JP2005326711A - Method of manufacturing optical waveguide member, optical waveguide member module, and optical junction connector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical junction connector that facilitates aligning and optical coupling without requiring expensive equipment, to provide an optical waveguide member module constituting the optical junction connector, and to provide a method suitable for manufacturing the optical waveguide member constituting the optical waveguide member module. <P>SOLUTION: The manufacturing of the optical waveguide member 34 comprises: a first stage for forming a substrate 61 that has an underclad 64 and a recessed part 65; a second stage for forming a core 63; a third stage for forming an overclad 71; a fourth stage for forming a protective member 73; and a fifth stage involving cutting. The optical waveguide member module 23 for the optical junction connector is manufactured by providing the module with the optical waveguide member 34 and pin-shaped guiding members 35, 35. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a passive device for relaying optical signals to be transmitted and / or optical demultiplexing / multiplexing, and more particularly to optical communication used for wiring of various electrical equipment in automobiles, homes / buildings. The present invention relates to a connector type suitable for optical communication and the like, that is, an optical junction connector. The present invention also relates to an optical waveguide member module constituting an optical junction connector and an optical waveguide member manufacturing method suitable for manufacturing an optical waveguide member constituting the optical waveguide member module.

  In recent years, optical communication has become widespread in automobiles, homes, and buildings, and the diversification of networks is progressing with an increase in the number of nodes (number of terminals) that perform communication using light. Therefore, there is a need for a passive device that corresponds to a junction block in a wire harness and that can demultiplex and multiplex light.

  As this kind of passive device, an optical waveguide module as shown in FIG. 21 is known, and optical coupling is performed through the following steps (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  That is, a process of aligning the optical fibers 3 in accordance with the arrangement of the optical waveguides 2 of the optical waveguide module 1 to form the aligned optical fibers 4 and 5, and an image including light passing through the aligned optical fibers 4 and the optical waveguide module 1. The alignment optical fiber 4 and the optical waveguide module 1 are roughly positioned while being monitored by the TV camera 6 and the monitor 7, and the alignment optical fiber 5 is connected to the light quantity measuring device 8, and the alignment optical fiber 4 and the optical waveguide are thereby connected. A process of precisely aligning the optical fibers 4 and 5 and the optical waveguide module 1 while measuring the light passing through the module 1, and bonding optical fibers 4 and 5 to each end face of the optical waveguide module 1 Optical coupling is performed.

In FIG. 21, reference numeral 9 is a personal computer, 10 is a controller, 11 is a laser diode, and 12 is a stage. The stage 12 is controlled by the personal computer 9 and the controller 10.
JP-A-8-43676 (pages 3 to 4 and FIG. 4)

  By the way, the above prior art has a problem that an expensive apparatus and time are required for alignment (optical axis alignment) and optical coupling between the optical fiber 3 and the optical waveguide 2. Further, there is a problem that an adhesive is required for fixing the alignment optical fibers 4 and 5 and the optical waveguide module 1, and further, a light source device for curing the adhesive and a curing time are required.

  The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances described above, and it is an object to provide an optical junction connector that is easy to align and optically couple and does not require an expensive device for aligning and optically coupling. To do. It is another object of the present invention to provide an optical waveguide member module constituting an optical junction connector and an optical waveguide member manufacturing method suitable for manufacturing the optical waveguide member constituting the optical waveguide member module.

  The method of manufacturing an optical waveguide member of the present invention according to claim 1 made to solve the above-described problem is an optical waveguide having an optical waveguide for relaying an optical signal to be transmitted and / or optical demultiplexing / optical multiplexing. A method for manufacturing a waveguide member, comprising: an undercladding having a refractive index lower than that of a core constituting the optical waveguide and larger than a size required for the optical waveguide member; and a plurality of recesses extending in the optical signal transmission direction Alternatively, a first step of forming a substrate having a through hole, a second step of forming the core by forming a desired path and a convex shape on the underclad, and a refractive index higher than that of the core. A third step of forming a large optical waveguide having a size larger than that required for the optical waveguide member by forming a low overclad around the core and in accordance with the size of the underclad. A fourth step of forming or attaching a protective member covering the over clad on the over clad to form a large optical waveguide with a protective member, and a fifth step of cutting the large optical waveguide with the protective member into a required size. And a process.

