U.S. patent application number 16/891669 was filed with the patent office on 2021-11-18 for optical cable fixture, fiber optic connector, and fiber optic connector manufacturing method.
The applicant listed for this patent is Fujin Precision Industrial (Jincheng)Co.,Ltd.. Invention is credited to JIAN-WEI HU, YAO LI, JIAN-BO YANG.
Application Number | 20210356668 16/891669 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004913257 |
Filed Date | 2021-11-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210356668 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HU; JIAN-WEI ; et
al. |
November 18, 2021 |
OPTICAL CABLE FIXTURE, FIBER OPTIC CONNECTOR, AND FIBER OPTIC
CONNECTOR MANUFACTURING METHOD
Abstract
An optical cable fixture includes a base and a cover. The base
defines a receiving groove penetrating opposite sides of the base.
The receiving groove includes a first receiving portion and a
second receiving portion. The first receiving portion receives an
optical cable. The second receiving portion receives first optical
fibers extending from the optical cable. The cover covers the base
and fixes the optical cable and the first optical fibers.
Inventors: |
HU; JIAN-WEI; (Shenzhen,
CN) ; LI; YAO; (Newark, CA) ; YANG;
JIAN-BO; (Jincheng, CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Fujin Precision Industrial (Jincheng)Co.,Ltd. |
Jincheng |
|
CN |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004913257 |
Appl. No.: |
16/891669 |
Filed: |
June 3, 2020 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02B 6/2558 20130101;
G02B 2006/12192 20130101; G02B 6/25 20130101; G02B 6/255
20130101 |
International
Class: |
G02B 6/255 20060101
G02B006/255; G02B 6/25 20060101 G02B006/25 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 12, 2020 |
CN |
202010396580.6 |
Claims
1. An optical cable fixture for sorting and stripping an optical
fiber ribbon, the optical cable fixture comprising: a base; a
cover; and a sorting member; wherein: the base defines a receiving
groove penetrating opposite sides of the base; the receiving groove
comprises a first receiving portion and a second receiving portion;
the first receiving portion receives an optical cable; the second
receiving portion receives a plurality of first optical fibers
extending from the optical cable; the cover covers the base and
fixes the optical cable and the plurality of first optical fibers;
the sorting member is received in the receiving groove and defines
a through hole, the through hole comprises an accommodating portion
and a sorting portion, a size of the accommodating portion is
larger than a size of the sorting portion, the accommodating
portion is for inserting the plurality of first optical fibers, and
the sorting portion is for sorting the plurality of first optical
fibers.
2. The optical cable fixture of claim 1, further comprising a first
magnetic member mounted on the base and configured to attract and
fix the cover, wherein: the cover is rotationally coupled to the
base.
3. The optical cable fixture of claim 1, further comprising a
pressing block mounted on the cover and configured to protrude into
the second receiving portion and press the plurality of first
optical fibers.
4. The optical cable fixture of claim 1, wherein: the receiving
groove further comprises a third receiving portion for receiving
the sorting member; the first receiving portion and the second
receiving portion communicate with both ends of the third receiving
portion, respectively.
5. The optical cable fixture of claim 4, wherein: the sorting
member comprises a first fixing portion and a second fixing
portion; the second fixing portion is rotationally coupled to the
first fixing portion; and the through hole is cooperatively defined
by the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion.
6. The optical cable fixture of claim 1, further comprising a
ferrule fixture, wherein: the ferrule fixture comprises a fixing
base and a top cover; the fixing base defines an accommodating hole
for receiving a connector of a ferrule assembly; and the top cover
covers the fixing base for fixing the connector.
