JP2004333590A - Optical connector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical connector capable of turning the optical axis of an optical fiber to an optical element with high accuracy. <P>SOLUTION: This optical connector 1 is constituted so as to perform optical splicing between an optical fiber 3 and an optical element 5 by being attached to the tip part of the optical fiber 3 and by being installed while being confronted with the optical element 5 of an optical tranceiver 4 on a circuit board 6. In the optical connector 1, a connector main body 2 has a hollow part 8 for holding the optical fiber, an optical fiber hole 9 and a recessed part 11 for changing the optical axis of the optical fiber 3 and in the recessed part 11 for changing the optical axis, a reflecting surface 10 for changing the optical axis which turns the optical axis of the optical fiber fiber 3 to the optical element 5 is formed. Thereby, since the mutual positional relationship between the optical axis of the optical fiber 3 and the reflecting surface 10 for changing the optical axis is fixed with high accuracy, the changing of the optical axis for turning the direction of the optical axis of the fiber 3 to the side of the optical element 5 can be performed with high accuracy and loss of the optical splicing between the optical fiber 3 and the optical element 5 can be reduced. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an optical fiber which is attached to the tip of an optical fiber, is installed facing a light input / output end directly or indirectly mounted on a circuit board, and optically connects between the optical fiber and the light input / output end. About the connector.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In an electronic device connected to an optical line, when an optical transceiver for transmitting and receiving an optical signal to and from an optical fiber constituting an optical line is configured on an internal circuit board, a modularized optical transceiver is generally used. The structure of this type of optical transceiver is such that an optical element (including a light emitting element and a light receiving element) serving as a light input / output end between an optical fiber and a light transmitting element is disposed on a transceiver substrate in a transceiver case. Generally, the optical element is mounted so as to be parallel to the substrate (that is, the optical element is arranged in the optical axis direction of the optical fiber parallel to the circuit substrate).
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
On the other hand, an optical transceiver in which an optical element is surface-mounted and modularized has attracted attention. In this case, since the optical axis direction of the optical element is perpendicular to the optical axis direction of the optical fiber guided parallel to the circuit board, it is necessary to direct the optical axis direction of the optical fiber toward the optical element. become.
For this purpose, it is conceivable to assemble an optical connector whose optical axis can be changed at the tip of the optical fiber and install this optical connector on the optical transceiver of the circuit board. It is necessary to turn to the optical element well. In addition, it is necessary to avoid interference between the optical connector and the wiring pattern and the like, and downsizing is required. However, there are few optical connectors of a suitable structure that sufficiently meet these requirements.
[0004]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has been developed as an optical connector that enables optical connection between an optical fiber constituting an optical line and an optical element directly or indirectly mounted on a circuit board. It is an object of the present invention to provide an optical connector that can accurately direct the optical axis direction of a fiber toward an optical element, can be easily miniaturized, and can easily avoid interference with a wiring pattern or the like.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is provided at an end of an optical fiber, and is installed facing a light input / output end directly or indirectly mounted on a circuit board, and is provided between the optical fiber and the light input / output end. An optical connector for optically connecting
The connector body has a block-shaped connector body installed facing the light input / output end, and the connector body has an optical fiber holding hollow for holding mainly a coating portion of an optical fiber guided substantially parallel to a circuit board surface. Part, and an optical fiber hole for inserting and fixing the vicinity of the tip of the optical fiber, and an optical axis changing reflecting surface formed in front of the exit of the optical fiber hole and directing the optical axis direction of the optical fiber toward the light input / output end. It is characterized by having an optical axis changing recess.
[0006]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the optical connector of the first aspect, the hollow portion for holding the optical fiber has an opening for inserting an optical fiber which opens in a direction parallel to the circuit board surface, and an adhesive which opens in a direction orthogonal to the circuit board surface. It is a hollow portion communicating with the agent filling opening.
[0007]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the optical connector of the first aspect, the optical axis changing recess is filled with a transparent adhesive and is fixed by covering with a transparent glass plate.
[0008]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the optical connector of the first aspect, the optical fiber is an optical fiber tape, and a plurality of optical fiber holes are provided corresponding to each single-core optical fiber of the optical fiber tape. A positioning groove for positioning an optical fiber guided to the optical fiber.
[0009]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the optical connector of the first aspect, positioning pins are provided on both sides of the optical axis changing recess of the connector body in the connector width direction to be fitted into positioning pin holes formed on the circuit board side. It is characterized by.