  According to the present invention having such features, a manufacturing method including the first to fifth steps is employed to manufacture an optical waveguide member having an optical waveguide. By including the above steps, an optical waveguide member of an optical waveguide member module suitable for use in an optical junction connector is easily manufactured. The optical waveguide member of the present invention has good mass productivity as can be seen from the above steps.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical waveguide member manufacturing method according to the first aspect, wherein the substrate is formed by forming the under cladding on the base having the concave portion or the through hole. It is characterized by.

  According to the present invention having such characteristics, it is not necessary to make the entire substrate transparent, and the base can be formed of an arbitrary material. Cost and physical properties can be taken into consideration.

  The optical waveguide member module of the present invention according to claim 3, which has been made to solve the above-described problems, includes an optical waveguide member manufactured by the method for manufacturing an optical waveguide member according to claim 1, and the optical waveguide. And a plurality of pin-shaped guide members for attaching to the recesses or through-holes of the substrate in the member.

  According to the present invention having such characteristics, an optical waveguide member module suitable for use in an optical junction connector can be obtained. The plurality of pin-shaped guide members in the optical waveguide member module of the present invention functions as positioning when the optical junction connector is assembled. The optical waveguide is aligned with the optical fiber by the pin-shaped guide member.

  The optical junction connector of the present invention according to claim 4, which has been made to solve the above problems, includes one optical connector and the other optical connector that are fitted together using a lock portion, and the optical connector of the one optical connector. An optical waveguide member module according to claim 3 is provided in the connector housing.

  According to the present invention having such characteristics, when one optical connector and the other optical connector are fitted, the lock portions of the optical connectors are fitted to each other, and the optical waveguide of the optical waveguide member module The optical fiber of the optical connector is aligned. Thereby, the relay of the optical signal and / or the optical demultiplexing / optical multiplexing through the optical waveguide member module is completed.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, an optical waveguide member constituting the optical waveguide member module of the optical junction connector can be easily manufactured by employing a manufacturing method including the first to fifth steps. There is an effect that can be.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is an effect that the cost and physical properties can be taken into consideration regarding the formation of the substrate in the optical waveguide member.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, there is an effect that an optical waveguide member module constituting an optical junction connector can be provided.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, there is an effect that it is possible to provide a passive device having a configuration that does not require an expensive apparatus or an adhesive, that is, an optical junction connector. The optical junction connector of the present invention has an effect that alignment and optical coupling can be easily performed. In addition, the optical junction connector of the present invention has an effect that optical signals can be relayed and / or optical demultiplexing / optical multiplexing can be performed with a small number of components.

Hereinafter, description will be given with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an embodiment of the optical junction connector of the present invention. 2 is an exploded perspective view of one optical connector, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the other optical connector, FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state before the one and the other optical connectors are fitted, and FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the fitting state of the other optical connector.

  In FIG. 1 to FIG. 5, reference numeral 21 indicates an optical junction connector of the present invention used for optical communication in an automobile, optical communication in a house or building, and the like. The optical junction connector 21 is interposed between the ends of the optical communication paths of the optical fiber 22 (for example, having a core diameter of about 200 μm or more), and relays optical signals transmitted by the optical fiber 22. It is configured so that optical demultiplexing / optical multiplexing can be performed. In other words, the optical junction connector 21 of the present invention includes one optical connector 24 having the optical waveguide member module 23 and the other optical connector 25 fitted to the one optical connector 24. Hereinafter, each component will be described in detail.

  The one optical connector 24 is a so-called receptacle-type optical connector, and is attached to a connector housing 26, the optical waveguide member module 23 housed in the connector housing 26, and the end of the optical fiber 22. The ferrule 27 housed inside the connector housing 26, the pressing member 28 that acts to press the ferrule 27 toward the inside of the connector housing 26, and the pressing member 28 are attached to the rear portion of the connector housing 26. A pressing member pressing cap 29 is provided.