7. A fiber optic connector manufacturing method comprising: fixing
an optical cable and a plurality of first optical fibers of the
optical cable by an optical cable fixture; stripping a coating on
the surface of the plurality of first optical fibers; providing a
ferrule assembly comprising a connector and a plurality of second
optical fibers, and splicing the plurality of first optical fibers
to the plurality of second optical fibers; and assembling the
optical cable and the ferrule assembly to form the fiber optic
connector; wherein a method of fixing the optical cable and the
plurality of first optical fibers by the optical cable fixture
comprises: providing a sorting member defining a through hole, the
through hole comprising an accommodating portion and a sorting
portion, a size of the accommodating portion larger than a size of
the sorting portion, the plurality of first optical fibers inserted
into the accommodating portion and sorted through the sorting
portion.
8. (canceled)
9. A fiber optic connector comprising: an optical cable comprising
a plurality of first optical fibers; a ferrule assembly comprising
a connector and a plurality of second optical fibers; and a sorting
member; wherein: the plurality of first optical fibers is spliced
to the plurality of second optical fibers; the sorting member
defines a through hole, the through hole comprises an accommodating
portion and a sorting portion, a size of the accommodating portion
is larger than a size of the sorting portion, the accommodating
portion is for inserting the plurality of first optical fibers, and
the sorting portion is for sorting the plurality of first optical
fibers.
10-11. (canceled)
12. The fiber optic connector of claim 9, further comprising a
sheath, a heat-shrinkable tube, a riveting ring, a rear shell, and
a first resilient member; two ends of the first resilient member
elastically abut the connector and the rear shell, respectively;
one end of the riveting ring is connected to the rear shell; the
heat-shrinkable tube is fastened on the riveting ring and the
optical cable; and the sheath covers the riveting ring and the
heat-shrinkable tube.
13. The fiber optic connector of claim 12, further comprising a
protective shell, a first housing, and a second housing, wherein:
the protective shell covers the plurality of first optical fibers
and the plurality of second optical fibers; the first housing is
placed on the ferrule assembly and connected to the rear shell; and
the second housing is slidably mounted on the first housing and
elastically abuts the first housing.
14. The fiber optic connector of claim 13, further comprising a
dust cap mounted on the second housing.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The subject matter herein generally relates to fiber optic
technology, and more particularly to an optical cable fixture, a
fiber optic connector, and a fiber optic connector manufacturing
method.
BACKGROUND
[0002] When optical fibers are spliced, multiple optical fibers
need to be manually positioned one-by-one. At present, the optical
fibers are positioned by glue, tape, or a heat-shrinkable tube, and
then the optical fibers are thermally stripped and spliced.
However, glue and tape are easy to contaminate the optical fibers,
the operation of glue, tape, and the heat-shrinkable tube is
complicated, and the assembly cost is high.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] Implementations of the present disclosure will now be
described, by way of embodiments, with reference to the attached
figures.
[0004] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an optical cable
fixture and an optical cable according to a first embodiment.
[0005] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a sorting member and the
optical cable of the optical cable fixture taken along line II-II
in FIG. 1.
[0006] FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of an optical cable
fixture and an optical cable according to a second embodiment.
[0007] FIG. 4 is an exploded schematic view of the optical cable
fixture shown in FIG. 3.
[0008] FIG. 5 is a perspective schematic view of a ferrule fixture
for the optical cable fixture according to the second
embodiment.
[0009] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a fiber optic connector
manufacturing method according to an embodiment.
[0010] FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of the optical cable
and a ferrule assembly spliced together.
[0011] FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of a fiber optic
connector.
[0012] FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the fiber
optic connector taken along line IX-IX in FIG. 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of
illustration, where appropriate, reference numerals have been
repeated among the different figures to indicate corresponding or
analogous elements. Additionally, numerous specific details are set
forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the
embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by
those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described
herein can be practiced without these specific details. In other
instances, methods, procedures and components have not been
described in detail so as not to obscure the related relevant
feature being described. The drawings are not necessarily to scale
and the proportions of certain parts may be exaggerated to better
illustrate details and features. The description is not to be
considered as limiting the scope of the embodiments described
herein.
[0014] Several definitions that apply throughout this disclosure
will now be presented.
