WO2024095071A1 - Méthode pour générer des joints hermétiques sur un ensemble de connecteur à fibre optique - Google Patents

Méthode pour générer des joints hermétiques sur un ensemble de connecteur à fibre optique Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2024095071A1
WO2024095071A1 PCT/IB2023/058357 IB2023058357W WO2024095071A1 WO 2024095071 A1 WO2024095071 A1 WO 2024095071A1 IB 2023058357 W IB2023058357 W IB 2023058357W WO 2024095071 A1 WO2024095071 A1 WO 2024095071A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
threaded
hollow cylindrical
cylindrical sleeve
connector assembly
adapter
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2023/058357
Other languages
English (en)
Spanish (es)
Inventor
William PEREZ DAVILA
Original Assignee
Perez Davila William
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Perez Davila William filed Critical Perez Davila William
Publication of WO2024095071A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024095071A1/fr

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/44—Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to mechanical closures for fiber optic distribution systems.
  • the invention relates to a method for generating a plurality of hermetic seals in a fiber optic cable connector assembly that includes at least one pre-connectorized end with at least one elastically deformable sealing element and at least one element that prevents rotation or twisting of the seal element.
  • the invention further relates to a plurality of hermetic seals formed in a connector assembly in a fiber optic connection terminal that comply with at least one dustproof tightness degree characteristic and one underwater protection characteristic. , for example, according to the IP68 standard, as well as an impact protection feature, for example, according to the IK10 standard.
  • a fiber optic cable connection is illustrated, for example, in the patent document EP 1 787 153 B1. As can be seen in that document, there are no or no sealing elements provided between the connector and the corresponding adapter. The above results in the inevitable entry of dust and humidity into these components, which negatively affects the splicing of the optical fiber inside the assembly.
  • a typical solution to prevent the entry of dust, dirt and/or moisture into fiber optic connection ports is the placement of annular-shaped sealing elements, typically known as o-rings, which are generally made from materials to silicone base.
  • annular-shaped sealing elements typically known as o-rings
  • o-rings are generally made from materials to silicone base.
  • threading of the connectors causes non-uniform deformations of said sealing elements and, even worse, causes a locking effect. twisted of them. This twisting effect results in the generation of empty spaces or gaps that are not sealed correctly, which in turn causes dirt, dust and/or moisture to enter the interior of the connector.
  • the use of sealing elements in threaded connections for fiber optic cables does not ensure a correct airtight seal.
  • a threaded connection of the aforementioned type is illustrated, for example, in US patent publication 2020/0200982A1.
  • a sealing element is provided that consists of a tonca gasket.
  • tonal gaskets only provide a minimal ring-shaped sealing effect between two surfaces.
  • joints can be expensive, prone to wear or breakage due to twisting, or may even be incompatible for fiber optic installations.
  • a fiber optic distribution system comprising a connection terminal, which has at least one base and a cap, and at least one fiber cable connector assembly. optics. Both the connection terminal and the connector assembly allow the generation of the necessary seals to meet the requirements for use in outdoor installations, for example, aerial installations suspended or mounted on poles or hardware, and submerged installations, as is known in the art. technique; in particular, comply with a dust-tightness degree characteristic and a protection characteristic against permanence under water, for example, in accordance with the IP68 standard, as well as an impact protection characteristic, for example, in accordance with the IK10 standard .
  • the at least one fiber optic cable connector assembly comprises a connector of the type known as "pre-terminated.”
  • the at least one fiber optic cable connector assembly comprises an elastically deformable sealing element. and an anti-rotation or anti-twist element that together ensure a plurality of hermetic seals even in connections that involve threaded elements.
  • the anti-rotation or anti-kinking element consists of an insert mounted inside the fiber optic cable connector assembly and comprises a plurality of non-permanent anchoring or fastening elements to the fiber optic cable connector assembly.
  • the anti-rotation insert comprises a base and a plurality of flexible fingers, wherein each of the flexible fingers comprises a protuberance at a distal end of the base. The protuberances are configured to produce the effect of anchoring or non-permanent fastening.
  • the anti-rotation insert is manufactured from a plastic material, particularly nylon, and is manufactured by injection molding.
  • the elastically deformable sealing element is manufactured from a rubber-based material, particularly buna-N, a silicone-based or elastomer-based material, and is manufactured by compression molding.
  • a method of producing a tight seal in a connector assembly for fiber optic cables comprises providing at least: a double threaded adapter having at least one pre-terminated female connector, a nut internal, a hollow cylindrical sleeve that has a compression nut, a sealing element, an anti-rotation insert, and a threaded plug.
  • the method may comprise providing a male connector pre-connected with a fiber optic cable end, and an o-ring.
  • the method further comprises placing the O-ring between an inner or outer wall of a connection terminal cap and a first threaded end of the double threaded adapter generating a first tight seal.
  • the method further comprises connecting a pre-terminated male connector to the pre-terminated female connector.
  • the method further comprises introducing the anti-rotation insert into the screw cap so that the former is fixed or anchored non-permanently and capable of rotation with respect to the screw cap.
  • the screw cap can rotate freely with respect to the anti-rotation insert. According to these characteristics, the turn of one does not cause a turn in the other.
