CZ34205U1 - Devices for quickly connecting and disconnecting optical and / or electrical connectors - Google Patents

Description

Devices for quick connection and disconnection of optical and / or electrical connectors

Field of technology

The technical solution concerns the insertion and removal of a rectangular locking drawer for quick connection and disconnection of a) optical and electrical connectors (simultaneously), b) optical or electrical connectors (independently). The locking drawer slides in or out into or out of a corresponding rectangular frame with chamfered edges and locking holes. Attached to the front wall of the locking drawer is a locking mechanism, which consists of a push-pull handle and two sliding locks. A clamp is mounted to the rear wall of the locking drawer for attaching a spatially permissible number of connectors, eg SC / (A) PC or other similar optical or electrical connectors. This technical solution allows the installation of cheap standard in-line or front connectors in the rear wall of the locking drawer, instead of expensive connectors, eg type EN4165. A positioner is further mounted to the rear wall for attaching eg SC / (A) PC connectors in axially symmetrical adapters facing the connectors of the same type mounted in a clamp on the opposite rear wall of the locking socket.

Prior art

The closest competitor of this technical solution, patent CZ 307861 B6, describes a plug-in device for connecting and disconnecting optical or electrical connectors according to the preamble of claim 1 of said technical solution with the following characteristics: the locking mechanism is provided at both ends with rotating cams with its own axis of rotation; the cams, each of which comprises a stop tooth and a support tip, are connected to a control lever located between them by means of transmission rods. The locking mechanism has a control lever, the axis of rotation of which is located between the axis of rotation of the cams and is parallel to them. The axes of rotation of the cams define a plane at a distance s (distance s) from the axis of rotation of the control lever, the distance (s) being the perpendicular distance between this defined plane and the axis of rotation of the control lever. The locking mechanism is provided with a locking slider provided on the side facing the open position of the control lever with a finger grip, and on the opposite side with a locking element for securing the closed position of the control lever for connecting optical or electrical connectors. The position of the axis of the control lever between the axes of the opposing cams ensures a uniform fit between the connectors in the housing of the plug-in element and the connectors in the frame, and thus a reliable connection between the corresponding optical or electrical connectors.

The main advantage of this technical solution is the connection and / or disconnection of a large number of optical or electrical connectors on one plug-in element. Because each optical or electrical contact requires a certain force for connection and / or disconnection, and because these forces can add up until they reach an overall high value per plug-in element, then this lever will help to overcome this total force. Another advantage is that the lever can be considered as an eliminator of human errors if the insertion is too fast or too strong.

The main disadvantage of this pull-out device is that it is too complicated and therefore expensive to manufacture. Another disadvantage is that it is too heavy and further complicated to handle, for example during the drawer insertion process, the lever of the closing mechanism must be fully open for proper operation, which is impractical because the operator is forced to use both hands during the insertion maneuver. The same applies to pulling out the drawer, where the operator is forced to continue by pulling the relatively sharp points of the lever after opening the lever. Another disadvantage is that said closing mechanism can simply be opened unintentionally, e.g. by unintentionally introducing the operator onto the protruding part of the locking element of the locking mechanism.

The essence of the technical solution

The main advantage of this technical solution is that the locking mechanism in the locking drawer is structurally simple, easier to manufacture, has a lower weight and its construction is more suitable for protection against unintentional opening. Another advantage is that a clamp is attached to the back wall of the socket to attach FC / (A) PC connectors or other similar front or inline (optical, electrical) connectors used here in place of expensive back-plane connectors.

A locking mechanism is attached to the front wall of the locking drawer, which includes a pair of guide grooves, so that the push-pull T-handle of the locking mechanism is firmly attached to the front wall of the drawer and each of the two sliding locks can slide between the pair of guide grooves on both sides. towing T-handle. In the final phase of inserting the locking drawer into the frame, the chamfered edges of the sliding lock snap into the locking holes of the frame, which ensures a predefined insertion depth and the mutually matching rectangular profiles of the locking drawer and frame ensure correct axial connection between a) optical and electrical connectors ), (b) optical or electrical connectors (independently) in the clamp on the rear of the socket and in the xyz plate on the rear of the frame.