[0015] The term "coupled" is defined as connected, whether directly
or indirectly through intervening components, and is not
necessarily limited to physical connections. The connection can be
such that the objects are permanently connected or releasably
connected. The term "substantially" is defined to be essentially
conforming to the particular dimension, shape, or other word that
"substantially" modifies, such that the component need not be
exact. For example, "substantially cylindrical" means that the
object resembles a cylinder, but can have one or more deviations
from a true cylinder. The term "comprising" means "including, but
not necessarily limited to"; it specifically indicates open-ended
inclusion or membership in a so-described combination, group,
series and the like.
[0016] Referring to FIG. 1, a first embodiment of the present
disclosure provides an optical cable fixture 100. The optical cable
fixture 100 is used to fix an optical cable 200 to sorting and
stripping an optical fiber ribbon. The optical cable 200 includes a
plurality of first optical fibers 201.
[0017] The optical cable fixture 100 includes a base 10 and a cover
20. The base 10 defines a receiving groove 11. The receiving groove
11 includes a first receiving portion 112 and a second receiving
portion 114 communicating with each other. The first receiving
portion 112 penetrates one end of the base 10. The second receiving
portion 114 penetrates the other end of the base 10. The
cross-sectional shape of the first receiving portion 112 is
substantially semicircular. The second receiving portion 114 has a
substantially rectangular cross-section. The first receiving
portion 112 is used to receive the optical cable 200. The second
receiving portion 114 is used to receive the plurality of first
optical fibers 201 extending from the optical cable 200.
[0018] The cover 20 covers the receiving groove 11 to fix the
optical cable 200. In the illustrated embodiment, the cover 20 is
rotationally connected to the base 10. It can be understood that,
in other embodiments, the cover 20 may be fixed on the base 10 by
interference fit or a latching mechanism.
[0019] In the illustrated embodiment, the optical cable fixture 100
further includes a first magnetic member 30. The base 10 further
includes a mounting hole 13. The first magnetic member 30 is
installed in the mounting hole 13. The first magnetic member 30 is
used to attract and fix the cover 20.
[0020] In the illustrated embodiment, the optical cable fixture 100
further includes a pressing block 40. The pressing block 40 is
provided on the cover 20. After the cover 20 is placed on the base
10, the pressing block 40 protrudes into the second receiving
portion 114 and presses the plurality of first optical fibers
201.
[0021] Please refer to FIG. 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the
optical cable fixture 100 further includes a sorting member 50. The
sorting member 50 defines a through hole 51. The through hole 51
includes an accommodating portion 511 and a sorting portion 512
that communicate with each other. The accommodating portion 511 is
adjacent to the first receiving portion 112, and the sorting
portion 512 is adjacent to the second receiving portion 114. The
cross-section of the accommodating portion 511 is tapered. The size
of the end of the accommodating portion 511 away from the sorting
portion 512 is larger than the size of the end of the accommodating
portion 511 communicating with the sorting portion 512 to
facilitate insertion of the first optical fibers 201. The size of
the sorting portion 512 is such that the first optical fibers 201
are limited in a parallel arrangement. Specifically, the height of
the sorting portion 512 is approximately equal to the diameter of
one first optical fiber 201.
[0022] In the illustrated embodiment, the receiving groove 11
further includes a third receiving portion 116. The first receiving
portion 112 and the second receiving portion 114 communicate with
both ends of the third receiving portion 116, respectively. The
third receiving portion 116 is used to receive the sorting member
50.
[0023] Referring to FIGS. 3-5, a second embodiment of the present
disclosure provides an optical cable fixture 300. The optical cable
fixture 300 is used to fix an optical cable 200. The optical cable
200 includes a plurality of first optical fibers 201.
[0024] The optical cable fixture 300 of the second embodiment is
substantially similar to the optical cable fixture 100 of the first
embodiment, and similar names are used to describe components in
the second embodiment with respect to the first embodiment. The
optical cable fixture 300 includes a base and a cover. The base
defines a receiving groove. The receiving groove includes a first
receiving portion, a third receiving portion 3116, and a second
receiving portion.
