JP2015118264A - Optical coupling member - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To highly accurately maintain the positional relationship between a lens held by a holding member and an optical fiber without requiring complicated work.SOLUTION: An optical coupling member includes: a holder (11) having one end formed with a housing part for housing a lens (12) and the other end formed with an insertion hole into which an optical fiber (13) is inserted, and positioning the lens and the optical fiber in a fixed positional relationship; a support member (14) having one end formed with a holder insertion hole (141a) and the other end formed with a fiber insertion hole (142e), in which a through hole (143) is formed between the insertion holes; and a ring member (15) attached to a predetermined position on the other end side of the support member, and fixing the optical fiber via the inner wall surface of the support member. The support member has a slit (142d) extending in the optical fiber insertion direction and continuous to the through hole. Attaching the ring member to the predetermined position deforms a portion of the other end side of the support member.

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical coupling member that is used when light from a light emitting element is condensed and incident on an optical fiber, or light emitted from the optical fiber is condensed on a light receiving element.

  The optical coupling member is used when light emitted from the light source is propagated in the optical fiber and is emitted into the air as necessary, or when light propagating in the air is incident into the optical fiber. As one aspect of such an optical coupling member, for example, a ferrule that holds the tip of the optical fiber, a cylindrical holding member that holds the ferrule at one end, and the other end of the holding member. An optical collimator including a lens is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2006-343417 A

  In the conventional optical coupling member as described above, the optical fiber is fixed to the insertion hole of the ferrule with an adhesive or the like in a state where the coating of the tip of the optical fiber core wire is removed. The ferrule is clamped and held by a sleeve fixed inside the holding member with an adhesive or the like, and is fixed to the sleeve with an adhesive or the like as necessary. In other words, this optical coupling member requires a maximum of three bonding operations, and there is a problem that the operation for fixing the position of the optical fiber becomes complicated.

  In this optical coupling member, since the optical fiber is fixed to the holding member via a plurality of members (ferrules and sleeves), the adhesive strength between any of the members decreases due to factors such as temperature change. When such a situation occurs, the optical fiber cannot be fixed at a predetermined position, and the positional relationship between the lens held by the holding member and the optical fiber cannot be maintained with high accuracy. is there.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and can maintain the positional relationship between the lens held by the holding member and the optical fiber with high accuracy without requiring a complicated operation. An object of the present invention is to provide an optical coupling member that can be used.

  In the optical coupling member of the present invention, a housing portion for housing a lens is formed at one end, an insertion hole for inserting an optical fiber is formed at the other end, and the lens is inserted from the housing portion and the insertion hole. A holding member for positioning the optical fiber at a position having a certain positional relationship, a first insertion hole for inserting the holding member at one end, and a first insertion hole for inserting the optical fiber at the other end. A support member in which two insertion holes are formed and a through-hole penetrating between the first insertion hole and the second insertion hole is formed, and a predetermined mounting position on the other end side of the support member And a fixing member that fixes the optical fiber via an inner wall surface of the support member. The support member is disposed along the insertion direction of the optical fiber from the other end, and passes through the support member. A continuous slit is provided in the hole, Some of the other end side by the fixing member to the serial predetermined mounting position is mounted, characterized in that the deformation.

  According to the above optical coupling member, the optical fiber inserted into the optical coupling member is positioned at a position having a certain positional relationship with the lens by the holding member, and the inside of the support member deformed by attaching the fixing member. Since it is fixed through the wall surface, there is no need to remove the coating of the optical fiber or to fix the optical fiber with an adhesive or the like. Further, since the optical fiber is fixed in a state of being positioned at a position having a certain positional relationship with the lens by the holding member, the positional relationship between the lens and the optical fiber is maintained with high accuracy. As a result, the positional relationship between the lens held by the holding member and the optical fiber can be maintained with high accuracy without requiring complicated work.

  In the optical coupling member, it is preferable that the fixing member is reduced in the radial direction of the optical fiber with the inner wall surface of the support member defining the through hole in a state where the fixing member is attached at the predetermined attachment position. In this case, since the inner wall surface of the support member can be reduced in the radial direction of the optical fiber by attaching the fixing member, the optical fiber can be fixed to the fixed position easily and reliably by the fixing member.

  For example, in the optical coupling member, the fixing member is formed of a cylindrical member, and the inner peripheral wall surface of the cylindrical member is configured to have a smaller diameter than the outer peripheral wall surface of the predetermined mounting position. In this case, since the dimension of the inner peripheral wall surface of the cylindrical member is configured to be smaller than the outer peripheral wall surface at the predetermined mounting position, the through hole is defined by arranging the fixing member at the predetermined mounting position. The inner wall surface of the support member can be reliably reduced in the radial direction of the optical fiber.

  In particular, in the optical coupling member, the support member has a small-diameter portion that is disposed closer to the first insertion hole than the predetermined mounting position and is smaller in diameter than the inner peripheral wall surface of the cylindrical member. It is preferable that the optical fiber is fixed by moving the cylindrical member from the small diameter portion to the predetermined mounting position. In such a configuration, when the fixing member is retracted from the predetermined mounting position to the small-diameter portion, the through hole is formed in comparison with the case where the through hole in the support member is reduced by being disposed at the predetermined mounting position. Since it can be in the expanded state, it is possible to easily perform the operation of inserting the optical fiber into the optical coupling member.

  Further, in the optical coupling member, the support member is disposed closer to the second insertion hole than the predetermined mounting position, and abuts with the end face of the cylindrical member on the second insertion hole side. It is preferable that the cylindrical member is disposed at the predetermined mounting position in a state where the cylindrical member is in contact with the contact portion. In this case, since the cylindrical member is disposed at a predetermined mounting position in a state where the cylindrical member is in contact with the contact portion of the support member, it is possible to restrict the cylindrical member from moving beyond a predetermined position. It becomes possible to arrange stably in the position.

  In the optical coupling member, a second engagement portion that engages with a first engagement portion provided on the outer peripheral wall surface of the support member is provided on the inner peripheral wall surface of the cylindrical member, It is conceivable that the cylindrical member is disposed at the predetermined attachment position in a state where the second engagement portion is engaged with the first engagement portion of the support member. In this case, since the cylindrical member is disposed at the predetermined mounting position in a state where the second engaging portion is engaged with the first engaging portion of the support member, the cylindrical member is at the predetermined mounting position. It is possible to suppress the situation of moving from the optical fiber, and to effectively maintain the fixed state of the optical fiber.

  For example, in the optical coupling member, the second engagement portion engages with the first engagement portion of the support member by moving the cylindrical member along the insertion direction of the optical fiber. It is possible. In this case, the optical fiber can be fixed by moving the cylindrical member along the optical fiber insertion direction, and the first and second engaging portions are respectively in the same direction side of the support member and the cylindrical member. It is possible to fix the optical fiber with a relatively simple configuration arranged at the position of.

  In the optical coupling member, the cylindrical member rotates and moves along the outer peripheral wall surface of the support member, so that the second engagement portion engages with the first engagement portion of the support member. You may make it do. In this case, since the optical fiber can be fixed by rotational movement of the cylindrical member in a partial area of the support member, an area other than the area of the support member is not required, and space for installing the optical coupling member is saved. Can be achieved.

