CN115993685A - Polarization maintaining connector assembly, polarization maintaining connector and assembly method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention discloses a polarization maintaining connector assembly, a polarization maintaining connector and an assembly method thereof. The polarization maintaining connector assembly includes a housing, a retainer, a ferrule, and an adjustment member. The outer sleeve has a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a ferrule is received within the outer jacket and extends outwardly from the first end, the ferrule including an optical fiber; an adjustment member is attached to the ferrule and is configured to manipulate rotation of the ferrule. Wherein the retainer is disposed between the outer sleeve and the adjustment member and is configured to limit rotation of the adjustment member and the ferrule when coupled to the adjustment member. With the polarization maintaining connector assembly, the adjusting piece is used for adjusting the optical axis angle of the optical fiber, the retaining piece is used for locking the optical axis angle, so that the optical fiber can be fixed to the ferrule and polished in the production process of the polarization maintaining connector assembly, and finally, the angle of the optical axis of the optical fiber is adjusted, and the production efficiency and the yield of the polarization maintaining connector assembly are greatly improved.

Description

Polarization maintaining connector assembly, polarization maintaining connector and assembly method thereof

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to the field of fiber optic connectors, and more particularly to a polarization maintaining connector assembly for a polarization maintaining optical fiber, a polarization maintaining connector, and a method of assembling a polarization maintaining connector.

Background

As a special optical fiber, a polarization maintaining optical fiber (Polarization Maintaining Optical Fiber, also called PM optical fiber) is designed on the geometric dimension of the optical fiber to generate stronger birefringence effect so as to eliminate the influence of stress on the polarization state of incident light, thereby solving the problem of polarization state change. The polarization maintaining optical fiber has strong birefringence, and the polarization state of light can not be changed even if the optical fiber is bent as long as the polarization direction of light in the incident optical fiber is parallel to one axis of the polarization maintaining optical fiber. For certain special applications where it is necessary to ensure polarized light input, the function of maintaining polarization is particularly important.

The polarization maintaining jumper has excellent environmental stability, and is mainly applied to the production of optical fiber lasers/optical fiber amplifiers and the application of research and test instruments, such as optical fiber sensors, optical fiber gyroscopes, optical fiber hydrophones, optical fiber current sensors, polarization maintaining wavelength division multiplexers and the like. There are also some applications in the fields of high-speed fiber optic communications, integrated optical packages, and interferometric sensing.

In order to ensure the alignment of the polarization maintaining optical fiber jumper and the adapter so as to obtain good extinction ratio repeatability and lower insertion loss, the direction of the polarization maintaining optical axis needs to be ensured, so that when the polarization maintaining optical fiber jumper is manufactured, the optical axis angle of the polarization maintaining optical fiber can be conveniently and accurately adjusted, otherwise, the quality of a product is influenced, and the transmission of optical signals is influenced. At present, the production process of the polarization maintaining jumper wire comprises the steps of firstly adjusting the angle of a ceramic ferrule, then curing the ceramic ferrule on a metal flange by using glue, and grinding the ferrule after curing. Therefore, once vibration is generated in the curing process or the angle deviation is large due to external force during curing and grinding, the ferrule and the whole set of connecting pieces are scrapped.

Accordingly, there is a need for a polarization maintaining connector assembly and a polarization maintaining connector and method of assembling the same that at least partially address the above-mentioned problems.

Disclosure of Invention

In the summary, a series of concepts in a simplified form are introduced, which will be further described in detail in the detailed description. The summary of the invention is not intended to define the key features and essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

To at least partially address the problems in the background, a first aspect of the present invention provides a polarization maintaining connector assembly comprising:

a jacket having a first end and a second end opposite thereto;

a ferrule received within the outer jacket and extending outwardly from the first end, the ferrule comprising an optical fiber;

an adjustment member attached to the ferrule and configured to manipulate rotation of the ferrule;

wherein the polarization maintaining connector assembly includes a retainer disposed between the outer sleeve and the adjustment member and configured to limit rotation of the adjustment member and the ferrule when coupled to the adjustment member.

