CN117220101A - Apparatus and method for connecting first and second hybrid cables - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device and a method for connecting a first mixed cable and a second mixed cable. The male connection unit comprises a plug main body, a second optical fiber connector and a second electric connection piece. When the plug main body is inserted into the socket main body, the first optical fiber connector and the first electric connecting piece are in butt joint with the second optical fiber connector and the second electric connecting piece in sequence, the internal threads of the locking nut can be matched with the external threads arranged outside the plug main body, and the locking nut is forced to press the anti-loose rubber sleeve and simultaneously connect the socket main body and the plug main body together. The device ensures that the male connection unit and the female connection unit are connected more firmly and reliably when being butted with each other, and the male connection unit and the female connection unit are not easy to be separated when external force pulls the mixed cable, so that safety guarantee can be provided for mechanical connection and communication connection between the mixed cables.

Description

Apparatus and method for connecting first and second hybrid cables

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of cable connections. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for connecting a first hybrid cable and a second hybrid cable.

Background

With the rapid development of society and technology, the amount of hybrid cables used is increasing. The hybrid cable has the advantages of high transmission efficiency, strong anti-interference capability, parallel transmission of electric signals and optical signals and the like, and is widely applied to the fields of industrial control, communication networks, scene monitoring and the like.

Currently, an apparatus for connecting a first hybrid cable and a second hybrid cable mainly includes a male connection unit and a female connection unit. After the male connection unit is in butt joint with the female connection unit, the first optical fiber connector and the first electric connection piece in the female connection unit can be in butt joint with the second optical fiber connector and the second electric connection piece in the male connection unit in sequence, and mechanical connection and communication connection between the mixed cables are completed. However, the butt joint between the male connection unit and the female connection unit has the defect of weak connection, and when external force pulls the hybrid cable, the male connection unit and the female connection unit are easy to be separated, so that effective safety guarantee cannot be provided for mechanical connection and communication connection between the hybrid cables.

Disclosure of Invention

In order to solve one or more of the technical problems mentioned above, the present invention provides an apparatus and a method for connecting a first hybrid cable and a second hybrid cable, in which a male connection unit and a female connection unit have a stronger and more reliable connection when they are butted to each other, and are not easily separated when an external force pulls the hybrid cable, so that an effective safety guarantee can be provided for mechanical connection and communication connection between the hybrid cables.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for connecting a first hybrid cable and a second hybrid cable, comprising a female connection unit and a male connection unit, the female connection unit comprising: a socket body having a socket; a first optical fiber connector inserted into the socket body and connected to an optical fiber of a light transmission sub-line of the first hybrid cable; the first electric connection piece is arranged on the side wall of the socket main body and is connected with the conductive wire of the power transmission sub-line of the first hybrid cable; the locking nut is sleeved outside the socket main body; and the anti-loose rubber sleeve is arranged between the socket main body and the locking nut. The male connection unit includes: a plug main body; a second optical fiber connector inserted in the plug main body and connected to an optical fiber of a light transmission sub-line of the second hybrid cable; and the second electric connection piece is arranged on the peripheral wall of the plug main body and is connected with the conductive wire of the power transmission sub-line of the second hybrid cable. When the plug main body is inserted into the socket main body, the first optical fiber connector and the first electric connecting piece are in butt joint with the second optical fiber connector and the second electric connecting piece in sequence, the internal threads of the locking nut can be matched with the external threads arranged outside the plug main body, and the locking nut is forced to press the anti-loose rubber sleeve and simultaneously connect the socket main body and the plug main body together.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for connecting a first hybrid cable and a second hybrid cable, the method using an apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention and comprising the steps of: peeling the outer skin of the bus bar and the light transmission sub-line of the first mixed cable; fitting the first fiber optic connector onto the bare optical fiber of the optical transmission sub-line of the first hybrid cable; mounting the first electrical connector on a sidewall of a socket of the socket body; the anti-loosening rubber sleeve and the locking nut are sequentially sleeved on the socket main body; inserting and securing the first fiber optic connector within the receptacle body; peeling the outer skin of the power transmission sub-line of the first hybrid cable, and welding the exposed conductive wires of the power transmission sub-line of the first hybrid cable on the first electrical connection piece; peeling the outer skin of the bus bar of the second hybrid cable and the outer skin of the light transmission sub-line; fitting the second fiber optic connector onto the bare optical fiber of the optical transmission sub-line of the second hybrid cable; fitting the second electrical connector to the outer peripheral wall of the plug body; inserting and securing the second fiber optic connector within the plug body; peeling the outer skin of the power transmission sub-line of the second hybrid cable, and welding the exposed conductive wires of the power transmission sub-line of the second hybrid cable on the second electrical connection piece; butting the socket main body of the female connection unit with the plug main body of the male connection unit to force the first optical fiber connector and the first electric connection piece to be in butt joint with the second optical fiber connector and the second electric connection piece in sequence; the locking nut is screwed into the plug main body so that the internal thread of the locking nut is matched with the external thread arranged outside the plug main body, and the locking nut is forced to press the anti-loose rubber sleeve and simultaneously connect the socket main body and the plug main body together.

In the device and the method for connecting the first mixed cable and the second mixed cable provided by the invention, the applicant innovatively adds the locking nut and the anti-loose rubber sleeve on the basis of the prior art, wherein the additionally-arranged locking nut can connect the socket main body of the female connecting unit with the plug main body of the male connecting unit, so that the male connecting unit and the female connecting unit are ensured to have firmer and more reliable connection when being butted with each other, the mixed cable is not easy to be separated even if the mixed cable is pulled by external force, and effective safety guarantee can be provided for mechanical connection and communication connection between the mixed cables. In addition, when the locking nut links together socket main part and plug main part, the locking gum cover of addding not only can prevent that locking nut from producing not hard up, can also implement the clearance between socket main part and the locking nut and seal to a certain extent, can reduce external pollutant and get into and damage the risk of above-mentioned device from this.