  Further, in the optical coupling member, a second screw portion that is screwed with a first screw portion provided on the outer peripheral wall surface of the support member is provided on the inner peripheral wall surface of the cylindrical member, and the cylindrical shape is provided. It is conceivable that the member is arranged at the predetermined mounting position in a state where the second screw portion is screwed to a predetermined position of the first screw portion of the support member. In this case, since the cylindrical member is arranged at the predetermined mounting position in a state where the second screw portion is screwed to the predetermined position of the first screw portion of the support member, the cylindrical member is fixed at the predetermined mounting position. The situation of moving from the position can be suppressed, and the fixed state of the optical fiber can be effectively maintained.

  Furthermore, the optical coupling member of the present invention has a holding portion for receiving a lens at one end, a plurality of holding members in which insertion holes for inserting optical fibers are formed at the other end, and the holding member inserted at one end. A plurality of first insertion holes are formed, and the same number of second insertion holes as the first insertion holes are formed at the other end, and the plurality of first insertion holes are formed. A support member formed with a plurality of through holes penetrating between each of the plurality of second insertion holes, and attached to a predetermined mounting position on the other end side of the support member. A plurality of fixing members for fixing the optical fiber through a wall surface, and the support member is arranged along the insertion direction of the optical fiber from the other end, and a plurality of slits continuing to the through hole The fixing member is provided at the predetermined mounting position. Some of the other end side by being attached, characterized in that the deformation.

  According to the optical coupling member, the optical fiber inserted into the optical coupling member is positioned at a position having a certain positional relationship with the lens by the holding member, and is fixed by the fixing member via the inner wall surface of the supporting member. Therefore, there is no need to remove the coating of the optical fiber or to fix the optical fiber with an adhesive or the like. Since the optical fiber is fixed in a state of being positioned at a position having a certain positional relationship with the lens by the holding member, the positional relationship between the lens and the optical fiber is maintained with high accuracy. As a result, the positional relationship between the lens held by the holding member and the optical fiber can be maintained with high accuracy without requiring complicated work.

  The above optical coupling member is suitably used when the optical fiber is made of a plastic optical fiber.

  According to the present invention, the positional relationship between the lens held by the holding member and the optical fiber can be maintained with high accuracy without requiring a complicated operation.

It is a sectional side view which shows typically the state which connected the optical coupling member which concerns on this invention to the device. It is a perspective view of the optical coupling member which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is the side view (A), top view (B), (C), and back view (D) of the optical coupling member which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is AA arrow sectional drawing (A) and BB arrow sectional drawing (B) shown to FIG. 3D. It is a side view of the holder which the optical coupling member concerning a 1st embodiment has. It is AA arrow sectional drawing shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is an enlarged view within a two-dot chain line B shown in FIG. 6. It is explanatory drawing which shows the assembly process of the optical coupling member which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the assembly process of the optical coupling member which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the assembly process of the optical coupling member which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view of the optical coupling member which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is the side view (A), top view (B), and back view (C) of the optical coupling member which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is AA arrow sectional drawing (A) shown to FIG. 12C, and the enlarged view (B) in the dashed-two dotted line B in FIG. 13A. It is a side view (A) and (B) and back view (C) and (D) of an optical coupling member concerning a 3rd embodiment. 14B is a cross-sectional view (A) taken along the line B-B shown in FIG. 14C, a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C (B) shown in FIG. It is a perspective view of the optical coupling member which concerns on 4th Embodiment. It is a side view (A) and (B) and back view (C) and (D) of an optical coupling member concerning a 4th embodiment. It is AA arrow sectional drawing (A) shown to FIG. 17C, and CC arrow sectional drawing (B) in FIG. 17D. It is BB arrow sectional drawing shown to FIG. 17A. It is a perspective view of the optical coupling member which concerns on the modification of the said embodiment. It is the top view (A), side view (B), and back view (C) of the optical coupling member which concerns on a modification. It is AA arrow sectional drawing shown to FIG. 21C.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, a state where the optical coupling member according to the present invention is connected to a device will be described. FIG. 1 is a side sectional view schematically showing a state where an optical coupling member according to the present invention is connected to a device. In FIG. 1, for convenience of explanation, a device including a light receiving / light emitting element will be described. However, the configuration of the device is not limited to this and can be appropriately changed.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a device 100 to which an optical coupling member 10 according to the present invention is connected has a light receiving / light emitting element 101 disposed inside a case 102 and is shown on the optical axis of the light receiving / light emitting element 101. The condensing lens 103 and the oblique polishing surface 104 supported by the non-supporting means are arranged. An opening 105 for inserting the optical coupling member 10 is provided on the side surface of the case 102 of the device 100.

  In the device 100, the laser light emitted from the light emitting element 101 is reflected by the oblique polishing surface 104 via the condenser lens 103 and guided to the opening 105. Then, the light reflected by the oblique polishing surface 104 is collected by the ball lens 12 provided in the optical coupling member 10 and enters the optical fiber 13. Then, the incident light propagates in the optical fiber 13. In the following description, the case where the lens provided in the optical coupling member 10 is the ball lens 12 will be described. However, the configuration of the lens is not limited to the ball lens 12 and can be appropriately changed. .

  In the device 100, the light propagating through the optical fiber 13 is emitted through the ball lens 12. The laser light emitted from the optical fiber 13 is reflected by the oblique polishing surface 104 and guided to the light receiving element 101 via the condenser lens 103. In FIG. 1, the optical path of the laser light emitted from the light emitting element 101 and the optical path of the laser light emitted from the optical fiber 13 are indicated by broken lines.

  In the device 100 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, when the optical coupling member 10 holding the optical fiber 13 is inserted to a predetermined position in the case 102, the light receiving / emitting element 101 and the optical fiber 13 are inserted. It is designed so that the laser beam transmitted between the two can appropriately enter and exit through the condenser lens 103 and the oblique polishing surface 104. Hereinafter, the configuration of the optical coupling member 10 according to the present embodiment connected to such a device 100 will be described. In the following description, for convenience of description, the ball lens 12 side (left side shown in FIG. 1) of the optical coupling member 10 is referred to as the front side of the optical coupling member 10, and the optical fiber 13 side (shown in FIG. 1). The right side) is referred to as the rear side of the optical coupling member 10.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the optical coupling member 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a side view (A), plan views (B), (C) and a rear view (D) of the optical coupling member 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 4A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA shown in FIG. 3D, and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB shown in FIG. 3D. 2 to 4 show the optical fiber 13 held by the optical coupling member 10 for convenience of explanation. FIG. 3C shows a state in which a ring member 15 described later opens the fiber holding portion 142.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the optical coupling member 10 includes a holder 11 as a holding member having a generally cylindrical shape, a ball lens 12 held at one end of the holder 11, the holder 11, and the holder 11. A support member 14 that holds the optical fiber 13 exposed from the light source, and a ring member 15 as a fixing member that is attached to a predetermined attachment position of the support member 14. For example, in the optical coupling member 10 according to the first embodiment, a plastic optical fiber is preferably inserted as the optical fiber 13. The same applies to the embodiments described below. The details of the holder 11 that holds the optical fiber 13 will be described later.