  The connector housing 26 is formed using a synthetic resin material, and is formed in a rectangular cylindrical shape in which a cross section in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is a substantially rectangular hollow space. A fitting space for inserting the other optical connector 25 is formed inside the connector housing 26 on the front side. A first housing space for housing the optical waveguide member module 23 is formed in the middle of the connector housing 26. Further, a second accommodation space for accommodating the ferrule 27 is formed inside the rear surface side of the connector housing 26. The fitting space, the first housing space, and the second housing space are formed as a continuous space. A positioning stopper (not shown) for the optical waveguide member module 23 is formed in the first housing space.

  An arm locking portion 30 (locking portion) for hooking a locking arm 43 described later of the other optical connector 25 is formed outside the front side of the connector housing 26. The arm locking portion 30 is formed on the upper surface (upper wall) of the connector housing 26. The arm locking portion 30 is formed with a guide groove 31 for guiding the other optical connector 25. The guide groove 31 is formed on the fitting space side.

  A guide projection 32 and a locking projection 33 for guiding the pressing member pressing cap 29 are formed outside the connector housing 26 on the rear surface side. The guide protrusion 32 is formed on the upper surface of the connector housing 26. The locking protrusion 33 is formed on the side surface (side wall) of the connector housing 26.

  The optical waveguide member module 23 includes an optical waveguide member 34 having an optical waveguide for relaying an optical signal to be transmitted and / or optical demultiplexing / multiplexing, and a pair of pin-shaped guide members 35, 35. It is configured. Details of the optical waveguide member module 23 will be described later.

  The ferrule 27 is formed using a synthetic resin material, and has a substantially box shape as shown in the figure. The ferrule 27 is a member for holding the tip of the optical fiber 22 and optically coupling the optical fiber 22 to the optical waveguide of the optical waveguide member module 23. In this embodiment, four ferrules 27 are provided on one optical connector 24. Therefore, the four optical fibers 22 are formed so as to be optically coupled to the optical waveguide member module 23 in a state where the four optical fibers 22 are arranged in a horizontal row (a ferrule for each optical fiber 22). Needless to say, the stability, workability, cost, etc. of the optical coupling are improved as compared with the provision of the optical fiber 22. The number of the optical fibers 22 is an example). The ferrule 27 is formed so as to be housed in the second housing space of the connector housing 26.

  The front surface of the ferrule 27 is formed so as to contact the optical waveguide member module 23. On the front surface of the ferrule 27, the end surfaces of the four optical fibers 22 are exposed, and hole-shaped guided portions 36 and 36 are formed. The guided portions 36 and 36 are formed as portions for guiding the pin-shaped guide members 35 and 35 of the optical waveguide member module 23.

  The pressing member 28 is a member for pressing the ferrule 27 against the optical waveguide member module 23. In this embodiment, a leaf spring is used (not limited to the leaf spring. For example, a coil spring or a flexible member) Any other member may be used as long as it can generate an elastic force like a sex member). The ferrule 27 is always pressed toward the optical waveguide member module 23 under the action of the pressing member 28.

  The pressing member pressing cap 29 is formed using a synthetic resin material, and has a bottom box, a rear wall, and a pair of side walls as shown in the figure, and is formed in a substantially box shape in which the front surface and the upper surface are released. ing. The pressing member pressing cap 29 is a member for fixing the position of the pressing member 28 and is formed so as to be fitted to the rear portion of the connector housing 26 (corresponding to the outside on the rear surface side).

  Although not particularly shown, a portion for inserting the four optical fibers 22 is formed on the rear wall of the pressing member pressing cap 29. A pressing member 28 is appropriately fixed to the rear wall of the pressing member pressing cap 29 by means. On each side wall of the pressing member pressing cap 29, a concave locking portion 37 that is hooked on the locking projection 33 of the connector housing 26 is formed. A guide groove 38 for guiding the guide protrusion 32 of the connector housing 26 is formed at the upper end of each side wall of the pressing member pressing cap 29.

