JPH04211208A - Optical module and manufacturing device and manufacturing method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an optical module having excellent workability in the case of mounting at low processing cost. CONSTITUTION:An optical connector to receive edge parts of optical fibers supported with optical plugs on one edge sides is provided, and a receptacle 21, which has connector supports 20 to support the other edge sides of these optical connectors with resinous members 25 and an opening part 21a which supports the connector supports 20 by containing one edge sides of the optical connectors and is engaged with the optical plugs, is provided.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

FIELD OF INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION The present invention relates to an optical module equipped with an optical connector and a receptacle, an apparatus for manufacturing the same, and a method for manufacturing the same. The present invention relates to an optical module in which a light emitting element or a light receiving element) and an optical fiber are mutually optically coupled together, an apparatus for manufacturing the same, and a manufacturing method thereof.

0002

[Prior Art] In conventional optical modules, a single-fiber optical sub-module is fabricated that optically couples one optically actuated element and one optical fiber to each other, and then a plurality of these single-fiber optical sub-modules are connected to each other. They were made in combination.

[0003] As such a single-core optical sub-module,
There are transmitting modules that use light-emitting elements such as semiconductor lasers as optically active elements, and receiving modules that use light-receiving elements such as PIN photodiodes as optically active elements.

FIG. 11 shows an example of the structure of a conventional single-core optical sub-module. As shown in the figure, in the conventional single-core optical submodule, a light-activated element (light-emitting device) is connected to an optical connector 10 that fits into a ferrule (not shown) fixed to the end of an optical fiber (not shown). element or light receiving element)
2 is fixed with adhesive or the like after adjusting the optical axis. The optical connector 10 to which the optically actuated element 2 is fixed in this manner is fixed to the ceramic package 3 with an adhesive or the like. The ceramic package 3 includes an optical connector 10
In addition, a substrate 6 carrying an electronic circuit section made of electronic circuit components such as a bare chip IC 5 is fixed. The bare chip IC 5 and the like on the substrate 6 are sealed by the lid 7 together with the wires connecting them to the wiring pattern on the substrate 6. The ceramic package 3 is also provided with a lead pin 8 consisting of an inner lead 8a erected inside the package and an outer lead 8b erected outside the package. After electrically connecting the inner lead 8a and the electronic circuit section on the substrate 6 and between this electronic circuit section and the terminals of the optically actuated element 2 by wire bonding or the like, the metal package 9 is fixed to the ceramic package 3 to form a single-core optical sub-module. A plurality of single-core optical sub-modules 11 configured in this way are then shown in FIGS.
3, an optical module is constructed by assembling it into the receptacle 12.

As shown in FIG. 12, in a conventional optical module, a photoactive element, electronic components constituting its drive circuit, optical connector 10, etc. are built into a metal package 9, and one photoactive element and one optical After producing a single-core optical module 11 that optically couples optical fibers to each other, a plurality of single-core optical modules 11 are combined into a receptacle 12. Therefore, a rectangular notch 12b is formed in the receptacle 12, and an engaging part 10a is formed on the outer periphery of the optical connector 10. When the engaging part 10a fits into the notch 12b, the optical Connector 10 is precisely positioned relative to receptacle 12. By inserting and fitting the optical plug 15 holding the ends of a plurality of optical fibers into the receptacle 12, each optical fiber and the optical element built in each single-core optical module are mutually connected at once. and are optically coupled.

[0006]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] As mentioned above, in the conventional optical module, the single-core optical sub-module 11
However, this single-core optical sub-module 11 itself has many parts and is completed by assembling the individual components one by one. Therefore, the assembly process was complicated and required many man-hours. Furthermore, since expensive materials such as ceramics were used, it was difficult to reduce the price and mass-produce them.

On the other hand, the optical module is constructed by combining a plurality of single-core optical modules 11 and receptacles 12 after forming these single-core optical sub-modules 11. For this reason, highly accurate positioning between optical connectors and between optical connectors and receptacles is difficult. In this case, in addition to the above-mentioned circumstances, the complicated shape of the optical connector as shown in FIG. 11 must be formed with high precision, which further increases the processing cost.