  The support member 14 is formed of, for example, a resin material. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the support member 14 includes a holder holding portion 141 having a generally cylindrical shape, and a fiber holding portion 142 provided to extend from one end portion (rear end portion) of the holder holding portion 141. Have A holder insertion hole 141 a into which the holder 11 is inserted is provided on the front surface of the holder holding portion 141. The holder insertion hole 141a constitutes a first insertion hole.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the fiber holding part 142 includes a small diameter part 142a, a large diameter part 142b, and a stopper part 142c. The small diameter portion 142 a is provided to extend rearward from the rear surface of the holder holding portion 141. The large diameter portion 142b is provided continuously on the rear side of the small diameter portion 142a. The stopper portion 142c is continuously provided on the rear side of the large diameter portion 142b. On the upper surface and the lower surface of the small-diameter portion 142a, large-diameter portion 142b, and stopper portion 142c, slits 142d arranged along the extending direction of the support member 14 (the insertion direction of the optical fiber 13) are provided. Due to the slit 142d, the fiber holding portion 142 is slightly flexible in the vicinity of the front end portion (rear end portion). A fiber insertion hole 142e into which the optical fiber 13 is inserted is provided on the rear surface (back surface) of the fiber holding portion 142. The fiber insertion hole 142e constitutes a second insertion hole.

  The ring member 15 is formed of, for example, a metal material, and has a circular cross section (see FIG. 3D). As shown in FIG. 4, the inner diameter of the ring member 15 (the dimension of the inner peripheral wall surface) is set larger than the outer peripheral dimension of the small diameter part 142a of the fiber holding part 142, and slightly smaller than the outer peripheral dimension of the large diameter part 142b. Are provided in small dimensions. The ring member 15 is attached so as to be movable between the small diameter portion 142a and the large diameter portion 142b. A predetermined mounting position of the ring member 15 is configured by a part of the outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion 142b. In the state of moving to the large diameter portion 142b side, the large diameter portion 142b is in a state of being tightened by the ring member 15 and slightly contracted inward in the radial direction of the optical fiber 13. In this case, the minute inward movement of the fiber holding portion 142 is absorbed by the slit 142d. The stopper portion 142c is provided with a size larger than the inner diameter size of the ring member 15, and the rearward movement of the ring member 15 is restricted by contact with the stopper portion 142c. The ring member 15 constitutes a cylindrical member. A part of the stopper portion 142c constitutes a contact portion.

  A through hole 143 is provided inside the support member 14. The through hole 143 is provided so as to penetrate between a holder insertion hole 141 a provided in the holder holding part 141 and a fiber insertion hole 142 e provided in the fiber holding part 142. The through hole 143 includes a holder holding hole 143a and a fiber holding hole 143b. The holder holding hole 143a has a size substantially the same as the outer circumference of the holder 11, and is configured so that the holder 11 can be press-fitted. On the other hand, the fiber holding hole 143b has a size substantially the same as the outer peripheral size of the optical fiber 13, and is configured such that the optical fiber 13 can be press-fitted. The holder holding portion 141 is provided with a step portion 143c that constitutes a boundary portion between the holder holding hole 15a and the fiber holding hole 143b. This stepped portion 143 c constitutes a positioning portion for the holder 11. The slit 142d provided in the fiber holding part 142 described above is provided continuously to the through hole 143 (more specifically, the fiber holding hole 143b) on the inner side.

  Next, the holder 11 and the ball lens 12 used in the optical coupling member 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. FIG. 5 is a side view and a rear view of the holder 11 included in the optical coupling member 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA shown in FIG. 5 and 6 show the optical fiber 13 held by the holder 11 included in the optical coupling member 10 for convenience of explanation.

  The holder 11 is made of a metal material such as stainless steel, for example. In particular, from the viewpoint of workability, the holder 11 is preferably formed of austenitic stainless steel. As shown in FIG. 6, an insertion hole 11 a into which the optical fiber 13 is inserted is provided at the rear end portion of the holder 11. On the other hand, an opening 11b is provided at the front end of the holder 11 (end on the ball lens 12 side). A housing portion 11c that houses the ball lens 12 is provided inside the opening portion 11b. The accommodating portion 11c is provided with a size that allows the entire ball lens 12 to be accommodated therein in order to prevent damage to the surface of the ball lens 12, and is configured such that the ball lens 12 can be press-fitted.

  In addition, a through hole 11 d having a diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the optical fiber 13 is provided inside the holder 11. The through hole 11d communicates with the insertion hole 11a and communicates with the accommodating portion 11c (see FIG. 6). Furthermore, the holder 11 is provided with a plurality of depressions 11e formed by pressing from the outer peripheral portion with a tool or the like. These depressed portions 11e are provided between the accommodating portion 11c and the through hole 11d, and are used for positioning the ball lens 12 and the optical fiber 13 as will be described in detail later.

  The ball lens 12 is made of, for example, a glass material and has a spherical shape. As shown in FIG. 6, the ball lens 12 is disposed so as to face the distal end portion of the optical fiber 13 inserted into the through hole 11 d in a state of being accommodated in the accommodating portion 11 c of the holder 11. That is, in a state where the ball lens 12 and the optical fiber 13 are positioned on the inner wall surface formed by providing the depressed portion 11e, the ball lens 12 and the optical fiber 13 are positioned at a position having a certain positional relationship. At this time, the ball lens 12 is in a state of being disposed to face the front end surface (front end surface) of the optical fiber 13.

  The optical fiber 13 includes a core 13a provided through the center thereof, a clad 13b that covers the core 13a, and a reinforcing layer 13c that covers and reinforces the clad 13b. A plastic optical fiber is preferably used as the optical fiber 13. On the end face of the optical fiber 13 facing the ball lens 12, the core 13a, the clad 13b and the reinforcing layer 13c are arranged on the same plane. That is, the core 13a, the clad 13b, and the reinforcing layer 13c are arranged on the end surface facing the ball lens 12.

  The optical fiber 13 is inserted into the through-hole 11d through the insertion hole 11a, and is fixed in a state where the tip portion thereof is disposed in the vicinity of the ball lens 12 so as to face the spherical surface.

  In the optical coupling member 10 according to the first embodiment, the optical fiber 13 is composed of, for example, a graded index (GI) optical fiber so that the refractive index continuously changes in a cross section perpendicular to the fiber axis. It is configured. The core 13a and the clad 13b are made of, for example, an all-fluorine-substituted optical resin in which H of C—H bond is substituted with F. Thus, high-speed and large-capacity communication can be realized by configuring the optical fiber 13 with a perfluorinated optical resin and a GI-type optical fiber.

  In the optical coupling member 10 according to the present invention, the depressed portion 11e provided in the holder 11 is used to easily position the ball lens 12 and the optical fiber 13 while suppressing an increase in cost. Specifically, by positioning the ball lens 12 and part of the optical fiber 13 in contact with the contact surface formed by providing the depressed portion 11e in the holder 11, the positioning spacers are provided. Thus, the ball lens 12 and the optical fiber 13 can be easily positioned while suppressing an increase in cost.