  The other optical connector 25 is a so-called plug-type optical connector, and includes a connector housing 39, a ferrule 40 attached to the end of the optical fiber 22 and accommodated in the connector housing 39, and the ferrule 40. A pressing member 41 that acts to press against the optical waveguide member module 23 when the connector is fitted, and a pressing member pressing cap 42 that is attached to the rear portion of the connector housing 39 by attaching the pressing member 41 are configured. ing.

  The connector housing 39 is formed using a synthetic resin material, and is formed in a rectangular cylindrical shape in which a cross section in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is a substantially rectangular hollow space. The connector housing 39 is formed in a shape that can be inserted into the fitting space of the one optical connector 24. A housing space for housing the ferrule 40 is formed inside the connector housing 39. On the upper surface (upper wall) of the connector housing 39, a locking arm 43 (lock portion) that is hooked on the arm locking portion 30 of the one optical connector 24 is formed. Further, on the upper surface of the connector housing 39, a guide protrusion 44 guided to the guide groove 31 of the one optical connector 24 and a guide protrusion 45 for guiding the pressing member pressing cap 42 are formed. A locking projection 46 for the pressing member pressing cap 42 is formed on the side surface (side wall) of the connector housing 39.

  The ferrule 40 is formed using a synthetic resin material, and has a substantially box shape as shown in the figure. The ferrule 40 holds the tip of the optical fiber 22 and optically couples the optical fiber 22 to the optical waveguide of the optical waveguide member module 23 when the one optical connector 24 and the other optical connector 25 are fitted. It is formed as a member for. In this embodiment, the ferrule 40 uses one optical fiber 22 for the other optical connector 25, so that the one optical fiber 22 can be optically coupled to the optical waveguide member module 23. (The number of optical fibers 22 is an example). The ferrule 40 is formed so as to be accommodated therein from the rear surface side of the connector housing 39.

  The front surface of the ferrule 40 is formed so as to abut against the optical waveguide member module 23. On the front surface of the ferrule 40, the end face of one optical fiber 22 is exposed, and a hole-shaped guided portion (not shown; the same as the guided portions 36 and 36) is formed. The guided portion is formed as a portion guided by the pin-shaped guide members 35 and 35 of the optical waveguide member module 23. A stopper 47 is formed on the rear surface of the ferrule 40 so as to be positioned in contact with the rear surface of the connector housing 39. An optical fiber 22 is drawn from the rear surface of the ferrule 40.

  The pressing member 41 is a member for pressing the ferrule 40 against the optical waveguide member module 23, like the pressing member 28 of the one optical connector 24, and a leaf spring is used in this embodiment (elasticity). Other members such as a coil spring and a flexible member may be used as long as the force can be generated. The ferrule 40 is always pressed toward the optical waveguide member module 23 under the action of the pressing member 41.

  The pressing member pressing cap 42 is formed using a synthetic resin material, and is formed in the same manner as the pressing member pressing cap 29 of the one optical connector 24. The pressing member pressing cap 42 is a member for fixing the position of the pressing member 41 and is formed so as to be fitted to the rear portion of the connector housing 39 (corresponding to the outside on the rear side).

  A through hole 48 for inserting one optical fiber 22 is formed in the rear wall of the pressing member pressing cap 42. A pressing member 41 is appropriately fixed to the rear wall of the pressing member pressing cap 42 by means. On each side wall of the pressing member pressing cap 42, a concave locking portion 49 that is hooked on the locking protrusion 46 of the connector housing 39 is formed. In addition, a guide groove 50 that is guided by the guide protrusion 45 of the connector housing 39 is formed at the upper end of each side wall of the pressing member pressing cap 42.

  Based on the above configuration, each assembly of one optical connector 24 and the other optical connector 25 and the assembly of the optical junction connector 21 of the present invention will be described.

