RU2801145C1 - Tear-off optical connector - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: fibre optic systems; laser systems.

SUBSTANCE: invention in particular relates to optical connectors with a quick disconnect function, and can be used to connect and disconnect fibre optic cables with each other, as well as with on-board or ground equipment of rocket and space, aviation, naval, transport and special engineering, in harsh operating conditions. The claimed detachable optical connector consists of a plug and a socket, each of which contains a cylindrical body, an insert with at least two installed ferrules. The connector has a key connection, the socket has a sleeve and a lock, the ferrules are supplemented with an optical system of lenses, and protective shutters are mounted in the housings. According to the invention, the socket sleeve has a locking mechanism, and the latch is equipped with a pull cable, and the disconnection of the connector occurs when a normalized pulling force is applied to the cable, and the rigidity of the locking mechanism is determined by the required force for guaranteed disconnection of the connector.

EFFECT: reduction of connection-disconnection time, quick disconnection with the application of a normalized force, protection against unauthorized disconnection and the ability to quickly restore the connection in the field through the use of a sleeve and a latch; additionally, increasing the reliability of the device operation due to the exclusion of mechanical contact of the connected fibres by using a lens system, increasing the safety of handling the device through the use of protective shutters.

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Description

The present invention relates to the field of fiber optic and laser systems, in particular to optical connectors with a quick disconnect function, and can be used to connect and disconnect fiber optic cables to each other and to connect them to the onboard equipment of rocket and space, aviation, military equipment. marine and special equipment, in harsh operating conditions.

Known "Optical connector, cable and optical communication device", patent RU 2678961, publ. 02/04/2019, containing an optical fiber fixed in the housing and a spherical lens that converts the output radiation from the fiber into a diverging stream, with a divergence angle of 10 ... 20 °.

The advantage of this device is the use of a lens that protects the end of the fiber from moisture, dirt and dust when connecting / disconnecting the device. At the same time, in the undocked position of the device, the adverse effect of laser radiation diverging after the lens on the visual function of the personnel is reduced.

At the same time, the body of the device does not contain structural elements that allow the device to be used in harsh operating conditions. At the same time, the use of spherical lenses requires a high accuracy of alignment of the optical axes of the lens with the fiber and with the lens of the mating connector, which reduces the manufacturability of the device. Also, the disadvantage is the choice of a divergent beam shape after the lens, instead of a plane-parallel non-divergent one, which can lead to optical power losses in the connection. Also, the device does not have a quick disconnect function, which is necessary in some applications.

Known "Fiber-optic connector", patent RU 2393513, publ. June 27, 2010, containing the first and second half-couplings (cases) for embedding the first and second segments of optical fiber in them, at the ends of which pairs of optical multilayer transformers (dielectric coatings) are installed. A plug (insert) is installed in each coupling half, equipped with a plano-convex lens for collimating radiation from the fiber and guiding elements to ensure connection reliability.

The advantage of the proposed technical solution is to reduce the loss of optical power (attenuation) in the connection to 0.5 dB in the operating wavelength range, due to the use of collimating lenses. The device contains housing elements that protect the optical tip (ferrule) from external influences in harsh operating conditions.

The disadvantage of this device is the use of a plano-convex lens, which requires precise alignment of the optical axes of the lenses and fibers.

Also, the disadvantages of the device include the use of only one pair of input and output fibers, while many applications in fiber optics require multi-pole connectors containing 2 or more optical connections. The used threaded connection of the coupling halves does not allow their quick disconnection.

Known "Universal optical connector based on a beam expander", utility model RU 180036, publ. 05/31/2018 containing ball microlenses and optical fiber enclosed in ceramic ferrules.

The advantage of this utility model is the use of unified elements - ball lenses, ferrules, body parts of standard fiber connectors; in particular, the lenses are selected with a diameter smaller than the diameter of the ferrules, which ensures ease of assembly of the device.