  Here, a positioning method of the ball lens 12 and the optical fiber 13 in the holder 11 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is an enlarged view in a two-dot chain line B shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, a part of the ball lens 12 abuts on a portion of the depression 11 e that faces the ball lens 12, while an optical fiber 13 is formed on a portion that faces the optical fiber 13. The clad 13b or the reinforcing layer 13c other than the core 13a, or a part of the clad 13b and the reinforcing layer 13c abut. The ball lens 12 and the optical fiber 13 are each positioned at a predetermined position of the holder 11 in such a contact state.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the depressed portion 11e is a plane perpendicular to the insertion direction of the optical fiber 13 (for example, a plane C that is arranged in parallel with the end surface of the optical fiber 13 shown in FIG. 7 and passes through the center of the depressed portion 11e. ), The angle of the portion facing the ball lens 12 and the angle of the portion facing the optical fiber 13 are different from each other. Such a depressed portion 11e is provided by, for example, pressing using a tapered tool having a different tip shape. By pressing with such a tool, the depressed portion 11e has a difference between the angle of the portion facing the ball lens 12 and the angle of the portion facing the optical fiber 13 with reference to the central axis at the time of the pressing. By setting the angle, it is possible to effectively position the ball lens 12 and the optical fiber 13 having different shapes.

  In the holder 11, a plurality (three in the present embodiment) of such depressed portions 11 e are provided on the same circumference of the holder 11. The formation of the depressed portion 11e on the same circumference can be considered, for example, by simultaneously pressing the outer circumference of the holder 11 with the tool having the different tip shape described above. By providing the plurality of depressions 11e on the same circumference in this way, the ball lens 12 and the optical fiber 13 can be brought into contact with each other at a plurality of positions, so that the ball lens 12 and the optical fiber 13 can be more accurately arranged. Positioning can be performed.

Portion facing the ball lens 12 in the recess 11e constitutes an inclined surface 11e _1. The inclined surface 11e ₁ is a plane orthogonal to the insertion direction of the optical fiber 13 indicated by an arrow in FIG. 7 (for example, is disposed in parallel with the end surface of the optical fiber 13 shown in FIG. 7, and passes through the proximal end portion of the depressed portion 11e. angle theta ₁ with respect to the plane D) which is provided so as to be 0 ° to 45 °. Thus, by setting the angle θ ₁ of the inclined surface 11e ₁ on the ball lens 12 side to 0 ° or more and 45 ° or less with respect to the plane D orthogonal to the insertion direction of the optical fiber 13, the optical fiber 13 in the ball lens 12 is set. Since it can position in the state which supported a part of side, the positional accuracy of the ball lens 12 can be improved.

Meanwhile, the portion facing the optical fiber 13 in the recess 11e constitutes an inclined surface 11e _2. The inclined surface 11e ₂ is provided so that an angle θ ₂ with respect to a plane orthogonal to the insertion direction of the optical fiber 13 (for example, a plane E arranged parallel to the end face of the optical fiber 13 shown in FIG. 7) is 20 ° or less. It has been. Thus, by providing the angle of the inclined surface 11e ₂ to 20 ° or less with respect to the plane E, the optical fiber 13 is arranged with the core 13a, the clad 13b, and the reinforcing layer 13c on the same plane as described above. In the case of an optical fiber, it is possible to easily ensure the positional accuracy of the optical fiber 13 by bringing the end face of the optical fiber 13 into contact with the depressed portion 11e.

  As described above, in the optical coupling member 10, a part of the ball lens 12 and a part of the optical fiber 13 are brought into contact with the depressed part 11 e provided in the holder 11 and positioned, so that the depressed part 11 e is used as a reference. Since the ball lens 12 and the optical fiber 13 can be positioned, the working efficiency can be improved as compared with the case where another part is inserted into the holder 11, and the ball lens 12 and the optical fiber can be easily connected to the light while suppressing an increase in cost. Positioning with the fiber 13 can be performed.

  Hereinafter, the assembly process of the optical coupling member 10 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 8-10 is explanatory drawing which shows the assembly process of the optical coupling member 10 in order. In addition, in the assembly process of the optical coupling member 10 shown in FIGS. 8-10, the process of incorporating and fixing the optical fiber 13 with respect to the optical coupling member 10 shall also be included for convenience of explanation.

  First, as shown in FIG. 8, the holder 11 is press-fitted from the holder insertion hole 141 a of the holder holding portion 141 of the support member 14. A ball lens 12 is accommodated at the front end of the holder 11. As described above, the ball lens 12 is held in a state of being positioned at a predetermined position by the depressed portion 11e. When the holder 11 press-fitted from the holder insertion hole 141a comes into contact with the stepped portion 143c in the holder holding portion 141, the holder 11 stops. At this time, the holder 11 is positioned at a predetermined position. Thus, since the step part 143c which comprises the positioning part of the holder 11 is provided in the holder holding part 141, when the holder 11 is inserted in the support member 14, the holder 11 can be positioned easily. Is possible.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 9, the optical fiber 13 is inserted from the fiber insertion hole 142 e of the fiber holding portion 142 of the support member 14. The optical fiber 13 is inserted in a state in which the ring member 15 is arranged in the small diameter portion 142a of the fiber holding portion 142, in other words, in a state in which the ring member 15 is retracted from a predetermined mounting position (that is, the fiber holding portion. 142 is opened). The optical fiber 13 is guided by the inner peripheral wall of the fiber holding hole 143 b of the fiber holding part 142 and reaches the insertion hole 11 a of the holder 11 held by the holder holding part 141. The optical fiber 13 is guided by the inner peripheral wall of the through hole 11d of the holder 11 and reaches the depressed portion 11e. The insertion operation ends when the optical fiber 13 comes into contact with the depressed portion 11e. At this time, the optical fiber 13 is positioned at a predetermined position.

  Finally, as shown in FIG. 10, the ring member 15 disposed in the small diameter portion 142a of the fiber holding portion 142 is moved to the large diameter portion 142b side (rear side). In this case, the ring member 15 moves until the rear end surface comes into contact with the stopper portion 142c. Thus, by moving the ring member 15 to the large diameter portion 142b side, the ring member 15 is arranged at a predetermined mounting position on the large diameter portion 142b, and the fiber holding portion 142 is tightened by the inner wall surface of the ring member 15. . At this time, the fiber holding portion 142 constituting a part of the rear end side of the support member 14 is deformed inward, and the inner diameter of the fiber holding hole 143b provided inside the fiber holding portion 142 is an optical fiber. 13 is reduced in the radial direction. Thereby, the outer peripheral surface of the optical fiber 13 is held by the inner peripheral wall of the fiber holding hole 143b. Through the above steps, the optical coupling member 10 shown in FIG. 2 can be assembled.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the optical fiber 13 inserted into the optical coupling member 10 is positioned at a position having a certain positional relationship with the ball lens 12 by the holder 11 and the ring member 15. Since it is fixed through the inner wall surface of the support member 14 deformed by attaching the optical fiber 13, there is no need to remove the coating of the optical fiber 13 or to fix the optical fiber 13 with an adhesive or the like. Further, since the optical fiber 13 is fixed in a state in which the optical fiber 13 is positioned at a position having a certain positional relationship with the ball lens 12 by the holder 11, the positional relationship between the ball lens 12 and the optical fiber 13 is maintained with high accuracy. The As a result, the positional relationship between the ball lens 12 held by the holder 11 and the optical fiber 13 can be maintained with high accuracy without requiring a complicated operation.

