KR101162676B1 - Optical connector for assembling in the field - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: An optical connector assembled in a field is provided to securely fix an optical fiber inserted into the optical connector regardless of the skill of a worker. CONSTITUTION: An optical connector assembled in a field comprises a first ferrule unit, a second ferrule unit, a housing(110), a frame(120), and a protection boot(250). The second ferrule unit is connected to the first ferrule unit. The housing covers the connection part of the first and second ferrule units. The frame is received in the housing. The protection boot covers the second ferrule unit.

Description

Field Assembled 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 easily assembled without the optical loss due to the connection at the workplace.

In general, optical connectors are manufactured and supplied in the form of finished products called patch cords in which a fiber cut to a predetermined length at a factory is mounted on a ferrule through an epoxy bonding and end face polishing process and an optical connector is attached at both ends. In-patch cord has been used in the construction of optical paths. Such optical connectors include, for example, optical connectors of LC, ST, FC and SC methods.

Since the patch cords are manufactured at the factory in the form of finished products with a certain length according to the defined parameters, it is impossible to replace some light beams in the field, and the connection between the optical cables or optical fibers in the optical distribution panel, optical terminal box, etc. Connections between optical transmitters and interconnections between optical transmitters often face limitations in length.

Thus, the optical connectors provided on both sides of the patch cord were converted into an assembly type so as to be easily assembled in the field, and a patch cord having a desired length was obtained.

The prior art of the optical connector adapted to be assembled is disclosed in Korean Patent Publication No. 10-0507543. The optical connector according to the prior art has 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 part of the ferrule fixed to be inserted into and fixed to the frame. And a fastening member for fastening the optical fiber connecting member to interlock and fix the member, the optical fiber connecting member fixedly engaged with the fixing member, and the optical fiber inserted through the optical fiber connecting member so that the core is fitted into the ferrule in the form of a clip.

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. Since the optical fiber inserted into the optical fiber connection member is also bent, there is a problem that the connection loss occurs due to an increase in 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.

In order to solve the problems caused by the prior art, Korean Patent Publication No. 10-0906489 includes: 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 second 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. Here, the optical fiber tightening means is formed with a fiber inlet hole through which the optical fiber having a second core is introduced through, and the collet portion is provided with a plurality of jaws are divided and rotated in the circumferential direction at the front end; It is composed of a fastening member that is screwed to the plurality of jaws divided in the circumferential direction of the collet portion to rotate the plurality of jaws in the center direction to reduce the cross-sectional area of the optical fiber inlet hole and to fix the optical fiber.

Therefore, according to this prior art, since the outer surface of the optical fiber is pressed by a plurality of jaws provided in the collet portion and the optical fiber is fixed, the body of the collet portion can be made of a metal material resistant to the horizontal external force, and thus the optical fiber has a transverse external force. There is an effect that can be prevented from being affected.

However, the plurality of tightening of the collet portion is screwed to the tightening member is gradually smaller inner diameter has a structure in which the cross-sectional area of the optical fiber inlet hole is reduced, the degree of screw coupling may vary according to the skill of the operator so that the tightening force is changed accordingly As a result, there is a problem that the optical fiber is loose or excessively tightened.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a field-mountable optical connector that can be fixed to the optical fiber inserted into the optical connector with a solid but constant force regardless of the operator's skill. .

Another object of the present invention is to provide an on-site assembled optical connector that can be easily worked while the core is correctly connected when assembling the optical connector.

An on-site assembled optical connector of the present invention for achieving the above object comprises a first ferrule unit, a second ferrule unit connected in optical axis alignment with the first ferrule unit, and a connection portion between the first and second ferrule units. And a protective boot surrounding the housing and the second ferrule unit,

The first ferrule unit includes: a first ferrule in which a first core is inserted; A sleeve into which the first ferrule is partially inserted from a left end; A first fixing member into which the sleeve is inserted; And a frame into which the first fixing member is elastically slidably inserted.