The disadvantage of this device is the use of a single-pole fiber connector, as well as the impossibility of its quick disconnection if necessary.

In the invention "Optical fiber connector / Optical fiber connector", patent US 10185099 B2, publ. On January 22, 2019, a push-pull push-pull push-pull fiber optic connector was disclosed. It is a standard LC-type telecommunications connector, with the addition of structural elements for quick extraction of the connector from the adapter - lever and locking mechanism.

The advantage of the invention is the use of standardized parts and assemblies of standard connectors, with the ability to quickly disconnect the device. Also, in embodiments of the invention, a two-pole duplex connector is proposed to increase the density of mounting fiber optic connections at the installation site.

However, the use of parts of commercial telecommunications connectors does not allow the use of this invention in harsh environments. In particular, the use of direct physical contact of the connected fibers with each other requires compliance with fairly strict operating rules. It is necessary to protect the tips from external influences - dirt, moisture, mechanical damage. Given the very small diameter of the optical fiber core (9 µm for single mode fiber, 50 or 62.5 µm for multimode fiber), it is obvious that chips and scratches, as well as small particles of dirt, dust, oil and water at the end of the ferrule, can lead to an increase in attenuation in line and, ultimately, to the termination of signal transmission. Vibrations, sudden temperature changes and other adverse environmental factors that can disrupt the accuracy of combining the fibers in the connector can have no less influence. All this limits the possibility of using such compounds in the field, as well as when exposed to various aggressive environments.

Known "Quick connection / Quick release connection)), patent US 8764309 B2, publ. 03/21/2013, containing in its design a locking mechanism that provides quick undocking in the event of a possible mechanical shock.

The disadvantages include the complexity of docking the connector, which requires a special tool and highly qualified personnel. Also, the connector uses the traditional direct contact of the connected fibers, which does not protect the connector from moisture, dirt and dust.

Known "Fiber-optic connector bayonet type", utility model RU 111313, publ. 12/10/2011, containing a movable cylindrical body with locking elements for bayonet connection and a hollow cylindrical frame with protruding cylinder segments and bayonet slots; a half-coupling for terminating optical fibers is rigidly built into the frame, containing four holes with spherical lenses installed in them and with optical fibers connected to each of the lenses.

The advantage of this utility model is the use of ball lenses in a multi-pole connector that do not require high precision alignment of the optical axis of the lens with the fiber and with the mating lens; additionally, the lenses perform the function of protecting the fiber from moisture, dirt and dust when connecting and disconnecting the device in harsh operating conditions.

The disadvantage of this utility model is the low manufacturability of splicing the fiber with the lens, which consists in the use of a non-standard “half-coupling” part, the impossibility of polishing the end of the fiber when embedded in the semi-coupling, and the associated possible strong losses of optical power in such a connection. Also, the device does not have a quick disconnect function, which is necessary in some applications.

There is known a method for quick undocking of a two-stroke rotational-translational action of the "lanyard release" type), which is widely used in electrical connectors for harsh operating conditions. In the invention "Electrical connector with pull release"), patent US 10897104 B2, publ. On January 19, 2021, a quick-detachable multi-pole electrical connector of the “lanyard release” type) was disclosed, using a threaded connection of the plug and socket and a ball lock to keep them from unauthorized disconnection, moreover, the socket nut is made split and springy, and quick disconnection occurs by releasing the nut from the lock when application of a normalized pulling force to the traction cable. In this case, the magnitude of the force required for guaranteed disconnection is provided by the rigidity of the split nut.

The advantages of the invention are the ability to quickly disconnect the connector, protection against unauthorized disconnection, as well as the ability to quickly restore the connection in the field.

However, this device is intended for electrical connections and cannot be used for fiber optic communications.

The present invention provides a quick-detachable, multi-pole, push-pull reciprocating fiber optic connector using push-pull and lanyard release methods.

