WO2013005137A1

WO2013005137A1 - Fiber optic connector

Info

Publication number: WO2013005137A1
Application number: PCT/IB2012/053239
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yanhong Yang; Lingling CHEN
Original assignee: Tyco Electronics (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.; Tyco Electronics Uk Ltd
Priority date: 2011-07-01
Filing date: 2012-06-27
Publication date: 2013-01-10
Also published as: CN102854575A; RU2616069C2; RU2014103464A; CN102854575B

Abstract

Disclosed is an fiber optic connector which comprises an optical-fiber splicing unit (4) and an optical fiber fixing unit (5) connected with the splicing unit, wherein the optical fiber fixing unit includes a recess body (2) and cover body (1), the cover body being adapted to be fitted with and cover the recess body to form a space for receiving and fixing an optical fiber cable.

Description

FIBER OPTIC CONNECTOR

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of Chinese Patent Application No. 201110184263.9 filed on July 1, 2011 in the State Intellectual Property Office of China, the whole disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a fiber optic connector, more particularly, relates to a field- installable fiber optic connector.

Description of the Related Art

Fiber optic connectors are necessarily used in an optical fiber communication system. With wider application of optical fibers in a local communication network, and with the rising requirements for fiber access network and fiber to the home (FTTH), the demand for fiber optic connector has being continuously increased. However, plant manufacture by polishing and assembling has high cost and cannot meet such demand. Therefore, assembling connector is preferably performed at the installation field, which increases the requirements for field-installable fiber optic connectors whose assembling is fast and easy.

The field-installable fiber optic connectors have to be time-saving, labor-saving and easily operated, for example, it is acceptable that a reliable fiber optic connector may be assembled within several minutes. The field- installable fiber optic connector mainly includes an optical fiber splicing unit, and an optical fiber fixing unit connected firmly to the optical fiber splicing unit. Generally, a method of assembling the field-installable fiber optic connector includes the following steps: exposing a bare fiber for splicing, by peeling off a section of a protection layer of an optical fiber cable; inserting the bare fiber into the optical fiber splicing unit through the optical fiber fixing unit to form a butt joint with an embedded optical fiber, specifically, during the inserting, the bare fiber is pushed forward to be slightly bent within the optical fiber fixing unit so that a good fiber butting is achieved; fixing temporarily the optical fiber cable to the optical fiber fixing unit, and pressing the butted optical fibers by the optical fiber splicing unit to splice the bare fiber and the embedded optical fiber ; releasing the temporarily fixed optical fiber cable to return the bare fiber into a straight state; and fixing a bushing to the optical fiber fixing unit to fasten the optical fiber cable to the fiber optic connector.

Various kinds of optical fibers, for example, circular optical fiber cables having different diameters, and 8-shaped optical fiber cables etc, may be used at the installation field. However, the conventional optical fiber fixing unit is usually only adapted to one special kind of optical fiber cable, the conventional fiber optic connectors hence are only used for a certain kind of optical fiber cables, for instance, a circular optical fiber cable having a diameter of 3mm. That is, the conventional fiber optic connectors do not meet at the same time the requirements of splicing various kinds of field optical fiber cables.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of the present invention is to provide an fiber optic connector which may be applied to various kinds of field optical fiber cables, specifically, the optical fiber fixing unit of the fiber optic connector is adapted to fix optical fiber cables of different types and sizes so that the fiber optic connector may be used to splice the optical fiber cables of different types and sizes.

The fiber optic connector according to the present invention comprises an optical fiber splicing unit and an optical fiber fixing unit connected with the optical fiber splicing unit, wherein the optical fiber fixing unit includes a recess body and a cover body adapted to be fitted with and cover the recess body to form a space for receiving and fixing an optical fiber cable.

The cover body may be pivotably connected with the recess body. Specifically, the cover body is molded integrally with the recess body, and the cover body is rotatable with respect to the recess body. Further, the cover body and the recess body are formed integrally from plastic, and the connection where the cover body is connected with the recess body has a reduced thickness so that the cover body is rotatable with respect to the recess body .

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the cover body and the recess body may be separated from each other and then are assembled together. Specifically, the cover body is separated from the recess body, and the cover body is fixed detachably to the recess body by a locking structure.

Both the recess body and the cover body may have a substantially semi-circular cross section, and the space has a substantially circular cross section.