Drawings

The above, as well as additional purposes, features, and advantages of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation, and like reference numerals refer to similar or corresponding parts and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an apparatus for connecting a first hybrid cable and a second hybrid cable in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows the structural composition of the female connection unit and the first protective cap of the device of FIG. 1 in an exploded state;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the female connection unit and the first protective cap of the device of FIG. 1 in a combined state;

FIG. 4 shows the structural composition of the male connection unit and the second protective cap of the device of FIG. 1 in an exploded state;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the male connection unit and the second protective cap of the device of FIG. 1 in a combined state;

FIG. 6 is a socket body of the female connection unit of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a lock nut of the female coupling unit of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a view of a locking gum cover of a female connection unit of the device of FIG. 1;

fig. 9 shows a flow chart of a method for connecting a first hybrid cable and a second hybrid cable according to an embodiment of the invention.

Reference numerals illustrate: 100. a device; 1. a female connection unit; 11. a socket body; 111. a large diameter portion; 111a, a socket; 112. a small diameter portion; 12. a first optical fiber connector; 121. a first ferrule; 122. a first line pipe; 123. a first needle mount; 124. a first elastic member; 13. a first electrical connection; 14. a first access cover; 141. a first sub-cover; 142. a second sub-cover; 15. a lock nut; 151. a clamping groove; 16. an anti-loosening rubber sleeve; 161. leveling the surface; 162. a clamping protrusion; 17. a first tail cone sleeve; 18a, a first busbar sleeve; 18b, a first sub-line sleeve; 19. a first clamp ring; 2. a male connection unit; 21. a plug main body; 22. a second optical fiber connector; 221. a second ferrule; 222. a second line pipe; 223. a second needle mount; 224. a second elastic member; 23. a second electrical connection; 24. a second transfer cover; 241. a first sub-cover; 242. a second sub-cover; 27. a second tail cone sleeve; 28a, a second busbar sleeve; 28b, a second sub-line sleeve; 29. a second clamp ring; 3. a first protective cap; 31. a first lifting lug; 4. a second protective cap; 41. the second lifting lug; 5. a first hybrid cable; 51. a photon transmission line; 52. an electron transporting wire; 6. a second hybrid cable; 61. a photon transmission line; 62. an electron transporting wire.

Detailed Description

The following description of the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure will be made clearly and completely with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present disclosure, and it is apparent that the described embodiments are some embodiments of the present disclosure, but not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this disclosure, all other embodiments that a person skilled in the art would obtain without making any inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this disclosure.

Fig. 1 shows an apparatus for connecting a first hybrid cable and a second hybrid cable according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in fig. 1, an embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus 100 for connecting a first hybrid cable 5 and a second hybrid cable 6. The device 100 comprises a female connection unit 1 and a male connection unit 2. The female connection unit 1 is typically mounted on the end of a first hybrid cable 5 and the male connection unit 2 is typically mounted on the end of a second hybrid cable 6. When the female connection unit 1 is docked with the male connection unit 2, the first and second hybrid cables 5 and 6 can transmit optical and electrical signals through the device 100. Wherein the first hybrid cable 5 comprises a busbar comprising an electrical transmission sub-line 51 and an electrical transmission sub-line 52, reference being made to fig. 2. The second hybrid cable 6 includes a bus bar including a power transmission sub-line 61 and a power transmission sub-line 62, which can be referred to fig. 4.

As shown in fig. 2 and 3, the female connection unit 1 includes a socket body 11 having a socket 111a, a first optical fiber connector 12 inserted into the socket body 11 and connected to an optical fiber of the power transmission sub-line 51 of the first hybrid cable 5, and a first electrical connection member 13 provided on a sidewall of the socket 111a of the socket body 11 and connected to a conductive wire (e.g., a copper wire) of the power transmission sub-line 52 of the first hybrid cable 5. Meanwhile, the female connection unit 1 further comprises a locking nut 15 sleeved outside the socket body 11, and a locking rubber sleeve 16 arranged between the socket body 11 and the locking nut 15.

As shown in fig. 4 and 5, the male connection unit 2 includes a plug main body 21, a second optical fiber connector 22 inserted in the plug main body 21 and connected to an optical fiber of the power transmission sub-line 61 of the second hybrid cable 6, and a second electrical connection member 23 provided on an outer circumferential wall of the plug main body 21 and connected to a conductive wire (e.g., copper wire) of the power transmission sub-line 62 of the second hybrid cable 6.

When in use, the plug main body 21 of the male connection unit 2 is inserted into the socket 111a of the socket main body 11 of the female connection unit 1, and the first optical fiber connector 12 and the first electrical connector 13 in the female connection unit 1 can be sequentially in butt joint with the second optical fiber connector 22 and the second electrical connector 23 in the male connection unit 2, so that not only can the optical transmission sub-line 51 of the first hybrid cable 5 and the optical transmission sub-line 61 of the second hybrid cable 6 be ensured to be in butt joint with each other to transmit optical signals, but also the optical transmission sub-line 52 of the first hybrid cable 5 and the optical transmission sub-line 62 of the second hybrid cable 6 can be ensured to be in butt joint with each other to transmit electrical signals. Then, the lock nut 15 is slid and rotated so that the internal thread of the lock nut 15 is engaged with the external thread provided outside the plug main body 21, thereby forcing the lock nut 15 to connect the socket main body 11 and the plug main body 21 together while pressing the locking rubber sleeve 16.

According to the invention, the applicant innovatively adds the locking nut 15 and the anti-loosening rubber sleeve 16 on the basis of the prior art, wherein the additionally added locking nut 15 can connect the socket main body 11 of the female connecting unit 1 with the plug main body 21 of the male connecting unit 2, so that the male connecting unit 2 and the female connecting unit 1 are ensured to have firmer and more reliable connection when being butted with each other, and even if any mixed cable is pulled by using external force, the locking nut 15 is not easy to cause the disconnection of the male connecting unit 2 and the female connecting unit 1, and effective safety guarantee can be provided for mechanical connection and communication connection between the mixed cables. In addition, when the locking nut 15 connects the socket body 11 and the plug body 21 together, the added anti-loosening rubber sleeve 16 not only can prevent the locking nut 15 from loosening, but also can seal the gap between the socket body 11 and the locking nut 15 to a certain extent, thereby reducing the risk of external pollutants entering and damaging the device 100.