The invention relates to discontinuous connections between mobile and fixed objects and can be used in products of rocket-space, aviation, naval, transport and special equipment having fiber-optic connections with on-board or ground equipment. In particular, fast undocking of the connection is required when ejecting the flight crew of an aircraft, launching missiles and separating their stages, bombing, torpedoing, launching unmanned aerial vehicles, ground and underwater vehicles, as well as perforating and logging wells in oil production and seismic exploration.

Possessing a quick disconnect function, the proposed connector is distinguished by the fact that it has protection against unauthorized disconnection, the ability to quickly clean and restore the connection in the field, increased connection reliability without mechanical contact of the connected fibers, high connection efficiency with low optical losses and increased operational safety for maintenance personnel. , the environment and the device itself.

The technical result achieved in this case is to reduce the connection-disconnection time, quick disconnection when applying a normalized force, protection against unauthorized disconnection and the ability to quickly restore the connection in the field, through the use of a sleeve and a latch; additionally in improving the reliability of the device by excluding mechanical contact of the connected fibers using a lens system, increasing the safety of handling the device through the use of protective shutters.

The specified technical result is achieved by using mechanical parts of a special shape in the design of the connector - a sleeve and a latch of the socket, as well as a plug body, moreover, the sleeve has a locking mechanism, and the latch is equipped with an exhaust cable, while the disconnection of the connector occurs when a normalized pulling force is applied to the cable, the required value effort for guaranteed disconnection of the connector and protection against unauthorized disconnection is provided by the rigidity of the locking mechanism of the sleeve, and the locking mechanism also provides a quick restoration of the connection.

Additionally, increased reliability of the connector is provided by the use of "expanded beam" optical fiber connection technology. At the ends of the fibers being connected, lenses are installed, with the help of which the radiation from the output fiber is first converted into a plane-parallel light beam of a larger diameter, and then again focused on the end of the input fiber. The multiple increase in beam diameter compared to the diameter of the fiber core minimizes the effect on the transmitted signal of foreign particles that can get on the outer surface of the lens. Also, the absence of direct contact between the lenses helps to reduce the wear of the connector and, as a result, increase its service life. This provides a relatively low level of signal attenuation in the connection (no more than 2 dB per full fiber-lens-lens-fiber contact for multimode fibers and no more than 3 dB for single-mode fibers), and unlike contact connectors, the losses in which increase with an increase in the number of connect-disconnect operations, this connector maintains an almost unchanged attenuation throughout its entire service life. Using this technology, a pair of lenses of any type can be used: ball, cylindrical gradient, spherical, aspherical, conical. In particular, the use of ball or gradient lenses that do not require high accuracy of their axial alignment with the fibers being connected provides simplicity of design and improves the manufacturability of connector parts, and also allows for quick cleaning of the outer surface of the lenses in the field, including without the use of special cleaning agents. means in case of their absence, rinsing in water and wiping dry with a rag. Such actions with connectors based on physical contact will inevitably lead to their damage and loss of performance. Also, connection reliability and prevention of incorrect articulation of the corresponding ferrules of the plug and socket of the connector is ensured by using the keyed connection of the plug and socket.

When operating on site, radiation can be transmitted through the connector, including a high class of laser hazard. At the same time, a high-power plane-parallel beam of radiation propagating between the lenses can adversely affect the visual function of personnel and the environment in the undocked position of the connector. Increased safety of the connector operation is ensured by the use of protective shutters that are normally closed in its undocked position, which provide protection for the operating personnel and the environment during connection and disconnection operations, as well as additional protection of the optical parts of the connector from external influences during its storage and transportation in the undocked position.

The essence of the submitted application is illustrated by 4 drawings:

The figure 1 shows a General view of the detachable optical connector in the docked position, using gradient lenses and spring jumpers.

Figure 2 shows a general view of the detachable optical connector in the docked position, using ball lenses and a ball lock.

