WO2019054849A2

WO2019054849A2 - Duplex optical fiber connector capable of connection tracking

Info

Publication number: WO2019054849A2
Application number: PCT/KR2018/011001
Authority: WO
Inventors: 박찬술
Original assignee: 코닝 리서치 앤드 디벨롭먼트 코포레이션
Priority date: 2017-09-18
Filing date: 2018-09-18
Publication date: 2019-03-21
Also published as: KR20190031662A; WO2019054849A3

Abstract

The present invention relates to a duplex optical fiber connector capable of connection tracking, comprising: a connector body including a first body and a second body, wherein an optical fiber cable including a metal wire is connected to each of the first body and the second body; a connector backbone provided at an end of each of the first body and the second body and fixing an end of the optical fiber cable thereinside; a crimp surrounding the connector backbone; and a tracking means electrically connected to the crimp and including a light emitting part, wherein the metal wire is exposed to the outside of the connector backbone at the end of the optical fiber cable and is fixed between the connector backbone and the crimp, and the crimp includes a metal.

Description

Duplex fiber-optic connector with connection traceability

The present invention relates to a duplex fiber optic connector. And more particularly to a duplex fiber optic connector capable of tracking the connection of a fiber optic cable having connectors at both ends between remote devices.

In general, a patch cord is a fiber optic cable with connectors at both ends and is used to interconnect communication lines between remote devices. For example, when a large-scale communication facility such as an office building or an apartment is required, a main distribution board (MDF), which is a unit for connecting an outside circuit and an internal circuit, is installed. An optical distribution box (FDF) Hub, etc. are installed. In order to interconnect the communication lines between these devices, a patch cord is used.

However, in the conventional patch code, if a patch cord is connected between devices and then the patch code is checked, if the label is not correctly labeled, the optical fiber connector is checked on the corresponding port of the other device while pulling out each cable , There is a problem that the operation is troublesome and the cable is mutually entangled and is not good in appearance.

In the technique of U.S. Patent No. 5,666,453, there is provided a means for easily tracking connection of the optical fiber cable to the remote connection parts so that the inter-device communication line is easily connected and a separate cable is not required after completion of the operation. LED.

However, this technique is applied to a single simplex optical fiber connector, which has a problem that it can not be applied to a duplex connector system in which two individual simplex optical fiber connectors are connected in a row array.

In some cases, two optical fibers are used in one cable jacket. However, since one jacket is used for two optical fiber cables, an additional process such as optical separation is required. Therefore, the manufacturing process is troublesome and manufacturing cost is increased. There is a problem in that stability is lower than in the case of using a jacket every time.

Thus, in the current patch cord market, a patch cord of a duplex fiber optic connector system that combines two simplex optical fiber connectors in a row arrangement with individual jacketed fiber optic cables is preferred. As a result, a patch cord having duplex optical connectors has begun to be highlighted, and a method for easily adding a connection tracking function to a duplex optical connector is required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been proposed in order to solve the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a duplex optical fiber connector having tracking means such as an LED. It is also an object of the present invention to easily and conveniently connect the tracking means while maintaining the manufacturing method of the conventional duplex optical fiber connector.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a duplex optical fiber connector capable of connection tracking includes a connector body including a first body and a second body, wherein an optical fiber cable including a metal wire is connected to the first body and the second body, respectively; A connector backbone provided at an end of each of the first body and the second body, wherein a distal end of the optical fiber cable is fixed inside; Crimp surrounding connector backbone; And tracking means electrically connected to the crimp, wherein the metal wire at the end of the optical fiber cable is exposed to the outside of the connector backbone and fixed between the connector backbone and the crimp, wherein the crimp comprises a metal .

