Port Anti-dust plug and communication device

Abstract

The application discloses a port anti-dust plug and a communication device, which are applied to an optical module slot of an optical cage. The port anti-dust plug comprises: a main body part. One end of the main body part in the plugging direction of the port anti-dust plug is provided with a plugging end. The plugging end is provided with a connector accommodating recess having an opening direction away from the main body part.

Description

Port dust plugs and communication equipment

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on November 16, 2023, with application number 202323101522.4 and application name “A port dust plug and communication device”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0003] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a port dust plug and communication equipment. Background Art

[0004] Optical modules play a key role in Ethernet switches. They provide high-speed, reliable fiber interfaces, enabling critical connections for fiber-optic transmission. Their flexibility, scalability, and support for multiple fiber types enable Ethernet switches to adapt to diverse network requirements and provide stable, efficient data transmission.

[0005] Summary of the Invention

[0006] Each exemplary embodiment of the present application provides a port dust plug and a communication device.

[0007] In a first aspect, a port dust plug is provided, which is applied to an optical module slot of an optical cage, comprising:

[0008] A main body portion is provided with a plug-in end at one end of the main body portion in the plug-in and pull-out direction of the port dust plug, and the plug-in end is provided with a connector receiving groove with an opening direction facing away from the main body portion.

[0009] When the above-mentioned port dust plug is inserted into the slot of the optical cage, the connector is located in the connector accommodating groove, and the optical cage, the connector and the port dust plug form a closed space. The connector is isolated in the closed space to prevent the connector of the port from being exposed to the air, thereby forming a dust-proof effect on the connector, making it less susceptible to interference from external dust and having a good dust-proof effect on the connector.

[0010] In one embodiment, the connector receiving groove is a groove extending in a width direction of the main body.

[0011] In one embodiment, two convex strips are provided on the end surface of the plug end, and the two convex strips are perpendicular to the plugging and unplugging direction to form the groove.

[0012] In one embodiment, two convex strips are provided on the end surface of the plug end, and the two convex strips and the bottom of the connector receiving groove form the groove.

[0013] In one embodiment, the two convex strips are integrally formed with the main body.

[0014] In one embodiment, both ends of the groove in the extending direction of the groove are through.

[0015] In one embodiment, the two convex strips are parallel to each other.

[0016] In one embodiment, the two convex strips intersect with each other.

[0017] In one embodiment, each of the two convex strips has a surface facing the other, the surface is provided with a flared slope, and the distance between the flared slopes of the two convex strips gradually increases in a direction away from the main body.

[0018] In one embodiment, the main body has a ventilation channel, and the main body further comprises:

[0019] One or more first vents are provided at an end of the main body away from the plug end, wherein the first vents are communicated with the ventilation duct.

[0020] In one embodiment, the main body further comprises: at least one third ventilation opening provided at the plug-in end of the main body, wherein the third ventilation opening is communicated with the ventilation duct.

[0021] In one embodiment, the third vent is not connected to the connector receiving groove.

[0022] In one embodiment, the arrangement direction of the third vent and the connector receiving groove is the height direction of the port dust plug.

[0023] In one embodiment, the main body has at least two longitudinal ribs spaced apart and extending along the plugging and unplugging direction; the at least two longitudinal ribs form a strip groove, and the ventilation duct is formed in the strip groove.

[0024] In one embodiment, at least two transverse ribs are provided in the strip-shaped groove and spaced apart along the plugging and unplugging direction, and the at least two transverse ribs are connected to the at least two longitudinal ribs.

[0025] In one embodiment, the main body further includes: a second vent, wherein the second vent is provided in the strip groove, and the direction of the second vent is perpendicular to the plugging direction and perpendicular to the width direction of the port dust plug.

[0026] In one embodiment, upper surfaces of the at least two transverse ribs are lower than upper surfaces of the at least two longitudinal ribs.

[0027] In one embodiment, the main body is made of elastic material.

[0028] In one embodiment, the bottom of the connector receiving groove is an arc surface or a plane surface.

[0029] In one embodiment, a hand-held end is formed at one end of the main body away from the plug-in end, and the main body has a ventilation duct, which forms a first ventilation opening at the hand-held end. The ventilation duct also has a second ventilation opening, and the direction of the second ventilation opening is perpendicular to the plug-in and unplugging direction.