Further, both the recess body and the cover body are provided therein with protrusions protruding towards inside of the space. The positions of the protrusions of the recess body may be respectively opposite to those of the protrusions of the cover body. And further, the protrusions of the recess body and the protrusions of the cover body are strip protrusions which are arranged perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the recess body. At least one strip protrusion may be provided, at an edge thereof in contact with a protection layer for the optical fiber to be fixed, with at least one small protrusion protruding towards inside of the space. The small protrusion may be cone-shaped.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the recess body and the cover body are provided at one end of the optical fiber fixing unit; the optical fiber fixing unit is provided with a thread connecting part which is connected with the recess body and formed with a male thread, the thread connecting part being provided therein a through hole which is in communication with the space and through which the bare fiber passes; the fiber optic connector further comprises a fixing bushing which is provided therein with a female thread fitting with the male thread.

Further, the thread connecting part is provided with a longitudinal slot which extends radially inwards to the through hole, and the bare fiber in the through hole is adapted to be bent radially into the longitudinal slot. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the thread connecting part is provided with a receiving passage which extends longitudinally across the whole thread connecting part. Further, the thread connecting part is provided, at a position different from that of the receiving passage, with a groove which extends longitudinally across the whole thread connecting part, the groove being adapted to receive an outer skin of an 8-shaped optical fiber cable, and the groove and the female thread forming a second fixing structure to place and fix the outer skin of the 8-shaped optical fiber cable; the recess body or the cover body is formed, at one end side thereof closer to the thread connecting part and at a position adjacent to the groove, with an opening through which the outer skin of the 8-shaped optical fiber cable is led from the space into the groove. Or, each of the recess body and the cover body may be formed, at one end of the side thereof closer to the thread connecting part and at a position adjacent to the connection, with a notch, wherein the notch of the recess body and the notch of the cover body together form one opening through which the outer skin of the 8-shaped optical fiber cable is led from the space; the thread connecting part is provided, at a position corresponding to that of the opening, with a groove which extends longitudinally across the whole thread connecting part, the groove being adapted to receive the outer skin of the 8-shaped optical fiber cable led from the space, and the groove and the female thread forming a second fixing structure to place and fix the outer skin of the 8-shaped optical fiber cable.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the thread connecting part is provided, at a position different from the positions of the groove and the receiving passage, with a longitudinal slot which extends radially inwards to the through hole, and the bare fiber in the through hole is adapted to be bent radially into the longitudinal slot.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the optical fiber fixing unit is provided at the other end thereof with an inserting and fitting end, the thread connecting part being provided between the inserting and fitting end and the recess body; and the inserting and fitting end is adapted to be inserted into and fitted to an inserting hole of the optical fiber splicing unit. Specifically, the optical fiber splicing unit is provided at two opposite sides thereof with a pair of fitting holes; and the inserting and fitting end is provided with a pair of fitting protrusions for snap-fitting to the fitting holes respectively.

With the solution of the present invention, the fiber optic connector may field splice the circular optical fiber cable of different sizes and the 8-shaped optical fiber cable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig.l is a perspective view of a fiber optic connector according to one embodiment of the present invention;

Fig.2 is a perspective view of an optical fiber fixing unit according to one embodiment of the present invention;

Fig.3 is a side view of an optical fiber fixing unit according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which a groove is provided on the thread connecting part and the cover body is removed;

Fig.4 is a side view of an optical fiber fixing unit according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which a receiving passage is formed on the thread connecting part and the cover body is removed;

Fig.5 is a right side view of the optical fiber fixing unit in Fig.2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE IVENTION

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described hereinafter in detail with reference to the attached drawings, wherein the like reference numerals refer to the like elements. The present disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiment set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

As shown in Fig. l, the fiber optic connector according to the present invention comprises: an optical fiber splicing unit 4 and an optical fiber fixing unit connected with the splicing unit, wherein the optical fiber fixing unit 5 includes a recess body 2 and a cover body 1 adapted to be fitted with and cover the recess body 2 to form a space for receiving and fixing an optical fiber cable.

The cover body 1 may be pivotably connected with the recess body 2.

In addition, the cover body 1 is rotatable with respect to the recess body 2, and the cover body 1 may be molded integrally with the recess body 2 or a hinge structure is formed at the connection E where the cover body 1 is connected with the recess body 2. Specifically, one side of the cover body 1 is pivotably connected with one side of the recess body 2. When the cover body 1 covers the recess body 2, the other side of the cover body 1 is engaged with the other side of the recess body 2 so that the recess body 2 and the cover body 1 form a space adapted to press and fix the optical fiber cable. For example, the optical cable may be pressed and fixed by snap-fitting the cover body 1 to the recess body 2.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the cover body 1 and the recess body 2 are formed integrally from plastic, and the connection E where the cover body 1 is connected with the recess body 2 has a reduced thickness so that the cover body 1 is rotatable with respect to the recess body 2.

