JP2003315636A - Ferrule and optical module - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a ferrule and an optical module which can be simply and exactly positioned during engagement by employing a structure provided with a positioning means in an engaging relation with chip parts to be directly attached to the ferrule. <P>SOLUTION: The ferrule can be directly coupled with an optical fiber at one end and can directly mount the chip parts at the other end. The end to directly mount the chip parts of the ferrule is provided with the positioning means for positioning the chip parts. The positioning means has a convex and concave shape of male and female relation between an area to be engaged with the end of the ferrule and an area to be engaged with the end of the ferrule and is formed of grooves of the circumferential shape concretely. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a ferrule and an optical module, and more particularly to a ferrule and an optical module in which a chip part having a light emitting element is directly and accurately attached to a ferrule.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As shown in FIG. 14, an optical module using a ferrule in the prior art includes a laser diode 41 which is a light source and a lens holder 43 which is connected to the laser diode 41 and holds a lens 42. ,
It comprises a ferrule holder 45 which is connected to the lens holder 43 and has a ferrule 44 attached thereto.

The ferrule 44 is formed in a cylindrical shape,
A hole for mounting the optical fiber 46 is formed from one end, and the hole is a core wire hole communicating with this hole and passing the core wire 47 of the optical fiber 46.

In the assembly of the optical module having such a structure, the light source from the laser diode 41 is converged by the lens and the focal point is connected by the core wire 47 at the center position of the ferrule 44 mounted on the ferrule holder 45. Weld to. Then, the ferrule 44 in which the optical fiber 46 is attached to the ferrule holder 45 is attached to the ferrule holder 45, and the screw of the screw portion 48 is screwed and temporarily fixed at the position where the light beam passing through the lens 42 is focused. The ferrule 44 is welded and fixed to the ferrule holder 45 in the temporarily fixed state.

[0005]

However, when mounting a chip part such as a laser diode such as a light source on the ferrule described in the prior art, positioning of the ferrule and the chip part is performed by using another member or jig. It is necessary to perform this, and it becomes extremely difficult to engage and mount the ferrule and the chip parts in the optical-related member that is becoming smaller in size. is there.

Therefore, there is a problem to be solved in a ferrule and an optical module having a structure and a structure that can be easily positioned and mounted even for a ferrule and a chip part, which are becoming smaller in size.

[0007]

In order to solve the above problems, the ferrule and the optical module according to the present invention have the following configurations.

(1) An optical fiber is coupled to one end,
A ferrule capable of directly mounting a chip part on the other end, wherein a positioning means for positioning the chip part is provided at an end of the ferrule where the chip part is directly mounted. Ferrule. (2) The ferrule according to (1), wherein the positioning means has a concave and convex shape having a male-female relationship between the engaging part of the tip part and the engaging part of the end of the ferrule. . (3) The ferrule according to (2), characterized in that the concave-convex shape in the male-female relationship is formed by a circumferential groove.

(4) An optical fiber having a core wire, a chip part for providing an optical signal, and a ferrule having the optical fiber mounted on one end and the chip part mounted on the other end. The optical module is characterized in that a positioning means for positioning the chip part is provided at an end of the ferrule to which the chip part is directly mounted. (5) The optical device according to (4), wherein the positioning means has a shape in which the engaging portion of the chip part and the engaging portion of the end portion of the ferrule have a male and female relationship. module. (6) The optical module as set forth in (4), characterized in that the shape of the irregularities in the male and female relationship is formed by a circumferential groove.

As described above, the positioning means, for example, the concave-convex shape having a male-female relationship is provided between the ferrule and the chip part directly attached to the ferrule. Therefore, not only can the assembly process be simplified, but the progress of the assembly can be improved.

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Next, embodiments of a ferrule and an optical module according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

An optical module employing the ferrule of the present invention according to the first embodiment of the present invention comprises an optical fiber 12 having a core wire 11 and a light emitting element 13, as shown in FIGS. The chip part 14 and the optical fiber 12 are mounted on one end and the chip part 1 is mounted on the other end.
It is composed of a ferrule 15 in which 4 is attached.

The ferrule 15 has an optical fiber 12 inside.
It is formed in a cylindrical shape having a cavity into which the chip part 14 can be mounted, and has a chip part mounting part 16 for directly mounting the chip part 14, which is one end thereof.

The chip part mounting portion 16 includes a core wire 11
The core wire exposing portion 17 is formed in a concave shape around the center position where the core wire is exposed, and the positioning groove portion 18 which is a groove along the outer periphery of a predetermined thickness at a predetermined position outside the core wire exposing portion 17. The positioning groove portion 18 forms a positioning means for engaging and positioning the plurality of positioning protrusions of the chip part 14.