[0030] In one embodiment, the main body has a plurality of longitudinal ribs that are arranged at intervals and extend along the plugging and unplugging direction; each two adjacent longitudinal ribs form a strip groove, each strip groove forms a ventilation duct, each first ventilation opening is connected to a corresponding strip groove, and the opening of each strip groove that is perpendicular to the plugging and unplugging direction forms the second ventilation opening.

[0031] In one embodiment, every two adjacent longitudinal ribs are connected by a plurality of transverse ribs spaced apart along the plugging and unplugging direction.

[0032] In one embodiment, when the connector receiving groove is a groove formed on the end surface of the plug end, the arrangement direction of the second vent and the connector receiving groove is perpendicular to the extension direction of the groove.

[0033] In one embodiment, the handheld end is provided with a handle, and the handle is provided with anti-slip grooves.

[0034] In one embodiment, the main body is made of rubber.

[0035] In a second aspect, a communication device is provided, which includes a connector, an optical cage and a port dust plug as described in any of the above technical solutions, wherein the optical cage has an optical module slot, the port dust plug is inserted into the optical module slot, and the side wall of the optical cage covers the opening of the connector accommodating slot to enclose a confined space, and the connector is located in the confined space.

[0036] Compared with the conventional technology, the advantages of the communication device and the port dust plug are not described here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the following is a brief introduction to the drawings required for use in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the drawings introduced below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work.

[0038] FIG1 is a perspective view of a port dust plug provided by an embodiment of the present application from one perspective;

[0039] FIG2 is a three-dimensional view of the port dust plug provided in an embodiment of the present application from another perspective. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] As used herein, the terms "comprising" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive protection. For example, a process, method, system, product, or device comprising a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may optionally include steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units inherent to such process, method, system, product, or device. "Multiple" in this application may mean at least two, for example, two, three, or more, and the embodiments of this application are not limiting.

[0041] In the description of this application, "plurality" is understood to mean "at least two." "And / or" describes the association relationship between associated objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, "A and / or B" can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone.

[0042] Unless otherwise defined by the context, the term “connected” herein may mean that one element is directly connected to another element or that one element is connected to another element through an intermediate element.

[0043] Unless otherwise defined in the context, the terms “first” and “second” herein are only used to distinguish the same or similar elements, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying the importance of different elements, nor can they be understood as indicating or implying an order.

[0044] Traditional network switches generally have open ports, and the port connectors do not have a dust-proof structure and are directly exposed to the air. Dust often mixes with the air and can easily enter the optical port connector, causing poor contact with the optical module, affecting the user experience, and even affecting heat dissipation, causing the optical module to overheat and shortening the device life.

[0045] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described clearly and completely below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative work are within the scope of protection of this application. In conjunction with Figures 1 and 2, each exemplary embodiment of the present application provides a port dust plug. The port dust plug is applied to the optical module slot of the optical cage. The port dust plug includes: a main body 20 of elastic material, one end of the main body 20 in the plug-in and unplugging direction W forms a plug-in end B, and the plug-in end B is formed with a connector accommodating groove U with an opening direction facing away from the main body 20.

[0046] When the above-mentioned port dust plug is inserted into the slot of the optical cage, the connector is located in the connector accommodating groove U. The optical cage, the connector and the port dust plug form a closed space. The connector is isolated in the closed space and is not easily invaded by external dust, which has a good dust-proof effect on the connector.

[0047] In a specific embodiment, the connector receiving groove U can be a groove formed on the end surface of the plug-in end B, and the extension direction of the groove is perpendicular to the plug-in direction W. The two ends of the groove in the extension direction can be directly closed by the side walls of the optical module slot of the optical cage. Therefore, the two ends in the length direction of the groove (as shown in Figure 1, the width direction of the main body 20 perpendicular to the plug-in direction W) are directly connected. On the one hand, it can save material of the main body 20, and on the other hand, it can also provide more tolerance margins for the connector in this width direction. The connector is not likely to collide with the side walls of the groove (in this embodiment, the side walls of the optical module slot) in the width direction. In other words, the connector is easier to be placed in the groove U.

[0048] The connector receiving groove U can be formed in a variety of ways. Specifically, the groove can be formed by directly removing a portion of the end surface of the plug end B through a known process (e.g., etching). In other embodiments, the following method can be used: the end surface of the plug end B is provided with two parallel protrusions 31. Both protrusions 31 are perpendicular to the insertion and removal direction W and extend in the width direction of the main body 20 to form a groove.