According to the polarization maintaining connector assembly of the present invention, the rotation of the ferrule is controlled by the adjusting member, the holding member can restrict the rotation of the adjusting member and the ferrule relative to the housing, and the angle of the optical axis of the optical fiber cannot be changed relative to the housing by the holding member and the adjusting member.

Optionally, the ferrule includes a first detent portion, and the adjusting member includes a second detent portion, and the first detent portion cooperates with the second detent portion such that the ferrule can rotate with the adjusting member.

According to the polarization maintaining connector assembly of the present invention, the ferrule is engaged with the regulating member such that the ferrule cannot rotate relative to the regulating member.

Optionally, one of the first clamping portion and the second clamping portion is configured as a clamping protrusion, and the other of the first clamping portion and the second clamping portion is configured as a clamping groove for accommodating the clamping protrusion.

According to the polarization maintaining connector assembly, the clamping operation of the hoop and the adjusting piece is simple.

Optionally, the adjustment member and the retainer member are attached together by an interference fit or an adhesive bond.

According to the polarization maintaining connector assembly of the present invention, the adjustment member is fixed to the holding member in various ways.

Optionally, the outer sleeve comprises a first limit portion, the retaining member comprises a second limit portion, and the first limit portion and the second limit portion cooperate with each other to position the retaining member in the position of the outer sleeve.

According to the polarization maintaining connector assembly of the present invention, the retainer is prevented from rotating relative to the housing such that the adjustment member is prevented from rotating relative to the housing, and such that the ferrule and the optical fiber are prevented from rotating relative to the housing.

Optionally, the ferrule comprises a flange comprising a frustoconical or stepped form.

According to the polarization maintaining connector assembly of the present invention, the ferrule abuts the inner wall of the outer sleeve in a variety of ways.

Optionally, the polarization maintaining connector assembly further comprises a spring.

According to the polarization maintaining connector assembly, the components are firmly connected through the springs.

Optionally, the outer sleeve further comprises a latch mechanism to connect and disconnect the polarization maintaining connector assembly to and from the adapter.

According to the polarization maintaining connector assembly of the present invention, the outer sleeve is firmly attached to the adapter by the latch mechanism and is detachable from the adapter.

Optionally, the first detent cooperates with the second detent to enable axial movement of the ferrule.

According to the polarization maintaining connector assembly, the hoop can move in the axial direction, so that tight fit is realized with a butting connector, and gaps are prevented.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a polarization maintaining connector which can be assembled into the above polarization maintaining connector assembly according to the present invention, the polarization maintaining connector according to the present invention comprising:

a jacket having a first end and a second end opposite thereto;

a ferrule received within the outer sleeve, the ferrule being provided with a passageway, at least a portion of the ferrule being exposed from the first end; and

an adjusting member coupled to the ferrule,

wherein the polarization maintaining connector comprises a retainer housed within the outer sleeve and containing the adjustment member, the adjustment member being configured to manipulate circumferential rotation of the ferrule such that the ferrule is rotatable with the adjustment member when the adjustment member is actuated.

When the polarization maintaining connector is used for assembling and producing the polarization maintaining connector component, the optical fiber can be cured in the ferrule in advance and polished, then the ferrule is rotated through the adjusting piece, namely, the angle of the optical axis of the optical fiber is conveniently adjusted by rotating the adjusting piece, the angle of the optical axis is adjustable by 360 degrees, the ferrule is relatively fixed after the angle is adjusted in place, and the assembly efficiency and the yield of the polarization maintaining connector component are greatly improved.

Optionally, the ferrule includes a first detent portion, and the adjustment member includes a second detent portion, and the first detent portion cooperates with the second detent portion such that the ferrule rotates with the adjustment member.

According to the polarization maintaining connector of the invention, the hoop and the adjusting piece are mutually clamped, so that the hoop and the adjusting piece rotate together.

Optionally, one of the first clamping portion and the second clamping portion is configured as a clamping protrusion, and the other of the first clamping portion and the second clamping portion is configured as a clamping groove for accommodating the clamping protrusion.

According to the polarization maintaining connector, the clamping operation of the adjusting piece and the hoop is easy to implement.

Optionally, the retainer includes a connection configured to selectively lockingly connect with the adjustment member.

