the pre-embedded bare fiber. The axis of the splicing groove 12 is located on the axis of the ferrule 1, so that the bare fiber to be connected and the pre-embedded bare fiber can be completely accommodated in the splicing groove 12. The pressure plate 2 is installed in the mounting slot 11 and presses on the bare fiber to be connected and the pre-embedded bare fiber. The width of the mounting slot 11 gradually decreases from the opening to the bottom. Correspondingly, the structure of the pressure plate 2 is similar to that of the mounting slot 11 to fit the mounting slot 11. Specifically, the width of the pressure plate 2 gradually increases from bottom to top, and when the pressure plate 2 is installed in the mounting slot 11, the inclined walls on both sides of the pressure plate 2 will abut against the inclined walls on both sides of the mounting slot 11. The angle between the inclined wall and the bottom wall of the mounting slot 11 is 95°-105°, preferably 100°.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the portion of the ferrule 1 that mates with the pressure plate 2 is cylindrical, and the cross-section of the mounting groove 11 is trapezoidal, meaning the bottom of the mounting groove 11 is planar. The portion of the pressure plate 2 located in the mounting groove 11 is adapted to the cross-section of the mounting groove 11, and the top surface of the pressure plate 2 is an arc surface that mates with the outer peripheral wall of the ferrule 1. Under standard design temperature, when the pressure plate 2 and the ferrule 1 are pressed together by external force, the two side walls of the pressure plate 2 come into contact with the two side groove walls of the mounting groove 11. When the temperature rises or falls, the size of the mounting groove 11 and the size of the pressure plate 2 will change slightly. However, with the guidance and interaction of the inclined walls, the pressure plate 2 will still be approximately located on the centerline of the ferrule 1, thereby ensuring to a certain extent the effect of the pressure plate 2 and the ferrule 1 in clamping the bare fiber, allowing the bare fiber to still withstand a certain amount of bare fiber tension.

[0026] Furthermore, one end of the pressure plate 2 is provided with a widening section 21, forming a stepped surface 22 between the widening section 21 and the main body of the pressure plate 2. A groove 13 is formed on the insert seat 1, and the groove 13 and the mounting slot 11 are interconnected. When the pressure plate 2 mates with the insert seat 1, the widening section 21 falls into the groove 13, and the groove wall of the groove 13 abuts against the stepped surface 22 of the widening section 21 to form a structure that restricts the axial sliding of the pressure plate 2. This structure also ensures a certain degree of restraint even when the pressure plate 2 and the insert seat 1 are not tightly abutting against each other.

[0027] One end of the pressure plate 2 is provided with an observation port 23 that extends through the end of the pressure plate 2. When the pressure plate 2 is inserted into the mounting slot 11, the observation port 23 exposes the corresponding part of the mounting slot 11 to the external line of sight. The observation port 23 mainly exposes the part of the pre-embedded bare fiber, so that the user can know the status of the pre-embedded bare fiber without disassembling the pressure plate 2. However, it should be noted that the contact surface between the pre-embedded bare fiber and the bare fiber to be connected should not be at the position of the observation port 23, but should be in a position that completely covers the pressure plate 2 and the ferrule 1.

[0028] In one embodiment, the widening section 21 is located at one end toward the tail end of the ferrule assembly, while the observation port 23 is located at the other end of the pressure plate 2. However, depending on actual needs, the widening section 21 may also be located at one end near the pin socket 3, while the observation port 23 is correspondingly located at the other end of the pressure plate 2.

[0029] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 4 The inner wall of the locking sleeve 5 is designed to fit the outer peripheral wall of the ferrule 1 and the pressure plate 2, i.e., the inner wall of the locking sleeve 5 is in the shape of a circular hole. When the locking sleeve 5 is fitted onto the mating part of the ferrule 1 and the pressure plate 2, the locking sleeve 5 will abut against the ferrule 1 and the pressure plate 2 respectively to limit their movement. A portion of the surface of the pressure plate 2 is provided with a locking protrusion 24. When the locking sleeve 5 is fitted onto the ferrule 1 and the pressure plate 2, the sliding locking sleeve 5 slides until its inner wall abuts against the locking protrusion 24, thereby forcing the pressure plate 2 to press down and press the bare fiber to be connected and the pre-embedded bare fiber together. Therefore, it can be seen that the contact surface between the bare fiber to be connected and the pre-embedded bare fiber should be within the mapping range of the locking protrusion 24. In one feasible embodiment, the locking protrusion 24 can also be provided on the back side of the ferrule 1.