  First, the assembly of one optical connector 24 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 4 (assuming an example). In the first step relating to the assembly of one optical connector 24, the pin-shaped guide members 35, 35 of the optical waveguide member module 23 are inserted into the guided portions 36, 36 of the ferrule 27, and the optical waveguide member module 23 and the ferrule 27 are connected. Work to unite. At this time, alignment between the optical waveguide of the optical waveguide member module 23 and the optical fiber 22 is performed. In the second step, the integrated optical waveguide member module 23 and the ferrule 27 are inserted from the rear surface side of the connector housing 26 and are accommodated in the first accommodation space and the second accommodation space. In the third step, an operation of fitting the pressing member pressing cap 29 with the pressing member 28 fixed in advance to the rear portion of the connector housing 26 is performed. Through the above steps, the assembly of one optical connector 24 is completed.

  Next, assembly of the other optical connector 25 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 (assuming an example). In the first step relating to the assembly of the other optical connector 25, the ferrule 40 attached to the end of the optical fiber 22 is inserted from the rear surface side of the connector housing 39 and accommodated in the accommodating space of the connector housing 39. In the second step, the pressing member pressing cap 42 to which the pressing member 41 is fixed in advance is fitted to the rear portion of the connector housing 39. Through the above steps, the assembly of the other optical connector 25 is completed.

  Next, assembly of the optical junction connector 21 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. In the first step relating to the assembly of the optical junction connector 21 of the present invention, an operation of arranging one optical connector 24 and the other optical connector 25 to face each other is performed. In the second step, the other optical connector 25 is inserted into the fitting space of one optical connector 24, and the one optical connector 24 and the other optical connector 25 are engaged by the arm locking portion 30 and the locking arm 43. Work to fit. At this time, the ferrule 40 of the other optical connector 25 is smoothly guided toward the optical waveguide member module 23 by the pin-shaped guide members 35 and 35 of the optical waveguide member module 23 without being displaced. The optical fiber 22 exposed on the front surface of the ferrule 40 contacts the optical waveguide of the optical waveguide member module 23 while being aligned. Through the above steps, the assembly of the optical junction connector 21 of the present invention is completed.

  As described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, the optical junction connector 21 of the present invention performs optical coupling between one optical connector 24 and the other optical connector 25. Thus, alignment and optical coupling can be made much easier than in the prior art. Further, since an expensive device as used in the conventional example is not required, alignment and optical coupling can be performed at low cost. Furthermore, since the optical junction connector 21 of the present invention is assembled by fitting, it can be more easily assembled than before (the adhesive used in the conventional example is unnecessary). Furthermore, since it is the said structure, parts management and an assembly | attachment can be made easy.

  In addition, it goes without saying that the present invention can be variously modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention. That is, in the above description, the optical waveguide member module 23 is provided in one optical connector 24. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the optical waveguide member module 23 may be provided in the other optical connector 25.

  Next, a method of manufacturing the optical waveguide member module 23 and the optical waveguide member 34 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 13 (this is an embodiment and is schematically shown here). 6A is a perspective view of the substrate, FIG. 6B is a perspective view showing a modification of the substrate, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state immediately before the core is provided on the substrate of FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state in which a core is provided on the substrate of FIG. 6A, FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a state in which an over clad is provided around the core in FIG. 8, and FIG. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the optical waveguide member, FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the optical waveguide member module, and FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the optical waveguide member module. .

  The manufacturing method of the optical waveguide member 34 will be described. The optical waveguide member 34 is manufactured by a manufacturing method including the following first to fifth steps (the manufacturing method described below has an advantage of good mass productivity).

  In FIG. 6A, the substrate 61 is formed in the first step. The substrate 61 has an underclad 64 having a refractive index lower than that of a core 63 that constitutes an optical waveguide 62 to be described later and larger than that required for the optical waveguide member 34, and extends in the optical signal transmission direction and has an equal pitch (or rule). A plurality of recesses 65 (or through holes) arranged at a certain interval. The underclad 64 is formed using a transparent material having a desired refractive index ratio of NA. Examples of the transparent material include acrylic, cycloolefin, and polycarbonate. The substrate 61 here also has a function as the underclad 64 and is formed so that the upper surface is an optically smooth surface. A plurality of recesses 65 are formed on the lower surface. The recess 65 is formed in a semicircular shape, but may have another shape such as a V-groove as long as the pin-shaped guide member 35 can be held.

