KR100906489B1 - Optical connector for assembling in the field - Google Patents

Abstract

The field assembly type optical connector of the present invention comprises: a first unit having a housing, a frame provided in the housing, and a fixing member installed on the frame; A ferrule unit in which a part of the fixing member is inserted to insert the core of the optical fiber; Optical fiber tightening means installed at an end of the ferrule unit to press the outer surface of the optical fiber having a core inserted into the ferrule unit to fix the optical fiber; And a second unit coupled to the fixing member to fix the ferrule unit and the optical fiber fastening means.

The present invention fixes the optical fiber introduced into the optical connector by the collet portion, thereby making it possible to secure the connection of the optical fiber and to sufficiently endure the lateral external force. The operation of the optical connector is simple, but the cores can be aligned accurately, thereby preventing the optical loss generated when the cores are connected.

Optical Connector, Collet, Core, Sleeve, Optical Loss

Description

Field Assembly Optical Connector {OPTICAL CONNECTOR FOR ASSEMBLING IN THE FIELD}

The present invention relates to an optical connector, and more particularly, to a field assembly type optical connector that can be assembled without the optical loss of the connection in the workplace.

In general, the optical connector aligns the ferrule in which the core of the optical fiber is inserted so that the operator can fit the optical center in the factory to minimize the optical loss through the epoxy bonding and the end face polishing process. By attaching an optical connector, a finished product called a patch cord has been used for laying a fiber.

Since general patch cords are manufactured at the factory in the form of finished products having a certain length according to the specified parameters, the connection between optical cables in optical distribution boards, optical terminal boxes, and optical intermediate switching boxes that requires connection and disconnection between optical transmission equipment and optical fiber cables. Or, there is a limit in length in the connection between the optical distribution panel and the optical transmission device and the optical transmission device.

Thus, by converting the optical connectors provided on both sides of the patch cord into an assembly type to be easily assembled in the field, it was possible to obtain a patch cord of the desired length.

The prior art of the optical connector adapted to the assembly type is disclosed in Korean Patent Publication No. 10-0507543.

The optical connector according to the prior art includes a housing, a frame inserted into the housing, a ferrule provided to elastically flow in the frame, a core alignment member fitted to the ferrule, and a fixing member which is inserted into and fixed to the frame while surrounding a part of the ferrule. And a fastening member for tightening the optical fiber connecting member for engaging and fixing the optical fiber connecting member which is fixedly engaged with the fixing member, and the optical fiber inserted through the optical fiber connecting member so as to be fitted into the ferrule in the form of a clip.

The optical connector of the prior art configured as described above is connected to the core of the inserted optical fiber and the core pre-inserted in the ferrule by inserting the optical fiber into the optical fiber connecting member in a state where the frame, the ferrule, the fixing member, the optical fiber connecting member, and the fastening member are assembled in advance. To be. Then, the optical fiber connecting member is pressed by the fastening member to fix the inserted optical fiber. The assembly is then completed by assembling the housing and protective boots.

However, since the optical connector of the prior art is made by a fastening member for pressing the outer surface of the optical fiber connecting member in the form of a clip to fix the optical fiber introduced into the optical fiber connecting member, the pressing force of the fastening member is applied to the optical fiber through the optical fiber connecting member. In order to be transmitted, the optical fiber connecting member is made of a material having flexible properties.

Accordingly, the optical fiber connecting member is easily bent against the lateral external force. This is because the optical fiber inserted into the optical fiber connection member is also bent, there is a problem that the connection loss occurs due to the increased optical loss.

In addition, since the fixing of the optical fiber inserted into the optical fiber connection member depends only on the elastic force of the pressing member in the form of a clip, there is a limit to firmly fixing the optical fiber.

On the other hand, since the optical fiber introduced into the optical fiber connection member is inserted without a separate guide means, a lot of shaking occurs during the optical fiber insertion operation, it is difficult to accurately fit the core of the optical fiber in the ferrule through the core insertion hole of the core alignment member. In particular, it was very difficult to accurately fit the core into a core insertion hole having a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the core so that the core having a diameter of approximately 125 μm was fitted.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a field-assembled optical connector that can be firmly fixed to the optical fiber introduced into the optical connector, the bending is not generated against the lateral external force Is in.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a field assembly type optical connector that can be easily worked while the connection of the core is accurately made when assembling the optical connector.