[0025] The optical cable fixture 300 of the second embodiment is
different from the optical cable fixture 100 of the first
embodiment in that:
[0026] The optical cable fixture 300 of the second embodiment
includes a sorting member 350. The sorting member 350 is
rotationally received in the third receiving portion 3116. The
sorting member 350 includes a first fixing portion 352 and a second
fixing portion 353. The second fixing portion 353 is rotationally
connected to the first fixing portion 352. The second fixing
portion 353 and the first fixing portion 352 cooperatively define a
through hole 351. The through hole 351 includes an accommodating
portion 3511 and a sorting portion 3512 that communicate with each
other. The size of the accommodating portion 3511 is larger than
the size of the sorting portion 3512. The accommodating portion
3511 has a tapered cross-section. The size of the end of the
accommodating portion 3511 away from the sorting portion 3512 is
larger than the size of the end of the accommodating portion 3511
communicating with the sorting portion 3512. The height of the
sorting portion 3512 is approximately equal to the diameter of one
first optical fiber 201.
[0027] The sorting member 350 further includes a second magnetic
member 354. The second magnetic member 354 is disposed on the first
fixing portion 352 and used to attract the second fixing portion
353 for fixing.
[0028] The optical cable fixture 300 of the second embodiment
further includes a ferrule fixture 360. The ferrule fixture 360 is
used to fix a ferrule assembly 202. The ferrule assembly 202
includes a connector 2021 and a plurality of second optical fibers
2023 connected to the connector 2021.
[0029] The ferrule fixture 360 includes a fixing base 361 and a top
cover 362. The fixing base 361 defines an accommodating hole 3610
to receive the connector 2021. The top cover 362 is covered on the
fixing base 361 to fix the connector 2021. In the illustrated
embodiment, the top cover 362 is rotationally connected to the
fixing base 361. The ferrule fixture 360 further includes a third
magnetic member 363. The third magnetic member 363 is disposed on
the fixing base 361 and used to attract and fix the top cover
362.
[0030] FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of the present
disclosure of a fiber optic connector manufacturing method. In one
embodiment, the fiber optic connector is a multi-fiber push on
(MPO) connector.
[0031] Referring to FIG. 1, at block S1, the optical cable 200 is
fixed by the optical cable fixture 100, and the cover 20 is covered
on the base 10 to fix the plurality of first optical fibers 201 of
the optical cable 200.
[0032] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, in at least one embodiment, when
the optical cable 200 is fixed, the sorting member 50 in the first
embodiment sorts the plurality of first optical fibers 201. In the
first embodiment, after the first optical fibers 201 are spliced,
the sorting member 50 is fixed on the first optical fibers 201.
[0033] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, in at least one embodiment, when
the optical cable 200 is fixed, the sorting member 350 in the
second embodiment sorts the plurality of first optical fibers 201.
After rotationally separating the first fixing portion 352 and the
second fixing portion 353, the plurality of first optical fibers
201 are arranged side-by-side between the first fixing portion 352
and the second fixing portion 353, and then the first fixing
portion 352 and the second fixing portion 353 are closed, so that
the second fixing portion 353 fixes the plurality of first optical
fibers 201. In the second embodiment, after the first optical
fibers 201 are spliced, the sorting member 350 is separated from
the first optical fibers 201.
[0034] In at least one embodiment, after manually arranging the
plurality of first optical fibers 201 in the second receiving
portion 114, the cover 20 is covered on the base 10 to fix the
optical cable 200 and the plurality of first optical fibers
201.
[0035] At block S2, a coating on the surface of the plurality of
first optical fibers 201 is stripped.
[0036] In one embodiment, stripping is performed by a peeling
device such as hot peeling pliers. Since the optical cable fixture
100 sorts and fixes the plurality of first optical fibers 201, it
is sufficient to directly place the plurality of first optical
fibers 201 into the stripping device for stripping.
