Optical module and optical communication system

Abstract

An optical module and an optical communication system. The optical module comprises a housing (1), a photoelectric conversion device (2), a first power supply connector (3), and a second power supply connector (4); a first end of the housing (1) is provided with a first insertion channel (11) and a second insertion channel (12); the photoelectric conversion device (2) is provided with a single-fiber optical connector (21) and an electrical signal connector (22); the photoelectric conversion device (2) is located in the housing (1); the single-fiber optical connector (21) extends into the first insertion channel (11), and the electrical signal connector (22) extends into a second end of the housing (1); the first power supply connector (3) is located between the first insertion channel (11) and the second insertion channel (12), or the first power supply connector (3) is located in the second insertion channel (12); and the second power supply connector (4) is located at the second end of the housing (1) and is electrically connected to the first power supply connector (3). An optical fiber and a power supply copper wire of a composite cable are both inserted into a communication device by means of the optical module, and only a port allowing for insertion of the second end of the optical module needs to be provided on a panel of the communication device, thereby reducing the number of ports of the communication device and simplifying the structure of the communication device.

Description

Optical modules and optical communication systems

[0001] This disclosure claims priority to Chinese patent application number 202311734707.0, filed on December 15, 2023, entitled “Optical Module and Optical Communication System,” the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this disclosure. Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to an optical module and an optical communication system. Background Art

[0003] Power over Ethernet (PoE) is simply power sourcing equipment (PSE) that supports PoE. It transmits power to powered devices (PD) that support PoE through Ethernet twisted-pair cables, transmitting both data and electrical energy to power them.

[0004] The power supply device may be a central switch in a campus network, and the powered devices may include access points (APs) and Internet Protocol (IP) cameras in the campus network.

[0005] However, Ethernet twisted pair cables are copper cables. When transmitting high-speed data, data loss is large and the transmission distance is difficult to exceed 200 meters. Therefore, PoE technology is usually used in low-speed and short-distance transmission scenarios.

[0006] In high-speed, long-distance transmission scenarios, composite cables, which are coated with optical fibers and power copper wires, can be used to transmit both data and power. Typically, after the composite cable is pulled near the communication equipment, the optical fibers and power copper wires are separated. The optical fiber connector at the end of the optical fiber is plugged into the optical cage interface of the communication equipment via an optical module, and the power connector at the end of the power copper wire is plugged into the power interface of the communication equipment.

[0007] It can be seen that in the solution of simultaneously transmitting data and power via a composite cable, the panel of the communication equipment needs to have an optical cage interface for connecting to the optical module and a power interface for connecting to the power supply copper wire, resulting in a large number of interfaces on the communication equipment panel and a complex structure.

[0008] Summary of the Invention

[0009] The present disclosure provides an optical module and an optical communication system. The optical module has a power transmission function, so that the composite cable only passes through the optical module and is plugged into the interface of the communication equipment. The power interface is omitted on the panel of the communication equipment, thereby simplifying the structure of the communication equipment.

[0010] In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides an optical module, comprising a housing, a photoelectric conversion device, a first power supply connector, and a second power supply connector.

[0011] The first end of the housing has a first plug-in channel and a second plug-in channel, and the photoelectric conversion device has a single-fiber optical connector and an electrical signal connector.

[0012] The photoelectric conversion device is located in the housing, the single-fiber optical connector extends into the first plug-in channel, and the electrical signal connector extends into the second end of the housing.

[0013] The first power supply connector is located between the first plugging channel and the second plugging channel, or the first power supply connector is located in the second plugging channel.

[0014] The second power supply connector is located at the second end of the housing, and the second power supply connector is electrically connected to the first power supply connector.

[0015] The first plug-in channel is used for inserting a fiber optic connector with a single optical interface, the first plug-in channel and the second plug-in channel are used for inserting a fiber optic connector with a dual optical interface, the first power supply connector is used to connect to the power supply copper wire of the composite cable, and the second end of the shell is used to be inserted into the communication equipment.

[0016] In the solution disclosed herein, the optical module includes a first power supply connector and a second power supply connector that are electrically connected. Therefore, after the composite cable including the optical fiber and the power supply copper wire is pulled near the communication device, the optical fiber connector at the end of the composite cable is connected to the single-fiber optical connector of the optical module, and the power supply connector at the end of the composite cable is connected to the first power supply connector of the optical module. It can be seen that the optical fiber and the power supply copper wire of the composite cable are both connected to the first end of the optical module, and the second end of the optical module is plugged into the interface of the communication device. Therefore, the optical fiber and the power supply copper wire of the composite cable are both inserted into the communication device through the optical module. Then, the panel of the communication device does not need to be provided with both an optical interface and a power supply interface. It is only necessary to provide a port for inserting the second end of the optical module. The power supply interface is omitted on the panel of the communication device, thereby reducing the number of ports on the panel of the communication device, simplifying the structure of the communication device, and facilitating the miniaturization of the communication device.

[0017] In the solution shown in the present disclosure, the first power supply connector located at the first end of the optical module will not interfere with the optical fiber connector and is inserted into the second plug-in channel. Then, the optical module can be inserted into both optical fiber connectors with a single optical interface and optical fiber connectors with a dual optical interface. Therefore, the compatibility of the first end of the optical module is stronger.

[0018] In a possible implementation, the housing includes a first partition, which is located at the bottom of the second plugging channel. The first partition is used to isolate the second plugging channel from a space where the photoelectric conversion device is located.

[0019] In the solution shown in the present disclosure, since the single-fiber optical connector is located in the first plug-in channel, the second plug-in channel is an idle plug-in channel. Therefore, the bottom of the second plug-in channel away from the channel opening is separated from the interior of the shell by a first partition.

[0020] In a possible implementation, the conductive portion of the first power supply connector is located on a second partition between the first plug channel and the second plug channel.

[0021] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the first plug channel and the second plug channel are separated by a second partition. Therefore, in the embodiment where the first power connector is disposed between the first plug channel and the second plug channel, the conductive portion of the first power connector is disposed on the second partition. For example, the positive conductive portion of the first power connector is located on the upper surface of the second partition, and the negative conductive portion of the first power connector is located on the lower surface of the second partition. In another example, both the positive and negative conductive portions of the first power connector are disposed on the outer end surface of the second partition.