Though not shown, the cover body 1 may be separated from the recess body 2, and then be assembled together. Specifically, the cover body 1 and the recess body 2 each is a single member, and the cover body 1 is fixed detachably to the recess body 2 by a locking structure.

As shown in Figs. 1-2, both the recess body 2 and the cover body 1 have a substantially semi-circular cross section, and the space has a substantially circular cross section. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an edge of the other side of the cover body 1 may be placed at a position above an edge of the other side of the recess body 2, and when the cover body 1 is pushed downwards, the two edges are in contact with each other and the optical fiber cable received in the space is pressed. In another embodiment of the present invention, the edge of the other side of the cover body 1 may be extended beyond the edge of the other side of the recess body 2, and the optical fiber cable may be pressed by fixing the cover body 1 to the edge of the other side of the recess body 2, in this case, the other side of the cover body 1 may be detachably locked to the other side of the recess body 2 by a locking device.

As shown in Figs.1-3, both the recess body 2 and the cover body 1 are provided therein with protrusions 11 protruding towards inside of the space, for further defining the space to fix the optical fiber cable more firmly. Referring to Figs.1-2, the positions of the protrusions 11 of the recess body 2 are respectively opposite to those of the protrusions 11 of the cover body 1. Alternatively, the protrusions 11 of the recess body 2 and the protrusions of the cover body 1 may be staggered relative to each other.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the protrusions 11 of the recess body 2 and the protrusions 11 of the cover body 1 are strip protrusions which are arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the recess body 2. Further, as shown in Figs.2-3, at least one strip protrusion is provided, at an edge thereof in contact with a protection layer for the optical fiber to be fixed, with at least one small protrusion 12 protruding towards inside of the space. Furthermore, the edge of each strip protrusion is provided with at least one small protrusion 12 to further define the space. The small protrusion 12 may be cone-shaped, or in other shape, for example, a column shape, as long as the small protrusion 12 is adapted to bite or press tightly the protection layer of the optical fiber to be fixed.

By means of the above structure having the protrusions 11 , the protection layer of the optical fiber may be fastened effectively.

Referring to Fig.1 , the recess body 2 and the cover body 1 are provided at one end of the optical fiber fixing unit 5; the optical fiber fixing unit 5 is provided with a thread connecting part 52 which is connected with the recess body 2 and formed with a male thread, the thread connecting part 52 is further provided therein a through hole 54 which is in communication with the space and through which the bare fiber D passes; the fiber optic connector further comprises a fixing bushing 7 which is provided therein with a female thread fitted with the male thread. After the splicing is performed by the optical fiber splicing unit 4, the fixing bushing 7 fixes the optical fiber cable to the optical fiber fixing unit 5.

As shown in Figs.2-3, the thread connecting part 52 is provided with a longitudinal slot 53 which extends radially inwards to the through hole 54 (in this case, the through hole 54 is in the form of a groove), and the bare fiber D in the through hole can be bent radially into the longitudinal slot 53 when the bare fiber D is pushed to be bent. With the longitudinal slot 53, the bent bare fiber D may be seen from outside.

Referring to Fig.5, the thread connecting part 52 is formed, by cutting off at least part of height of thread teeth of the thread connecting part 52, with a receiving passage 521 which extends longitudinally across the whole thread connecting part 52. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there are still part of thread teeth remained at the position where the receiving passage 521 is formed (that is, the receiving passage 521 passes through partial radial height of the thread teeth of the thread connecting part 52, and the receiving passage 521 still has the function of thread), the receiving passage 521 and the female thread together form a first fixing structure adapted to place and fix strengthening bands A, for example, Kevlar, of a circular optical fiber cable. Alternatively, the receiving passage 521 may pass through entire radial height of the thread teeth of the thread connecting part 52. The fixing bushing 7, after being threadedly connected to the thread connecting part, may fix the protection layer of the circular optical fiber cable and thus fix the circular optical fiber cable. And the outer protection layer B or C (Fig. 1) of the 8-shaped optical fiber cable may be fixed through the receiving passage 521.

As shown in Fig.2, each of the recess body 2 and the cover body 1 is formed, at one end of the connecting side thereof closer to the thread connecting part 52, with a notch 21, wherein the notch 21 of the recess body 2 and the notch 21 of the cover body 1 together form one opening through which the outer protection layer B or C of the 8-shaped optical fiber cable is led from the space; the thread connecting part 52 is provided, at a position corresponding to that of the opening, with a groove 523 which extends longitudinally across the whole thread connecting part 52, the groove 523 being adapted to receive the outer protection layer B or C of the 8-shaped optical fiber cable led from the space, and the groove and the female thread forming a second fixing structure to place and fix the outer protection layer of the 8-shaped optical fiber cable.

