JP2013137344A - Method for connecting coated optical fiber to optical fiber holding member and method for manufacturing optical module - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for connecting coated optical fibers and an optical fiber holding member capable of highly efficiently performing work for converting pitches of the coated optical fibers separated into single-core fibers.SOLUTION: The ends of respective coated optical fibers 22 are cut such that the lengths to the end faces of the separated coated optical fibers 22 are sequentially shortened in the parallel direction for every single fiber. Then, the coated optical fibers are inserted in guide holes 513 provided in a jig 50 one by one in order from a coated optical fiber with a long length to the end face to convert the pitches of the ends of the coated optical fibers 22. The ends of the plurality of coated optical fibers 22 the pitches of which have been converted are inserted and fixed in through-holes 422 of an optical fiber holding member 42. This configuration prevents the plurality of coated optical fibers 22 from entering an entrance of one guide hole 513 so as to highly efficiently perform the work for converting the pitches of the coated optical fibers 22 that have been separated into single cores.

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for connecting an optical fiber core and an optical fiber holding member, and a method for manufacturing an optical module.

  In an optical module that photoelectrically converts an optical signal transmitted through an optical cable, the end of the optical fiber core wire that is exposed after the outer sheath of the cable is removed is fixed to a fixed part such as a connector. Thus, the optical fiber and the photoelectric conversion element are optically connected to each other (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2011-112898 A

By the way, when attaching an optical module to the end of an optical cable including a plurality of optical fiber cores, depending on the shape of the fixing portion of the optical fiber core wire in the optical module, the plurality of optical fiber core wires may be arranged in parallel pitch in the optical cable. It is necessary to convert to a different pitch. In such a case, in order to efficiently perform the pitch conversion of the optical fiber core wire separated into a single core, for example, a plurality of guide holes that smoothly connect from the pitch before conversion to the pitch after conversion are provided on the surface. It is conceivable to use a prepared jig.
When pitch conversion work is performed using such a jig, an optical fiber core is placed in a guide hole formed by a groove and a lid by placing an optical fiber core wire in each of the grooves provided in the base. It is necessary to insert a line.

  However, in the jig as described above, a groove having a slightly larger cross-sectional diameter than the outer diameter of the optical fiber core wire is formed in consideration of a dimensional error. Therefore, it is considered that two or more optical fiber core wires enter one guide hole and collide with each other at the time of pitch conversion work, which may cause a reduction in work efficiency.

  The objective of this invention is providing the connection method of the optical fiber core wire and optical fiber holding member which can perform efficiently the operation | work which carries out the pitch conversion of the optical fiber core wire isolate | separated into the single core.

  The method for connecting the optical fiber core and the optical fiber holding member that can solve the above-described problem is that the plurality of light beams at the end of the optical fiber tape core in which a plurality of optical fiber cores are integrated in a tape shape. A method of connecting an optical fiber holding member and an optical fiber holding member to be inserted into an optical fiber holding member in a state in which the fiber core wires are separated into single cores and the pitch in the parallel direction is converted, and the plurality of optical fiber core wires The plurality of optical fiber cores so that the end face positions of the plurality of optical fiber core wires are different from the adjacent optical fiber core wires in the parallel direction. For cutting the end of the wire and converting the parallel pitch of the optical fiber core wires in the optical fiber tape core wire to the pitch of a plurality of insertion holes provided in the optical fiber holding member Inserting into the guide hole of the jig provided with a plurality of guide holes, pitch conversion of the ends of the plurality of optical fiber core wires, the ends of the plurality of optical fiber core wires subjected to the pitch conversion, The optical fiber holding member is inserted into the insertion hole and fixed.

  Moreover, in the connection method between the optical fiber core wire and the optical fiber holding member according to the present invention, in the connection method between the optical fiber core wire and the optical fiber holding member, the end face positions of the plurality of optical fiber core wires are Ends of the plurality of optical fiber cores are cut so as to be sequentially shortened one by one in the parallel direction, and provided to the optical fiber holding member from the parallel pitch of the optical fiber cores in the optical fiber tape core. One of the plurality of optical fiber core wires in order from the longest to the end face is inserted into the guide hole of the jig provided with a plurality of guide holes for converting into the pitch of the plurality of insertion holes. It is preferable to insert one by one to change the pitch of the ends of the plurality of optical fiber core wires.