The construction of the presented technical solution represents a great improvement compared to the prior art, especially to the nearest patent CZ 307861 B6, while maintaining all its advantages. The locking mechanism according to the present technical solution is structurally simpler and has a lower weight. It is structurally simpler because it is made of a smaller number of parts and does not contain any rotating elements that are prone to damage or jamming. Another advantage is the low weight, because its components are made mainly of aluminum, except for the compression spring and screws. This technical solution, resp. the locking mechanism is simpler to manufacture because there is no need to use laser cutting of metal plates, complicated riveting or bending of metals. The simplicity and complete symmetry of this mechanism also allows for looser tolerances in the production of individual parts. Thanks to the smaller number of parts, this device is easier and faster to assemble. The design of the locking mechanism also provides better protection against unintentional unlocking and sliding out of the drawer without the introduction of an additional locking element.

In the nearest patent CZ 307861, the advantage is the greater lever torque of the lever of the locking mechanism at the locking socket for connecting a large number of connectors. However, this advantage can be short-lived. These locking mechanisms are primarily intended for all types of vehicles which require rapid replacement of locking sockets in which circuits (modules) are integrated, in order to minimize downtime of these vehicles due to repair or maintenance. At present, however, the goal in all means of transport, and especially in aircraft, is to minimize the number of cables (electrical and optical), including connectors, in order to reduce weight, energy and save space. In addition, due to the high transmission power, especially of laser sources, and the effective binding of light to optical fibers, the huge bandwidth of optical frequencies, the low attenuation of quartz fibers and the high sensitivity of optical detectors, cable numbers are currently minimized. It follows that even the use of a larger lever torque of the locking mechanism lever for connecting a large number of connectors is a short-term matter.

The second apparent advantage of the patent CZ 307861 regarding the elimination of human error by too fast or too strong insertion is eliminated by the construction of the locking mechanism of this technical solution. When the locking drawer is pushed into the frame, the chamfered edges of the sliding lock engage in the locking holes of the frame, which prevents another step of inserting the locking drawer into the frame and thus over-compressing the fixing spring, i.e. eliminating self-insertion by excessive force.

The most advantageous arrangement, according to this technical solution, is a locking drawer, the front wall of which comprises a pair of guide grooves and to which a closing mechanism is attached so that

-2GB 34205 U1 The push-pull T-handle is firmly attached in the middle of the front wall of the drawer and which has a cylindrical hole in its body for locating the compression spring. Both sliding locks can then slide between a pair of guide grooves on each side of the T-handle. Each sliding lock comprises a groove in its body, through which an Allen-type delimiting screw is screwed into the front wall of the drawer, so that its head defines the movement of the sliding lock according to the length and location of this groove. The location of this groove is such that in the locked or unlocked position the compression spring of the T-handle presses the inner edge of the groove against the spindle head, while the length of the sliding lock is such that the end of the bevelled edge of the sliding lock extends to a predetermined depth of the frame locking hole. The length of this groove, as well as the length of the free space between the handle and the sliding locks, must be such that the sliding locks can fully extend from the locking holes of the frame.

The locking holes of the frame are then located at such a distance from the chamfered edges of the frame that the connectors in the clamp press on the connectors in the xyz plate so that the fixing springs are compressed to a predetermined level at which the chamfered edges of the sliding lock just fit into the locking holes.

The insertion of the chamfered edges of the sliding lock into the locking holes determines a predefined insertion depth. The mutually matching rectangular profiles of the locking drawer and the frame then ensure the correct axial connection between the optical or electrical connectors in the chuck and in the xyz adapters of the positioner plate.

The completely symmetrical arrangement of this locking mechanism ensures not only a completely symmetrical insertion of the locking drawer into the frame regardless of the compression force of the fixing springs, but also much looser requirements for manufacturing tolerances for most of its parts, and thus a much easier manufacturing process compared to CZ 307861 B6.

Explanation of drawings

A non-limiting embodiment of the device, i.e. a locking socket in a frame system for quick connection and disconnection of a) optical and electrical connectors (simultaneously), b) optical or electrical connectors (independently) according to this technical solution is further described in more detail in an exemplary embodiment and explained in more detail on attached schematic drawings.

Giant. 1 Locking drawer in the frame system

Giant. 2 Locking drawer without locking mechanism

Giant. 3 Locking mechanism

Giant. 3a Locking mechanism - detail

Giant. 4 Clamp with FC / (A) PC connectors

Giant. 5 Frame system

Giant. 6 Positioner with adapters and FC / (A) PC connectors

Examples of technical solution

Giant. 1 shows a specific embodiment of the locking drawer j. In the frame 8. A symmetrical locking mechanism 3 (FIG. 3) is connected to the front wall 11 of the drawer (FIG. 2), the sliding lock 5 (FIGS. 3 and 3a) extending into the locking holes 84. frame (Fig. 5). Also on the back 12 locking

-3 CZ 34205 U1 of socket 1 (fig. 2) a clamp 6 (fig. 2 and 4) for fixing SC / (A) PC connectors 7 (fig. 4) is visible, and on the rear wall of the frame 82 (fig. 5) the positioner 9 with SC / (A) PC connectors 7 in the adapters 10 can be seen (Fig. 6).