[0022] In the solution shown in the present disclosure, because the conductive portion of the first power supply connector is arranged between the first plug-in channel and the second plug-in channel, the first power supply connector does not occupy the space within the second plug-in channel. Therefore, the first end of the optical module can be inserted into both a single-optical interface optical fiber connector and a dual-optical interface optical fiber connector, thereby enhancing the compatibility of the optical module.

[0023] In a possible implementation, the conductive portion of the first power supply connector is a contact, and the contact is located on an outer surface of the first partition, and the outer surface of the first partition is a surface located in the second plug-in channel.

[0024] In the solution disclosed herein, the first power connector is located in the second insertion channel. However, because the conductive portion of the first power connector is a contact located on the outer surface of the first partition at the bottom of the second insertion channel, the second insertion channel can also accommodate one optical connector of a dual-optical interface fiber optic connector. Therefore, the first end of the optical module can accommodate both single-optical interface fiber optic connectors and dual-optical interface fiber optic connectors, thereby enhancing the compatibility of the optical module.

[0025] In a possible implementation, the plugging channel types of the first plugging channel and the second plugging channel are both Lucent connector LC type.

[0026] In the solution shown in the present disclosure, since the first plug-in channel and the second plug-in channel of the optical module are both LC-type plug-in channels, which match the LC-type connector used in the Ethernet system, the optical module is more adaptable when used in the Ethernet system, and there is no need to replace the connector in the Ethernet system.

[0027] In a second aspect, an optical module is provided. The optical module includes a housing, a photoelectric conversion device, a first power supply connector, and a second power supply connector.

[0028] The first end of the housing has a first plug-in channel, and the photoelectric conversion device has a single-fiber optical connector and an electrical signal connector.

[0029] The photoelectric conversion device is located in the housing, the single-fiber optical connector extends into the first plug-in channel, and the electrical signal connector extends into the second end of the housing.

[0030] The first end of the shell has a wiring through-hole, and the first power supply connector includes a wiring lug. The wiring lug is located in the shell and is opposite to the wiring through-hole. The wiring through-hole is used to insert the power supply copper wire of the composite cable to connect with the wiring lug.

[0031] The second power supply connector is located at the second end of the housing and is electrically connected to the connection piece of the first power supply connector. The second end of the housing is inserted into the communication device.

[0032] In the solution disclosed herein, the optical module includes a first power supply connector and a second power supply connector that are electrically connected. Therefore, after the composite cable including the optical fiber and the power supply copper wire is pulled near the communication device, the optical fiber connector at the end of the composite cable is connected to the single-fiber optical connector of the optical module, and the power supply connector at the end of the composite cable is connected to the first power supply connector of the optical module. It can be seen that the optical fiber and the power supply copper wire of the composite cable are both connected to the first end of the optical module, and the second end of the optical module is plugged into the interface of the communication device. Therefore, the optical fiber and the power supply copper wire of the composite cable are both inserted into the communication device through the optical module. Then, the panel of the communication device does not need to be provided with both an optical interface and a power supply interface. It is only necessary to provide a port for inserting the second end of the optical module. The power supply interface is omitted on the panel of the communication device, thereby reducing the number of ports on the panel of the communication device, simplifying the structure of the communication device, and facilitating the miniaturization of the communication device.

[0033] In the solution shown in the present disclosure, since the first end of the optical module has a wiring through-hole, the power supply copper wire of the composite cable is directly inserted into the wiring through-hole and contacts the wiring piece in the shell, thereby realizing the electrical connection between the power supply copper wire and the wiring piece. The end of the power supply copper wire does not need to be equipped with a power connector, thereby simplifying the electrical connection method between the first power supply connector of the optical module and the power supply copper wire, and the power connector is also omitted at the end of the power supply copper wire.

[0034] In one possible implementation, the wiring lug is used to cover the wiring through-hole when the power supply copper wire is not inserted into the wiring through-hole, and to abut against the power supply copper wire when the power supply copper wire is inserted into the wiring through-hole.

[0035] In the solution disclosed herein, when the power copper wire is inserted into the wiring through-hole, the terminal lug can abut against the power copper wire, pressing the power copper wire into the wiring through-hole. This not only ensures good contact between the power copper wire and the first power connector, but also locks the power copper wire into the wiring through-hole, preventing it from falling out of the wiring through-hole.

[0036] In a possible implementation, the first end of the housing has an auxiliary wiring through-hole, and the auxiliary wiring through-hole is opposite to the position of the wiring piece;

[0037] The auxiliary wiring through-hole is used for inserting an auxiliary tool to push the wiring piece to move to open the wiring through-hole, so that the power supply copper wire is inserted into the wiring through-hole.

[0038] In the solution disclosed herein, when inserting a power copper wire into a wiring through-hole, an auxiliary tool is first inserted into the auxiliary wiring through-hole to push the wiring lug until it no longer blocks the wiring through-hole. The power copper wire is then inserted into the wiring through-hole without obstruction. When the power copper wire is fully inserted, the auxiliary tool is removed from the auxiliary wiring through-hole, at which point the wiring lug returns to its original position and abuts against the power copper wire. With the auxiliary wiring through-hole, the power copper wire can be inserted into the wiring through-hole without obstruction, improving wiring efficiency.

[0039] In a possible implementation, the first power supply connector further includes a push block, and the push block is located in the auxiliary wiring through hole;

[0040] The channel wall of the auxiliary wiring through hole has a limiting opening, and the push block has a limiting boss, and the push block is used to:

[0041] When wiring is being conducted in the wiring through hole, the push block moves until the limiting boss is limited in the limiting opening, and the wiring piece moves to open the wiring through hole, so that the power supply copper wire is inserted into the wiring through hole;

[0042] When the power supply copper wire is inserted to the bottom of the wiring through hole, the limiting boss disengages from the limiting opening, and the push block moves toward the channel opening of the push block channel under the rebound of the wiring piece, releasing the push of the wiring piece so that the wiring piece rests on the power supply copper wire.