  FIG. 6B shows an example that can be replaced with the substrate 61 of FIG. A substrate 61 ′ in FIG. 6B is a case where the substrate does not function as an undercladding, and is applied and formed on the base 66 having a plurality of recesses 65 by spin coating or the like. An underclad 64. The base 66 is formed using an arbitrary material. Unlike the underclad 64, the base 66 does not have to be transparent. The substrate 61 and the substrate 61 ′ are appropriately selected in consideration of cost and physical properties.

  7 and 8, the core 63 is formed in the second step. First, the substrate 61 is fitted into the core alignment frame 67, and then the optical waveguide core forming die 68 is fitted into the core alignment frame 67. On the underclad 64 of the substrate 61, the groove surface of the optical waveguide core forming die 68 is in close contact. A groove 69 is formed on the groove surface of the optical waveguide core forming die 68. The groove 69 is filled with a resin 70 that will later become the core 63. The groove 69 is formed so that the core 63 can perform a desired function such as light multiplexing / demultiplexing (here, linearly formed for convenience). The core alignment frame 67 and / or the optical waveguide core forming mold 68 is formed of a transparent material in order to cure the resin 70. That is, it is formed so that the resin 70 can be irradiated with, for example, UV light. In this embodiment, the resin 70 is a UV curable resin (acrylic UV curable resin, acrylic UV curable resin, epoxy UV curable resin, or the like). When the curing of the resin 70 is completed, the optical waveguide core forming die 68 is subsequently removed from the core alignment frame 67. A core 63 having a desired path and a convex shape is formed on the underclad 64 of the substrate 61. In FIG. 8, the core alignment frame 67 is not shown for convenience (the same applies to FIGS. 9 and 10).

  In FIG. 9, overclad 71 is formed in the third step. That is, the over clad 71 is formed around the core 63 and in accordance with the size of the under clad 64 by applying and curing by spin coating or the like. As a result, the large optical waveguide 72 larger than the size required for the optical waveguide member 34 is formed.

  In FIG. 10, the protection member 73 is attached (or molded) in the fourth step. That is, for example, the protective member 73 is bonded and fixed on the large optical waveguide 72 so as to cover the over clad 71. The protective member 73 is a plate-like member, and is formed using an appropriate material (when laser welding is performed when forming the optical waveguide member module 23, the protective member 73 is formed of a light-transmitting material. To do). By attaching the protective member 73, a large optical waveguide 74 with a protective member is formed.

  In FIG. 11, in the fifth step, the large optical waveguide 74 with a protective member is cut. The large optical waveguide 74 with a protective member is cut to a required size, and when the polishing of the end face is completed, the optical waveguide member 34 is formed (the portions of the underclad 64, the core 63, and the overclad 71 are optical Corresponding to the waveguide 62). Thereby, a series of manufacturing processes are completed.

  The manufacturing method of the optical waveguide member module 23 will be described. The optical waveguide member module 23 is manufactured by a manufacturing method including the following first step and second step.

  In FIG. 12, in the first step, a pin-equipped base 75 having pin-shaped guide members 35, 35 is formed. The pin-shaped guide members 35, 35 are integrally formed or fixed to the base 76 afterward. The pin-shaped guide members 35 and 35 are arranged in accordance with the pitch of the concave portions 65 of the optical waveguide member 34. The pin-equipped base 75 is formed using a material having high mechanical strength, for example, a material such as ABS.

  In FIG. 13, in the second step, the pin base 75 and the optical waveguide member module 23 are integrated. The integration is exemplified by laser welding, for example, and is fixed in a state in which the pin-shaped guide members 35 and 35 of the table 75 with pins are inserted into the recesses 65 and 65 of the optical waveguide member 34. Thereby, the optical waveguide member module 23 is manufactured, and a series of processes is completed.