The second ferrule unit may include: a second ferrule inserted with a second core to be connected to the first core inserted into the first ferrule and inserted into the sleeve from a right end of the sleeve; A connection member having a right end of the second ferrule inserted and fixed at a left side thereof and an optical fiber of the second core inserted into a right side thereof; The left side surrounds the right end of the connection member, the right side is provided with a plurality of hook members for pressing the outer surface of the optical fiber exposed to the right side of the connection member; A tightening member surrounding the collet member and having an inner diameter narrowed toward the right side of the inner circumferential surface into which the hook member is inserted; And a second fixing member accommodating the second ferrule, the connecting member, the collet member, and the fastening member therein and coupled to the right end of the first fixing member.

Also preferably, the front end portions of the plurality of hook members are formed with locking projections, and the locking projections are formed at the front end portions of the inner circumferential surface of the tightening member corresponding to the locking projections so that the locking projections are caught.

In addition, the right end of the outer peripheral surface of the first fixing member is protruded from the frame and exposed, a thread is formed on the right end of the exposed outer peripheral surface of the first fixing member, the left end of the inner peripheral surface of the second fixing member Preferably, the first fixing member and the second fixing member are screwed to each other so that the first fixing member and the second fixing member are screwed to each other.

In addition, a thread is formed at the right end of the outer circumferential surface of the second fixing member, and a thread that is screwable with the thread of the second fixing member is formed at the left end of the inner circumferential surface of the protective boot to protect the second fixing member. It is preferred that the boot is screwed in.

According to the present invention, since the hook member and the inner circumferential surface fix the optical fiber introduced into the optical connector by the inclined tightening means, the connection of the optical fiber can be secured, and a constant fastening force can be provided stably and easily regardless of the skill of the operator. Can be.

In addition, since the outer surface of the optical fiber is pressed by a plurality of hook members provided in the collet member to fix the optical fiber, it is possible to manufacture the fastening means into a metal material resistant to the horizontal external force so that the optical fiber is not affected by the horizontal external force. It can work.

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

1 is a perspective view showing the assembled state of the field assembly type optical connector according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the field-assembled optical connector of FIG. 1 broken down into parts.
3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an assembly process of the field assembly type optical connector of FIG. 1.
4 is a cross-sectional view showing an assembled state of the field assembly type optical connector of FIG.

Hereinafter, the principles and preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Prior to this, terms or words used in the specification and claims should not be construed as having a conventional or dictionary meaning, and the inventors should properly explain the concept of terms in order to best explain their own invention. Based on the principle that can be defined, it should be interpreted as meaning and concept corresponding to the technical idea of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments described in the specification and the drawings shown in the drawings are only the most preferred embodiment of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical idea of the present invention, various modifications that can be replaced at the time of the present application It should be understood that there may be equivalents and variations.

1 is a perspective view showing the assembled state of the field assembly type optical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view, Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the assembly process, Figure 4 is an assembled state It is a cross-sectional view. Meanwhile, in the following description and claims, terms indicating positions such as front, rear, left, right, top, and bottom are used to describe or define a coupling relationship among the components constituting the optical connector of the present embodiment. However, this means only the direction of the bar shown in the drawings, the relative position according to the viewing direction may be referred to any number of course.

1 to 4, the field assembly type optical connector according to the present embodiment includes a housing 110, a frame 120 accommodated in the housing, and a first ferrule 100 protruded into one side of the frame. A second ferrule unit including a first ferrule unit, a second ferrule unit including a second ferrule 200 connected to the first ferrule 100 in the frame 120, and a protective boot 250 that surrounds and protects the second ferrule unit. )

The housing 110 has a central portion penetrating in the longitudinal direction so that the frame 120 is inserted therein, and the first surface of the housing fixing hole 111 is formed to face each other. On the other hand, reference numeral 105 is a protective cap for protecting the exposed end of the first ferrule 100 protruding to the left of the frame 120.