In the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 2, 3, and 6, the socket body 11 includes a large diameter portion 111 having a socket 111a and a small diameter portion 112 closer to the first hybrid cable 5 than the large diameter portion 111. The first electrical connector 13 is preferably a spring sheet, and is configured to pass through the large-diameter portion 111, so that an end portion of the first electrical connector 13 exposed outside the small-diameter portion 112 can be easily connected to the power transmission sub-line 52 of the first hybrid cable 5, and an end portion at the socket 111a can be contacted with the second electrical connector 23 of the male connection unit 2 when the male connection unit 2 is docked with the female connection unit 1, and the docking of the two is completed. On the other hand, as shown in fig. 7, a plurality of engaging grooves 151 are provided in the inner peripheral wall of the lock nut 15, which are spaced around the socket body 11 and are separated from the female screw thereof. As shown in fig. 3 and 8, the locking rubber sleeve 16 includes a flat surface 161 that abuts against the junction between the large diameter portion 111 and the small diameter portion 112 of the socket body 11, and a plurality of snap projections 162 that are fitted one by one with the respective snap grooves 151 of the lock nut 15. The matching mode of the clamping groove 151 and the clamping protrusion 162 can improve the anti-loosening effect of the anti-loosening rubber sleeve 16 on the locking nut 15, and can also better seal the gap between the socket main body 11 and the locking nut 15.

In this embodiment, as shown in fig. 2 and 3, the female connection unit 1 may further include a first adapter cover 14. The first switching cover 14 is sleeved outside the optical transmission sub-line 51 of the first hybrid cable 5, and is fastened on the socket main body 11 to prevent the first optical fiber connector 12 from being withdrawn from the socket main body 11. As one example, the first access cover 14 is configured to be inserted and snapped into the socket body 11. In order to reduce the difficulty of assembling the first access cover 14, the first access cover 14 may be formed by splicing the first sub-cover 141 and the second sub-cover 142, and configured such that the first sub-cover 141 and the second sub-cover 142 can be restrained together by the socket body 11 when the first sub-cover 141 and the second sub-cover 142 are inserted into and caught in the socket body 11. Although the first switching cover 14 may be selected to have an integral structure, the first switching cover 14 formed by splicing the first sub-cover 141 and the second sub-cover 142 may be more easily sleeved outside the light transmission sub-line 51 of the first hybrid cable 5 and fastened to the socket body 11.

In this embodiment, as shown in fig. 4 and 5, the male connection unit 2 may further include a second switching cover 24, where the second switching cover 24 is sleeved outside the optical transmission sub-line 61 of the second hybrid cable 6 and fastened on the plug main body 21 to prevent the second optical fiber connector 22 from being withdrawn from the plug main body 21. As one example, the second transit cover 24 is configured to be inserted and snapped into the plug body 21. Similarly, to reduce the difficulty of assembling the second transit cap 24, the second transit cap 24 may also be spliced from the first and second sub-caps 241 and 242, and configured such that the first and second sub-caps 241 and 242 can be restrained together by the plug body 21 when the first and second sub-caps 241 and 242 are inserted and snapped into the plug body 21. Although the second switching cover 24 may be selected as an integral structure, the second switching cover 24 formed by splicing the first sub-cover 241 and the second sub-cover 242 may be more easily sleeved outside the output sub-wire 61 of the second hybrid cable 6 and fastened on the plug main body 21.

In the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 2 and 3, the first optical fiber connector 12 may be selected from any type of optical fiber connector that can be fitted into the socket body 11, but preferably an MT-type optical fiber connector or an LC-type optical fiber connector that is high in cost performance is suggested. Taking the first optical fiber connector as an MT type optical fiber connector as an example, the first optical fiber connector 12 includes a first ferrule 121, a first line tube 122, a first needle seat 123 and a first elastic member 124, where the first ferrule 121 is fixedly sleeved on an end portion of an optical fiber of the light transmission sub-line 51 of the first hybrid cable 5, and the first line tube 122 is sleeved outside the optical fiber of the light transmission sub-line 51 of the first hybrid cable 5, is sleeved in the first ferrule 121, and is in tight contact with an inner wall of the first ferrule 121. The first hub 123 includes a first guide pin passing through the first ferrule 121 and a hub body abutting against the first wire arrangement tube 122. The first elastic member 124 is sleeved outside the optical fiber of the optical transmission sub-line 51 of the first hybrid cable 5, and one end abuts against the first needle seat 123 and the other end abuts against the inner wall of the first adapter cover 14. The first elastic member 124 may be a compression spring or a rubber sleeve, etc., which can avoid the first ferrule 121 from being damaged due to strong collision when being abutted against the second optical fiber connector 22, particularly the second ferrule 221 (described in detail below), and can continuously maintain good abutment between the first ferrule 121 and the second ferrule 221.

Similarly, as shown in fig. 4 and 5, the second fiber optic connector 22 may be selected from any type of fiber optic connector that can be received within the socket body 11, but preferably is a cost effective MT-type fiber optic connector or LC-type fiber optic connector. Taking the second optical fiber connector as an MT type optical fiber connector as an example, the second optical fiber connector 22 comprises a second ferrule 221, a second line tube 222, a second needle seat 223 and a second elastic member 224, wherein the second ferrule 221 is fixedly sleeved at the end part of the optical fiber of the light transmission sub-line 61 of the second hybrid cable 6, and the second line tube 222 is sleeved outside the optical fiber of the light transmission sub-line 61 of the second hybrid cable 6, is sleeved in the second ferrule 221 and is in tight contact with the inner wall of the second ferrule 221. The second hub 223 includes a second guide pin passing through the second ferrule 221 and a hub body abutting against the second wire discharge tube 222. The second elastic member 224 is sleeved outside the optical fiber of the optical transmission sub-line 61 of the second hybrid cable 6, and one end abuts against the second needle seat 223 and the other end abuts against the inner wall of the second switching cover 24. The second elastic member 224 may be a compression spring or a rubber sleeve, etc., which can avoid the second ferrule 221 from being damaged due to strong collision when being abutted against the first ferrule 121 (described in detail below), and can continuously maintain the first ferrule 121 and the second ferrule 221 to be well abutted.