[0010]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
1 is an inverted perspective view of a connector main body 2 of an optical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view of the same, FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 2, and FIG. -B sectional view, Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line CC in Fig. 3, Fig. 6 is a view showing a state where the optical fiber ribbon is inserted into the connector main body 2 in Fig. 2, and Fig. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the optical connector 1 in a used state, and FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG.
The optical connector 1 of the embodiment is for optically connecting an optical fiber 3 constituting an optical line and an optical element 5 of an optical transceiver 4 for transmitting / receiving an optical signal, as shown in FIGS. The optical transceiver 4 is mounted on a circuit board 6 inside an electronic device connected to an optical line. The optical element 5 includes both a light emitting element and a light receiving element. As the light emitting element, a light emitting element such as a so-called surface emitting laser diode (VCSEL: Vertical Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser) can be used, and a light receiving element such as a photodiode can be used as a light receiving element. The optical transceiver 4 is, for example, a chip-shaped or array-shaped small piece in which the optical element 5 is formed on the mount 4A. In the optical transceiver, the light emitting element or the light receiving element is a light input / output terminal from which an optical signal is emitted or enters.
[0011]
The optical connector 1 mainly has a thin, rectangular parallelepiped block-shaped connector main body 2 made of, for example, epoxy resin, which is installed so as to face the optical element 5. Is the mounting surface 2a facing the optical transceiver 4, and the optical connector 1 is mounted upside down on the optical transceiver 4 as shown in FIGS. The connector main body 2 is almost the same as or slightly smaller than the optical transceiver 4, and does not bulge outwardly from the transceiver main body 4 and occupies no space.
The connector main body 2 includes an optical fiber holding hollow portion 8 for mainly holding a coating portion of the optical fiber 3 guided in parallel with the circuit board surface 6a, and an optical fiber hole for inserting and fixing the vicinity of the tip of the optical fiber 3. 9, and an optical axis changing recess 11 having an optical axis changing reflecting surface 10 formed in front of the exit of the optical fiber hole 9 and directing the optical axis of the optical fiber 3 toward the optical element 5. I have.
The reflecting surface 10 for changing the optical axis is inclined by 45 ° with respect to the optical axis direction of the optical fiber 3 (more precisely, the extension direction of the optical axis of the end surface of the bare fiber). When installed above, it is located above the optical element 5 on the transceiver body 4 and faces the light emitting surface or the light receiving surface of the optical element 5 and bends the light emitted from the tip of the optical fiber 3 by 90 degrees. The light is emitted to the element 5, or the light emitted from the optical element 5 is bent by 90 degrees and made incident on the optical fiber 3. The reflecting surface 10 for changing the optical axis can be formed on the inclined wall surface of the concave portion 11 for changing the optical axis by metal evaporation or the like. However, a chip on which a film has been formed can be incorporated into the inclined wall surface. Means for forming the reflection surface is optional.
The inclination angle of the reflecting surface 10 for changing the optical axis is appropriately 45 ° with respect to the optical axis direction of the optical fiber 3, but is not necessarily limited to 45 °. In short, any angle may be used as long as the light emitted from the optical fiber 3 can be reflected so as to enter the optical element 5 or the reverse path can be reflected.
[0012]
The optical connector 1 of the embodiment is for an optical fiber ribbon, and the optical fiber 3 is a single-core optical fiber constituting the optical fiber ribbon 3 ′, for example, a UV ray having an outer diameter of 0.25 mm. is there. 6 to 8, reference numeral 3a denotes a bare fiber. The connector body 2 has a plurality of optical fiber holes 9 corresponding to each single-core optical fiber 3 of the optical fiber ribbon 3 ′, and precisely positions the optical fiber 3 guided to each optical fiber hole 9. Are provided.
The positioning groove 12 is preferably a V-groove, but is not limited thereto, and may be, for example, a round groove (a groove having a semicircular cross section), a U-groove, or the like.
[0013]
The optical fiber holding hollow portion 8 includes an optical fiber insertion opening 8a that opens in a direction parallel to the mounting surface 2a of the connector main body 2 with respect to the optical transceiver 4 (parallel to the circuit board surface 6a), and a circuit board surface 6a. It is a hollow portion that communicates with an adhesive filling opening 8b that opens in a direction orthogonal to the opening (in the illustrated example, opens on the mounting surface 2a side).
Positioning pin holes 14 into which the positioning pins 13 are fitted are formed on both left and right sides of the optical axis changing recess 11 of the connector body 2. A counterbore is provided on the opening end of the illustrated positioning pin hole 14 so that the positioning pin 13 can be easily inserted. Further, instead of the counterbore, a guide with a tapered surface or a round surface may be used. Further, a positioning pin hole 4a for inserting the positioning pin 13 is also formed on the optical transceiver 4 side. The positioning pins 13 are fitted into the positioning pin holes 14 on the connector main body 2 side and the positioning pin holes 4a on the optical transceiver 4 side to perform accurate positioning of the connector main body 2 with respect to the optical element 5 on the optical transceiver 4. Has functions.
