Optical fiber connector, fiber pigtail, and signal acquisition device

Abstract

An optical fiber connector (2000), a fiber pigtail, and a signal acquisition device. The optical fiber connector (2000) comprises: an optical fiber hole (2100), and a first exterior surface (2200), a first step surface (2300) and a second exterior surface (2400) which are sequentially connected, wherein the first exterior surface (2200) and the second exterior surface (2400) are coaxial with the optical fiber hole (2100); the radial size of the second exterior surface (2400) is greater than that of the first exterior surface (2200); the first exterior surface (2200) and the second exterior surface (2400) are adapted to be fitted with a first mounting hole (3100) and a second mounting hole (3300) of a signal acquisition device. The optical fiber connector (2000) further comprises a sealing ring limiting region (2500) and a first limiting structure (2600), wherein the first limiting structure (2600) and the first step surface (2300) are located at different positions in the axial direction of the optical fiber hole (2100); the first limiting structure (2600) is used for working in conjunction with a second limiting structure (3400) of the signal acquisition device to limit the axial position of the optical fiber connector (2000) relative to the signal acquisition device; the sealing ring limiting region (2500) is connected to the first exterior surface (2200); the sealing ring limiting region (2500) is used for fixing a flexible sealing ring.

Description

A fiber optic connector, pigtail, and signal acquisition device

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202422972773.8, filed on November 29, 2024, entitled "An Fiber Optic Connector, Pigtail and Signal Acquisition Device", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of optical fibers, and more particularly to an optical fiber connector, a pigtail, and a signal acquisition device. Background Technology

[0003] Optical fiber is an important component for transmitting optical signals. In the process of connecting optical fibers to communication, image acquisition, and other equipment, the fiber needs to extend into the equipment and connect to the internal optical communication lines.

[0004] In scenarios involving outdoor cameras and precision instruments, high levels of airtightness are required. Therefore, a special connection structure is needed at the point where the fiber optic cable connects to the equipment to ensure a tight seal and prevent external water, dirt, and other contaminants from entering the equipment through the connection point.

[0005] Current connection methods typically involve leaving a gap at the connection point between the device and the optical fiber. Adhesive is then applied into this gap and allowed to cure, thus ensuring the device's airtightness. This process is called the dispensing process.

[0006] However, due to the complexity of the dispensing process, the long curing time of the adhesive, and the difficulty in dispensing inside the cylinder, the process of connecting optical fibers to equipment on the production line is inefficient. There is an urgent need for a new connection structure to achieve efficient connection.

[0007] Utility Model Content

[0008] This application provides an optical fiber connector, a pigtail, and a signal acquisition device to improve the connection efficiency between the pigtail and the signal acquisition device while ensuring airtightness.

[0009] In a first aspect, this application provides an optical fiber connector, comprising: an optical fiber aperture, and a first outer surface, a first stepped surface, and a second outer surface connected sequentially. The optical fiber aperture is used to fix an optical fiber. The first and second outer surfaces are coaxial with the optical fiber aperture, and the radial dimension of the second outer surface is larger than that of the first outer surface. The first and second outer surfaces are used to mate with a first mounting hole and a second mounting hole of a signal acquisition device. The optical fiber connector further includes a sealing ring limiting area and a first limiting structure. The first limiting structure and the first stepped surface are located at different positions along the axial direction of the optical fiber aperture. The first limiting structure is used to limit the axial position of the optical fiber connector relative to the signal acquisition device after mates with the second limiting structure of the signal acquisition device. The sealing ring limiting area is connected to the first outer surface and is used to fix a flexible sealing ring.

[0010] In this embodiment, the first outer surface of the fiber optic connector mates with the first mounting hole of the signal acquisition device, and the sealing ring limiting area connected to the first outer surface is used to fix the flexible sealing ring. After the fiber optic connector and the signal acquisition device mate, from a radial perspective, the flexible sealing ring contacts the sealing ring limiting area of ​​the fiber optic connector inwards and the first mounting hole of the signal acquisition device outwards. By properly setting the axial distance between the fiber optic connector and the signal acquisition device, the flexible sealing ring is compressed axially, causing it to expand radially, compressing the sealing ring limiting area (of the fiber optic connector) and the first mounting hole (of the signal acquisition device), thus making the sealing ring limiting area, the sealing ring limiting area, and the first mounting hole a sealing end face, achieving a seal.