  In the method for connecting an optical fiber core and an optical fiber holding member according to the present invention, it is preferable that a cross-sectional diameter of the guide hole provided in the jig is larger than a cross-sectional diameter of the optical fiber core. .

  Further, in the method of manufacturing the optical module of the present invention, an optical fiber tape core wire in which a plurality of optical fiber core wires are integrated in a tape shape, a jacket provided around the optical fiber tape core wire, An optical cable, a housing having an internal space, an optical cable holding portion that holds the optical cable and is fixed to the housing, and ends of the plurality of optical fiber core wires are separated from the optical fiber tape core wire. An optical fiber holding member that is separated and connected in a state where the pitch in the parallel direction is converted, and an optical element in which the plurality of optical fiber cores are optically connected by positioning and fixing the optical fiber holding member An optical module comprising: a connector portion having a plurality of optical fiber core wires; and an end portion of the plurality of optical fiber core wires from the optical fiber tape core wire. A plurality of optical fiber cores are cut so that end face positions of the optical fiber cores are different from adjacent optical fiber cores in the parallel direction; Insert into the guide hole of the jig provided with a plurality of guide holes for converting from the parallel pitch of the optical fiber cores in the tape core to the pitch of the plurality of insertion holes provided in the optical fiber holding member. The pitch of the ends of the plurality of optical fiber cores is converted, and the ends of the plurality of optical fiber cores subjected to the pitch conversion are inserted into the insertion holes of the optical fiber holding member and fixed. Features.

  Further, in the above-described optical module manufacturing method, the end portions of the plurality of optical fiber cores are cut so that the end face positions of the plurality of optical fiber cores become shorter one by one in the parallel direction. To the guide hole of the jig provided with a plurality of guide holes for converting from a parallel pitch of the optical fiber cores in a fiber tape core to a pitch of a plurality of insertion holes provided in the optical fiber holding member, It is preferable that the plurality of optical fiber cores are inserted one by one in order from the longest length to the end face, and the ends of the plurality of optical fiber cores are pitch-converted.

  According to the method for connecting an optical fiber core and an optical fiber holding member of the present invention and the method for manufacturing an optical module, the tips of a plurality of optical fiber cores integrated in a tape shape are separated to change the pitch. When inserting into the guide hole of the jig, for example, compared with the case where the tip ends of a plurality of optical fiber cores cut at a uniform length are inserted into the guide hole, a plurality of light beams are entered at the entrance of one guide hole. Since the fiber core does not enter, the work of converting the pitch of the optical fiber core separated into a single core can be performed efficiently.

It is a perspective view of the optical module which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of an optical cable. It is a disassembled perspective view of a connector module. It is sectional drawing along the longitudinal direction of an optical module. It is a VV cross-sectional arrow view shown in FIG. (A) is a top view of the connection part of an optical cable and a connector module, (B) is a side view of a circuit board. (A) is a top view of a jig | tool, (B) is the front view seen from the B direction shown to (A). (A) is a plan view of the optical fiber ribbon, (B) is a plan view after removing the coating resin at the end of the optical fiber ribbon, and (C) is a separated optical fiber core. It is a top view in the state where the tip of a line was cut diagonally.

Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of a method for connecting an optical fiber core to an optical fiber holding member and a method for manufacturing an optical module according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, the optical module 10 according to the present embodiment includes an optical cable 20 and a connector module 30 that is attached to an end of the optical cable 20.
The optical module 10 can be used for transmission of signals (data) in optical communication technology and the like, and is electrically connected to an electronic device such as a connected personal computer, and converts input / output electric signals into optical signals. The optical signal is transmitted.

  As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the optical cable 20 has an optical fiber ribbon 21 at the center seen in the cross section. The optical fiber ribbon 21 is obtained by integrating a plurality (four in this example) of optical fibers 22 in parallel on a plane and integrating them in a tape shape with a coating resin. The optical fiber core wire 22 is a plastic clad fiber in which a plastic clad layer is formed around a core made of glass, for example, and has a cross-sectional diameter of 125 μm. And the pitch Pa in the parallel direction of the optical fiber core wire 22 in the optical fiber tape core wire 21 shown in FIG. 2 is substantially equal to the cross-sectional diameter.

