JP4155203B2 - Optical connector, optical module, and optical module unit - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical connector, an optical module, and an optical device for connecting optical fibers.

Conventionally, there is an optical connector for connecting an optical fiber, in which an optical fiber array and an optical connector are fixed. As one type, for example, as described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, an optical fiber array and an optical connector directly integrated are known. For example, as described in Patent Document 3, an optical connector that is directly fixed to an optical fiber array is fixed to a side surface of a housing.
JP-A-8-160242 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-64677 JP 2000-298219 A

  An optical connector in which an optical fiber array and an optical connector are fixed is usually used as a part of an optical module. Such an optical module may be coupled to an electrical substrate via an electrical connector and may be coupled to a counterpart optical component via an optical connector. By the way, in a state where the optical module is connected to the electric board, a slight positional deviation may occur between the optical connector of the optical module and the optical connector of the counterpart optical component. In the optical connector in which the optical fiber array is directly integrated with or fixed to the optical connector as in the above prior art, if there is such a positional shift, a large stress acts on the optical connector when the optical connector is coupled. Therefore, the connection loss of the optical fiber increases.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an optical connector, an optical module, and an optical module unit that can reduce a connection loss of an optical fiber that occurs when connecting to a counterpart optical component.

  The optical connector of the present invention includes a first connection member that holds one end side portion of an optical fiber, and a second connection that is disposed at a predetermined interval from the first connection member and holds the other end side portion of the optical fiber. A member, and a fixing portion that is provided between the first connection member and the second connection member and is formed of an elastic adhesive, and which displaceably joins the first connection member to the second connection member. It is a feature.

  Consider a case where an optical module including such an optical connector is connected to, for example, an electric board, and the first connecting member is connected to an optical connector of a counterpart optical component. In such an optical connector, since a fixing portion made of an elastic adhesive is provided between the first connection member and the second connection member, the positional displacement is caused between the first connection member and the optical connector of the counterpart optical component. If there exists, a 1st connection member will be connected with an optical connector in the state displaced with respect to the 2nd connection member. Since the first connecting member is displaced with respect to the second connecting member in this way, the stress acting on the first connecting member is relieved, and no excessive force is applied to the optical fiber, reducing the connection loss of the optical fiber. It becomes possible to do.

  In this case, preferably, the first connecting member is an optical connector ferrule, and the second connecting member is a member for aligning the other end of the optical fiber with respect to the optical waveguide.

  Thus, since the optical connector ferrule is used as the first connecting member, the first connecting members can be easily connected to each other. In addition, if such an optical connector is used, an optical connection between the optical fiber aligned with the optical waveguide by the second connection member and the counterpart optical component connected by the first connection members can be easily realized. can do.

  The present invention also provides an optical module comprising an optical connector having an optical fiber and an optical device having an optical waveguide fixed to the optical connector and connected to the optical fiber, wherein the optical connector is an optical fiber. A first connecting member holding one end side portion of the optical fiber, a second connecting member arranged at a predetermined interval from the first connecting member, and holding the other end side portion of the optical fiber, a first connecting member and a second connecting member. A first fixing portion that is provided between the connection member and is formed of an elastic adhesive and that displaceably joins the first connection member to the second connection member. It is fixed to the end face of the second connecting member so as to be connected to the other end of the fiber.

  Consider a case where such an optical module is connected to, for example, an electric board and the first connecting member of the optical connector is connected to the optical connector of the counterpart optical component. In such an optical module, since a fixing portion made of an elastic adhesive is provided between the first connection member and the second connection member, there is a positional shift between the first connection member and the optical connector of the counterpart optical component. In some cases, the first connecting member is coupled to the optical connector in a state of being displaced with respect to the second connecting member. By displacing the first connection member with respect to the second connection member in this way, the stress acting on the first connection member is relieved, and no excessive force is applied to the optical fiber, thereby reducing the connection loss of the optical fiber. It becomes possible to reduce.

  Preferably, the housing is provided between the housing for housing the optical connector and the optical device, the first connecting member and the housing, and is formed of an elastic adhesive so that the first connecting member can be displaced with respect to the housing. And a second fixing portion to be joined.