[0011] In this embodiment, the flexible sealing ring only needs to be inserted when connecting the fiber optic connector to the signal acquisition device to achieve a seal, simplifying the assembly process. Furthermore, since this structure does not require adhesive for sealing, the adhesive curing process is avoided, saving processing time. Moreover, the flexible sealing ring is not a one-time curing structure; if an assembly error occurs, rework and repair are possible, thereby improving product yield and reducing costs.

[0012] In one alternative implementation, the sealing ring limiting area includes one or more grooves formed on the first exterior surface, the one or more grooves being used to fix the flexible sealing ring.

[0013] In this embodiment, one or more grooves are provided on the fiber optic connector to fix the flexible sealing ring. As long as a suitable size flexible sealing ring is selected (the inner diameter of the sealing ring is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the groove), the tension of the flexible sealing ring can be used to fix the flexible sealing ring in the groove. Subsequent assembly processes do not require separate adjustment of the position of the flexible sealing ring, which simplifies the operation process and improves production efficiency.

[0014] In an alternative implementation, the sealing ring limiting area includes a first stepped surface for fixing the flexible sealing ring.

[0015] In the embodiments of the present application, during the assembly process, as long as the flexible sealing ring is sleeved on the first outer surface of the optical fiber connector, the position of the flexible sealing ring can be roughly fixed. As the optical fiber connector is inserted into the housing and cooperates with it, the flexible sealing ring is naturally squeezed between the first stepped surface and the second stepped surface. In the subsequent assembly process, there is no need to separately adjust the position of the flexible sealing ring, which can simplify the operation process and improve production efficiency.

[0016] In an alternative implementation, the first limiting structure includes a first inclined stepped surface and a first clamping groove. The first clamping groove connects the first inclined stepped surface and the first outer surface. The radial dimension of the first inclined stepped surface increases as the distance from the first stepped surface decreases. The radial dimension of the first clamping groove is smaller than the radial dimension of the first inclined stepped surface at the end close to the first stepped surface. The first clamping groove is used to accommodate multiple buckles on the signal acquisition device, and the first inclined stepped surface is used for the multiple buckles to slide into the first clamping groove.

[0017] In the embodiments of the present application, through the guidance of the first inclined stepped surface, multiple buckles on the housing slide into the first clamping groove, restricting the movement of the optical fiber connector relative to the signal acquisition device in the direction towards the second stepped surface (for example, towards the right in FIG. 6); the cooperation between the first stepped surface and the second stepped surface restricts the movement of the optical fiber connector relative to the signal acquisition device in the direction away from the second stepped surface (for example, towards the left in FIG. 6); thus, the axial position relationship between the optical fiber connector and the signal acquisition device is fixed. Due to the simple cooperation between the first inclined stepped surface and the second inclined stepped surface (the two inclined stepped surfaces can be simply joined), the connection process between the optical fiber connector and the signal acquisition device is simple, improving production efficiency.

[0018] In an alternative implementation, the distance d1 between one end of the first inclined stepped surface close to the first stepped surface and the first stepped surface, the distance d2 between the limiting surfaces of the multiple buckles on the signal acquisition device and the second stepped surface, and the thickness d3 of the flexible sealing ring satisfy d1 < d2 + d3.

[0019] In the embodiments of the present application, making d1 < d2 + d3 causes the flexible sealing ring to be squeezed by the first stepped surface and the second stepped surface, achieving sealing.

[0020] In an alternative implementation, the first limiting structure includes one or more limiting holes on the first stepped surface.

[0021] In a second aspect, the present application provides a pigtail, which includes an optical fiber and an optical fiber connector. The optical fiber connector is the optical fiber connector described in the first aspect or the alternative implementations of the first aspect. The optical fiber cooperates with the optical fiber hole of the optical fiber connector.

[0022] Thirdly, this application provides a signal acquisition device, which includes a housing. The housing includes a first mounting hole, a second stepped surface, and a second mounting hole connected in sequence. The diameter of the second mounting hole is larger than the diameter of the first mounting hole, and the first and second mounting holes are used to mate with a first and a second outer surface of an optical fiber connector. The housing also includes a second limiting structure, which is located at a different position axially from the second stepped surface of the first mounting hole. The second limiting structure is used to limit the axial position of the optical fiber connector relative to the signal acquisition device after mates with the first limiting structure of the optical fiber connector.

[0023] In this embodiment, the first and second outer surfaces of the fiber optic connector mate with the first and second mounting holes of the signal acquisition device, restricting the radial movement of the fiber optic connector relative to the signal acquisition device. The first stepped surface of the fiber optic connector mates with the second stepped surface of the signal acquisition device, and the first limiting structure of the fiber optic connector mates with the second limiting structure of the signal acquisition device; thereby restricting the axial movement between the fiber optic connector and the signal acquisition device. This achieves the fixation of the radial and axial positions of the fiber optic connector relative to the signal acquisition device.