As the optical fiber core 22, an optical fiber (AGF: All Glass Fiber) whose core and clad are quartz glass, an optical fiber (HPCF: Hard Plastic Clad Fiber) whose clad is made of hard plastic, and the like can be used. When a thin HPCF having a glass core diameter of 80 μm is used, it is difficult to break even if the optical fiber core wire 22 is bent to a small diameter.
The plurality of optical fiber core wires 22 can be accommodated in the inner tube 23 as a single core without being taped. However, when the optical fiber core wires 22 are taped, the single optical fiber core wires 22 cross each other and the lateral pressure is increased. The occurrence of microbend loss due to this can be prevented. A plurality of optical fiber ribbons 21 may be provided.

  The optical fiber ribbon 21 is accommodated inside the inner tube 23. An intervening layer 24 is provided around the inner tube 23 along with a bundle of tensile strength fibers 241. A metal layer 25 made of a plurality of metal strands is provided on the outer periphery of the intervening layer 24. A jacket 26 made of an insulating resin is provided on the outer periphery of the metal layer 25.

The inner tube 23 is made of an insulating resin such as PVC (Polyvinylchloride) which is a non-halogen flame retardant resin. For example, the inner tube 23 has an outer diameter of 2.0 mm and a thickness of 0.55 mm.
The intervening layer 24 is, for example, an ultrafine-diameter aramid fiber, and is built in the optical cable 20 in a bundled state. The intervening layer 24 has a tensile strength function in the optical cable 20.

The metal layer 25 is formed by braiding a plurality of tin-plated conductive wires, for example, and has a function as a heat dissipation layer. The braid density of the metal layer 25 is 70% or more, and the knitting angle is 45 ° to 60 °. The outer diameter of the metal wire constituting the metal layer 25 is about 0.05 mm. The thermal conductivity of the metal layer 25 is 400 W / m · K, for example. The metal layer 25 is preferably arranged at a high density in order to ensure good heat conduction. For example, the metal layer 25 is preferably composed of a rectangular tin-plated lead wire.
The jacket 26 is made of an insulating resin such as polyolefin. The jacket 26 has, for example, an outer diameter of 4.2 mm and a thickness of 0.5 mm.
The optical cable 20 having such a configuration is excellent in lateral pressure characteristics of the optical fiber core wire 22 and flexibility as a cable, and is also excellent in heat dissipation.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the connector module 30 includes a housing 31, an electrical connector 32 provided on the front end (left end in FIG. 1) side of the housing 31, and a circuit board 33 (see FIG. 3) accommodated in the housing 31. It has.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the housing 31 includes a metal housing 311 and a resin housing 312. A fixing member 35 that holds and fixes the optical cable 20 is attached to the rear end of the metal housing 311.

  The metal housing 311 has a housing portion main body 311a having a substantially U-shaped cross section opened downward and a base plate 311b having a substantially U-shaped cross section opened upward, and has an internal space S for housing the circuit board 33 and the like. Form. An electrical connector 32 is provided on the front end side of the metal housing 311, and a fixing member 35 is attached on the rear end side of the metal housing 311. In the present embodiment, the metal housing 311 is made of a metal material having high thermal conductivity (preferably 100 W / m · K or more) such as steel (Fe-based), tin (tin-plated copper), stainless steel, copper, brass, and aluminum. It is formed and plays a role of radiating heat generated from the circuit board 33 and the like to the outside.

The resin housing 312 is made of a resin material such as polycarbonate and covers the metal housing 311.
The boot 36 is connected to the rear end portion of the resin housing 312 and covers the fixing member 35 attached to the rear end portion of the metal housing 311. The rear end portion of the boot 36 and the outer cover 26 of the optical cable 20 are bonded with an adhesive (not shown).

  The fixing member 35 has a plate-like base portion 351 and a cylindrical tube portion 352. A boot 36 (see FIG. 1) is provided around the fixing member 35. The boot 36 is connected to the resin housing 312. The cylindrical portion 352 has a substantially cylindrical shape and is provided so as to protrude rearward from the base portion 351. The cylindrical portion 352 holds a part (the jacket 26 and the metal layer 25) of the optical cable 20 with the caulking ring 353 (see FIG. 4) extending rearward from both sides of the base portion 351.