Field assembly type optical connector of the present invention for achieving the above object comprises a first unit having a housing, a frame provided in the housing, and a fixing member installed on the frame; A ferrule unit in which a part of the fixing member is inserted to insert the core of the optical fiber; Optical fiber tightening means installed at an end of the ferrule unit to press the outer surface of the optical fiber having a core inserted into the ferrule unit to fix the optical fiber; And a second unit coupled to the fixing member to fix the ferrule unit and the optical fiber fastening means.

The ferrule unit comprises: a first ferrule installed to elastically slide in the fixing member and having a first core inserted therein; A second ferrule having the optical fiber tightening means installed at an end thereof and having a second core connected to the first core inserted therein; And a sleeve through which the first and second ferrules are fitted and fitted to both ends so as to connect the first and second cores to guide the first and second ferrules.

The optical fiber tightening means is connected to the second ferrule by a connecting means, and an optical fiber inlet hole is formed through which a second optical fiber having the second core is inserted in a central portion thereof, and a plurality of pivots are divided and rotated in the circumferential direction at the front end thereof. A collet portion provided with a pair of; The fastening member is screwed to a plurality of jaws divided in the circumferential direction of the collet part to rotate the plurality of jaws in the center direction to reduce the cross-sectional area of the optical fiber inlet hole and to be fixed to the second optical fiber.

Preferably, the optical fiber tightening means is connected to the second ferrule by a connecting means, and an optical fiber inlet hole is formed through which a second optical fiber having the second core is inserted in a central portion thereof, and is formed in a circumferential direction at the front end thereof. A collet portion provided with a plurality of jaws divided and rotated; An auxiliary fastening member which is inserted into the collet part and rotates the plurality of jaws in a central direction to reduce the cross-sectional area of the optical fiber inlet hole; Screwed to the sub-tightening member and the sub-tightening member rotates the plurality of groups in the center direction to maintain the plurality of groups in a state in which the cross-sectional area of the optical fiber inlet hole is reduced to the fastening member fixed to the second optical fiber Is done.

The first unit is fitted into the housing and is fixed therein; and a frame having a first ferrule fitting hole into which the first parol is fitted; A flange member fitted into the first ferrule and fixed in the frame; A fixing member in which a part of the first ferrule is inserted and fixed to the frame; And an elastic member provided between the fixing member and the flange member to allow the first ferrule to elastically flow in the frame.

The connecting means is formed of a connecting member through which the second ferrule and the collet part are fitted at both ends thereof to connect the second ferrule and the collet part.

The present invention fixes the optical fiber introduced into the optical connector by the collet portion, thereby making it possible to secure the connection of the optical fiber.

In addition, since the outer surface of the optical fiber is pressurized by a plurality of groups provided in the collet part to fix the optical fiber, the body of the collet part can be made of a metal material resistant to the horizontal external force so that the optical fiber is not affected by the horizontal external force. It can be effective.

In addition, since the operation of the optical connector can be made easily, the cores can be aligned precisely, thereby preventing the optical loss generated when the cores are connected.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail an embodiment of the present invention.

1 to 3 show the structure of the field assembly type optical connector according to the present embodiment.

1 to 3, the field assembly type optical connector according to the present embodiment includes a housing 110, a frame 120 provided in the housing, and a ferrule unit 400 which is elastically slid in the frame but protrudes from one side thereof. ), And an optical fiber tightening means (210) for fixing or separating the second optical fiber by pressing the outer surface of the second optical fiber having a second core coupled to the ferrule unit and connected to the first core inserted into the ferrule unit. Is done.

The ferrule unit 400 includes a first ferrule 410 in which a first core is inserted and cut and polished in advance in a factory, and a second ferrule 420 inserted into a second core connected to the first core and cut at a work site. And a sleeve 430 having a central portion through which the first and second ferrules are guided to accurately contact each other.