The locking drawer (Fig. 2) is rectangular and consists of a front wall 11 of the drawer, a rear wall 12 of the drawer, a bottom wall 15 of the drawer (Fig. 2) and a top wall 14 of the drawer (Fig. 1) and side walls 13 of the drawer. All these walls of the locking drawer 11 have such external dimensions that they fit into the larger internal dimensions of the walls of the frame 8 (Fig. 1). The front wall 11 of the drawer comprises a pair of guide grooves 2. A push-pull T-handle 4 (Fig. 3) of the locking mechanism 3 is fixed to the center of the front wall 11 of the drawer, and inside the pair of guide grooves 2 on each side of the push-pull T-handle 4 located sliding lock 5 of the locking mechanism 3.

The locking mechanism 3 is shown in (Fig. 3), where the following parts can be seen: a push-pull T-handle 4, two sliding locks 5 on each side of the push-pull T-handle 4, grooves 53 of the sliding locks 5 and two chamfered edges 52 sliding locks. It can be seen in more detail in Fig. 3a that the push-pull T-handle 4 of the locking mechanism 3 comprises a cylindrical hole 41 in its body for locating a push spring 42 which pushes in the unlocked and locked position of the locking mechanism 3 against the push element 51 of the sliding locks 5. the lock 5, next to the pusher element 51 and the chamfered edge 52 of the sliding lock at its outer end, comprises a groove 53 with an inner edge 54 of the groove and an outer edge 55 of the groove, so the distance between the inner edge 54 of the groove and the outer edge 55 of the groove 53 restricts movement through the body of the delimiting screw 56, which is screwed into the front wall 11 of the drawer and whose head protrudes into the groove 53 of the sliding lock 5.

A clamp 6 with SC / (A) PC connectors 7, is firmly attached to the rear wall 12 of the socket (see Fig. 4). The chuck 6 consists of a lower clamping rail 61 with rectangular cutouts for SC / (A) PC connectors 7, guide holes 62 for guiding guide pins 94 xyz plate 91 and upper clamping rails 63 each with one hole for a pressure screw 64. SC / (A) PC connectors 7, or any other similar optical or electrical connectors, are placed in these slots so that their partially loose sleeves (plums) fit snugly into these slots. One upper clamping rail 63 is then placed on top of one or at most two connectors so that the pressure screw 64 is either on one side or between the two connectors. The pressure screw 64 is then screwed into the corresponding threaded hole in the lower clamping bar 61 so that the upper clamping bar 63 without protrusions presses with a predefined force onto one side of the connector sleeve protruding above the cutout edge (or the upper clamping bar 63 with protrusions fitting into the cutouts. pushes with the same predefined force on one side of the connector sleeve (ending) ending below the edge of the slot). This predefined force is such that the sleeves of the connectors in the chuck 6 will not move in any way relative to the chuck 6 during the process of connecting to the opposite connector via the adapter 10 in the xyz plate 91.

The frame system consists of a frame 8 and a positioner 9, (see Fig. 5). The frame 8 has a rectangular shape and is composed of side walls 81 of the frame, a rear wall 82 of the frame, and frame struts 85 (upper and lower). Each side wall 81 of the frame includes a chamfered edge 83 of the frame and a locking hole 84 of the frame. The chamfered edges 83 of the frame serve to slide the chamfered edges 52 of the sliding locks 5 into the locking holes 84 of the frame, the inner sides of the sliding lock 5 pushing against the compression spring 42 located in the cylindrical hole 41 of the push-pull T-handle 4.

A positioner 9 is located on the rear wall 82 of the frame, which comprises bridge holders 95 and an xyz plate 91, which is loosely attached to the bridge holders 95 (see Fig. 6). The bridge brackets 95 allow the xyz plate 91 to move freely a certain predetermined distance in a plane perpendicular to the direction of insertion of the locking drawer 1 into the frame 8. The fixing springs 92 in the fixing spring holders 93 then press on the xyz plate 91 with a predetermined force. allowing the xyz plate 91 to move a predetermined distance in the direction of insertion against the force of these fixing springs 92. If the position of the guide pins 94 and adapters 10 with SC / (A) PC connectors 7 in the xyz plate 91 are in one axis with opposite guide holes 62 and SC / (A) PC

-4GB 34205 U1 connectors 7 in the clamp 6, during the process of inserting the locking drawer 1 into the frame 8, the opposite SC / (A) PC connectors 7 are conductively connected.