[0049] The ridges 31 may be made of the same material as the main body 20 .

[0050] The ridge 31 can be integrally injection molded with the main body 20, making the groove structure more secure and stable. The ridge 31 is more easily deformable and more easily elastically deforms when abutting against the sidewalls of the optical module slot. This creates a smaller gap between the ridge and the sidewalls of the optical module slot, making it more difficult for dust to enter the connector receiving groove U.

[0051] In this embodiment, the two protrusions 31 are parallel for the purpose of example only. Alternatively, the two protrusions 31 may cross each other as long as the connector can be accommodated in the connector accommodating groove U.

[0052] Additionally, each ridge 31 may further have a flared slope 311 on its surface facing the other ridge 31. The distance between the flared slopes 311 of the two ridges 31 gradually increases in a direction away from the main body 20 to provide guidance for the entry of the connector.

[0053] In a specific embodiment, the bottom of the connector receiving groove U can be a curved surface or a flat surface. When the bottom of the receiving groove U is a curved surface, the stress concentration problem caused by the sharp angle when the connector receiving groove U is squeezed by the side wall of the optical module slot can be eliminated, thereby improving the life of the port dust plug.

[0054] When the bottom of the receiving groove U is a plane, the depth of the receiving groove U is relatively shallow, less material needs to be dug out, and the structural stability is better. In addition, the bottom of the connector receiving groove U can also be a surface of other shapes, such as an irregular curved surface.

[0055] In a specific embodiment, a handheld terminal A is formed at one end of the main body 20 away from the plug-in terminal B. The main body 20 has a ventilation duct T, which forms a first vent P1 at the handheld terminal A. The ventilation duct T also has a second vent P3, and the second vent P3 is oriented perpendicular to the plug-in direction W. The ventilation duct T serves as a guide, and outside air flows in through the first vent P1. The air flowing into the ventilation duct T from the first vent P1 can flow out through the second vent P3 in a direction perpendicular to the plug-in direction W, and then flow out through the outlet on the top wall of the optical module slot to the internal space of the communication device for ventilation.

[0056] In one embodiment, the ventilation duct T can also form a third ventilation port P2 at the plug end B. The air flowing into the ventilation duct T from the first ventilation port P1 flows out from the third ventilation port P2, so that the components in the outside world and the internal space of the communication equipment can be ventilated, further improving the heat exchange effect.

[0057] The ventilation duct T can be in various specific forms. The ventilation duct T can be formed by directly hollowing out the interior of the main body 20 .

[0058] In a specific embodiment, the main body 20 has a plurality of longitudinal ribs 201 spaced apart and extending along the plugging direction W. The longitudinal ribs 201 can provide reinforcement in the plugging direction W. A strip groove is formed between every two adjacent longitudinal ribs 201. Each strip groove forms a ventilation duct T. Each first vent P1 is connected to a corresponding strip groove. The opening of each strip groove at the plug end B forms a third vent P2. The opening of each strip groove perpendicular to the plugging direction W forms a second vent P3. The slot is not limited to open slots such as strip grooves and can also be replaced by closed slots such as diamond slots or other various slot types.

[0059] In a specific embodiment, every two adjacent longitudinal ribs 201 are connected by a plurality of transverse ribs 202 spaced apart along the plugging direction W. The transverse ribs 202 can further reinforce the adjacent longitudinal ribs 201 in the width direction perpendicular to the plugging direction W.

[0060] The height of the transverse ribs 202 can be lower than that of the longitudinal ribs 201 to ensure that the airflow along the insertion and removal direction W is not blocked by the transverse ribs 202, thereby taking into account both structural strength and airflow guidance. Alternatively, the transverse ribs 202 can also be flush with the longitudinal ribs 201.

[0061] In a specific embodiment, when the connector receiving slot U is a groove formed on the end surface of the plug end B, the third vent P2 is aligned perpendicularly to the direction in which the connector receiving slot U extends. The third vent P2 is not connected to the connector receiving slot U. For example, the third vent P2 is not connected to either end of the connector receiving slot U along its length. This prevents the ventilation duct T from communicating with the enclosed space defined by the connector receiving slot U, thereby preventing dust contamination of the connector within the enclosed space.

