Plug-in device for connecting optical and/or electronic connectors and the method for this connecting

The locking insertion mechanism (15) is equipped with thrust components, bumper components, the control lever (1) and with reversibly horizontally sliding mechanism of the locking slider (6) with a safety component for securing the control lever (1) in its secure closed position during the defined insertion of the plug-in component (10) into the guide frame (11) and the previously-defined axial connection of optical and/or electronic connectors (8) in connector casings (9) in their axes. The method for performing the plug-in connecting of the optical and/or electronic connectors (8) into the connector casings (9) is performed in three phases.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention concerns a plug-in device for connecting optical and/or electronic connectors in connector casings containing at least one plug-in component, plugged into at least one guide frame, with counter-situated connectors of another plug-in device, firmly connected with the guide frame of the plug-in device. The plug-in component is essentially rectangular and contains a bottom, side walls, a front and back walk, created as a connector casing. The guide frame is essentially rectangular and contains side walls connected at both ends by four horizontally situated side strips. The outer side walls of the plug-in component are equipped with guide grooves/rails that fit the guide rails/grooves on the inner side walls of the guide frame.

The inventions also concern the method of executing this connecting of the optical and/or electronic connectors into connector casings.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

CZ PV 1999-4307 A3 (published Jun. 14, 2000), corresponding with EP 10 06 383 A1 and with U.S. Pat. No. 6,415,091 B1, applicant/owner SCHROFF GmbH Straubenhardt DE, describes a guiding and holding component. The guiding and holding component is meant for optical waveguides with a groove, with an open frame and with coupling pins, for extension on a bracket of assembly groups and with assembly groups of digital communications technology, which are connected using optical waveguides with other parts and separate components. The bracket of the assembly groups is equipped with a cover plate that has a grid of aeration and de-aeration openings, two side walls and at least one load-bearing rail. The guiding and holding component for assembly groups of digital communication technologies is situated on the bracket of the assembly groups for input and output optical waveguides and it is comprised of two pieces. The guiding and holding component is comprised of a guiding part and a holding part, which are mutually releasably connected by an adjustable plug-in connection, with an advantage in two mutually perpendicular directions.

The strength of this solution is the creation of a fastening component with a guide and holder for optical waveguides, terminated in assembly groups or leading out of them and located on the brackets of the assembly groups. Not only does this component serve to return the optical waveguides to a horizontal and vertical direction while maintaining the minimum permitted turning radii and for their insertion in the holder, but it is also useable during various heights of cover plates.

A disadvantage of this solution is the uncontrollable refracting of optical waveguides, during which equal distribution of the pressure cannot be guaranteed, thus there is a threat of damage to the fronts of the optical waveguides.

CZ PV 1992-415 A3 (published Feb. 19, 1992), priority FR 91/9101820, applicant Francelco. Sursennes F R, describes a plug-in and electric connecting block and the connector for this block. The block is primarily useable in the automotive industry The block contains a casing, the two opposite sides of which are equipped with longitudinal guiding protrusions, limiting parallel grooves. The block also contains flat plates made of insulating material, where each plate is inserted in one of these grooves. Each of the plates contains only one row of parallel passes for fitting contact clips and it has one large space in its front section, cut out for the creation of catches in the sense of threading, so that the catches are created to catch the individual clips by fitting in the openings of those clips. The casing and each of the fiat plates contain the appropriate cooperating safety devices, only permitting the full insertion of the plates in one direction. The guiding protrusions occupy the entire depth of the casing so that it leads each plate from the instant it is inserted into the casing in that the catches are narrowing and in that the casing is equipped with a step on one of its large walls for bringing to a stop the first plate's entire catch, which would be raised by the imperfect insertion of this plate's clips, while the step limits the deformation in the bend of the catch.

The used flat plates, when placed by force, when the clips they bear are not perfectly inserted and the catches snapped in, then the inserted plates can press in on the catch or the plate can be bent until it breaks. In these two cases the clip is no longer by one of the inserted plates. The entire catch, lifted by the clip, runs up against the step and slides along it until it rests against the stop, which halts it. The operator is thus warned and is forced to check the clips.