[0008] When assembling the single-core optical module 11 into the receptacle 12, the mutual spacing between the optical connectors 10 provided in each single-core optical module 11 and the relative relationship between these optical connectors 10 and the receptacle opening 12a are also considered. If the positional relationship does not satisfy a predetermined positional accuracy, the optical plug 15 will not be able to be fitted smoothly, leading to uneven wear or damage to the optical connector 10 or the ferrule fixed to the tip of the optical fiber. .

[0009] In order to avoid such a situation, conventionally, the
As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 14, a multi-core optical connector had to be constructed using an alignment jig 16 having the same shape as the optical plug 15. That is, an alignment jig 16 that holds a plurality of alignment ferrules 13 to be inserted into the optical connector 10 at predetermined intervals with high precision is prepared, and these are printed while attached to the receptacle 12 and the single-core optical module 11. It had to be fixed to a mounting target such as the board 17.

[0010] For this reason, conventional optical modules have poor workability during mounting, and when assembling a large number of optical modules, it is necessary to prepare a large number of highly accurate alignment jigs 16. Due to these circumstances, it has been difficult to reduce the cost and mass produce conventional multi-core optical modules.

[0011] In view of the above-mentioned circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide an optical module at a low cost and with good workability during mounting by employing simple shapes for the connector holder and receptacle.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an optical module manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method that can be mass-produced and realizes highly accurate positioning of an optical connector and an optical plug.

[0013]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an optical module according to the present invention includes an optical connector that receives at one end the end of an optical fiber held by an optical plug, and has an optical connector that receives an end of an optical fiber held by an optical plug. The connector holder includes a connector holder whose end side is held by a resin member, and a receptacle that encloses one end of the optical connector, holds a part of the connector holder, and has an opening into which an optical plug is fitted.

Further, the optical module manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention includes a mold for resin molding the receptacle, and the mold has a core forming the opening, and the core has the above-mentioned mold. A holding part is formed to hold a part of the connector holding body.

Furthermore, the method for manufacturing an optical module according to the present invention includes a step of holding one end of the optical connector with a molded resin to form a connector holder, and a step of holding one end of the optical connector inside and holding the connector. and a step of resin-molding a receptacle that holds a part of the body and has an opening that fits into the optical plug.

[0016]

[Operation] The optical module according to the present invention has a structure in which an optical connector is held by a connector holder and a part of this connector holder is held by a receptacle, so the number of parts is small and the structure is relatively simple. ing. Here, the dimensional accuracy between the optical connectors provided in the connector holder held in the receptacle and the relative positional accuracy between the opening of the receptacle and each optical connector are determined by the mold, etc. used when molding the receptacle. (including the core) has achieved dimensional accuracy. Therefore, the opening into which the optical plug is inserted is precisely positioned relative to the optical connector, and by inserting the optical plug into the opening, the optical plug and the optical connector are positioned relative to each other.

Further, in the optical module manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention, the connector holder and the receptacle are precisely positioned by the core, and the optical plug and the receptacle are precisely positioned by the opening of the receptacle.

Furthermore, in the method for manufacturing an optical module according to the present invention, the connector holder and the receptacle that holds the connector holder and fits with the optical plug are formed by resin molding, so the manufacturing process is simplified. .

[0019]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, FIGS. 1 to 9 show optical modules having receptacles connected to multiple optical plugs.
The explanation will be based on.