  In this way, the optical device can be protected from dust and water by housing the optical device in the housing and closing the space between the housing and the first connecting member with the second fixing portion. In addition, since the second fixing portion is formed of an elastic adhesive, even if the optical connector and the optical device are accommodated in the housing, the positional displacement between the first connecting member and the optical connector of the counterpart optical component is caused. The resulting optical fiber connection loss can be reduced.

  The optical module unit of the present invention includes a plurality of the optical modules described above, and the first connection members of the optical modules are coupled to each other.

  As described above, since the first connection members of the optical module including the optical connector described above are coupled to each other, the stress acting on each first connection member at the time of coupling is relaxed, and an unreasonable force is applied to the optical fiber. In addition, the connection loss of the optical fiber can be reduced.

  In this case, preferably, the first connection portions of the optical modules are fixed by an adhesive that transmits light.

  In this way, by fixing the first connection portions with an adhesive that transmits light, the optical modules can be permanently connected without affecting the optical characteristics of the signal light.

  According to the present invention, when the optical connector and the counterpart optical component are coupled, it is possible to reduce the connection loss of the optical fiber due to the positional deviation between the optical connector and the counterpart optical component. Become.

  Preferred embodiments of an optical connector, an optical module, and an optical module unit according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an embodiment of an optical connector according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a side view of the optical connector. 3 is a front view of the optical connector, and FIG. 4 is a rear view of the optical connector.

  In each figure, the optical connector 1 of this embodiment includes an optical fiber 2, an optical connector ferrule (first connection member) 3, and an optical fiber array (second connection member) 4.

  The optical connector ferrule 3 is for holding one end side portion of the optical fiber 2, and more specifically is an MT connector ferrule. As shown in FIG. 3, the optical connector ferrule 3 includes a pair of guide holes 30 into which guide pins (not shown) are inserted, and a plurality of holes (here, eight holes) disposed between the guide holes 30. Optical fiber hole 32. The optical fiber 2 exposed from the coating portion of the optical fiber ribbon (not shown) is inserted into each optical fiber hole 32.

  The optical fiber array 4 is for holding the other end portion of the optical fiber 2 and is arranged at a predetermined interval from the optical connector ferrule 3. Such a predetermined interval will be described later. The optical fiber array 4 includes an optical fiber array substrate 40 and a pressing plate 42. As shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of optical fiber positioning V-grooves 44 for accommodating and positioning the optical fibers 2 are formed on the upper surface of the optical fiber array substrate 40 (eight locations here). The holding plate 42 is arranged on the opposite side of the optical connector ferrule 3 so as to cover a part of the optical fiber 2 arranged on the optical fiber array substrate 40. As described above, the optical fiber array 4 is configured such that the optical fiber 2 is sandwiched between the optical fiber array substrate 40 and the pressing plate 42, so that the positioning and fixing of the optical fiber 2 are performed reliably.

  Positioning and fixing of the optical fiber 2 by such an optical fiber array 4 are performed as follows. That is, the optical fiber 2 is disposed in the optical fiber positioning V-groove 44 of the optical fiber array substrate 40, and the pressing plate 42 is bonded to the upper surface of the optical fiber array substrate 40. Then, in a state where the optical fiber 2 is sandwiched between the optical fiber array substrate 40 and the holding plate 42, a fiber fixing resin (for example, the optical fiber ferrule 3 side portion of the optical fiber array substrate 40 where the optical fiber 2 is exposed is covered. (Epoxy resin etc.) 6 is filled.

  Between the optical connector ferrule 3 and the optical fiber array 4, there is provided a fixing portion (first fixing portion) 5 which is formed of an elastic adhesive and joins the optical connector ferrule 3 to the optical fiber array 4 so as to be displaceable. It has been. Here, the predetermined distance separating the optical connector ferrule 3 and the optical fiber array 4 is that the optical fiber 2 can flex freely, and the optical connector ferrule 3 and the optical fiber array 4 are elastically bonded. It is a distance that can be sufficiently adhered by the agent. As the elastic adhesive, for example, a silicone-based adhesive such as a mixed resin of silicone and epoxy or a mixed resin of silicone and acrylic is used.