The first ferrule unit includes a first ferrule 100 in which a first core 11 is inserted and cut and polished at a factory in advance, and a first fixing member (ultimately the first ferrule 100), which will be described later. An optical axis when the flange member 130 and the elastic member 150 and the first ferrule 100 which surround the first ferrule 100 and the second ferrule 200 to be described later are inserted and connected to the first ferrule. It comprises a sleeve 140 to guide the alignment is made, and the first fixing member 160 is inserted into the frame 120 to surround the sleeve 140 and the elastic member 150.

 The frame 120 has a central portion penetrating in the longitudinal direction so that the first ferrule 410 is inserted, and the first protrusion member 121 protrudes from both sides of the frame 120 to fix the first fixing of the housing 100. It is to be coupled with the hole (111). In addition, penetrating second fixing holes 122 are formed at both side surfaces of the frame 120. In addition, the inner peripheral surface of the frame 120 is provided with a rib portion 123 protruding in an annular shape.

The flange member 130 is penetrated to insert the first ferrule 100 in the center and is inserted into the right side of the rib part 123 of the frame 120 to be caught by the rib part 123. In addition, the elastic member 150 is fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve 140, the first ferrule 100 and the second ferrule 200 is inserted, the right end of the flange member 130 and the first fixing member 160 It is inserted between the locking step 162 formed on the inner surface of the first ferrule 100 to support the elastically sliding along the longitudinal direction. Although the spring is illustrated as the elastic member 150 in this embodiment, a member that supports the flange member 130 and the first fixing member 160 by elastically applying an elastic force in the axial direction of the first ferrule, and other known elastic members other than the spring. You can also use

The sleeve 140 is a hollow cylindrical member, and a part of each of the first ferrule 100 and the second ferrule 200 is connected to each other and inserted therein. In addition, the left end of the sleeve 140 is in contact with the right end of the flange member 130, the elastic member 150 is fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the left portion of the sleeve 140 is inserted into the interior of the first fixing member 160. do.

The first fixing member 160 penetrates the inside so that the sleeve 140 and the elastic member 150 can be inserted therein, and is spaced apart from the rib part 123 of the frame 120 by the elastic member 150. It is elastically fixed inside the frame. The fixing of the first fixing member 160 to the frame 120 is performed by inserting the second protrusion member 161 protruding from the outer surface of the first fixing member into the second fixing hole 122 of the frame 120. In addition, a locking jaw 162 is formed on the inner circumference of the first fixing member 160, and a thread 163 is formed on the right outer circumferential surface of the first fixing member 160.

The second ferrule unit is connected to connect the second ferrule 200 into which the second core 21 is inserted and cut at the work site, and the optical fiber 22 of the second core inserted into the second ferrule and the second ferrule. The collet member 220 for tightening the member 210, the optical fiber 22 connected to the second ferrule by the connecting member, and the tightening member 240 for pressing and tightening the right portion of the collet member toward the center of the optical fiber 22. And a second fixing member 230 accommodating the second ferrule 200, the connecting member 210, the collet member 220, and the fastening member 240, and coupled to the first fixing member 160. It is done by

Similar to the first ferrule 100, the second ferrule 200 has a core insertion hole through which the core 21 of the optical fiber 22 is fitted and fixed in the center portion thereof. The core insertion holes of the first and second ferrules 100 and 200 are the same as the center portions of the first and second ferrules 100 and 200 so as to communicate with each other when the first and second ferrules 100 and 200 are inserted and connected to each other by the sleeve 140. It is formed through the position.