According to the polarization maintaining connector of the present invention, after the angle of the optical fiber is adjusted in place, the adjusting member is locked with the holding member so that the optical fiber cannot rotate relative to the holding member.

Optionally, the connection is configured to optionally receive the adjustment member such that rotation of the adjustment member relative to the holder is inhibited; or alternatively

The holder comprises an injection hole such that the adjustment member and the holder are optionally connected by means of an adhesive.

According to the polarization maintaining connector of the present invention, the adjusting member and the holding member may be fixed to each other by various methods.

Optionally, the outer sleeve includes a first stop to position the retainer in the position of the outer sleeve.

Optionally, the holder comprises a second stop portion arranged to cooperate with the first stop portion to limit rotation of the holder relative to the outer sleeve.

According to the polarization maintaining connector of the present invention, the holder cannot rotate relative to the outer sleeve.

Optionally, the ferrule comprises a flange comprising a frustoconical or stepped form.

The structure of the ferrule against the housing may take a variety of forms in accordance with the polarization maintaining connector of the present invention.

Optionally, the outer sleeve further comprises a latch mechanism to connect and disconnect the polarization maintaining connector to and from the adapter.

According to the polarization maintaining connector of the present invention, the jacket is firmly attached to the adapter by the latch mechanism and is detachable from the adapter.

A third aspect of the present invention provides a method of assembling a polarization maintaining connector, comprising the steps of:

s10, inserting a cuff into the outer sleeve, so that at least part of the cuff extends out of the outer sleeve from the front end of the outer sleeve;

s20, inserting a retainer into the outer sleeve so that the retainer is positioned between the outer sleeve and the cuff;

s30, inserting an adjusting piece into the retaining piece, enabling the adjusting piece to be connected with the hoop, and enabling the hoop to rotate together with the adjusting piece when the adjusting piece is actuated;

s40, rotating the adjusting piece to drive the ferrule to rotate, so that the angle of the optical fiber is adjusted;

s50, locking the adjusting piece and the retaining piece so that the adjusting piece cannot move relative to the retaining piece.

According to the assembly method of the polarization maintaining connector, the optical fiber can be cured in the ferrule in advance and polished, then the ferrule is rotated through the adjusting piece, namely, the angle of the optical axis of the optical fiber is conveniently adjusted by rotating the adjusting piece, the angle of the optical axis is adjustable by 360 degrees, the ferrule is relatively fixed after the angle is adjusted in place, and the assembly efficiency and the yield of the polarization maintaining connector assembly are greatly improved.

Drawings

The following drawings are included to provide an understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. Specific embodiments of the invention and descriptions thereof are shown in the drawings to illustrate the principles of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a polarization maintaining connector assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the polarization maintaining connector assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the holder shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a ferrule and fitting according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the ferrule of FIG. 4 after it has been coupled to an adjustment member;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a ferrule and fitting according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an axial cross-sectional view of the ferrule of FIG. 6 after attachment to an adjustment member;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the adjustment member shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the assembly of the holder and the jacket shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 is an axial cross-sectional view of a polarization maintaining connector assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is an axial cross-sectional view of a polarization maintaining connector assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 12 is an axial cross-sectional view of a polarization maintaining connector assembly according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

Reference numerals illustrate:

15: polarization maintaining connector assembly

20: coat cover

21: coat through hole

23: ferrule limit part

25: window

27: first end of the outer sleeve

28: second end of the outer sleeve

29: clamping spring plate

30: protective clamp

31: protective clamp through hole

35: clamping part

39: tabletting

40: ferrule

41: channel

42: first clamping part

42a: clamping protrusion

42b: clamping groove

43: ferrule flange

46: contact pin

49: tail handle

50: spring

60: retaining member

61: retainer through hole

62: first end of the holder

63: second end of the holder

64: injection hole

65: mating flange

66: chamfer surface

67: clamping groove

68: connecting part

70: adjusting piece

72: second clamping part

72a: clamping groove

72b: clamping protrusion

73: adjusting surface

74: nesting part

80: tail sleeve

81: tail sleeve through hole

87: clamping flange

90: optical fiber

Detailed Description

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without one or more of these details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the embodiments of the invention.