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a duplex optical fiber connector capable of tracking connection, comprising: providing a connector backbone at an end of a first body and a second body in a connector body including a first body and a second body; Exposing a metal wire to the outside at each end of an optical fiber cable comprising a metal wire; Positioning the exposed metal wire outside the connector backbone and connecting each end of the fiber optic cable to the interior of the connector backbone to connect the fiber optic cable to the first body and the second body; Securing the exposed metal wire using a crimp; And connecting the tracking means including the light emitting portion to the crimp, characterized in that the crimp comprises a metal.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the tracking means further include an electrically conductive light emitting circuit contact portion connected to the light emitting portion, and the light emitting circuit contact portion is preferably in contact with the crimp.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, it further comprises a boot body which is preferably attachable to the end of the connector body and mounted on the crimp. More preferably, a boot comprising a tracking means can be mounted on the crimp so as to be attachable to the ends of the first body and the second body.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, preferably further comprises a housing mounted on the connector body. More preferably, a housing including a tracking means can be mounted on the connector body.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, preferably, the optical fiber cable further includes a reinforcing member, and more preferably, the reinforcing member is exposed to the outside of the connector backbone and fixed by the crimp. It is also desirable to secure the exposed reinforcing members using a crimp while at the same time fixing the exposed metal wire with a crimp.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, preferably, the light emitting portion includes a light emitting diode (LED).

According to an embodiment of the present invention, preferably, each body is rotated by 180 degrees so as to change the order of the first body and the second body so that the light polarity of the duplex optical fiber connector can be changed by reconnecting to the housing and the boot.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a duplex patch cord in which a duplex optical fiber connector capable of connection tracking is attached to both ends of an optical fiber cable.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that after the power is supplied to one end, the light emitting portion of the duplex optical fiber connector attached to the remote opposite end emits light.

The present invention overcomes the problem of connection location tracking of remote connections in conventional patch cords.

The present invention provides a duplex connector with tracking means for easily tracking the connection between the fiber optic cable and the connector.

The present invention is advantageous in that the tracking means can be easily and easily connected while maintaining the conventional manufacturing method of the duplex optical fiber connector. Particularly, a metal crimp is used to fix a reinforcing member such as Kevlar and the like, and the metal wire connected to the tracking means is fixed together, thereby reducing manufacturing cost and simplifying the process.

The present invention is advantageous in that the optical polarity of the duplex optical fiber connector can be easily changed.

1A is a view of a duplex patch cord in which a conventional duplex connector is attached to both ends of an optical fiber cable.

1B is a view showing the appearance of a duplex connector attached to a conventional duplex patch cord.

FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B are views showing a connection portion between a connector body and an optical fiber cable in a duplex connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a cross-sectional view of an optical fiber cable according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4A is a view showing the appearance of a boot according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4B is a perspective view according to line A-A 'shown in FIG. 4A.

4C is a diagram illustrating the interior of a boot according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4D is a view showing the appearance of a duplex connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4E is a cross-sectional view along line B-B 'shown in FIG. 4D.

5A is a view showing the appearance of a duplex connector before a housing and a boot according to an embodiment of the present invention are mounted.

5B is a view showing the appearance of a housing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5C is a perspective view of a housing according to an embodiment of the invention.

5D is a side view of a housing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5E is a view showing the appearance of a duplex connector with a housing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5f is a view showing the appearance of a duplex connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a view illustrating a connection tracking method of a duplex patch coat according to an embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a diagram illustrating a polarity changing method of a duplex patch cord according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like numbers refer to like elements in the drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1A showing a conventional duplex patch cord, a connector is connected to both ends of an optical fiber cable. The appearance of a connector attached to a conventional duplex patch cord is shown in FIG. 1B, which is a duplex connector 200 provided by joining two separate simplex optical fiber connectors in a side-by-side arrangement, A housing 210 mounted on the connector body 205, a boot 220, and an optical fiber cable 240. The connector body 205 includes a first body and a second body arranged in parallel. However, the conventional duplex patch code does not include tracking means for identifying whether or not to connect, for example, a light emitting portion.

On the other hand, the optical fiber connector according to the present invention can include a connector used in a conventional duplex patch cord, and a tracking means in an easy and simple way while keeping the manufacturing method thereof at a low cost.

2A and 2B illustrate an internal structure of a connection portion between a connector body and an optical fiber cable according to an embodiment of the present invention. An optical fiber connector according to an embodiment of the present invention is configured to match two corresponding adjacent receptacles to each other and to be connected to an optical fiber cable. For example, a fiber optic connector is configured with an LC format. However, as is apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, fiber optic connectors having other standard formats such as SC, ST, and FC connector types may be provided.