The chip part 14 has a light irradiating section 21 for irradiating light from a light source to the central position of the lower surface, and the ferrule 1.
5, a plurality of positioning protrusions 22 are provided at the same circumferential position that engage with the positioning groove 18 of the No.
Consists of. The positioning protrusion 22 forms a positioning means together with the positioning groove 18 of the ferrule 15,
Part to be engaged with the chip part 16 (positioning protrusion 22)
And the engaging portion (positioning groove portion 18) of the end portion of the ferrule 15 has an uneven shape in a male-female relationship.

In order to assemble the chip part 14 into the ferrule 15 having such a structure, first, the light irradiation part 21 of the chip part 14 is connected to the core wire exposed part 1 of the ferrule 15.
7 and the positioning protrusion 18 is engaged with the positioning groove 18 of the ferrule 15 to complete the positioning. Although not shown, if fixed in a positioned state, the chip part 14 can be attached to the ferrule 15 without requiring any jig or the like.

Next, a second embodiment of the optical module of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

The optical module of the second embodiment is shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 7, an optical fiber 12 having a core wire 11
And a ferrule 15 in which the optical fiber 12 is mounted on one end and the chip part 14A is mounted on the other end.

The ferrule 15 has an optical fiber 12 inside.
Is formed into a cylindrical shape having a cavity into which the chip parts 14A can be mounted, and a chip part mounting part 16 for directly mounting the chip parts 14A is provided at one end thereof.

The chip part mounting portion 16 includes a core wire 11
The core wire exposing portion 17 is formed in a concave shape around the center position where the core wire is exposed, and the positioning groove portion 18 which is a groove along the outer periphery of a predetermined thickness at a predetermined position outside the core wire exposing portion 17. The positioning groove portion 18 forms a positioning means for engaging and positioning the positioning protrusion 22A of the chip part 14A.

The chip part 14A has a ring-shaped positioning projection formed at a circumferential position that engages with a light irradiation section 21 for irradiating light from the light emitting element 13 at the center position of the lower surface and a positioning groove section 18 of the ferrule 15. 22A. The ring-shaped positioning protrusion 22A is the same as the ferrule 1 described above.
5, a positioning means is formed together with the positioning groove 18 of FIG.
A) and the engaging portion (positioning groove portion 18) of the end portion of the ferrule 15 have a concave-convex shape having a male-female relationship.

To assemble the chip part 14A into the ferrule 15 having such a structure, first, the light irradiation part 21 of the chip part 14A is opposed to the core wire exposed part 17 of the ferrule 15, and the ring-shaped positioning protrusion 22A is formed. The assembly may be completed by fitting the positioning groove portions 15 of the parts 15 into a positioning state, and further maintaining this state and fixing. In this way, the ferrule 15 has the chip parts 1 without any jig or the like.
4A can be attached.

Next, a third embodiment of the optical module of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

The optical module of the third embodiment is shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 10, an optical fiber 12 having a core wire 11
And a ferrule 15 in which the optical fiber 12 is mounted at one end and the chip part 14 is mounted at the other end.

The ferrule 15 has an optical fiber 12 inside.
It is formed in a cylindrical shape having a cavity into which the chip parts 14 can be mounted, and has a structure in which a chip part mounting portion 16A for directly mounting the chip parts 14 is provided at one end thereof.

The chip part mounting portion 16A has a core wire 1
1. A core wire exposed portion 17 formed in a concave shape around a center position for exposing 1 and a positioning notch 31 cut out along a periphery from a predetermined position outward from the core wire exposed portion 17.
Consists of. The positioning notch 31 forms a positioning means for engaging and positioning the positioning protrusion 22 of the chip part 14.

A plurality of chip parts 14 are provided at the same intervals at the light irradiation part 21 for irradiating the light from the light emitting element 13 at the central position of the lower surface and at the circumferential position which engages with the positioning notch 31 of the ferrule 15, at the same intervals. In the case of the embodiment, it is composed of three positioning protrusions 22. The positioning protrusion 22 forms a positioning means together with the positioning notch 31 of the ferrule 15, and the engaging part of the chip part 14 (positioning protrusion 22) and the engaging end of the ferrule 15 (positioning notch). 31) and the male-female relationship is uneven.