The connecting member 210 has a center penetrated so that the second ferrule 200 and the optical fiber 22 are respectively inserted at both ends thereof, and both ends thereof are formed according to the diameters of the second ferrule 200 and the optical fiber 22 fitted at both ends. Different diameters are formed. On the other hand, the connection member 210 is a member that connects and fixes the second ferrule 200 and the optical fiber 22, and is not a member that actually tightens the optical fiber 22. Therefore, while the inner diameter of the left portion in which the second ferrule 200 is inserted is securely fixed to the second ferrule 200 in accordance with the outer diameter of the second ferrule 200, the inner diameter of the right portion is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. As shown in the figure, it may be slightly larger than the optical fiber diameter for easy insertion of the optical fiber 22 and the second core 21. However, the inner diameter of the portion in which the left end of the optical fiber 22 is in close contact with the connecting member 210 becomes narrower to be the same as the diameter of the optical fiber, so that the second core 21 is the core insertion hole of the second ferrule 200. It is desirable to guide so that it can be correctly inserted into the.

The collet member 220 is penetrated by a central portion so that the optical fiber 22 is inserted therein, the left portion is fitted to the outer circumferential surface of the right end of the connecting member 210, and the right portion is fitted to the inner circumferential surface of the fastening member 240. To be made. In particular, the right part of the collet member 220 is composed of a plurality of hook members 221 which are divided in the circumferential direction and elastically deformable in the radial direction, each of which has a locking projection 222 formed at the front end thereof.

The fastening member 240 penetrates the center part so that the collet member 220 is inserted therein. That is, the left side of the fastening member 240 is such that the inner diameter of the left side of the collet member 220 so as to surround the left portion of the collet member 220, the right portion of the fastening member 240 is The hook member 221 is to be inserted. In particular, the inner circumferential surface 241 of the right portion of the tightening member 240 forms an inclined surface whose inner diameter decreases toward the right side, and the hook member 221 is inserted from the left side of the tightening member 240 as the hook member 221 is inserted. The diameter of the optical fiber inlet hole formed by the inner circumferential surface of is gradually reduced. In addition, a locking jaw 242 corresponding to the front end engaging projection 222 of the hook member 221 is formed at the inner circumference of the right end of the fastening member 240.

The second fixing member 230 penetrates the center portion to accommodate the connection member 210 and the fastening member 240 therein. In addition, a thread 231 is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the left end of the second fixing member 230 to be coupled to the thread 163 formed on the outer circumferential surface of the right end of the first fixing member 160, and the second fixing member 230 is formed. Thread 232 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the right end of the c) so that the protective boot 250 is fastened.

The protection boot 250 is a member that surrounds and protects the second ferrule unit, and a hollow is formed therein, and the thread 251 is fastened to an inner circumferential surface of the left end portion to a thread 232 formed on an outer circumferential surface of the right end portion of the second fixing member. Is formed.

Hereinafter, the operation of the present invention will be described by explaining the process of assembling the field assembly type optical connector of the present embodiment.

The field assembly type optical connector of this embodiment is a simple operation in which the first ferrule 100 is precisely cut and polished at the factory to be unitized, and the second ferrule 200 is cut in the field to be connected to the first ferrule 100. The connection loss is minimized.

That is, first, the first ferrule unit is prepared at the factory. Specifically, the first core 11 is inserted into the core insertion hole of the first ferrule 100 and precisely cut, epoxy bonded, and polished. Thus prepared and processed through the flange member 130, sleeve 140, elastic member 150, the first fixing member 160 to elastically slide the first ferrule 100 in the frame 120 Fasten inside the frame 120. As described above, the fastening of these parts to the frame 120 is performed by inserting the second protrusion member 161 of the first fixing member 160 into the second fixing hole 122 of the frame 120.

The protective cap 105 is placed on the left end of the exposed first ferrule 100 of the first ferrule unit thus prepared and stored in the housing 110. Alternatively, the housing 110 may be prepared as an unassembled part so that the housing 110 may be assembled after connection of the first and second ferrule units in the field.

In addition, other components except the optical cable 20 including the second core 21, the optical fiber (coating part) 22, and the jacket 23, that is, the second ferrule 200 (the second core is not inserted) State), the connection member 210, collet member 220, tightening member 240, the second fixing member 230 and the protective boot 250 is provided. These remaining parts, except for the optical cable 20, may be prepared assembled with the first ferrule unit and the housing, or may be prepared in a disassembled state.

