JP2009229505A - Ferrule for optical connector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a ferrule for an optical connector which is made compact, positions a plurality of optical fibers with high precision, and is made low-cost by lowering the manufacturing cost for the ferrule for the optical connector. <P>SOLUTION: The ferrule 1 for the optical connector comprises: a housing portion 11 which has a connection end surface 13, groove portions 31 and 32 for holding optical fibers which are formed reaching the connection end surface 13 and positioning the plurality of optical fibers 4 and 5 respectively, and substrate holding space portions 41 and 42 which are formed to connect with the groove portions; and substrates 21 and 22 which have a plurality of optical fiber insertion holes 51 and 61 for inserting, positioning, and holding the optical fibers 3 and 6 respectively and are held for the housing portion 11 by being inserted into the substrate holding space portions 41 and 42 of the housing portion 11. The substrates 21 and 22 are held by pressing the optical fibers 4 and 5 positioned at the groove portions 31 and 32 of the hosing portion 11 against the groove portions 31 and 32. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical connector ferrule, and more particularly to an optical connector ferrule used for a connection portion between optical fibers in optical communication or a connection portion of an optical module such as an optical semiconductor.

  With the development of information networks including optical fiber networks, the capacity of optical transmission is rapidly increasing. As the capacity of optical transmission increases, ferrules for optical connectors used for connecting parts between optical fibers in optical communications and connecting parts of optical modules such as optical semiconductors are multi-fiber optical fibers. Is required to be arranged in a two-dimensional matrix with high accuracy and high density.

This type of optical connector ferrule is a plastic molded part, and the optical connector ferrule has a plurality of V-groove substrates. Each V-groove substrate has a plurality of V-grooves on one surface, and the V-groove substrates can be stacked to position an optical fiber in each V-groove (see, for example, Patent Document 1). ).
JP-A-5-273442

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, it is only possible to position the optical fiber in each V groove of each V groove substrate, and when the number of multi-core optical fibers is large, the V that constitutes the ferrule for an optical connector is used. Not only does the number of stacked groove substrates increase, but the number of components increases and the structure becomes complicated, making it difficult to reduce the size of the ferrule for optical connectors.

  Further, when plastic molding of the optical connector ferrule, a plurality of thin optical fiber insertion holes may be formed in the optical connector ferrule, and the optical fibers may be held through the optical fiber insertion holes. In this case, a molding die having a plurality of elongated molding pins is used to form a plurality of thin optical fiber insertion holes. However, this molding die is expensive because of its complicated structure, If a plurality of elongated molding pins are bent or all of them are damaged due to the cause, this molding die cannot be used. When the number of multi-fiber optical fibers is large, for example, when 48 optical fibers are held, the molding die requires 48 elongated molding pins, and becomes expensive. For this reason, there exists a problem which cannot reduce the manufacturing cost of the ferrule for optical connectors.

  Therefore, in order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention can reduce the size of the ferrule for optical connectors, can position a plurality of optical fibers with high accuracy, and can manufacture a ferrule for optical connectors. An object of the present invention is to provide an optical connector ferrule capable of reducing the manufacturing cost and reducing the cost of the optical connector ferrule.

In order to solve the above problems, the ferrule for an optical connector according to the present invention is configured to position the multi-core optical fiber ribbon that has a plurality of optical fibers exposed by removing the coating of the multi-fiber ribbon. An optical connector ferrule for holding,
A connection end face; a groove portion for holding an optical fiber formed to reach the connection end face and positioning each of the plurality of optical fibers; and a substrate holding space portion formed to be connected to the groove portion. A housing part;
A substrate that has a plurality of optical fiber insertion holes for inserting, positioning, and holding the optical fibers, and is held by the housing portion by being inserted into the substrate holding space portion of the housing portion. The substrate for pressing and holding the plurality of optical fibers positioned by being inserted into the groove portion of the housing portion against the groove portion side;
It is characterized by providing.

