Pigtail mounting assembly and optical device

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of optical communication modules. Provided are a pigtail mounting assembly and an optical device. The pigtail mounting assembly comprises an optical fiber and an optical-fiber fixing member, wherein the optical fiber has a bare fiber and a protective layer that covers the bare fiber, the bare fiber comprising a connection portion exposed from the protective layer and an extension portion covered by the protective layer; and the optical-fiber fixing member comprises a first end face and a second end face, which are opposite each other; a first through hole communicating the first end face with the second end face is provided in the optical-fiber fixing member; the connection portion passes through the first through hole, and is at least partially located in the first through hole; and the extension portion is located outside the first through hole, and is closer to the second end face than to the first end face. A sealing layer is provided between the connection portion and the hole wall of the first through hole. By means of providing the sealing layer, the sealing performance between the bare fiber and the optical-fiber fixing member can be improved, thereby meeting the liquid cooling requirement of the optical device.

Description

Fiber optic components and optical devices

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 2024210097286, filed on May 10, 2024, entitled "Fiber Pigtail Mount and Optical Device", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This utility model relates to the field of optical communication module technology, and more specifically, to a pigtail top and an optical device. Background Technology

[0003] As the speed and quantity of optical devices used in data centers gradually increase, the average power consumption per rack in global data centers also rises, resulting in significant power losses. To effectively reduce the power usage effectiveness (PUE) and electricity costs of data centers, most systems currently employ liquid cooling, which necessitates that the optical devices in data centers also meet the requirements of liquid cooling solutions.

[0004] Currently, optical device structures contain numerous press-fit gaps and adhesive processes, making it impossible to achieve effective liquid and gas tightness. When optical devices are immersed in fluorinated liquids or affected by other gases, the stability and reliability of the internal optical path cannot be guaranteed. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a fiber optic pigtail and an optical device that have reliable sealing performance and can ensure the stability and reliability of the internal optical path even in a liquid-cooled environment.

[0006] The embodiments of this utility model are implemented as follows:

[0007] In a first aspect, this utility model provides a pigtail top component, comprising:

[0008] An optical fiber having a bare fiber and a protective layer covering the bare fiber; the bare fiber includes a connector portion exposed at one end of the protective layer and an epitaxial portion covered by the protective layer;

[0009] An optical fiber fixing component includes a first end face and a second end face opposite to each other. The optical fiber fixing component has a first through hole that connects the first end face and the second end face. The connecting part passes through the first through hole and is at least partially located in the first through hole. The extension part is located outside the first through hole and is closer to the second end face than the first end face.

[0010] A sealing layer is provided between the connecting part and the wall of the first through hole, and the sealing layer seals the connection between the connecting part and the wall of the first through hole.

[0011] In an optional embodiment, the connecting portion is provided with a first plating layer, and the wall of the first through hole is provided with a second plating layer; the sealing layer is solder; the first plating layer, the second plating layer, and the solder are fused together to seal and connect the connecting portion and the wall of the first through hole together.

[0012] In an optional embodiment, both the first coating and the second coating are made of metal.

[0013] In an optional embodiment, a fixing ring is further included, wherein the fixing ring has a second through hole connected to the first through hole, the connecting part is partially disposed in the second through hole and partially disposed in the first through hole; the optical fiber fixing member has a third through hole connected to the first through hole, and the fixing ring is disposed in the third through hole.

[0014] In an optional embodiment, the fixing ring is sealed to the wall of the third through hole of the optical fiber fixing member, and the wall of the second through hole of the fixing ring is sealed to the connecting part.

[0015] In an optional embodiment, the pigtail top component further includes a protective adhesive, which is bonded to the end of the optical fiber fixing component away from the fixing ring, and the protective adhesive covers a portion of the epitaxial portion.

[0016] In an optional embodiment, the end face of the connecting portion away from the protective layer is flush with the end face of the fixing ring.

[0017] Secondly, this utility model provides an optical device, including a coaxial package, a mounting ring, and a pigtail mount as described in any of the foregoing embodiments, wherein one end of the mounting ring is connected to the coaxial package and the other end is connected to the pigtail mount.