In this embodiment, the ferrule unit is divided into two first and second ferrules into which the first and second cores to be interconnected are inserted, and the structure of the sleeve guiding the separated ones is illustrated, but one ferrule is not separated into two. The first and second cores may be connected in one ferrule.

According to the present embodiment, the field assembly type optical connector in which the ferrule unit is separated into two first and second ferrules includes a housing 110; The frame 120 provided in the housing, the first ferrule 410 is elastically slid by the elastic support means 300 in the frame and installed to protrude a portion, and a sleeve having a central hole through which the first ferrule is fitted ( A first unit (100) having 430;

A second ferrule 420 having a second core inserted into the sleeve 430 to be in close contact with the first ferrule 410 and connected to the first core, and having a second core connected to the second ferrule 420. The optical fiber fastening means 210 for pressing or fixing the second optical fiber by pressing the outer surface of the optical fiber, and the protective boots 220 are provided in the second optical fiber to surround the optical fiber fastening means and introduced into the housing and coupled to the first unit. It consists of one second unit 200.

The housing 110 has a central portion penetrating in the longitudinal direction so that the frame 120 is fitted therein, and the outer surface of the housing 110 is formed such that the first fixing holes 111 are formed to face each other.

 The frame 120 has a central portion penetrating in the longitudinal direction so that the first ferrule 410 is fitted, and the first protrusion member 121 coupled to the first fixing hole 111 of the housing faces outwardly at both sides of the frame 120. It protrudes very much.

The elastic support means 300 includes a rib portion 310 protruding annularly on the inner circumferential surface of the frame, a flange member 320 provided on the outer surface of the first ferrule and caught on the rib portion when the first ferrule is fitted into the frame. A fixing member 330 fitted to the first ferrule in a direction in which the first ferrule is fitted to the frame, and fixed to the frame at a predetermined clearance distance from the rib portion of the frame such that the first ferrule slides by a predetermined distance in the frame; An elastic member 340 is provided between the flange member and the fixing member to apply an elastic force in the sliding direction of the first ferrule.

The fixing of the frame 120 and the fixing member 330 includes the second fixing hole 122 penetrating the outer surface of the frame 120 and the second protrusion member 331 protruding from the outer surface of the fixing member 330. Is made by bonding.

The first and second ferrules 410 and 420 have a core insertion hole through which a core of an optical fiber is inserted and fixed in a central portion thereof. The core insertion holes of the first and second ferrules 410 and 420 are identical to the center portions of the first and second ferrules 410 and 420 so as to communicate with each other when the first and second ferrules 410 and 420 are slid by the sleeve 430 and closely contact each other. Penetrates into position.

The first core C1 is inserted into and fixed to the first ferrule 410, the second core C2 is inserted into the second ferrule 420, and the first ferrule 410 and the second ferrule 420 are sleeved. When in close contact with 430, the first core C1 and the second core C2 are connected.

The flange member 320 is fitted into the first ferrule 410 and is fixed. When the first ferrule 410 is fitted into the frame, the flange member 320 is caught by the rib portion 310 of the frame 120. It is formed in an expanded diameter compared to the diameter of one ferrule 410.

As the elastic member 340, a spring fitted to the first ferrule 410 is used, and both ends of the spring are installed to support the tip of the flange member 320 and the fixing member 330.

In this embodiment, the spring fitted to the first ferrule is illustrated as an elastic member, but a member that elastically supports the flange member and the fixing member by applying an elastic force in the axial direction of the first ferrule is sufficient.

The optical fiber tightening means 210 is connected to the second ferrule 420, and the optical fiber inlet hole 211a through which the second optical fiber in which the second core C2 is embedded is introduced is formed in the center portion thereof, and the tip thereof is circumferentially directed. A collet portion 211 provided with a plurality of divided jaws 211 "; and a plurality of jaws 211 " screwed into a plurality of jaws 211 " Tighten member 212 to reduce the cross-sectional area of the optical fiber inlet hole 211a.

The connecting means includes a connecting member 230 having a central portion through which the second ferrule 420 and the collet 211 are fitted at both ends thereof.

The center of the connection member 230 is through, the diameters of both ends are formed different from each other according to the diameter of the second ferrule 420 and the collet portion 211 fitted to both ends.