[0024] In one alternative implementation, the signal acquisition device is a camera.

[0025] In one optional implementation, the second limiting structure includes a plurality of latches connected to the first mounting hole, the plurality of latches being equidistant from the second stepped surface. The plurality of latches include a second inclined trapezoidal surface and a limiting surface, the second inclined trapezoidal surface being located between the limiting surface and the second stepped surface. The radial dimension of the second inclined trapezoidal surface increases with the increase of the distance from the second stepped surface. The radial dimension of the limiting surface is smaller than the radial dimension of the second inclined trapezoidal surface at the end closest to the limiting surface.

[0026] In one alternative implementation, the second limiting structure further includes multiple latching extension arms, with the multiple latches located between the first mounting hole and the multiple extension arms.

[0027] In this embodiment, after assembling the fiber optic connector and the housing, if disassembly is required, a tool is inserted between multiple extension arms to increase the radial distance (e.g., vertically in Figure 10) of the extension arms. This increases the radial distance of the multiple clips, making it greater than the radial dimension of the first inclined trapezoidal surface, thus enabling the fiber optic connector to be disassembled from the housing. This facilitates maintenance and replacement, extending service life. Furthermore, in case of assembly errors, disassembly and rework are possible, improving product yield and production efficiency.

[0028] In one alternative implementation, the second limiting structure includes one or more limiting posts on the second stepped surface.

[0029] The beneficial effects of the second and third aspects are described in the first aspect and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0030] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the camera provided in this application;

[0031] Figure 2 is a structural schematic diagram of an optical fiber connector provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0032] Figure 3 is a structural schematic diagram of the housing of the signal acquisition device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0033] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional structural diagram of an optical fiber connector provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0034] Figure 5a is a cross-sectional structural diagram of the housing of the signal acquisition device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0035] Figure 5b is another cross-sectional structural diagram of the housing of the signal acquisition device provided in the embodiment of this application;

[0036] Figure 5c is a structural schematic diagram of the housing of the signal acquisition device provided in the embodiment of this application from an inner perspective;

[0037] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of an assembly structure of the fiber optic connector and housing provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0038] Figure 7a is a schematic diagram of the assembly process of the fiber optic connector and the housing provided in the embodiment of this application;

[0039] Figure 7b is another schematic diagram of the assembly process of the fiber optic connector and the housing provided in the embodiment of this application;

[0040] Figure 7c is a schematic diagram of the assembled structure of the fiber optic connector and the housing provided in the embodiment of this application;

[0041] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of another assembly structure of the fiber optic connector and housing provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0042] Figure 9 is a dimensional schematic diagram of the fiber optic connector and housing assembly provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0043] Figure 10 is a structural schematic diagram of a housing including an extension arm provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0044] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of a fiber optic connector including a limiting hole provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0045] Figure 12 is a structural schematic diagram of a shell including a limiting post provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0046] The embodiments of this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will recognize that, with technological advancements and the emergence of new scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are equally applicable to similar technical problems.

[0047] The terms "first," "second," etc., used in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such terms are interchangeable where appropriate; this is merely a way of distinguishing objects with the same attributes in the embodiments of this application. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that comprises a series of units is not necessarily limited to those units, but may include other units not explicitly listed or inherent to those processes, methods, products, or apparatuses. Additionally, "at least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or multiple items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can be expressed as: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0048] Optical fiber is a crucial component for transmitting optical signals. Image acquisition devices such as cameras require optical fiber connections to transmit optical signals. The optical fiber typically needs to extend inside the device to connect to its internal optical path.

[0049] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the camera's structure. As shown in Figure 1, the camera includes a housing, a dust cover, and optical paths (including a lens, photodetector, etc.) and communication lines (including a processing chip, light emitting device, etc.) located inside the housing. The camera acquires image signals through the lens, which are converted into electrical signals by the photodetector. The electrical signals are then converted into optical signals by the processing chip and light emitting device.

[0050] A pigtail consists of a fiber optic connector and an optical fiber. The optical fiber extends into the camera housing and connects to the light-emitting device inside the camera to transmit optical signals. The fiber optic connector connects internally to the optical fiber and externally to the camera housing, securing the optical fiber to the camera.