[0018] In an optional embodiment, the coaxial package includes a cap, the cap and the mounting ring are welded or bonded together, and the mounting ring and the optical fiber fastener are welded or bonded together.

[0019] In an optional embodiment, the cap and the mounting ring, and the mounting ring and the fiber optic fastener are respectively laser rotary welded.

[0020] The beneficial effects of this utility model embodiment include:

[0021] The pigtail top assembly provided in this embodiment of the invention has a sealing layer between the bare fiber connector and the wall of the first through hole of the optical fiber fixing component. The sealing layer seals the connection between the connector and the wall of the first through hole. By providing the sealing component, the gap between the bare fiber and the optical fiber fixing component can be effectively sealed, giving the pigtail top assembly good sealing performance, meeting the requirements for airtightness and liquid tightness, and making it suitable for liquid-cooled environments. Even in liquid-cooled environments, it can ensure the reliability and stability of the internal optical path.

[0022] The optical device provided in this embodiment of the present invention includes the above-mentioned pigtail top component, which has good sealing performance and can ensure the reliability and stability of the internal optical path even when used in a liquid-cooled environment. Attached Figure Description

[0023] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of this utility model and should not be regarded as a limitation on the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0024] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the pigtail upper part provided in the embodiment of this utility model;

[0025] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the disassembled structure of the pigtail upper part provided in the embodiment of this utility model;

[0026] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional structural diagram of the pigtail upper part provided in the embodiment of this utility model;

[0027] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the optical fiber structure of the pigtail top component provided in this embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 5 is a structural schematic diagram of the fiber optic fixing component of the pigtail upper part provided in the embodiment of this utility model;

[0029] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional structural diagram of the fiber optic fixing component of the pigtail upper part provided in the embodiment of this utility model.

[0030] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of another disassembled structure of the pigtail upper part provided in the embodiment of this utility model;

[0031] Figure 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of another fiber optic top component provided in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0032] Figure 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of another optical fiber fixing component of the pigtail top provided in this embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the optical device provided in the embodiment of this utility model;

[0034] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional structural diagram of the optical device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the stacked structure of the weld points during the welding of the mounting ring provided in the embodiment of this utility model.

[0036] Icons: 100 - Pigtail assembly; 110 - Optical fiber; 111 - Bare fiber; 113 - Protective layer; 115 - Connector; 116 - Epitaxial portion; 117 - First coating; 120 - Optical fiber fixing component; 1201 - First end face; 1203 - Second end face; 121 - First through hole; 122 - Sealing layer; 123 - Second coating; 125 - Third through hole; 126 - Fifth coating; 127 - Fourth through hole; 130 - Fixing ring; 131 - Second through hole; 140 - Isolator; 150 - Protective adhesive; 200 - Optical device; 210 - Coaxial package; 211 - Tube socket; 213 - Tube cap; 215 - Pin; 220 - Mounting ring; 230 - Solder joint. Detailed Implementation

[0037] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, and not all embodiments. The components of the embodiments of this utility model described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0038] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0039] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items. Therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.

[0040] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship commonly used when the product of this utility model is in use. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model. In addition, the terms "first," "second," and "third," etc., are only used to distinguish descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0041] Furthermore, terms such as "horizontal" and "vertical" do not imply that components must be absolutely horizontal or suspended, but rather that they can be slightly tilted. For example, "horizontal" simply means that its direction is more horizontal than "vertical," and does not mean that the structure must be completely horizontal, but can be slightly tilted.

[0042] In the description of this utility model, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "set," "install," "connect," and "link" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.

[0043] The optical device provided in this embodiment can operate in a liquid-cooled environment, has good sealing performance, is suitable for data centers, and can meet the liquid cooling requirements of data centers.