  • the method further comprises passing one end of the fiber optic cable through the assembly formed by the screw cap and the anti-rotation insert.
  • the method further comprises mounting the elastically deformable sealing element onto one end of at least one pre-terminated male connector and onto at least one segment of the fiber optic cable.
  • the method further comprises coupling the pre-terminated male connector with the pre-terminated female connector such that the sealing element bears at least partially against a wall of the adapter and simultaneously, the sealing element generates an additional tight seal against the walls of the pre-terminated male connector and a segment of the fiber optic cable.
  • the method further comprises screwing the screw cap into the adapter to a position in which at least a section of the sealing element is deformed without causing a twisting or twisting effect of the sealing element despite the rotation and displacement. of the screw cap with respect to the adapter.
  • Figure 1 shows a connection terminal for a fiber optic distribution system; the terminal includes a fiber optic cable connector assembly in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention
  • Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a fiber optic cable connector assembly in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention
  • Figure 3 shows an exploded perspective view of the connector assembly shown in Figure 2;
  • Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view along line IV-IV shown in Figure 3;
  • Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the connection terminal along the line V-V shown in Figure 1.
  • proximal refers to a position closer to the connection terminal while the term “distal” refers to a position further from the connection terminal.
  • connection refers to a position inside the connection terminal
  • exital refers to a position outside the connection terminal, unless otherwise indicated.
  • the approaching or moving away of components of the connector assembly should be understood to be along a longitudinal axis unless otherwise indicated.
  • optical cable 100 comprising a connection terminal cover 110 and at least one fiber optic cable connector assembly 200 in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention.
  • the connection terminal cover 110 and a connection terminal base (which is not illustrated for reasons of simplicity) define a hollow interior space that allows housing, among others, a plurality of fiber optic connection elements, such as is known in the art.
  • the connection terminal cover 110 comprises a plurality of connection ports 111, each of which allows mounting a respective connector assembly 200. Although only one connector assembly 200 mounted on a connection port is illustrated in Figure 1 111, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that all connection ports 111 may comprise a respective connector assembly 200 simultaneously.
  • the connector assembly 200 may be fixedly, tightly, and removably mounted on a connection port 111 of the connection terminal cover 110 as illustrated in Figure 1, for example.
  • the connection terminal cover 110 has been omitted from this representation for the sake of clarity and brevity.
  • the connector assembly 200 comprises a double threaded adapter 210 having a first threaded end facing inwardly of the connecting terminal cap 110 and a second threaded end 211 facing outwardly of the connecting terminal cap 110, and at least one pre-terminated female connector.
  • the double threaded adapter 210 is removably installed through a connection port 111 of the connection terminal cover 110 using an internal nut 220 engaged with the first threaded end of the double threaded adapter 210. Additionally, advantageously , an O-ring may be installed between an outer wall of the connection terminal cover 1 10 and the inner nut 220.
  • the connector assembly 200 further comprises a hollow cylindrical sleeve 230 which can be connected by means of a compression nut 240 with the second threaded end 211 of the double threaded adapter 210.
  • the connector assembly 200 further comprises a sealing element 250 positioned at least partially within the hollow cylindrical sleeve 230.
  • the sealing element 250 is held fixed within, and sealing against at least an interior wall portion of the hollow cylindrical sleeve 230 by an anti-rotation insert 260.
  • the anti-rotation insert -rotation 260 is accommodated at least partially within a threaded plug 270 which closes the connector assembly 200.
  • the threaded plug 270 is threaded into a threaded end 231 of the hollow cylindrical sleeve 230.
  • the anti-rotation insert 260 is can be mounted in such a way that it remains non-permanently anchored in the threaded plug 270, as will be described in more detail below, while simultaneously pushing and preventing twisting of the sealing element 250 within the hollow cylindrical sleeve 230 when the plug threaded 270 is threaded into the threaded distal end of the hollow cylindrical sleeve 230.
  • the connector assembly 200 may comprise a double threaded adapter 210, an internal nut 220, a hollow cylindrical sleeve 230, a compression nut 240, a sealing element 250, an insert anti-rotation 260, and threaded cap 270.
  • the double threaded adapter 210 comprises a second threaded end 211 which allows the compression nut 240 to be connected via the threaded end 241.
  • the hollow cylindrical sleeve 230 and the compression nut 240 may be integrally formed as a single piece.
  • the hollow cylindrical sleeve 230 and the compression nut 240 are formed as two independent elements. According to this configuration, the compression nut 240 can be slidably and/or rotatably mounted on the hollow cylindrical sleeve 230.
  • the dual-threaded adapter 210 may comprise at least one pre-terminated female connector 212.
  • the pre-terminated female connector 212 may be removably mounted to the dual-threaded adapter 210.
  • the sealing element 250 is designed in such a way that it comprises an annular-shaped base 251 and a sealing body 252 integrally joined to the base 251 by means of a stem 253.
  • the sealing body 252 comprises a through hole 254 that extends longitudinally, and further comprises a longitudinal cut 255 that extends from the through hole 254 to an edge of the sealing body 252.
  • the through hole 254 is configured to receive a segment of fiber optic cable, Therefore, said through hole is preferably configured as a cylindrical hole.