[0043] In the solution disclosed in the present invention, when inserting the power supply copper wire into the wiring through-hole, an auxiliary tool is first used to push the push block to move, and the push block will push the wiring piece to move together. When the push block moves to the limiting boss on the push block and is stuck in the limiting opening, the wiring piece just moves to the point where it no longer blocks the wiring through-hole. At this time, because the limiting boss is stuck in the limiting opening, the technician does not need to push the push block and can just release the push block. At this point, the wiring piece no longer blocks the wiring through-hole, and the technician can smoothly insert the power supply copper wire into the wiring through-hole, realizing unobstructed insertion of the power supply copper wire. After the power supply copper wire is inserted to the bottom, the auxiliary tool is extended into the limiting opening, pressing the push block to cause the limiting boss to disengage from the limiting opening, so that the wiring piece is reset and abuts against the power supply copper wire.

[0044] In the solution shown in the present disclosure, with the help of the push block, the technician can insert the power supply copper wire into the wiring through hole without obstruction with one hand operation, thereby improving the wiring efficiency.

[0045] In a possible implementation, the first power supply connector further includes a reset button, and the reset button is assembled in the limiting opening;

[0046] The reset button is used to press the limiting boss when the limiting boss is limited in the limiting opening, so that the limiting boss is separated from the limiting opening.

[0047] In the solution shown in the present disclosure, during wiring, after the power supply copper wire is inserted to the bottom, the technician presses the reset button, causing the reset button to press the limit boss to move downward and disengage from the limit opening, so that the wiring piece is reset and abuts against the power supply copper wire.

[0048] In a third aspect, an optical communication system is provided, comprising a power supply device, a power receiving device, a first optical module and a second optical module, wherein the first optical module and the second optical module are the optical modules described in the first aspect or the second aspect;

[0049] The second end of the first optical module is pluggably connected to the power supply device, the first end of the first optical module is connected to the first end of the second optical module through a composite cable, and the second end of the second optical module is pluggably connected to the powered device.

[0050] In the solution shown in the present disclosure, both data signals and electrical energy can be transmitted between the power supply device and the powered device to supply power to the powered device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0051] FIG1 is an exploded schematic diagram of an optical module provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0052] FIG2 is a schematic structural diagram of an optical module provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0053] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of an LC-type optical fiber connector with dual optical interfaces plugged into a first end of an optical module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0054] FIG4 is a schematic structural diagram of an optical module provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0055] FIG5 is a schematic structural diagram of an optical module provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0056] FIG6 is a partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of an optical module provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, near the first end;

[0057] FIG7 is a partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of an optical module provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, near the first end;

[0058] FIG8 is a partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of an optical module provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, near the first end;

[0059] FIG9 is a partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of an optical module provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, near the first end;

[0060] FIG10 is a schematic structural diagram of a push block of an optical module provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0061] FIG11 is a schematic structural diagram of an LC-type power connector provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0062] Explanation of Reference Numerals: 1. Housing; 1a. Upper housing; 1b. Bottom housing. 11. First insertion channel; 12. Second insertion channel; 13. First partition; 14. Second partition; 15. Wiring hole; 16. Auxiliary wiring hole; 141. First portion; 142. Second portion; 161. Limit opening. 2. Photoelectric conversion device; 21. Single-fiber optical connector; 22. Electrical signal connector. 3. First power connector; 31. Wiring lug; 32. Push block; 33. Reset button; 321. Limiting boss; 322. Push block body; 323. Cantilever. 4. Second power connector. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0063] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present disclosure more clear, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0064] This embodiment provides an optical module, specifically a single-fiber optical module with power transmission functionality, where power transmission is also referred to as power transmission. Optionally, the single-fiber optical module is a single-fiber bidirectional optical module, or a single-fiber unidirectional optical module. A single-fiber bidirectional optical module is also referred to as a BiDi (Bidirectional) optical module.

[0065] 1 to 3 are schematic diagrams of the structure of the optical module, wherein FIG1 is an exploded schematic diagram of the optical module, FIG2 and FIG3 are schematic diagrams of the assembled optical module, and FIG3 is a schematic diagram showing the first end of the optical module.

[0066] Among them, one end of the optical module is used to connect to a cable (such as an optoelectronic composite cable or an optical cable), and the other end is used to connect to a communication device (such as a switch or AP device). For the convenience of introduction, the end of the optical module used to connect to the cable is recorded as the first end of the optical module, or the optical port side of the optical module, and the end of the optical module used to connect to the communication device is recorded as the second end of the optical module, or the electrical port side of the optical module.

[0067] In this embodiment, the first end of the optical module is also the first end of the housing, and the second end of the optical module is also the second end of the housing.

[0068] Among them, the optoelectronic composite cable, referred to as the composite cable, includes optical fiber and power supply copper wire. The power supply copper wire can also be replaced by cables made of other metal materials, such as power supply aluminum wire.

[0069] 1 , the optical module includes a housing 1 and a photoelectric conversion device 2 , wherein the photoelectric conversion device 2 is used to perform photoelectric conversion or electro-optical conversion, or both.

[0070] In one example, the photoelectric conversion device 2 includes optical devices and electrical devices. The optical devices, for example, include light emitting devices and light receiving devices, or are optical transceivers. The electrical devices are electronic components in the functional circuits of the optical module, such as amplifiers, clock data recovery chips, and driver chips. These electrical components are typically arranged on a circuit board and electrically connected via the circuit board.

[0071] In one example, the optoelectronic conversion device 2 includes two connectors: one connector for transmitting and receiving optical signals, referred to as an optical connector, and the other connector for transmitting and receiving electrical signals, referred to as an electrical connector. Because the optical module is a single-fiber optical module, the optical connector is referred to as a single-fiber optical connector 21. To distinguish it from the power supply connector described later, the electrical connector is referred to as an electrical signal connector 22. As shown in Figure 1, the electrical signal connector 22 is specifically a gold finger at the end of a circuit board.