In the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 2 and 3, the female connection unit 1 may further include a first bus bar cover 18a. One end of the first bus bar cover 18a is fixedly sleeved on the first adapter cover 14, and the other end is fixedly sleeved on the bus bar of the first hybrid cable 5. That is, the first bus bar cover 18a can fix and hold the bus bar of the first hybrid cable 5 on the first transfer cover 14, preventing the first hybrid cable 5 from being separated from the female connection unit 1. In terms of the molding method, the first busbar jacket 18a may be manufactured by injection molding, additive manufacturing, or the like, but in the present embodiment, the first busbar jacket 18a is preferably obtained by injection molding, and the first busbar jacket 18a is an injection molded article obtained by injection molding on the first splice cover 14 and the first hybrid cable 5. The first bus bar cover 18a obtained in this way can be directly fixed to the bus bars of the first splice cover 14 and the first hybrid cable 5 without performing secondary treatment such as bonding or welding.

Meanwhile, in order to reduce the risk of the bus bar of the first hybrid cable 5 breaking at the junction with the first bus bar cover 18a due to frequent bending, the female connection unit 1 may further include a first tail cone cover 17, wherein the first tail cone cover 17 is sleeved outside the first bus bar cover 18a, and one end of the first tail cone cover 17 is fixedly sleeved on the first adapter cover 14 and the other end is sleeved on the bus bar of the first hybrid cable 5. The fixing manner between the first tail cone sleeve 17 and the first adapter cover 14 can be screw connection or clamping connection, etc., and preferably plug-in clamping connection is suggested. In addition, since the first tail cone sleeve 17 has a certain taper, the angle and fatigue of bending of the bus bar of the first hybrid cable 5 at the joint of the bus bar and the first bus bar sleeve 18a can be reduced due to the existence of the taper, and further the risk of fracture of the bus bar of the first hybrid cable 5 at the joint of the bus bar and the first bus bar sleeve 18a due to frequent bending can be effectively reduced.

In this embodiment, as shown in fig. 4 and 5, the male connection unit 2 may further include a second bus bar sleeve 28a, where one end of the second bus bar sleeve 28a is fixedly sleeved on the second switching cover 24 and the other end is fixedly sleeved on the bus bar of the second hybrid cable 6. That is, the second bus bar cover 28a can fix and hold the bus bar of the second hybrid cable 6 on the second switching cover 24, so as to prevent the first hybrid cable 5 from being separated from the male connection unit 2. In the molding method, the second bus bar cover 28a may be manufactured by injection molding, additive manufacturing, or the like, but in the present embodiment, the second bus bar cover 28a is preferably obtained by injection molding, and the second bus bar cover 28a is an injection molded article obtained by injection molding the second transfer cover 24 and the second hybrid cable 6. The second bus bar cover 28a obtained in this way can be directly fixed to the second transit cover 24 and the bus bar of the second hybrid cable 6 without performing secondary treatment such as bonding or welding.

Meanwhile, in order to reduce the risk of the bus bar of the second hybrid cable 6 breaking at the junction with the second bus bar sleeve 28a due to frequent bending, the male connection unit 2 may further include a second tail cone sleeve 27, where the second tail cone sleeve 27 is sleeved outside the second bus bar sleeve 28a, and one end is fixedly sleeved on the second switching cover 24 and the other end is sleeved on the bus bar of the second hybrid cable 6. The second tail cone sleeve 27 and the second adapting cover 24 can be fixed by screw connection or clamping, etc., and preferably by plug-in clamping. In addition, since the second tail cone sleeve 27 has a certain taper, the angle and fatigue of bending the bus bar of the second hybrid cable 6 at the joint of the bus bar and the second bus bar sleeve 28a can be reduced due to the existence of the taper, and further the risk of fracture of the bus bar of the second hybrid cable 6 at the joint of the bus bar and the second bus bar sleeve 28a due to frequent bending can be effectively reduced.

In the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 2 and 3, the female connection unit 1 may further include a first sub-string sheath 18b. The first sub-wire sheath 18b is disposed in the first bus bar sheath 18a, and one end of the first sub-wire sheath 18b is fixedly sleeved on the first adapter cover 14, while the other end is fixedly sleeved on the wire skin of the light transmission sub-wire 51 of the first hybrid cable 5. The first sub-wire sheath 18b can fix and hold the light-transmitting sub-wires 51 of the first hybrid cable 5 on the first transfer cover 14, preventing the first hybrid cable 5 from being separated from the female connection unit 1 when pulled. In terms of molding and fixing, the first sub-wire sleeve 18b may be a compression tube made of metal such as iron, aluminum or copper, which may be sleeved on the light-transmitting sub-wire 51 of the first hybrid cable 5 in advance, and after the first adapter cover 14 is installed into the socket body 11, the compression tube is slid until it is sleeved on the first adapter cover 14, and then both ends of the compression tube are sequentially compressed on the first adapter cover 14 and the light-transmitting sub-wire 51 of the first hybrid cable 5 by compression pliers.

In this embodiment, as shown in fig. 4 and 5, the male connection unit 2 may further include a second sub-wire sleeve 28b. The second sub-wire sleeve 28b is disposed in the second bus bar sleeve 28a, and one end of the second sub-wire sleeve 28b is fixedly disposed on the second switching cover 24, while the other end is fixedly disposed on the wire cover of the light transmission sub-wire 61 of the second hybrid cable 6. The second sub-wire sheath 28b can fix and hold the light transmitting sub-wire 61 of the second hybrid cable 6 on the second switching cover 24, so as to prevent the second hybrid cable 6 from being separated from the male connection unit 2 when pulled. In terms of molding and fixing, the second sub-wire sleeve 28b may be a compression tube made of metal such as iron, aluminum or copper, and the compression tube may be sleeved on the light-transmitting sub-wire 61 of the second hybrid cable 6 in advance, and after the second switching cover 24 is installed into the plug main body 21, the compression tube is slid until it is sleeved on the second switching cover 24, and then two ends of the compression tube are sequentially compressed on the second switching cover 24 and the light-transmitting sub-wire 61 of the second hybrid cable 6 by compression pliers.