The disadvantage of this construction arrangement is the large angular looseness of the line, which is negatively reflected during the vibrations of single-mode optical waveguides with a low numerical aperture.

Plug-in boxes or plug-in components, used in optical or metallic or electronic systems are passive structural components, used for terminating the lines of connection and distribution networks or for the concurrent reorganisation of these networks into configurations suitable for their appropriate application. The plug-in boxes or plug-in components are equipped, on the back panel, with plugs for plug-in panel optical or metallic connectors, for plugging into the sockets. These sockets are immovably attached in frames, distribution stands, or other mechanical covers and they are equipped on their back panels with pairing connectors in the corresponding plugs.

So far the known and used methods of plugging plug-in boxes or components to sockets are essentially limited to manual manipulation during assembly and they rely on the thoroughness and skill of the operating technicians. In this case, however, it is often objectively difficult to maintain the necessary conditions of mechanic stress on both parts of the enjoined connectors. Apart from the angular deviations that regularly occur when plugging the boxes into the sockets, an especially critical parameter that is difficult to control objectively is the interval of the mutual compression stress of the ferules of the connected plugs and sockets. When inserting too cautiously the connection can be incomplete and imperfect while, on the other hand, inserting with too much force can result in the permitted force being exceeded, leading to permanent damage to the parts of the optical or metallic connectors.

The uncertainty in the knowledge of geometry against the inserted parts in the operating position causes problems. The problem is further complicated by the fact that the optical or metallic connectors are not physically accessible in this application because they are usually situated on the back side of the box, inserted in the sockets. It is not easy to manually secure by tightening or clicking. It can be seen that with the current means of assembly it is not possible to guarantee the proper functionality and position of insertion.

This calls into question the entire application of such devices in heavy climactic conditions such as large changes or ranges of temperatures or and difficult mechanical conditions such as a large range of vibrations that are characteristic of conditions in aeronautics.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aforementioned disadvantages are removed or considerably limited in plug-in devices for connecting optical or electronic connectors in connector casings. At least one plug-in component is inserted into at least one guide frame with oppositely-situated connectors of another plug-in device, firmly connected with the guide frame of the plug-in device. The essence of this invention consists of the side walls of the guide frame being equipped with thrust openings for the insertion of the thrust components of the plug-in component, while the entire front wall of the plug-in component is equipped with a locking insertion mechanism, which is equipped with a control lever and safety component for securing it in a closed position.

The main advantage of this invention is the securing of the long-term permanent optimal positioning of the plug-in units for the proper functionality of the connections in the entire range of environmental conditions, because the locking of the connections in the properly inserted position is absolutely categorically imperative for the proper functionality of the operated systems, even if the optical or electronic metallic contacts are not physically accessible, e.g. when they are located on the back side of the plug-in components inserted in the guide frames. The guide frame with thrust openings for the positioning of thrust components of components of the plug-in box ensures the secure insertion and mutual positioning of the plug-in component and guide frame.

It is an advantage that the locking insertion mechanism is equipped on each of its ends, facing out towards the side walls of the plug-in component, with thrust components and bumper components; on one end the control lever for controlling the locking insertion mechanism; and the reversible horizontally sliding mechanism of the locking slider with the safety component for securing the control lever in its secured closed position. The locking insertion mechanism in a suitable arrangement contains two elongated supporting transfer rods, horizontally arranged one over the other, and they are joined at both ends in a vertical shaft through the reversing rotating cams. On one end of the both rods, there are rods connected with vertical shaft, through two revolving reversible cams equipped with thrust components facing out of the locking insertion mechanism and with bumper components turned away from the locking slider, and on the other opposite end of the rods both of the rods are secured through the rotating cams attached to on one of the control levers, equipped with thrust components facing out and bumper components locking sliders turned toward the locking sliders.