In the ferrule for an optical connector of the present invention, preferably, the housing portion includes a plurality of rows of the groove portions and a plurality of the substrate holding space portions,
In the plurality of substrate holding space portions, the plate-like substrates are inserted, positioned, and held, respectively.
The ferrule for optical connectors according to the present invention is preferably characterized in that the groove portion is formed corresponding to at least one surface of each of the substrates of the housing portion.

The ferrule for optical connectors according to the present invention is preferably characterized in that the groove portion is a V-groove portion having a V-shaped cross section.
The ferrule for an optical connector according to the present invention is preferably characterized in that a positioning portion for positioning the substrate with respect to the housing portion is provided between the housing portion and the substrate.

The ferrule for an optical connector according to the present invention is preferably characterized in that the substrate has a plurality of the optical fiber insertion holes and a groove forming portion having a V-shaped cross section for holding the plurality of optical fibers.
In the optical connector ferrule of the present invention, preferably, the substrate has a substrate groove portion formed at a position corresponding to the groove portion of the housing portion, and the groove portion of the housing portion and the substrate groove portion of the housing portion are formed. In the meantime, the optical fiber is positioned and held.

  According to the present invention, the optical connector ferrule can be miniaturized, a plurality of optical fibers can be positioned with high accuracy, and the manufacturing cost for manufacturing the optical connector ferrule can be reduced, thereby reducing the optical connector. The cost of the ferrule can be reduced.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of the ferrule for an optical connector of the present invention. 2 shows a cross section taken along line BB of the optical connector ferrule shown in FIG. 1, and the optical fiber insertion holes 51 and 61 corresponding to the optical fibers 3 to 6, the first V-groove portion 31 and the second V-groove. It is a figure which shows the state before inserting in the part 32. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state after the optical fibers 3 to 6 are inserted. FIG. 4 is a front view showing a shape example of the connection end face 13 of the ferrule for optical connector viewed from the G direction of FIG.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show an optical connector ferrule 1 and four optical fiber ribbons 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D that are inserted and held in the optical connector ferrule 1. FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the ferrule 1 for an optical connector, as an example, inserts, positions, and holds the optical fibers 3 to 6 of the four laminated optical fiber ribbons 2A to 2D. It has become. The optical fiber ribbons 2 </ b> A to 2 </ b> D are respectively held in series by covering, for example, 12 optical fibers 3 to 6 with a covering material 59.

  The optical connector ferrule 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 is used for a connection portion between optical fibers in optical communication, a connection portion of an optical module such as an optical semiconductor, or the like. The optical connector ferrule 1 positions and holds the optical fiber tape cores 2A to 2D in a state in which the coating material 59 of the optical fiber tape cores 2A to 2D is removed and the optical fibers 3 to 6 are exposed. The number of optical fibers 3 to 6 is 12 × 4 rows = 48. Each of the optical fibers 3 to 6 is composed of a core and a clad covering the periphery of the core.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ferrule 1 for an optical connector is made by molding using, for example, a plastic material. The ferrule 1 for optical connectors has a housing part 11 as a main body, a first substrate 21 and a second substrate 22. The first substrate 21 is also referred to as a first sub ferrule, and the second substrate 22 is also referred to as a second sub ferrule.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the housing portion 11 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and includes a flange portion 12, a connection end surface 13, and four side surfaces 15, 16, 17, and 18. As shown in FIG. 2, an opening 14 is formed on one side surface 15, and another opening 14 is formed on the other side surface 17 facing each other. The opening 14 is formed to inject an adhesive into the housing part 11.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the housing portion 11 includes a first V groove portion 31, a second V groove portion 32, a first substrate holding space portion 41 for inserting the first substrate 21, and a second portion. A second substrate holding space 42 for inserting the substrate 22 is formed in parallel along the L direction. Each first V-groove portion 31 is formed in parallel along the L direction on the upper surface side of the inner wall 19 of the housing portion 11. Each second V-groove portion 32 is formed in parallel along the L direction on the lower surface side of the inner wall 19 of the housing portion 11. The first V-groove portion 31 and the second V-groove portion 32 are optical fiber holding groove portions configured by a plurality of V-shaped grooves as viewed in cross section. The first V-groove portion 31 and the second V-groove portion 32 are They are formed in opposite directions.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first substrate 21 and the second substrate 22 are flat members and have the same shape, and the first substrate 21 is used upward, and the first substrate holding space. It is inserted into the portion 41. Further, the second substrate 22 is used in the downward direction and is inserted into the second substrate holding space 42.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first substrate 21 has a plurality of first V groove forming portions 50, a plurality of first optical fiber insertion holes 51, and a plane support portion 53. The twelve first V groove forming portions 50 and the twelve first optical fiber insertion holes 51 are respectively formed at corresponding positions in the L direction. As shown in FIG. 3, the first V-groove forming portion 50 is positioned and held by fitting the optical fiber 3, and the first optical fiber insertion hole 51 is positioned and held by passing the distal end portion 3 </ b> R of the optical fiber 3. It is supposed to be.