[0030] This circular hole design differs from the common square structure. This design allows for a certain circumferential rotation error at the mating points of the locking sleeve 5, the mortise seat 1, and the pressure plate 2. Even when the locking sleeve 5 experiences a slight circumferential displacement, the circular hole design still effectively meets the mating requirements between the pressure plate 2 and the mortise seat 1. Similarly, the structure of the widening section 21 indicates that even when the locking sleeve 5 does not clamp the pressure plate 2 and the mortise seat 1 tightly, a certain limiting relationship can still be maintained between the pressure plate 2 and the mortise seat 1.

[0031] Continue to refer to Figure 5This application also discloses a fiber optic quick connector, including the aforementioned ferrule assembly, a tail clip 6 for clamping the fiber optic cable sheath, a tail tube 7, a locking sleeve 5, and a front end housing 8. The front end housing 8 is snap-fitted to the tail clip 6, the ferrule assembly is housed within the front end housing 8, the tubular tail of the ferrule 1 is inserted into the tail clip 6, a push plate 51 extends from the locking sleeve 5 toward the tail clip 6, and the tail tube 7 is threadedly connected to the tail clip 6 and can abut against the push plate 51. As the threads between the tail tube 7 and the tail clip 6 are screwed in, the tail tube 7 contacts the push plate 51 to push the locking sleeve 5 toward the end of the ferrule assembly. At this time, the movement of the locking sleeve 5, in conjunction with the locking protrusion 24, can press the pressure plate 2 and the ferrule 1 together to secure the bare fiber.

[0032] Based on this, a reset member 9 is held between the pin holder 3 and the locking sleeve 5. The reset member 9 is preferably a compression spring and is sleeved on the pressure plate 2 and the ferrule holder 1. When the tail tube 7 pushes the locking sleeve 5 to move, the reset member 9 will be compressed by force. When the tail tube 7 is gradually unscrewed from the tail clamp seat 6, the reset member 9 will have a restoring action and push the pin holder 3 and the locking sleeve 5 away from each other, thereby unlocking the ferrule assembly from the locked state.

[0033] The above are all preferred embodiments of this application, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, all equivalent changes made in accordance with the structure, shape and principle of this application should be covered within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A fiber optic ferrule assembly, comprising a ferrule holder (1) and a pressure plate (2), wherein the ferrule holder (1) is provided with a splice slot (12) for inserting pre-embedded bare fibers and bare fibers to be spliced, characterized in that: The insert (1) has an installation slot (11) along the length of the connecting groove (12). The connecting groove (12) is connected to the installation slot (11). The pressure plate (2) is housed in the installation slot (11). The width of the installation slot (11) gradually decreases from the opening of the installation slot (11) to the bottom of the slot.

2. The fiber optic ferrule assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The width of the pressure plate (2) gradually increases from bottom to top, and when the pressure plate (2) is installed in the mounting slot (11), the inclined walls on both sides of the pressure plate (2) abut against the inclined walls on both sides of the mounting slot (11).

3. The fiber optic ferrule assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The angle between the inclined wall and the bottom wall of the mounting slot (11) is 95°-105°.

4. The fiber optic ferrule assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The part of the insert (1) that mates with the pressure plate (2) is cylindrical.

5. The fiber optic ferrule assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that: The cross-section of the mounting slot (11) is trapezoidal.

6. The fiber optic ferrule assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that: The upper surface of the pressure plate (2) is arc-shaped, and the arc-shaped surface of the pressure plate (2) is adapted to the outer peripheral wall of the insert seat (1).

7. The fiber optic ferrule assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: One end of the pressure plate (2) is provided with a widening section (21), the widening section (21) forms a stepped surface (22), and a groove (13) is formed on the insert seat (1). The groove wall of the groove (13) abuts against the stepped surface (22) of the widening section (21) to restrict the axial sliding of the pressure plate (2).

8. The fiber optic ferrule assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: One end of the pressure plate (2) is provided with an observation port (23) that penetrates the end of the pressure plate (2), and the observation port (23) is connected to the mounting slot (11).

9. A fiber optic quick connector, characterized in that: Includes the fiber optic ferrule assembly as described in any one of claims 1-8.

10. The fiber optic quick connector according to claim 9, characterized in that, Also includes: Tail clamp (6) is used to clamp the optical cable; Locking sleeve (5) is fitted over the fiber optic ferrule assembly and abuts against the pressure plate (2) and ferrule base (1); Tail tube (7) is connected to the tail clamp (6); The end of the ferrule (1) has a pin seat (3) for inserting ceramic pins (4). The tail of the ferrule (1) is inserted into the tail clamp (6). The pin seat (3) and the locking sleeve (5) abut against the reset member (9). The tail tube (7) abuts against the locking sleeve (5) to keep the reset member (9) in a compressed state.

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