The collet part 211 is divided into a plurality of circumferential directions by a main body 211 'through which the optical fiber inlet hole 211a is formed so that the second optical fiber is introduced into the center portion, and a plurality of slits formed in the longitudinal direction on one side of the main body. It consists of a tank 211 ".

In the plurality of groups, the thickness of the main body 211 ′ is thickened so that the cross-sectional area of the optical fiber inlet hole 211a is reduced, and is elastically rotated in the center direction of the optical fiber inlet hole 211a. A thread is formed on the outer surface of the plurality of jaws 211 ″.

Tightening member 212 is penetrated so that the second optical fiber is fitted in the central portion, one side is screwed on the inner peripheral surface to be screwed into a plurality of jaws, the tightening portion (212a) and the other side is pressed to the first compression ring 240 fitted to the outer peripheral surface And a fixing part 212b fixed to the outer surface of the second optical fiber.

The inner circumferential surface thread of the tightening portion 212a is formed to be inclined so that the inner diameter is gradually reduced from the inlet portion into which the plurality of jaws 211 ″ flows. When screwed together, the cross-sectional area of the optical fiber insertion hole 211a is reduced by gradually rotating in the center direction of the optical fiber insertion hole 211a. Therefore, the plurality of groups to be rotated presses the outer surface of the second optical fiber inserted in the optical fiber inlet hole 211a, and the second optical fiber is firmly fixed.

4 and 5 show other embodiments of the optical fiber tightening means of the field assembly type optical connector.

4 and 5, another embodiment of the optical fiber tightening means is the above-mentioned collet portion, a collet portion 211-1 in which no thread is formed on the outer surface of the plurality of tubs; An auxiliary fastening member 213 provided to slide in the collet portion 211-1 to be pivotally inserted into the center direction of the optical fiber inlet hole 211 a; and the auxiliary fastening member 213. It consists of a fastening member 212-1 screwed to.

The collet 211-1 is formed as mentioned above, but is provided without forming a thread on the outer surface of the plurality of tanks.

The auxiliary fastening member 213 slides into the main body 211 ′ of the collet 211-1, and has one side inner surface inclined. That is, when a plurality of groups 211 ″ are introduced into one inclined inner surface of the auxiliary fastening member 213, they are rotated toward the center of the optical fiber inlet hole 211 a to reduce the cross-sectional area of the optical fiber inlet hole 211 a.

In addition, a screw thread is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the auxiliary fastening member 213 to be screwed with the fastening member 212-1.

The tightening member 212-1 is formed as mentioned above, and the thread is formed on the inner circumferential surface, but the thread is not formed to be inclined, and the inner surface of the tightening member 212 is formed in a shape corresponding to the outer surface of the auxiliary tightening member 213. . And, on the inner circumferential surface, the pressing jaw 212c for reducing the inner diameter of the tightening member 212-1 is formed to protrude in an annular shape.

The protective boots 220 are provided with a central portion through which the second optical fiber is fitted, and an internal space 221 is formed in the central portion so that the optical fiber tightening means 210 may be embedded therein. And the protective boots 220 is built in the optical fiber tightening means 210 is coupled to the fixing member 330.

Protective boots 220 and the fixing member 330 is a locking member 222 protruding in the center direction on the inner peripheral surface of the front end of the interior space 221 of the protective boots 220, and a predetermined depth on the outer surface of the fixing member 330 It is fixed by the combination of the insertion groove 332.

When the protective boots 220 surround the optical fiber tightening means 210 and are introduced into the housing 110 of the first unit 100 and fixed to the fixing member 330, the protective boots 220 are attached to the second optical fiber. A second compression ring 250 is provided to press the outer surface of the protective boots 220 to fix the second optical fiber in close contact with the second optical fiber.

Hereinafter, the operation of the field assembly optical connector according to the present embodiment will be described.

The field-assembled optical connector of the present embodiment does not cut and polish the parrule into which the core of the optical fiber is inserted at the work site, but precisely cuts and polishes the parrule at the factory and unitizes it. The connection was made.