  The fixing unit 5 holds the optical fiber 2 between the optical connector ferrule 3 and the optical fiber array 4 so that the optical fiber 2 between the optical connector ferrule 3 and the optical fiber array 4 is entirely wrapped. It is formed by filling the gap with the above-mentioned elastic adhesive. Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the optical connector ferrule 3 can be freely moved in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the optical fiber 2 with respect to the optical fiber array 4.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic horizontal sectional view of an optical module including the optical connector 1 described above, and FIG. 8 is a schematic vertical sectional view of the optical module.

  In each figure, the optical module 10 of this embodiment includes the two optical connectors 1 described above, an optical device 11 fixed in a state sandwiched between the optical connectors 1, and a housing 12. Yes. In the optical module 10, the optical connector 1 and the optical device 11 are arranged in a housing 12, and the connection end surface side portion of the optical connector ferrule 3 of the optical connector 1 is connected to the housing 12 from the outer wall surface 12 a. It is led out of the body 12. Note that a connector terminal 22 is provided on the lower surface portion 12b of the housing 12 so as to be connected to an electric board 50 described later.

  Between the opening wall surface 12c of the housing 12 and the optical connector ferrule 3, a fixing portion (second fixing portion) 13 formed of an elastic adhesive is provided. The fixing portion 13 joins the optical connector ferrule 3 to the housing 12 so as to be freely displaceable. As the elastic adhesive forming the fixing part 13, for example, the same one as the elastic adhesive forming the fixing part 5 described above is used.

  The optical device 11 has a planar waveguide 110 having an optical waveguide core 111 connected to the optical fiber 2 of each optical connector 1, and an actuator 112 disposed on the planar waveguide 110. The optical device 11 is, for example, an optical switch or an optical variable attenuator, and the actuator 112 has a reflection mirror that operates in response to application of a voltage. The optical fiber array 4 of the optical connector 1 is fixed to both end faces 11a and 11b of the optical device 11 (planar waveguide 110) in a state where the optical fiber 2 is aligned with the optical waveguide core 111.

  In such an optical module 10, the optical device 11 is accommodated in the housing 12, and the space between the housing 12 and the optical connector ferrule 3 of the optical connector 1 is closed by the fixing portion 13, so that light from dust or water can be obtained. The device 11 can be protected. Thereby, it becomes possible to prevent the characteristic deterioration of the optical device 11. Moreover, by forming the fixing portion 13 with an elastic adhesive, the optical connector ferrule 3 can be freely moved in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the optical fiber 2 with respect to the housing 12.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic horizontal sectional view of an optical module unit including the optical module 10 described above, and FIG. 10 is a schematic vertical sectional view of the optical module unit.

  In each figure, the optical module unit 20 of this embodiment is formed by coupling a plurality (here, two) of optical modules 10. In the optical module unit 20, the optical connector ferrules 3 of the two optical modules 10 are coupled to each other by inserting guide pins into the guide holes 30 of the optical connector ferrule 3. At this time, the coupling surfaces of the optical connector ferrules 3 are bonded and fixed with an adhesive that transmits light. Thereby, compared with the case where fusion splicing is adopted, the optical connector ferrules 3 can be easily and permanently connected. When the two optical modules 10 are detachably connected, for example, the two optical connector ferrules 3 are sandwiched by clips with the guide pins inserted into the guide holes 30 of the optical connector ferrule 3. The adhesive used for bonding and fixing the coupling surfaces of the optical connector ferrules 3 is a UV curable adhesive having a refractive index close to that of the optical fiber in order to quickly bond the optical connector ferrules 3 in a connected state. Agents are preferred. The other optical connector ferrule 3 not bonded to the optical module 10 is coupled to an optical connector ferrule 60 to which an optical fiber ribbon 61 is connected.

  The optical module 10 in such an optical module unit 20 is electrically connected to the electric substrate 50. More specifically, the optical module unit 20 is connected to the electric board 50 by inserting the connector terminals 22 of the respective optical modules 10 into socket terminals 52 provided on the electric board 50. Thereby, the voltage can be applied to the actuator 112 of the optical device 11 described above.