The above opening may be provided only at the recess body or the cover body. Specifically, the thread connecting part 52 is provided, at a position different from that of the receiving passage 521, with a groove 523 which extends longitudinally across the whole thread connecting part 52, the groove being adapted to receive an outer protection layer C of an 8-shaped optical fiber cable, and the groove and the female thread forming a second fixing structure to place and fix the outer skin of the 8-shaped optical fiber cable; the recess body 2 or the cover body 1 is formed, at one end side thereof closer to the thread connecting part 5 and at a position adjacent to the groove 523, with the opening through which the outer protection layer C of the 8-shaped optical fiber cable is led from the space into the groove 523.

After the fixing bushing 7 is threadedly connected to the thread connecting part, the outer protection layer C of the 8-shaped optical fiber cable may be fastened and thus the 8-shaped optical fiber cable may be fixed.

The groove 523, the receiving passage 521 and the longitudinal slot 53 may be provided to the thread connecting part 52. Specifically, the thread connecting part 52 is provided, at a position different from the positions of the groove 523 and the receiving passage 521, with the longitudinal slot 53 which extends radially inwards to the through hole 54 (in this case, the through hole 54 is in the form of a groove), and the bare fiber D in the through hole may be bent radially into the longitudinal slot 53 when the bare fiber D is pushed to be bent. With the longitudinal slot 53, the bent bare fiber D may be seen.

The optical fiber fixing unit 5 is provided at the other end thereof with an inserting and fitting end 55, the thread connecting part 52 being provided between the inserting and fitting end 55 and the recess body 2; the inserting and fitting end 55 is adapted to be inserted into and fitted to an inserting hole of the optical fiber splicing unit 4, as shown in Fig.1.

A snap-fit structure may be provided between the optical fiber fixing unit 5 and the optical fiber splicing unit 4. Specifically, the optical fiber splicing unit 4 is provided at two opposite sides thereof a pair of fitting holes 41 ; and the inserting and fitting end 55 is provided with a pair of fitting protrusions 51 for snap-fitting to the fitting holes respectively.

Next, the process of operating the fiber optic connector of the present invention will be described. First, a section of the protection layer of the optical fiber cable is peeled off to expose the bare fiber for splicing; second, the bare fiber passes through the inner portion of the optical fiber fixing unit 5 and is pushed forwards so that the bare fiber is bent within the optical fiber fixing unit 5, and in this case, it is very easy to observe the bending situation of the bare fiber from above the groove (or the through hole) and the longitudinal slot 53, and therefore good splicing of the optical fibers is ensured; after the splicing, the bent bare fiber is released and the fixing bushing 7 is threadedly fixed to the optical fiber fixing unit 5 to finally fix or fasten the optical fiber cable; and after an outer housing and a protection housing are provided to the fiber optic connector, the connection or splicing of the optical fibers is completed.

When splicing the circular optical fiber cable, the circular optical fiber cable is placed in the space formed by the recess body and the cover body; and the strengthening bands A, for instance, Kevlar, are placed at the receiving passage 521 of the male thread, thus the Kevlar is fixed and the circular optical fiber is fastened when the female thread of the fixing bushing 7 is fit with the male thread.

During splicing the 8-shaped optical fiber cable, the outer protection layer B of the upper side of the 8-shaped optical fiber cable is cut off, and the outer protection layer C at the lower side of the 8-shaped optical fiber cable is led through the opening to the groove 523 at the corresponding position of the male thread. And when the female thread of the fixing bushing 7 is fit with the male thread, the outer protection layer C of the 8-shaped optical fiber cable is fixed in the groove 523 to fix or fasten the 8-shaped optical fiber cable.

Please be noted that the outer skin of the 8-shaped optical fiber cable may be fixed within the space formed by the recess body 2 and the cover body 1 only by means of the fitted recess body 2 and the cover body 1, and it is unnecessary to lead the outer skin of the 8-sahped optical fiber cable from the space into the groove 523 through the opening.

Although several exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes or modifications may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the disclosure, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An fiber optic connector comprising:

an optical fiber splicing unit (4), and

an optical fiber fixing unit (5) connected with the optical fiber splicing unit,

wherein the optical fiber fixing unit includes:

a recess body (2), and

a cover body (1) adapted to be fitted with and cover the recess body to form a space for receiving and fixing an optical fiber cable.

2. The fiber optic connector of claim 1, wherein

the cover body (1) is pivotably connected with the recess body (2).