[0037] Referring to FIG. 7, at block S3, the plurality of first
optical fibers 201 are spliced to the plurality of second optical
fibers 2023 of the ferrule assembly 202.
[0038] In one embodiment, the plurality of first optical fibers 201
and the plurality of second optical fibers 2023 are spliced by a
fusion splicer.
[0039] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, at block S4, the optical cable
200 and the ferrule assembly 202 are assembled to form a fiber
optic connector 204.
[0040] Assembling the optical cable 200 and the ferrule assembly
202 to form the fiber optic connector 204 specifically
includes:
[0041] Sleeving a sheath 2042, a heat-shrinkable tube 2043, a
riveting ring 2044, a rear shell 2045, and a first resilient member
2046 in sequence on the optical cable 200, two ends of the first
resilient member 2046 respectively elastically abutting the
connector 2021 and the rear shell 2045, one end of the riveting
ring 2044 connected to the rear shell 2045, the heat-shrinkable
tube 2043 fastened on the riveting ring 2044 and the optical cable
200, and the sheath 2042 covered on the riveting ring 2044 and the
heat-shrinkable tube 2043;
[0042] Wrapping a protective shell 2041 over the first optical
fibers 201 and the second optical fibers 2023;
[0043] Covering a first housing 2047 on the ferrule assembly 202
and connecting the first housing 2047 to the rear shell 2045;
[0044] Slidably mounting a second housing 2048 on the first housing
2047, the second housing 2048 elastically abutting the first
housing 2047 through a second resilient member (not shown);
[0045] Mounting a dust cap 2049 on the second housing 2048.
[0046] It can be understood that, in other embodiments, the
assembled parts can be modified according to the type of fiber
optic connector to be manufactured.
[0047] FIGS. 8 and 9 show an embodiment of the present disclosure
of a fiber optic connector 204 that is manufactured by the fiber
optic connector manufacturing method.
[0048] The fiber optic connector 204 includes an optical cable 200
and a ferrule assembly 202. The optical cable 200 includes a
plurality of first optical fibers 201. The ferrule assembly 202
includes a connector 2021 and a plurality of second optical fibers
2023. The first optical fibers 201 are spliced with the second
optical fibers 2023.
[0049] The fiber optic connector 204 further includes a sorting
member 50. The sorting member 50 is provided with a through hole
51. The through hole 51 includes an accommodating portion 511 and a
sorting portion 512. The first optical fibers 201 pass through the
through hole 51 and are sorted by the sorting portion 512 of the
sorting member 50.
[0050] The fiber optic connector 204 further includes a sheath
2042, a heat-shrinkable tube 2043, a riveting ring 2044, a rear
shell 2045, and a first resilient member 2046. Two ends of the
first resilient member 2046 elastically abut the connector 2021 and
the rear shell 2045, respectively. One end of the riveting ring
2044 is connected to the rear shell 2045. The heat-shrinkable tube
2043 is fastened on the riveting ring 2044 and the optical cable
200. The sheath 2042 covers the riveting ring 2044 and the
heat-shrinkable tube 2043.
[0051] The fiber optic connector 204 further includes a protective
shell 2041. The protective shell 2041 covers the first optical
fibers 201 and the second optical fibers 2023. The fiber optic
connector 204 further includes a first housing 2047. The first
housing 2047 is placed on the ferrule assembly 202 and connected to
the rear shell 2045. The fiber optic connector 204 further includes
a second housing 2048. The second housing 2048 is slidably mounted
on the first housing 2047 and elastically abuts the first housing
2047 through a second resilient member.
[0052] The fiber optic connector 204 further includes a dust cap
2049. The dust cap 2049 is mounted on the second housing 2048.
[0053] The embodiments shown and described above are only examples.
Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present
technology have been set forth in the foregoing description,
together with details of the structure and function of the present
disclosure, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be
made in the detail, including in matters of shape, size and
arrangement of the parts within the principles of the present
disclosure up to, and including, the full extent established by the
broad general meaning of the terms used in the claims.
* * * * *