[0072] As shown in Figure 1 and with reference to Figure 2 , the optoelectronic conversion device 2 is located within the housing 1 . Referring to Figure 3 , the first end of the housing 1 defines a first insertion channel 11, into which a single-fiber optical connector 21 extends. Continuing with Figure 2 , the second end of the housing 1 is open, and an electrical signal connector 22 extends into the second end of the housing 1, exposing the electrical signal connector 22 for connection to a communication device.

[0073] Because the optical module has the function of power transmission, as shown in Figure 1, the optical module also includes a first power supply connector 3 and a second power supply connector 4, wherein the first power supply connector 3 is arranged at the first end of the optical module for electrically connecting to the power supply copper wire of the composite cable, and the second power supply connector 4 is arranged at the second end of the optical module for electrically connecting to the power supply interface of the communication device.

[0074] It should be noted that the first power supply connector 3 includes at least one pair of conductive portions, each pair of conductive portions including a positive conductive portion and a negative conductive portion. The second power supply connector 4 also includes at least one pair of conductive portions, each pair of conductive portions including a positive conductive portion and a negative conductive portion. The first power supply connector 3 and the second power supply connector 4 include the same number of conductive portions. The positive conductive portion of the first power supply connector 3 is electrically connected to the positive conductive portion of the second power supply connector 4, and the negative conductive portion of the first power supply connector 3 is electrically connected to the negative conductive portion of the second power supply connector 4. In this embodiment, for ease of description, the first power supply connector 3 includes a pair of conductive portions, and the second power supply connector 4 includes a pair of conductive portions.

[0075] The specific position of the first power supply connector 3 at the first end of the optical module is described below.

[0076] (1) The first power supply connector 3 is located between the first plug channel 11 and the second plug channel 12 .

[0077] As shown in FIG3 , the first end of the first housing 1 further has a second insertion channel 12 , which is arranged horizontally along the optical module. The first power supply connector 3 is located between the first insertion channel 11 and the second insertion channel 12 .

[0078] As shown in FIG. 3 , the conductive portion of the first power supply connector 3 is located on the second partition 14 between the first plug channel 11 and the second plug channel 12 .

[0079] In one example, the conductive portion of the first power connector 3 is a contact. As shown in FIG3 , the second partition 14 includes a first portion 141 and a second portion 142 in the front-to-back direction, which is also the length direction of the optical module. The top of the first portion 141 is connected to the top of the housing 1 , and the bottom of the first portion 141 is connected to the bottom of the housing 1 . A gap exists between the top of the second portion 142 and the top of the housing 1 , and a gap exists between the bottom of the second portion 142 and the bottom of the housing 1 .

[0080] Continuing to refer to Figure 3, of the two contacts of the first power supply connector 3, one contact is located on the upper surface of the second part 142, and the other contact is located on the lower surface of the second part 142. In this way, the two contacts and the second part 142 of the second partition 14 constitute the first power supply connector 3.

[0081] The upper surface of the second portion 142 is also the end surface of the top end, and the lower surface of the second portion 142 is also the end surface of the bottom end. The upper surface and the lower surface of the second portion 142 are opposite to each other.

[0082] Because the two contacts of the first power connector 3 are located on the upper and lower surfaces of the second partition 14, respectively, they do not occupy the first insertion channel 11 where the single-fiber optical connector 21 is located. Therefore, the first power connector 3 does not interfere with the connection between the single-fiber optical connector 21 and the optical fiber connector, and the structure of the optical fiber connector does not need to be changed. Therefore, although the first end of the optical module has the first power connector 3, the first end of the optical module can still be compatible with the existing optical fiber connector. Furthermore, there is no need to adjust the structure of the optical fiber connector, reducing the cost of upgrading the optical module's functionality.

[0083] In another example, the conductive portion of the first power connector 3 is a contact, and the two contacts can be located on the outer end surface of the second partition 14, which is the surface facing the outside of the housing 1. The two contacts of the first power connector 3 can be arranged vertically, horizontally, or diagonally, and this embodiment is not limited to this.

[0084] The conductive part of the first power supply connector 3 is a contact, which is located on the outer end surface of the second partition 14 and will not interfere with the docking of the optical fiber connector and the single-fiber optical connector 21 in the first plug-in channel 11. Therefore, there is no need to adjust the structure of the optical fiber connector, thereby reducing the functional upgrade cost of the optical module.

[0085] In one example, because the single-fiber optical connector 21 is arranged in the first plugging channel 11 and the first power connector 3 is arranged between the first plugging channel 11 and the second plugging channel 12, the second plugging channel 12 is neither used to accommodate the optical connector nor the first power connector 3. Therefore, the second plugging channel 12 is an idle plugging channel. As shown in Figure 3, the housing 1 also includes a first partition 13. The first partition 13 is located at the bottom of the second plugging channel 12 and is used to separate the second plugging channel 12 from the space where the optoelectronic conversion device 2 is located.

[0086] The first plugging channel 11 is used for inserting a fiber optic connector with a single optical interface, and the first plugging channel 11 and the second plugging channel 12 are used for inserting a fiber optic connector with a dual optical interface.

[0087] For example, as shown in FIG3 , when the LC-type optical fiber connector with dual optical interfaces is inserted into the first end of the optical module, one optical fiber interface of the optical fiber connector is inserted into the first plugging channel 11 , and the other optical fiber interface is inserted into the second plugging channel.

[0088] It can be seen that the optical module can be inserted into both a single-optical-interface optical fiber connector and a dual-optical-interface optical fiber connector. Therefore, the first end of the optical module has stronger compatibility.

[0089] In one example, the first plugging channel 11 and the second plugging channel 12 have the same or different plugging channel types. For example, the plugging channel types of the first plugging channel 11 and the second plugging channel 12 are both Lucent Connector / Local Connector (LC) types. For another example, the plugging channel types of the first plugging channel 11 and the second plugging channel 12 are both square connector (SC) types. For another example, the plugging channel type of the first plugging channel 11 is LC type, and the plugging channel type of the second plugging channel 12 is SC type, or the plugging channel type of the first plugging channel 11 is SC type, and the plugging channel type of the second plugging channel 12 is LC type.