  The fixing member 35 holds and fixes the optical cable 20 in which the outer cover 26 is removed from the end surface to a certain length and the inner metal layer 25 is exposed. More specifically, the intervening layer 24 of the optical cable 20, the inner tube 23, and the optical fiber ribbon 21 are inserted into the cylindrical portion 352 of the fixing member 35, and outside the cylindrical portion 352, The jacket 26 and the metal layer 25 are disposed along the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 352. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the extra length portion of the metal layer 25 extending from the end surface of the outer cover 26 is folded back at the end surface of the outer cover 26 and arranged along the outer surface of the outer cover 26.

  The caulking ring 353 extending from both sides of the base portion 351 is pressed against the tubular portion 352 (caulked against the tubular portion 352). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the jacket 26 and the metal layer 25 are sandwiched between the cylindrical portion 352 and the caulking ring 353.

  The electrical connector 32 is a component that is inserted into an external device (such as a personal computer) and electrically connects the device and the optical module 10, and extends forward from the front end (left end in FIG. 4) of the housing 31. It is provided to protrude. A contact terminal 321 (see FIG. 4) is provided on the rear end side of the electrical connector 32. The contact terminal 321 is soldered to the front end side of the circuit board 33. Thereby, the electrical connector 32 is electrically connected to the circuit board 33.

  The circuit board 33 is accommodated in the internal space S of the metal housing 311. As shown in FIG. 4, a control semiconductor 38 and a light emitting / receiving element 39 are mounted on the circuit board 33. The circuit board 33 electrically connects the control semiconductor 38 and the light emitting / receiving element 39. The circuit board 33 has a substantially rectangular shape in plan view and has a predetermined thickness. The circuit substrate 33 is an insulating substrate such as a glass epoxy substrate or a ceramic substrate, and circuit wiring is formed on the surface or inside thereof by gold (Au), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), or the like. . The control semiconductor 38 and the light emitting / receiving element 39 constitute a photoelectric conversion unit. A heat radiation sheet 43 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) is disposed between the circuit board 33 and the metal housing 311.

  The control semiconductor 38 includes a drive IC (Integrated Circuit) 381, a CDR (Clock Data Recovery) device 382 that is a waveform shaper, and the like. The control semiconductor 38 is disposed on the front end side of the mounting surface 331 on the circuit board 33. The control semiconductor 38 is electrically connected to the electrical connector 32.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the light receiving / emitting element 39 includes a plurality (here, two) of light emitting elements 391 and a plurality (here, two) of light receiving elements 392. The light emitting element 391 and the light receiving element 392 are disposed on the rear end side of the mounting surface 331 on the circuit board 33. As the light emitting element 391, for example, a light emitting diode (LED), a laser diode (LD), a surface emitting laser (VCSEL) can be used. As the light receiving element 392, for example, a photodiode (PD: Photo Diode) or the like can be used.

  The light receiving / emitting element 39 is optically connected to the optical fiber core wire 22 of the optical cable 20. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6B, the lens array component 41 is disposed on the circuit board 33 so as to cover the light emitting / receiving element 39 and the driving IC 381. Further, a connector part 42 (optical fiber holding member) is positioned and fixed to the lens array part 41. The connector part 42 is fixed with the end portions of a plurality (four in this example) of the optical fiber cores 22 separated from the optical fiber tape core 21 into a single core. More specifically, the end portion of the optical fiber core wire 22 inserted into each of a plurality (four in this example) of through holes (insertion holes) 422 provided in the connector component 42 is a connector. It is bonded and fixed in a recess 423 provided on the surface of the component 42.

  The lens array component 41 has a plurality of lens surfaces 412 formed on a surface facing the connector component 42 and on a surface facing the light emitting element 391 and the light receiving element 392. In addition, a reflection surface 411 is formed in the center of the upper surface of the lens array component 41 along the width direction. The light emitted from the light emitting element 391 enters the lens array component 41 through the lens surface 412 formed on the opposing surface. The light incident on the lens array component 41 is reflected by the reflecting surface 411, and then the corresponding optical fiber core fixed to the connector component 42 by the lens surface 412 formed on the surface facing the connector component 42. Optically coupled to the end face of line 22.

  On the other hand, the light emitted from the end face of the optical fiber core wire 22 enters the lens array component 41 through the corresponding lens surface 412. The light incident on the lens array component 41 is reflected by the reflecting surface 411 and then received by the light receiving element 392 through the lens surface 412 formed on the surface facing the light receiving element 392. That is, the plurality of optical fiber core wires 22 fixed to the connector part 42 and the light emitting / receiving element 39 are optically connected via the lens array part 41. The plurality of lens surfaces 412 formed on each surface of the lens array component 41 are, for example, collimating lenses that emit incident diffused light as parallel light and collect and emit incident parallel light. . Such a lens array component 41 is integrally molded by, for example, resin injection molding.