Referring to the assembly work performed in the field with the first ferrule unit and the remaining parts prepared as follows.

First, in order to connect the optical fiber using the field assembly type optical connector according to the present embodiment, the protective boot 250 is inserted into one end of the optical cable 20 cut to a predetermined length, and then the jacket 23 is cut to a certain length. And the coating portion 22 of the optical fiber is peeled off by a predetermined length (slightly longer than the length of the second ferrule) to expose the second core 21. Subsequently, the exposed second core 21 is cut using a cutting tool called a scriber, leaving the same length as or slightly shorter than the second ferrule 200.

In this way, the fastening member 240 and the collet member 220 are inserted into the optical fiber 22 having the second core 21 exposed, and the second ferrule 200 in which the second core 21 is not yet inserted is connected to the connection member. Inserted into the left portion of the 210 and the insertion member 210, the second ferrule 200 is inserted from the left side of the second fixing member 230, and then tightening member 240 and collet member 220 on the outer periphery The second core 21 is inserted into the core insertion hole of the second ferrule 200 by inserting the inserted optical fiber 22 into the right optical fiber insertion hole of the connection member 210. Then, the second ferrule 200, the connection member 210, and the collet member 220 into which the second core 21 is inserted are inserted into the second fixing member 230. In this case, the collet member 220 and the fastening member 240 are not fastened to each other, and the fastening member 240 is not fastened to the second fixing member 230.

Subsequently, the collet member 220 and the tightening member 240 are fastened to each other by inserting the tightening member 240 into a gap between the outer surface of the collet member 220 and the inner surface of the second fixing member 230. As a result, the optical fiber 22 is stably fixed while the second core 21 is inserted into the second ferrule 200. Specifically, the second core 21 is inserted into the second ferrule 200 and tightened to the collet member 220 assembled with the connecting member 210 in a state in which the optical fiber 22 is inserted into the connecting member 210. Fit the member 240. Then, when the hook member 221 of the collet member 220 is inserted along the inner circumferential surface 241 of the tightening member 240 and the hook member 221 is inserted to the end, the locking protrusion 222 is the locking jaw 242 of the tightening member. ) And the assembly of the collet member 220 and the tightening member 240 is completed.

In this embodiment, the right inner circumferential surface 241 of the tightening member 240 is made of an inclined surface whose inner diameter decreases toward the right side, and the hook member 221 is elastically deformable in the radial direction, thus tightening the collet member 220. As it is inserted into the member 240, the diameter of the optical fiber inlet hole formed by the inner circumferential surface of the hook member 221 is gradually reduced, thereby firmly fixing and supporting the outer circumferential surface of the optical fiber 22.

In particular, in the present embodiment, the tip of the hook member 221 of the collet member 220 is formed as a protruding locking protrusion 222, and the locking jaw 242 at the tip of the inner circumferential surface 241 of the tightening member 240 corresponding thereto. By forming a, the tightening force does not change depending on the degree of screwing, as described above (Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-0906489), the operator only if the collet member 220 and the tightening member 240 is fastened It will always be able to provide a constant tightening force regardless of skill.

In addition, since the optical fiber 22 has a structure in which an outer surface thereof is pressed and fixed by a plurality of elastically deformable hook members 221, the fastening member 240 can be manufactured using a rigid metal material, and thus the optical fiber is applied to the lateral external force. (22) can be protected.

Then, the first and second ferrule units provided in this way are combined. Specifically, first, an index matching gel is injected as a connection loss reducing material commonly used in the sleeve 140 into which the first ferrule 100 is inserted from the left end. Subsequently, the second ferrule 200 of the second ferrule unit is inserted into the first fixing member 160 of the first ferrule unit and the second fixing member is formed on the thread 163 formed on the right outer peripheral surface of the first fixing member 160. Screw the thread 231 formed on the left inner peripheral surface of the 230. Then, since the second ferrule 200 is stably guided and inserted from the right end of the sleeve 140 into which the first ferrule 100 is inserted, the first and second ferrules 100 and 200 are inserted into the sleeve 140. It is connected precisely.