In order that the embodiments of the invention may be fully understood, a detailed process will be presented in the following description. It will be apparent that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without limitation to the specific details that are set forth by those skilled in the art.

In order to solve the technical problems in the background art, the invention provides a polarization maintaining connector assembly for a polarization maintaining optical fiber, a polarization maintaining connector and an assembly method of the polarization maintaining connector. The polarization maintaining connector assembly according to the present invention can be obtained by assembling the polarization maintaining connector according to the present invention using the assembling method of the polarization maintaining connector according to the present invention.

In the present invention, the axial direction is a direction parallel to the direction in which the optical fiber extends, and the axial direction is also referred to as a front-rear direction, wherein an end of the polarization maintaining connector for engagement with the adapter is referred to as a front end or front, an end opposite to the front is referred to as a rear end or rear, and a cross section is a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction.

As shown in fig. 1, the polarization maintaining connector assembly 15 according to the present invention includes an outer sleeve 20, a protective clip 30, and a tail sleeve 80. The protective clip 30 may be configured to be disposed between the outer sleeve 20 and the tail sleeve 80, and a portion of the protective clip 30 may be sleeved on a circumferential outer surface of the outer sleeve 20. As shown in fig. 2, the protection clip 30 has a protection clip through hole 31 for receiving the outer jacket 20. The polarization maintaining connector assembly 15 further includes a latch mechanism that enables the polarization maintaining connector assembly 15 to be connected and disconnected from the adapter (and correspondingly, the polarization maintaining connector according to the present invention can also be connected and disconnected from the adapter). The latch mechanism includes a spring plate 29 provided on the outer sleeve 20 and a pressing piece 39 provided on the protective clip 30. In use, a user presses the latch mechanism, and insertion or removal of the polarization maintaining connector assembly 15 from the adapter is accomplished by engagement of the spring plate 29 with the press plate 39.

The polarization maintaining connector assembly 15 shown in fig. 2 further includes a ferrule 40, a spring 50, a retainer 60, and an adjustment member 70. The outer sleeve 20 has a first end 27 (i.e., the front end of the outer sleeve 20) and a second end 28 opposite thereto (i.e., the rear end of the outer sleeve 20). The ferrule 40 is disposed within the outer sleeve 20 and extends a portion from the first end 27. The ferrule 40 may include an optical fiber 90 (see fig. 11), which is not shown in fig. 2 for ease of description. In this application, the optical fiber 90 is a polarization maintaining fiber, and the ferrule 40 is provided with a passage 41 for passing the optical fiber 90 therethrough. The ferrule 40 also includes a spring 50 that allows the ferrule 40 to move axially within the housing 20, ensuring that the polarization maintaining connector assembly 15 interfaces with the mating optics, thereby forming a light transmission channel. The ferrule 40 also includes a flange 43, a pin 46, and a stem 49. Preferably, the pin 46 is made of a ceramic material and the shank 49 is made of a metallic material.

The tuning element 70 is coupled to the ferrule 40 such that circumferential rotation of the ferrule 40 is handled by the tuning element 70, but movement of the ferrule 40 within the outer sleeve 20 is unaffected. The specific manner in which the tuning member 70 is coupled to the ferrule 40 will be described in detail later. The retainer 60 is disposed about the adjustment member 70 and is received within the outer sleeve 20, with the retainer 60 being sized to permit the adjustment member 70 to freely rotate within the retainer 60.

The retainer 60 shown in fig. 3 has a first end 62 and a second end 63 opposite the first end 62 and includes a retainer through hole 61 extending between the first end 62 and the second end 63. The holder 60 includes a connection portion 68 provided at the second end 63, the connection portion 68 being provided with an injection hole 64, and a portion of the adjustment member 70 being extendable from the second end 63. A portion of the ferrule 40 is also received within the retainer 60 such that the adjuster 70 is capable of rotating the ferrule 40 within the retainer 60.

The connection of the tuning element 70 to the ferrule 40 is described in detail below. In fig. 4, the ferrule 40 has a first click portion 42, and the first click portion 42 is provided at a tail shank 49 of the ferrule 40. The adjuster 70 has a second detent 72. The first detent portion 42 and the second detent portion 72 cooperate with each other such that the adjuster 70 rotates with the ferrule 40. That is, the adjustment member 70 is configured to manipulate the circumferential rotation of the ferrule 40, thereby achieving the purpose of adjusting the optical axis.