  Similarly, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the second substrate 22 includes a plurality of second V groove forming portions 60, a plurality of second optical fiber insertion holes 61, and a plane support portion 63. ing. The twelve second V groove forming portions 60 and the twelve second optical fiber insertion holes 61 are respectively formed at corresponding positions in the L direction. As shown in FIG. 3, the second V groove forming portion 60 is positioned and held by fitting the optical fiber 6, and the second optical fiber insertion hole 61 is positioned and held by passing the distal end portion 6 </ b> R of the optical fiber 6. It is like that.

  The twelve first optical fiber insertion holes 51 of the first substrate 21 are formed using a molding die when the first substrate 21 is plastic-molded. This molding die is provided with 12 thin round bar-shaped molding pins in one row. Similarly, the twelve second optical fiber insertion holes 61 of the second substrate 22 are formed using a molding die when the second substrate 22 is plastic-molded. This mold has the same structure as the above mold.

  As a result, the 12 first optical fiber insertion holes 51 and the 12 second optical fiber insertion holes 61 can be formed using a molding die including 12 thin round bar-shaped molding pins. Even if the number of fibers is large, it is only necessary to use a molding die having a simpler shape, so that the cost of the molding die can be avoided. When this molding die is used, only 12 molding pins are damaged at most. Therefore, compared with the case where a molding die having more than 12 molding pins, for example, 48 molding pins is used, the molding die. Replacing is inexpensive.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, the connection end surface 13 of the housing portion 11 has two guide pin holes 65, 65, a first substrate holding space portion 41 of the first substrate 21, and a second substrate of the second substrate 22. A holding space portion 42 is formed. The two guide pin holes 65, 65 are through holes having a circular cross section formed along the L direction orthogonal to the X direction and the Y direction so as to reach the flange portion 12 from the connection end surface 13, and are aligned. For this purpose, a guide pin (not shown) is inserted.

  Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the first substrate holding space 41 of the first substrate 21 includes a side wall 15 </ b> B of the side surface portion 15, an inner wall 19, and inner surfaces 16 </ b> B and 18 </ b> B of the left and right side surfaces 16 and 18. Is formed. Similarly, the second substrate holding space portion 42 of the second substrate 22 is formed by the side wall 17B of the side surface portion 17, the middle wall 19, and the inner surfaces 16B and 18B of the left and right side surfaces 16 and 18.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, preferably, a concave portion 67 is formed on the side wall 15 </ b> B of the side surface portion 15, and a convex portion 68 is formed on the first substrate 21. The concave portion 67 and the convex portion 68 constitute a positioning portion for positioning the first substrate 21 with respect to the housing portion 11. Thereby, the convex portion 68 is fitted into the concave portion 67, so that the first substrate 21 can be reliably positioned with respect to the housing 11 in the Y direction.
Preferably, a recess 69 is formed on the inner surface 18B, and a protrusion 70 is formed on the second substrate 22. The concave portion 69 and the convex portion 70 constitute a positioning portion for positioning the second substrate 22 with respect to the housing portion 11. As a result, the convex portion 70 is fitted into the concave portion 69, so that the second substrate 22 can be reliably positioned with respect to the housing 11 in the Y direction.

