JP2006350142A - Collimator lens module manufacturing method, collimator lens module manufactured thereby and its manufacturing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method with which a collimator lens module can be manufactured simply at a low cost, and also to provide the collimator lens module manufactured thereby and its manufacturing apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The apparatus is equipped with a frame forming die 1 which is hollow inside and mounted therein with an inner hole pin and a core as die components. In the die, there are arranged: an inner hole pin 3 for a left side optical fiber for the purpose of forming a hole for inserting the left side optical fiber; an inner hole pin 4 for a right side optical fiber for the purpose of forming a hole for inserting the right side optical fiber; a left core 5, a right core 6 and a center core 7 for the purpose of forming collimator lens forming cavities 8, 9 on the left/right inside the frame forming die 1. The inline type collimator lens module for controlling an optical signal propagating in the optical fiber is formed by pouring plastics melted at high temperature into the die, pulling out the inner hole pins 3, 4 and the cores 5, 6, 7 after the die is cooled, and installing the optical fibers in the part where the inner hole pins 3, 4 for the optical fibers are pulled out. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical coupler, and more particularly to a collimator lens module for controlling an optical signal propagating in an optical fiber.

  In an optical fiber transmission system, it is necessary to insert an optical functional component in order to control an optical signal propagating through the optical fiber. The optical functional component (optical isolator, optical filter) is disposed and fixed between two collimator lenses (see Patent Documents 1 to 5 below).

On the other hand, the present inventors have greatly improved the MFD (Mode Field Diameter) of the SMF (Single Mode Optical Fiber), the gap length can be expanded, and the field distribution of the fundamental mode is large. A fiber-type collimator using Index Fiber is proposed (see Patent Document 6 below).
JP 2003-195098 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-13962 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-131068 JP 2003-195098 A JP 2000-2331034 A JP 2004-325618 A

  However, in the above-described optical fiber transmission system, if all of the two optical fibers and the two collimator lenses are not arranged at the optimum positions on the order of microns, optical loss occurs due to the straightness of light, and the performance of the transmission system. Gets worse. Such placement work is a careful manual work or is performed using a custom-made expensive device, and there is a problem that the cost is inevitably increased.

  In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a collimator lens module, a collimator lens module, and a manufacturing apparatus thereof that can be manufactured inexpensively and easily.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides
[1] In the method of manufacturing a collimator lens module, the inside is hollow, and a mold for forming a frame on which an inner hole pin and a core as mold parts are mounted is provided. An inner hole pin for the left optical fiber for forming a hole for inserting the fiber, an inner hole pin for the right optical fiber for forming a hole for inserting the right optical fiber, and the inside of the mold for frame formation A left core, a right core, and a central core for forming at least one collimator lens forming cavity on the left and right sides of the mold are disposed, and a plastic melted at a high temperature is poured into the mold, and after cooling, the Remove the inner hole pin and the core, attach the optical fiber to the part where the inner hole pin for the optical fiber is removed, and control the optical signal propagating in the optical fiber. And forming the meter lens module.

  [2] In the method of manufacturing a collimator lens module, the inside is hollow, and a mold for forming a frame on which an inner hole pin and a core as mold parts are mounted is provided. Insert the left optical fiber inner hole pin to form the hole to insert the fiber, the right optical fiber inner hole pin to form the right optical fiber hole, and the rear optical fiber. A rear optical fiber inner hole pin for forming a hole to be formed, and a left core for forming at least one collimator lens forming cavity in the left and right front-rear direction in the frame forming mold 1; A right core, a front core, a rear core, and a central core are arranged, and a plastic melted at a high temperature is poured into the mold. After cooling, the inner hole pin and the core are removed, and the optical fiber is removed. Bore pin is an optical fiber attached to the unplugged part of the use, and forming a branched collimator lens module for controlling an optical signal propagating in the optical fiber.

  [3] In the method of manufacturing a collimator lens module, the inside is hollow, and a frame forming mold is provided in which an inner hole pin and a core as mold parts are mounted. An inner hole pin for the left optical fiber for forming a hole for inserting the fiber, an inner hole pin for the right optical fiber for forming a hole for inserting the right optical fiber, and the inside of the mold for frame formation A left core, a right core, a rear core, and a central core for forming at least one collimator lens forming cavity on the left and right and the rear of the plastic. Pour into the mold, and after cooling, remove the inner hole pin and core, attach an optical fiber to the part where the inner hole pin for the optical fiber is removed, and control the optical signal propagating in the optical fiber And forming a branched collimator lens module of fit.