Specifically, as shown in fig. 4, the first detent portion 42 may be provided with a protruding portion 42a, and the second detent portion 72 may be provided with a groove 72a therein. The protrusion 42a may be provided on the outer circumferential surface of the ferrule 40 and have a certain height. The groove 72a is configured as an axially directed groove in the outer circumferential surface of the adjustment member 70 and has a corresponding length, and the groove 72a may extend a certain thickness in the wall of the adjustment member 70 or through the entire wall. When the adjuster 70 and the ferrule 40 are attached to one another, as shown in FIG. 5, the detent projections 42a align with and cooperate with the detent grooves 72a, and the projections 42a are received in the detent grooves 72a, thereby allowing the adjuster 70 to rotate circumferentially with the ferrule 40. Since the detent groove 72a has an axial length, the detent projection 42a is allowed to move axially in the groove 72a, thereby allowing the ferrule 40 to move axially under the action of the spring. Meanwhile, the ferrule 40 cannot rotate independently of the regulator 70 due to the engagement of the detent projections 42a and the detent grooves 72a.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous ways in which the adjuster 70 may be coupled to the ferrule 40, and that the first detent portion 42 may be provided with a groove 42b and the second detent portion 72 may be provided as a boss 72b, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

It will be appreciated that the above-mentioned detent projections may be configured in a variety of shapes including cubes, cuboids, prisms, hemispheres, etc., and the present invention is not limited thereto.

It will be appreciated that the notch of the detent groove is provided near the end for connection and can act as a guide member to facilitate engagement of the detent projection with the detent groove when the ferrule 40 and the adjuster 70 are attached to one another.

By rotating the adjustment member 70, the ferrule 40 is rotated, thereby rotating the optical fiber 90 within the ferrule 40, so that the optical axis angle of the optical fiber can be adjusted in place. According to the present invention, the adjuster 70 may rotate the ferrule 40 (and the optical fiber 90) 360 degrees. For easy adjustment, as shown in fig. 8, the adjustment member 70 is provided with an adjustment surface 73 configured in a planar form, and is provided in a racetrack shape (oblong shape) on the outer peripheral surface of the adjustment member 70. The adjustment surface 73 is adapted to cooperate with a tool (e.g., a clamp, pliers) to facilitate manipulation of the adjustment member 70 by a user with the tool to rotate the adjustment member 70. When the adjustment member 70 is received in the holder 60, the adjustment surface 73 is exposed from the holder 60, i.e. the adjustment surface 73 does not enter the holder through hole 61 and is thus covered by the holder 60. For example, the outer diameter of the adjuster 70 at the adjusting surface 73 may be set larger than the aperture of the holder through hole 61, thereby preventing the adjusting surface 73 from entering the holder through hole 61.

As shown in fig. 5, in order to facilitate adjustment of the adjustment member 70, the adjustment surface 73 may be provided correspondingly to the second detent portion 72, i.e., on the same axis.

When the fiber angle is rotated into place (e.g., by adjusting the optical axis angle into place by a calibration device), the fiber needs to be fixed so that the angle is fixed. Therefore, when the ferrule 40 and the adjuster 70 are angularly adjusted (rotated), the position of the adjuster 70 needs to be locked to prevent the change. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the retainer 60 and the adjuster 70 can be locked together in a variety of ways. For example, by dispensing glue in the injection hole 64, the adjustment member 70 and the holding member 60 are bonded together (the adjustment member 70 and the holding member 60 are locked and connected), so that the adjustment member 70 is locked in the holding member 60 without rotation, i.e., in a holding state. It will be appreciated that in the retained condition, neither the ferrule 40 nor the adjuster 70 can rotate relative to the retainer 60, nor does the angle of the optical fiber change.