In the proper arrangement, the locking slider contains a body that is reversibly sliding situated between both of the rods situated one over the other. A securing component is reversibly attached to the body on the side apparent to the control lever. On the reverse side the body is equipped with a finger grip for easy operation. The reversible horizontally sliding mechanism of the locking slider helps with the secure and controlled guidance, insertion and locking of the plug-in component into the guide frame until the termination of the secure connecting of the appropriate connectors through the control lever and securing component.

For the proper functioning of the control lever the optimal structural arrangement is when the control lever is reversibly elevating due to the front wall of the plug-in component reversibly revolving to the rods of the locking insertion mechanism. The control lever revolves around its axis by rotating.

The locking insertion mechanism, implemented in the sense of the subject of this invention, is designed to satisfy the mechanical and climatic demands under conditions of heavy load, not only for application in aeronautics and astronautics, but also in other similar climatically demanding areas. From a modular perspective, the mechanism is designed so that the forces when closing and securing the optical contacts only act within the mutually relevant pair of the plug-in component and the guide frame.

The locking of the connections in the proper position by insertion, which is aided by the bumper and thrust components at the ends of both rods, secures the functionality of the operated systems in difficult climatic conditions, e.g. in an adverse and changing temperature range, and mechanical conditions, e.g. under a large and fluctuating range of vibrations, which are characteristic of the conditions in aeronautics.

The thrust component, created as a thrust point, simplifies the guiding of the plug-in component to the thrust openings of the guide component.

The bumper component, created as a bumper spike, ensures, in the fully open and half-open position of the locking insertion mechanism's control lever, the halting of the plug-in component en the front edge of the guide frame.

The safety component, created as a holding tooth, represents the optimal structural solution for securing the control lever of the plug-in component in their closed position, thereby completing the insertion process.

The goal of this invention is also the method for performing the plug-in connecting of optical and/or electronic connectors to the connector casings, according to this invention, the essence of which consists of essentially three phases. In the first phase one plug-in component is first inserted and subsequently plugged into one guide frame. During this insertion the outer guide grooves/rails guide the rails/grooves of the plug-in component. During this insertion the outer guiding grooves/rails of the plug-in element are guided the rails/grooves on the inner side walls of the guide frame in the fully open position of the plug-in component's locking insertion mechanism's control lever, until halted by the bumper component, with the benefit of bumper spikes, to the front edge in the guide frame. In the second phase, when the plug-in component's bumper components are halted, with the benefit by using of bumper spikes, situated on the front edge of the guide frame, the locking insertion mechanism's control lever is lowered, during which the thrust component is guided into the proper position, with the benefit by using of the thrust points, for their subsequent insertion info the thrust openings of the guide frame and before the subsequent balanced insertion if the plug-in component into the guide frame. In the third phase, subsequently, the plug-in component's thrust components, with the benefit of the thrust points, enter into the thrust openings of the guide frame, while the plug-in component is uniformly inserted into the guide frame with the use of the rods of the locking insertion mechanism. Meanwhile the previously-defined uniform compression of the connector springs with the ferules in the connector casings occurs with the balanced division of pressure on all of the connectors. The balanced insertion takes place until the instant the control lever is secured in the closed position with the use of the safety component, with the benefit of the holding tooth, of the locking insertion mechanism's locking slider. This results in the previously-defined connection of all the ferules of all the connectors in the plug-in device's connector casings to all the oppositely situated ferules of the other plug-in device's connectors.

The main advantage of method for connecting optical and/or electronic connectors is the long-term constant optimal positioning of the plug-in components in the guide frame for the proper functionality of the connector connections, mechanical guidance and controlled insertion of the fibre plug-in components for optical and metallic systems equipped with panel plug-in connectors into the relevant connector casing stand for the purpose of securing the safe connecting of the relevant connectors while adhering to the permitted limits of mechanical load and the subsequent securing of the proper geometric position of the plug-in component or box in the guide frame or casing. Meanwhile the long-term proper functionality of all the optical and/or metallic connection components and the operational reliability of the equipment is ensured. A large strength is the possibility of the repeated assembly and disassembly required during the entire duration of the operation of this equipment. A large advantage of the invention is the objectively controllable parameter of the interval of the mutual compression stress of the ferules of the connected plug-in components.