[0090] (2) The first power supply connector 3 is located in the second plug-in channel 12 .

[0091] FIG4 is another schematic diagram showing the first end of the optical module. The structure of the first power supply connector 3 of the optical module shown in FIG4 is different from that of the first power supply connector 3 in FIG1 to FIG3 .

[0092] Referring to Figure 4, the conductive part of the first power supply connector 3 is a contact, which is located on the outer surface of the first partition 13, wherein the outer surface of the first partition 13 is also the surface located in the second plug-in channel 12, that is, the surface facing the outside of the shell 1.

[0093] For example, the two contacts of the first power supply connector 3 , one as a positive contact and the other as a negative contact, are arranged up and down, or left and right, or diagonally on the outer surface of the first partition 13 .

[0094] Although the first power supply connector 3 is disposed within the second insertion channel 12, the conductive portion of the first power supply connector 3 is a contact located on the outer surface of the first partition 13. Therefore, the first power supply connector 3 does not occupy space within the second insertion channel 12 and thus does not interfere with the insertion of the optical fiber connector into the second insertion channel 12. Therefore, the first end of the optical module shown in FIG4 can still accommodate a dual-optical interface optical fiber connector. Therefore, the optical module shown in FIG4 can accommodate both single-optical interface optical fiber connectors and dual-optical interface optical fiber connectors, thus providing greater compatibility for the first end of the optical module.

[0095] In one example, whether the conductive part of the first power supply connector 3 is arranged on the second partition 14 between the first plug-in channel 11 and the second plug-in channel 12, or is arranged in the second plug-in channel 12, when the first power supply connector 3 is connected to the power supply copper wire, the power supply copper wire needs to have a power connector, and the power connector of the power supply copper wire is connected to the first power supply connector 3.

[0096] For example, the conductive part of the first power supply connector 3 is a contact piece as shown in Figure 3, then the conductive part of the power connector of the power supply copper wire is a spring piece, and the conductive part of the first power supply connector 4 and the conductive part of the power connector are in contact and connected by sliding.

[0097] For another example, the conductive part of the first power supply connector 3 is a contact as shown in Figure 4, then the conductive part of the power connector of the power supply copper wire is a spring pin pogopin, and the pogopin is tightly pressed against the contact to achieve electrical connection between the first power supply connector 4 and the power connector.

[0098] It should be noted that if the conductive portion of the first power connector 3 is arranged in the second plug channel 12 as shown in FIG4 , then the type of the power connector of the power copper wire should be compatible with the plug channel type of the second plug channel 12. For example, as shown in FIG4 , if the plug channel type of the second plug channel 12 is LC, then the type of the power connector at the end of the power copper wire should also be an LC power connector. Refer to FIG11 , which is a schematic diagram of an LC power connector for insertion into the second plug channel 12 in FIG4 .

[0099] In another example, the first power supply connector 3 can also be directly connected to the power supply copper wire without the need for a power connector to achieve electrical connection. The following describes a solution in which the first power supply connector 3 is directly connected to the power supply copper wire without the need for a power connector.

[0100] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, it is another structural schematic diagram of the optical module. The first power supply connector 3 of the optical module shown in Figures 5 and 6 is different from the structure of the first power supply connector 3 in Figures 1 to 4. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the optical module shown in Figure 5 around the first end of the optical module.

[0101] Referring to Figure 5, the first end of the shell 1 has a wiring through-hole 15. Referring to Figure 6, the first power supply connector 3 includes a wiring lug 31. The wiring lug 31 is located inside the shell 1, and the position of the wiring lug 31 is opposite to the position of the wiring through-hole 15, so that the power supply copper wire can be inserted into the wiring through-hole 15 and electrically connected to the wiring lug 31.

[0102] Among them, the power supply copper wire is inserted into the wiring through hole 15. For example, the power supply copper wire includes an insulating layer and a battery core. After the insulating layer of the power supply copper wire near the end is peeled off, the battery core is exposed. The battery core extends into the wiring through hole 15 and contacts the wiring piece 31, thereby realizing the electrical connection between the first power supply connector 3 and the power supply copper wire.

[0103] In one example, as shown in Figure 6, when the power supply copper wire is not inserted into the wiring through hole 15, the wiring lug 31 blocks the wiring through hole 15, and when the power supply copper wire is inserted into the wiring through hole 15, the wiring lug 31 rests on the battery core of the power supply copper wire to achieve electrical connection between the wiring lug 31 and the power supply copper wire.

[0104] In order to ensure that the terminal piece 31 can abut against the battery core of the power supply copper wire, one solution is that the terminal piece 31 is an elastic spring piece, and the terminal piece 31 is tightly against the battery core of the power supply copper wire through its own elasticity. Another solution is that the first power supply connector 3 includes a torsion spring, and one arm of the torsion spring abuts against the terminal piece 31, so that the terminal piece 31 is tightly against the battery core of the power supply copper wire.

[0105] This solution does not specifically limit how the connecting piece 31 is tightly pressed against the battery core of the power supply copper wire. For the sake of ease of introduction, the connecting piece 31 is taken as an elastic spring piece for example.

[0106] Continuing to refer to Figure 6, when the power supply copper wire is not inserted into the wiring through-hole 15, the wiring piece 31 blocks the wiring through-hole 15. Therefore, during wiring, it is necessary to first push the wiring piece 31 and move it to a position where it no longer blocks the wiring through-hole 15, and then insert the battery core of the power supply copper wire into the wiring through-hole 15.

[0107] One solution for pushing the terminal lug 31 to move is to use a tool to pass through the wiring through-hole 15 and push the terminal lug 31 to move so as to open the wiring through-hole 15 .

[0108] Another solution for pushing the terminal piece 31 to move is as shown in Figure 7, which is a cross-sectional schematic diagram around the first end of the optical module shown in Figure 5. Referring to Figure 7, the first end of the shell 1 has an auxiliary wiring through hole 16, and the auxiliary wiring through hole 16 and the wiring through hole 15 are arranged in parallel. The position of the auxiliary wiring through hole 16 is also opposite to the position of the terminal piece 31.