  Incidentally, in the optical module 10 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the pitches Pb and Pc of the through holes 422 provided in the connector component 42 are parallel to the optical fiber core 22 in the optical fiber tape core 21. It is wider than the direction pitch Pa (see FIG. 2). More specifically, in this example, each of the four optical fiber cores 22 is an optical fiber whose cladding is plastic, and the pitch Pa in the parallel direction of the optical fiber cores 22 in the optical fiber tape core 21 is 125 μm. It is. Of the through holes 422 provided in the connector part 42, the pitch Pb of the two outer through holes 422 in the width direction of the connector part 42 (in the parallel direction of the through holes 422) is 250 μm. The pitch Pc of the through holes 422 is 375 μm.

  Thus, in the optical module 10 according to the present embodiment, the pitches Pb and Pc of the through holes 422 provided in the connector part 42 are more than the pitch Pa in the parallel direction of the optical fiber core wire 22 in the optical fiber tape core wire 21. Therefore, when assembling the optical module 10, it is necessary to change the pitch in the parallel direction when the end portion 221 of the optical fiber core wire 22 is inserted into the through hole 422 of the connector part 42. Therefore, when assembling the optical module 10 according to the present embodiment, the end portion 221 of the optical fiber core wire 22 is inserted into the through hole 422 of the connector component 42 using a jig 50 as described below.

  As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the jig 50 includes a flat base 51 and a flat lid 52 that overlaps the base 51. On the upper surface 511 of the base 51, guide grooves 512 that determine the pitch in the parallel direction of the optical fiber core wires 22 are provided. On the other hand, no groove or the like is formed in the lid body 52, and the guide groove 512 is covered from above by the lid body 52 by overlapping the lid body 52 on the upper surface 511 of the base 51. Thereby, a guide hole 513 into which the optical fiber core wire 22 is inserted is formed by the lower surface of the lid body 52 and the guide groove 512. The lid 52 has a fitting pin 53 provided in one of the lid 52 or the base 51 (here, the lid 52) and a fitting hole 54 provided in the other (here, the base 51). By positioning, the base 51 is positioned and fixed.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, the pitch P1 of the guide groove 512 in the rear end surface 514 of the base 51 is a pitch Pa in the parallel direction of the optical fiber core 22 in the optical fiber ribbon 21 (see FIG. 2). It is the same 125 μm. In addition, a guide hole 513 is provided on the upper surface 511 of the base 51 so as to extend the pitch continuously to the guide groove 512. As for the pitch of each guide hole 513 in the front end surface 516 of the base 51, the two pitches P2 in the outer side in the width direction of the jig 50 (in the parallel direction of the guide holes 513) are 250 μm, and the two pitches P3 closer to the center. Is 375 μm.

  When the end portion 221 of the optical fiber core wire 22 in the optical fiber tape core wire 21 is pitch-converted and fixed to the connector component 42 using the jig 50, first, the end of the optical fiber core wire 22 is The part 221 is processed as follows. That is, the coating resin is removed from the optical fiber ribbon 21 shown in FIG. 8A, and a plurality (four in this case) of optical fibers 22 are exposed for a predetermined length (FIG. 8B). )reference). And the edge part 221 of the optical fiber core wire 22 is cut | disconnected diagonally in a parallel direction, and it is processed so that the length to an end surface may become short one by one in a parallel direction (refer FIG.8 (C)).

  Next, the end portion of the optical fiber core wire 22 separated into a single core of the optical fiber tape core wire 21 in which the end portion 221 has been processed as described above is guided to the jig 50 without increasing the mutual pitch. It is placed in the groove 512 and inserted into the insertion port 515 of the guide hole 513. At this time, as described above, the lengths to the end faces of the four optical fiber cores 22 are cut so that the lengths of the four optical fiber cores 22 become shorter one by one in the parallel direction. One by one is inserted into the insertion hole 515 of the guide hole 513. Therefore, the plurality of optical fiber core wires 22 do not enter the insertion opening 515 of one guide hole 513.