The uniqueness of this invention consists in the ingenious mechanism of the plug-in component, which guarantees:

1) The safe and controlled insertion of the plug-in component into the guide frame, during which the subjective influence of the insertion is transferred from the operator to the control lever, thereby eliminating any mistakes caused by a human factor, such as inserting the plug-in component into the guide frame too sharply or strongly;

2) The subsequent balanced insertion of the plug-in component into the guide frame until the moment that the control lever snaps under the holding tooth of the locking slider. When lowering the control lever the thrust points of the plug-in component slide into the thrust openings in the guide frame.

3) The resulting protection against damage to the less visible rear mechanical parts of the guide frame during the use of excessive compressive force on the front side of the plug-in component in that the thrust points of the plug-in component sit on the thrust openings of the guide frame.

EXAMPLES OF IMPLEMENTING THE INVENTION

The specific exemplary implementation of the plug-in component10, as a single structural whole, containing further structural components, is illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2, as specified in greater detail below.

The plug-in component10is essentially right-angled and contains a bottom101, two vertical opposite side walls102, a front wall and103and an opposite back wall104.

The plug-in component10has a back wall104created as a connector casing9. Five openings18are created in the connector casing9in the example implementation according toFIGS. 1 and 2for the fitting of optical and/or electronic connectors8. One connector8fits into each opening18, e.g. a connector8of optic fibres. More connectors8can also fit in the connector casings9. Each connector8is comprised of a connector body, a ferule16of optic fibres and connector springs17, as illustrated, for example, inFIGS. 7band8b. The ferule18of optic fibres can have a single fibre or it contain up to 24 optic fibres in a single ferule16.

As can be seen inFIGS. 1 and 2, each of the side walls102of the plug-in component10is equipped on the exterior with a guide groove14. In this specific implementation the groove14is situated in the lower part of the side wall102.

The plug-in component10is inserted into the guide frame11, which in the example implementation is illustrated as a whole inFIG. 5.

The commonly known guide frame11, essentially a substitute for a socket, is right-angled and contains two opposite, vertical side walls112that are, in the example implementation according toFIG. 5, connected on both ends by four horizontally-situated connection plates113,114.

The height of the side walls112of the guide frame11defines the height of the side walls102of the plug-in component10for inserting the plug-in component10into the guide frame11. The side walls112of the guide frame11are connected on both ends, with the aid of fastening components, e.g. screws, to four rectangular connection plates113,114, upper and lower. The front, upper and lower connection plates113are situated at the end of the guide frame11, turned, after inserting the plug-in component10, towards the front wall103of the plug-in component10. The rear, upper and lower connection plates114are situated in the guide frame11, at the end, turned, after inserting the plug-in component10, towards the back wall104of the plug-in component10. The width of these connection plates113,114essentially defines the width for the insertion of the plug-in component10into the guide frame11, i.e. for inserting the front wall103and rear wall104of the plug-in component10into the guide frame11.

In the implementation according toFIG. 5, the guide frame1has the end of both of its side walls112turned toward the distance front connection plates113, equipped by four thrust openings12, used for fitting four thrust components, in the example implementation, of the thrust points4of the locking insertion mechanism16of the plug-in component10. In the example implementation inFIGS. 1,2and5, each of the side walls112of the guide frame11is equipped on its interior walls in the lower part with rails13, formed so that they fit on the guide grooves14of the plug-in component10. The opposite groove/rail configuration, not illustrated, is also possible, with the guide grooves14arranged on the inner side wall112of the guide frame11and the rails13on the outer side wall112of the plug-in component10.

The locking insertion mechanism15with the control lever1is affixed to the front wall103of the plug-in component10, as evident inFIGS. 1 and 2. As a whole the locking insertion mechanism15of the plug-in component10is illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4. InFIG. 3the locking insertion mechanism15is displayed in the open position of the control lever1. InFIG. 4the locking insertion mechanism15is displayed in the secure position of the control lever1and it is also displayed in this secure position inFIG. 1.