[0044] Referring to Figures 1 to 6, this embodiment provides a pigtail top member 100. It includes an optical fiber 110 and an optical fiber fixing member 120. The optical fiber 110 has a bare fiber 111 and a protective layer 113 covering the bare fiber 111. The bare fiber 111 includes a connecting portion 115 exposing one end of the protective layer 113 and an extended portion 116 covered by the protective layer 113. The optical fiber fixing member 120 includes a first end face 1201 and a second end face 1203 facing each other. The optical fiber fixing member 120 has a first through hole 121 communicating with the first end face 1201 and the second end face 1203. The connecting portion 115 passes through the first through hole 121, and the connecting portion 115 is at least partially located within the first through hole 121. The extended portion 116 is located outside the first through hole 121. The extended portion 116 is closer to the second end face 1203 than the first end face 1201. A sealing layer 122 is provided between the connecting part 115 and the wall of the first through hole 121. The sealing layer 122 seals the connection between the connecting part 115 and the wall of the first through hole 121. The connecting part 115 is provided with a first plating layer 117. The wall of the first through hole 121 is provided with a second plating layer 123. The sealing layer 122 is solder. When the connecting part 115 and the wall of the optical fiber fixing component 120 are welded, the first plating layer 117, the second plating layer 123 and the solder sinter and melt at high temperature, sealing the connecting part 115 and the wall of the first through hole 121 together. This can improve the sealing performance of the connection between the optical fiber 110 and the optical fiber fixing component 120, meet the liquid cooling requirements of the optical device 200, and ensure the reliability and stability of the internal optical path of the optical fiber 110 in a liquid-cooled environment.

[0045] Both the first plating layer 117 and the second plating layer 123 are made of metal. They may be made of one or a mixture of gold, tin, copper, silver, tungsten, titanium, etc. If the first plating layer 117 and the second plating layer 123 are made of gold, the solder may be gold-tin solder paste or other solders. It should be noted that if either the connecting part 115 or the wall of the first through hole 121 is itself made of metal, a metal plating layer may be applied to its surface, or it may be omitted.

[0046] The first coating 117 and the second coating 123 are made of the same material. This allows for a tighter bond and better sealing during subsequent high-temperature melting. Of course, in some other embodiments, the materials of the first coating 117 and the second coating 123 may be different, which is not specifically limited here.

[0047] The diameter of the first through-hole 121 is adapted to the outer diameter of the bare fiber 111. Optionally, the cross-section of the first through-hole 121 is circular with a diameter of approximately 125 μm.

[0048] Referring to Figures 7 to 9, the pigtail upper component 100 also includes a retaining ring 130. The retaining ring 130 has a second through hole 131 connected to the first through hole 121. The connecting portion 115 of the bare fiber 111 is partially located within the second through hole 131 and partially within the first through hole 121. The fiber optic fixing component 120 has a third through hole 125 connected to the first through hole 121. The retaining ring 130 is located within the third through hole 125. That is, a retaining ring 130 is added between the connecting portion 115 and the fiber optic fixing component 120. The retaining ring 130 allows for easier laser cutting or grinding of the connecting portion 115. The retaining ring 130 can be made of metal or other non-metallic materials. In this embodiment, the retaining ring 130 is made of metal. It has high structural strength and facilitates the application of a metal plating layer on the retaining ring 130. The retaining ring 130 is sealed to the wall of the third through hole 125 of the fiber optic fixing member 120, and the wall of the second through hole 131 of the retaining ring 130 is sealed to the connecting part 115. Optionally, the diameter of the second through hole 131 is adapted to the outer diameter of the connecting part 115. The wall of the second through hole 131 is provided with a third plating layer. This third plating layer, the plating layer on the connecting part 115, and the solder are sintered and fused at high temperature to achieve a sealed connection between the connecting part 115 and the wall of the second through hole 131 of the retaining ring 130, thereby improving the sealing performance.

[0049] The outer surface of the retaining ring 130 is provided with a fourth plating layer. The wall of the third through hole 125 is provided with a fifth plating layer 126. The fourth plating layer and the fifth plating layer 126 are fused together at high temperature using gold-tin solder paste or other solders to achieve a sealed connection between the retaining ring 130 and the wall of the third through hole 125 of the fiber optic fixing component 120, thereby improving the sealing performance.