  When such an optical module unit 20 is connected to the electric substrate 50, a slight positional deviation may occur between one optical module 10 and the other optical module 10 due to a processing error or the like. In this case, when the optical connector ferrule 3 of each optical module 10 is fixed to the housing 12, a guide pin (not shown) is forcibly inserted into the guide hole 30 of each optical connector ferrule 3 to each optical connector. The ferrules 3 are connected to each other. For this reason, since stress acts on each optical connector ferrule 3, an excessive force is applied to the optical fiber 2, or the cores of the optical fibers 2 of the two optical connector ferrules 3 are displaced, resulting in a connection loss of the optical fiber 2. Will increase.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, a fixing portion 5 formed of an elastic adhesive is provided between the optical connector ferrule 3 of the optical device 11 and the optical fiber array 4, and the optical connector ferrule 3 and the housing 12 are provided. Since the fixing portion 13 formed of an elastic adhesive is provided between the optical connector ferrule 3 and the housing 12, the optical connector ferrule 3 can be freely displaced. For this reason, since the misalignment between the two optical modules 10 is absorbed, the stress acting on the optical connector ferrules 3 of each optical module 10 is relieved. Thereby, the connection loss of the optical fiber 2 can be reduced without applying an excessive force to the optical fiber 2 or shifting the core of the optical fiber 2 of the two optical connector ferrules 3. As a result, it is possible to reduce the influence of the positional deviation generated between the two optical modules 10 on the optical fiber.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the two optical modules 10 are connected to each other. However, the optical module 10 may be connected to an optical module having an optical connector ferrule that is not displaced with respect to the housing. . In this case, when the optical module 10 is attached to the electric board 50, the optical module 10 can be operated even if there is a slight misalignment between the optical connector ferrule 3 of the optical module 10 and the optical connector of the counterpart optical component. Since the connector ferrule 3 is displaced with respect to the housing 12, the positional deviation between the optical modules can be absorbed in the same manner as described above.

  Moreover, in the optical connector 1 of the said embodiment, although the one end side part of the optical fiber 2 was hold | maintained with the optical connector ferrule 3, the other end side part of the optical fiber 2 was hold | maintained with the optical fiber array 4, The optical connector can also be applied to one in which both the one end side portion and the other end side portion of the optical fiber 2 are held by the optical connector ferrule 3 or the optical fiber array 4.

It is a top view of one Embodiment of the optical connector which concerns on this invention. It is a side view of the optical connector shown in FIG. It is a front view of the optical connector shown in FIG. It is a rear view of the optical connector shown in FIG. It is a top view which shows the state which the optical connector ferrule of the optical connector 1 deform | transformed with respect to the optical fiber array. It is a side view which shows the state which the optical connector ferrule of the optical connector 1 deform | transformed with respect to the optical fiber array. It is a horizontal direction schematic sectional drawing of one Embodiment of the optical module which concerns on this invention. FIG. 8 is a schematic vertical sectional view of the optical module shown in FIG. 7. It is a horizontal direction schematic sectional drawing of one Embodiment of the optical module unit which concerns on this invention. FIG. 10 is a schematic vertical sectional view of the optical module unit shown in FIG. 9.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Optical connector, 2 ... Optical fiber, 3 ... Optical connector ferrule, 4 ... Optical fiber array, 5 ... Fixed part, 10 ... Optical module, 11 ... Light Device: 12 ... Case, 13 ... Fixing part, 20 ... Optical module unit.

Claims (4)

An optical module comprising an optical connector having an optical fiber, and an optical device having an optical waveguide fixed to the optical connector and connected to the optical fiber,
The optical connector is
A first connecting member holding one end portion of the optical fiber;
A second connecting member that is disposed at a predetermined interval from the first connecting member and holds the other end portion of the optical fiber;
A first fixing portion that is provided between the first connection member and the second connection member and is formed of an elastic adhesive and that displaceably joins the first connection member to the second connection member; Have
The optical device is fixed to an end surface of the second connection member so that the optical waveguide is connected to the other end of the optical fiber. A housing for housing the optical connector and the optical device;
A second fixing portion that is provided between the first connection member and the housing and is formed of an elastic adhesive and that displaceably joins the first connection member to the housing; The optical module according to claim 1 . A plurality of the optical modules according to claim 1 or 2 ,
The optical module unit, wherein the first connection members of the optical modules are coupled to each other. The optical module unit according to claim 3 , wherein the first connection portions of the optical modules are fixed by an adhesive that transmits light.

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