  [4] A collimator lens module, which is manufactured by the method for manufacturing a collimator lens module according to [1], [2] or [3].

  [5] In the collimator lens module manufacturing apparatus, the inside is hollow, and an inner hole pin for the left optical fiber for forming a hole for inserting the left optical fiber therein, and an optical fiber on the right side A right optical fiber inner hole pin for forming an insertion hole, a left core for forming at least one collimator lens forming cavity on the left and right in the frame forming mold, and a right core; A frame forming mold having a central core, and means for pouring plastic melted at a high temperature into the mold; and means for removing the core after cooling to form a left collimator lens and a right collimator lens; And means for attaching the optical fiber to the portion where the inner hole pin for the optical fiber is removed.

  [6] In the collimator lens module manufacturing apparatus, the inside is hollow, and an inner hole pin for the left optical fiber for forming a hole for inserting the left optical fiber therein, and an optical fiber on the right side Right optical fiber inner hole pin for forming a hole to be inserted, left core for forming at least one collimator lens forming cavity in the left and right front and rear in the frame forming mold, and right core And a frame forming mold having a front core, a rear core, and a central core, a means for pouring plastic melted at a high temperature into the mold, and after cooling, the core is pulled out, Means for forming a collimator lens and a collimator lens on the right side, and means for attaching the optical fiber to the portion where the inner fiber pin for the optical fiber is removed. To.

  [7] In the collimator lens module manufacturing apparatus, the inside is hollow, and an inner hole pin for the left optical fiber for forming a hole for inserting the left optical fiber therein, and an optical fiber on the right side A right optical fiber inner hole pin for forming a hole to be inserted, a left core for forming at least one collimator lens forming cavity in the left and right rear in the frame forming mold, and a right core And a frame forming mold having a rear core and a central core, means for pouring a plastic melted at a high temperature into the mold, removing the core after cooling, a left collimator lens and a right collimator lens It is characterized by comprising means for forming a collimator lens and means for attaching the optical fiber to the portion where the inner hole pin for the optical fiber is removed.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the collimator lens module which can be manufactured cheaply and easily can be provided.

  The collimator lens module manufacturing method of the present invention includes a frame forming mold in which an inner hole pin and a core, which are mold parts, are mounted, and the left side light is provided in the mold. An inner hole pin for the left optical fiber for forming a hole for inserting the fiber, an inner hole pin for the right optical fiber for forming a hole for inserting the right optical fiber, and the inside of the mold for frame formation A left core, a right core, and a central core for forming at least one collimator lens forming cavity on the left and right sides of the mold are disposed, and a plastic melted at a high temperature is poured into the mold, and after cooling, the An in-line type collimator for removing an inner hole pin and a core and attaching an optical fiber to the portion where the inner hole pin for the optical fiber is removed to control an optical signal propagating in the optical fiber. Forming a data lens module.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.

  1 is an exploded (before setting) schematic view of a collimator lens module manufacturing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the manufacturing apparatus of FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 2B is a sectional view in the vertical direction. FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a state in which the collimator lens module manufacturing apparatus is set, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view thereof (Part 1), and FIG. 4A is a horizontal cross-sectional view at the gate level, 4B is a sectional view in the vertical direction, FIG. 5 is a sectional view thereof (part 2), FIG. 5A is a sectional view in the horizontal direction at the height of the inner hole pin, and FIG. b) is a sectional view in the vertical direction.

  In these drawings, reference numeral 1 denotes a frame forming mold in which the inside is hollow and a mold part composed of a pin and a core is mounted, and 2 is formed by the frame forming mold 1 and other mold parts. Frame forming cavity 3 is a left optical fiber inner hole pin for forming a hole for inserting a left optical fiber, and 4 is a right light for forming a hole for inserting a right optical fiber. Inner pin for fiber 5 is the left core (the part to be removed after molding the left collimator lens), 6 is the right core (the part to be removed after molding the right collimator lens), and 7 is the central core (left and right) 8 is a left side collimator lens forming cavity communicating with the frame forming cavity 2, and 9 is a right communicating with the frame forming cavity 2. The collimator lens forming cavity 11, the gate 11, the mounting hole 13 for the left inner hole pin 3, the mounting hole 14 for the inner hole pin for the right optical fiber, and the mounting hole 17 for the central core 7. is there.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a frame forming mold 1 which is hollow and has pins 3, 4 and cores 5, 6, 7 set therein includes a gate 11 and an inner hole pin 3 for an optical fiber on the left side. Mounting hole 13, mounting hole 14 for the right optical fiber inner hole pin 4, and mounting hole 17 for the central core 7 are formed. In FIG. 3, the respective pins 3, 4 and core 5 are formed. , 6 and 7 are shown mounted in the frame forming mold 1.