Alternatively, as shown in fig. 8, the adjuster 70 is provided with a nesting portion 74, the nesting portion 74 being provided near the adjustment surface 73, and the outer diameter of the nesting portion 74 may be set larger than the inner diameter of the holder through hole 61 at the connecting portion 68. After the angle of the ferrule 40 is adjusted by the adjuster 70, the nest 74 is pressed into the retainer through hole 61 such that the nest 74 is embedded in the connecting portion 68 of the retainer 60, i.e., the retainer 60 receives the adjuster 70 by interference fit, to hold the adjuster 70. For example, the adjusting member 70 and the retaining member 60 are made of metal, and are locked by interference fit of the metal members.

To facilitate the adjustment of the optical fibers and to ensure that the angle of the adjusted optical fibers does not change, the retainer 60 needs to be locked in place within the jacket 20. In the present invention, the outer jacket 20 is provided with a first stopper portion, and the holder 60 is provided with a second stopper portion, and in the holding state, that is, when the outer jacket 20 is fitted over the outer peripheral surface of the holder 60, the first stopper portion and the second stopper portion are engaged with each other so that the holder 60 is not rotatable with respect to the outer jacket 20, thereby securing the angle of the optical fiber 90.

Specifically, as shown in fig. 2, the outer jacket 20 is provided with a window 25, and the window 25 may function as a first stopper. As shown in fig. 3, the holder 60 comprises a mating flange 65, which mating flange 65 may for example be configured to project relatively radially outwards, which mating flange 65 may act as a second stop. When the retainer 60 is nested in the outer sleeve through hole 21, the position of the retainer 60 is adjustable through the window 25 such that the mating flange 65 is aligned with the window 25 (see fig. 2) such that a portion of the mating flange 65 enters the window 25 (see fig. 9). Typically, the outer sheath 20 is made of a plastic material, having a certain elasticity, and the holder 60 is made of a metal material. As shown in fig. 12, the outer diameter of the holder 60 at the fitting flange 65 is larger than the inner diameter of the sleeve through hole 21, and when the holder 60 is inserted into the sleeve 20 from the second end 28, the sleeve 20 is elastically deformed when the fitting flange 65 enters the sleeve through hole 21 due to the elasticity of the sleeve 20, and the fitting flange 65 is advanced into the sleeve 20 and then accommodated in the window 25, thereby restraining the holder 60 at a position within the sleeve 20 so as not to be rotatable. It will be appreciated that the first and second stop portions may be configured in other ways such that the outer sleeve 20 and the retainer 60 cannot rotate relative to each other.

Preferably, as shown in fig. 3, a chamfer 66 is provided at the front end of the mating flange 65 for a side facing the pin 46 to facilitate insertion of the mating flange 65 into the housing through hole 21.

It will be appreciated that the above method may be employed to prevent not only rotation of the holder 60 relative to the outer sleeve 20, but also axial movement of the holder 60 within the outer sleeve 20, or only a limited distance relative to the outer sleeve 20.

In fig. 12, the inner wall of the protection clip through hole 31 is provided with a clamping portion 35 protruding in the radial direction, and the clamping portion 35 is located in the window 25 when the protection clip 30 is fitted over the outer peripheral surface of the outer jacket 20. Preferably, in the cross section of the outer jacket 20, the outer peripheral surface of the outer jacket 20 is square; in the cross section of the protection clip 30, the protection clip through hole 31 has a square shape. The protective clip 30 may cover the window 25 and prevent foreign objects from entering the polarization maintaining connector assembly 15 through the window 25. One end of the spring 50 abuts the flange 43 and the other end abuts the retainer 60, so that the ferrule 40 is axially movable within the housing 20 under the influence of the spring 50.

To prevent the collar 40 from moving away from the outer sleeve 20, the flange 43 may include a step, with the collar stop 23 disposed in the sleeve through bore 21, as shown in fig. 10, the collar stop 23 also being configured in a step to limit movement of the flange 43 (i.e., the collar 40) toward the first end 27. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the flange 43 and the ferrule holding portion 23 are configured in a truncated cone shape.

Thus, because the detents 72a (or 42 b) have an axial length, axial movement of the ferrule 40 prevents play at the connection, thereby achieving a tight fit with the docked optic.