[0014]
When the optical fiber 3 is attached to the connector main body 2, each single-core optical fiber (for example, a UV element wire) 3 constituting the optical fiber ribbon 3 ′ is exposed, and the coating of the optical fiber 3 is removed. To expose the bare fiber 3a. Next, the optical fiber ribbon 3 ′ is inserted through the optical fiber insertion opening 8 a, the optical fiber 3 is inserted into the positioning groove 12, and the bare fiber 3 a is inserted into the optical fiber hole 9 while precisely positioning each optical fiber 3. Insert The bare fiber 3a is slightly projected from the exit of the optical fiber hole 9. In this case, since the positioning groove 12 can be seen from the window (the adhesive filling opening 8b), it can be seen that the vicinity of the distal end of the optical fiber 3 rides on the positioning groove 12, and each of the optical fibers 3 is positioned at the intended positioning groove 12 respectively. Can be visually confirmed. Next, the adhesive 16 is filled in the hollow portion 8 for holding the optical fiber, and the optical fiber 3 is fixed together with the optical fiber tape core 3 '. Further, the optical axis changing recess 11 is filled with a transparent adhesive 17, and a transparent glass plate 18 made of, for example, a resin is put over and fixed thereon. In the portion where the glass plate 18 is arranged, a shallow glass plate arrangement recess 15 is provided so as to surround the optical axis changing recess 11, and the glass plate 18 projects from the mounting surface 2 a of the connector body 2. And does not directly contact the optical element 5.
As the transparent adhesive 17 and the glass plate 18, those having optical characteristics that do not cause adverse effects such as light loss are used. However, an adhesive or glass having optical characteristics that are transparent to light having a specific wavelength can be used. . The adhesive 17 and the glass plate 18 can prevent the optical axis changing reflecting surface 10 from being stained due to the entry of dust or the like. As described above, the optical connector 1 is assembled at the tip of the optical fiber 3.
[0015]
FIGS. 7 and 8 show how the optical connector 1 is used. The upper surface of the connector body 2 in FIGS. 1 to 5 is the mounting surface 2a facing the optical transceiver 4, as shown in FIGS. Then, when the optical connector 1 is turned over and the positioning pins 13 are fitted into the positioning pin holes 14, the positioning of the optical connector 1 with respect to the optical transceiver 4 is performed, whereby the position of the optical axis changing reflecting surface 10 is changed. 4 is correctly positioned with respect to the optical element 5, and the optical axis direction of the optical fiber 3 (more precisely, the optical axis direction of the distal end surface of the bare fiber 3 a) is correctly changed to the direction of the optical element 5 of the optical transceiver 4. As a result, the light emitted from the distal end face of the optical fiber 3 is reflected by the reflecting surface 10 for changing the optical axis and correctly enters the light receiving element (optical element 5) of the optical transceiver 4, or the light emitting element (optical element 5). Are reflected by the optical axis changing reflection surface 10 and correctly enter the end face of the optical fiber 3.
As described above, in the optical connector 1 of the present invention, the optical fiber hole 9 and the reflection surface 10 for changing the optical axis are provided on the block-shaped integrated component (connector main body 2). Since the mutual positional relationship with the optical axis changing reflection surface 10 is fixed with high precision, the loss of the optical connection between the optical fiber 3 and the optical element 5 can be reduced.
Further, the optical connector 1 of the present invention has a configuration in which a reflection surface for changing the optical axis is provided integrally with an optical connector ferrule for performing optical connection between optical fibers, so that miniaturization can be easily realized. Also, it is easy to avoid interference with the wiring pattern of the circuit board 6 and the like.
[0016]
In the present invention, the hollow portion for holding an optical fiber is not limited to the hollow portion 8 for holding an optical fiber as in the embodiment, and may be, for example, a hollow portion opened on the side opposite to the mounting surface 2a of the connector body 2. Alternatively, it may be a hollow portion having no opening in a direction perpendicular to the circuit board surface 6a, or may be a simple hollow portion. In short, what is necessary is just to be able to hold the covering portion of the optical fiber 3.
[0017]
Further, the optical fiber to be attached to the optical connector in the present invention is not limited to the case where the optical fiber ribbon 3 ′ is used as in the embodiment, and is also applicable to a case where a plurality of single-core optical fibers 3 are simply attached. Also, the present invention can be applied to a case where only one single-core optical fiber 3 is attached. The configuration of the optical fiber 3 itself is not limited to the case of UV rays, and various configurations can be adopted.