In this embodiment, as shown in fig. 2 and 3, the female connection unit 1 further includes a first compression ring 19, where the first compression ring 19 is fixedly sleeved outside the bus of the first hybrid cable 5 and between the first bus sleeve 18a and the first hybrid cable 5. The first clamp ring 19 may be selected as a heat shrink or compression sleeve or the like that avoids unrestricted cracking of the bus bars of the first bus bar sleeve 18a at the ends of the stripped area. Similarly, as shown in fig. 4 and 5, the male connection unit 2 further includes a second clamp ring 29, and the second clamp ring 29 is fixedly sleeved outside the bus bar of the second hybrid cable 6 and between the second bus bar sleeve 28a and the second hybrid cable 6. The second clamp ring 29 may be selected as a heat shrink or compression sleeve or the like that avoids unrestricted cracking of the bus bars of the second bus bar sleeve 28a at the ends of the stripped area.

In this embodiment, as shown in fig. 2 and 3, the female connection unit 1 further comprises a first helmet 3 having a first lifting lug 31 and an external thread cooperating with the internal thread of the locking nut 15. When the female connection unit 1 is not in use, the first protective cap 3 can be fastened and screwed into the lock nut 15, thereby blocking the socket body 11 and preventing dust and moisture from entering and damaging the internal structure of the female connection unit 1. The first lifting lug 31 can be used for binding a pull rope, so that the end parts of the female connection unit 1 and the first hybrid cable 5 can be pulled from one side of the narrow area to the other side of the narrow area through the pull rope passing through the narrow area such as a gap or a channel, and the purpose of convenient wiring is achieved. Similarly, as shown in fig. 4 and 5, the male connection unit 2 further includes a second helmet 4 having a second shackle 41 and an internal thread that mates with the external thread of the plug body 21. When the male connection unit 2 is not used, the second helmet 4 may be fastened and screwed to the plug main body 21 to prevent dust and moisture from entering and damaging the internal structure of the male connection unit 2 by using the second helmet 4. Meanwhile, the second lifting lug 41 can also be used for binding a pull rope, so that the end parts of the male connection unit 2 and the second hybrid cable 6 can be pulled from one side of the narrow area to the other side of the narrow area through the pull rope passing through the narrow area such as a gap or a channel, and the purpose of convenient wiring is achieved.

The embodiment of the invention also provides a method for connecting the first hybrid cable 5 and the second hybrid cable 6. As shown in fig. 1 to 9, the method uses the apparatus 100 mentioned in the above embodiment, and includes: step S1, peeling the outer skin of the bus bar and the photon transmission line 51 of the first mixed cable 5; step S2, fitting the first optical fiber connector 12 onto the bare optical fiber of the optical transmission sub-line 51 of the first hybrid cable 5; step S3, the first electric connection piece 13 is arranged on the side wall of the socket 111a of the socket main body 11; step S4, sequentially sleeving the anti-loosening rubber sleeve 16 and the locking nut 15 on the socket main body 11; step S5, inserting and fixing the first optical fiber connector 12 in the socket main body 11; step S6, peeling the outer skin of the power transmission sub-line 52 of the first hybrid cable 5, and welding the exposed conductive wires of the power transmission sub-line 52 of the first hybrid cable 5 on the first electrical connection piece 13; step S7, peeling the outer skin of the bus bar of the second hybrid cable 6 and the outer skin of the light transmission sub-line 61; step S8, assembling the second optical fiber connector 22 onto the bare optical fiber of the optical transmission sub-line 61 of the second hybrid cable 6; step S9, assembling the second electrical connector 23 to the outer peripheral wall of the plug main body 21; step S10, inserting and fixing the second optical fiber connector 22 into the plug main body 21; step S11, peeling the outer skin of the power transmission sub-line 62 of the second hybrid cable 6, and welding the exposed conductive wires of the power transmission sub-line 62 of the second hybrid cable 6 to the second electrical connection piece 23; step S12, the socket main body 11 of the female connection unit 1 is abutted with the plug main body 21 of the male connection unit 2, so that the first optical fiber connector 12 and the first electrical connection piece 13 are forced to be abutted with the second optical fiber connector 22 and the second electrical connection piece 23 in sequence; in step S13, the lock nut 15 is screwed onto the plug main body 21 so that the internal thread of the lock nut 15 is engaged with the external thread provided outside the plug main body 21, and the lock nut 15 is forced to connect the socket main body 11 and the plug main body 21 together while pressing the locking rubber sleeve 16.

The locking nut 15 used in the method can connect the socket main body 11 of the female connection unit 1 with the plug main body 21 of the male connection unit 2, so that the male connection unit 2 and the female connection unit 1 are firmly and reliably connected when butted with each other, the hybrid cables are not easy to disconnect even if the hybrid cables are pulled by external force, and effective safety guarantee can be provided for mechanical connection and communication connection between the hybrid cables. In addition, when the locking nut 15 connects the socket body 11 and the plug body 21 together, the anti-loosening rubber sleeve 16 used in the method not only can prevent the locking nut 15 from loosening, but also can seal the gap between the socket body 11 and the locking nut 15, thereby reducing external pollutants from entering and damaging the device 100.

In the present embodiment, when the first optical fiber connector 12 includes the first ferrule 121, the first line tube 122, the first hub 123, and the first elastic member 124, the step S2 further includes: sequentially sleeving the first elastic member 124 and the first line tube 122 on the light transmission sub-line 51 of the first hybrid cable 5; the first ferrule 121 is sleeved and stuck on the optical fiber of the light transmission sub-line 51 of the first hybrid cable 5, and the end part of the optical fiber extending out of the first ferrule 121 is sequentially cut off and subjected to end surface treatment (such as photoresist removal, rough grinding, fine grinding, fiber pulling, polishing and the like); passing the first guide pin of the first needle seat 123 through the guide pin hole in the first ferrule 121; and the first transfer cover 14 of the assembled structure is buckled outside the light transmission sub-line 51 of the first mixed cable 5.