  In particular, in the optical coupling member 10 according to the first embodiment, the support that defines the through-hole 144 in a state where the ring member 15 as the fixing member is attached to a predetermined attachment position of the fiber holding portion 142. The inner wall surface of the member 14 is reduced in the radial direction of the optical fiber 13. Since the inner wall surface of the support member 14 can be reduced in the radial direction of the optical fiber 13 by attaching the ring member 15 in this manner, the optical fiber 13 can be easily and reliably fixed at a fixed position by the ring member 15. .

  Moreover, in the optical coupling member 10 according to the first embodiment, the fiber holding portion 142 of the support member 14 is disposed closer to the holder insertion hole 141a than the large-diameter portion 142b, and from the inner peripheral wall surface of the ring member 15 A small-diameter portion 142a having a small diameter is also provided, and the ring member 15 moves from the small-diameter portion 142a to a predetermined mounting position on the large-diameter portion 142b, thereby fixing the optical fiber 13. In such a configuration, when the ring member 15 is retracted to the small diameter portion, the through hole 144 is expanded as compared with the case where the through hole 144 in the support member 14 is reduced by being disposed at a predetermined mounting position. Therefore, the operation of inserting the optical fiber 13 into the optical coupling member 10 can be easily performed.

  Furthermore, in the optical coupling member 10 according to the first embodiment, the support member 14 is provided with a stopper portion 142c that is disposed closer to the fiber insertion hole 142e than the large-diameter portion 142b and contacts the rear end surface of the ring member 15. And the ring member 15 is disposed at a predetermined mounting position on the large-diameter portion 142b in a state where the ring member 15 is in contact with the stopper portion 142c. As a result, the ring member 15 can be arranged at a predetermined mounting position in contact with the stopper portion 142c, so that the ring member 15 can be prevented from moving rearward beyond a predetermined position, and the predetermined mounting position can be stabilized. Can be arranged.

  In the above description, a case where the ball lens 12 and the optical fiber 13 are positioned by bringing a part of the ball lens 12 and a part of the optical fiber 13 into contact with the depressed portion 11e provided in the holder 11 will be described. doing. However, the positioning method of the ball lens 12 and the optical fiber 13 is not limited to this, and can be changed as appropriate. For example, instead of bringing both the ball lens 12 and the optical fiber 13 into contact with the depressed portion 11e, either the ball lens 12 or the optical fiber 13 is brought into contact with the other, and the other of the holder 11 other than the depressed portion 11e. Positioning may be performed at the part. However, in this case, it is assumed that the portion for positioning the other is designed in a fixed positional relationship with the depressed portion 11e. That is, in the optical coupling member 10 according to the present invention, the idea of bringing one of the ball lens 12 or the optical fiber 13 into contact with the depressed portion 11e is included.

(Second Embodiment)
The optical coupling member according to the second embodiment is different from the optical coupling member 10 according to the first embodiment in that the shape of the fiber holding portion 142 in the support member 14 and the ring member 15 are not provided. Hereinafter, the configuration of the optical coupling member 20 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the optical coupling member 20 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a side view (A), a plan view (B), and a rear view (C) of the optical coupling member 20 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA shown in FIG. 12C (A) and an enlarged view (B) in the two-dot chain line B in FIG. 13A. 11 to 13, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those of the optical coupling member 10 according to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 to 10, and the description thereof is omitted. 11 to 13 show the optical fiber 13 held by the optical coupling member 20 for convenience of explanation.

  In the optical coupling member 20 according to the second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the fiber holding portion 142 includes a cylindrical shape portion 142 f and an engagement provided near the front end portion of the cylindrical shape portion 142 f. The optical coupling member 10 according to the first embodiment is different from the optical coupling member 10 according to the first embodiment in that the coupling piece 142g is provided. The outer diameter dimension of the cylindrical part 142f is smaller than the outer dimension of the holder holding part 141. The engaging piece 142g is provided so as to protrude radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 142f, and has a configuration in which the outer diameter dimension gradually increases toward the holder holding portion 141 side. Further, an engaging portion 142h is provided at the tip (front end) of the engaging piece 142g on the holder holding portion 141 side. The engaging part 142h has a plane part orthogonal to the extending direction of the optical coupling member 20, and is configured to be engageable with an annular protrusion 151d of a cap member 151 described later. The engaging piece 142g constitutes a first engaging portion.

  Further, in the optical coupling member 20 according to the second embodiment, the support member 14 has a cap member 151 as a fixing member instead of the ring member 15 as shown in FIGS. This is different from the optical coupling member 10 according to the first embodiment. The cap member 151 has a generally cylindrical shape and has an outer dimension that is substantially the same as the outer dimension of the holder holding portion 141. The cap member 151 constitutes a cylindrical member. A through hole 151a is provided inside the cap member 151 (see FIG. 13A). The through hole 151 a is provided so as to penetrate in the front-rear direction of the optical coupling member 20.

  In the through-hole 151a, the diameter of the inner peripheral wall surface on the front side (on the holder holding portion 141 side) is larger than the inner peripheral wall surface on the rear side. Specifically, on the inner peripheral wall surface of the through hole 151a, a small-diameter portion 151b is provided on the rear side, and a large-diameter portion 151c is provided on the front side (the holder holding portion 141 side) of the small-diameter portion 151b. The small-diameter portion 151b is configured to have an inner peripheral dimension that is substantially the same as the outer peripheral dimension of the cylindrical portion 142f of the fiber holding portion 142. The large-diameter portion 151c is configured to have an inner peripheral dimension that can accommodate the engaging piece 142g provided in the cylindrical portion 142f of the fiber holding portion 142.

  Of the inner peripheral wall surface of the large-diameter portion 151c of the through hole 151a, the inner peripheral wall surface in the vicinity of the front end portion (the end portion on the holder holding portion 141 side) has an annular protrusion 151d that protrudes slightly inward toward the inside. Is provided. The annular projecting portion 151d is provided so as to protrude by a dimension that can be engaged with the engaging portion 142h of the engaging piece 142g when the cap member 151 is attached to the fiber holding portion 142. The annular projecting portion 151d constitutes a second engaging portion.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 13B, an annular protrusion 151e that protrudes slightly inward toward the inside is provided at the rear end portion of the inner peripheral wall surface of the small diameter portion 151b of the through hole 151a. The annular projecting portion 151e has a function of engaging the rear end portion of the fiber holding portion 142 and pressing the fiber holding portion 142 inward (to the optical fiber 13 side) when the cap member 151 is attached to the fiber holding portion 142. Fulfill.