[0051] The light-emitting device inside the camera can be considered part of the camera's internal optical communication circuitry. The pigtail (optical fiber) connects to the light-emitting device within the camera, thus establishing a connection with the camera's internal optical communication circuitry. Besides cameras, the pigtail may also extend into other types of equipment and connect to the optical communication circuitry within those devices. Optionally, the optical communication circuitry can transmit optical communication signals (e.g., optical signals converted from processed electrical signals) via the pigtail, or it can transmit optical signals collected by the equipment (e.g., spectral signals obtained through transmission or reflection from the analyte in a spectrometer), etc., and this application does not limit this.

[0052] In outdoor cameras, precision instruments, and other similar applications, a high degree of airtightness is required to prevent water and external contaminants (such as moisture and dust) from interfering with the operation of internal components. Therefore, a special connection structure is needed to ensure airtightness at the connection point between the optical fiber and the equipment (i.e., the location of the optical fiber connector in Figure 1).

[0053] Currently, the sealing of the connection between the optical fiber and the equipment is usually ensured through an adhesive dispensing process. This process involves leaving a gap between the equipment housing and the optical fiber connector, applying adhesive into the gap, and allowing the adhesive to cure, thereby ensuring a tight seal at the connection.

[0054] However, the dispensing process has certain drawbacks. For example, it requires injecting glue and waiting for it to cure, making the operation complex; the long curing time of the glue results in low processing efficiency; the outer shell of equipment such as cameras is a long cylinder, and the dispensing process requires injecting glue from inside the cylinder, making the operation difficult; the glue cannot be adjusted after it has cured, making rework and repair impossible; and aging of the glue will affect the sealing performance, increasing the risk of water ingress into the equipment and thus affecting its service life.

[0055] In summary, the complex dispensing process, long curing time, and difficulty in dispensing inside the cylinder result in low efficiency in the fiber optic connection process on the production line. A new connection structure is urgently needed to achieve efficient connection.

[0056] To achieve efficient connection between optical fiber and equipment while ensuring a tight seal at the connection point, embodiments of this application provide an optical fiber connector, a pigtail, and a camera. The optical fiber connector provided in this application simplifies the connection process between the optical fiber and the equipment and achieves efficient production by incorporating a sealing ring limiting area for accommodating the sealing ring and an axial limiting structure.

[0057] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the fiber optic connector provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 2, the fiber optic connector 2000 includes a fiber optic hole 2100, and a first outer surface 2200, a first stepped surface 2300, and a second outer surface 2400 connected in sequence.

[0058] Fiber optic aperture 2100 is used to fix the optical fiber. Optionally, fiber optic aperture 2100 may include an optical fiber segment and a fiber core segment, wherein the aperture of the fiber core segment is smaller than that of the optical fiber segment. The optical fiber segment is used to fix the optical fiber containing the cladding, and the fiber core segment is used to fix the fiber core.

[0059] Both the first facade 2200 and the second facade 2400 are coaxial with the fiber optic hole 2100. The radial dimension of the second facade 2400 is larger than that of the first facade 2200.

[0060] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the signal acquisition device that mates with the fiber optic connector 2000. As shown in Figure 3, the housing 3000 of the signal acquisition device includes a first mounting hole 3100, a second stepped surface 3200, and a second mounting hole 3300 connected in sequence. The diameter of the second mounting hole 3300 is larger than the diameter of the first mounting hole 3100.

[0061] The first outer surface 2200 and the second outer surface 2400 of the fiber optic connector 2000 are used to mate with the first mounting hole 3100 and the second mounting hole 3300 of the housing 3000 of the signal acquisition device.

[0062] Optionally, the first exterior facade 2200 and the second exterior facade 2400 can be cylindrical surfaces, in which case the radial dimension is the radial radius or diameter of the cylindrical surface. It is worth noting that, in addition to cylindrical surfaces, the first exterior facade 2200 and the second exterior facade 2400 can also be cylindrical surfaces of other shapes, such as square cylindrical surfaces, elliptical cylindrical surfaces, etc., and this application does not limit them in this regard.

[0063] Since the first mounting hole 3100 and the second mounting hole 3300 of the housing 3000 mate with the first outer surface 2200 and the second outer surface 2400 of the fiber optic connector 2000, the shape and size of the mounting holes match those of the outer surfaces. For example, if the first outer surface 2200 is a cylindrical surface with a diameter of 5 mm, then the first mounting hole 3100 is a circular hole with a diameter of 5 mm. If the outer surface is another cylindrical surface (e.g., a square cylinder or an elliptical cylinder), then the mounting hole is also a cylinder of the corresponding shape.