  At this time, in order to prevent the plurality of optical fiber core wires 22 from entering the insertion opening 515 of one guide hole 513, the optical fiber cores in which the end face positions of the plurality of optical fiber core wires 22 are adjacent in the parallel direction are used. It may be different from the line 22. Of the adjacent optical fiber cores 22, the optical fiber core wire 22 whose end face position protrudes is first accommodated in the insertion opening 515 of one guide hole 513, and therefore the optical fiber whose end face position does not protrude It is possible to prevent the core wire 22 from entering the insertion opening 515 of the same guide hole 513. In order to form such end face positions of the plurality of optical fiber cores 22, it is most convenient that the end portions 221 of the optical fiber core wires 22 are obliquely cut in the parallel direction as described above. If it is a system which irradiates the cored wire 22 with a condensing laser and cuts, the optical fiber cored wire 22 can be cut | disconnected by setting an end surface position arbitrarily. For example, after cutting all the optical fiber cores 22 so that the end surface positions are aligned, the optical fiber core wires 22 having short end portions are formed every other line, and the end surface positions of the plurality of optical fiber core wires 22 are changed. It may be different from the adjacent optical fiber core wires 22 in the parallel direction. In this way, even if the size of the insertion port 515 of the guide hole 513 of the jig 50 is not strictly aligned with the optical fiber core wire 22, the optical fiber core wire 22 can be securely inserted into the insertion port 515 of the guide hole 513. Since it can be inserted, the dimensional accuracy of the jig 50 is relaxed, and the cost of the member can be reduced.

  Next, the optical fiber core wire 22 inserted into the guide hole 513 is further pushed in so that the ends of all the optical fiber core wires 22 protrude from the outlets 517 of the guide holes 513. Here, the pitch of the end of the projected optical fiber 22 is converted to one corresponding to the arrangement pitch of the through holes 422 of the connector part 42. The end of each optical fiber core wire 22 can be easily inserted into the through hole 422 of the connector component 42 while being held. Thus, after inserting the end part 221 of the optical fiber core wire 22 into the through hole 422 of the connector part 42, the base 51 and the lid body 52 are disassembled, and the jig 50 is removed.

  Accordingly, when the optical module 10 is assembled, first, the optical cable 20 is held by the fixing member 35 after adjusting the parallel direction of the plurality of optical fiber cores 22 in the optical fiber ribbon 21 to be a predetermined direction. Fix it.

  Next, as described above, the tips of the plurality of optical fiber core wires 22 separated from the optical fiber tape core wire 21 are pitch-converted using the jig 50 and then inserted into the through holes 422 of the connector component 42. To do. Then, each optical fiber core 22 is projected from an opening on the opposite side (exit side) of the through hole 422 provided in the connector part 42 to the side where each optical fiber core 22 is inserted. Then, each optical fiber core wire 22 is fixed to a through hole 422 provided in the connector component 42. Furthermore, the tip end of each optical fiber core 22 protruding from the opening on the side opposite to the side where each optical fiber core 22 is inserted is cut to align the end face position. Thereby, the distance between each lens of the lens array component 41 and each optical fiber core wire 22 can be made the same, and the light receiving and emitting element 39 provided on the circuit board 33 and each optical fiber core wire 22 are excellent in light. Combined.

  In order to cut the tip end of each optical fiber core wire 22 and align the end face position, the tip end of the connector part 42 to which each optical fiber core wire 22 is fixed is polished together with each optical fiber core wire 22 to each optical fiber. The tip of the core wire 22 may coincide with the end position of the connector part 42. Alternatively, the end face position may be aligned in a state in which each optical fiber core 22 protrudes from the end position of the connector component 42 by irradiating and cutting the tip of each protruding optical fiber core 22 with a focused laser. .

  Thereafter, the plurality of separated end portions 221 are optically connected to the lens array component 41. That is, the optical fiber core wire 22 protruding from the end surface 421 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) of the connector component 42 is cut so that the end surfaces of the plurality of optical fiber core wires 22 are aligned in the parallel direction. Adjust the length. Then, the connector part 42 and the lens array part 41 are engaged using the positioning pins 413.

  In the optical module 10 as described above, an electrical signal is input from the electrical connector 32, and the control semiconductor 38 receives the electrical signal via the wiring of the circuit board 33. The electric signal input to the control semiconductor 38 is output to the light emitting / receiving element 39 from the control semiconductor 38 via the wiring of the circuit board 33 after the level is adjusted and the waveform shaping is performed by the CDR device 382. . The light emitting / receiving element 39 to which the electric signal is input converts the electric signal into an optical signal and emits the optical signal from the light emitting element 391 to the optical fiber core wire 22.