  In the assembly process of the optical coupling member 20 according to the second embodiment, the process of inserting the holder 11 from the holder insertion hole 141a side of the holder holding part 141 (holder insertion process) and the fiber insertion hole 142e of the fiber holding part 142 The step of inserting from the side (fiber insertion step) is the same as the assembly step of the optical coupling member 10 according to the first embodiment. In the fiber insertion step, the optical fiber 13 is passed through the through hole 151a of the cap member 151, and then the insertion operation into the support member 14 is performed.

  After performing the fiber insertion process, in the optical coupling member 20 according to the second embodiment, a cap fixing process for fixing the cap member 151 to the fiber holding portion 142 is performed. In this cap fixing step, the annular protrusion 151d provided on the inner peripheral wall surface of the cap member 151 is moved forward to a position where it can get over the engagement piece 142g of the fiber holding portion 142. When over the engagement piece 142g, the annular protrusion 151d is engaged with the engagement portion 142h, and the cap member 151 is fixed to the fiber holding portion 142.

  In the cap fixing process, the cylindrical portion 142 f of the fiber holding portion 142 is fastened to the small diameter portion 151 b of the cap member 151. At this time, the inner diameter of the fiber holding hole 143 b provided inside the fiber holding portion 142 is reduced in the radial direction of the optical fiber 13. Thereby, the outer peripheral surface of the optical fiber 13 is held by the inner peripheral wall of the fiber holding hole 143b. Through the above steps, the optical coupling member 20 shown in FIG. 11 can be assembled.

  As described above, in the optical coupling member 20 according to the second embodiment, the optical fiber 13 inserted into the optical coupling member 20 is similar to the optical coupling member 10 according to the first embodiment. Since it is fixed by the cap member 151 which is a fixing member while being positioned at a position having a certain positional relationship with the ball lens 12 by the holder 11, it is held by the holder 11 without requiring a complicated operation. The positional relationship between the ball lens 12 and the optical fiber 13 can be maintained with high accuracy.

  Further, in the optical coupling member 20 according to the second embodiment, the inner peripheral wall surface of the cap member 151 has an annular shape that engages with an engagement piece 142 g provided on the outer peripheral wall surface of the fiber holding portion 142 of the support member 14. The protrusion 151d is provided, and the cap member 151 is disposed at a predetermined mounting position in a state where the annular protrusion 151d is engaged with the engagement piece 142g. Thereby, since the cap member 151 is disposed at the predetermined attachment position in a state where the annular protrusion 151d is engaged with the engagement piece 142g, the situation in which the cap member 151 moves from the predetermined attachment position can be suppressed. The fixed state of the fiber 13 can be effectively maintained.

  In particular, in the optical coupling member 20 according to the second embodiment, the annular protrusion 151d is moved by moving the cap member 151 along the insertion direction of the optical fiber 13 (the front side of the optical coupling member 10). The engaging piece 142g is engaged. Thereby, the cap member 151 can be moved along the insertion direction of the optical fiber 13 to fix the optical fiber 13, and the engagement piece 142 g and the annular protrusion 151 d are made the same as the fiber holding portion 142 and the cap member 151, respectively. It becomes possible to fix the optical fiber 13 with a relatively simple configuration arranged at the position on the direction side (the front side of the optical coupling member 10).

(Third embodiment)
The optical coupling member according to the third embodiment is different from the optical coupling member 20 according to the second embodiment in the shape of the fiber holding portion 142 in the support member 14 and the shape of the through hole 151a of the cap member 151. . Hereinafter, the configuration of the optical coupling member 30 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15. 14A and 14B are side views (A) and (B) and rear views (C) and (D) of the optical coupling member 30 according to the third embodiment. 15A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B shown in FIG. 14C, FIG. 15B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C shown in FIG. 14D, and FIG. It is a figure (C). 14 and 15, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those of the optical coupling member 20 according to the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, and the description thereof is omitted. Moreover, in FIG.14 and FIG.15, the optical fiber 13 hold | maintained at the optical coupling member 30 is shown for convenience of explanation. In addition, since the external appearance of the optical coupling member 30 according to the third embodiment is the same as that of the optical coupling member 20 according to the second embodiment, FIG. 11 is used.

  In the optical coupling member 30 according to the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, the fiber holding portion 142 is the second embodiment in that a male screw portion 142i is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 142f. This is different from the optical coupling member 20 according to FIG. The male screw portion 142i is provided so as to slightly protrude toward the outside of the cylindrical portion 142f, and is configured to be screwable with a female screw portion 151f of a cap member 151 described later. The male screw portion 142i constitutes a first screw portion.

  Further, in the optical coupling member 30 according to the third embodiment, the through hole 151a of the cap member 151 is the second embodiment in that an internal thread portion 151f is provided on the inner peripheral wall surface of the large diameter portion 151c. It differs from the optical coupling member 20 which concerns on a form. The female screw portion 151f is provided so as to slightly protrude toward the inner side of the cap member 151, and is configured to be screwable with the male screw portion 142i of the fiber holding portion 142. The female thread portion 151f constitutes a second thread portion.

  In the assembly process of the optical coupling member 30 according to the third embodiment, the process of inserting the holder 11 from the holder insertion hole 141a side of the holder holding part 141 (holder insertion process) and the fiber insertion hole 142e of the fiber holding part 142 The step of inserting from the side (fiber insertion step) is the same as the assembly step of the optical coupling member 20 according to the second embodiment.

  After performing the fiber insertion process, in the optical coupling member 30 according to the third embodiment, a cap fixing process for fixing the cap member 151 to the fiber holding portion 142 is performed. In this cap fixing step, the female screw portion 151f provided on the inner peripheral wall surface of the cap member 151 is pushed in while being rotated so as to be screwed into the male screw portion 142i of the fiber holding portion 142. Then, when the female screw portion 151f is screwed to a predetermined position of the male screw portion 142i, more specifically, when the distal end portion (front end portion) of the cap member 151 contacts the holder holding portion 141, the fiber holding portion 142 is provided. The cap member 151 is disposed at a predetermined mounting position.

  In the cap fixing process, the cylindrical portion 142 f of the fiber holding portion 142 is fastened to the small diameter portion 151 b of the cap member 151. At this time, the inner diameter of the fiber holding hole 143 b provided inside the fiber holding portion 142 is reduced in the radial direction of the optical fiber 13. Thereby, the outer peripheral surface of the optical fiber 13 is held by the inner peripheral wall of the fiber holding hole 143b. The optical coupling member 30 shown in FIG. 14 can be assembled by the above process.

  As described above, also in the optical coupling member 30 according to the third embodiment, the optical fiber 13 inserted into the optical coupling member 30 is similar to the optical coupling member 10 according to the first embodiment. Since it is fixed by the cap member 151 which is a fixing member while being positioned at a position having a certain positional relationship with the ball lens 12 by the holder 11, it is held by the holder 11 without requiring a complicated operation. The positional relationship between the ball lens 12 and the optical fiber 13 can be maintained with high accuracy.

  In the optical coupling member 30 according to the third embodiment, the female thread portion that engages with the male thread portion 142 i provided on the outer circumferential wall surface of the fiber holding portion 142 of the support member 14 is formed on the inner circumferential wall surface of the cap member 151. 151f is provided, and the cap member 151 is disposed at a predetermined mounting position in a state where the female screw portion 151f is screwed to a predetermined position of the male screw portion 142i. Thereby, the situation where the cap member 151 moves from a predetermined attachment position can be suppressed, and the fixed state of the optical fiber 13 can be effectively maintained.