Both processes, i.e. the process of inserting or the process of ejecting the locking drawer 1 into or out of the frame system, for quick connection and disconnection of the SC / (A) PC connectors 7 according to this technical solution, as described above, operate in two phases. The insertion of the locking drawer 1 into the frame system takes place in two phases as follows: in the 1st phase the locking drawer 11 is inserted into the front opening of the frame system and in the 2nd phase the locking drawer j is inserted into the frame 8 by pushing on the push-pull T- handle 4, until the sliding locks 5 are automatically locked in the locking holes 84 of the frame.

The ejection of the locking drawer j. From the frame 8 also takes place in two phases: in the 1st phase the pushing element 51 of the sliding locks 5 is pressed towards the push-pull T-handle 4 and in the 2nd phase it is pulled until the locking drawer 1 is completely outside the frame 8.

Detailed description: in the first phase of insertion, the operator inserts the rectangular rear wall 12 of the drawer into the slightly larger rectangular front opening of the frame 8, taking into account the symmetrical or asymmetrical arrangement of SC / (A) PC connectors 7 in the clamp 6 and in the xyz board 91. In this case, the arrangement of the SC / (A) PC connectors 7 is symmetrical, and therefore the orientation of the locking drawer 1 relative to the frame is not relevant. In the second phase, the operator presses on the push-pull T-handle 4 of the locking mechanism 3 until the chamfered edges 52 of the sliding lock snap into the locking holes 84 of the frame.

Towards the end of the second phase of inserting the locking drawer into the frame 8, the chamfered edges 52 of the sliding lock engage the chamfered edges 83 of the frame, causing both sliding locks 5 to move towards the push-pull T-handle 4, compressing the push spring 42 in the cylindrical hole 41. which is in the body of the push-pull T-handle 4. At a certain moment, the movement of the sliding lock 5 towards the push-pull T-handle 4 stops (compression of the push spring 42 also stops) and subsequently the ends of the bevelled edges 52 of the slide lock slide on the inner surfaces of the side walls 81 of the frame and slide into the locking holes 84 of the frame, which is caused by the pressure of the compression spring 42 pushing symmetrically to the sides on the sliding locks 5. In order for the above insertion process to work properly, two conditions must be met:

The first condition is that the chamfered edges 52 of the sliding lock strike the chamfered edges 83 of the frame in a predetermined position, meaning that the ends of the chamfered edges 52 of the sliding locks end at a predetermined depth inside the locking holes 84 of the frame.

The second condition is that the distance from the inner edge 54 of the groove to the outer edge 55 of the groove 53 and the free distance from the inner sides of the sliding locks 5 to the push-pull T-handle 4 be such that the sliding lock 5 can move towards the push-pull T-handle 4 so that the ends of the chamfered edges 52 of the sliding locks can slide on the inner sides of the side walls 81 of the frame.

During the process of inserting the locking drawer 1 into the frame 8, the contact between the opposite SC / (A) PC connectors 7 in the clamp 6 on the rear wall 12 of the drawer and in the positioner 9 on the rear wall 82 of the frame is made automatically. At a certain insertion depth, the narrowing ends of the two guide pins 94 enter the area of the guide holes 62 in the chuck 6, which serves to guide the SC / (A) PC connectors 7 in the chuck 6 with opposite SC / (A) PC connectors 7 in the xyz board 91. At a certain insertion depth, the SC / (A) PC connectors 7 in the clamp 6 then enter the adapters 10 in the xyz board 91. In the next insertion phase, the ferrules of the SC / (A) PC connector 7 in the clamp 6 begin to push against the SC / (A ferrules). ) Of the PC connectors 7 in the adapters 10 in the xyz board 91, which causes compression of the springs in the SC / (A) PC connectors 7 and which at the same time causes compression of the fixing springs 92 of the positioner 9. Then the SC / (A) PC connectors 7 in the chuck clicks 6 to the adapters 10. Shortly after this snapping in, the bevelled edge 52 of the sliding locks into the locking holes 84 of the frame is snapped in a predetermined degree of compression of the fixing springs 92 in the process of further insertion.