3. The fiber optic connector of claim 2, wherein

the cover body (1) is molded integrally with the recess body (2), and the cover body (1) is rotatable with respect to the recess body (2).

4. The fiber optic connector of claim 3, wherein

the cover body (1) and the recess body (2) are formed integrally from plastic, and the connection where the cover body (1) is connected with the recess body (2) has a reduced thickness so that the cover body (1) is rotatable with respect to the recess body (2).

5. The fiber optic connector of claim 1, wherein

the cover body (1) is separated from the recess body (2), and the cover body (1) is fixed detachably to the recess body by a locking structure.

6. The fiber optic connector of claim 1, wherein

both the recess body (2) and the cover body (1) have a substantially semi-circular cross section, and the space has a substantially circular cross section.

7. The fiber optic connector of claim 1, wherein

both the recess body (2) and the cover body (1) are provided therein with protrusions (11) protruding towards inside of the space.

8. The fiber optic connector of claim 7, wherein

the positions of the protrusions (11) of the recess body (2) are respectively opposite to those of the protrusions (11) of the cover body (1).

9. The fiber optic connector of claim 8, wherein

the protrusions (11) of the recess body (2) and the protrusions (11) of the cover body (1) are strip protrusions which are arranged substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the recess body.

10. The fiber optic connector of claim 9, wherein

at least one strip protrusion is provided, at an edge thereof in contact with a protection layer of the optical fiber to be fixed, with at least one small protrusion (12) protruding towards inside of the space.

11. The fiber optic connector according to any one of claims 1-10, wherein

the recess body (2) and the cover body (1) are provided at one end of the optical fiber fixing unit (5);

the optical fiber fixing unit (5) is provided with a thread connecting part (52) which is connected with the recess body (2) and formed with a male thread, the thread connecting part being provided therein a through hole (54) which is in communication with the space and through which the bare fiber passes;

the fiber optic connector further comprises a fixing bushing (7) which is provided therein with a female thread fitted with the male thread.

12. The fiber optic connector of claim 11, wherein

the thread connecting part (52) is provided with a longitudinal slot (53) which extends radially inwards to the through hole (54), and the bare fiber (D) is adapted to be bent radially into the longitudinal slot (53).

13. The fiber optic connector of claim 11, wherein

the thread connecting part (52) is provided with a receiving passage (521) which extends longitudinally across the whole thread connecting part (52).

14. The fiber optic connector of claim 13, wherein

the thread connecting part (52) is provided, at a position different from that of the receiving passage (521), with a groove (523) which extends longitudinally across the whole thread connecting part (52), the groove being adapted to receive an outer protection layer (C) of an 8-shaped optical fiber cable, and the groove and the female thread forming a second fixing structure to place and fix the outer protection layer of the 8-shaped optical fiber cable;

the recess body or the cover body is formed, at one end side thereof closer to the thread connecting part and at a position adjacent to the groove (523), with an opening through which the outer protection layer (C) of the 8-shaped optical fiber cable is led from the space into the groove (523).

15. The fiber optic connector of claim 13, wherein

each of the recess body and the cover body is formed, at one end of the side thereof closer to the thread connecting part and at a position adjacent to the connection (E), with a notch (21), wherein the notch of the recess body and the notch of the cover body together form one opening through which an outer protection layer (C) of an 8-shaped optical fiber cable is led from the space;

the thread connecting part (52) is provided, at a position corresponding to that of the opening, with a groove (523) which extends longitudinally across the whole thread connecting part (52), the groove being adapted to receive the outer protection layer (C) of the 8-shaped optical fiber cable led from the space, and the groove and the female thread forming a second fixing structure to place and fix the outer protection layer of the 8-shaped optical fiber cable.

16. The fiber optic connector of claim 14, wherein

the thread connecting part (52) is provided, at a position different from the positions of the groove (523) and the receiving passage (521), with a longitudinal slot (53) which extends radially inwards to the through hole (54), and the bare fiber (D) is adapted to be bent radially into the longitudinal slot (53).

17. The fiber optic connector of claim 15, wherein

18. The fiber optic connector of claim 11, wherein

the optical fiber fixing unit (5) is provided at the other end thereof with an inserting and fitting end (55), the thread connecting part (52) being provided between the inserting and fitting end (55) and the recess body (2);

the inserting and fitting end (55) is adapted to be inserted into and fitted to an inserting hole the optical fiber splicing unit (4).

19. The fiber optic connector of claim 18, wherein

the optical fiber splicing unit (4) is provided at two opposite sides thereof with a pair of fitting holes (41); and

the inserting and fitting end (55) is provided with a pair of fitting protrusions (51) for snap-fitting to the fitting holes respectively.