[0064] The first stepped surface 2300 of the fiber optic connector 2000 is used to mate with the second stepped surface 3200 of the housing 3000 of the signal acquisition device.

[0065] Optionally, the first stepped surface 2300 can directly mate with the second stepped surface 3200, or it can mate with the second stepped surface 3200 through a flexible sealing ring. This application does not limit this.

[0066] As shown in Figure 2, the fiber optic connector 2000 also includes a sealing ring limiting area 2500 and a first limiting structure 2600. The first limiting structure 2600 and the first stepped surface 2300 are located at different positions along the axial direction of the fiber optic hole 2100.

[0067] As shown in Figure 3, the outer casing 3000 also includes a second limiting structure 3400, which is located at different positions along the axial direction of the first mounting hole 3100, along with the second stepped surface 3200.

[0068] The first limiting structure 2600 of the fiber optic connector 2000 is used to limit the axial position of the fiber optic connector 2000 relative to the signal acquisition device after engaging with the second limiting structure 3400 of the housing 3000 of the signal acquisition device.

[0069] In this embodiment, the first outer surface 2200 and the second outer surface 2400 of the fiber optic connector 2000 mate with the first mounting hole and the second mounting hole of the signal acquisition device, restricting the radial movement of the fiber optic connector 2000 relative to the signal acquisition device. The first stepped surface 2300 of the fiber optic connector 2000 mates with the second stepped surface of the signal acquisition device, and the first limiting structure 2600 of the fiber optic connector 2000 mates with the second limiting structure of the signal acquisition device; thereby restricting the axial movement between the fiber optic connector 2000 and the signal acquisition device. This achieves the fixation of the radial and axial positions of the fiber optic connector 2000 relative to the signal acquisition device.

[0070] The sealing ring limiting area 2500 is connected to the first outer facade 2200, and the sealing ring limiting area 2500 is used to fix the flexible sealing ring.

[0071] In this embodiment, the first outer surface 2200 of the fiber optic connector 2000 mates with the first mounting hole of the signal acquisition device, and the sealing ring limiting area 2500 connected to the first outer surface 2200 is used to fix the flexible sealing ring. After the fiber optic connector 2000 mates with the signal acquisition device, radially, the flexible sealing ring contacts the sealing ring limiting area 2500 of the fiber optic connector 2000 inwards and the first mounting hole of the signal acquisition device outwards. By properly setting the axial distance between the fiber optic connector 2000 and the signal acquisition device, the flexible sealing ring is compressed axially, causing it to expand radially and compress the sealing ring limiting area 2500 (of the fiber optic connector 2000) and the first mounting hole (of the signal acquisition device), thus making the sealing ring limiting area 2500, the sealing ring limiting area 2500, and the first mounting hole a sealing end face, achieving a seal.

[0072] In this embodiment, the flexible sealing ring only needs to be installed when connecting the fiber optic connector 2000 to the signal acquisition device to achieve a seal, simplifying the assembly process. Furthermore, since this structure does not require adhesive for sealing, the adhesive curing process is avoided, saving processing time. Moreover, the flexible sealing ring is not a one-time curing structure; if an assembly error occurs, rework and repair are possible, thereby improving product yield and reducing costs.

[0073] In this embodiment, the first limiting structure 2600 may be a buckle, a limiting ring, or other structures, which will be described in detail below.

[0074] 1. The first limiting structure 2600 is a snap fastener.

[0075] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional structural diagram of the fiber optic connector 2000. As shown in Figure 4, the first limiting structure 2600 includes a first inclined trapezoidal surface 2610 and a first slot 2620, and the first slot 2620 connects the first inclined trapezoidal surface 2610 and the first outer surface 2200.

[0076] In Figure 4, the vertical direction is the radial direction, and the horizontal direction is the axial direction. As shown in Figure 4, the radial dimension of the first inclined trapezoidal surface 2610 increases as the distance between it and the first stepped surface 2300 decreases; that is, the radial dimension is larger towards the right in Figure 4.

[0077] The radial dimension of the first slot 2620 is smaller than the radial dimension of the first inclined trapezoidal surface 2610 near the end of the first stepped surface 2300 (the rightmost end of the first inclined trapezoidal surface 2610 in Figure 3). That is, the radial dimension of the first inclined trapezoidal surface 2610 is larger the closer it is to the first slot 2620, and the radial dimension drops sharply at the first slot 2620.