  As shown in FIG. 3, plastic melted at a high temperature is poured into the frame forming mold 1 of the manufacturing apparatus of the collimator lens module in which the pins 3 and 4 and the cores 5, 6 and 7 are set, and after cooling, By removing the pins 3 and 4 and the cores 5, 6 and 7, an inline type collimator lens module for controlling an optical signal propagating in the optical fiber can be formed.

  6 is a schematic view of a collimator lens module manufactured by the manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 6, and FIG. 7 (a) is a horizontal cross-section of FIG. FIG. 7B is a vertical sectional view thereof. Here, description will be made with reference to FIGS.

  In these figures, 21 is a frame formed by the frame forming mold 1, 22 is a left optical fiber mounted in the mounting hole 13 of the left optical fiber inner hole pin 3, and 23 is the right light. The right optical fiber 24, which is mounted in the mounting hole 14 of the fiber inner hole pin 4, is made of plastic formed in the left collimator lens forming cavity 8 between the left core 5 and the central core 7. The left collimator lens 25 is a right collimator lens 25 made of plastic formed in the right collimator lens forming cavity 9 between the right core 6 and the central core 7, and 26 is the left core 5 removed. The formed hollow portion 27 is a hollow portion formed by removing the right core 6, and 28 is a hollow portion formed by removing the central core 7.

  Thus, according to the present invention, the plastic melted at a high temperature is poured into the mold shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, and after cooling, the pins 3, 4 and the cores 5, 6, 7 are pulled out. As shown in FIG. 7, the left optical fiber 22, the left collimator lens 24, the right collimator lens 25, and the right optical fiber 23 are accurately arranged in-line at predetermined positions of the frame 21. In addition, since it can be manufactured collectively with plastic, it can be manufactured very easily.

  Here, since the optical functional element is disposed between the collimator lenses 24 and 25, the interval (L) between the collimator lenses 24 and 25 is 10 mm as a rough guide. The structural parameters of each part of the optical coupler required for this purpose were theoretically designed and confirmed to be parameter values that can be produced. The radius of curvature of the collimator lenses 24 and 25 may be the same value or different values corresponding to the parameters of the left optical fiber 22 and the right optical fiber 23.

  According to the present invention, since it is configured as described above, a precise inline-type collimator lens module can be easily manufactured, and the cost can be reduced.

  FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an apparatus in which the above-described collimator lens modules according to the second embodiment of the present invention are arrayed.

  In this figure, 30 is a collimator lens module device, 31 to 34 are collimator lens modules manufactured according to the present invention, 35 is a left optical fiber, and 36 is a right optical fiber.

  Here, the collimator lens modules 31 to 34 manufactured according to the present invention are arranged side by side to form an array.

  FIG. 9 shows a collimator lens that deforms the collimator lens module manufacturing apparatus of the first embodiment and forms two collimator lenses on one side (a total of four collimator lenses). FIG. 7A is a schematic cross-sectional view of the module, FIG. 7A is a horizontal cross-sectional view thereof, and FIG. 7B is a vertical cross-sectional view thereof.

  In these drawings, 41 is a frame, 42 is a left optical fiber, 43 is a right optical fiber, 44 is a hollow portion formed by removing the first core from the left side, and 45 is the first core and the left side from the left side. The first collimator lens made of plastic formed in the first collimator lens forming cavity from the left side between the first core and the second core, 46 is a hollow portion formed by removing the second core from the left side 47 is the second collimator lens from the left side made of plastic formed in the cavity for forming the second collimator lens from the left side between the second core from the left side and the central core, and 48 is the center core removed. The formed cavity part 49 is a second collimator lens forming cavity on the right side between the second core and the central core from the right side. The second collimator lens from the right side made of plastic, 50 is a cavity formed by removing the second core from the right side, 51 is between the second core from the right side and the first core side from the right side The first collimator lens made of plastic and formed in the cavity for forming the collimator lens, 52 is a hollow portion formed by removing the first core from the right side.

  In this way, it is possible to easily manufacture a precise inline-type collimator lens module in which two collimator lenses 45, 47: 49, 51 are formed on both sides, and the cost can be reduced.

  FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a collimator lens module having input / output ports in three directions by modifying the above-described collimator lens module manufacturing apparatus of the first embodiment showing the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Is a horizontal sectional view of the X-axis, FIG. 10B is a vertical sectional view along the left-right direction, and FIG. 10C is a vertical sectional view along the front-rear direction.