The optical fiber cable includes a glass fiber 310, a buffer layer 320, a fiber reinforcing layer 330 and a metal wire 290, respectively, as shown in Fig. 3, All. The fibrous reinforcing layer 330 protects the optical fiber from excessive strain imparted to the cable by imparting significant tensile strength to the cable, and is preferably made of aramid fibers. In addition, the fibrous reinforcing layer 330 may include, but is not limited to, Kevlar, or polyester yarns, strands or rods. Also, although only one metal wire is shown, a cable including any number of metal wires is also included in the scope of the present invention. The metal wire 290 may be made of a conductive material, for example, copper.

2A shows a connection method of the optical fiber cable 240 and the connector body 205. FIG. An optical fiber connector includes two connector backbones 260 provided at the ends of the connector body 205 and the connector backbone 260 may be cylindrical to allow the optical fiber cable to be located therein. Each end of the optical fiber cable 240 is inserted into the connector backbone 260 and connected to each body of the connector body 205 in the housing 210. In general, the reinforcing member 280 may be used for durability when connecting the optical fiber cable to the connector. For example, a kevlar can be applied to the reinforcing member 280. [ Accordingly, a part of the jacket 350 surrounding the optical fiber cable 240 is removed when the optical fiber cable 240 is fitted into the connector backbone 260 so as to be fixed. The reinforcing member 280 is positioned outside the connector backbone 260 and fixed through the crimp 270. [ The crimp 270 may have a ring shape or a polygonal shape such as a hexagon.

Referring to FIG. 2B, a method of connecting the optical fiber cable 240 and the connector body 205 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. A part of the jacket 350 is removed at the portion of the optical fiber cable 240 fixed inside the connector backbone 260 and the metal wire 290 is exposed to the outside of the connector backbone 260. The reinforcing member 280 is fixed to the outside of the connector backbone 260 by using the crimp 270 while the exposed metal wires 290 are fixed together. The connection of the optical fiber cable 240 and the connector body 205 is fixed. The crimp 270 is made of a conductive material, for example, a metal. Accordingly, the metal wire 290 and the crimp 270 can be electrically connected.

Hereinafter, a duplex optical fiber connector with a tracking unit according to an embodiment of the present invention and a method of operating the tracking unit will be described with reference to FIGS. 4A to 4E.

When the optical fiber connector and the optical fiber cable are connected as described above with reference to FIG. 2B, the boot 400 is then inserted. The boot 400 includes a tracking means and a boot body 410. 4A shows an appearance of a boot 400 according to an embodiment of the present invention in which the boot body 410 has two internal spaces that can be mounted at the distal end of the fiber optic cable and is attached to the end of the connector body It is possible. The tracking means includes, for example, a light emitting circuit, wherein the light emitting circuit includes a light emitting portion 430 and an electrically conductive light emitting circuit contact portion 450. The light emitting portion 430 may include a light emitting diode (LED).

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the boot according to an embodiment of the present invention, taken along line A-A 'shown in FIG. 4A. The light emitting circuit contact portion 450 connected to the light emitting portion 430 extends to each inner space of the boot body 410. Referring to FIG. 4C, the light emitting circuit contact portion 450 is formed to extend to the inner space while enclosing the outer surface of the boot body 410, but is not limited thereto.

FIG. 4D shows an appearance of an optical fiber connector equipped with a boot according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4E is a cross-sectional view along line B-B 'shown in FIG. 4D. When the boot 400 is mounted to the optical fiber connector to which the optical fiber cable is connected, the light emitting circuit contact portion 450 leading to the inner space of the boot body 410 can be contacted with the crimp 270, which is the outermost surface surrounding the optical fiber cable have. The light emitting circuit contact 450 has electrical continuity to the metal wire 290 fixed between the connector backbone 260 and the crimp 270 via a metal crimp 270. That is, by attaching the boot 400 including the tracking means to the optical fiber connector, the tracking means can be integrally connected with the optical fiber connector to which the optical fiber cable is connected. Further, an external power source may be supplied to the light emitting portion 430 through the metal wire 290.

5A to 5F, a duplex optical fiber connector with tracking means according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described.