First, an optical module according to a first embodiment will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. The optical module according to this embodiment constitutes a two-core optical transceiver module using two connector holders that hold one optical connector. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a two-core optical transceiver module according to the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a mold included in the manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing the optical module according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 3 is an opening of a receptacle. It is a perspective view showing a part of core for formation. In the two-core optical transceiver module shown in Figure 1,
Two connector holders 20 are integrally held by a receptacle 21 made of molded resin. As shown in FIG. 2, the connector holder 20 holds the optical connector 2.
2, lead pins 23, and other components constituting the single-core optical module are integrally held by a molded resin member 25. The optical connector 22 is held in a molded resin member 25 with one end side that receives the end of an optical fiber (not shown) exposed to the outside, and the connector holder 20 has one end side of the optical connector inside the receptacle 21. It is held in the receptacle 21 in an enclosed state. In the illustrated embodiment, one connector holder 20 is used, one for transmitting light with a light emitting element and the other for receiving light having a light receiving element.

[0021] The receptacle 21 has an opening 21a that fits into the optical plug and is opened on the side opposite to the side on which the connector holder 20 is held. The optical plug that fits into the opening 21a holds two optical fiber ends, and by inserting and fitting the optical plug into the opening 21a, the optical fiber ends are connected to the receptacle 2.
The optical connectors are received at one end side of an optical connector included in the optical connector 1, and are optically coupled to optically actuated elements fixed to the optical connector. A latch hole 21b is opened at the side of the opening 21a, and when the optical plug is fitted into the opening 21a, an elastic protrusion formed on the side of the optical plug engages with the latch hole 21b, so that the light is released. The plug is held so that it does not fall out of the receptacle 21. Note that the receptacle 21 holds a stud pin 26 for fixing to a printed circuit board or the like.

Next, a case will be described in which the above-mentioned two-core optical transceiver module is manufactured using the mold shown in FIG. 2. The illustrated mold is a mold for resin molding the receptacle 21, and is composed of an upper mold 30, a lower mold 31, a core 32 for forming an opening, and two cores 33 for forming a latch hole. The upper mold 30 and the lower mold 31 have recesses 30a and 31 for molding the outer shape of the receptacle 21.
In addition to forming a core holding portion 30b and 31b to which the core 32 is slidably attached, and core holding portions 30c and 31c to which the core 33 is slidably attached, and further, Two recesses 30d and 31d for receiving the connector holder 20 are connected to the recesses 30a and 31a.
formed one by one. The core 32 is attached to the core holding parts 30b and 31b and held between the upper mold 30 and the lower mold 31, protrudes into the cavity formed by the recesses 30a and 31a of the upper mold and the lower mold, and is inserted into the inside of the receptacle 21. Mold the shape. As shown in FIG. 3(a), the tip of the core 32 protruding into the cavity has a fitting that closely fits and holds one end of the optical connector 22 provided in the connector holder 20. A matching hole 32a is formed. Further, the core 33 is attached to the core holding parts 30c and 31c, and engages with a recess 32b formed on the side of the core 32 to form the latch hole 21b of the receptacle 21.

When manufacturing a two-core optical transceiver module by resin molding using the mold as described above, first, the connector holder 20 is prepared, and the optical connector 2 provided therein is first prepared.
2 is fitted into the fitting hole 32a of the core 32, and these are attached to the core holding parts 30b, 31b and the recesses 30d, 31d of the upper and lower molds, respectively. Note that, prior to this, the stud pin 26 is attached to the lower die 31 in advance. Then, the core 33 for forming the latch hole is attached to the core holding parts 30c and 31c, respectively, and the inner end of the core 33 is engaged with the recess 32b of the core 32 for forming the opening. Thereafter, plasticized molding resin is injected into the cavity formed by the recesses 30a and 31a of the upper and lower molds to mold the receptacle 21 that integrally holds the two single-core optical modules 20. Then, the lead pins 23 provided on the connector holders 20 are bent into a predetermined shape, and the two connector holders 20 are attached to the receptacle 2 as shown in FIG.
To obtain a two-core optical transceiver module having a structure in which 1 is integrally held.

In the above-described resin forming procedure, after the core 32 holds one end side of the optical connector 22 included in the connector holder 20, the connector holder 20 is attached to the upper mold 30 and the lower mold 31 together with the core 32. First, the connector holder 20 is inserted into the recesses 30 of the upper mold 30 and the lower mold 31.
d and 31d, and then the fitting hole 32 of the core 32 is inserted into one end side of the optical connector 22 provided in the connector holder 20.
A may also be fitted.