In order to assemble the chip part 14 into the ferrule 15 having such a structure, first, the light irradiation part 21 of the chip part 14 is replaced with the core wire exposed part 1 of the ferrule 15.
7 and the positioning projection 22 is fitted into the positioning notch 31 of the ferrule 15 so that the ferrule 15 is positioned and the assembly is completed, and this state may be maintained and fixed. Thus, the chip part 14 can be attached to the ferrule 15 without using any jig or the like.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the optical module of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

The optical module of the fourth embodiment is shown in FIG.
~ As shown in FIG. 13, an optical fiber 1 having a core wire 11
2, a chip part 14A having a light emitting element 13, and a ferrule 15 having the optical fiber 12 attached to one end and the chip part 14A attached to the other end.

The ferrule 15 has an optical fiber 12 inside.
Is formed in a cylindrical shape having a cavity into which the chip parts 14A can be mounted, and a chip part mounting part 16A for directly mounting the chip parts 14A is provided at one end thereof.

The chip part mounting portion 16A is provided with the core wire 1
1. A core wire exposed portion 17 formed in a concave shape around a center position for exposing 1 and a positioning notch 31 cut out along a circumference from a predetermined position outward from the core wire exposed portion 17.
Consists of. This positioning notch 31 forms a positioning means for engaging and positioning the positioning protrusion 22A of the chip part 14A.

The chip part 14A is a ring-shaped positioning member that engages with the light-irradiating portion 21 that irradiates the light from the light-emitting element 13 at the central position of the lower surface and the positioning notch portion 31 of the ferrule 15. The projection 22A.
The ring-shaped positioning protrusion 22A forms a positioning means together with the positioning notch 31 of the ferrule 15, and the engaging part of the chip part 14A (positioning protrusion 22A) and the engaging part of the end of the ferrule 15 ( The positioning notch 31) has a concave and convex shape in a male-female relationship.

In order to assemble the chip part 14A into the ferrule 15 having such a structure, first, the light irradiation part 21 of the chip part 14A is made to face the core wire exposed part 17 of the ferrule 15, and the ring-shaped positioning projection 22A is made into the ferrule. The assembly is completed by fitting the positioning notch portion 15 into the positioning cutout portion 31, and the assembly is completed and fixed. In this way, the chip part 14A can be attached to the ferrule 15 without using any jig or the like.

Although the ferrule and the optical module of the present invention have been described in various embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these, and is a structure having a positioning means for a chip part directly attached to the ferrule. Are all applicable, and it is needless to say that the shape is not limited to the circular shape as in the embodiment and may be a cross shape.

[0036]

As described above, since the ferrule and the optical module according to the present invention have the structure in which the positioning means is provided between the ferrule and the optical module, which are directly attached to the ferrule, the jig is not required. There is an effect that it can be easily mounted without being positioned.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing an optical module including a ferrule and chip parts according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view in which the chip part and a ferrule are assembled.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view before mounting the chip part and the ferrule.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view when a chip part is mounted on the ferrule.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically showing an optical module including a ferrule and chip parts according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the chip part and the ferrule before being mounted.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view when a chip part is mounted on the ferrule.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view schematically showing an optical module including a ferrule and chip parts according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view before mounting the chip part and the ferrule.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view when a chip part is mounted on the ferrule.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view schematically showing an optical module including a ferrule and chip parts according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the chip part and the ferrule before being mounted.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view when a chip part is mounted on the ferrule.

FIG. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a relationship between a ferrule and a chip part in a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

11; Core wire, 12; Optical fiber, 13; Light emitting element, 1
4; chip part, 14A; chip part, 15; ferrule, 16; chip part mounting part, 16A; chip part mounting part, 17; core wire exposed part, 18; positioning groove part,
21: light irradiation part, 22; positioning protrusion, 22A; positioning protrusion, 31; positioning notch.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A ferrule capable of coupling an optical fiber to one end and directly mounting a chip part on the other end, wherein the end of the ferrule on which the chip part is directly mounted includes: A ferrule characterized by comprising positioning means for positioning the chip parts. 2. The positioning device according to claim 1, wherein the engaging part of the tip part and the engaging part of the end of the ferrule have a male and female relationship. Ferrule. 3. The ferrule according to claim 2, wherein the shape of the concave-convex relation between the male and female is formed by a circumferential groove. 4. An optical fiber having a core wire, a chip part for providing an optical signal, and a ferrule having the optical fiber mounted on one end and the chip part mounted on the other end. The optical module is characterized in that a positioning means for positioning the chip part is provided at an end of the ferrule on which the chip part is directly mounted. 5. The positioning means according to claim 4, wherein the engaging part of the tip part and the engaging part of the end of the ferrule have a male and female relationship. Optical module. 6. The optical module according to claim 4, wherein the concave-convex shape in the male-female relationship is formed by a circumferential groove.