-5 CZ 34205 U1

The process of sliding the locking drawer 1 out of the frame 8 is almost the exact opposite of the sliding process. In the first extension phase, the pushing element 51 of the sliding lock 5 is pressed towards the pushing pull T-handle 4 so that the chamfered edges 52 of the sliding lock are pushed out of the locking holes 84 of the frame. Since the locking drawer 1 in the frame 8 can move slightly, the travel distance of the sliding lock 5 must be slightly greater than during insertion so that the ends of the sliding locks 5 extend sufficiently from the two locking holes 84 of the frame. In the second phase, the operator then pulls on the pushing elements 51 so that the drawer 1 slides completely out of the frame 8.

Industrial applicability

The locking socket 1 with a locking mechanism 3 in the frame 8 for quick connection and disconnection of a) optical and electrical connectors (simultaneously), b) optical or electrical connectors (independently) can be used anywhere in industry where there is a need for quick replacement (connection or disconnection) or reconfiguration in optical and electrical networks (distribution), as it contains the entire functional optical or electrical units (modules) connected through optical or electrical connectors to the frame system.

The most suitable use of this technical solution is in any type of means of transport, such as trains, ships, cars, buses, submarines, planes or eg spacecraft, etc. Since the locking mechanism 3 of the locking drawer 1 is cheap to manufacture, its use can be extended to many industrial areas, within various devices that can be integrated into interchangeable socket modules, including fiber optic sensors or batteries for electric vehicles, etc. Locking socket 1 in frame 8 is suitable for use where the integrated device in the socket cannot be quickly repaired at the place of use. . Using the locking drawer 1, the faulty device is quickly replaced with a functional one and the faulty device is then repaired outside the system. The locking socket 1 in the frame 8 uses any type of standard rectangular optical or electrical connectors which are located by the pins 6 on the rear wall 12 of the socket and in the positioner 9 on the rear wall 82 of the frame. Thanks to the use of clamp 6, it is possible to use inexpensive standard in-line or front panel connectors such as SC / (A) PC instead of expensive specially adapted connectors for the rear wall of the panel (rack) such as EN 4165 type connectors.

Claims (4)

CLAIMS FOR PROTECTION Locking socket (1) in the frame (8) for quick connection and disconnection of optical and / or electrical connectors, characterized in that the front wall (11) of the socket is provided with a pair of guide grooves (2) and side walls (81) of the frame chamfered edges (83) of the frame and locking holes (84) of the frame, a locking mechanism (3) being mounted to the front wall (11) of the drawer, which is formed by a push-pull T-handle (4) fixed in the middle of the front wall (11) of the drawer , a compression spring (42) in the cylindrical hole (41) of the push-pull T-handle (4), which presses evenly against two sliding locks (5), which are located in a pair of guide grooves (2) and held at a certain distance from the push-pull T-handles (4) by means of the bodies of two delimiting screws (56) screwed through the groove (53) of the sliding lock (5) into the front wall (11) of the drawer, and the sliding lock (5) is further provided with a bevelled edge (52) at its outer end ) and is attached at its inner end by a pushing element (51) and on the rear wall (12) of the drawer fixed clamp (6) for fixed seating of SC / (A) PC connectors (7) or other similar types of optical and / or electrical connectors, consisting of lower clamping rail (61) with rectangular cutouts and upper clamping rails (63) with pressure screws (64) and whose connectors face the axially symmetrical adapters (10) located in the xyz plate (91) which is fixed to the rear wall of the frame (82) within the positioner (9). -6CZ 34205 U1 Locking socket (1) in a frame (8) for quick connection and disconnection of optical and / or electrical connectors according to claim 1, characterized in that the sliding lock body (5) of a predetermined length comprises a groove (53), and that the inner edge (54) of the groove in the locked or unlocked position is arranged to be pushed against the delimiting screw (56) by the compression spring (42) of the push-pull T-handle (4). Locking socket (1) in the frame (8) for quick connection and disconnection of optical and / or electrical connectors according to one of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the outer edge (55) of the groove is at such a distance from the inner edge ( 54) grooves in order not to limit the insertion of the sliding locks (5) towards the push-pull T-handle (4). Locking socket (1) in a frame (8) for quick connection and disconnection of optical and / or electrical connectors according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the clamp (6) is composed of a lower clamping strip (61) with rectangular slots for tight mounting of the movable sleeve of the SC / (A) PC connectors (7) or any other similar optical and / or electrical connectors with or without the movable sleeve, and of the upper clamping rails (63) with or without protrusions.