In more detail, the locking insertion mechanism15contains two elongated supporting transfer rods5, an upper and a lower rod5, arranged horizontally. Both of the rods5are located one over the other, on the outer walls of the locking insertion mechanism15, at a distance essentially corresponding to the height of the front wall103of the plug-in component10. Both of the transfer rods5are, on one ends turning away from the control lever1, connected with the vertical shaft through the reversible revolving cams2, upper and lower cams2. Each of these cams2controls, in the example implementation, four securing thrust components, specifically two thrust points4, upper and lower, and two bumper spikes3, upper and lower. The thrust points4are oriented from the outside of the locking insertion mechanism15of the plug-in component10. The bumper spikes3are turned toward the locking slider6.

On the opposite ends both of the rods5are attached to one control lever1. In the example implementation, illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4, both horizontally situated transfer rods5are formed in a rectangular shape. Meanwhile, as is evident fromFIGS. 1,2,3and4, both of these transfer rods5are, on the ends turned towards the control lever1, slightly offset in the direction of the side walls102of the plug-in component10. In the concrete implementation inFIGS. 3 and 4, it simplifies the expanded shape of the control lever1the secure and simple manipulation with the control lever1and its easy rotation around the axis20of rotation. Meanwhile the concrete shape of the expanded control lever1illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4, is a matter of design.

Thus the control lever1has a reversible revolving connection to the rods5and reversibly elevated to the plug-in component10. The body of the control lever1is, in the example implementation, affixed to the vertical shaft between both of the rods5. Thus the two horizontally-situated, expanding parts of the control lever1upper and lower, which are mutually connected in the example implementation to the vertical connection parts, are located one on top of the other between this shaft and both of the rods5. Each of the horizontally situated parts of the control lever1, have, in the example implementation, four securing components on its expanded outer ends, comprised of two thrust and two bumper components. The thrust components are comprised of two thrust points4, upper and lower, and two bumper spikes3, upper and lower. The bumper spikes3are turned to the locking slider6. In the example implementation each expanded part of the control lever1is narrowed in the direction of the looking slider6in the length securing the shutting of the control lever1to the holding tooth7of the locking slider6in the secure and closed state of the locking insertion mechanism15.

The actual body61of the locking slider mechanism6is situated between both of the rods5, which are situated one over the other. The locking slider6is reversibly horizontally sliding in the direction of the plug-in component10. The holding tooth7is reversibly swinging attached to the body61of the locking slider6on the side facing the control lever1. On the reverse side the body61of the locking slider6is equipped with a finger grip19for its easy sliding movement. The locking insertion mechanism15, after fully inserting the plug-in component10into the guide frame11, essentially fills the free rectangular space between both of the side walls112and the front connection plates113of the guide frame11, and thus essentially also replaces the missing front wall of the guide frame11.

The method of performing the connection between the optical and/or electronic connectors8and the neighbouring connector casings9takes place as follows, essentially in three phases, by inserting the locking insertion mechanism15of the plug-in component10into the guide frames11by the operator.

The first phase consists of the initial insertion and subsequent plugging in of the plug-in component10by the operator into the guide frame11, during which the guide grooves13of the plug-in component10guide the rails14of the guide frame11during the fully open position of the control lever1of the locking insertion mechanism15of the plug-in component10, until hitting the bumper components, in the specific example of the implementation bumper spikes3, on the front edge115of the guide frame11.

During the second phase, when the bumper spikes3of the plug-in component10hit the two vertical front edges115of both of the opposite side connection plates113of the guide frame it the control lever1is lowered and released. This ensures the correct position of the thrust points4, which in this phase also perform the function of the guiding points, into the thrust openings12of the guide frame it before the resulting balanced insertion of the plug-in component10into the guide frame11.

If the operator forgets to put the control lever1, of the plug-in component10into the fully-open position then, when inserting the thrust points4of the plug-in component10, it hits the two vertical front edges115of the guide frame11. This also causes the movement of the control lever1of the plug-in component10in the direction of closing, though the thrust points4of the plug-in component10will not be properly inserted into the thrust openings12of the guide frame11in this case the operator must repeat the entire process with the fully-open control lever1.