Accordingly, the first ferrule 410 is prepared by precisely cutting and polishing while inserting the first core C1 into the core insertion hole. The first ferrule 410 is exposed to one side and bound by the flange member 320, the elastic member 340, and the fixing member 330 to elastically slide in the frame 120, and then the frame 120. The first unit 100 to be inserted into and detached from the optical adapter by being fixed to the housing 110.

In addition, the second ferrule 420 in which the second core C2 is firmly supported by the optical fiber tightening means 210 and the second core C2 is drawn in is firmly supported by the second core C2. Prepare a second unit 200, which is precisely cut.

The first unit 100 and the second unit 200 provided as described above are coupled to each other. The second ferrule 420 is stably guided and fitted by the sleeve 430 fitted to the first ferrule 410. The first and second ferrules 410 and 420 are precisely connected in the sleeve 430. Then, the protective boots 220 of the second unit 200 are slid to enclose the optical fiber tightening means 210 and lead into the housing 110 to be fixed to the fixing member 330. The protective boots 220 fixed to the fixing member 330 are fixed to the second optical fiber by the second compression ring 250, thereby completing the coupling operation of the optical connector.

Of course, an index matching gel is injected between the first and second ferrules 410 and 420 connected in the sleeve 430 as a connection loss reducing material that is commonly used.

Meanwhile, the second optical fiber having the second core C2 introduced into the core insertion hole of the second ferrule 420 of the second unit 200 is connected to the optical fiber tightening means 210 connected to the second ferrule 420. As a result, the second optical fiber is firmly supported so that the state in which the second core C2 is inserted into the core insertion hole of the second ferrule 420 is stably maintained.

That is, the second optical fiber is introduced into the optical fiber insertion hole 211a of the collet portion 211. The second core C2 of the drawn second optical fiber is inserted into the core insertion hole of the second ferrule 420 connected to the collet portion 211 by the connecting member 230.

When the second core C2 is inserted into the core insertion hole of the second ferrule 420, the tightening member 212 having a thread formed on the inner surface of which the plurality of jaws 211 " It is screwed to the pregnant part 212a. At this time, the plurality of jaws 211 "are rotated toward the center of the optical fiber inlet hole 211a, and the outer surface of the optical fiber is pressed by the plurality of jaws that are rotated and the optical fiber The optical fiber is fixed without sliding in the inlet hole 211a.

Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 4, a plurality of jaws are attached to the auxiliary fastening member 213 that is inserted into the collet 211-1 and slides into another embodiment to press the outer surface of the second optical fiber introduced into the optical fiber inlet hole of the collet part. (211 ") is rotated in the direction of the center of the optical fiber inlet hole (211a) to screw the auxiliary tightening member 213 and the tightening member (212-1) so that the outer diameter is reduced to fit. The upper surface of the plurality of jaws 211 "is pressurized by the pressure jaw 212c of 1), and the several jaws 211" are forcibly inserted in the auxiliary fastening member 213, and thus, the multiple jaws 211 " ) Is a large rotational force is generated in the center direction of the optical fiber inlet hole 211a to press and fix the outer surface of the second optical fiber introduced into the optical fiber inlet hole 211a.

A plurality of jaws 211 "are rotated to press the outer surface of the second optical fiber to tighten the screw (211") and the tightening member 212, the auxiliary tightening member 213 and the tightening member (212-1) It is maintained by the screw coupling of the combination is firm and the second optical fiber is firmly fixed.

The fastening members 212 and 212-1 are fixed to the second optical fiber by the first compression ring 240 simultaneously compressing a part of the fastening members 212 and 212-1 and a part of the second optical fiber.

As described above, since the outer surface is pressed and fixed by the plurality of jaws 211 ″ in which the optical fiber is rotated, the collet parts 211 and 211-1 can be manufactured by using a solid metal material. You can protect it.

An embodiment of the present invention described above should not be construed as limiting the technical spirit of the present invention. The scope of protection of the present invention is limited only by the matters described in the claims, and those skilled in the art can change and change the technical idea of the present invention in various forms. Therefore, such improvements and modifications will fall within the protection scope of the present invention as long as it will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

1 is an exploded view showing the embodiment of the field assembly type optical connector according to the present invention for each component;

2 is a cross-sectional view showing an assembled state of the field assembly type optical connector of FIG.