Next, a method of positioning and holding the optical fibers 3 to 6 while assembling the above-described optical connector ferrule 1 will be described.
The first substrate 21 and the second substrate 22 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are inserted and mounted in the first substrate holding space portion 41 and the second substrate holding space portion 42 of the housing portion 11, respectively. The leading end surface of the first substrate 21 and the leading end surface of the second substrate 22 are flush with the connection end surface 13 as shown in FIGS.

  Next, the twelve optical fibers 3 are positioned and held in the first V groove forming portion 50 of the first substrate 21 and inserted into the first optical fiber insertion hole 51. The twelve optical fibers 4 are inserted between the flat support portions 53 of the first substrate 21 and the first V-groove portions 31, so that the flat support portions 53 of the first substrate 21 can connect the optical fibers 4 to the first V-groove portions. Position and hold so as to press against the 31 side.

  The twelve optical fibers 5 are inserted between the planar support portions 63 of the second substrate 22 and the respective second V-groove portions 32, so that the planar support portions 63 of the second substrate 22 allow the optical fibers 5 to be inserted into the second V-groove portions. Position and hold so as to press against the 32 side. The twelve optical fibers 6 are positioned and held in the second V groove forming portion 60 of the second substrate 22 and inserted into the second optical fiber insertion hole 61.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, the tip portions 3R to 6R of the optical fibers 3 to 6 are arranged in series in the Y direction on the connection end surface 13 and along the X direction on the connection end surface 13. The optical fibers 3 to 6 can be arranged in a matrix in the X direction and the Y direction on the connection end face 13. In this case, as shown in FIG. 3, the tip portions 3 </ b> R to 6 </ b> R are projected from the connection end surface 13 by a predetermined length.
Thereafter, adhesive is injected from the two openings 14 and 14 shown in FIG. 3 to fix the optical fibers 3, 4, 5 and 6, and the laminated optical fiber ribbons 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D are attached. The holding space 78 in the flange 12 is fixed.

Second Embodiment
Next, a second preferred embodiment of the ferrule for optical connectors of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 5 shows an example of the shape of the connection end face of the optical connector ferrule according to the second embodiment, as in FIG. In the case where the constituent elements of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 5 and the corresponding constituent elements of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4 are the same, the same reference numerals are used and the description thereof is used.

  The second embodiment shown in FIG. 5 differs from the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4 in that each second V-groove portion 32 is formed on the lower side of the second substrate 22 in the same manner as each first V-groove portion 31. The second substrate 22 is attached so as to be in the same direction as the first substrate 21. Thereby, each optical fiber 6 is inserted between the planar support portion 63 of the second substrate 22 of the second substrate 22 and each of the second V-groove portions 32, so that the planar support portion 63 allows the optical fiber 6 to be inserted into the second V-groove portion. Position and hold so as to press against the 32 side.

<Third Embodiment>
Next, a third preferred embodiment of the ferrule for optical connectors of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 6 shows an example of the shape of the connection end face 13 of the second embodiment of the ferrule 1 for an optical connector as in FIG. In the case where the constituent elements of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 6 and the corresponding constituent elements of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 5 are the same, the same reference numerals are used and the description thereof is used.

  The third embodiment shown in FIG. 6 differs from the second embodiment shown in FIG. 5 in that not only the first V groove portion 31B and the second V groove portion 32B are formed on the housing 11 side, The first substrate V groove portion 31C and the second substrate V groove portion 32C are also formed on the lower surface side of the first substrate 21. The first V-groove portion 31B and the first substrate V-groove portion 31C are formed to be line symmetric, and the second V-groove portion 32B and the second substrate V-groove portion 32C are also formed to be line symmetric. .