The figure 3 shows a view of the detachable optical connector in the undocked position, with the shutters closed.

Figure 4 shows a view of the latch with a pull cord.

The tear-off optical connector (Fig. 1) consists of a plug 1 and a socket 2. The plug contains a body 3, inserts 4 and 5 with at least two ferrules 6 installed, a shutter 7 (Fig. 3) and a casing 8. The socket includes a body 9, inserts 10 and 11 with at least two ferrules 12 installed, bushing 13, latch 14, shutter 15 and casing 16 (Fig. 3).

In this case, a key connection is used to prevent radial and axial displacement of the plug and socket during their connection-disconnection and incorrect articulation of their respective ferrules, consisting of (Fig. 3): key 17 in the plug body - key groove 18 in the socket sleeve, key 19 in bushing of the socket - keyway 20 in the latch.

Each of the ferrules 6 and 12 consists of a standard commercially available optical tip 21 of type FC, ST, LC, SC, MU, DIN, SMA or similar, with a fiber light guide 22 pre-installed and polished according to the standard technology, and a lens 23 placed coaxially with the light guide of any type: spherical, cylindrical gradient, spherical, aspherical, conical, providing the conversion of divergent radiation emerging from the fiber into a plane-parallel beam. In this case, the design of the connector provides a guaranteed gap between the outer surfaces of the lenses 23 of the ferrules 6 and 12, respectively.

The fixation of the connector in the docked position is ensured by the locking mechanism as part of the sleeve 13. Options for the locking mechanism:

• spring jumpers 24 (Fig. 1) and the corresponding grooves 27 in the housing 3 and grooves 28 in the retainer 14 (Fig. 1);

• ball locks 25 and 26 (Fig. 2) and similarly grooves 27 in the housing 3 and grooves 28 in the latch 14 (Fig. 1).

The latch is equipped with a pull cable 29 (Fig. 4), and the sleeve contains a retaining ring 30 (Fig. 3).

When docking the connector, the plug and the socket perform a translational movement towards each other, while the body 3 of the plug and the sleeve 13 of the socket are oriented with a keyed connection 17-18. As soon as the body 3 and the sleeve 13 are half-jointed, the shutters 7 and 15 open, and the sleeve 13 continues to move forward along the body 3 until the first locking mechanism 24-27 (Fig. 1) or 25-27 (Fig. 12). Then the latch 14 moves forward along the sleeve 13, oriented keyed connection 19-20, until the second locking mechanism 24-28 (Fig. 1) or 26-28 (Fig. 1, 2) closes.

To undock the connector, it is necessary to apply a pulling force to the release cable 29 of the lock; abuts against the retaining ring 30, transfers the stroke back to the sleeve - the locking mechanism 24-27 (Fig. 1) or 25-27 (Fig. 1, 2) opens, dampers 7 and 15 close, the plug and socket are completely dissected.

Claims (3)

1. Tear-off optical connector, consisting of a plug and socket, containing cylindrical housings, inserts with at least two ferrules installed at the joint, characterized in that the connector design provides for a keyed connection of the plug and socket, which ensures that the mutual orientation of the ferrules is maintained when the connector is docked, consisting from a key located in the body of the plug, a keyway and a key located in the socket sleeve, as well as a keyway in the socket latch, while there is a push-pull type locking mechanism that ensures the connector is fixed in the docked position, consisting of spring jumpers or ball locks in the sleeve of the socket, and the corresponding grooves in the body of the plug and the grooves in the latch of the socket, the specified latch is equipped with an exhaust cable that ensures the disconnection of the connector according to the “lanyard release” principle when a normalized pulling force is applied to it, and a collimating lens system is located between the ferrules according to the technology expanded beam, excluding mechanical contact of the connected fibers. 2. Tear-off optical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the collimating lens system is made of gradient, ball, spherical, aspherical or conical lenses. 3. Tear-off optical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that it has protective shutters.

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