Typically, the tail sleeve 80 is made of plastic material and has a certain elasticity. As shown in fig. 11, a portion of the retainer 60 is received within the tail sleeve 80, and in order to ensure that the tail sleeve 80 securely grips the retainer 60, the tail sleeve 80 is provided with a detent flange 87 and the retainer 60 is provided with a detent recess 67 (as shown in fig. 3). The click flange 87 is a circumferentially extending, radially inwardly projecting structure provided on the hole wall of the boot through hole 81 (the inner surface of the boot 80). The detent groove 67 is a circumferentially extending, radially inwardly recessed structure provided on the outer surface of the holder 60. The inner diameter of the detent flange 87 matches the outer diameter of the detent recess 67. When the tail cover 80 is pushed toward the outer cover 20, the catching flange 87 can be pushed through a portion of the second end 63 side of the holder 60 having an outer diameter larger than that of the catching groove 67 by elasticity of the material of the tail cover and then received in the catching groove 67, thereby fixing the tail cover 80 with respect to the holder 60.

It will be appreciated that the polarization maintaining connector according to the present invention may be used with connectors comprising LC-type ferrules, such as various types of polarization maintaining connectors and polarization maintaining connector assemblies of LC-type, SC-type, etc.

The assembly method of the polarization maintaining connector comprises the following steps:

s10, inserting the cuff 40 into the outer sleeve 20 so that at least part of the cuff 20 extends out of the outer sleeve 20 from the front end of the outer sleeve 20;

s20, inserting the retainer 60 into the outer sleeve such that the retainer 60 is positioned between the outer sleeve 20 and the ferrule 40;

s30, inserting the adjusting member 70 into the retainer 60, so that the adjusting member 70 is connected with the ferrule 40, and the ferrule 40 can rotate together with the adjusting member 70 when the adjusting member 70 is actuated;

s40, rotating the adjusting member 70 to drive the ferrule 20 to rotate, so as to adjust the angle of the optical fiber 90;

s50, locking the adjusting member 70 and the retaining member 60 so that the adjusting member 70 cannot move relative to the retaining member 60.

Specifically, after the optical fibers 90 are attached to the ferrule 40, the ferrule 40 is inserted into the outer sleeve 20 from the second end 28 such that at least a portion of the ferrule 20, i.e., at least a portion of the pins 46, extend out of the outer sleeve 20 from the first end 27. The spring 50 and retainer 60 are sequentially inserted into the housing 20 from the second end 28 with the retainer 60 positioned between the housing 20 and the ferrule 40 such that one end of the spring 50 abuts the ferrule 40 and the other end of the spring 50 abuts the retainer 60. At the same time, a first stop portion (e.g., window 25) of the outer sleeve 20 and a second stop portion (e.g., mating flange 65) of the retainer 60 are positioned relative to one another such that the retainer 60 cannot rotate relative to the outer sleeve 20.

The adjustment member 70 is inserted from the second end 63 of the retainer 60 such that the first detent portion 42 of the ferrule 40 and the second detent portion 72 of the adjustment member 70 are in detent engagement with each other to rotate the ferrule 40 with the adjustment member 70. The adjuster 70 is rotated to rotate the ferrule 40 and thus the optical fiber 90, the angle of the optical fiber 90 is adjusted into place by monitoring by the alignment apparatus, and then the adjuster 70 is secured to the retainer 60 (e.g., by interference fit or adhesive). Thereafter, the protective clip 30 and the tail sleeve 80 are installed, which is a conventional operation in the art and will not be described again.

The polarization maintaining connector assembly can be assembled by utilizing the polarization maintaining connector and the assembly method of the polarization maintaining connector, optical fibers can be cured in the ferrules in advance and polished during assembly and production of the polarization maintaining connector assembly, then the angle of the optical fibers can be conveniently adjusted by rotating the ferrules through the adjusting piece, the angle adjusting range is 360 degrees, and finally, the calibration of the optical axis angle is executed, so that the assembly, the production efficiency and the product qualification rate of the polarization maintaining connector assembly are greatly improved.

Unless defined otherwise, technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular implementations only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention.

The present invention has been described in terms of the above embodiments, but it should be understood that the above embodiments are for purposes of illustration and description only and are not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments described. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that many variations and modifications are possible in light of the teachings of the invention, which variations and modifications are within the scope of the invention as claimed.