5A is a duplex optical fiber connector according to an embodiment, and shows the appearance of a duplex optical fiber connector before the housing and the boot are mounted. The connector body 205 is connected to the optical fiber cable 240 and the metal wire 290 is fixed in contact with the crimp 270 as described above. In this duplex optical fiber connector, a housing 210 according to another embodiment of the present invention is mounted as shown in FIG. 5B. The housing 210 has two internal spaces for mounting in a manner surrounding each body of the connector body. The housing 210 includes a light emitting circuit comprised of tracking means, e.g., a light emitting portion 430 and an electrically conductive light emitting circuit contact portion 450.

5C is a perspective view of a housing according to an embodiment of the invention. The light emitting portion 430 is attached to the side where the optical fiber cable 240 is connected when the housing 210 is mounted on the connector body and the light emitting circuit contact portion 450 provided on both sides of the light emitting portion protrudes to the outside. Referring to FIG. 5D, the light emitting circuit contact portion 450 extends to the inner space of the housing 210 and protrudes in a direction in which one side of the inner space extends, and is not limited thereto.

5E shows an appearance of an optical fiber connector equipped with a housing according to an embodiment of the present invention. When the housing 210 is mounted on the connector body 205, the light emitting circuit contact portion 450 extending from the optical fiber cable connection side of the housing 210 can be brought into contact with the outer surface of the crimp 270. The light-emitting circuit contact 450 has electrical continuity to the metal wire 290 through a crimp 270, which is a metal. Referring to FIG. 5F, the boot 220 is finally inserted to complete the duplex optical fiber connector. By mounting the housing including the tracking means on the connector body, the tracking means can be integrally connected with the optical fiber connector to which the optical fiber cable is connected. An external power source may be supplied to the light emitting portion 430 through the metal wire 290. [

Hereinafter, a connection tracking method of a duplex patch coat according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 (a) to 6 (c). 6 shows a duplex patch cord having optical fiber connectors at both ends of an optical fiber cable according to an embodiment of the present invention, together with an equivalent circuit diagram.

Referring to FIG. 6A, a light emitting circuit contact connected to a light emitting portion is connected to a crimp according to an embodiment of the present invention to provide a duplex patch cord having a connection tracking function.

6 (b), power is supplied to the optical fiber connector at the left end of the duplex patch cord according to an embodiment of the present invention. For example, the optical fiber connector at the left end is connected to a tester capable of supplying power . Power is supplied to the optical fiber connector at the left end, so that the light emitting portion connected through the light emitting circuit contact portion emits light by utilizing electrical continuity between the crimp and the metal wire. Therefore, after power is supplied to the left end, the user can check the light emitting position of the light emitting portion on the right end positioned opposite to the remote to grasp the connection position on the right end (for convenience, considering the position of the user, Status only).

Likewise, FIG. 6C shows a state in which power is supplied to the optical fiber connector at the right end of the duplex patch cord according to the embodiment of the present invention. The user can confirm the light emitting position of the light emitting portion located at the left end located at the remote side and grasp the connection position at the left end (only the light emitting state of the optical fiber connector at the left end is shown for convenience in consideration of the user's position).

As a result, it is possible to recognize the connection position of the duplex optical fiber connector located at the other end based on the light emission of the light emitting unit at the far end, after supplying power to one end.

In order to change the optical polarity of an optical fiber connector using two optical fibers in a conventional cable jacket, not only the housing of the optical fiber connector but also the inside of the body must be directly disassembled and the positions of the wires constituting the optical fiber cable must be moved , There was considerable hassle in changing the light polarity. In particular, since the configuration becomes more complicated if additional elements such as a tracking means including a light emitting portion are mounted on the optical fiber connector, the polarity change will become more difficult.

However, the duplex patch code according to another embodiment of the present invention is easily and easily changed in polarity. FIG. 7 shows a polarity changing method of a duplex patch cord, wherein (a) shows the appearance of a duplex patch cord according to an embodiment of the present invention. (b) separates the boot attached to the end of the connector body, and detaches the housing. (c), remove each body of the connector body and insert it by turning it 180 degrees so that the direction of the upper surface of the body changes downward and the housing is also turned to the opposite direction. The housing separated at (d) Reattach it in the desired direction and insert the boot again. Just changing the direction of the top and bottom of the body and re-fitting the housing will change the order of each body.

