JP2004093950A - Optical fiber array type ferrule and optical fiber array type connector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical fiber array type ferrule and an optical fiber array type connector in which bending of an optical fiber caused by assembling is suppressed while realizing a high density optical fiber array and good workability, good aligning and directivity of the optical fiber are obtained, bending loss of the optical fiber is suppressed and breakage of the optical fiber is prevented. <P>SOLUTION: A fiber aligning section 14 is formed on a substrate 12 having a length of 8mm which is same as the length of a ferrule of a conventional MT connector. A plurality of columns having V grooves 16, which have a pitch of 127μm that is narrower than the case of a conventional MT connector, is arranged on the section 14. On the back tip surface of the substrate 12, an optical fiber tape mounting protrusion section 24 is provided to form an extension section of the section 14. On the section 24, extended V grooves 26 having a length of 1.5mm that are the extension of the grooves 16 and a mounting surface 28 having a length of 1.5mm, on which optical fiber tapes 32 and 34 are placed in a top and bottom overlapped manner, are formed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an optical fiber array type ferrule capable of connecting a plurality of optical fibers collectively, and an optical fiber array type connector incorporating the same.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art With an increase in the capacity of optical communication in recent years, a higher density of an optical connector is required. An optical fiber array type ferrule shown in, for example, FIG. 5 of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-174274 has been proposed as a ferrule constituting an optical connector meeting such a demand.
[0003]
The ferrule according to the above proposal has a V-groove portion in which an optical fiber is aligned at a front portion and pressed with a holding lid from above, and a mounting portion for vertically mounting two optical fiber tapes at a rear portion. And has beam-like portions on both sides. Then, the optical fibers protruding from the upper and lower two optical fiber tapes are alternately arranged in the V-groove, and the pressing force is applied by the pressing lid from above, and the gap between the ferrule and the pressing lid and the V-groove portion are formed. An adhesive is poured over the ends of the optical fiber and the optical fiber tape at the rear, and these are integrally fixed.
[0004]
Accordingly, if the arrangement pitch of the V-grooves is increased until the arrangement pitch becomes substantially the same as the outer diameter of the optical fiber, the optical fiber array type connector can be increased in density while using the existing optical fiber tape.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in a ferrule in which two optical fiber tapes are placed on top of each other, if the lower optical fiber tape and the optical fiber gripped by the V-groove have the same height, the upper optical fiber tape extends from the upper optical fiber tape to the V-groove. A large bending will occur in the outgoing optical fiber. As a result, the following problem occurs.
{Circle around (1)} When assembling the optical fiber array type connector, the optical fibers are bent and it is difficult to align them on the V-groove, and the workability deteriorates.
(2) The alignment and directivity of the assembled optical fiber are deteriorated.
(3) Optical fiber bending loss occurs,
{Circle around (4)} When the degree of bending increases, the optical fiber may be broken during assembly, and so on.
[0006]
With respect to the occurrence of such bending of the optical fiber, the ferrule according to the above proposal has devised the following.
That is, the height of the bottom surface of the mounting portion with respect to the V-groove portion is adjusted so that the contact surfaces of the upper and lower two optical fiber tapes and the center of the optical fiber gripped by the V-groove are approximately the same height. Thereby, the bending of the optical fiber extending from the upper optical fiber tape into the V-groove and the bending of the optical fiber extending from the lower optical fiber tape into the V-groove are made the same, and the degree of the bending is minimized. It is suppressed to be smaller.
[0007]
However, the degree of bending of the optical fiber is not limited to the height difference between the optical fiber tape and the optical fiber gripped in the V-groove, but also by pressing the optical fiber tape and the optical fiber inserted in the V-groove. It is defined by the distance between the holding lid and the holding lid. In other words, when the distance between the optical fiber tape and the holding lid facing each other is very short, the degree of bending of the optical fiber becomes large even if the height difference between the optical fiber tape and the optical fiber is small.
[0008]
For example, when an optical fiber array type connector is to be connected by using a fitting clip which is one of the connection methods of an MT (Mechanically Transferable) connector, the connector length of a portion where the clip is gripped is set to a normal MT connector. Must be the same as For this reason, there is a restriction in increasing only the distance between the optical fiber tape and the holding lid.
[0009]
In other words, if the length of the V-groove that presses the optical fiber by the holding lid is shortened, the alignment of the optical fiber in the V-groove may be deteriorated. If the length of the area where the optical fiber tape is actually placed on the placement section is shortened, the placement of the optical fiber tape itself becomes unstable. Further, if the length of the connector, that is, the entire length of the ferrule, is increased, the same handling as the ordinary MT connector cannot be performed when connecting the optical fiber array type connector.
[0010]
In this way, the ferrule according to the above proposal still takes into account the occurrence of bending of the optical fiber extending from the optical fiber tape to the V-groove, despite the fact that consideration is given to the occurrence of bending. The problem remains how to control.
Further, in the ferrule according to the above proposal, since the adhesive is poured into an area extending from the holding lid to the optical fiber tape through the optical fiber at the rear part of the V-groove portion and fixed, the beams on both sides are hardened and shrunk by the adhesive. The shape is pulled inwardly and tilted. This inclination hardly occurs in the beam-like portion in the region where the holding lid is fitted, and the degree of the inclination increases as the distance from the holding lid to the rear increases.