  Thus, each optical fiber 4 is positioned and held so as to be sandwiched by being inserted between the first substrate V-groove portion 31C and the first V-groove portion 31B of the first substrate 21. Each optical fiber 6 is inserted between the second substrate V-groove portion 32C and the second V-groove portion 32B of the second substrate 22 to be positioned and held so as to be sandwiched. The first substrate V-groove portion 31C of the first substrate 21 and the second substrate V-groove portion 32C of the second substrate 22 are examples of substrate groove portions.

<Fourth embodiment>
Next, a fourth preferred embodiment of the ferrule for optical connectors of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
In the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 7, one substrate 33D is inserted into the substrate holding space 41G of the housing portion 11D and positioned and held. A V-groove portion 31F and a V-groove portion 32F are formed on one surface and the other surface of the substrate 33D, respectively. In this example, the optical fiber 3 is inserted between the V-groove portion 31F of the substrate 33D and one surface of the substrate 33D so that one surface of the substrate 33D presses the optical fiber 3 against the V-groove portion 31F. To position and hold.

  By inserting the optical fiber 5 between the V-groove portion 32F of the substrate 33D and the other surface of the substrate 33D, the other surface of the substrate 33D is positioned so as to press the optical fiber 5 against the V-groove portion 32F. Hold. The optical fiber 4 is inserted into the optical fiber insertion hole of the substrate 33D and positioned and held. Thus, a total of 36 optical fibers 3, 4, 5 in three rows can be inserted, positioned, and held only by using the housing 11D and one substrate 33D.

  An optical connector ferrule according to an embodiment of the present invention is an optical connector for positioning and holding a multi-core optical fiber ribbon in which a plurality of optical fibers are exposed by removing the coating of the multi-fiber ribbon. A ferrule for a connection, a connection end surface, a groove portion for holding an optical fiber formed to reach the connection end surface and positioning each of the plurality of optical fibers, and a substrate holding formed to be connected to the groove portion A housing portion having a space portion, and a plurality of optical fiber insertion holes for inserting, positioning, and holding the optical fiber, and the housing portion being inserted into the substrate holding space portion of the housing portion. A plurality of optical fibers that are inserted into the groove portion of the housing portion and positioned on the groove portion side. And a said substrate for holding put even.

  Accordingly, the plurality of optical fibers can be divided and positioned between the substrate and the housing portion and held by simply inserting and holding the substrate in the housing portion. That is, since the V-groove substrate is not stacked as the number of optical fibers increases as in the prior art, the optical connector ferrule can be miniaturized, and a plurality of optical fibers can be positioned with high accuracy. it can.

  When manufacturing a ferrule for an optical connector, it is only necessary to use a molding die for forming an optical fiber insertion hole on the substrate side. Therefore, as in the prior art, molding pins corresponding to the number of multi-fiber optical fibers are used. There is no need to prepare a molding die. For this reason, the manufacturing cost of the ferrule for optical connectors can be reduced, and the cost of the ferrule for optical connectors can be reduced.

  The housing portion has a plurality of rows of groove portions and a plurality of the substrate holding space portions, and a plate-like substrate is inserted, positioned, and held in each of the plurality of substrate holding space portions. . Thus, the substrate can be easily positioned and held in the housing portion, and the housing portion and the substrate can be easily assembled.

  A groove portion is formed corresponding to at least one surface of each substrate of the housing portion. Accordingly, the substrate can be easily held by pressing the optical fiber disposed in the groove portion against the groove portion side.

The groove portion is a V-groove portion having a V-shaped cross section. Thereby, the optical fiber can be reliably inserted and positioned in the groove portion.
A positioning portion for positioning the substrate with respect to the housing portion is provided between the housing portion and the substrate. Thereby, positioning of a housing part and a board | substrate can be performed easily.

  The substrate has a plurality of optical fiber insertion holes and a groove-forming portion having a V-shaped cross section for holding the plurality of optical fibers. Accordingly, the optical fiber can be positioned and held in the groove forming portion, and the optical fiber can be positioned by passing through the optical fiber insertion hole.