Therefore, the light polarity can be easily changed only by a simple operation in which each body of the connector body separated from the boot is turned 180 degrees and re-mounted so that the order of each body is changed. This is because the tracking means including the light emitting portion and the light emitting circuit contact are mounted to the boot or housing and the connection of the tracking means to the fiber optic cable uses basic elements such as metal wires and crimp.

It is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. The singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should be understood that the terms " comprises " or " having ", when used herein, are intended to indicate that there are features, numbers, operations, elements, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, And does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other elements, components, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

The suffix " part " for components used in the present specification is given or mixed for the convenience of description, and does not have a meaning or function that is distinguished by itself. Also, when an element is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another element, it may be directly connected or connected to the other element, but other elements It should be understood that it may exist.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Accordingly, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the following claims, as well as equivalents thereof.

Claims

A duplex fiber optic connector,

A connector body including a first body and a second body, the connector body being connected to the first body and the second body, respectively, of the optical fiber cable including the metal wire;

A connector backbone provided at an end of each of the first body and the second body, the end of the optical fiber cable being fixed inside;

A crimp surrounding the connector backbone; And

A tracking means including a light emitting portion and electrically connected to the crimp;

/ RTI >

The metal wire at the end of the optical fiber cable is exposed to the outside of the connector backbone and fixed between the connector backbone and the crimp,

Wherein the crimp comprises a metal.

Duplex fiber optic connector.
The method according to claim 1,

Wherein the tracking means further comprises an electrically conductive light emitting circuit contact portion connected to the light emitting portion,

And the light emitting circuit contact portion contacts the crimp.
The method according to claim 1,

Further comprising a boot body attachable to an end of the connector body and mounted on the crimp,

Wherein the tracking means is located on the boot body.
The method according to claim 1,

And a housing mounted on the connector body,

Wherein the tracking means is located on the housing.
5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

Wherein the optical fiber cable further comprises a reinforcing member exposed to the outside of the connector backbone and fixed by the crimp.
5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

Wherein the light emitting portion comprises a light emitting diode (LED).
5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

And the polarities of the duplex optical fiber connectors are changed by reconnecting the respective bodies to the housing and the boot by rotating the body 180 degrees so that the order of the first body and the second body is changed.
A duplex optical fiber connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is attached to both ends of an optical fiber cable,

Duplex patch code.
9. The method of claim 8,

Wherein when the power is supplied to one end, the light emitting portion of the duplex optical fiber connector attached to the remote opposite end emits light.
A method of manufacturing a duplex fiber optic connector,

Providing a connector backbone at an end of each of the first body and the second body in a connector body including a first body and a second body;

Exposing the metal wires to the outside at each end of an optical fiber cable comprising metal wires;

Positioning exposed metal wires outside the connector backbone and connecting each end of the fiber optic cable to the interior of the connector backbone to connect the fiber optic cable to the first body and the second body;

Securing the exposed metal wire using a crimp; And

Connecting the tracking means including the light emitting portion to the crimp

Lt; / RTI >

Wherein the crimp comprises a metal,

A method of manufacturing a duplex fiber optic connector.
11. The method of claim 10,

Wherein the tracking means further comprises an electrically conductive light emitting circuit contact portion connected to the light emitting portion,

Wherein connecting the tracking means to the crimp comprises contacting the crimp with the light emitting circuit contact.
11. The method of claim 10,

The step of connecting the tracking means to the crimp

And attaching a boot comprising the tracking means onto the crimp to attach to an end of the connector body. &Lt; Desc / Clms Page number 20 >
11. The method of claim 10,

The step of connecting the tracking means to the crimp

And mounting the housing including the tracking means on the connector body.
14. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 13,

Wherein the optical fiber cable further comprises a reinforcing member exposed to the outside at an end thereof,

Wherein the exposed metallic wire is secured using the crimp while simultaneously securing the exposed reinforcing member using the crimp. &Lt; Desc / Clms Page number 19 >
14. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 13,

Wherein the light emitting portion comprises a light emitting diode (LED).
The method according to claim 12 or 13,

The optical fiber cable is connected to the first body and the second body and then the body is rotated 180 degrees so as to change the order of the first body and the second body so as to change the light polarity of the duplex optical fiber connector, Further comprising the step of reconnecting the optical fiber connector to the optical fiber connector.