  • the longitudinal cut 255 allows at least said segment of fiber optic cable to pass from the outside to the through hole 254.
  • the sealing element 250 may be manufactured from a rubber-based material, in particular from buna-N, or from a silicone- or elastomer-based material. Therefore, the sealing element 250 allows an operator to open the longitudinal cut 255 during its installation simply by using his fingers.
  • the anti-rotation insert 260 comprises an annular base 261 from which a plurality of flexible fingers 262 extend.
  • Each of the flexible fingers 262 comprises a protuberance 263 at a distal end of the base 261.
  • the sealing element 250 is pushed and deformed, in particular elastically compressed along a longitudinal axis XX of the connector assembly 200 and, additionally, at least a portion of the sealing body 252 is deformed in an axial direction so as to form a seal against an inner wall of the hollow cylindrical sleeve 230. Furthermore, during The screwing of the threaded cap 270 in relation to the hollow cylindrical sleeve 230, the anti-rotation insert 260 prevents the sealing element 250 from twisting or rotating in relation to the hollow cylindrical sleeve 230.
  • the anti-rotation insert 260 is carried away from the sealing element 250. This is achieved because the protuberances 263 of the anti-rotation insert 260 They are anchored in an outer wall 271 of the screw cap 270. Again, the sealing element 250 is prevented from rotating or twisting relative to the hollow cylindrical sleeve 230 during rotation of the screw cap 270.
  • FIG. 5 a cross-sectional view of the assembly illustrated in Figure 1 is shown along section lines V-V.
  • the double threaded adapter 210 is mounted on a connection port 111 of the connection terminal cover 110 with the use of an internal nut 220.
  • an o-ring 280 is placed between an outer wall of the terminal cover connection and the double threaded adapter 210 generating a first seal.
  • a pre-terminated female connector 212 is removably mounted on the double threaded adapter 210.
  • the hollow cylindrical sleeve 230 is brought close to the double threaded adapter 210 by threading the threaded end 241 of the compression nut 240 into the second threaded end 211 of the double threaded adapter 210.
  • the sealing element 250 is mounted at least partially within the hollow cylindrical sleeve 230, with the base 251 of the sealing element 250 interposed between the double threaded adapter 210 and the hollow cylindrical sleeve 230, so that a hermetic seal is generated between the double threaded adapter 210, the hollow cylindrical sleeve 230 and the compression nut 240.
  • the sealing body 252 is integrally joined to the base 251 by means of the stem 253.
  • the sealing body 252 is formed with a conical shaped section and with a cylindrical shaped section. Said conical shaped section is configured to come into contact with an interior wall of the hollow cylindrical sleeve 230 generating an additional hermetic seal.
  • the anti-rotation insert 260 is mounted on the screw cap 270 with the protuberances 263 loosely anchored in the outer wall 271.
  • the anti-rotation insert 260 is brought close to the sealing body 252 of the sealing element 250 such that, on the one hand, the annular base 261 rests against an outer wall of the conical-shaped section of the sealing element 250 and, on the other hand, the flexible fingers 262 partially surround the cylindrical shaped section of the sealing element 250. Furthermore, when the screw cap 270 is rotated relative to the hollow cylindrical sleeve 230, the anti-rotation insert 260 prevents the sealing element 250 from rotating or twisting in relation to the hollow cylindrical sleeve 230 ensuring the aforementioned hermetic seal.
  • a first mounting step comprises providing at least one of: a double threaded adapter 210 having at least one preconnected female connector 212, an internal nut 220, a hollow cylindrical sleeve 230 having a compression nut 240, a of sealing 250, and a threaded cap 270 that has an anti-rotation insert 260.
  • the method comprises mounting the double threaded adapter 210 into a connection port 111 of a connection terminal cover 110 with the internal nut 220 threaded onto the first threaded end of the double threaded adapter 210. Additionally, the method may comprise Place an O-ring 280 between the double threaded adapter 210 and an outer wall of the connection terminal cover 110.
  • the method comprises installing the element of sealing 250 at least partially within the hollow cylindrical sleeve 230 and subsequently coupling the hollow cylindrical sleeve 230 with the double threaded adapter 210 by threading the compression nut 240 into the double threaded adapter 210.
  • the method comprises mounting the anti-rotation insert 260 into the threaded plug 270 and subsequently closing the connector assembly 200 by screwing the threaded plug 270 into the hollow cylindrical sleeve 230.
  • At least three tight seals have been generated in the connector assembly 200 and the connecting terminal cover 110, namely, a first tight seal between the double threaded adapter 210, the connecting terminal cover 110 and the O-ring 280; a second tight seal between the double threaded adapter 210, the hollow cylindrical sleeve 230, the compression nut 240 and the base 251 of the sealing element 250; and a third hermetic seal between the hollow cylindrical sleeve 230, the screw cap 270 and the sealing body 252 of the sealing element 250.
  • the method may further comprise a step of providing a segment of fiber optic cable having a pre-terminated male connector. Subsequently, it is convenient to couple the pre-connected male connector with the pre-connected female connector 212.
  • the connector assembly 200 for fiber optic cables was subjected to tests to determine its tightness and was shown to be effective for up to 30 days at a depth of 2 meters of water, which allows the seal to be classified as one of the “environmental-proof” and “water-proof” type, so that it complies with at least one dust-proof degree of tightness characteristic and one protection characteristic against permanence under water, for example, in accordance with the standard IP68, as well as an impact protection feature, for example according to the IK10 standard.
  • this type of hermetic seal has the advantage of being a solution that is easy to use during installation and low cost.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)