[0062] In a specific embodiment, the handheld terminal A is provided with a handle 10, and the handle 10 is provided with anti-slip grooves 11, so that the operator can hold the handle 10 for plugging and unplugging operations and play an anti-slip role during plugging and unplugging.

[0063] In a specific embodiment, the main body 20 can be made of rubber, which has good elasticity and friction coefficient, can support the light cage and increase its structural strength, and can fit tightly with the light cage to prevent dust from entering the connector receiving groove U.

[0064] Based on the same concept, an embodiment of the present application also provides a communication device, which can be a network switch, including a connector, an optical cage and the port dust plug provided in the above embodiment, the optical cage has an optical module slot, the port dust plug is inserted into the optical module slot, the side wall of the optical cage covers the opening of the connector accommodating groove U to enclose a closed space, and the connector is located in the closed space.

[0065] When the above-mentioned port dust plug is inserted into the slot of the optical cage, the connector is located in the connector accommodating groove U. The optical cage, the connector and the port dust plug form a closed space. The connector is isolated in the closed space and is not easily disturbed by external dust, which has a good dust-proof effect on the connector.

[0066] Obviously, those skilled in the art may make various changes and modifications to the embodiments of the present application without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. Thus, if such modifications and variations of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalents, the present application is intended to include such modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A port dust plug, applied to an optical module slot of an optical cage, comprising: A main body portion, wherein one end of the main body portion in the plugging and unplugging direction of the port dust plug is provided with a plug-in end, and the plug-in end is provided with a connector receiving groove with an opening direction facing away from the main body portion.

2. The port dust plug according to claim 1, wherein: The connector receiving groove is a groove extending in the width direction of the main body.

3. The port dust plug according to claim 2, wherein: Two convex strips are arranged on the end surface of the plug-in end, and the two convex strips and the bottom of the connector receiving groove form the groove.

4. The port dust plug according to claim 3, wherein: The two convex strips are integrally formed with the main body.

5. The port dust plug according to claim 3 or 4, wherein: The groove is penetrated at both ends in the extending direction of the groove.

6. The port dust plug according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein: The two convex strips are parallel to each other.

7. The port dust plug according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein: The two convex strips intersect each other.

8. The port dust plug according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein: Each of the two convex strips has a surface facing the other, the surface is provided with a flared slope, and the distance between the flared slopes of the two convex strips gradually increases in a direction away from the main body.

9. The port dust plug according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The bottom of the connector receiving groove is an arc surface or a plane surface.

10. The port dust plug according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein: The main body has a ventilation channel, and the main body also includes: One or more first vents are provided at an end of the main body away from the plug end, wherein the first vents are communicated with the ventilation duct.

11. The port dust plug according to claim 10, wherein: The main body also includes: at least one third vent provided at the plug end of the main body, Wherein, the third ventilation opening is communicated with the ventilation duct.

12. The port dust plug according to claim 11, wherein: The third vent is not in communication with the connector receiving groove.

13. The port dust plug according to claim 12, wherein: The arrangement direction of the third ventilation opening and the connector receiving groove is the height direction of the port dust plug.

14. The port dust plug according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein: The main body has at least two longitudinal ribs arranged at intervals and extending along the plugging and unplugging direction; and The at least two longitudinal convex ribs form a strip groove, and the ventilation channel is formed in the strip groove.

15. The port dust plug according to claim 14, wherein: At least two transverse ribs are arranged in the strip groove at intervals along the plugging and pulling direction, and the at least two transverse ribs are connected to the at least two longitudinal ribs.

16. The port dust plug according to claim 14, wherein: The main body also includes: A second vent, wherein the second vent is disposed in the strip groove, and the direction of the second vent is perpendicular to the plugging direction and perpendicular to the width direction of the port dust plug.

17. The port dust plug according to claim 15 or 16, wherein: The upper surfaces of the at least two transverse ribs are lower than the upper surfaces of the at least two longitudinal ribs.

18. The port dust plug according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein: The material of the main body is elastic material.

19. The port dust plug according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein: A hand-held end is provided at one end of the main body away from the plug-in end, the hand-held end is provided with a handle, and the handle is provided with anti-slip grooves.

20. A communication device comprising: Connectors; an optical cage having an optical module slot; and The port dust plug according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the port dust plug is inserted into the optical module slot, the optical cage slot and the connector accommodating slot form a closed space, and the connector is located in the closed space.

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