JP2015210432A - Ferrule and manufacturing method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a ferrule with outer faces that are easy to clean.SOLUTION: A ferrule 1 comprises a frame member 2 and a support member 3. The frame member 2 forms an internal space for the support member 3 to be inserted. Of all faces that define the internal space, a first face 8 that crosses an optical axis has a lens array 14A comprising a plurality of lenses 14 formed integrally with the frame member 2. This allows a front end face 17, one of outer faces of the ferrule 1, to be made flat, which makes it easy to clean the front end face 17. The ferrule 1 is constituted of two different members, the frame member 2 and the support member 3, so as to make it easy to form the lenses 14 on the inner face of the ferrule 1.

Description

  The present invention relates to a ferrule and a method for manufacturing the ferrule.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for optically connecting optical fibers by abutting fiber terminals fixed to a ferrule with a lens.

JP 2008-151843 A

  In a conventional ferrule with a lens, a lens is formed on the outer surface of the ferrule. For this reason, when cleaning the outer surface of the ferrule that is easily contaminated, there has been a problem that the surface dirt cannot be wiped off and the dirt remains.

  This invention is made | formed in view of such a problem, and it aims at providing the ferrule which is easy to clean an outer surface.

  A ferrule according to the present invention includes an opening into which a plurality of optical fibers providing a plurality of optical axes parallel to each other are inserted, a fixed portion to which the optical fibers are fixed, a flat tip surface intersecting the optical axis, and a tip A first surface that faces the surface and intersects the optical axis; and a lens that is integrally formed with the first surface, and the tips of the optical fibers face each other at a distance from the first surface. It is characterized by being.

  According to the present invention, a ferrule that can easily clean the outer surface is provided.

FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B are perspective views of a ferrule 1 according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the frame member 2. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the support member 3. FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating a process of inserting the optical fiber array 6 </ b> A into the insertion hole row 5 </ b> A included in the support member 3. FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating a process of inserting the support member 3 into the frame member 2. FIG. 4C is a diagram illustrating a state after the support member 3 is inserted into the frame member 2. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the support member 3 including the optical fiber 6. 6A and 6B are cutaway perspective views of the ferrule 1. FIG. FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional view of the ferrule 1. FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view of the ferrule 1. FIG. 7B is a top view of the ferrule 1. FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view of the ferrule 26 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8B is a top view of the ferrule 26. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a process of positioning the optical fiber 6 in the optical fiber insertion direction in the third embodiment.

[Description of Embodiment of Present Invention]
First, the contents of the embodiments of the present invention will be listed and described. A ferrule according to the present invention includes an opening into which a plurality of optical fibers providing a plurality of optical axes parallel to each other are inserted, a fixed portion to which the optical fibers are fixed, a flat tip surface intersecting the optical axis, and a tip A first surface that faces the surface and intersects the optical axis; and a lens that is integrally formed with the first surface, and the tips of the optical fibers face each other at a distance from the first surface. It is characterized by being. According to such a configuration, the lens is formed on the inner surface of the ferrule. Therefore, the tip surface which is the outer surface of the ferrule can be flattened, and the outer surface of the ferrule can be easily cleaned.

  The fixing portion includes a support member having an insertion hole into which the optical fiber is inserted. The opening portion, the distal end surface, the first surface, and the lens are formed on the frame member. An inner space to be inserted is formed, and the tip of the optical fiber is exposed on the surface of the support member facing the first surface at a distance from each other, and the lens and the tip of the optical fiber are optically coupled. You may make it. The inventor has found that it is easy to form a lens on the inner surface of the ferrule by configuring the ferrule from a frame member and a support member which are two different members.

  The frame member has a step on a second surface along the optical axis among the surfaces defining the internal space, and the support member is positioned relative to the frame member in the direction in which the support member is inserted into the frame member. May be made by contacting the step. According to such a configuration, the length between the lens and the surface can be easily determined according to the numerical aperture of the optical fiber held by the support member.

  In addition, the frame member has a latch on a third surface facing the second surface among the surfaces defining the internal space, and the support member is fixed to the frame member in the direction in which the support member is inserted into the frame member. It is also possible to use a latch. According to such a configuration, after the support member is inserted into the frame member, the position of the support member in the insertion direction can be easily fixed.

  Further, the frame member has a first convex portion or a first concave portion that is long along the optical axis on each of a pair of surfaces that are along the optical axis among the surfaces that define the internal space, The support member may include a second concave portion guided by the first convex portion or a second convex portion guided by the first concave portion. According to such a configuration, the support member is easily positioned with respect to the frame member in a direction along the pair of surfaces and intersecting the optical axis.

  The frame member has a third recess on each of the pair of surfaces facing each other along the optical axis among the surfaces defining the internal space, and the support member is formed on the pair of surfaces. Each of the opposing surfaces may have a fourth recess, and the third recess and the fourth recess may form a long guide pin insertion hole on the optical axis. According to such a configuration, the guide pin functions to position the support member with respect to the frame member.