[0078] Figures 5a and 5b are cross-sectional structural diagrams of the outer shell 3000 corresponding to Figure 4, and Figure 5c is an inner view structural diagram of the outer shell 3000. As shown in Figure 5a, the second limiting structure 3400 includes multiple buckles 3410 connected to the first mounting hole 3100, and the multiple buckles 3410 are equidistant from the second stepped surface 3200.

[0079] As shown in Figure 5b, the multiple buckles 3410 include a second inclined trapezoidal surface 3411 and a limiting surface 3412, with the second inclined trapezoidal surface 3411 located between the limiting surface 3412 and the second step surface 3200.

[0080] In Figure 5b, the vertical direction is the radial direction, and the horizontal direction is the axial direction. As shown in Figure 5b, the radial dimension of the second inclined trapezoidal surface 3411 increases with the increase of the distance between it and the second stepped surface 3200; that is, the radial dimension is larger towards the left in Figure 5b.

[0081] The radial dimension of the limiting surface 3412 is smaller than the radial dimension of the second inclined trapezoidal surface 3411 near the limiting surface 3412 (the leftmost end of the second inclined trapezoidal surface 3411 in Figure 5b). That is, the closer the second inclined trapezoidal surface 3411 is to the limiting surface 3412, the larger its radial dimension is, and the radial dimension drops sharply at the limiting surface 3412.

[0082] As shown in Figures 4 and 5b, the first inclined trapezoidal surface 2610 of the fiber optic connector 2000 is inclined in the same direction as the second inclined trapezoidal surface 3411 of the housing 3000. Figure 6 is a structural diagram of the fiber optic connector 2000 and housing 3000 after assembly. As shown in Figure 6, during assembly, the fiber optic connector 2000 moves to the left and inserts into the housing 3000. During the insertion of the fiber optic connector 2000 into the housing 3000, the multiple latches 3411 of the housing 3000 can slide along the first inclined trapezoidal surface 2610 of the fiber optic connector 2000 into the first slot 2620. The first slot 2620 is used to accommodate the multiple latches 2620.

[0083] In this embodiment, the fiber optic connector 2000, guided by the first inclined trapezoidal surface 2610, slides multiple latches 3411 on the housing 3000 into the first slot 2620, restricting the fiber optic connector 2000 from moving relative to the signal acquisition device in the direction toward the second stepped surface 3200 (to the right in Figure 6). The engagement of the first stepped surface 2300 and the second stepped surface 3200 restricts the fiber optic connector 2000 from moving relative to the signal acquisition device in the direction away from the second stepped surface 3200 (to the left in Figure 6), thereby fixing the axial positional relationship between the fiber optic connector 2000 and the signal acquisition device. Because the engagement of the first inclined trapezoidal surface 2610 and the second inclined trapezoidal surface 3411 is simple (the two inclined trapezoidal surfaces simply overlap), the connection process between the fiber optic connector 2000 and the signal acquisition device is simplified, improving production efficiency.

[0084] In this embodiment, the sealing ring limiting area 2500 of the fiber optic connector 2000 can be one or more grooves 2510, as shown in Figures 2 to 6. One or more grooves 2510 are formed on the first outer surface 2200, and are used to fix the flexible sealing ring.

[0085] As shown in Figures 7a and 7b, multiple flexible sealing rings are fixed within multiple grooves 2510 of the fiber optic connector 2000. As shown in Figure 7c, as the fiber optic connector 2000 is inserted into and mates with the housing 3000, the flexible sealing rings contact the first mounting hole 3100 of the housing 3000. The flexible sealing rings are confined within the space formed by the grooves 2510 and the first mounting hole 3100.

[0086] As long as the size of this space is reasonably set (specifically, set the difference between the inner diameter of the groove 2510 and the inner diameter of the first mounting hole, the groove width of the groove 2510, etc.), so that the size of this space is less than or equal to the volume of the flexible sealing ring, the flexible sealing ring can squeeze the groove 2510 and the first mounting hole 3100 in the radial direction (the up and down direction in FIG. 7c). Thus, the compression among the groove 2510, the flexible sealing ring, and the first mounting hole 3100 is achieved, and sealing is realized.

[0087] In the embodiment of the present application, one or more grooves 2510 are provided on the optical fiber connector 2000 for fixing the flexible sealing ring. As long as a flexible sealing ring with a suitable size is selected (the inner diameter of the sealing ring is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the groove 2510), the flexible sealing ring can be fixed in the groove 2510 by using the tension of the flexible sealing ring. In the subsequent assembly process, the position of the flexible sealing ring does not need to be adjusted separately, which can simplify the operation process and improve production efficiency.