[0109] For example, the auxiliary wiring through hole 16 is opposite to the upper position of the terminal block 31, and the wiring through hole 15 is opposite to the lower position of the terminal block 31. The lower part of the terminal block 31 is the position close to the end of the terminal block 31, and is also the position that abuts the power supply copper wire.

[0110] 7 , a tool is used to pass through the auxiliary wiring through-hole 16 and push the wiring piece 31 to move, so as to open the wiring through-hole 15 .

[0111] The wiring through hole 15 is opened, that is, the wiring piece 31 no longer blocks the wiring through hole 15 .

[0112] When the lug 31 no longer blocks the wiring through-hole 15, the core of the power supply copper wire can be inserted into the wiring through-hole 15. When the power supply copper wire is fully inserted, the core of the power supply copper wire passes through the lug 31. At this time, if the lug 31 is stopped from moving, the lug 31 will be tightly pressed against the core of the power supply copper wire due to the rebound force.

[0113] The aforementioned method of using a tool to move the lug 31 requires the technician to use one hand to push the lug 31 while simultaneously inserting the power supply copper wire into the wiring through-hole 15 with the other hand. The technician can only release the tool when the power supply copper wire is fully inserted. Given the small size of the optical module, the technician's simultaneous wiring operation at the first end of the optical module with both hands makes wiring the first power connector 3 more difficult.

[0114] In order to reduce the difficulty of wiring the first power supply connector 3 , accordingly, as shown in FIG. 8 , the first power supply connector 3 further includes a push block 32 , which is located in the auxiliary wiring through hole 16 .

[0115] 7 and 8 are schematic cross-sectional views of the optical module around the first end. Compared with the optical module shown in FIG. 7 , the optical module in FIG. 8 has an additional push block 32 in the first power supply connector 3 .

[0116] Continuing with reference to FIG8 , the push block 32 has a limiting boss 321, and the channel wall of the auxiliary wiring through-hole 16 has a limiting opening 161, which extends through the channel wall of the auxiliary wiring through-hole 16. When the push block 32 moves until the limiting boss 321 is limited in the limiting opening 161, the terminal lug 31 moves to a point where it no longer blocks the wiring channel 15. When the power supply copper wire core is inserted into the wiring through-hole 15, if the power supply copper wire core passes over the terminal lug 31, the limiting boss 321 disengages from the limiting opening 161, and the push block 32 no longer pushes the terminal lug 31. Then, under the action of the rebound force, the terminal lug 31 will tightly press against the power supply copper wire core.

[0117] In this way, when wiring needs to be done in the wiring through-hole 15, the technician first uses a tool to push the push block 32 to move in the auxiliary wiring through-hole 16. The push block 32 will push the terminal piece 31 to move during the movement. When the push block 32 moves to the point where the limiting boss 321 is limited in the limiting opening 161, the terminal piece 31 no longer blocks the wiring through-hole 15. At this time, because the push block 32 is stuck in the auxiliary wiring through-hole 16, the push block 32 can continue to apply thrust to the terminal piece 31, and the technician does not need to push the push block 32. After that, the technician can insert the battery core of the power supply copper wire into the wiring channel 15. After the battery core of the power supply copper wire is inserted to the bottom in the wiring through-hole 15, the limiting relationship between the limiting boss 321 and the limiting opening 161 is released, and the terminal piece 31 can rest on the battery core.

[0118] It can be seen that, as shown in the solution in Figure 8, when wiring in the first power supply connector 3, the technician does not need to push the wiring piece 31 to open the wiring through hole 15 while inserting the power supply copper wire into the wiring through hole 15, thereby reducing the difficulty of wiring the first power supply connector 3.

[0119] One solution to cause the limiting boss 321 to disengage from the limiting opening 161 is that, since the limiting opening 161 passes through the channel wall of the auxiliary wiring through-hole 16, a technician uses a tool to pass through the limiting opening 161 and press the limiting boss 321 that is limited in the limiting opening 161, so that the limiting boss 321 can disengage from the limiting opening 161.

[0120] Another solution for causing the retaining protrusion 321 to disengage from the retaining opening 161 is, as shown in FIG9 , the first power connector 3 includes a reset button 33 located within the retaining opening 161. When the push block 32 moves to a position where the retaining protrusion 321 is aligned with the retaining opening 161, the retaining protrusion 321 lifts the reset button 33 within the retaining opening 161, retaining the retaining protrusion 321 within the retaining opening 161. Furthermore, when the retaining protrusion 321 is subjected to a pressing force, it pushes the retaining protrusion 321 away from the retaining opening 161, allowing the retaining protrusion 321 to disengage from the retaining opening 161.

[0121] Regardless of which method is used to cause the limiting boss 321 to disengage from the limiting opening 161, when the limiting boss 321 disengages from the limiting opening 161, the push block 32 moves toward the channel opening of the auxiliary wiring through hole 16 under the rebound of the wiring piece 31, and the push block 32 no longer applies thrust to the wiring piece 31, thereby causing the wiring piece 31 to tightly press against the battery core of the power supply copper wire under rebound.

[0122] In order to enable the push block 32 to move, the limiting boss 321 of the push block 32 can enter the limiting opening 161. Accordingly, as shown in Figure 10, which is a schematic diagram of the push block 32 in Figures 8 and 9, the push block 32 includes a push block body 322 and a cantilever 323. The first end of the cantilever 323 is connected to the push block body 322, and the second end of the cantilever 323 is suspended. The limiting boss 321 is arranged near the second end of the cantilever 323.

[0123] 8 or 9 , the cantilever 323 is pressed and located in the auxiliary wiring through hole 16. Then, when the push block 32 moves to the position where the limiting boss 321 is opposite to the limiting opening 161, the limiting boss 321 enters the limiting opening 161 under the elastic force of the cantilever 323.

[0124] The cantilever 323 is compressed and located in the auxiliary wiring through hole 16 , which can also increase the static friction between the push block 32 and the auxiliary wiring through hole 16 , thereby preventing the push block 32 from detaching from the auxiliary wiring through hole 16 .