The molding resin injected into the mold is polyphenylene sulfide (PP), which has high dimensional stability.
It is desirable to use S) or a thermosetting epoxy resin.

By the way, in the multi-core optical module manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention, two fitting holes are provided in the core 32 for forming the opening as a holding part for holding one end side of the optical connector 22 provided in the connector holding body 20. 32a, and this core 32 has a function of determining the relative positional relationship between the opening 21a of the receptacle 21 and the optical connector 22, and the relative positional relationship between the optical connectors 22. Therefore, the relative positional relationship between the opening 21a of the receptacle 21 and the optical connector 22 and the relative positional relationship between the optical connectors 22 depend on the accuracy of the inner diameter dimension of the fitting hole 32a and their relative positional relationship, as well as the outer diameter dimension accuracy of the optical connector 22. The dimensional accuracy regarding the relative positional relationship of is determined. Since the optical connector 22 has conventionally been manufactured with high dimensional accuracy in its outer diameter, the dimensional accuracy regarding these relative positional relationships is ultimately determined by the dimensional accuracy when the core 32 is manufactured. The technical level of manufacturing molds for resin molding including the core 32 and the like has reached a level where extremely high dimensional accuracy can be achieved. The dimensional accuracy of the relative positional relationship can be sufficiently satisfied. Therefore, without using a conventional alignment jig, it is possible to mass-produce a two-core optical transceiver module with high dimensional accuracy using the resin molding described above with good reproducibility. In addition, when mounting a multi-core optical module on a fixed object such as a printed circuit board, the troublesome alignment work using an expensive alignment jig is no longer necessary, and the multi-core optical module can be mounted on a fixed object such as a printed circuit board. It can be easily mounted on fixed objects.

Optical connector 2 in multi-core optical module
2 relative positional relationship and the opening 2 of the receptacle 21
Regarding the dimensional accuracy regarding the relative positional relationship between optical connector 1a and optical connector 22, strict accuracy is required for optical connector 2.
The dimensional accuracy with respect to the central axis of the inner diameter portion that receives the end of the optical fiber is higher than the dimensional accuracy with respect to the central axis of the inner diameter portion that receives the end portion of the optical fiber. In the embodiment described above, the optical connector 22 is positioned based on its outer diameter center axis, so if the outer diameter and inner diameter center axes of the optical connector do not match, the distance between the inner diameter center axes and A relative dimensional error will occur between the receptacle opening 21a and the inner diameter center axis. In order to prevent the occurrence of such errors, as shown in FIG. 3(b), the optical connector 22 is closely fitted into the center of the fitting hole 32a formed in the core 32 from one end side. It is preferable to provide a ferrule 35 for alignment.

In this embodiment, the single-core optical module is not a conventional single-core optical module obtained by sequentially assembling components such as an optical connector into a ceramic package, but a structure of an optical connector, etc. It uses a single-core optical module whose components are integrally held in molded resin. This is because if the accuracy of the assembly position of the optical connector 22 with respect to the external dimensions of the entire connector holder 20 is low, the recesses 30d and 31d for receiving the single-core optical module must be formed larger in the mold to accommodate the assembly tolerance. This results in a large gap between the single-core optical module and the mold, which causes burrs during receptacle molding, which is unfavorable in terms of appearance. Therefore, in order to prevent such a situation, this embodiment uses a single-core optical module in which components such as optical connectors are integrally held in molded resin. be. When forming a single-fiber optical module by integrally holding its components in a molded resin, one end of the optical connector is tightly held in a mold for molding the single-fiber optical module. This is because, by using the high dimensional accuracy realized by the mold, a single-core optical connector with high assembly position accuracy of the optical connector can be obtained.