[0050] It should be noted that the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth plating layers 126 are only used to distinguish different locations of the plating layers. Their materials and plating methods are similar, and they will not be specified one by one here.

[0051] Optionally, the end face of the connector 115 away from the protective layer 113 is flush with the end face of the retaining ring 130. The connector 115 passes through the second through hole 131 of the retaining ring 130. This arrangement ensures the quality of the optical connection between the optical fiber 110 and free space.

[0052] The pigtail top component 100 also includes an isolator 140. The isolator 140 is disposed within the fiber optic fixing component 120 and located at the end of the connector 115. In this embodiment, the isolator 140 is fixed to the end of the fixing ring 130 away from the protective layer 113. Specifically, the fiber optic fixing component 120 is provided with a fourth through hole 127 for mounting the isolator 140. The first through hole 121, the third through hole 125, and the fourth through hole 127 are located on the same axis and are interconnected.

[0053] Optionally, a protective adhesive 150 is provided between the fiber optic fixing member 120 and the protective layer 113 of the optical fiber 110. The protective adhesive 150 is bonded to the end of the fiber optic fixing member 120 away from the fixing ring 130, and the protective adhesive 150 covers a portion of the epitaxial portion 116. The protective adhesive 150 includes hard adhesive and soft adhesive. The fiber optic fixing member 120 and the protective layer 113 of the optical fiber 110 can be fixed with hard adhesive, and a soft adhesive can be used for transition and protection in the portion covering the epitaxial portion 116.

[0054] The pigtail top 100 has a coating on the surface of the connector 115 and the inside of the fiber optic fixing member 120. The coating and solder are sintered together to form a reliable seal, ensuring that the optical path inside the pigtail top 100 can work normally even in a liquid-cooled environment, thus ensuring the reliability and stability of the internal optical path.

[0055] Referring to Figures 10 and 11, this embodiment of the present invention also provides an optical device 200, including a coaxial package 210, a mounting ring 220, and a pigtail mount 100 as described in any of the foregoing embodiments. One end of the mounting ring 220 is connected to the coaxial package 210, and the other end is connected to the pigtail mount 100.

[0056] The coaxial package 210 includes a socket 211, a cap 213, and leads 215. The socket 211 and cap 213 are resistance welded to ensure good sealing. This prevents the lens, laser, and laser heat sink inside the cap 213 from being affected by the liquid-cooled environment. The leads 215 are sintered onto the socket 211 at high temperature using glass insulators, ensuring the hermeticity of the connection between the leads 215 and the socket 211. The cap 213 is a flat-window cap. The flat-window glass is sintered to the metal parts of the cap 213 using glass solder to improve the hermeticity of the connection.

[0057] Referring to Figure 12, the cap 213 and the mounting ring 220 are welded or bonded together, and the mounting ring 220 and the fiber optic fastener 120 are also welded or bonded together. Optionally, the cap 213 and the mounting ring 220, and the mounting ring 220 and the fiber optic fastener 120, are respectively laser rotary welded. It can be understood that using laser rotary welding ensures that adjacent weld points 230 overlap in the weld seam, forming a 360° overlap of weld points 230 around the outer circumference of the mounting ring 220, improving the airtightness of the weld. The weld seam formed by laser rotary welding has a fish-scale pattern, with adjacent weld points 230 overlapping; this welding method is called fish-scale welding. This welding method ensures the sealing of the connection between the mounting ring 220 and the cap 213, and between the mounting ring 220 and the fiber optic fastener 120, preventing liquid from entering the interior and affecting the normal and stable operation of the internal optical path.

[0058] Of course, in some embodiments, the mounting ring 220 and the cap 213, as well as the mounting ring 220 and the fiber optic fastener 120, can also be bonded together, i.e., sealed with adhesive to improve the sealing of the connection. Alternatively, a combination of bonding and welding can be used, which is not specifically limited here.