[0125] In one example, as shown in FIG9 , the bottom end of the reset button 33 extends out of the limiting opening 161. When the push block 43 moves to a position where the limiting boss 321 is opposite the limiting opening 161, the limiting boss 321 facilitates movement below the reset button 33, thereby lifting the reset button 33. Accordingly, as shown in FIG10 , the limiting boss 321 has a guide slope. When the push block 43 moves to a position where the limiting boss 321 touches the bottom end of the reset button 33, the push block 43 continues to move. Guided by the guide slope, the limiting boss 321 gradually moves below the reset button 33, thereby lifting the reset button 33 and being retained in the limiting opening 161.

[0126] In one example, in a solution where the first power supply connector 3 includes a reset button 33, in order to prevent the reset button 33 from detaching from the limit opening 161, the reset button 33 can be movably engaged in the limit opening 161. In this way, the reset button 33 can move in the limit opening 161 to press the limit boss 321 in the limit opening 161, and the reset button 33 will not detach from the limit opening 161.

[0127] The above is an introduction to a solution in which the first power supply connector 3 is directly connected to the battery cell of the power supply copper wire without the need to connect to the battery cell through a power connector.

[0128] The structural features of the second power supply connector 4 are described below.

[0129] As shown in Figure 1 and with reference to Figure 2 , the second power connector 4 is positioned between the electrical signal connector 22 and the bottom of the housing 1 , which is the bottom of the bottom shell 1b of the housing 1. As shown in Figure 1 , the housing 1 comprises an upper shell 1a and a bottom shell 1b , which are fastened together to form the housing 1 . The second end of the housing 1 is open, and the electrical signal connector 22 and the second power connector 4 are both located at the second end of the housing 1 .

[0130] Continuing to refer to Figure 1, the second power supply connector 4 is a pogopin electrical connector, including an insulating block and two spring pins. One end of the spring pin extends out of the insulating block and is used to electrically connect to the first power supply connector 3, and the other end of the spring pin extends out of the insulating block and is used to electrically connect to the power interface of the communication device.

[0131] The present embodiment does not limit the specific structure of the second power supply connector 4 . Optionally, the second power supply connector 4 is a spring-type electrical connector or a reed-type electrical connector.

[0132] In other examples, the conductive portion of the second power supply connector 4 can also be arranged on the circuit board of the photoelectric conversion device 2. For example, the conductive portion of the second power supply connector 4 is an idle contact in the electrical signal connector 22 (wherein the electrical signal connector 22 is a gold finger connector). For another example, the conductive portion of the second power supply connector 4 is a newly added contact near the electrical signal connector 22.

[0133] In this embodiment, the position and specific structure of the second power supply connector 4 are not specifically limited.

[0134] The electrical connection between the first power supply connector 3 and the second power supply connector 4 is described below.

[0135] In one solution, as shown in FIG1 , the first power supply connector 3 and the second power supply connector 4 are electrically connected via a flexible printed circuit board.

[0136] In another solution, the first power supply connector 3 and the second power supply connector 4 are electrically connected via a cable.

[0137] In another solution, the first power supply connector 3 and the second power supply connector 4 are electrically connected via a printed circuit board (PCB).

[0138] The present embodiment does not specifically limit the specific electrical connection method between the first power supply connector 3 and the second power supply connector 4 .

[0139] In this embodiment, the optical module includes a first power connector and a second power connector that are electrically connected. Therefore, after a composite cable comprising an optical fiber and a power copper wire is drawn near the communications equipment, the optical fiber connector at the end of the composite cable connects to the optical module's single-fiber connector, and the power connector at the end of the composite cable connects to the optical module's first power connector. The second end of the optical module is then plugged into a port on the communications equipment. Therefore, both the optical fiber and the power copper wire of the composite cable are connected through the optical module and then plugged into the communications equipment. Consequently, the communications equipment panel no longer requires both an optical port and a power port; instead, a single port for the second end of the optical module is sufficient. This reduces the number of ports on the communications equipment panel, simplifies the communications equipment's structure, and facilitates the miniaturization of communications equipment.

[0140] In one embodiment, the end of the optical module used for connecting to a cable includes a first insertion channel and a second insertion channel. The single-fiber optical connector is located in the first insertion channel, and the first power connector is located between the first and second insertion channels. The first power connector does not occupy the second insertion channel. Therefore, the first insertion channel can be used to insert a fiber optic connector with a single optical interface, and the first and second insertion channels can be used to insert a fiber optic connector with a dual optical interface. This shows that the optical module can be inserted into both single- and dual-optical fiber optic connectors, thus providing greater compatibility at the first end of the optical module.

[0141] In another embodiment, the first end of the optical module has a first plug-in channel and a wiring through-hole, the first power supply connector includes a wiring piece, and the core of the power supply copper wire of the composite cable is directly inserted into the wiring through-hole and connected to the wiring piece, thereby realizing the electrical connection between the first power supply connector and the power supply copper wire, without the need to install a power connector at the end of the power supply copper wire.

[0142] This embodiment further provides a power connector, which is connected to the power supply copper wire of the composite cable and is used to connect to the first power supply connector 3 mentioned above.

[0143] The type of the power connector is adapted to the type of the first power connector 3. For example, the first power connector 3 includes a conductive portion located in the second plug channel 12, and the conductive portion is a contact. Then, the packaging type of the power connector is adapted to the type of the plug channel of the second plug channel.

[0144] For example, as shown in FIG4 , the plugging channel type of the second plugging channel 12 is LC type. Then, as shown in FIG11 , it is an LC type power connector that is inserted into the second plugging channel 12 and electrically connected to the contacts in the second plugging channel 12 .

[0145] The features of the electrical connector of the power connector for connecting to the power copper wire can refer to the structural features of the first power connector 3 directly connected to the power copper wire described above.

[0146] For example, referring to Figure 11, the shell of the power connector has a wiring through-hole on the wiring side. The power connector includes a wiring lug, which is located in the shell and opposite to the wiring through-hole. The battery core of the power supply copper wire can be inserted into the wiring through-hole and connected to the wiring lug to realize the wiring of the power connector.