[0011]
As a result, when a pair of guide holes into which guide pins for positioning are inserted are formed in the beam-like portions on both sides, the guide holes are distorted on the way. For this reason, when the clearance of the guide hole is small, the guide pin cannot be inserted and the optical connector cannot be connected. Further, if the clearance of the guide hole is increased so that the guide pin can be inserted, accurate positioning cannot be performed, and connection loss when connecting the optical connector increases.
[0012]
Further, since the adhesive expands and contracts under the influence of a change in temperature and a change in humidity, there is also a problem that the reliability of connection characteristics with respect to environmental changes is reduced even after the optical connector is assembled.
Therefore, in the ferrule according to the above proposal, the linear expansion coefficient of the synthetic resin constituting the ferrule is 1 × 10 ^-5 / ° C. or less, and considering how to suppress the increase in connection loss due to temperature changes, how to suppress connection loss due to the use of an adhesive. Challenges remain.
[0013]
Further, for connection between conventional optical fiber array type connectors, an ultraviolet curable resin or the like is mainly used as an adhesive. For this reason, problems such as a decrease in work efficiency due to the necessity of the step of connecting and curing using an adhesive, and a decrease in long-term reliability after connection due to a change with time of the adhesive. was there.
The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and realizes a high-density optical fiber array, suppresses bending of an optical fiber that occurs at the time of assembly, and achieves good workability and optical performance. Achieves good alignment and directivity of fiber, suppression of bending loss of optical fiber, prevention of breakage of optical fiber, etc., and prevention of connection loss and reliability deterioration due to expansion and contraction due to temperature change of adhesive etc. An object of the present invention is to provide an optical fiber array type ferrule capable of achieving the above and an optical fiber array type connector including the same.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, an optical fiber array substrate, a fiber alignment portion provided on the optical fiber array substrate and extending in a longitudinal direction from a front end surface to a rear end surface of the optical fiber array substrate, A plurality of rows of V-grooves arranged in the fiber alignment portion for fitting a plurality of optical fibers and aligning the plurality of optical fibers in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber array substrate; and the fibers on the front end face side of the optical fiber array substrate. A holding lid for pressing the optical fiber, which is placed on the alignment section via the optical fiber fitted into the V-groove, and extending the fiber alignment section by projecting from a rear end face of the optical fiber array substrate. And an optical fiber tape mounting projection on which an optical fiber tape extending the optical fiber is mounted. Type ferrule is provided.
[0015]
For this reason, on the other hand, it is possible to make the length of the optical fiber array substrate the same as the length of the ferrule of a normal MT connector, and a connection method using a fitting clip similar to the case of a normal MT connector is used. Will be possible. Moreover, at this time, the optical fiber tape mounting projection is provided as an extension of the fiber alignment portion on the rear end face of the optical fiber array substrate, and does not hinder the connection method using the fitting clip. On the other hand, the length of the holding lid can be increased, and the alignment and directivity of the optical fiber fitted into the V-groove can be improved. Further, it is possible to shorten the distance between the holding lid and the rear end face of the optical fiber array substrate, and the region between the rear end face side of the optical fiber array substrate and the area filled with the adhesive is sandwiched. When the adhesive is solidified and contracted, the force for pulling the two side walls inward and inclining the adhesive becomes small.
[0016]
Here, the arrangement pitch of the V-grooves is narrower than the arrangement pitch of the optical fibers in the optical fiber tape, and the rows of the V-grooves are vertically stacked on the optical fiber tape mounting protrusion. It is preferable that the number is such that a plurality of optical fibers extending from two optical fiber tapes are fitted respectively. In this case, the density of the optical fiber array is increased by the narrow pitch mounting structure.
[0017]
Further, an extended V-groove is formed by extending the V-groove at a part of the optical fiber tape mounting projection, and a plurality of optical fibers respectively fitted into the V-groove are extended to the remaining part. It is preferable that the mounting surface of the ejected optical fiber tape is formed.
In this case, the distance between the V-groove and the extended V-groove between the holding lid and the optical fiber tape can be sufficiently long, so that the bending generated in the optical fiber extending from the optical fiber tape and fitted into the V-groove is extremely small. It is suppressed by things. Also, the presence of the mounting surface increases the strength of the optical fiber tape against pulling and the like, and prevents breakage of the optical fiber at the end of the optical fiber tape due to external force.
[0018]
It is preferable that the optical fiber array substrate is provided with a flange-shaped protrusion for attaching the optical fiber array substrate to a polishing instrument. In this case, the positioning at the time of polishing the front end face of the optical fiber array substrate or the end face of the optical fiber fitted into the V-groove is performed accurately and easily.
Further, it is preferable that the length of the holding lid in the longitudinal direction is 3.5 mm or more. In this case, the alignment and directivity of the optical fiber fitted into the V-groove are improved.
[0019]
Further, it is preferable that a distance between the holding lid and a rear end face of the optical fiber array substrate is 3.5 mm or less. In this case, the area filled with the adhesive sandwiched between the side wall portions on the rear end surface side of the optical fiber array substrate is reduced, and when the adhesive is solidified and contracted, both side walls are pulled inward and inclined. The force to do is reduced.
Further, the optical fiber array substrate has a concave cross section, the fiber alignment portion is formed on the bottom surface of the concave portion of the optical fiber array substrate, and the width of the optical fiber tape mounting projection is the width. It is preferable that positioning guide holes, which are substantially equal to the width of the fiber alignment portion, are formed in side wall portions on both sides of the optical fiber array substrate and extend in parallel with the V-groove.
[0020]
In this case, the width of the optical fiber tape mounting protruding portion is substantially equal to the width of the fiber alignment portion, and does not hinder the connection method using the fitting clip. Further, at the time of optical connection of the optical fiber, accurate positioning is performed by inserting a guide pin into the guide hole.
Here, it is preferable that the optical fiber array substrate is provided with a guide member for positioning when the holding lid is placed on the fiber alignment section. Further, it is preferable that the positioning guide member is formed along the inner surfaces of the side walls on the rear end surface side of the optical fiber array substrate. Further, it is preferable that the height of the positioning guide member is higher than the height of two optical fiber tapes which are mounted on the mounting surface in a vertically overlapping manner. Further, it is preferable that the interval between the positioning guide members is a length obtained by adding a predetermined clearance to the arrangement width of the optical fibers fitted into the V-groove.
[0021]
In this case, the positioning at the time of placing the holding lid becomes accurate and easy, and the workability at the time of assembling the optical fiber array connector is improved. Further, the mounting position of the holding cover is shifted to the optical fiber tape side, and the distance between the holding cover and the optical fiber tape is shortened. As a result, a large bending stress is prevented from being applied to the optical fiber. Further, even when the holding lid is placed rearward from a predetermined position, the load of the holding lid is prevented from being applied as a side pressure to the optical fiber extending from the optical fiber tape. In addition, the optical fiber also functions as a guide member when the optical fiber is inserted into the V-groove and arranged, thereby improving the alignment and directivity of the optical fiber. Further, since the area to be filled with the adhesive is reduced and the amount of the adhesive is also reduced, the force for pulling the sidewalls on both sides inward and inclining when the adhesive is solidified and contracted is reduced, and the guide hole is reduced. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in connection loss and a decrease in reliability of connection characteristics with respect to an environmental change due to the distortion.
[0022]
Further, it is preferable that optical fiber tape guide members are provided on both sides of the optical fiber tape mounting projection. Further, the optical fiber tape guide member has a height higher than the height of the two optical fiber tapes to be mounted on the mounting surface described above, and an interval between the two optical fiber tapes. It is preferably equal to the distance between the outermost edges of the, plus a predetermined clearance.
[0023]
In this case, the displacement of the optical fiber tape in the width direction is prevented, the workability at the time of placing the optical fiber tape and fitting the optical fiber extending therefrom into the V-groove is improved, and the horizontal direction of the optical fiber is improved. Bending in the direction is prevented, and good alignment and directivity are realized.
In the present invention, the optical fiber array type ferrule, an optical fiber tape mounted on the optical fiber tape mounting protrusion, and extended from the optical fiber tape, fitted into the V-groove, Having an optical fiber pressed by the holding lid, and the optical fiber array type ferrule, using a fitting clip, or, using a guide pin and a fitting clip to be inserted into the guide hole, or An optical fiber array type connector is provided which is connected to another optical component using a push-pull attachment / detachment mechanism.
[0024]
For this reason, when connecting the optical fiber array type connector, it is possible to directly use the fitting clip and the push-pull attachment / detachment mechanism used when connecting the normal optical connector, and to use the normal MT optical connector. The handling is the same as in the case.
Here, it is preferable that the distance between the optical fiber of the optical fiber tape and the holding lid is 3.5 mm or more. In this case, the bending generated in the optical fiber extended from the optical fiber tape and fitted into the V-groove is suppressed to an extremely small value.
[0025]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
(1st Embodiment)
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, an optical fiber array type ferrule 10 (hereinafter, simply referred to as “ferrule 10”) according to the first embodiment includes an optical fiber array substrate 12 (hereinafter, referred to as a “ferrule 10”) having a concave cross section. , Simply referred to as “substrate 12”). The length of the substrate 12 is 8 mm, which is the same as the length of the ferrule of a normal MT connector.
[0026]
A fiber alignment portion 14 extending from the front end surface to the rear end surface of the substrate 12 is formed on the bottom surface of the concave portion of the substrate 12, and a plurality of optical fibers are fitted into the fiber alignment portion 14, respectively. A plurality of rows of V grooves 16 are formed to be aligned in the direction. The arrangement pitch of the V-grooves 16 is, for example, 127 μm, which is smaller than that of a normal MT connector. For this reason, the width of the fiber alignment portion 14 is defined by the number of rows of the V-grooves 16, that is, the number of optical fibers arranged in the V-grooves 16. For example, when arranging 16 optical fibers, 2.25 mm About.
[0027]
A pair of positioning guide holes 20 extending parallel to the V-groove 16 are formed in the side wall portions 18 on both sides of the substrate 12. On the front end face side of the substrate 12, there is provided a holding lid 22 which is fitted between the side wall sections 18 and is placed on the fiber alignment section 14. The pressing lid 22 presses the optical fibers respectively fitted into the V-grooves 16. The length of the holding lid 22 is, for example, 5 mm.
[0028]
On the rear end surface of the substrate 12, an optical fiber tape mounting projection 24 (hereinafter simply referred to as “projection 24”) having a length of 3 mm is provided to form an extension of the fiber alignment section 14. The protrusion 24 has a width substantially equal to the width of the fiber alignment unit 14. An extended V-groove 26 extending from the V-groove 16 is formed over a length of 1.5 mm on a side of the protruding portion 24 which is in contact with the fiber alignment portion 14.
[0029]
The remaining length of 1.5 mm of the protruding portion 24 is a mounting surface 28 on which an optical fiber tape is mounted. From this optical fiber tape, optical fibers respectively fitted into the V-grooves 16 are formed. Has been extended. When two optical fiber tapes are mounted on the mounting surface 28 one above the other, the center of the optical fiber in the lower optical fiber tape is located at the position of the optical fiber inserted into the extension V-groove 26. The height of the mounting surface 28 is adjusted so as to coincide with the center.
[0030]
Next, an optical fiber array type connector in which the ferrule 10 is provided will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the optical fiber array type connector 30 (hereinafter simply referred to as “optical connector 30”) includes two optical fiber tapes 32 and 34 and a plurality of optical fiber tapes extending from the ferrule 10. The optical fiber 36 is mounted.
[0031]
More specifically, two optical fiber tapes 32 and 34 are mounted on the mounting surface 28 of the protrusion 24 of the ferrule 10 so as to be vertically stacked. The two upper and lower optical fiber tapes 32 and 34 are laterally shifted by about half the pitch of the optical fibers arranged thereon. Here, the fiber diameters and arrangement pitches of the optical fibers in the optical fiber tapes 32 and 34 are 125 μmφ and 250 μm as in the normal case.
[0032]
When, for example, 16-fiber optical fibers are arranged in the V-groove 16 of the fiber alignment section 14, 8-fiber tapes are used for the optical fiber tapes 32 and 34, respectively. For this reason, the two optical fiber tapes 32 and 34 are comfortably accommodated on the mounting surface 28 having a width substantially equal to the width of the fiber alignment portion 14 of about 2.25 mm.
The plurality of optical fibers 36 extending from the upper and lower two optical fiber tapes 32 and 34 are alternately fitted into the V-groove 16 and arranged. The holding lid 22 is fitted between the side wall portions 18 on the front end face side of the substrate 12, and presses the optical fiber 36. Thus, the optical fiber 36 is fixed by the holding lid 22. The end face of the optical fiber 36 is located in substantially the same plane as the front end face of the substrate 12, and is polished by a predetermined polishing method.
[0033]
In this state, as shown in FIG. 8, the depth of the V-groove 16 is set so that the center of the optical fiber 36 fitted in the V-groove 16 is positioned at a height of, for example, 0.16 mm from the upper surface of the fiber alignment portion 14. The height and shape are set. In response to this, the height of the mounting surface 28 is adjusted to a predetermined height as described above. For this reason, for example, when the optical fiber tapes 32 and 34 having a thickness of 0.325 mm are placed on top of each other, the portion of the optical fiber disposed in the lower optical fiber tape 34 and the extension V-groove 26 And the optical fiber 36 fitted in the V-groove 16 has almost no height difference. That is, the optical fiber 36 extending from the lower optical fiber tape 34 is hardly bent.
[0034]
On the other hand, between the portion of the optical fiber disposed in the upper optical fiber tape 34 and the portion of the optical fiber 36 fitted in the V-groove 16, 0.325 mm corresponding to the thickness of the optical fiber tape is provided. The difference in height occurs. However, the distance between the optical fiber tapes 32 and 34 and the pressing lid 22 pressing the optical fiber 36 fitted in the V-groove 16 is sufficiently long at 4.5 mm. Moreover, between the optical fiber tapes 32 and 34 and the holding lid 22, the extended V-groove 26 and the V-groove 16 are formed over the whole thereof, and there is no step in the middle. That is, the vertical displacement of the optical fiber 36 is caused by a height difference of 0.325 mm with respect to a distance of 4.5 mm. Therefore, the bending generated in the optical fiber 36 extending from the upper optical fiber tape 32 is suppressed to an extremely small value.
[0035]
The ends of the optical fiber tapes 32 and 34 and the optical fibers 36 extending therefrom and arranged in the V-groove 16 and the extended V-groove 26 and pressed by the holding lid 22 are bonded with an adhesive (not shown). ). This adhesive, in a cured state, integrally fixes the optical fiber tapes 32 and 34 and the optical fiber 36 to the substrate 12.
[0036]
Next, a method of connecting the optical connector 30 will be described with reference to FIGS.
The two optical connectors 30 are connected as follows. That is, the front end surfaces of the substrates 12 of the ferrules 10 provided inside the two optical connectors 30 are opposed to each other. Then, the guide pins 38 are inserted into the pair of guide holes 20 facing each other, and accurate positioning when optically connecting the optical fibers 36 of each ferrule 10 is performed.
[0037]
Next, the connection between the two optical connectors 30 is fixed using the fitting clip 40. The fitting clip 40 has a pair of holding portions 44 at both ends of the clip body 42 at predetermined intervals. Therefore, when the two optical connectors 30 are connected to each other using the fitting clip 40, as shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the pair of pressing portions 44 at both ends of the clip body 42 are connected to the respective ferrules 10. Of the respective substrates 12 is pressed and fixed. Here, since the length of the substrate 12 is 8 mm, which is the same as the length of the ferrule of the normal MT connector, the fitting clip 40 used for connection of the normal MT connector can be used as it is.
[0038]
At this time, the protruding portion 24 protruding from the rear end face of the substrate 12 is substantially the same width as the fiber alignment portion 14 as an extension of the fiber alignment portion 14, so that the pair of holding It passes between the parts 44. That is, the protruding portion 24 fits comfortably between the pair of pressing portions 44.
Therefore, when the two optical connectors 30 are connected to each other, no trouble occurs even if the fitting clip method, which is one of the connection methods of the MT connector, is used. Therefore, when connecting the optical connector 30 having the ferrule 10 therein using the guide pins 38 and the fitting clips 40, the same handling as the MT connector can be performed.
[0039]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the optical fibers 36 extending from the two optical fiber tapes 32 and 34 stacked vertically alternately in the V-grooves 16 having an arrangement pitch of 127 μm narrower than in the case of a normal MT connector. , A high-density optical fiber array can be realized.
At this time, on the other hand, when the length of the optical fiber array substrate 12 is set to 8 mm, which is the same as the length of the ferrule of the normal MT connector, when the optical connector 30 is connected using the fitting clip 40, the MT The same handling as the connector is possible. In addition, since a step of connecting using an ultraviolet curable resin or the like is unnecessary, it is possible to prevent a decrease in long-term reliability due to a deterioration in work efficiency or a change in diameter of the resin or the like.
[0040]
On the other hand, by providing the protruding portion 24 having a length of 3 mm on the rear end surface of the substrate 12, the length of the holding lid 22 for pressing the optical fiber 36 can be increased to 5 mm. For this reason, the alignment and directivity of the optical fiber 36 between the holding lid 22 and the V-groove 16 can be reliably improved.
In addition, the distance between the holding lid 22 and the rear end surface of the substrate 12 can be reduced to 3 mm by the length of the holding lid 22. For this reason, the region which is sandwiched between the side wall portions 18 on the rear end surface side of the substrate 12 and filled with the adhesive becomes small. As a result, when the adhesive is solidified and contracted, the force for pulling the both side wall portions 18 inward and inclining it becomes small. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in connection loss when assembling the optical connector due to the fact that the guide hole 20 is distorted on the way and the accurate positioning cannot be performed, and a decrease in reliability of connection characteristics with respect to environmental changes after assembly. be able to.
[0041]
A mounting surface 28 having a length of 1.5 mm is provided on the protruding portion 24 of the ferrule 10, and the ends of the two optical fiber tapes 32 and 34 vertically stacked thereon and the vicinity thereof are fixed thereon. Therefore, the strength of the optical fiber tapes 32 and 34 against tension and the like can be increased, and the optical fiber 36 can be prevented from being broken at the ends of the optical fiber tapes 32 and 34 by an external force.
[0042]
Further, an extension V-groove 26 having a length of 1.5 mm is formed in the protruding portion 24, and the distance between the V-groove 16 and the extension V-groove 26 between the holding lid 22 and the optical fiber tapes 32 and 34 is 4.5 mm. And it can be taken long enough. For this reason, a height difference of 0.325 mm between the portion of the optical fiber arranged in the upper optical fiber tape 34 and the portion of the optical fiber 36 fitted in the V-groove 16 or the like is substantially equal to the thickness of the tape. Even if the bending occurs, the bending generated in the optical fiber 36 can be suppressed to an extremely small value.
[0043]
In addition, since the extension V-groove 26 is formed in the protruding portion 24, the boundary between the extension V-groove 26 and the mounting surface 28 becomes clear, and the optical fiber tape 32 when mounted on the mounting surface 28 , 34 can be accurately and easily positioned.
In the ferrule 10, the protruding portion 24 is located on the side opposite to the side connected to the adapter 66 and has a width substantially equal to that of the fiber alignment portion 14. And the connection of the optical connector 30 is not hindered at all.
[0044]
In the first embodiment, specific dimensional values are described for the members and portions of the ferrule 10 and the optical connector 30. However, these dimensional values are shown as an example, and different dimensional values may be used. Good. For example, the length of the holding lid 22 in the longitudinal direction is set to 5 mm, but is not limited to this dimension value and may be 3.5 mm or more. Further, the distance between the holding lid 22 and the rear end surface of the substrate 12 is set to 3 mm, but may be 3.5 mm or less. In addition, the distance between the optical fiber tapes 32 and 34 and the holding lid 22 is set to 4.5 mm, but may be 3.5 mm or more.
[0045]
In the first embodiment, the case where two optical connectors 30 are connected has been described. However, the optical components to which the optical connectors 30 are connected are not limited to the same optical connector 30. For example, the optical connector 30 can be connected to a PLC (Planar Lightwave Circuit) using the guide pin 38 and the fitting clip 40.
[0046]
Further, the present invention is not limited to the first embodiment, and various embodiments are possible, which will be sequentially described below. At this time, members and portions having the same functions as those described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof will be omitted, and only different points will be described.
[0047]
(Second embodiment)
In the second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, a pair of screens 48 are provided along the inner surfaces of the two side wall portions 18 on the rear end surface side of the substrate 12 of the ferrule 10. That is, the pair of screens 48 are formed on both sides of the fiber alignment section 14 on the rear end face side of the substrate 12.
[0048]
The length of the pair of partitions 48 in the longitudinal direction is 3 mm. The height of the pair of partitions 48 is higher than 0.65 mm, which is the height of the two optical fiber tapes 32 and 34 that are mounted on the mounting surface 28 one above the other. The interval between the pair of partitions 48 is a length obtained by adding a predetermined clearance to the arrangement width of the optical fibers 36 fitted in the V-groove 16.
[0049]
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 15, when the optical connector 30 is assembled by mounting the optical fiber tapes 32, 34 and the optical fiber 36 on the ferrule 10, the following effects are obtained.
That is, when the holding lid 22 having a length of 5 mm is placed on the fiber alignment portion 14 on the front end face side of the substrate 12 having a length of 8 mm, the side wall portion 18 on the front end face side of the substrate 12 and a pair of screens 48 are used. What is necessary is just to fit the holding | cover lid 22 in the space made, and the exact positioning can be performed easily. That is, the pair of partitions 48 function as a positioning guide member when the holding lid 22 is placed on the fiber alignment unit 14, and the workability during assembly can be improved. In addition, the mounting position of the holding lid 22 is shifted toward the optical fiber tapes 32 and 34, and the distance between the holding lid 22 and the optical fiber tapes 32 and 34 is shortened. As a result, a large bending stress is applied to the optical fiber 36. It can be prevented from being hung.
[0050]
Further, since the height of the pair of screens 48 is defined as described above, even when the holding lid 22 is placed backward from a predetermined position, the load of the holding lid 22 is reduced from the optical fiber tapes 32 and 34. It is possible to prevent lateral pressure from being applied to the extending optical fiber 36.
Further, since the width of the pair of partitions 48 is specified as described above, a guide for fitting the optical fiber 36 extending from the optical fiber tapes 32 and 34 into the V-groove 16 and the extended V-groove 26 and arranging the same. Also functions as a member. Therefore, the alignment and directivity of the optical fiber 36 fitted in the V-groove 16 can be improved.
[0051]
Further, the presence of the pair of partitions 48 makes the area filled with the adhesive smaller than in the case of the first embodiment, and reduces the amount of the adhesive. As a result, when the adhesive is solidified and contracted, the force for pulling the side wall portions 18 on both sides inward and inclining is reduced, and the connection characteristics increase due to an increase in connection loss due to the distortion of the guide hole 20 and environmental changes. It is possible to further suppress the deterioration of the properties.
[0052]
(Third embodiment)
In the third embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, instead of the pair of screens 48 in the second embodiment, instead of the pair of screens 48, the inner surfaces of the two side wall portions 18 on the rear end face side of the substrate 12 of the ferrule 10 are provided. A pair of overhang portions 50 of a predetermined thickness are provided along the overhang. The height of the pair of overhang portions 50 is equal to the height of the side wall portion 18 and is naturally higher than the height of the two upper and lower optical fiber tapes 32 and 34 on the mounting surface 28. The length and the interval between the pair of overhang portions 50 in the longitudinal direction are the same as those of the pair of partitions 48.
[0053]
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 18, when assembling the optical connector 30 by mounting the optical fiber tapes 32 and 34 and the optical fiber 36, the same effect as in the second embodiment is obtained. In addition, the presence of the pair of overhangs 50 increases the strength against the force of pulling the sidewalls 18 on both sides inward and inclining when the adhesive solidifies and contracts. It is possible to further suppress an increase in connection loss due to distortion and a decrease in reliability of connection characteristics with respect to an environmental change.
[0054]
(Fourth embodiment)
In the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, in addition to the pair of partitions 48 in the second embodiment, a pair of optical fiber tape guide members 52 are provided on both sides of the protrusion 24 of the ferrule 10. (Hereinafter simply referred to as “guide member 52”).
[0055]
The height of the guide member 52 is higher than the height of the upper and lower two optical fiber tapes 32 and 34 placed on the placement surface 28. The interval between the guide members 52 is set at a predetermined clearance between the outermost edges of the optical fiber tapes 32 and 34 that are placed one above the other while being shifted laterally by about half of the arrangement pitch of the optical fibers 36. Length.
[0056]
For this reason, as shown in FIG. 21, when assembling the optical connector 30 by mounting the optical fiber tapes 32 and 34 and the optical fiber 36, in addition to the effects of the second embodiment, Effect.
That is, since the height and the interval of the guide member 52 are defined as described above, when the two optical fiber tapes 32 and 34 are placed on the The displacement of the tapes 32 and 34 in the width direction is prevented. As a result, it is possible to improve the workability when placing the optical fiber tapes 32 and 34 and fitting the optical fibers 36 extending therefrom into the V-grooves 16 and the extended V-grooves 26, and at the same time, the Bending in the horizontal direction is prevented, and good alignment and directivity can be realized.
[0057]
(Fifth embodiment)
In the fifth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 22, the ferrule 10 is polished around the rear end face side of the substrate 12 of the ferrule 10 in addition to the pair of partitions 48 and the guide members 52 in the fourth embodiment. A flange-like projection 54 for attaching to a jig is provided.
[0058]
Therefore, when the ferrule 10 is attached to a polishing jig and the front end face of the substrate 12 and the end face of the optical fiber 36 fitted in the V-groove 16 and the extended V-groove 26 are polished, the positioning thereof can be performed accurately and easily. It can be carried out.
Incidentally, regarding the polishing method of the front end face of the substrate 12 and the end face of the optical fiber 36, not only flat polishing in which the polished surface is perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical fiber 36, but also flat polishing as in the case of a normal MT connector. It is also possible to perform oblique polishing in which the polished surface is inclined at, for example, 8 ° with respect to a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical fiber 36. Further, it is also possible to perform protrusion polishing for projecting the end face of the optical fiber 36 from the front end face of the substrate 12.
[0059]
(Sixth embodiment)
In the sixth embodiment, for example, instead of the method of connecting the optical connector 30 using the guide pins 38 and the fitting clips 40 in the first embodiment, for example, an MPO using a push-pull attachment / detachment mechanism (Multifiber Push On) A method of connecting an optical fiber array type connector will be described with reference to FIG.
[0060]
First, the MPO optical fiber array connector 60 (hereinafter simply referred to as “MPO optical connector 60”) is assembled as follows. That is, the optical fiber tapes 32 and 34 and the optical fiber 36 are mounted on the ferrule 10. Further, a fastening member 62 and a coupling sleeve 64 having a predetermined shape are attached. Thus, the plug-type MPO optical connector 60 is assembled.
[0061]
Next, the plug-type MPO optical connector 60 is connected as follows. That is, the plug-type MPO optical connector 60 is pushed into one end of an adapter 66 provided at both ends with an internal shape corresponding to the tip shape. Further, another plug-type MPO optical connector 60 is pushed into the other end of the adapter 66. That is, the two MPO optical connectors 60 and the adapter 66 constitute a push-pull attachment / detachment mechanism capable of performing a push-on-pull-off fastening. FIG. 23 shows only one MPO optical connector 60 for convenience.
[0062]
Thus, the two MPO optical connectors 60 are fastened via the adapter 66, and the optical fibers 36 of each ferrule 10 are optically connected to each other. At this time, a spring (not shown) disposed inside the fastening member 62 presses the MPO optical connector 60 toward the adapter 66 to stably maintain the connection of the MPO optical connector 60 via the adapter 66. Fulfill.
[0063]
Here, the ferrule 10 of the MPO optical connector 60 is provided with a protruding portion 24 on which the two optical fiber tapes 32 and 34 are placed. It is located on the side opposite to the end side, and its width is substantially equal to that of the fiber alignment section 14. As a result, the protruding portion 24 is easily accommodated in the rubber boot 68 provided for preventing the optical fiber tapes 32 and 34 from being bent, and does not hinder the assembly and connection of the MPO optical connector 60 at all.
[0064]
Therefore, as the coupling sleeve 64 and the adapter 66, the coupling sleeve and the adapter used for connection of the ordinary MPO optical connector can be used as they are. That is, the MPO optical connector 60 realizes a higher density of the optical fiber array than the case of the normal MPO optical connector, and at the time of the connection, the same handling as the case of the normal MPO optical connector becomes possible. .
[0065]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.
That is, since the optical fiber array type ferrule has the optical fiber tape mounting protrusion, on the other hand, the length of the optical fiber array substrate can be made the same as the length of the ferrule of a normal MT connector. For this reason, when connecting the optical fiber array type connector in which the optical fiber array type ferrule is mounted, a connection method using a fitting clip similar to the case of a normal MT connector can be adopted. Moreover, at this time, since the optical fiber tape mounting projection is provided as an extension of the fiber alignment portion on the rear end face of the optical fiber array substrate, there is no advantage that the connection method using the fitting clip does not hinder at all. Having.
[0066]
On the other hand, since it is possible to increase the length of the holding lid, it is possible to improve the alignment and directivity of the optical fiber inserted into the V-groove. Further, since the distance between the holding lid and the rear end face of the optical fiber array substrate can be shortened, the area filled with the adhesive between the side wall portions on the rear end face side of the optical fiber array substrate is filled. And the force for pulling the side walls inward and inclining when the adhesive solidifies and contracts is reduced. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in connection loss due to the distortion of the guide hole and a decrease in reliability of connection characteristics with respect to an environmental change.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an optical fiber array type ferrule according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the optical fiber array type ferrule of FIG. 1 as viewed from an optical fiber tape mounting protrusion.
FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of the optical fiber array type ferrule of FIG.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line AA of the optical fiber array type ferrule of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a right side view of the optical fiber array type ferrule of FIG. 3;
6 is a schematic plan view showing a state where an optical fiber tape is mounted on the optical fiber array type ferrule of FIG. 3;
FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line BB of the optical fiber array type ferrule of FIG. 6;
8 is a view schematically showing a state of the optical fiber array type ferrule of FIG. 6 as viewed from a cross section taken along line CC.
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining a connection method of an example of an optical fiber array type connector including the optical fiber array type ferrule according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view showing a connected state of the optical fiber array type connector shown in FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is a schematic side view of the optical fiber array type connector of FIG.
FIG. 12 is a schematic bottom view of the optical fiber array type connector of FIG. 10;
FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view showing an optical fiber array type ferrule according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a schematic plan view of the optical fiber array type ferrule of FIG.
FIG. 15 is a schematic plan view showing an optical fiber array type connector incorporating an optical fiber array type ferrule according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view showing an optical fiber array type ferrule according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
17 is a schematic plan view of the optical fiber array type ferrule of FIG.
FIG. 18 is a schematic plan view showing an optical fiber array type connector incorporating an optical fiber array type ferrule according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 19 is a schematic perspective view showing an optical fiber array type ferrule according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
20 is a schematic plan view of the optical fiber array type ferrule of FIG.
FIG. 21 is a schematic plan view showing an optical fiber array type connector in which an optical fiber array type ferrule according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is provided.
FIG. 22 is a schematic plan view showing an optical fiber array type ferrule according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of a method for connecting an MPO optical fiber array type connector according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
10. Optical fiber array type ferrule
12 Optical fiber array board
14 Fiber alignment section
16 V groove
18. Convex side wall
20 A pair of positioning guide holes
22 Holding lid
24 Projection for mounting optical fiber tape
26 Extension V-groove
28 Mounting surface
30 Optical fiber array type connector
32,34 Optical fiber tape
36 Optical fiber
38 Guide Pin
40 Mating clip
42 clip body
44 A pair of holding parts
46 rubber boots
48 A pair of partitions
50 A pair of overhangs
52 Guide member for a pair of optical fiber tapes
54 collar-shaped protrusion
60 MPO optical fiber array type connector
62 Fastening member
64 coupling sleeve
66 Adapter
68 rubber boots

Claims (17)

An optical fiber array substrate,
A fiber alignment portion provided on the optical fiber array substrate and extending in a longitudinal direction from a front end surface to a rear end surface of the optical fiber array substrate,
A plurality of rows of V-grooves arranged in the fiber alignment portion, for fitting a plurality of optical fibers respectively and aligning the plurality of optical fibers in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber array substrate;
A holding lid for pressing the optical fiber, which is placed on the fiber alignment portion on the front end face side of the optical fiber array substrate via the optical fiber fitted into the V groove,
An optical fiber tape mounting protruding portion on which an optical fiber tape extending from the rear end surface of the optical fiber array substrate to form an extension of the fiber alignment portion and on which the optical fiber tape extending the optical fiber is mounted is provided. Characteristic optical fiber array type ferrule. The arrangement pitch of the V grooves is smaller than the arrangement pitch of the optical fibers in the optical fiber tape,
The number of the rows of the V-grooves is equal to the number of the plurality of optical fibers extending from the two optical fiber tapes which are mounted on the optical fiber tape mounting protrusions one above the other. 2. The optical fiber array type ferrule according to 1. An extended V-groove is formed by extending the V-groove at a part of the optical fiber tape mounting protrusion, and a plurality of optical fibers respectively fitted into the V-groove are extended to the remaining part. 2. The optical fiber array type ferrule according to claim 1, wherein a mounting surface of the optical fiber tape is formed. 2. The optical fiber array type ferrule according to claim 1, wherein the optical fiber array substrate is provided with a flange-shaped projection for attaching the optical fiber array substrate to a polishing instrument. The optical fiber array type ferrule according to claim 1, wherein a length of the holding lid in a longitudinal direction is 3.5 mm or more. The optical fiber array type ferrule according to claim 1, wherein a distance between the holding lid and a rear end surface of the optical fiber array substrate is 3.5 mm or less. The optical fiber array substrate has a concave cross section,
The fiber alignment portion is formed on the bottom surface of the concave portion of the optical fiber array substrate,
The width of the optical fiber tape mounting protrusion is substantially equal to the width of the fiber alignment portion,
2. The optical fiber array type ferrule according to claim 1, wherein guide holes for positioning extending in parallel with said V-groove are formed in both side wall portions of said optical fiber array substrate. The optical fiber array type ferrule according to claim 7, wherein a guide member for positioning when the holding lid is placed on the fiber alignment portion is provided on the optical fiber array substrate. The optical fiber array type ferrule according to claim 8, wherein the positioning guide member is formed along an inner surface of the side wall portion on a rear end surface side of the optical fiber array substrate. The optical fiber array type ferrule according to claim 9, wherein a height of the positioning guide member is higher than a height of two optical fiber tapes which are mounted on the mounting surface in a vertically overlapping manner. The optical fiber array type ferrule according to claim 9, wherein the interval between the positioning guide members is a length obtained by adding a predetermined clearance to an arrangement width of the optical fibers to be fitted into the V-groove. The optical fiber array type ferrule according to claim 7, wherein guide members for an optical fiber tape are provided on both sides of the optical fiber tape mounting projection. The height of the optical fiber tape guide member is higher than the height of the two optical fiber tapes to be mounted on the mounting surface described above, and the interval between the two optical fiber tapes is the maximum of the two optical fiber tapes. 13. The optical fiber array type ferrule according to claim 12, wherein the length is equal to a length obtained by adding a predetermined clearance to a distance between outer edges. An optical fiber array type ferrule according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
An optical fiber tape mounted on the optical fiber tape mounting protrusion,
An optical fiber extended from the optical fiber tape, fitted into the V-groove, and pressed by the holding lid,
An optical fiber array type connector wherein the optical fiber array type ferrule is connected to another optical component using a fitting clip. An optical fiber array type ferrule according to any one of claims 7 to 13,
An optical fiber tape mounted on the optical fiber tape mounting protrusion,
An optical fiber extended from the optical fiber tape, fitted into the V-groove, and pressed by the holding lid,
The optical fiber array type connector, wherein the optical fiber array type ferrule is connected to another optical component using a guide pin and a fitting clip inserted into the guide hole. An optical fiber array type ferrule according to any one of claims 1 to 13,
An optical fiber tape mounted on the optical fiber tape mounting protrusion,
An optical fiber extended from the optical fiber tape, fitted into the V-groove, and pressed by the holding lid,
An optical fiber array type connector, wherein the optical fiber array type ferrule is connected to another optical component using a push-pull attachment / detachment mechanism. The optical fiber array type connector according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein a distance between the optical fiber tape and the holding lid is 3.5 mm or more.

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