In this embodiment, when the apparatus 100 includes the first sub-wire sheath 18b, the method may further include: before the step of sleeving the first elastic member 124 and the first wire arranging tube 122 on the light transmitting sub-wire 51 of the first hybrid cable 5 in sequence is performed, sleeving the first sub-wire sleeve 18b on the light transmitting sub-wire 51 of the first hybrid cable 5; after the step of attaching the first splice cover 14 to the socket main body 11 is performed, both ends of the first sub-wire jacket 18b are fixed to the light-transmitting sub-wire 51 of the first hybrid cable 5 and the first splice cover 14, respectively, using a pressing or heat-shrinking manner.

In this embodiment, when the apparatus 100 includes the first busbar jacket 18a, the method may further include: after step S6 is performed, a first bus bar cover 18a is manufactured on the bus bar of the first hybrid cable 5 and the socket body 11 using an injection molding process to fix the bus bar of the first hybrid cable 5 and the socket body 11 with the first bus bar cover 18 a.

In this embodiment, when the apparatus 100 includes the first tail cone sleeve 17, the method may further include: before executing step S1, the first tail cone sleeve 17 is threaded on the bus of the first hybrid cable 5; after the step of manufacturing the first busbar jacket 18a on the busbar of the first hybrid cable 5 and the socket body 11 using the injection molding process is performed, the first tail cone jacket 17 fitted on the busbar of the first hybrid cable 5 is connected to the socket body 11.

In this embodiment, when the apparatus 100 includes the first compression ring 19, the method may further include: after the step of threading the first busbar jacket 18a on the busbar of the first hybrid cable 5 is performed, threading the first clamp ring 19 on the busbar of the first hybrid cable 5; the first clamp ring 19 is fixedly sleeved outside the bus bar of the first hybrid cable 5 by a compression method or a heat shrinkage method before the step of fixing both ends of the first bus bar sleeve 18a to the bus bar of the first hybrid cable 5 and the socket body 11, respectively, is performed.

In the present embodiment, when the second optical fiber connector 22 includes the second ferrule 221, the second line tube 222, the second hub 223, and the second elastic member 224, the step S8 further includes: sequentially sleeving the second elastic piece 224 and the second line tube 222 on the light transmission sub-line 61 of the second hybrid cable 6; the second ferrule 221 is sleeved and stuck on the optical fiber of the optical transmission sub-line 61 of the second hybrid cable 6, and the end part of the optical fiber extending out of the second ferrule 221 is cut off and subjected to end surface treatment (such as photoresist removal, rough grinding, fine grinding, fiber pulling, polishing and the like) in sequence; passing the second guide pin of the second needle mount 223 through the guide pin hole in the second ferrule 221; and the second switching cover 24 of the assembled structure is buckled outside the photon transmission line 61 of the second hybrid cable 6.

In this embodiment, when the apparatus 100 includes the second sub-wire sheath 28b, the method may further include: before performing the step of sequentially fitting the second elastic member 224 and the second line pipe 222 over the light-transmitting sub-line 61 of the second hybrid cable 6, fitting the second sub-line sleeve 28b over the light-transmitting sub-line 61 of the second hybrid cable 6; after the step of attaching the second transit cover 24 to the plug main body 21 is performed, both ends of the second sub-wire sheath 28b are fixed to the light-transmitting sub-wire 61 of the second hybrid cable 6 and the second transit cover 24, respectively, using a pressing or heat-shrinking manner.

In this embodiment, when the apparatus 100 includes the second busbar jacket 28a, the method may further include: after step S11 is performed, a second bus bar cover 28a is manufactured on the bus bar of the second hybrid cable 6 and the socket body 11 using an injection molding process to fix the bus bar of the second hybrid cable 6 and the socket body 11 with the second bus bar cover 28 a.

In this embodiment, when the apparatus 100 includes the second tail cone sleeve 27, the method may further include: before executing step S7, the second tail cone sleeve 27 is threaded on the bus of the second hybrid cable 6; after the step of manufacturing the second bus bar cover 28a on the bus bar of the second hybrid cable 6 and the plug main body 21 using the injection molding process is performed, the second tail cone cover 27, which is fitted over the bus bar of the second hybrid cable 6, is connected to the plug main body 21.

In this embodiment, when the apparatus 100 includes the second clamp ring 29, the method may further include: after the step of threading the second bus bar cover 28a on the bus bar of the second hybrid cable 6 is performed, threading the second clamp ring 29 on the bus bar of the second hybrid cable 6; the second clamp ring 29 is fixedly sleeved outside the bus bar of the second hybrid cable 6 by a compression method or a heat shrinkage method before the step of fixing both ends of the second bus bar sleeve 28a to the bus bar of the second hybrid cable 6 and the socket body 11, respectively, is performed.

In this embodiment, when the apparatus 100 includes the first helmet 3 and the second helmet 4, the method may further include: after performing the step of connecting the first tail cone sleeve 17 fitted over the bus bar of the first hybrid cable 5 to the socket body 11, the first helmet 3 is screwed into the lock nut 15 and the socket 111a of the socket body 11 is blocked with the first helmet 3; after performing the step of connecting the second tail cone sleeve 27 fitted over the bus bar of the second hybrid cable 6 to the plug main body 21, screwing the second helmet 4 onto the plug main body 21 to cover the plug main body 21 with the second helmet 4; before the step of abutting the socket body 11 of the female connection unit 1 with the plug body 21 of the male connection unit 2 is performed, the first and second caps 3 and 4 are detached from the lock nut 15 and the plug body 21, respectively.