Abstract

Le développement récent des télécommunications au moyen de systèmes à fibre optique présente des défis importants dans les domaines de l'étanchéité et de la résistance aux effets du mileu ambiant. De plus, l'utilisation d'éléments filetables sur les connecteurs de câble à fibre optique représente un autre problème étant donné qu'il provoque un effet de retordage dans ces éléments. D'autre part, il est courant de trouver sur le marché des ensembles de connecteurs qui sont uniquement compatibles avec des connecteurs d'un même fabricant, ce qui rend difficile l'installation sur le terrain étant donné qu'il n'est pas possible de trouver des pièces de rechange ou des pièces compatibles. Pour résoudre ces problèmes, l'invention concerne une méthode pour générer une pluralié de joints hermétiques dans un ensemble de connecteur pour câble à fibre optique qui correspondent au moins à une caractéristique du niveau d'herméticité contre la poussière et sous l'eau, ainsi qu'une caractéristique de protection contre l'impact, et qui permet une grande compatibilité avec des connecteurs à fibre optique existants sur le marché.
PCT/IB2023/058357 2022-10-31 2023-08-22 Méthode pour générer des joints hermétiques sur un ensemble de connecteur à fibre optique WO2024095071A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
MXMX/A/2022/013715 2022-10-31
MX2022013715 2022-10-31

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2024095071A1 true WO2024095071A1 (fr) 2024-05-10

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PCT/IB2023/058357 WO2024095071A1 (fr) 2022-10-31 2023-08-22 Méthode pour générer des joints hermétiques sur un ensemble de connecteur à fibre optique

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Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20090060421A1 (en) * 2007-03-16 2009-03-05 3M Innovative Properties Company Optical fiber cable inlet device
US20220035102A1 (en) * 2020-07-28 2022-02-03 Hyc Co., Ltd. Lockable Optical Connector

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20090060421A1 (en) * 2007-03-16 2009-03-05 3M Innovative Properties Company Optical fiber cable inlet device
US20220035102A1 (en) * 2020-07-28 2022-02-03 Hyc Co., Ltd. Lockable Optical Connector

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