  In this figure, 61 is a frame, 62 is an optical fiber on the left side, 63 is an optical fiber on the right side, 64 is an optical fiber on the rear side (shown on the upper side in the drawing), and 65 is formed by removing the core on the left side. 66 is a left collimator lens made of plastic formed in the left collimator lens forming cavity between the left core and the central core, and 67 is a hollow portion formed by removing the central core. 68 is a right collimator lens made of plastic formed in a cavity for forming a collimator lens between the right core and the central core, 69 is a hollow portion formed by removing the right core, and 70 is a central core. A rear collimator lens made of plastic formed in a cavity for forming a rear collimator lens between the rear core and 71 is a rear side Cavity portion in which the core is formed unplugged, 72 is an optical functional part which is arranged in the hollow portion 67 formed unplugged the central core.

  In the collimator lens module of this embodiment, the input / output ports are arranged in three directions. Further, by arranging optical functional components (filter, beam splitter) obliquely with respect to the optical axis in the hollow portion 67 formed by removing the central core, it is possible to output to a plurality of outlets.

  FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a collimator lens module having input / output ports in four directions by modifying the collimator lens module manufacturing apparatus of the first embodiment described above showing the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

  In this figure, a front collimator lens 81 made of plastic and a front optical fiber 82 formed in the collimator lens forming cavity are also provided on the front side of the cavity portion 80 formed by removing the central core of the cross shape. I am doing so.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, there are three input / output ports. However, as shown in FIG. 11, four input / output ports in the front, rear, left and right directions are arranged in this embodiment.

  Further, a plurality of input / output ports larger than that may be formed.

  Needless to say, the number of front, rear, left and right collimator lenses is not limited to one, and a plurality of collimator lenses can be formed.

  Since it comprised in this way, a multifunctional branch type collimator lens module can be manufactured easily and cost can be reduced.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said Example, Based on the meaning of this invention, a various deformation | transformation is possible and these are not excluded from the scope of the present invention.

  The collimator lens module of the present invention can be used as a fiber-type collimator for an inexpensive and precise inline type or branch type optical device.

It is a decomposition | disassembly (before setting) schematic diagram of the manufacturing apparatus of the collimator lens module which shows 1st Example of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the manufacturing apparatus of FIG. 1 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state by which mold components were set to the manufacturing apparatus of the collimator lens module of 1st Example of this invention. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view (part 1) of FIG. 3. It is sectional drawing (the 2) of FIG. It is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional collimator lens module manufactured with the manufacturing apparatus of 1st Example of this invention. It is sectional drawing of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the apparatus which arrayed the above-mentioned collimator lens module which shows 2nd Example of this invention. Schematic of a collimator lens module that deforms the collimator lens module manufacturing apparatus of the first embodiment showing the third embodiment of the present invention and forms two collimator lenses (four collimator lenses in total) on one side. FIG. It is a schematic diagram of the collimator lens module which deform | transforms the manufacturing apparatus of the above-mentioned collimator lens module of 1st Example which shows 4th Example of this invention, and has an input / output port in three sides. FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a collimator lens module having input / output ports in four directions by modifying the collimator lens module manufacturing apparatus of the first embodiment described above showing the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Frame forming die which mounts pin and core inside hollow 2 Frame forming cavity 3 Inner hole pin for optical fiber on the left side 4 Inner hole pin for optical fiber on the right side 5 Core on the left side 6 Core on the right side 7 Center core 8 Cavity for forming collimator lens on the left side 9 Cavity for forming collimator lens on the right side 11 Plastic pouring gate 13 Hole for mounting the inner hole pin for the left optical fiber 14 Mounting the inner hole pin for the right optical fiber Hole 17 for mounting the core in the center 21, 41, 61 Frame 22, 35, 42, 62 Left optical fiber 23, 36, 43, 63 Mounted in the mounting hole Optical fibers 24, 66 The left collimator lens 25, 68 The right collimator lens 26, 65 The left core is removed and formed Cavity portions 27, 69 Cavity portions 28, 48, 67 formed by removing the right core 30 Cavity portions formed by removing the central core 30 Collimator lens module devices 31-34 Collimator lens module 44 First core from the left side Cavity part 45 formed by removing the first 45 collimator lens from the left side 46 Cavity part formed by removing the second core from the left side 47 Second collimator lens from the left side 49 Second collimator lens from the right side 50 From the right side Cavity part 51 formed by removing the second core 51 First collimator lens 52 from the right side 52 Cavity part formed by removing the first core from the right side 64 Rear optical fiber 70 Rear collimator lens 71 Rear side The hollow part formed by removing the core of 72 The core in the center is removed Made cavities portion disposed as the optical functional part 80 cross-shaped central core is pulled out of the cavity portion 81 formed in front of the collimator lens 82 front of the optical fiber