[0018]
In addition, if the positioning pins are not inserted into the optical transceiver 4 by simply inserting the positioning pins into the positioning pin holes as in the above-described embodiment, the circuit board 6 may have the positioning pin holes. Then, fixing means for fitting the positioning pins into the positioning pin holes of both the optical transceiver 4 and the circuit board 6, or a connector holder formed by bending a stainless steel plate, for example, is separately attached to the circuit board side. Thus, fixing means for holding the optical connector 1 so as to hold it, and other fixing means can be employed.
[0019]
Further, in the embodiment, the optical transceiver 4 modularized on the circuit board 6 is mounted. However, when the optical element, various devices, and components for realizing the optical transceiver function are provided on the circuit board 6, Applicable. In this case, it is provided directly on the circuit board 6 and faces the optical element on the circuit board 6.
[0020]
Further, the light input / output end provided directly or indirectly on the circuit board is not limited to an optical element, and various configurations such as, for example, one in which an end of an optical fiber is drawn into the circuit board 6 and fixed can be adopted. is there.
[0021]
【The invention's effect】
According to the optical connector of the present invention, the optical fiber hole 9 and the reflecting surface 10 for changing the optical axis are provided on the block-shaped integral component (connector main body 2). Since the mutual positional relationship with the reflective surface 10 is fixed with high precision, it is possible to accurately change the optical axis so that the optical axis direction of the optical fiber 3 is directed to the optical element 5 side. Thereby, the loss of the optical connection between the optical fiber 3 and the optical element 5 can be reduced. Further, since the optical fiber hole 9 and the reflecting surface 10 for changing the optical axis are provided on a block-shaped integral part, the size can be easily reduced, and interference with the wiring pattern of the circuit board 6 can be avoided. Is also easy.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connector main body in an optical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention (however, an inverted view).
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the connector main body of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 3 in which a positioning pin is fitted into a positioning pin hole.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. 3 in which a positioning pin is fitted into a positioning pin hole.
FIG. 6 is a view showing a state where an optical fiber ribbon is inserted into the connector main body in FIG. 2;
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the optical connector according to the embodiment of the present invention configured using the above-described connector main body in a used state (the state shown in FIG. 3 is turned upside down).
FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 7;
[Explanation of symbols]
Reference Signs List 1 optical connector 2 connector main body 2a (to optical transceiver 4) mounting surface 3 'optical fiber tape core 3 optical fiber 3a bare fiber 4 optical transceiver 4A mount 4a positioning pin hole 5 optical element (light emitting element or light receiving element)
Reference Signs List 6 Circuit board 6a Circuit board face 8 Optical fiber holding hollow 8a Optical fiber insertion opening 8b Adhesive filling opening 9 Optical fiber hole 10 Optical axis changing reflection surface 11 Optical axis changing recess 12 Positioning groove 13 Positioning pin 14 Positioning pin hole 16 Adhesive 17 (Transparent) adhesive 18 Glass plate

Claims (5)

An optical connector which is attached to a tip of an optical fiber, is installed facing a light input / output end directly or indirectly mounted on a circuit board, and optically connects between the optical fiber and the light input / output end. ,
The connector body has a block-shaped connector body installed facing the light input / output end, and the connector body has an optical fiber holding hollow for holding mainly a coating portion of an optical fiber guided substantially parallel to a circuit board surface. Part, and an optical fiber hole for inserting and fixing the vicinity of the tip of the optical fiber, and an optical axis changing reflecting surface formed in front of the exit of the optical fiber hole and directing the optical axis direction of the optical fiber toward the light input / output end. An optical connector having an optical axis changing recess. The optical fiber holding hollow portion is a hollow portion in which an optical fiber insertion opening that opens in a direction parallel to the circuit board surface and an adhesive filling opening that opens in a direction orthogonal to the circuit board surface communicate with each other. 2. The optical connector according to claim 1, wherein: 2. The optical connector according to claim 1, wherein the optical axis changing recess is filled with a transparent adhesive and is fixed by covering with a transparent glass plate. The optical fiber is an optical fiber tape, a plurality of optical fiber holes are provided corresponding to each single-core optical fiber of the optical fiber tape, and a positioning groove for positioning an optical fiber guided to each optical fiber hole is provided. The optical connector according to claim 1, wherein: 2. The optical connector according to claim 1, wherein positioning pins are provided on both sides of the optical axis changing recess of the connector body in the connector width direction to be fitted into positioning pin holes formed on the circuit board side.

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