3 is a cross-sectional view showing a separated state of the field assembly type optical connector of FIG.

Figure 4 is a view showing an example of the operation of the collet portion of the optical fiber tightening means of the field assembly optical connector of FIG.

Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the optical fiber tightening means of the field assembly optical connector of FIG.

<Description of Symbols for Main Parts of Drawings>

100: first unit 110: housing

120: frame 200: second unit

210: optical fiber tightening means 211, 211-1: collet portion

211 ": Jaw 212: Fastening member

213: auxiliary tightening member 220: protective boots

240: first compression ring 300: elastic support means

310: rib portion 320: flange member

330: fixing member 340: elastic member

400: ferrule unit 410: first ferrule

420: second ferrule 430: sleeve

Claims (5)

delete delete A first unit having a housing, a frame provided in the housing, and a fixing member mounted to the frame; A ferrule unit in which a part of the fixing member is inserted to insert the core of the optical fiber; Optical fiber tightening means installed at an end of the ferrule unit to press the outer surface of the optical fiber having a core inserted into the ferrule unit to fix the optical fiber; And a second unit coupled to the fixing member to fix the ferrule unit and the optical fiber fastening means. The ferrule unit is installed so as to elastically slide in the fixing member, and a first ferrule in which a first core is inserted, and a second core in which an optical fiber tightening means is installed at an end and a second core connected to the first core is inserted. A ferrule, and a sleeve for guiding the first and second ferrules through a central portion through which the first and second ferrules are fitted and fitted to both ends to connect the first and second cores, The optical fiber tightening means is connected to the second ferrule by a connecting means, and an optical fiber inlet hole is formed through which a second optical fiber having the second core is inserted in a central portion thereof, and a plurality of pivots are divided and rotated in the circumferential direction at the front end thereof. A collet with a set of Field assembly type, characterized in that consisting of a fastening member fixed to the second optical fiber by reducing the cross-sectional area of the optical fiber inlet hole by screwing to a plurality of jaws divided in the circumferential direction of the collet portion in the center direction Optical connector. A first unit having a housing, a frame provided in the housing, and a fixing member mounted to the frame; A ferrule unit in which a part of the fixing member is inserted to insert the core of the optical fiber; Optical fiber tightening means installed at an end of the ferrule unit to press the outer surface of the optical fiber having a core inserted into the ferrule unit to fix the optical fiber; And a second unit coupled to the fixing member to fix the ferrule unit and the optical fiber fastening means. The ferrule unit is installed so as to elastically slide in the fixing member, and a first ferrule in which a first core is inserted, and a second core in which an optical fiber tightening means is installed at an end and a second core connected to the first core is inserted. A ferrule, and a sleeve for guiding the first and second ferrules through a central portion through which the first and second ferrules are fitted and fitted to both ends to connect the first and second cores, The optical fiber tightening means is connected to the second ferrule by a connecting means, and an optical fiber inlet hole is formed through which a second optical fiber having the second core is inserted in a central portion thereof, and a plurality of pivots are divided and rotated in the circumferential direction at the front end thereof. A collet with a set of An auxiliary fastening member which is inserted into the collet part and rotates the plurality of jaws in a central direction to reduce the cross-sectional area of the optical fiber inlet hole; Screwed to the sub-tightening member and the sub-tightening member rotates the plurality of groups in the center direction to maintain the plurality of groups in a state in which the cross-sectional area of the optical fiber inlet hole is reduced to the fastening member fixed to the second optical fiber Field assembly type optical connector, characterized in that made. The method according to claim 3 or 4, The first unit is A frame having a first ferrule fitting hole formed therein and fixed to the housing and into which the first parol is fitted; A flange member fitted into the first ferrule and fixed in the frame; A fixing member in which a part of the first ferrule is inserted and fixed to the frame; An elastic member provided between the fixing member and the flange member to allow the first parule to elastically flow in the frame; The connecting means Field assembly type optical connector, characterized in that the interior is made of a connecting member for connecting the second ferrule and the collet portion is fitted to each of the second ferrule and the collet portion at both ends.

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