[0147] For another example, referring to FIG11 , the housing of the power connector has an auxiliary wiring through-hole on the wiring side, so that the wiring piece opens the wiring through-hole to complete the wiring operation.

[0148] For another example, referring to FIG11 , the power connector includes a push block, which is used to push the wiring piece to move during wiring to open the wiring through hole. The specific features of the push block are described above and will not be repeated here.

[0149] This embodiment provides an optical communication system, which includes a power supply device, a power receiving device, a first optical module and a second optical module, wherein the first optical module and the second optical module are both the optical modules described above.

[0150] The second end of the first optical module is pluggably connected to the power supply device, the first end of the first optical module and the first end of the second optical module are connected through a composite cable, and the second end of the second optical module is pluggably connected to the powered device.

[0151] The first end of the optical module, that is, the optical port side of the optical module, is used to connect to the composite cable, and the second end of the optical module, that is, the electrical port side of the optical module, is used to connect to the communication equipment.

Claims

1. An optical module, characterized in that: The optical module comprises a housing (1), a photoelectric conversion device (2), a first power supply connector (3) and a second power supply connector (4); The first end of the housing (1) has a first plug-in channel (11) and a second plug-in channel (12); the photoelectric conversion device (2) has a single-fiber optical connector (21) and an electrical signal connector (22); the photoelectric conversion device (2) is located in the housing (1), and the single-fiber optical connector (21) extends into the first plug-in channel (11), and the electrical signal connector (22) extends into the second end of the housing (1); The first power supply connector (3) is located between the first plugging channel (11) and the second plugging channel (12), or the first power supply connector (3) is located in the second plugging channel (12); the second power supply connector (4) is located at the second end of the housing (1), and the second power supply connector (4) is electrically connected to the first power supply connector (3); The first plug-in channel (11) is used for inserting a fiber optic connector with a single optical interface, the first plug-in channel (11) and the second plug-in channel (12) are used for inserting a fiber optic connector with a dual optical interface, the first power supply connector (3) is used for connecting to a power supply copper wire of a composite cable, and the second end of the housing (1) is used for inserting into a communication device.

2. The optical module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The housing (1) comprises a first partition (13), the first partition (13) being located at the bottom of the second plug-in channel (12), and the first partition (13) being used to isolate the second plug-in channel (12) from the space where the photoelectric conversion device (2) is located.

3. The optical module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The conductive portion of the first power supply connector (3) is located on a second partition plate (14) between the first plug channel (11) and the second plug channel (12).

4. The optical module according to claim 2, characterized in that: The conductive part of the first power supply connector (3) is a contact point, and the contact point is located on the outer surface of the first partition (13), and the outer surface of the first partition (13) is the surface located in the second plug channel (12).

5. The optical module according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The plugging channel types of the first plugging channel (11) and the second plugging channel (12) are both Lucent connector LC type.

6. An optical module, characterized in that: The optical module comprises a housing (1), a photoelectric conversion device (2), a first power supply connector (3) and a second power supply connector (4); The first end of the housing (1) has a first plug-in channel (11), the photoelectric conversion device (2) has a single-fiber optical connector (21) and an electrical signal connector (22), the photoelectric conversion device (2) is located in the housing (1), and the single-fiber optical connector (21) extends into the first plug-in channel (11), and the electrical signal connector (22) extends into the second end of the housing (1); The first end of the housing (1) has a wiring through hole (15); the first power supply connector (3) comprises a wiring lug (31); the wiring lug (31) is located in the housing (1), and the wiring lug (31) is opposite to the wiring through hole (15); the wiring through hole (15) is used to insert a power supply copper wire of the composite cable so as to be connected to the wiring lug (31); The second power supply connector (4) is located at the second end of the housing (1), and the second power supply connector (4) is electrically connected to the wiring piece (31) of the first power supply connector (3), and the second end of the housing (1) is used for inserting into the communication device.

7. The optical module according to claim 6, characterized in that: The wiring piece (31) is used to cover the wiring through hole (15) when the power supply copper wire is not inserted into the wiring through hole (15); when the power supply copper wire is inserted into the wiring through hole (15), the wiring piece (31) abuts against the power supply copper wire.

8. The optical module according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that: The first end of the housing (1) has an auxiliary wiring through hole (16), and the auxiliary wiring through hole (16) is located opposite to the wiring piece (31); The auxiliary wiring through hole (16) is used for inserting an auxiliary tool to push the wiring piece (31) to move to open the wiring through hole (15), so that the power supply copper wire can be inserted into the wiring through hole (15).

9. The optical module according to claim 8, characterized in that: The first power supply connector (3) further comprises a push block (32), wherein the push block (32) is located in the auxiliary wiring through hole (16); The channel wall of the auxiliary wiring through hole (16) has a limiting opening (161), the push block (32) has a limiting boss (321), and the push block (32) is used to: When wiring is connected in the wiring through hole (15), when the push block (32) moves to the limiting boss (321) and is limited in the limiting opening (161), the wiring piece (31) moves to open the wiring through hole (15) so that the power supply copper wire is inserted into the wiring through hole (15); When the power supply copper wire is inserted to the bottom of the wiring through hole (15), the limiting boss (321) disengages from the limiting opening (161), and the push block (32) moves toward the channel opening of the push block channel (16) under the rebound of the wiring piece (31), releasing the push of the wiring piece (31) so that the wiring piece (31) rests on the power supply copper wire.

10. The optical module according to claim 9, characterized in that: The first power supply connector (3) further comprises a reset button (33), and the reset button (33) is assembled in the limiting opening (161); The reset button (33) is used to press the limiting boss (321) when the limiting boss (321) is limited in the limiting opening (161), so as to make the limiting boss (321) disengage from the limiting opening (161).

11. An optical communication system, characterized in that: The optical communication system comprises a power supply device, a power receiving device, a first optical module and a second optical module, wherein the first optical module and the second optical module are both optical modules according to any one of claims 1 to 10; The second end of the first optical module is pluggably connected to the power supply device, the first end of the first optical module is connected to the first end of the second optical module through a composite cable, and the second end of the second optical module is pluggably connected to the powered device.

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