Next, an optical module according to a second embodiment will be explained with reference to FIGS. 4 to 9. The optical module according to this embodiment uses a connector holder that integrally holds a plurality of optical connectors. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a two-core optical transceiver module according to the second embodiment, and FIGS. 5 to 9 show an example of a manufacturing apparatus used for manufacturing the two-core optical transceiver module. In the illustrated two-core optical transceiver module, a connector holder 20 equipped with two optical connectors 22 is a receptacle 2 made of molded resin.
1 and is formed. As shown in FIG. 4, FIG. 5, or FIG. 6, the connector holder 20 includes parts that constitute the connector holder 20, such as the optical connector 22 and lead pins 23, integrally formed with a molded resin member 25 made of molded resin. held and formed. The optical connector 22 is held in a molded resin member 25 with one end side that receives the end of an optical fiber (not shown) exposed to the outside, and the connector holder 20 has one end side of the optical connector 22 inside the receptacle 21. It is held in the receptacle 21 in a state of being encapsulated. In the illustrated embodiment, the connector holder 20 is used for light reception, in which a light emitting element is fixed to one optical connector and a light receiving element is fixed to the other optical connector.

[0030] The receptacle 21 has an opening 21a that fits into the optical plug and is opened on the side opposite to the side on which the connector holder 20 is held. The optical plug that fits into the opening 21a holds two optical fiber ends, and by inserting and fitting the optical plug into the opening 21a, the optical fiber ends are connected to the receptacle 2.
The optical connectors 1 and 2 are received at one end side of an optical connector 22 included in the optical connector 1, and are optically coupled to optically actuated elements fixed to the optical connector 22, respectively. A latch hole 21b is opened at the side of the opening 21a, and when the optical plug is fitted into the opening 21a, an elastic protrusion formed on the side of the optical plug engages with the latch hole 21b, so that the light is released. The plug is held so that it does not fall out of the receptacle 21. Note that a stud pin 26 for fixing to a printed circuit board or the like is integrally held in the receptacle 21.

Next, the manufacturing process of the two-core optical transceiver module shown in FIG. 4 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 5 to 9.

FIG. 5 shows the state before the optical connector 22 and other components constituting the connector holder 20 are resin-molded, and FIG. 6 shows the state before the optical connector 22 and other components constituting the multi-core optical module This shows the state after the component parts have been resin molded.

The above-described two-core optical transceiver module is manufactured by manufacturing the connector holder 20 and then molding the receptacle 21 using this as an insert part. The connector holder 20 is manufactured, for example, as follows.

First, as shown in FIG. 5, the light emitting diode 27 and photodiode 28 are fixed to the two optical connectors 22 by welding or the like after optical axis adjustment. Next, the lead frame 36 is prepared. The lead frame 36 includes the lead pin 23, a frame portion 36a supporting the lead pin 23, and a substrate portion 36b supported by these. An insulating film made of alumina (Al2O3) or the like is formed on the surface of the substrate portion 36b of the lead frame, and a conductive wiring pattern including bonding pads made of aluminum or the like is formed thereon. Electronic circuit components such as bare chip ICs are mounted on the substrate portion 36b on which wiring patterns are formed in this manner, and are connected to the wiring patterns by wire bonding to form an electronic circuit. After mounting the electronic circuit components on the substrate part 36b, the light-activated element (light emitting diode 27) fixed to the optical connector 22 is mounted.
The photodiode 28) and the lead pin 23 are connected to the electronic circuit by wires. After each component of the connector holder 20 is assembled to the lead frame 36 in this way, the parts such as the lead frame 36 are mounted as they are in a mold for transfer molding, which will be described later, and the molding resin is poured into the mold. The molded resin is then injected to integrally hold each component, leaving one end of the optical connector 22 and the portion that will become the outer lead of the lead pin 23, thereby forming the connector holder 20 as shown in FIG. As the molding resin injected into the mold, it is desirable to use polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) or thermosetting epoxy resin, which has high dimensional stability.