[0088] It should be noted that in addition to the one or more grooves 2510 on the first outer surface 2200, the sealing ring limiting area 2500 of the optical fiber connector 2000 can also be in other forms. For example, the sealing ring limiting area 2500 can also be the above-mentioned first stepped surface 2300, and the first stepped surface 2300 is used to fix the flexible sealing ring.

[0089] As shown in FIG. 8, the flexible sealing ring can be sleeved on the first stepped surface 2300. As the optical fiber connector 2000 is inserted into the housing 3000 and cooperates with the housing 3000, the flexible sealing ring contacts the second stepped surface 3200 of the housing 3000. The flexible sealing ring is restricted in the space formed by the first stepped surface 2300, the second mounting hole 3300, and the second stepped surface 3200. As long as the distance between the first stepped surface 2300 and the second stepped surface 3200 is reasonably set so that this distance is less than the thickness of the flexible sealing ring, the flexible sealing ring can squeeze the first stepped surface 2300 and the second stepped surface 3200 in the axial direction (the left and right direction in FIG. 8). Thus, the compression among the first stepped surface 2300, the flexible sealing ring, and the second stepped surface 3200 is achieved, and sealing is realized.

[0090] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, assume that on the optical fiber connector 2000, the distance between the end of the first inclined ladder surface close to the first stepped surface (the right end in FIG. 9) and the first stepped surface 2300 is d1; the distance between the limiting surface 3412 of the multiple buckles 3410 on the housing 3000 and the second stepped surface 3200 is d2; the thickness of the flexible sealing ring is d3. Then it should be made that d1 < d2 + d3. Thus, the flexible sealing ring is squeezed by the first stepped surface 2300 and the second stepped surface 3200, and sealing is realized.

[0091] In this embodiment, during the assembly process, simply placing the flexible sealing ring on the first outer surface 2200 of the fiber optic connector 2000 can roughly fix the position of the flexible sealing ring. As the fiber optic connector 2000 is inserted into the housing 3000 and engages with it, the flexible sealing ring is naturally squeezed between the first stepped surface 2300 and the second stepped surface 3200. Subsequent assembly processes do not require further adjustment of the position of the flexible sealing ring, which simplifies the operation process and improves production efficiency.

[0092] In this embodiment of the application, multiple extension arms of buckles 3410 may also be provided on the second limiting structure 3400 of the housing 3000 for disassembly.

[0093] As shown in Figure 10, multiple clips 3410 are located between the first mounting hole 3100 and multiple extension arms 3500. After assembling the fiber optic connector 2000 and the housing 3000, if disassembly is required, a tool is inserted between the multiple extension arms 3500, increasing the radial distance (vertical direction in Figure 10) of the multiple extension arms 3500, which in turn increases the radial distance of the multiple clips 3410. When the radial distance of the multiple clips 3410 is greater than the radial dimension of the first inclined trapezoidal surface 2610, the clips 3410 can detach from the first slot 2620, thus achieving the disassembly of the fiber optic connector 2000 and the housing 3000.

[0094] In this embodiment, the extension arm 3500 increases the radial distance between the multiple latches 3410, making it greater than the radial dimension of the first inclined trapezoidal surface 2610, thus enabling the detachment of the fiber optic connector 2000 from the housing 3000. This facilitates maintenance and replacement, extending service life. Furthermore, it allows for disassembly and rework in case of assembly errors, improving product yield and production efficiency.

[0095] It is worth noting that, in addition to the first inclined trapezoidal surface 2610 and the first slot 2620, the first limiting structure 2600 of the fiber optic connector 2000 can also be in other forms. For example, the first limiting structure 2600 can also be a limiting hole 2630 on the first stepped surface 2300.

[0096] II. The first limiting structure 2600 is a limiting hole.

[0097] As shown in Figure 11, the first limiting structure 2600 includes one or more limiting holes 2630 on the first stepped surface 2300. As shown in Figure 12, the second stepped surface of the housing 3000 includes limiting posts 3420 that match the number, size, and position of the limiting holes 2630.

[0098] During the assembly of the fiber optic connector 2000 and the housing 3000, the limiting hole 2630 is inserted into the limiting post 3420 on the housing 3000, and the surfaces of the limiting hole 2630 and the limiting post 3420 are welded together by laser welding and other processes to achieve the fixation between the fiber optic connector 2000 and the housing 3000.