  Next, a method for manufacturing the optical waveguide member module 23 and the optical waveguide member 34 will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 to 20 (another embodiment, which is schematically shown here). 14 (a) is a perspective view showing a state in which the pipes are aligned, FIG. 14 (b) is a perspective view of a substrate formed by insert molding of the pipe of FIG. 14 (a), and FIG. 15 is a perspective view of FIG. 14 (b). FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a state immediately before the core is provided on the substrate, FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a state where the core is provided on the substrate of FIG. 14B, and FIG. 17 is an overcladding around the core of FIG. FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing a state in which a protective member is provided on the overcladding of FIG. 17, FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the optical waveguide member, and FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the optical waveguide member module. .

  The manufacturing method of the optical waveguide member 34 according to another embodiment will be described. The optical waveguide member 34 is manufactured by a manufacturing method including the following first to fifth steps (the manufacturing method described below is mass-productive). Has the advantage of being good).

  14A and 14B, the substrate 81 is formed in the first step. The substrate 81 has an under clad 84 having a refractive index lower than that of a core 83 constituting an optical waveguide 82 to be described later and larger than a size necessary for the optical waveguide member 34, and a plurality of pipes embedded in the under clad 84 by insert molding. 85. The underclad 84 is formed using a transparent material having a desired refractive index ratio of NA. Examples of the transparent material include acrylic, cycloolefin, and polycarbonate. The under clad 84 here has a function as the substrate 81 (it may be a substrate having an under clad and a base), and is formed so that the upper surface is an optically smooth surface. The pipes 85 are insert-molded in a state where a plurality of pipes 85 are arranged in the transmission direction of the optical signal and arranged at equal pitches (or regular intervals). The pipe 85 has a function as a through hole that allows the pin-shaped guide member 35 to be inserted.

  15 and 16, the core 83 is formed in the second step. First, the substrate 81 is fitted into the core alignment frame 67 similar to the above, and then the optical waveguide core forming die 68 similar to the above is fitted into the core alignment frame 67. On the under clad 84 of the substrate 81, the groove surface of the optical waveguide core forming die 68 is in close contact. A groove 69 is formed on the groove surface of the optical waveguide core forming die 68. The groove 69 is filled with a resin 70 (see FIG. 7) that will later become the core 83. When the curing of the resin 70 is completed, the optical waveguide core forming die 68 is subsequently removed from the core alignment frame 67. A core 83 having a desired path and a convex shape is formed on the underclad 84 of the substrate 81. In FIG. 16, the core alignment frame 67 is not shown for convenience (the same applies to FIGS. 17 and 18).

  In FIG. 17, in the third step, an overclad 86 is formed. That is, the over clad 86 is formed by applying and curing by a spin coat method or the like. The over clad 86 is formed around the core 83 and in accordance with the size of the under clad 84. As a result, the large optical waveguide 87 larger than the size required for the optical waveguide member 34 is formed.

  In FIG. 18, the protection member 73 is attached (or molded) in the fourth step. That is, for example, the protective member 73 is bonded and fixed on the large optical waveguide 87 so as to cover the over clad 84. By attaching the protection member 73, the large optical waveguide 88 with a protection member is formed.

  In FIG. 19, in the fifth step, the large optical waveguide 88 with a protective member is cut. The large-sized optical waveguide 88 with a protective member is cut to a required size, and when the polishing of the end face is completed, the optical waveguide member 34 is formed (the portions of the underclad 84, the core 83, and the overclad 86 are optical. Corresponding to the waveguide 82). Thereby, a series of manufacturing processes are completed.

  The manufacturing method of the optical waveguide member module 23 will be described. The optical waveguide member module 23 is manufactured by a manufacturing method including the following first step and second step.