FIG. 7 shows two connector holders 20 at a time.
An example of a transfer molding mold capable of molding is shown below. As shown, the mold consists of an upper mold 37 and a lower mold 38. Two cavities 37a and 38a are formed on mutually opposing surfaces of the upper mold 37 and the lower mold 38, respectively, and a pair of semi-cylindrical recesses 37b and 38b are formed in communication with each cavity. . When parts such as the lead frame 36 are sandwiched between the upper mold 37 and the lower mold 38 and mounted on the mold, the recess 37b
, 38b, one end of the optical connector 22 that receives the end of the optical fiber is tightly fitted. That is, the pair of optical connectors 22 are connected to the recesses 37b and 38b.
By fitting into these, the relative positional relationship between them can be accurately determined. The technical level of mold manufacturing has reached a level where extremely high dimensional accuracy can be achieved, and the dimensional accuracy required between the pair of optical connectors 22 provided in the connector holder 20 is fully satisfied. It has become possible.

Therefore, if the recesses 37b and 38b are formed with the dimensional accuracy required for the relative positional relationship between the pair of optical connectors 22 provided in the connector holder 20,
The connector holder 20 can be manufactured with high dimensional accuracy by attaching parts such as the lead frame 36 to a mold, pouring molding resin into a cavity in the mold, and molding the resin.

By manufacturing the connector holder 20 in this manner, the single-core optical sub-module 11 can be
(See FIG. 11) and then combine the fabricated single-core optical sub-modules 11 to fabricate a multi-core optical module (see FIG. 12) can be omitted.

Moreover, the molded resin molded by transfer molding has excellent sealing properties because it is molded under high pressure, similar to the case of sealing general ICs and the like. Therefore, when manufacturing a single-core optical sub-module, there is no need for a lid or a metal package that was conventionally used to seal a bare chip IC or the like. In addition, since it can be packaged with a resin that is cheaper than conventional ceramic packages, packaging costs can be significantly reduced.

After resin-molding the connector holder 20 as described above, unnecessary portions of the lead frame 36 are cut off using a press machine or the like, and the connector holder 20 is mounted as an insert part in a mold for molding a receptacle, which will be described later. A receptacle 21 holding the connector holder 20 by injecting molding resin into the mold for molding the receptacle.
A two-core optical transceiver module as shown in FIG. 4 is completed.

FIG. 8 shows an example of a mold for molding a receptacle. As shown in the figure, this mold includes an upper mold 40 and a lower mold 4.
1. Core 42 for forming an opening and core 4 for forming a latch hole
It is composed of two cores of 3. In addition to forming recesses 40a and 41a in the upper mold 40 and lower mold 41 for molding the outer shape of the receptacle 21, a core 42 is formed in the upper mold 40 and the lower mold 41.
Core holding parts 40b and 41b to which the connector holder 20 is slidably mounted, and core holding parts 40c and 41c to which the core 43 is slidably mounted are formed, respectively. 41d is formed continuously to the recesses 40a and 41a. The core 42 is attached to the core holding parts 40b and 41b, and the upper mold 40 and the lower mold 41
are held between the recesses 40a and 4 of the upper and lower molds.
1a to form the inner shape of the receptacle 21. As shown in FIG. 9(a), the tip of the core 42 protruding into the cavity encloses one end side of the optical connector 22 provided in the connector holder 20 and is closely attached to the connector holder 20. A fitting recess 42a is formed to fit and hold the fitting recess. Further, the core 43 is attached to the core holding parts 40c and 41c, and engages with a recess 42b formed on the side of the core 42 to form the latch hole 21b of the receptacle 21.

The stud pin 26 and the connector holder 20 are mounted as insert parts in the mold for molding the receptacle, and molding resin is poured into the mold to mold the receptacle 21 holding the connector holder 20. By doing so, it is possible to manufacture a two-core optical transceiver module with high dimensional accuracy. Connector holder 20
The lead pins 23 that are included are bent into a predetermined shape after this resin molding. In this way, a two-core optical transceiver module as shown in FIG. 4 is completed.