(Fourth embodiment)
The optical coupling member according to the fourth embodiment is different from the optical coupling member 10 according to the first embodiment in the shape of the fiber holding portion 142 and the shape of the ring member 15 in the support member 14. Hereinafter, the configuration of the optical coupling member 40 according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an optical coupling member 40 according to the fourth embodiment. 17A and 17B are side views (A) and (B) and rear views (C) and (D) of the optical coupling member 40 according to the fourth embodiment. 18A is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA shown in FIG. 17C (A), and FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 17A. 16 to 19, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those of the optical coupling member 10 according to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 to 10, and the description thereof is omitted. 16 to 19 show the optical fiber 13 held by the optical coupling member 40 for convenience of explanation.

In the optical coupling member 40 according to the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17B, the fiber holding portion 142 has a plurality of (four in this embodiment) concave portions 142j on the outer peripheral surface in the vicinity of the rear end portion. In the point provided, it differs from the optical coupling member 10 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The recess 142j is formed so as to be slightly recessed from the outer peripheral surface of the fiber holding portion 142, and is arranged side by side on the same periphery of the outer peripheral surface. Engagement recesses 142k having the same shape are provided at predetermined positions of the respective recesses 142j. The engaging recess 142k is provided at the same end along the circumferential direction of the recess 142j. Engaging recess 142k includes a protrusion 142k ₁ projecting outward from the outer peripheral surface of the concave portion 142j, composed of recesses 142k ₂ Metropolitan provided continuously to the protrusion 142k _1. Recess 142k of the engagement recess 142k ₂ is configured to accommodate possible dimensional projections 15a of the ring member 15 to be described later. The engaging recess 142k constitutes a first engaging portion.

Also, in the optical coupling member 40 according to the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 17D and 19, the ring member 15 has a plurality (four in this embodiment) of protrusions on the inner peripheral surface thereof. It differs from the optical coupling member 10 according to the first embodiment in that 15a is provided. These protrusions 15 a are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral surface of the ring member 15. Further, these protrusions 15 a are provided so as to extend in the extending direction of the optical coupling member 10. Each protrusion 15a, in a state where the ring member 15 is attached to a predetermined position of the fiber holding portion 142 is provided to protrude only recess 142k ₂ engageable with the dimensions of the engagement recess 142k. In addition, this protrusion part 15a comprises a 2nd engaging part. In the optical coupling member 40 according to the fourth embodiment, a case where a concave portion (engaging concave portion 142k) is provided as the first engaging portion and a protruding portion (protruding portion 15a) is provided as the second engaging portion is shown. However, the first engaging portion may be provided with a protrusion, and the second engaging portion may be provided with a recess.

  In the assembly process of the optical coupling member 40 according to the fourth embodiment, the process of inserting the holder 11 from the holder insertion hole 141a side of the holder holding part 141 (holder insertion process) and the fiber insertion hole 142e of the fiber holding part 142 The step of inserting from the side (fiber insertion step) is the same as the assembly step of the optical coupling member 10 according to the first embodiment. In the fiber insertion step, as shown in FIG. 19A, the protrusion 15a of the ring member 15 is not engaged with the engagement recess 142k of the fiber holding portion 142.

After performing the fiber insertion step, in the optical coupling member 40 according to the fourth embodiment, the ring fixing is performed by rotating the ring member 15 along the outer peripheral wall surface of the fiber holding portion 142 and fixing it to the fiber holding portion 142. A process is performed. In this ring fixing step, as shown in FIG. 19B, the protrusion 15a provided on the inner peripheral surface of the ring member 15 rides over the protrusion 142k ₁ of the engaging recess 142k provided in the fiber holding portion 142 It is rotated to a position engaging the recess 14k _2. Rides over the protrusion 142k _1, the protrusion 15a is engaged with the recess 14k _2, the ring member 15 is fixed to the fiber holding portion 142.

  In the process of the ring fixing step, the fiber holding portion 142 is fastened to the inner peripheral wall surface of the ring member 15. At this time, the inner diameter of the fiber holding hole 143 b provided inside the fiber holding portion 142 is reduced in the radial direction of the optical fiber 13. Thereby, the outer peripheral surface of the optical fiber 13 is held by the inner peripheral wall of the fiber holding hole 143b. Through the above steps, the optical coupling member 40 shown in FIG. 16A can be assembled.

  As described above, in the optical coupling member 40 according to the fourth embodiment, the optical fiber 13 inserted into the optical coupling member 40 is similar to the optical coupling member 10 according to the first embodiment. Since it is fixed by the ring member 15 which is a fixing member while being positioned at a position having a certain positional relationship with the ball lens 12 by the holder 11, it is held by the holder 11 without requiring complicated work. The positional relationship between the ball lens 12 and the optical fiber 13 can be maintained with high accuracy.

  Further, in the optical coupling member 40 according to the fourth embodiment, the protrusion that engages with the engagement recess 142 k provided on the outer peripheral wall surface of the fiber holding portion 142 of the support member 14 on the inner peripheral wall surface of the ring member 15. A portion 15a is provided, and the ring member 15 is disposed at a predetermined mounting position in a state where the protrusion 15a is engaged with the engagement recess 142k. Thereby, since the ring member 15 is disposed at the predetermined attachment position in a state where the protrusion 15a is engaged with the engagement recess 142k, the situation in which the ring member 15 moves from the predetermined attachment position can be suppressed, and the optical fiber can be suppressed. Thus, the 13 fixed state can be effectively maintained.

  In particular, in the optical coupling member 40 according to the fourth embodiment, the ring member 15 is rotationally moved along the outer peripheral wall surface of the fiber holding portion 142 of the support member 14 to engage the protrusion 15a with the engagement recess 142k. It is combined. As a result, the optical fiber 13 can be fixed by the rotational movement of the ring member 15 in a partial region of the support member 14 (more specifically, a partial region of the support member 14 in a side view). Therefore, it is possible to save space such as an installation space for the optical coupling member 40.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, It can change and implement variously. In the above-described embodiment, the size, shape, and the like illustrated in the accompanying drawings are not limited to this, and can be appropriately changed within a range in which the effect of the present invention is exhibited. In addition, various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the object of the present invention.

  For example, in the first to fourth embodiments, the case where the single holder 11 and the optical fiber 13 are held has been described. However, the number of holders 11 and optical fibers 13 held by the optical coupling member is not limited to this, and a plurality of holders 11 and optical fibers 13 may be used. Hereinafter, a configuration example in the case where the optical coupling members according to the first to fourth embodiments are applied to an aspect in which a plurality of holders 11 and optical fibers 13 are held will be described. In the following description, the case where the optical coupling member according to the first embodiment is applied to an aspect of holding a plurality of holders 11 and optical fibers 13 will be described as a representative, and the second to fourth embodiments will be described. The description of the optical coupling member according to the embodiment will be omitted.