Claims (19)

1. A polarization maintaining connector assembly, comprising:

a jacket having a first end and a second end opposite thereto;

a ferrule received within the outer jacket and extending outwardly from the first end, the ferrule comprising an optical fiber;

an adjustment member attached to the ferrule and configured to manipulate rotation of the ferrule;

wherein the polarization maintaining connector assembly includes a retainer disposed between the outer sleeve and the adjustment member and configured to limit rotation of the adjustment member and the ferrule when coupled to the adjustment member.

2. The polarization maintaining connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the ferrule includes a first detent portion and the adjustment member includes a second detent portion, the first detent portion cooperating with the second detent portion such that the ferrule is rotatable with the adjustment member.

3. The polarization maintaining connector assembly according to claim 2, wherein one of the first and second detent portions is configured as a detent projection and the other of the first and second detent portions is configured as a detent groove that receives the detent projection.

4. The polarization maintaining connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment member and the retention member are attached together by an interference fit or an adhesive bond.

5. The polarization maintaining connector assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the outer sleeve comprises a first stop portion and the retainer comprises a second stop portion, the first stop portion and the second stop portion cooperating to position the retainer in the position of the outer sleeve.

6. The polarization maintaining connector assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the ferrule comprises a flange comprising a frustoconical or stepped form.

7. The polarization maintaining connector assembly of claim 6, further comprising a spring.

8. The polarization maintaining connector assembly of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the housing further comprises a latch mechanism to connect and disconnect the polarization maintaining connector assembly to and from an adapter.

9. The polarization maintaining connector assembly according to claim 2, wherein the first detent cooperates with the second detent such that the ferrule is axially movable.

10. A polarization maintaining connector, comprising:

a jacket having a first end and a second end opposite thereto;

a ferrule received within the outer sleeve, the ferrule being provided with a passageway, at least a portion of the ferrule being exposed from the first end; and

an adjusting member coupled to the ferrule,

wherein the polarization maintaining connector comprises a retainer housed within the outer sleeve and containing the adjustment member, the adjustment member being configured to manipulate circumferential rotation of the ferrule such that the ferrule is rotatable with the adjustment member when the adjustment member is actuated.

11. The polarization maintaining connector of claim 10, wherein the ferrule includes a first detent portion and the adjustment member includes a second detent portion, the first detent portion cooperating with the second detent portion such that the ferrule rotates with the adjustment member.

12. The polarization maintaining connector according to claim 11, wherein one of the first and second latching portions is provided as a latching protrusion, and the other of the first and second latching portions is provided as a latching groove accommodating the latching protrusion.

13. The polarization maintaining connector of claim 10, wherein the retaining member comprises a connecting portion configured to selectively lockingly connect with the adjustment member.

14. The polarization maintaining connector according to claim 13, wherein,

the connection portion is configured to selectively receive the adjustment member such that rotation of the adjustment member relative to the holder member is inhibited; or alternatively

The holder comprises an injection hole such that the adjustment member and the holder are optionally connected by means of an adhesive.

15. The polarization maintaining connector according to any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the housing comprises a first stop portion to position the retainer in the housing.

16. The polarization maintaining connector of claim 15, wherein the retainer comprises a second stop configured to cooperate with the first stop to limit rotation of the retainer relative to the housing.

17. The polarization maintaining connector of claim 10, wherein the ferrule comprises a flange comprising a frustoconical or stepped form.

18. The polarization maintaining connector of any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the housing further comprises a latch mechanism to connect and disconnect the polarization maintaining connector to and from an adapter.

19. The assembling method of the polarization maintaining connector is characterized by comprising the following steps of:

s10, inserting a cuff into the outer sleeve, so that at least part of the cuff extends out of the outer sleeve from the front end of the outer sleeve;

s20, inserting a retainer into the outer sleeve so that the retainer is positioned between the outer sleeve and the cuff;

s30, inserting an adjusting piece into the retaining piece, enabling the adjusting piece to be connected with the hoop, and enabling the hoop to rotate together with the adjusting piece when the adjusting piece is actuated;

s40, rotating the adjusting piece to drive the ferrule to rotate, so that the angle of the optical fiber is adjusted;

s50, locking the adjusting piece and the retaining piece so that the adjusting piece cannot move relative to the retaining piece.

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