[0059] In summary, the fiber optic pigtail 100 and optical device 200 provided in this embodiment of the present invention have the following beneficial effects:

[0060] The pigtail top component 100 provided in this embodiment of the invention has a coating applied to the connection portion 115 of the bare fiber 111 and the first through hole 121 of the fiber optic fixing component 120. Through the sintering and melting of the coating and solder, an effective seal is formed, giving the pigtail top component 100 good sealing performance, meeting both airtight and liquid-tight requirements, making it suitable for liquid-cooled environments, and ensuring the reliability and stability of the internal optical path even in liquid-cooled environments. Furthermore, a fixing ring 130 is provided to protect the bare fiber 111, facilitating the cutting or grinding of the bare fiber 111.

[0061] The optical device 200 provided in this embodiment includes the aforementioned pigtail top 100. The tube base 211 and tube cap 213 are resistance welded, and the mounting ring 220 and tube cap 213, as well as the mounting ring 220 and optical fiber fixing component 120, are respectively fish scale welded to improve the sealing of the connection and prevent liquid from entering the interior and affecting the normal and stable operation of the internal optical path. It is suitable for liquid cooling environments and can meet the sealing requirements of data centers and other applications for the optical device 200, making its application scenarios more flexible and extensive.

[0062] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this utility model and is not intended to limit the utility model. Various modifications and variations can be made to this utility model by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A pigtail top component, characterized in that, include: The optical fiber (110) has a bare fiber (111) and a protective layer (113) covering the bare fiber (111); the bare fiber (111) includes a connector (115) exposing the protective layer (113) and an epitaxial portion (116) covered by the protective layer (113). An optical fiber fastener (120) includes a first end face (1201) and a second end face (1203) facing each other. The optical fiber fastener (120) has a first through hole (121) connecting the first end face (1201) and the second end face (1203). A connecting part (115) passes through the first through hole (121) and is at least partially located in the first through hole (121). An extension part (116) is located outside the first through hole (121) and is closer to the second end face (1203) than the first end face (1201). A sealing layer (122) is provided between the connecting part (115) and the hole wall of the first through hole (121), and the sealing layer (122) seals the connection between the connecting part (115) and the hole wall of the first through hole (121).

2. The pigtail top component according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connecting part (115) is provided with a first plating layer (117), the hole wall of the first through hole (121) is provided with a second plating layer (123), and the sealing layer (122) is solder; the first plating layer (117), the second plating layer (123) and the solder melt together to seal and connect the connecting part (115) and the hole wall of the first through hole (121) together.

3. The pigtail top component according to claim 2, characterized in that, Both the first coating (117) and the second coating (123) are made of metal.

4. The pigtail top component according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a fixing ring (130), which has a second through hole (131) connected to the first through hole (121). The connecting part (115) is partially disposed in the second through hole (131) and partially disposed in the first through hole (121). The fiber fixing member (120) has a third through hole (125) connected to the first through hole (121), and the fixing ring (130) is disposed in the third through hole (125).

5. The pigtail top component according to claim 4, characterized in that, The fixing ring (130) is sealed to the wall of the third through hole (125) of the optical fiber fixing member (120), and the wall of the second through hole (131) of the fixing ring (130) is sealed to the connecting part (115).

6. The pigtail top component according to claim 4, characterized in that, The pigtail top also includes a protective adhesive (150), which is bonded to the end of the optical fiber fixing member (120) away from the fixing ring (130) and covers part of the epitaxial portion (116).

7. The pigtail top component according to claim 4, characterized in that, The end face of the connecting part (115) away from the protective layer (113) is flush with the end face of the fixing ring (130).

8. An optical device, characterized in that, It includes a coaxial package (210), a mounting ring (220), and a pigtail top piece as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein one end of the mounting ring (220) is connected to the coaxial package (210), and the other end is connected to the pigtail top piece.

9. The optical device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The coaxial package (210) includes a cap (213), the cap (213) and the mounting ring (220) are welded or bonded, and the mounting ring (220) and the optical fiber fastener (120) are welded or bonded.

10. The optical device according to claim 9, characterized in that, The cap (213) and the mounting ring (220), and the mounting ring (220) and the optical fiber fastener (120) are respectively laser rotary welded.

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