The third phase results in the subsequent balanced insertion of the plug-in component10into the guide frame10. In this phase the operator intentionally presses on the control lever1using the finger grip19in the direction of the front wall103of the plug-in component10. Meanwhile the insertion of the thrust points4of the plug-in component10mechanism enters the thrust openings12of the guide frame11. This simultaneously results, through the influence of the rods5of the locking insertion mechanism15also acting as a traction transfer mechanism, in the balanced insertion of the plug-in component10into the guide frame11, and also in the predefined decompression of the ferules16of the connectors8, until the moment when the control lever1snaps under the holding tooth7of the locking slider6.

To illustrate, this action is evident inFIGS. 6,7and8and in detail inFIGS. 6a,7aand8a.

The functional state of the connection of the fronts of the ferules16of the connectors8and the surpassing of the strength of the springs17of each connector8of the individual actions is schematically clarified inFIGS. 6b,7band8b.

FIGS. 6,7and8illustrate the view from above of the plug-in component10inserted into the guide frame11.

FIG. 6shows the state of the plug-in component10unplugged from the guide frame11, while detail A inFIG. 6ashows the state of the locking insertion mechanism15and its position towards the thrust openings12of the guide frame11. The plug-in component10has the control lever1open. The functional state of this unplugging is displayed, in addition toFIG. 3, inFIG. 6b, which schematically shows both connectors8, containing ferules16and pressure connector springs17. This state is captured at the moment when the bumper spikes3of the control lever1of the plug-in component10are thrust against the outer wall of the guide frame11.

FIG. 7shows the state of the plug-in component10inserted into the guide frame11, detail B of which inFIG. 7ashows the state of the locking insertion mechanism15and its position towards the thrust opening12of the guide frame11. The plug-in component10has the control lever1half-closed. The functional state of this insertion is displayed inFIG. 7b, which schematically shows both connectors8, containing ferules16and pressure connector springs17. This state demonstrates the physical contact of the fronts of the ferules16of the opposite connectors8and the state of the connector springs17in the position of the half-closed control lever1of the plug-in component10. At this moment the thrust points4of the plug-in component10are guided into the thrust openings12of the guide frame11.

FIG. 8shows the state of the plug-in component10secured in the guide frame11, whereas detail C inFIG. 8ashows the state of the looking insertion mechanism18and its position with regard to the thrust openings12of the guide frame11, where the plug-in component10has the closed control lever1. The functional state of this securing is displayed inFIG. 8b, which schematically shows both of the connected connectors8, containing ferules16and connector springs17.

The submitted invention enables and resolves the protection against damage to the less-visible rear mechanical parts of the guide frame11and the ends of the side walls112of the guide frame11turned towards them, against any excessive compressive force by the operator. This occurs when the operator is still pushing, or pushed with excessive force, on the front wall103of the plug-in component10in the phase of final insertion, i.e. after snapping the control lever1under the holding tooth7of the mechanism of the locking slider8. This case is eliminated by fitting the four back edges of the thrust points4of the plug-in component10into the four back edges of the thrust openings12of the guide frame11.

Detail A ofFIG. 6shows the control lever1reversibly affixed in the axis20of rotation.

To ensure the resulting and final insertion of the control lever1, of the plug-in component10into the guide frame11the following equation applies:

F2=a·F⁢⁢1b
where
F2is the resulting insertion force,
F1is the force induced by the operator on the control lever1,
a is the control lever turning radius1and
b is the thrust point turning radius4.

It ensures from this that the insertion force F2that operates on the plug-in component10into the guide frame11is directly proportional to the force placed by the operator on the control lever1and the defined ratio of turning radii a, b around the axes20of rotation. Radius a represents the distance between the axis20of rotation of the control lever1and the furthest bumper stop or bumper tooth3of the control lever1. Radius b represents the distance from the axis20of rotation of the control lever1and the thrust point4of the control lever1.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The solution can be used both in climatically demanding and normal environments for contact connections of optical and/or electronic connectors8of plug-in components10into guide frames11.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS