JP2004258261A - Method for manufacturing optical element block - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for manufacturing an optical element block by which high positioning accuracy for the formation of a lens is obtained and a uniform protective film can be formed. <P>SOLUTION: When a lens is formed by using a casting case 30, first a lens resin having light transmitting property such as an epoxy resin is injected into a circular hole 31, and a cylindrical optical element mount having an optical element mounted on its top face is inserted into the hole 31. While a protrusion 35 formed on the inner surface of the hole 31 is made in contact with the side circumference face of the optical element mount for positioning the optical element implementation table and the casting case 30, the lens resin is heated to the curing temperature of the resin to be cured. Then by releasing the optical element implementation table from the casting case 30, a lens is formed on the top end face of the optical element mount as well as a protective film comprising the lens resin is formed on the top end face and the side circumference face of the optical element implementation table to protect a circuit pattern formed on the top end face and on the side circumference face. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is used for an optical receptacle of an optical connector including an optical plug including an optical transmission medium such as an optical fiber and an optical receptacle connected to the optical plug, and includes an optical transmission medium included in the optical plug. The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an optical element block for performing photoelectric conversion between an optical signal and an electric signal transmitted through the optical element block.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, optical communication has been introduced to enable high-speed data communication between electronic devices, and an optical transmission medium such as an optical fiber has been provided for performing optical wiring between the electronic device and the outside. An optical connector composed of an optical plug and an optical receptacle connected to the optical plug is used.
[0003]
The optical receptacle A includes a housing 1 and optical element blocks 10a and 10b for transmission and reception housed inside the housing 1 as shown in FIGS. 4 to 7 (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0004]
The housing 1 has a substantially box shape with an opening on the rear surface and the rear surface on the lower surface, and is made of a metal component, a molded product of a conductive resin, or a plated synthetic resin product, and has a shielding effect. The inside of the housing 1 is separated into two storage chambers 4a, 4b on the left and right by a partition wall 3, one storage chamber 4a is a storage space for an optical element block 10a for transmission, and the other storage chamber 4b is an optical element block 10b for reception. Storage space. On the front surface of the housing 1, cylindrical sleeves 2a and 2b communicating with the storage chambers 4a and 4b are arranged and protruded in the width direction, and two optical fibers held by optical plugs in the respective sleeves 2a and 2b. The ferrule is inserted.
[0005]
The optical element blocks 10a and 10b have substantially the same structure, and use three-dimensional circuit molded parts (MID: Molded Interconnected Devices) 11a and 11b having a rectangular parallelepiped appearance as a base, and front surfaces of the three-dimensional circuit molded parts 11a and 11b. Are provided with columnar optical element mounting tables 12a and 12b, which protrude forward and are inserted into the sleeves 2a and 2b, respectively.
[0006]
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, concave end faces 13a and 13b are formed on the tip end surfaces of the optical element mounting bases 12a and 12b so as to widen in the tip direction, and the optical element mounting of the optical element block 10a on the transmission side is performed. The light emitting diode LD is mounted on the bottom of the concave plane 13a on the base 12a, and the light receiving diode PD is mounted on the bottom of the concave plane 13b on the optical element mounting table 12b of the optical element block 10b on the receiving side. The concave planes 13a and 13b of the optical element mounting tables 12a and 12b are enriched with a synthetic resin having a light-transmitting property to seal the light emitting diode LD and the light receiving diode PD. Lenses 14, 14 facing the light emitting surface of the LD or the light receiving surface of the light receiving diode PD are formed.
[0007]
When the optical plug is connected to the optical receptacle A in which the optical element blocks 10a and 10b are stored in the housing 1 by inserting the optical element mounting tables 12a and 12b into the sleeves 2a and 2b, respectively, The two held optical fibers are inserted into the sleeves 2a and 2b, respectively, and optically coupled to the light emitting diode LD or the light receiving diode PD by a lens coupling method. Note that the lenses 14 and 14 may be spherical or aspherical lenses, and may be appropriately set according to the type of optical element (light emitting diode LD or light receiving diode PD).
[0008]
In addition, concave portions 15a and 15b for mounting circuit components are formed on the rear surfaces of the three-dimensional circuit molded components 11a and 11b, respectively. In the optical element block 10a on the transmission side, circuit components such as an integrated circuit element IC1 in which a circuit for processing a drive signal to the light emitting diode LD is integrated and a chip capacitor 19 for noise cut are mounted on the bottom of the concave portion 15a. In the optical element block 10b on the side, circuit components such as an integrated circuit element IC2 in which a circuit (for example, an amplifier circuit) for processing an input signal from the light receiving diode PD is integrated at the bottom of the concave portion 15b, and a chip capacitor 19 for noise reduction. Has been implemented.
[0009]
On the surface of each of the three-dimensional circuit molded parts 11a and 11b, a circuit pattern formed of a metal plating film for electrically connecting between the light emitting diode LD and the integrated circuit element IC1, and between the light receiving diode PD and the integrated circuit element IC2, respectively. (Not shown) are formed, and the electrodes of the integrated circuit elements IC1 and IC2 are electrically connected to a circuit pattern extending on the bottom surfaces of the recesses 15a and 15b via bonding wires 36 made of a thin metal wire such as aluminum. It is connected to the. Also, each of the three-dimensional circuit molded parts 11a and 11b is integrally provided with four L-shaped terminal pins 16 by simultaneous molding, and the three-dimensional circuit molded parts are provided between the integrated circuit elements IC1 and IC2 and the terminal pins 16. They are electrically connected via circuit patterns formed on the surfaces of the components 11a and 11b. Note that the sealing resin 17 is enriched in the recesses 15a and 15b to protect the connection portions and circuit components between the bonding wires 36 and the electrodes or circuit patterns of the integrated circuit elements IC1 and IC2. The optical element blocks 10a and 10b are fixed in the housing 1 by enriching and sealing the sealing resin 18 in the housing 1 with the optical element blocks 10a and 10b housed in the housing 1. I have.
[0010]
By the way, when the lenses 14, 14 are formed on the tip surfaces of the optical element mounting tables 12a, 12b of the three-dimensional circuit molded parts 11a, 11b, the lenses 14 are formed by a method called casting.
[0011]
Hereinafter, a process of forming the lens 14 on the distal end surface of the optical element mounting table 12a of the three-dimensional circuit molded component 11a will be described with reference to FIGS. Reference numeral 30 in the figure denotes a casting case (mold) made of a resin molded product. A round hole 31 having a diameter slightly larger than that of the optical element mounting table 12 a is opened on the upper surface of the casting case 30. A concave portion 31a having substantially the same shape as the surface shape of the lens 14 is formed.
[0012]
When the lens 14 is formed, first, a transparent and thermosetting lens resin 14a such as an epoxy resin is injected into the round hole 31 of the casting case 30 (see FIG. 8B). After the optical element mounting base 12a of the three-dimensional circuit molded component 11a is inserted into the round hole 31 of the casting case 30, the upper part of the three-dimensional circuit molded component 11a is pressed with a jig 37 and pressurized while the resin curing temperature of the lens resin 14a is increased. After heating to cure the lens resin 14a (see FIG. 8 (c)) and releasing the casting from the casting case 30 (see FIG. 8 (d)), the lens 14 is placed on the tip surface of the optical element mounting table 12a. It is formed. At the same time, a protective film 20 made of a lens resin 14a is formed on the distal end surface and the peripheral surface of the optical element mounting table 12a to protect the circuit pattern formed on the distal end surface and the peripheral surface of the optical element mounting table 12. ing.
[0013]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2002-164604 (pages 3 to 4, and FIGS. 1 and 7)
[0014]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Incidentally, the light emitting characteristics of the light emitting diode LD and the light receiving characteristics of the light receiving diode PD largely depend on the formation positions of the lenses 14 formed on the tip surfaces of the optical element mounting tables 12a and 12b. Is required to be positioned with high accuracy. Further, when the lens 14 is formed, a protective film 20 made of the lens resin 14a is formed on the side surfaces of the optical element mounting tables 12a and 12b to protect the circuit patterns formed on the side surfaces of the optical element mounting tables 12a and 12b. However, in order to reliably protect the circuit pattern, it is necessary to form a uniform protective film 20, and it is necessary to accurately position the optical element mounting tables 12a and 12b and the casting case 30.
[0015]
However, conventionally, since the positioning between the optical element mounting tables 12a and 12b and the casting case 30 was not accurate, the optical element mounting tables 12a and 12b are inserted in an eccentric state into the round holes 31 of the casting case 30. In some cases, the optical axis of the optical element is shifted from the optical axis of the lens 14 to deteriorate the light emission characteristics and light reception characteristics, and the protection of the circuit pattern becomes insufficient because the uniform protective film 20 is not formed.
[0016]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing an optical element block which has a high positioning accuracy of a lens forming position and can form a uniform protective film. To offer.
[0017]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, an optical plug having an optical transmission medium such as an optical fiber is used for an optical receptacle to be connected, and an optical signal transmitted through the optical transmission medium is used as an optical plug. An optical element that performs photoelectric conversion between an electric signal and a columnar optical element mounting base on which the optical element is mounted on a front end surface, and a metal surface is formed on at least a surface including the front end surface and the peripheral surface of the optical element mounting base. A three-dimensional circuit molded part on which a circuit pattern made of a plating film is formed, and a light-transmitting resin-made resin formed on the tip end surface of the optical element mounting table so as to be located between the optical element and the optical transmission medium. A method for manufacturing an optical element block including a lens and a protective film formed on a front end surface and a peripheral surface of an optical element mounting table so as to cover a circuit pattern, wherein an optical element mounting table of a three-dimensional circuit molded component is inserted. Lens shape on the bottom of the hole After injecting a translucent lens resin into the hole of the casting case, the optical element mounting base is inserted into the hole of the casting case, and the positioning protrusion protruding from the inner surface of the hole is inserted into the optical element mounting base. The optical element mounting base and the casting case are positioned in contact with the peripheral surface, and then the lens resin is cured to form a lens on the distal end surface of the optical element mounting base, and the peripheral surface of the optical element mounting base is It is characterized in that a protective film made of a lens resin is formed.
[0018]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, an optical plug having an optical transmission medium such as an optical fiber is used in an optical receptacle to be connected, and photoelectric conversion between an optical signal and an electric signal transmitted through the optical transmission medium is performed. And a column-shaped optical element mounting base on which the optical element is mounted on the front end surface, and a circuit pattern made of a metal plating film is formed on a surface including at least the front end surface and the peripheral surface of the optical element mounting base. The three-dimensional circuit molded part, a resin lens having a light-transmitting property formed on the distal end surface of the optical element mounting table so as to be located between the optical element and the optical transmission medium, and a circuit pattern. A method of manufacturing an optical element block comprising: a protective film formed on a front end surface and a peripheral surface of an optical element mounting table, wherein a lens shape is formed on a bottom surface of a hole into which the optical element mounting table of a three-dimensional circuit molded component is inserted. Casting case with formed After injecting a translucent lens resin into the hole, insert the optical element mounting base into the hole of the casting case, and abut the positioning projections provided on the peripheral surface of the optical element mounting base with the inner surface of the hole. Then, the optical element mounting base and the casting case are positioned, and then the lens resin is cured to form a lens on the tip surface of the optical element mounting base and the lens resin is protected on the peripheral surface of the optical element mounting base. The method is characterized in that a film is formed.
[0019]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
(Embodiment 1)
A casting case to which the method for manufacturing an optical element block according to the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. The casting case 30 is used when forming the lens 14 on the optical element blocks 10a and 10b described in the related art, and has a round hole slightly larger in diameter than the cylindrical optical element mounting tables 12a and 12b. 31 has a bottomed cylindrical form part 32 that is open on one side, and a flange part 33 that protrudes outward from the peripheral surface of the form part 32. A concave portion 34 having the same shape as the surface shape is formed. Further, on the inner peripheral surface of the round hole 31, three protruding ridges 35 protruding toward the center of the round hole 31 are provided integrally at a predetermined angle (in this embodiment, for example, every 120 degrees). Each ridge 35 is provided from a corner between the inner peripheral surface and the bottom surface to an intermediate portion in the axial direction, and these ridges 35 come into contact with the side peripheral surface of the optical element mounting table 12a or 12b during lens formation. It has a function of positioning the optical element mounting table 12a or 12b.
[0020]
Next, a process of forming the lens 14 and the protective film 20 on the optical element blocks 10a and 10b using the casting case 30 will be described.
[0021]
First, a liquid lens resin 14a (for example, epoxy resin) having translucency and thermosetting properties is injected into the round hole 31 of the casting case 30, and the three-dimensional circuit molded component 11a ( 11b), after inserting the optical element mounting base 12a (12b), the upper part of the three-dimensional circuit molded component 11a (11b) is pressed to project the ridge 35 formed on the inner side surface of the round hole 31 of the optical element mounting base 12b. The lens resin 14a was cured by heating to the resin curing temperature of the lens resin 14a in a state where the optical element mounting table 12a (12b) and the casting case 30 were aligned by being brought into contact with the side peripheral surface. Thereafter, when the mold is released from the casting case 30, the lens 14 is formed on the distal end surface of the optical element mounting table 12a (12b), and the optical element mounting table 12a (12b) is formed. Is a protective film 20 made of the end surface and the side peripheral surface of the lens resin 14a is formed, the distal end surface and a circuit pattern formed on the side peripheral surface of the optical element mounting board 12a (12b) is protected.
[0022]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the ridge 35 projecting from the inner peripheral surface of the round hole 31 of the casting case 30 is brought into contact with the side peripheral surface of the optical element mounting table 12b, and the optical element mounting table 12 and the casting case 30 are formed. The lens 14 and the protective film 20 are formed in a state where the alignment is performed, and the three ridges 35 are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the round hole 31 at a constant angle (every 120 degrees). Therefore, it is possible to prevent the center axis of the optical element mounting table 12a (12b) from being decentered with respect to the center of the round hole 31, to improve the positional accuracy of the formation position of the lens 14, and to improve the optical element due to the displacement of the lens 14. Can be prevented from deteriorating. Further, since the three ridges 35 are provided from the corner between the inner peripheral surface and the bottom surface of the round hole 31 and the intermediate portion in the axial direction, the three ridges 35 are provided on the optical element mounting table 12a (12b). Line contact with the inner peripheral surface of the optical element mounting base 12a to prevent the central axis of the optical element mounting table 12a (12b) from inclining with respect to the central axis of the round hole 31 (cylindrical form part 32). A uniform gap can be formed between the side peripheral surface of the mounting table 12a (12b) and the inner side surface of the round hole 31, and protection of a uniform film thickness on the side peripheral surface of the optical element mounting table 12a (12b). By forming the film 20, the circuit pattern formed on the side peripheral surface can be reliably protected.
[0023]
In the present embodiment, three ridges 35 as positioning projections are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the round hole 31 of the casting case 30 every 120 degrees, but the number of positioning projections is limited to three. It is not necessary to form the necessary number of positioning protrusions at appropriate places so that positioning can be performed in a state where the center axis of the optical element mounting table 12a or 12b and the center axis of the round hole 31 of the casting case 30 are substantially aligned. good.
[0024]
(Embodiment 2)
A method for manufacturing an optical element block according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, the manufacturing method will be described by taking as an example the optical element block 10b on the receiving side on which the light receiving diode PD is mounted as an optical element, but the light emitting diode LD is used instead of the light receiving diode PD as the optical element. Since it is the same as the optical element block 10a, the description of the method of manufacturing the optical element block 10a on the transmission side is omitted. In addition, the present embodiment is used for the optical receptacle A described in the related art, and the basic configuration is the same as the above-described optical element blocks 10a and 10b. The description is omitted.
[0025]
The optical element block 10b uses a three-dimensional circuit molded component 11b having a rectangular parallelepiped shape as a base, and a front surface of the three-dimensional circuit molded component 11b includes a columnar optical element mounting base 12b that projects forward and is inserted into the sleeve 2b. Three protruding ridges 21 projecting in the outer peripheral direction are formed integrally on the side peripheral surface of the optical element mounting table 12b at a fixed angle (for example, every 120 degrees in the present embodiment). ing. Each of the ridges 21 is provided from a connection portion between the optical element mounting table 12b and the base to an intermediate portion in the front-rear direction, and these ridges 21 come into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the casting case 30 at the time of forming the lens to perform casting. It has a function of positioning the case 30.
[0026]
As shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and 2 (b), a concave flat surface 13b is formed on the distal end surface of the optical element mounting base 12b so as to expand in the distal direction, and a light receiving diode is formed at the bottom of the concave flat surface 13b. A PD is implemented. In the optical element block 10a on the transmitting side, a light emitting diode LD is mounted on the bottom of the concave plane 13a.
[0027]
The concave surface 13b of the optical element mounting base 12b is filled with a synthetic resin having a light transmitting property after the light receiving diode PD is mounted, and seals the light receiving diode PD. A lens 14 facing the surface is formed. When the optical plug is connected to the optical receptacle A in which the optical element blocks 10a and 10b on the transmitting side and the receiving side are housed in the housing 1, the two optical fibers held by the optical plug are connected to the light receiving diode PD or the light emitting diode. The light is optically coupled to the diode LD by a lens coupling method. The lens 14 may be a spherical lens or an aspherical lens, and may be appropriately set according to the type of the optical element (the light receiving diode PD or the light emitting diode).
[0028]
A concave portion 15b for mounting a circuit component is formed on the rear surface of the three-dimensional circuit molded component 11b, and a signal processing circuit (amplifying circuit, etc.) of an optical element (light receiving diode PD) is integrated at the bottom of the concave portion 15b. Integrated circuit elements and noise-cut capacitors are mounted. In FIG. 2B, circuit components are omitted.
[0029]
As shown in FIG. 1A, through holes 23a, 23b penetrating the three-dimensional circuit molded component 11b back and forth are formed on the right and left sides of the front surface of the three-dimensional circuit molded component 11b. , 23b are formed with circuit patterns 22a, 22b made of a metal plating film extending from the periphery of the optical element mounting table 12b to the tip end surface of the optical element mounting table 12b via the side peripheral surface of the optical element mounting table 12b. Each of the circuit patterns 22a and 22b is electrically connected to a circuit pattern (not shown) formed at the bottom of the concave portion 15b through the through holes 23a and 23b, and is mounted on the tip end surface of the optical element mounting base 12b. The optical element (light receiving diode PD) and the integrated circuit element mounted on the bottom of the recess 15b are electrically connected via a circuit pattern.
[0030]
Here, a process of forming the lens 14 and the protective film 20 on the optical element block 10b of the present embodiment will be described below. The lens 14 is manufactured by a method called casting, using the casting case 30 of a resin molded product described in the related art.
[0031]
As shown in FIG. 8, a round hole 31 slightly larger in diameter than the optical element mounting table 12b is opened on the upper surface of the casting case 30, and the surface shape of the lens 14 is formed at the bottom of the round hole 31. .
[0032]
When the lens 14 is formed, first, a translucent and thermosetting lens resin 14 a such as an epoxy resin is injected into the round hole 31 of the casting case 30 and the round hole 31 of the casting case 30 is injected into the round hole 31 of the casting case 30. After inserting the optical element mounting base 12b of the three-dimensional circuit molded part 11b, the three-dimensional circuit molded part 11b is pressed toward the optical element mounting base 12b, and the ridge 21 formed on the side peripheral surface of the optical element mounting base 12b is rounded. The lens resin 14a was cured by heating to the resin curing temperature of the lens resin 14a in a state where the optical element mounting table 12b and the casting case 30 were aligned by being brought into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the hole 31. Thereafter, when the mold is released from the casting case 30, the lens 14 is formed on the distal end surface of the optical element mounting table 12b, and the lens 14 is formed on the distal end surface and the side peripheral surface of the optical element mounting table 12b. Protective film 20 made's resin 14a is formed, the distal end surface and the circuit formed on the side peripheral surface patterns 22a, 22b are protected.
[0033]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the projecting ridge 21 protruding from the side peripheral surface of the optical element mounting table 12b is brought into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the round hole 31 of the casting case 30, and the optical element mounting table 12 and the casting case 30 are formed. The lens 14 and the protective film 20 are formed in a state where the alignment is performed, and the three ridges 21 are provided on the side peripheral surface of the optical element mounting table 12b at a constant angle (every 120 degrees). Therefore, the center axis of the optical element mounting table 12b can be prevented from being eccentric with respect to the center of the round hole 31 of the casting case 30, and the positional accuracy of the formation position of the lens 14 can be increased, and the lens 14 can be displaced. This can prevent the deterioration of the characteristics of the optical element. Further, since the three ridges 21 extend from the connection portion between the optical element mounting table 12b and the base to the middle part in the front-rear direction of the optical element mounting table 12b, the three ridges 21 The line contact with the inner side surface of the round hole 31 prevents the center axis of the optical element mounting base 12b from being inclined with respect to the center axis of the round hole 31 and the side peripheral surface of the optical element mounting base 12b and the round hole. A uniform gap can be formed with the inner side surface of the optical element 31. The protective film 20 having a uniform thickness is formed on the side peripheral surface of the optical element mounting table 12b, and the circuit pattern 23a formed on the side peripheral surface is formed. , 23b can be reliably protected.
[0034]
In the present embodiment, three ridges 21 as positioning protrusions are formed on the side peripheral surface of the optical element mounting table 12b every 120 degrees. However, the number of positioning protrusions is not limited to three. Instead, the necessary number of positioning projections may be formed at appropriate locations so that positioning can be performed with the center axis of the optical element mounting table 12b and the center axis of the round hole 31 of the casting case 30 substantially aligned. .
[0035]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the invention of claim 1 is used in an optical receptacle to which an optical plug having an optical transmission medium such as an optical fiber is connected, and an optical signal and an electric signal transmitted through the optical transmission medium are used. An optical element that performs photoelectric conversion between the optical element and the optical element has a columnar optical element mounting base mounted on the front end surface, from the metal plating film on the surface including at least the front end surface and the peripheral surface of the optical element mounting base A three-dimensional circuit molded part on which a circuit pattern is formed, and a light-transmitting resin lens formed on the distal end surface of the optical element mounting table so as to be located between the optical element and the optical transmission medium, What is claimed is: 1. A method for manufacturing an optical element block comprising: a protection film formed on a front end surface and a peripheral surface of an optical element mounting table so as to cover a circuit pattern, wherein a hole for inserting an optical element mounting table of a three-dimensional circuit molded component is provided. Caster with lens shape on the bottom of After injecting a translucent lens resin into the hole of the casting case, the optical element mounting base is inserted into the hole of the casting case, and the positioning protrusion protruding from the inner surface of the hole is inserted into the peripheral surface of the optical element mounting base. To position the optical element mounting table and the casting case, and then cure the lens resin to form a lens on the tip surface of the optical element mounting table and the lens resin on the peripheral surface of the optical element mounting table. It is characterized by forming a protective film consisting of: a positioning projection protruding from the inner surface of the hole of the casting case is brought into contact with the peripheral surface of the optical element mounting table, and the alignment between the optical element mounting table and the casting case is performed. Since the lens and the protective film are formed in the state in which the optical element is formed, the positional accuracy of the lens formation position is improved, and the deterioration of the characteristics of the optical element caused by the displacement of the lens can be prevented. There are fruit, moreover because it forms a protective film of uniform thickness on the optical element mounting board of the peripheral surface, there is also an effect that the circuit pattern formed on the peripheral surface of the optical element mounting board can be reliably protected.
[0036]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, an optical plug having an optical transmission medium such as an optical fiber is used in an optical receptacle to be connected, and photoelectric conversion between an optical signal and an electric signal transmitted through the optical transmission medium is performed. And a column-shaped optical element mounting base on which the optical element is mounted on the front end surface, and a circuit pattern made of a metal plating film is formed on a surface including at least the front end surface and the peripheral surface of the optical element mounting base. The three-dimensional circuit molded part, a resin lens having a light-transmitting property formed on the distal end surface of the optical element mounting table so as to be located between the optical element and the optical transmission medium, and a circuit pattern. A method of manufacturing an optical element block comprising: a protective film formed on a front end surface and a peripheral surface of an optical element mounting table, wherein a lens shape is formed on a bottom surface of a hole into which the optical element mounting table of a three-dimensional circuit molded component is inserted. Casting case with formed After injecting a translucent lens resin into the hole, insert the optical element mounting base into the hole of the casting case, and abut the positioning protrusion protruding from the peripheral surface of the optical element mounting base against the inner surface of the hole. Then, the optical element mounting base and the casting case are positioned, and then the lens resin is cured to form a lens on the tip surface of the optical element mounting base and the lens resin is protected on the peripheral surface of the optical element mounting base. It is characterized by forming a film, and the positioning projection projected from the peripheral surface of the optical element mounting table is brought into contact with the inner surface of the hole of the casting case to perform alignment between the optical element mounting table and the casting case. Since the lens and the protective film are formed in a state in which the lens is formed, the positional accuracy of the lens forming position is improved, and there is an effect that deterioration of the characteristics of the optical element caused by displacement of the lens can be prevented. Furthermore because it forms a protective film of uniform thickness on the optical element mounting board of the peripheral surface, there is also an effect that the circuit pattern formed on the peripheral surface of the optical element mounting board can be reliably protected.
[Brief description of the drawings]
1A and 1B show a casting case according to a first embodiment, in which FIG. 1A is a front view, FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view seen from the right side, FIG. 1C is a side view seen from the left side, and FIG. FIG.
FIGS. 2A and 2B show a state before an optical element is mounted on a three-dimensional circuit molded component of the optical element block of Embodiment 2, wherein FIG. 2A is a front view and FIG. 2B is a side view.
FIGS. 3A and 3B show a state in which a lens is formed on the three-dimensional circuit molded component, in which FIG. 3A is a front view and FIG. 3B is a side sectional view.
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional optical receptacle viewed from the front.
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the same as viewed from the rear.
FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of the same.
FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a main part of the above.
FIGS. 8A to 8D are explanatory views of a conventional lens forming process.
[Explanation of symbols]
30 Casting case
31 round hole
35 Ridge

Claims (2)

An optical element that is used in an optical receptacle to which an optical plug having an optical transmission medium such as an optical fiber is connected, and that performs photoelectric conversion between an optical signal transmitted through the optical transmission medium and an electric signal; A three-dimensional circuit molded component having a columnar optical element mounting base on which the optical element is mounted on the front end surface, and a circuit pattern formed of a metal plating film formed on a surface including at least the front end surface and the peripheral surface of the optical element mounting base; A light-transmitting resin lens formed on the tip end surface of the optical element mounting table so as to be located between the optical element and the optical transmission medium, and an optical element mounting table covering the circuit pattern. What is claimed is: 1. A method for manufacturing an optical element block comprising: a protective film formed on a front end surface and a peripheral surface; Translucency in the above hole After the lens resin is injected, the optical element mounting base is inserted into the hole of the casting case, and the positioning projections protruding from the inner surface of the hole are brought into contact with the peripheral surface of the optical element mounting base. And the casting case are positioned, and then the lens resin is cured to form a lens on the tip surface of the optical element mounting table and a protective film made of lens resin on the peripheral surface of the optical element mounting table. A method for manufacturing an optical element block. An optical element that is used in an optical receptacle to which an optical plug having an optical transmission medium such as an optical fiber is connected, and that performs photoelectric conversion between an optical signal transmitted through the optical transmission medium and an electric signal; A three-dimensional circuit molded component having a columnar optical element mounting base on which the optical element is mounted on the front end surface, and a circuit pattern formed of a metal plating film formed on a surface including at least the front end surface and the peripheral surface of the optical element mounting base; A light-transmitting resin lens formed on the tip end surface of the optical element mounting table so as to be located between the optical element and the optical transmission medium, and an optical element mounting table covering the circuit pattern. What is claimed is: 1. A method for manufacturing an optical element block comprising: a protective film formed on a front end surface and a peripheral surface; Translucency in the above hole After the lens resin is injected, the optical element mounting base is inserted into the hole of the casting case, and the positioning protrusions protruding from the peripheral surface of the optical element mounting base are brought into contact with the inner side surfaces of the hole. And the casting case are positioned, and then the lens resin is cured to form a lens on the tip surface of the optical element mounting table and a protective film made of lens resin on the peripheral surface of the optical element mounting table. A method for manufacturing an optical element block.

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