Claims (7)

(A) The inside is hollow, the inside is provided with a mold for frame formation in which an inner hole pin and a core as mold parts are mounted, and a hole for inserting the left optical fiber is formed in the mold. Left optical fiber inner hole pin, right optical fiber inner hole pin for forming a right optical fiber insertion hole, and at least one collimator lens on the left and right in the frame forming mold Arrange the left core, the right core, and the central core to form the forming cavity,
(B) Pour plastic melted at high temperature into the mold,
(C) An in-line type collimator for controlling the optical signal propagating in the optical fiber by removing the inner hole pin and the core after cooling and mounting the optical fiber on the portion where the inner hole pin for the optical fiber is removed. A method of manufacturing a collimator lens module, comprising forming a lens module. (A) The inside is hollow, the inside is provided with a mold for frame formation in which an inner hole pin and a core as mold parts are mounted, and a hole for inserting the left optical fiber is formed in the mold. A left optical fiber inner hole pin, a right optical fiber inner hole pin to form a right optical fiber inner hole pin, and a rear optical fiber inner hole to form a hole. An optical fiber inner hole pin, a left core, a right core, and a front core for forming at least one collimator lens forming cavity in the left-right front-rear direction in the frame forming mold 1 And arrange the rear core and the central core,
(B) Pour plastic melted at high temperature into the mold,
(C) A branching collimator for controlling the optical signal propagating in the optical fiber by removing the inner hole pin and the core after cooling and attaching the optical fiber to the portion where the inner hole pin for the optical fiber is removed. A method of manufacturing a collimator lens module, comprising forming a lens module. (A) The inside is hollow, the inside is provided with a mold for frame formation in which an inner hole pin and a core as mold parts are mounted, and a hole for inserting the left optical fiber is formed in the mold. A left optical fiber inner hole pin, a right optical fiber inner hole pin for forming a right optical fiber insertion hole, and at least one on the left and right and rear in the frame forming mold. Arrange the left core, the right core, the rear core, and the central core to form the collimator lens forming cavity,
(B) Pour plastic melted at high temperature into the mold,
(C) A branching collimator for controlling the optical signal propagating in the optical fiber by removing the inner hole pin and the core after cooling and attaching the optical fiber to the portion where the inner hole pin for the optical fiber is removed. A method of manufacturing a collimator lens module, comprising forming a lens module.   The collimator lens module manufactured by the manufacturing method of the collimator lens module of Claim 1, 2, or 3. (A) The inside is hollow, and an inner hole pin for the left optical fiber for forming a hole for inserting the left optical fiber therein and a hole for inserting the right optical fiber are formed therein. A frame having an inner hole pin for the right optical fiber, and a left core, a right core, and a central core for forming at least one collimator lens forming cavity on the left and right in the frame forming mold With a mold for forming,
(B) means for pouring the plastic melted at a high temperature into the mold;
(C) means for removing the core after cooling and forming a left collimator lens and a right collimator lens;
(D) means for attaching the optical fiber to the portion where the inner hole pin for the optical fiber is removed;
An apparatus for manufacturing a collimator lens module, comprising: (A) The inside is hollow, and an inner hole pin for the left optical fiber for forming a hole for inserting the left optical fiber therein and a hole for inserting the right optical fiber are formed therein. A right optical fiber inner hole pin, a left core, a right core, a front core, and a rear core for forming at least one collimator lens forming cavity on the left and right sides in the frame forming mold. A frame forming mold having a side core and a central core;
(B) means for pouring the plastic melted at a high temperature into the mold;
(C) means for removing the core after cooling and forming a left collimator lens and a right collimator lens;
(D) means for attaching the optical fiber to the portion where the inner hole pin for the optical fiber is removed;
An apparatus for manufacturing a collimator lens module, comprising: (A) The inside is hollow, and an inner hole pin for the left optical fiber for forming a hole for inserting the left optical fiber therein and a hole for inserting the right optical fiber are formed therein. An inner hole pin for the right optical fiber, and a left core, a right core, and a rear core for forming at least one collimator lens forming cavity at the left and right rear in the frame forming mold; A frame forming mold having a central core;
(B) means for pouring the plastic melted at a high temperature into the mold;
(C) means for removing the core after cooling and forming a left collimator lens and a right collimator lens;
(D) means for attaching the optical fiber to the portion where the inner hole pin for the optical fiber is removed;
An apparatus for manufacturing a collimator lens module, comprising:

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