  A substrate groove portion is formed in the substrate at a position corresponding to the groove portion of the housing portion, and an optical fiber is positioned and held between the groove portion of the housing portion and the substrate groove portion. Accordingly, the optical fiber can be sandwiched between the groove portion of the housing portion and the substrate groove portion of the substrate, and can be easily positioned and held.

By the way, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various modified example is employable.
For example, the above-described embodiments of the present invention can be configured in any combination.
Further, the number of substrates inserted and held in the housing portion is not limited to one or two, and may be three or more depending on the number of multi-fiber optical fibers arranged. The number of optical fibers that can be inserted and positioned by each substrate and the number of optical fibers that can be positioned and held in each V-groove portion are not limited to 12 and can be arbitrarily selected as long as they are 2 or more.
There are no particular limitations on the number of formations and formation positions of the concave portions and convex portions constituting the positioning portion of the substrate.

1 is a perspective view showing a first preferred embodiment of an optical connector ferrule of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB of the optical connector ferrule shown in FIG. 1, illustrating a state before the optical fiber is inserted into the corresponding optical fiber insertion hole and the groove portion of the housing portion. It is a figure which shows the state after an optical fiber is inserted in the corresponding optical fiber insertion hole. The front view which shows the example of a shape which looked at the connection end surface of the ferrule for optical connectors from the G direction of FIG. 3 It is a perspective view which shows preferable embodiment of the ferrule for optical connectors of this invention. It is a front view which shows preferable 2nd Embodiment of the ferrule for optical connectors of this invention. It is a front view which shows preferable 3rd Embodiment of the ferrule for optical connectors of this invention. It is a front view which shows preferable 4th Embodiment of the ferrule for optical connectors of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Ferrule for optical connector 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D optical fiber ribbon
3 to 6 Optical fiber 11 Housing portion 13 Connection end surface 21 First substrate 22 Second substrate 31 First V groove portion 32 Second V groove portion 41 First substrate holding space portion 42 Second substrate holding space portion 50 First V groove forming portion 51 First optical fiber insertion hole 53 Planar support portion 60 Second V groove forming portion 61 Second optical fiber insertion hole 63 Planar support portion

Claims (7)

A ferrule for an optical connector for positioning and holding the multi-core optical fiber ribbon, in which a plurality of optical fibers are exposed by removing the coating of the multi-core optical fiber ribbon,
A connection end face; a groove portion for holding an optical fiber formed to reach the connection end face and positioning each of the plurality of optical fibers; and a substrate holding space portion formed to be connected to the groove portion. A housing part;
A substrate that has a plurality of optical fiber insertion holes for inserting, positioning, and holding the optical fibers, and is held by the housing portion by being inserted into the substrate holding space portion of the housing portion. The substrate for pressing and holding the plurality of optical fibers positioned by being inserted into the groove portion of the housing portion against the groove portion side;
A ferrule for an optical connector, comprising: The housing portion includes a plurality of rows of groove portions and a plurality of the substrate holding space portions,
The optical connector ferrule according to claim 1, wherein the plate-like substrates are inserted, positioned, and held in the plurality of substrate holding space portions, respectively.   The ferrule for an optical connector according to claim 1, wherein the groove portion is formed corresponding to at least one surface of each of the substrates of the housing portion.   The ferrule for an optical connector according to claim 3, wherein the groove portion is a V-groove portion having a V-shaped cross section.   The ferrule for an optical connector according to claim 4, wherein a positioning portion for positioning the substrate with respect to the housing portion is provided between the housing portion and the substrate.   6. The ferrule for an optical connector according to claim 5, wherein the substrate includes a plurality of the optical fiber insertion holes and a groove forming portion having a V-shaped cross section for holding the plurality of optical fibers.   A substrate groove portion is formed in the substrate at a position corresponding to the groove portion of the housing portion, and the optical fiber is positioned between the groove portion of the housing portion and the substrate groove portion. The optical connector ferrule according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the ferrule is held.

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