  FIG. 20 is a perspective view of an optical coupling member 50 according to a modification of the above embodiment. FIG. 21 is a plan view (A), a side view (B), and a rear view (C) of the optical coupling member according to the modified example. 22 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA shown in FIG. 21C. 20-22, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the structure which is common in the optical coupling member 10 which concerns on 1st Embodiment shown in FIGS. 2-10, and the description is abbreviate | omitted. 20 to 22 show the optical fiber 13 held by the optical coupling member 50 for convenience of explanation.

  The optical coupling member 50 according to the modification corresponds to an aspect in which four optical coupling members 10 according to the first embodiment are connected. The optical coupling member 50 is different from the optical coupling member 10 according to the first embodiment in that the optical coupling member 50 includes a holder holding portion 144 that holds the four holders 11 in parallel. About another structure, it is the same as that of the optical coupling member 10 which concerns on 1st Embodiment.

  In the assembly process of the optical coupling member 50 according to the modification, the optical coupling according to the first embodiment is only performed in that the holder 11 and the optical fiber 13 are inserted in the holder insertion process and the fiber insertion process, respectively. This is different from the assembly process of the member 10. Further, in the ring fixing step of fixing the ring member 15 to the fiber holding portion 142, the optical coupling member according to the first embodiment only in that the plurality of ring members 15 are fixed to the plurality of fiber holding portions 142. 10 is different from the assembly process.

  In the process of the ring fixing step, the fiber holding part 142 is fastened to the inner peripheral wall surface of the ring member 15. At this time, the inner diameter of the fiber holding hole 143 b provided inside the fiber holding portion 142 is reduced in the radial direction of the optical fiber 13. Thereby, the outer peripheral surface of the optical fiber 13 is held by the inner peripheral wall of the fiber holding hole 143b. In this case, since the inner diameter of the fiber holding hole 143b is uniformly reduced as the cap member 151 moves forward, the optical fiber 13 can be held by the entire inner peripheral wall of the fiber holding hole 143b, and the optical fiber 13 can be held at a desired position. The fiber 13 can be easily and firmly fixed.

  In particular, in the optical coupling member 50 according to the modified example, the plurality of holders 11 and the optical fibers 13 held by the holders 144 and the optical fibers 13 held by the common holder holding part 144 are positioned. Position accuracy can be improved.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the plastic optical fiber was demonstrated as an example of the optical fiber 13, the optical fiber 13 applied in the optical coupling member 10 which concerns on the said embodiment is limited to a plastic optical fiber. Is not to be done. For example, glass fiber can be applied.

10, 20, 30, 40, 50 Optical coupling member 11 Holder 11a Insertion hole 11b Opening part 11c Housing part 11d Through hole 11e Recessed part 12 Ball lens 13 Optical fiber 13a Core 13b Clad 13c Reinforcement layer 14 Support member 141, 144 Holder holding Portion 141a holder insertion hole 142 fiber holding portion 142a small diameter portion 142b large diameter portion 142c stopper portion 142d slit 142e fiber insertion hole 142f cylindrical shape portion 142g engagement piece 142h engagement portion 142i male screw portion 142j recess 142k engagement recess 142k ₁ projection portion 142k ₂ recesses 143 through holes 143a holder holding hole 143b fiber holding hole 143c stepped portion 15 the ring member 15a projections 151 cap member 151a through hole 151b small-diameter portion 151c large diameter portion 15 d annular protrusion 151e annular protrusion 151f internally threaded portion 100 the device 101 receiving / emitting element 102 case 103 a condenser lens 104 obliquely polished surface 105 opening

Claims (11)

An accommodation portion for accommodating a lens is formed at one end, an insertion hole for inserting an optical fiber is formed at the other end, and the lens accommodated in the accommodation portion and the optical fiber inserted from the insertion hole are fixed. A holding member that is positioned at a position having the positional relationship, a first insertion hole into which the holding member is inserted is formed at one end, and a second insertion hole into which the optical fiber is inserted at the other end, A support member in which a through hole penetrating between the first insertion hole and the second insertion hole is formed, and the support member is attached to a predetermined attachment position on the other end side of the support member. A fixing member for fixing the optical fiber via an inner wall surface;
The support member is disposed along the insertion direction of the optical fiber from the other end, and is provided with a slit that is continuous with the through hole, and the fixing member is attached to the predetermined attachment position, thereby the other end. An optical coupling member, wherein a part of the side is deformed.   The said fixing member reduces the inner wall surface of the said supporting member which prescribes | regulates the said through-hole to the radial direction of the said optical fiber in the state attached to the said predetermined attachment position. Optical coupling member.   The said fixing member is comprised by the cylindrical member, The dimension of the inner peripheral wall surface of the said cylindrical member is comprised smaller diameter than the outer peripheral wall surface of the said predetermined | prescribed attachment position. Optical coupling member.   The support member is disposed closer to the first insertion hole than the predetermined mounting position, and has a small-diameter portion provided with a smaller diameter than an inner peripheral wall surface of the cylindrical member. The optical coupling member according to claim 3, wherein the optical fiber is fixed by moving from a small diameter portion to the predetermined attachment position.   The support member is disposed closer to the second insertion hole than the predetermined mounting position, and has a contact portion that contacts an end surface of the cylindrical member on the second insertion hole side, and the cylindrical member 5. The optical coupling member according to claim 4, wherein the optical coupling member is disposed at the predetermined attachment position in a state of being in contact with the contact portion. A second engagement portion that engages with a first engagement portion provided on the outer peripheral wall surface of the support member is provided on the inner peripheral wall surface of the cylindrical member,
The said cylindrical member is arrange | positioned in the said predetermined attachment position in the state in which the said 2nd engaging part engaged with the said 1st engaging part of the said supporting member. Optical coupling member.   The cylindrical member moves along the insertion direction of the optical fiber, whereby the second engagement portion engages with the first engagement portion of the support member. The optical coupling member as described.   The cylindrical member is rotated along an outer peripheral wall surface of the support member, whereby the second engagement portion is engaged with the first engagement portion of the support member. 7. The optical coupling member according to 6. On the inner peripheral wall surface of the cylindrical member, a second screw portion that is screwed with a first screw portion provided on the outer peripheral wall surface of the support member is provided,
The said cylindrical member is arrange | positioned in the said predetermined attachment position in the state in which the said 2nd screw part was screwed to the predetermined position of the said 1st screw part of the said supporting member. Optical coupling member. A plurality of holding members each having an accommodation hole for accommodating a lens at one end and an insertion hole for inserting an optical fiber at the other end, and a plurality of first insertion holes for inserting the holding member at one end The same number of second insertion holes as the first insertion holes are formed, and the plurality of first insertion holes and the plurality of second insertion holes are formed. A support member formed with a plurality of through-holes penetrating there between, and a predetermined attachment position on the other end side of the support member, and fixing the optical fiber via an inner wall surface of the support member A plurality of fixing members,
The support member is provided along the insertion direction of the optical fiber from the other end, and is provided with a plurality of slits continuing to the plurality of through holes, and the fixing member is attached to the predetermined attachment position. The optical coupling member, wherein a part of the other end is deformed.   The optical coupling member according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the optical fiber is a plastic optical fiber.

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