In the embodiment described above, the fitting recess 42a that tightly fits into the connector holder 20 is formed in the core 42 for forming the opening, and the fitting recess 42a that fits tightly into the connector holder 20 is formed in the core 42, and the opening 21a of the receptacle and the optical connector 22 are connected to the core 42. It has the function of determining the relative positional relationship of Therefore, due to the dimensional accuracy of the fitting recess 42a and the external dimensional accuracy of the connector holder 20,
The dimensional accuracy regarding the relative positional relationship between the opening 21a of the receptacle and the optical connector 22 is determined. As mentioned above, the connector holder 20 can be made with high external dimensional accuracy by resin molding, so the dimensional accuracy regarding these relative positions is ultimately determined by the dimensional accuracy when manufacturing the core, and as shown in FIG. The connector holder 20 corresponds to the dimensions M and N of the fitting recess 42a shown in 9(a).
By approaching the external dimensions of , the relative positional accuracy between the receptacle opening 21a and the optical connector 22 provided in the connector holder 20 is improved. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 9(b), by forming a pair of fitting holes 42c with high dimensional accuracy deep inside the fitting recess 42a to closely fit the optical connector 22, the receptacle opening 21a and It is also possible to improve the relative positional accuracy of the connector holder 20 with respect to the optical connector 22.

[0043] The technical level for manufacturing the molding die containing the core 42 and the like is such that it is possible to achieve extremely high dimensional accuracy, as in the case of the molding die for the connector holder 20 described above. The dimensional accuracy of the relative positional relationship between the receptacle 21 and the optical connector 22 can be fully satisfied. Therefore, without using a conventional alignment jig, it is possible to mass-produce a two-core optical transceiver module with high dimensional accuracy using the resin molding described above with good reproducibility. In addition, when mounting a multi-core optical module on a fixed object such as a printed circuit board, the troublesome alignment work using an expensive alignment jig as in the past is no longer necessary, and the multi-core optical module can be mounted on a fixed object such as a printed circuit board. It can be easily mounted on fixed objects.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an optical module according to a third embodiment. The third embodiment differs from the above-described embodiments in that the receptacle is connected to a single-core optical plug.

[0045] Figures (a) and (b) show a single-fiber optical module having a connector holder equipped with one optical connector, and Figure (c) shows a single-fiber optical module to which two single-core optical plugs are connected. 2
2 shows a two-core optical module having a connector holder with a main optical connector. In the optical module shown in FIG. 2(a), a connector holder 20 is connected to a resin-molded receptacle 21.
However, in the optical module shown in FIGS. 3(b) and 3(c), the optical connector 22 of the connector holder 20 is held by the receptacle 21. As described above, the connector holder 20 is formed by integrally holding parts constituting an optical module such as the optical connector 22 and the lead pins 23 with a molded resin member. here,
The optical connector 22 is held by a connector holder 20 with one end side that receives the end of the optical fiber exposed to the outside, and this connector holder 20 is held with one end side of the optical connector 22 enclosed in the receptacle 21. It is held in a receptacle 21. The receptacle 21 is formed with an opening 21a that fits into the optical plug on a side opposite to the side on which the connector holder 20 is held. When the optical plug is inserted and fitted into the opening 21a, the end of the optical fiber is received at one end side of the optical connector 22 contained in the receptacle 21, and the optical connector 2
They are optically coupled to the optically actuated elements fixed to 2, respectively.

The receptacle 21 shown in FIG. 2(a) has a latch hole 21b opened at the side of the opening 21a.
When an optical plug (not shown) is fitted into the opening 21a, elastic protrusions formed on the sides of the optical plug engage with it;
The optical plug is held so that it does not fall out of the receptacle 21.

Furthermore, the receptacle 21 shown in FIGS. 2(b) and 2(c) has a protrusion 21c formed on the side, so that when a so-called BNC type optical plug 44 is inserted into the opening 21a, An L-shaped notch 44a formed on the side of the optical plug 44 engages with the L-shaped notch 44a to prevent the optical plug 44 from falling off. Furthermore, the deviation in the rotational direction of the optical plug 44 is caused by the notch 21 formed at the tip of the receptacle 21.
d is regulated by engaging with a protrusion 44b formed on the surface of the plug 44.