Then, the protection boot 250 is slid to screw the thread 251 formed on the left inner circumferential surface of the protection boot 250 to the thread 232 formed on the right outer circumferential surface of the second fixing member 230.

Finally, the assembly operation of the optical connector is completed by fitting the housing 110 to the outer surface of the frame 120 and the second fixing member 230 on the side of the first ferrule unit of the combined first and second ferrule units. Here, if the housing 110 is already fitted to the outer surface of the frame 120 in the process of preparing the first ferrule unit, this last process is not necessary and instead the process of combining the first and second ferrule units described above. In this case, the second ferrule unit may be coupled to the first ferrule unit such that the left end of the second fixing member 230 is fitted into a gap between the outer surface of the first fixing member 160 and the inner surface of the housing 110.

One embodiment of the present invention described above should not be construed as limiting the technical idea 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. Accordingly, such improvements and modifications will fall within the scope of the present invention as long as they are obvious to those skilled in the art.

11: first core 20: optical cable
21: second core 22: optical fiber (coating part)
23: jacket 100: first ferrule
105: protective cap 110: housing
111: first fixing hole 120: frame
121: first projection member 122: second fixing hole
123: rib portion 130: flange member
140: sleeve 150: elastic member
160: first fixing member 161: second projection member
162: locking step 163: thread
200: second ferrule 210: connection member
220: collet member 221: hook member
222: locking projection 230: second fixing member
231: thread 232: thread
240: tightening member 241: inner peripheral surface
242: jaw 250: protective boot
251: thread

Claims (4)

A first ferrule unit, a second ferrule unit optically aligned with and connected to the first ferrule unit, a housing surrounding a connection portion of the first and second ferrule units, and a protective boot surrounding the second ferrule unit; ,
The first ferrule unit,
A first ferrule in which a first core is inserted;
A sleeve into which the first ferrule is partially inserted from a left end;
A first fixing member into which the sleeve is inserted; And
And a frame into which the first fixing member is elastically slidably inserted.
The second ferrule unit,
A second ferrule inserted with a second core to be connected to the first core inserted into the first ferrule and inserted into the sleeve from a right end of the sleeve;
A connection member having a right end of the second ferrule inserted and fixed at a left side thereof and an optical fiber of the second core inserted into a right side thereof;
The left side surrounds the right end of the connection member, the right side is provided with a plurality of hook members for pressing the outer surface of the optical fiber exposed to the right side of the connection member;
A tightening member surrounding the collet member and having an inner diameter narrowed toward the right side of the inner circumferential surface into which the hook member is inserted; And
And a second fixing member accommodating the second ferrule, the connecting member, the collet member, and the fastening member therein, the second fixing member being coupled to the right end of the first fixing member. The method of claim 1,
Engaging projections are formed at the tip portions of the plurality of hook members,
On-site assembly type optical connector, characterized in that the locking step is formed on the front end of the inner surface of the fastening member corresponding to the locking projection to catch the locking projection. The method of claim 1,
A right end portion of the outer circumferential surface of the first fixing member is protruded and exposed from the frame, and a thread is formed at the right end portion of the exposed outer circumferential surface of the first fixing member.
The left end of the inner circumferential surface of the second fixing member is formed with a thread that can be screwed with the thread of the first fixing member,
Field assembly type optical connector, characterized in that the first fixing member and the second fixing member is screwed. The method of claim 1,
A thread is formed at the right end of the outer circumferential surface of the second fixing member,
The left end of the inner circumferential surface of the protective boot is formed with a thread that can be screwed with the thread of the second fixing member,
Field assembly type optical connector, characterized in that the second fixing member and the protective boot is screwed.

Images