[0099] In this embodiment, the limiting hole 2630 serves as the first limiting structure 2600 to fix the fiber optic connector 2000 to the housing 3000. For sealing, this can be achieved by creating one or more grooves 2510 on the first outer surface 2200 of the fiber optic connector 2000 (with a flexible sealing ring inside the groove 2510), or by providing a flexible sealing ring between the first stepped surface 2300 and the second stepped surface 3200, etc. This application does not limit the scope of this application.

[0100] It is worth noting that if a flexible sealing ring is provided between the first stepped surface 2300 and the second stepped surface 3200 to ensure sealing, a hole corresponding to the limiting post 3420 needs to be made on the flexible sealing ring so that the limiting post 3420 can pass through smoothly.

[0101] Based on the above description of the fiber optic connector 2000, this application embodiment also provides a pigtail. The pigtail includes the fiber optic connector 2000 described in any of the embodiments shown in Figures 2 to 12, and an optical fiber. The optical fiber mates with the fiber optic port 2100 of the fiber optic connector 2000.

[0102] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be an indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units through some interfaces, and may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0103] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

Claims

1. An optical fiber connector, characterized in that, It includes fiber optic holes, and a first exterior facade, a first stepped surface, and a second exterior facade connected in sequence, wherein the fiber optic holes are used to fix fiber optics; The first and second exterior facades are coaxial with the fiber optic hole, and the radial dimension of the second exterior facade is greater than that of the first exterior facade. The first and second exterior facades are used to mate with the first and second mounting holes of the signal acquisition device. The fiber optic connector also includes a sealing ring limiting area and a first limiting structure; The first limiting structure and the first stepped surface are at different positions along the axial direction of the optical fiber hole. The first limiting structure is used to limit the axial position of the optical fiber connector relative to the signal acquisition device after cooperating with the second limiting structure of the signal acquisition device. The sealing ring limiting area is connected to the first outer facade, and the sealing ring limiting area is used to fix the flexible sealing ring.

2. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sealing ring limiting area includes one or more grooves formed on the first outer facade, the one or more grooves being used to fix the flexible sealing ring.

3. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The sealing ring limiting area includes the first stepped surface, which is used to fix the flexible sealing ring.

4. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The first limiting structure includes a first inclined trapezoidal surface and a first slot, wherein the first slot connects the first inclined trapezoidal surface to the first exterior surface; The radial dimension of the first inclined trapezoidal surface increases as the distance between it and the first stepped surface decreases; The radial dimension of the first slot is smaller than the radial dimension of the first inclined trapezoidal surface near the end of the first stepped surface; The first slot is used to accommodate multiple clips on the signal acquisition device, and the first inclined trapezoidal surface is used for the multiple clips to slide into the first slot.

5. The connector according to claim 4, characterized in that, The distance d1 between the end of the first inclined trapezoidal surface near the first stepped surface and the first stepped surface, the distance d2 between the limiting surfaces of the plurality of buckles on the signal acquisition device and the second stepped surface, and the thickness d3 of the flexible sealing ring satisfy d1. <d2+d3。 6. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The first limiting structure includes one or more limiting holes on the first stepped surface.

7. A type of pigtail fiber, characterized in that, Includes optical fiber and optical fiber connector, wherein the optical fiber connector is the optical fiber connector according to any one of claims 1 to 6; The optical fiber mates with the fiber optic port of the optical fiber connector.

8. A signal acquisition device, characterized in that, The housing includes a first mounting hole, a second stepped surface, and a second mounting hole connected in sequence. The diameter of the second mounting hole is larger than that of the first mounting hole, and the first mounting hole and the second mounting hole are used to mate with the first and second outer surfaces of the fiber optic connector. The housing also includes a second limiting structure, which is located at a different position from the second stepped surface in the axial direction of the first mounting hole. The second limiting structure is used to limit the axial position of the fiber optic connector relative to the signal acquisition device after cooperating with the first limiting structure of the fiber optic connector.

9. The device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The second limiting structure includes a plurality of buckles connected to the first mounting hole, and the plurality of buckles are equidistant from the second stepped surface; The plurality of buckles includes a second inclined trapezoidal surface and a limiting surface, wherein the second inclined trapezoidal surface is located between the limiting surface and the second stepped surface; The radial dimension of the second inclined trapezoidal surface increases as the distance between it and the second stepped surface increases; The radial dimension of the limiting surface is smaller than the radial dimension of the second inclined trapezoidal surface near the end of the limiting surface.

10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that... ； The second limiting structure also includes extension arms of the plurality of buckles, which are located between the first mounting hole and the plurality of extension arms.

11. The device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The second limiting structure includes one or more limiting posts on the second stepped surface.

Images