As a preferred example, the method is implemented in a selected environment comprising a first channel, a second channel, and an assembly space connecting the first channel and the second through hole. At this time, the method includes, in addition to the above steps, the following steps: before the step of detaching the first helmet 3 and the second helmet 4 from the lock nut 15 and the plug main body 21 is performed, the first pulling rope passing through the first passage is tied to the first lifting lug 31 of the first helmet 3, the ends of the female connection unit 1 and the first hybrid cable 5 are pulled from one end of the first passage to the other end thereof and enter the assembly space by the first pulling rope, the second pulling rope passing through the second passage is tied to the second lifting lug 41 of the first helmet 3, and the ends of the male connection unit 2 and the second hybrid cable 6 are pulled from one end of the second passage to the other end thereof and enter the assembly space by the second pulling rope. By means of the mode, the ends of the female connection unit 1, the male connection unit 2 and the mixed cable connected with the female connection unit 1 and the male connection unit 2 can be easily pulled into the assembly space, butt joint of the female connection unit 1 and the male connection unit 2 is completed in the assembly space, and the operation is simple, convenient and efficient, and the device is particularly suitable for environments where the mixed cable is difficult to lay.

In the above description of the present application, the terms "fixed," "mounted," "connected," or "connected" are to be construed broadly, unless otherwise specifically indicated and defined. For example, in terms of the term "coupled," it may be fixedly coupled, detachably coupled, or integrally formed; can be mechanically or electrically connected; either directly or indirectly through intermediaries, or in communication with each other or in interaction with each other. Therefore, unless otherwise defined explicitly, those skilled in the art will understand the specific meaning of the terms in the present application according to the specific circumstances.

In addition, the terms "first" or "second" and the like used in the present application are used to refer to numbers or ordinal terms only for descriptive purposes and are not to be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defining "a first" or "a second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one such feature. In the description of the present application, the meaning of "plurality" means at least two, for example, two, three or more, etc., unless explicitly defined otherwise.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous modifications, changes, and substitutions will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention described herein may be employed in practicing the invention. The appended claims are intended to define the scope of the invention and are therefore to cover all equivalents or alternatives falling within the scope of these claims.

Claims (13)

1. An apparatus for connecting a first hybrid cable and a second hybrid cable, comprising:

a female connection unit, comprising:

a socket body having a socket;

a first optical fiber connector inserted into the socket body and connected to an optical fiber of a light transmission sub-line of the first hybrid cable;

the first electric connection piece is arranged on the side wall of the socket main body and is connected with the conductive wire of the power transmission sub-line of the first hybrid cable;

the locking nut is sleeved outside the socket main body; and

The anti-loosening rubber sleeve is arranged between the socket main body and the locking nut;

a male connection unit, comprising:

a plug main body;

a second optical fiber connector inserted in the plug main body and connected to an optical fiber of a light transmission sub-line of the second hybrid cable; and

the second electric connection piece is arranged on the peripheral wall of the plug main body and is connected with the conductive wires of the power transmission sub-line of the second hybrid cable;

when the plug main body is inserted into the socket main body, the first optical fiber connector and the first electric connecting piece are in butt joint with the second optical fiber connector and the second electric connecting piece in sequence, the internal threads of the locking nut can be matched with the external threads arranged outside the plug main body, and the locking nut is forced to press the anti-loose rubber sleeve and simultaneously connect the socket main body and the plug main body together.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

the socket body includes a large diameter portion and a small diameter portion closer to the first hybrid cable than the large diameter portion;

a plurality of clamping grooves which are arranged around the socket main body at intervals and separated from the internal threads of the socket main body are formed in the inner peripheral wall of the locking nut;

The anti-loosening rubber sleeve comprises a flat surface propped against the joint between the large-diameter part and the small-diameter part of the socket main body and a plurality of clamping protrusions which are matched with the clamping grooves of the locking nut one by one.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that:

the female connection unit further comprises a first conversion cover sleeved outside the light transmission sub-line of the first hybrid cable, and the first conversion cover is buckled on the socket main body and used for preventing the first optical fiber connector from withdrawing from the socket main body;

the first optical fiber connector includes:

the first inserting core is fixedly sleeved at the end part of the optical fiber of the light transmission sub-line of the first hybrid cable;

a first cable tube which is sleeved outside the optical fiber of the light transmission sub-line of the first hybrid cable and is abutted with the first lock pin while being partially inserted into the first lock pin;

the first needle seat comprises a first guide pin penetrating through a guide pin hole of the first lock pin and a needle seat body abutted with the first line tube; and

the first elastic piece is sleeved outside the optical fiber of the light transmission sub-line of the first hybrid cable, one end of the first elastic piece abuts against the first needle seat, and the other end of the first elastic piece abuts against the inner wall of the first transfer cover;

The male connection unit further comprises a second switching cover sleeved outside the light transmission sub-line of the second hybrid cable, and the second switching cover is buckled on the plug main body and prevents the second optical fiber connector from withdrawing from the plug main body;

the second optical fiber connector includes:

the second inserting core is fixedly sleeved at the end part of the optical fiber of the light transmission sub-line of the second hybrid cable;

the second line tube is sleeved outside the optical fiber of the light transmission sub-line of the second hybrid cable and is abutted with the second lock pin while being partially inserted into the second lock pin;

the second needle seat comprises a second guide needle penetrating into the guide needle hole of the second lock pin and a needle seat body abutted with the second line tube;

the second elastic piece is sleeved outside the optical fiber of the light transmission sub-line of the second mixed cable, one end of the second elastic piece abuts against the second needle seat, and the other end of the second elastic piece abuts against the inner wall of the second switching cover.

4. A device according to claim 3, characterized in that: the first switching cover and/or the second switching cover are formed by splicing a first sub-cover and a second sub-cover, and the first sub-cover and the second sub-cover can be inserted into and clamped in the socket main body or the plug main body after being spliced, and the first sub-cover and the second sub-cover can be restrained together by the socket main body or the plug main body.