[0048] Since the receptacle 21 is formed using a resin member such as plastic in this way, it is possible to mass-produce it and reduce the manufacturing cost.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments; for example, the number and shape of optical connectors and receptacles, the shape of the opening that fits into the optical plug, etc. will depend on the conditions under which the optical module is used. An appropriate one will be used, taking into account such factors.

[0050]

As explained above, since the optical module according to the present invention has a simple shape, processing costs can be reduced. In this case, with respect to the opening of the receptacle where the optical plug is positioned with high precision,
Since the optical connector is already positioned, when mounting the optical module on a fixed object such as a printed circuit board, there is no need for the troublesome alignment work using conventional expensive alignment jigs. can be easily mounted as is on a fixed object such as a printed circuit board.

Further, according to the optical module manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method according to the present invention, since the resin member of the connector holder or the optical connector is integrally held by the receptacle, the connection between the optical connectors provided in the connector holder is The dimensional accuracy of the receptacle and the relative positional accuracy of the opening of the receptacle and each optical connector are determined by the high dimensional accuracy achieved in the mold used in molding the receptacle. Therefore, without using a conventional alignment jig, it is possible to mass-produce optical modules with high dimensional accuracy by resin molding with good reproducibility.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a two-core optical transceiver module according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which a molded resin member of a connector holder holding a single optical connector is integrally held by a receptacle.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing a receptacle molding die included in the optical module manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a part of the opening-forming core of the receptacle according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a two-core optical transceiver module according to a second embodiment of the present invention, in which a molded resin member of a connector holder holding a plurality of optical connectors is integrally held by a receptacle.

FIG. 5 is a partially sectional perspective view showing a state before resin molding of parts constituting the connector holder according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state after resin molding of parts constituting a connector holder according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a mold used for manufacturing a connector holder according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diffusion exploded view showing a mold for molding a receptacle used for manufacturing a two-core optical transceiver module according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a part of a core for forming a receptacle opening of a two-core optical transceiver module according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an optical module according to a third embodiment of the present invention, in which an optical connector of a connector holder holding one or more optical connectors is integrally held by a receptacle.

FIG. 11 is a diffusion exploded view of a conventional single-core optical sub-module.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view showing a conventional multicore optical module and an optical plug.

FIG. 13 is a side view showing a conventional multi-core optical module and an alignment jig in a fitted state.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a process of mounting a conventional multi-core optical module on a printed circuit board.

[Explanation of symbols]

2... Optical actuation element, 3... Ceramic package, 5... Bare chip IC, 6... Board, 7... Lid, 8, 23... Lead pin, 9... Metal package, 10, 22... Optical connector, 11... Single-core optical module, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12, 21... Receptacle, 15, 44... Optical plug, 16... Alignment jig, 17... Printed circuit board, 20... Connector holder, 25... Molded resin member, 26... Stud pin, 27... Light emitting diode, 28
...Photodiode, 30, 37, 40...Upper mold, 31,
38, 41...Lower mold, 32, 33, 42, 43...Core, 3
5... Ferrule for alignment, 36... Lead frame.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A connector holder comprising an optical connector for receiving an end of an optical fiber held by an optical plug at one end, the other end of the optical connector being held by a resin member, and one end of the optical connector. 1. An optical module comprising: a receptacle that holds a part of the connector holder by enclosing one side thereof, and has an opening that fits into the optical plug. 2. An apparatus for manufacturing an optical module according to claim 1, comprising a mold for resin-molding the receptacle, the mold having a core forming the opening, An optical module manufacturing apparatus, wherein the core is formed with a holding part that holds a part of the connector holding body. 3. A method for manufacturing an optical module according to claim 1, comprising the steps of forming a connector holder by holding one end of the optical connector with molded resin, leaving one end of the optical connector. 1. A method for manufacturing an optical module, comprising the step of resin molding a receptacle that holds the connector holder therein and has an opening that fits with the optical plug.