  In FIG. 20, the pin-shaped guide members 35 and 35 are prepared in the first step. The pin-shaped guide members 35 and 35 are formed using a material having high mechanical strength, for example, a resin such as ABS or a metal material such as stainless steel. In the second step, the pin-shaped guide members 35 and 35 and the optical waveguide member module 23 are integrated. The integration is completed by inserting the pin-shaped guide members 35 and 35 into the pipes 85 and 85 of the optical waveguide member 34 so as not to move. Thus, the optical waveguide member module 23 is manufactured, and a series of steps is completed.

  In addition, it goes without saying that the present invention can be variously modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

It is a disassembled perspective view which shows one Embodiment of the optical junction connector of this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view of one optical connector. It is a disassembled perspective view of the other optical connector. It is a perspective view which shows the state before the fitting of one and the other optical connector. It is a perspective view which shows the fitting state of one and the other optical connector. (A) is a perspective view of a board | substrate, (b) is a perspective view which shows the modification of (a) board | substrate. It is a perspective view which shows the state just before providing a core on the board | substrate of Fig.6 (a). It is a perspective view which shows the state which provided the core on the board | substrate of Fig.6 (a). It is a perspective view which shows the state which provided the over clad around the core of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the state which provided the protection member on the over clad of FIG. It is a perspective view of an optical waveguide member. It is a disassembled perspective view of an optical waveguide member module. It is a perspective view of an optical waveguide member module. (A) is a perspective view which shows the state which aligned the pipe, (b) is a perspective view of the board | substrate formed by insert-molding the pipe of (a). It is a perspective view which shows the state just before providing a core on the board | substrate of FIG.14 (b). It is a perspective view which shows the state which provided the core on the board | substrate of FIG.14 (b). It is a perspective view which shows the state which provided the over clad around the core of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the state which provided the protection member on the over clad of FIG. It is a perspective view of an optical waveguide member. It is a perspective view of an optical waveguide member module. It is a perspective view of the optical waveguide module of a prior art example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 Optical junction connector 22 Optical fiber 23 Optical waveguide member module 24 One optical connector 25 The other optical connector 26 Connector housing 34 Optical waveguide member 35 Pin-shaped guide member 61, 61 'Board | substrate 62 Optical waveguide 63 Core 64 Under clad 65 Recessed part 66 Base 71 Overclad 72 Large optical waveguide 73 Protection member 74 Large optical waveguide with protection member 81 Substrate 82 Optical waveguide 83 Core 84 Underclad 85 Pipe 86 Overclad 87 Large optical waveguide 88 Large optical waveguide with protection member

Claims (4)

A method of manufacturing an optical waveguide member having an optical waveguide for relaying an optical signal to be transmitted and / or optical demultiplexing / optical multiplexing,
Forming a substrate having an under clad having a refractive index lower than that of a core constituting the optical waveguide and larger than a size necessary for the optical waveguide member, and a plurality of concave portions or through-holes extending in the optical signal transmission direction. The first step to
A second step of forming the core by forming a desired path and a convex shape on the underclad,
A third step of forming an over clad having a refractive index lower than that of the core in accordance with the circumference of the core and the size of the under clad, and forming a large optical waveguide larger than a size necessary as the optical waveguide member;
A fourth step of forming or attaching a protective member covering the overclad on the overclad to form a large optical waveguide with a protective member;
A fifth step of cutting the large optical waveguide with a protective member into a required size;
The manufacturing method of the optical waveguide member characterized by including. In the manufacturing method of the optical waveguide member according to claim 1,
The method of manufacturing an optical waveguide member, wherein the substrate is formed by forming the under clad on a base having the concave portion or the through hole. An optical waveguide member manufactured by the method for manufacturing an optical waveguide member according to claim 1 or 2, and a plurality of pin-shaped guide members for attaching to concave portions or through holes of a substrate in the optical waveguide member. An optical waveguide member module. An optical waveguide member module according to claim 3 is provided, wherein one optical connector and the other optical connector that are phase-fitted using a lock portion are provided, and the connector housing of the one optical connector is provided. And optical junction connector.

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