5. A device according to claim 3, characterized in that:

the female connection unit further includes:

one end of the first bus sleeve is fixedly sleeved on the first transfer cover, and the other end of the first bus sleeve is fixedly sleeved on the wire skin of the bus of the first hybrid cable; and

the first tail cone sleeve is sleeved outside the first bus sleeve, one end of the first tail cone sleeve is fixedly sleeved on the first transfer cover, and the other end of the first tail cone sleeve is sleeved on the wire skin of the bus of the first hybrid cable;

the male connection unit further includes:

one end of the second bus sleeve is fixedly sleeved on the second switching cover, and the other end of the second bus sleeve is fixedly sleeved on the wire skin of the bus of the second hybrid cable; and

and the second tail cone sleeve is sleeved outside the second bus sleeve, one end of the second tail cone sleeve is fixedly sleeved on the second switching cover, and the other end of the second tail cone sleeve is sleeved on the wire skin of the bus of the second hybrid cable.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein:

the female connection unit further comprises a first sub-line sleeve which is arranged in the first bus sleeve, one end of the first sub-line sleeve is fixedly sleeved on the first transfer cover, and the other end of the first sub-line sleeve is fixedly sleeved on the line skin of the light transmission sub-line of the first hybrid cable;

The male connection unit further comprises a second sub-line sleeve, wherein the second sub-line sleeve is arranged in the second bus sleeve, one end of the second sub-line sleeve is fixedly sleeved on the second switching cover, and the other end of the second sub-line sleeve is fixedly sleeved on the line skin of the light transmission sub-line of the second hybrid cable.

7. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein:

the female connection unit further comprises a first compression ring which is fixedly sleeved outside a bus of the first hybrid cable and is positioned between the first bus sleeve and the first hybrid cable;

the male connection unit further comprises a second compression ring which is fixedly sleeved outside the bus of the second hybrid cable and is positioned between the second bus sleeve and the second hybrid cable.

8. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein:

the female connection unit further comprises a first protective cap which is provided with a first lifting lug and external threads matched with the internal threads of the locking nut;

the male connection unit further includes a second protective cap having a second lifting lug and an internal thread mated with the external thread of the plug body.

9. A method for connecting a first hybrid cable and a second hybrid cable, characterized in that the method uses the device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and comprises the steps of:

Peeling the outer skin of the bus bar and the light transmission sub-line of the first mixed cable;

fitting the first fiber optic connector onto the bare optical fiber of the optical transmission sub-line of the first hybrid cable;

mounting the first electrical connector on a sidewall of a socket of the socket body;

the anti-loosening rubber sleeve and the locking nut are sleeved on the socket main body in sequence;

inserting and securing the first fiber optic connector within the receptacle body;

peeling the outer skin of the power transmission sub-line of the first hybrid cable, and welding the exposed conductive wires of the power transmission sub-line of the first hybrid cable on the first electrical connection piece;

peeling the outer skin of the bus bar of the second hybrid cable and the outer skin of the light transmission sub-line;

fitting the second optical fiber connector onto the bare optical fiber of the optical transmission sub-line of the second hybrid cable;

fitting the second electrical connector to the outer peripheral wall of the plug body;

inserting and securing the second fiber optic connector within the plug body;

peeling the outer skin of the power transmission sub-line of the second hybrid cable, and welding the exposed conductive wires of the power transmission sub-line of the second hybrid cable on the second electrical connection piece; and

Butting the socket main body of the female connection unit with the plug main body of the male connection unit to force the first optical fiber connector and the first electric connection piece to be in butt joint with the second optical fiber connector and the second electric connection piece in sequence;

the locking nut is screwed into the plug main body so that the internal thread of the locking nut is matched with the external thread arranged outside the plug main body, and the locking nut is forced to press the anti-loose rubber sleeve and simultaneously connect the socket main body and the plug main body together.

10. The method as recited in claim 9, further comprising:

after the step of welding the exposed conductive wires of the power transmission sub-wires of the first hybrid cable to the first electrical connector is performed, manufacturing a first bus bar sleeve on the bus bar of the first hybrid cable and the socket main body by using an injection molding process so as to fix the bus bar of the first hybrid cable and the socket main body by using the first bus bar sleeve;

after the step of welding the exposed conductive wires of the power transmission sub-wires of the second hybrid cable to the second electrical connector is performed, a second bus bar sleeve is manufactured on the bus bar and the socket body of the second hybrid cable using an injection molding process, so that the bus bar and the socket body of the second hybrid cable are fixed by the second bus bar sleeve.

11. The method as recited in claim 10, further comprising:

before the step of peeling the bus bar of the first hybrid cable and the outer skin of the light transmission sub-line is executed, a first tail cone sleeve is arranged on the bus bar of the first hybrid cable in a penetrating way;

after the step of manufacturing the first bus bar sleeve on the bus bar of the first hybrid cable and the socket main body by using an injection molding process is performed, connecting the first tail cone sleeve sleeved on the bus bar of the first hybrid cable to the socket main body;

before the step of peeling the bus bar of the second hybrid cable and the outer skin of the light transmission sub-line is executed, a second tail cone sleeve is arranged on the bus bar of the second hybrid cable in a penetrating way; and

after the step of manufacturing the second bus bar cover on the bus bar of the second hybrid cable and the plug main body using the injection molding process is performed, the second tail cone cover sleeved on the bus bar of the second hybrid cable is connected to the plug main body.

12. The method as recited in claim 11, further comprising:

after the step of connecting the first tail cone sleeve sleeved on the bus bar of the first hybrid cable to the socket main body is executed, screwing a first protective cap into the locking nut and plugging the socket of the socket main body by using the first protective cap;

After performing the step of connecting the second tail cone sleeve fitted over the bus bar of the second hybrid cable to the plug main body, screwing a second protective cap onto the plug main body to cover the plug main body with the second protective cap;

before the step of docking the socket body of the female connection unit with the plug body of the male connection unit is performed, the first and second protective caps are detached from the lock nut and the plug body, respectively.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein:

the method is performed in a selected environment comprising a first channel, a second channel, and an assembly space communicating the first channel and the second through-hole,

the method further comprises the steps of: before the step of detaching the first and second protective caps from the lock nut and the plug body is performed, a first pull rope passing through the first passage is bound to a first lifting lug of the first protective cap, the end parts of the female connection unit and the first hybrid cable are pulled to the other end of the first passage from one end of the first passage by the first pull rope and enter the assembly space, a second pull rope passing through the second passage is bound to a second lifting lug of the first protective cap, and the end parts of the male connection unit and the second hybrid cable are pulled to the other end of the second passage from one end of the second passage by the second pull rope and enter the assembly space.