  On the other hand, the optical signal transmitted through the optical cable 20 is incident on the light receiving element 392. The light emitting / receiving element 39 converts the incident optical signal into an electrical signal, and outputs this electrical signal to the control semiconductor 38 via the wiring of the circuit board 33. The control semiconductor 38 performs a predetermined process on the electrical signal and then outputs the electrical signal to the electrical connector 32.

As described above, according to the method for connecting the optical fiber core wire and the optical fiber holding member according to the embodiment of the present invention, the optical fiber tape core wire 21 in which a plurality of optical fiber core wires 22 are integrated in a tape shape. Then, the plurality of optical fiber core wires 22 at the end are separated into single cores and connected to the connector component 42 in a state where the pitch in the parallel direction is converted. At this time, first, the end portions of the optical fiber core wires 22 are cut so that the lengths to the end faces of the separated optical fiber core wires 22 become shorter one by one in the parallel direction. And in order to convert the parallel pitch of the optical fiber core wire 22 into the pitch of the several through-hole 422 provided in the connector component 42 in the optical fiber tape core wire 21, it is for converting a pitch A plurality of optical fiber core wires 22 are inserted into guide holes 513 provided in the jig 50. At that time, the longest length to the end face of the optical fiber core wire 22 is inserted into the guide hole 513 one by one in order from the longest, and the end portions of the plurality of optical fiber core wires 22 are pitch-converted and pitch-converted. The end portions of the plurality of optical fiber core wires 22 are inserted into the through holes 422 of the connector part 42 and fixed.
For this reason, compared with the case where the front-end | tip part of the some optical fiber cut | disconnected by equal length is inserted in the guide hole 513 of the jig | tool 50, for example, the some optical fiber core wire 22 is at the entrance of one guide hole 513. Since it does not enter, it is possible to efficiently perform the pitch conversion of the optical fiber core wire 22 separated into single cores.

  In addition, since the cross-sectional diameter of the guide hole 513 provided in the jig 50 is larger than the cross-sectional diameter of the optical fiber core wire 22, the tip of the optical fiber core wire 22 can be easily provided in the jig 50. It can be inserted into the hole 513.

  The four optical fiber cores 22 included in the optical fiber tape core 21 are formed, for example, by forming a coating layer having a thickness of 72.5 μm around a glass fiber having a cross-sectional diameter of 125 μm formed entirely of glass. When the optical fiber core wire, that is, an optical fiber core wire having a cross-sectional diameter of 250 μm, the pitch Pa in the parallel direction of the optical fiber core wires 22 in the optical fiber tape core wire 21 is 250 μm. In that case, when inserting into the through hole 422 of the connector part 42, the pitch conversion of the two outer sides is substantially unnecessary, but even in this case, the center two of the four optical fiber cores 22 are used. Pitch conversion (from 250 μm to 375 μm) is necessary. Therefore, although the width and shape of the guide groove 512 are different from those of the jig 50 described above, pitch conversion using such a jig is effective.

  The optical module and the optical module assembling method of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and appropriate modifications and improvements can be made. For example, in the above embodiment, the optical fiber core wire 22 and the light emitting / receiving element 39 are optically coupled using the lens array component 41, but the lens array component 41 may not be used. For example, the optical fiber core 22 and the light emitting / receiving element 39 may be optically coupled by bonding the optical fiber core 22 to the light receiving / emitting element 39 without using the lens array component 41. Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the optical fiber core wire 22 and the light emitting / receiving element 39 are optically coupled using the connector component 42, the connector component 42 does not need to be used. For example, the optical fiber core 22 may be held by bonding the optical fiber core 22 to the lens array component 41 without using the connector part 42.

10: optical module, 20: optical cable, 21: optical fiber ribbon, 22: optical fiber, 221: end, 23: inner tube, 24: intervening layer, 25: metal layer, 26: jacket, 30 : Connector module, 31: Housing, 311: Metal housing, 311a: Housing main body, 311b: Base plate, 312: Resin housing, 32: Electrical connector, 321: Contact terminal, 33: Circuit board, 331: Mounting surface, 35: Fixing member, 351: base, 352: tube, 353: caulking, 36: boot, 38: control semiconductor, 381: drive IC, 382: CDR device, 39: light emitting / receiving element, 391: light emitting element, 392: Light receiving element, 41: lens array component, 411: reflective film, 412: lens surface, 413: positioning pin, 42: connector component ( Fiber holding member), 421: end face, 422: through hole (insertion hole), 423: recess, 43: heat dissipation sheet, 50: jig, 51: base, 511: upper surface, 512: guide groove, 513: guide hole, 514: rear end surface, 515: insertion port, 516: front end surface, 517: outlet, 52: lid, 53: fitting pin, 54: fitting hole

Claims (5)

An optical fiber holding member in a state in which the plurality of optical fiber cores at the end of the optical fiber tape core integrated with a plurality of optical fiber cores are separated into a single core and the pitch in the parallel direction is converted. A method of connecting an optical fiber core wire to be inserted into an optical fiber holding member,
The state where the end portions of the plurality of optical fiber cores are separated from the optical fiber tape core wires into a single core,
Cutting end portions of the plurality of optical fiber cores so that end face positions of the plurality of optical fiber core wires are different from adjacent optical fiber core wires in the parallel direction;
The guide hole of the jig provided with a plurality of guide holes for converting the parallel pitch of the optical fiber cores in the optical fiber ribbon to the pitch of the plurality of insertion holes provided in the optical fiber holding member. And pitch-converting the ends of the plurality of optical fiber core wires,
A method of connecting an optical fiber core wire and an optical fiber holding member, wherein the end portions of the plurality of optical fiber core wires subjected to pitch conversion are inserted into the insertion hole of the optical fiber holding member and fixed. In the connection method of the optical fiber core wire according to claim 1 and the optical fiber holding member,
Cutting the ends of the plurality of optical fiber cores so that the end face positions of the plurality of optical fiber cores become shorter one by one in the parallel direction,
The guide hole of the jig provided with a plurality of guide holes for converting the parallel pitch of the optical fiber cores in the optical fiber ribbon to the pitch of the plurality of insertion holes provided in the optical fiber holding member. The plurality of optical fiber cores are inserted one by one in order from the longest length to the end face, and the ends of the plurality of optical fiber cores are pitch-converted. A method of connecting a fiber core and an optical fiber holding member.   3. The optical fiber core wire and the optical fiber holding member according to claim 1, wherein a cross-sectional diameter of the guide hole provided in the jig is larger than a cross-sectional diameter of the optical fiber core wire. Connection method. An optical cable having an optical fiber tape core in which a plurality of optical fiber cores are integrated in a tape shape, and a jacket provided around the optical fiber tape core;
A housing having an internal space, an optical cable holding portion that holds the optical cable and is fixed to the housing, and ends of the plurality of optical fiber core wires are separated from the optical fiber tape core wires into a single core and are parallel to each other. An optical fiber holding member connected in a state in which the pitch of the optical fiber is changed, and an optical element to which the plurality of optical fiber cores are optically connected by positioning and fixing the optical fiber holding member And
An optical module manufacturing method comprising:
Ends of the plurality of optical fiber cores are separated from the optical fiber tape core into a single core,
Cutting end portions of the plurality of optical fiber cores so that end face positions of the plurality of optical fiber core wires are different from adjacent optical fiber core wires in the parallel direction;
The guide hole of the jig provided with a plurality of guide holes for converting the parallel pitch of the optical fiber cores in the optical fiber ribbon to the pitch of the plurality of insertion holes provided in the optical fiber holding member. And pitch-converting the ends of the plurality of optical fiber core wires,
A method of manufacturing an optical module, comprising: fixing the pitch-converted end portions of the plurality of optical fiber core wires into the insertion hole of the optical fiber holding member. In the manufacturing method of the optical module of Claim 4,
Cutting the ends of the plurality of optical fiber cores so that the end face positions of the plurality of optical fiber cores become shorter one by one in the parallel direction,
The guide hole of the jig provided with a plurality of guide holes for converting the parallel pitch of the optical fiber cores in the optical fiber ribbon to the pitch of the plurality of insertion holes provided in the optical fiber holding member. The plurality of optical fiber cores are inserted one by one in order from the longest length to the end face, and the ends of the plurality of optical fiber cores are pitch-converted. Module manufacturing method.

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