  The diameter of the opening portion of the insertion hole may be smaller than the diameter in the cross section perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical fiber and larger than the diameter of the core of the optical fiber in the cross section. According to such a configuration, when the optical fiber is inserted into the insertion hole, the optical fiber can be positioned at the distal end portion of the insertion hole. Further, since the portion where the insertion hole opens is larger than the diameter of the core of the optical fiber, the light emitted from the core is not hindered by the portion where the insertion hole opens.

  The method of manufacturing a ferrule according to the present invention is the method of manufacturing a ferrule according to any one of the above-described methods, wherein when inserting the optical fiber into the insertion hole, a plate is installed so as to contact the surface of the support member, and the optical fiber is abutted against the plate. Thus, the optical fiber is positioned with respect to the support member.

[Details of the embodiment of the present invention]
Embodiments of a ferrule and a ferrule manufacturing method according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B are perspective views of a ferrule 1 according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the frame member 2. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the support member 3. The ferrule 1 includes a frame member 2 and a support member 3. The support member 3 includes a surface 4 that is one of the surfaces that define the outer shape of the support member 3, and an insertion hole row 5 </ b> A including a plurality of insertion holes 5. The surface 4 has a rectangular shape. The insertion hole 5 has an opening on the surface 4 and extends in a direction intersecting the surface 4. The plurality of insertion holes 5 are arranged in a direction intersecting the optical axis, and the insertion hole row 5A is formed in one or more stages. For example, FIG. 3 shows a two-stage insertion hole row 5A. An optical fiber 6 is inserted into the insertion hole 5. The optical fiber 6 is fixed by the support member 3. The bundle of optical fibers 6 constitutes an optical fiber array 6A. The plurality of optical fibers 6 provide a plurality of optical axes parallel to each other. The tip of the optical fiber 6 is exposed at the surface 4.

  The frame member 2 forms an internal space 7 into which the support member 3 is inserted. The internal space 7 is defined by the first surface 8, the second surface 9, the third surface 10, the fourth surface 11, the fifth surface 12, and the opening 13. The first surface 8 intersects the optical axis. The second surface 9, the third surface 10, the fourth surface 11, and the fifth surface 12 are along the optical axis. The opening 13 is a portion into which the plurality of optical fibers 6 are inserted, and the support member 3 is inserted therein. The second surface 9 and the third surface 10 face each other, and the fourth surface 11 and the fifth surface 12 face each other. The first surface 8 faces the surface 4 of the support member 3 with a space therebetween. The tips of the optical fibers 6 exposed on the surface 4 are opposed to each other at a distance from the first surface 8. On the first surface 8, a lens array 14 </ b> A composed of a plurality of lenses 14 is integrally formed with the frame member 2. The lenses 14 are arranged in a straight line so that the central axes of the corresponding optical fibers 6 are the same, and both are optically coupled. The number of lens arrays 14A is formed to be the same as that of the insertion hole row 5A. For example, in FIG. 1B and FIG. 2, a two-stage lens array 14A is shown. The third surface 10 has a portion 15 opened in a rectangular shape, and the support member 3 can be seen through the portion 15 opened from the outside of the frame member 2. Moreover, the frame member 2 has the guide hole 16 used in order to connect with another ferrule. The guide hole 16 is provided in the distal end surface 17. The front end surface 17 is a flat front end surface that intersects the optical axis in the outer surface that defines the outer shape of the frame member 2. The first surface 8 faces the tip surface 17. The light emitted from the optical fiber 6 is collimated by the lens 14 and emitted from the distal end surface 17. The guide hole 16 extends in a direction perpendicular to the tip surface 17. Further, the guide hole 16 has a circular cross section that intersects the longitudinal direction.

  FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating a process of inserting the optical fiber array 6 </ b> A into the insertion hole row 5 </ b> A included in the support member 3. FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating a process of inserting the support member 3 into the frame member 2. FIG. 4C is a diagram illustrating a state after the support member 3 is inserted into the frame member 2. 4A, the diagram on the right side of the arrow shows the optical fiber array 6A, and the diagram on the left side of the arrow shows the state in which the optical fiber array 6A is inserted into the insertion hole row 5A of the support member 3. Is shown. 4B, the diagram on the right side of the arrow shows a state in which the optical fiber array 6A is inserted into the insertion hole row 5A of the support member 3, and the diagram on the left side of the arrow shows the frame member 2. Yes. In the process of manufacturing the ferrule 1, as shown in FIGS. 4 (a) to 4 (c), a process of inserting the optical fiber array 6A into the support member 3, and then a support member 3 is inserted into the frame member 2. Process.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the support member 3 including the optical fiber 6. As shown in FIG. 5, the opening of the insertion hole 5 is formed with a protrusion 18 that protrudes in a direction to close the hole. The protrusion 18 functions to position the optical fiber 6 with respect to the support member 3. Therefore, the distance between the protrusions 18, that is, the diameter of the opening 19 that is the portion where the insertion hole 5 opens is smaller than the diameter in the cross section perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical fiber 6. However, the diameter of the opening 19 is larger than the diameter of the core 20 of the optical fiber 6 in the cross section. Specifically, when the diameter of the optical fiber 6 is 125 μm and the diameter of the core 20 is 50 μm, the diameter of the opening 19 may be larger than 50 μm and smaller than 125 μm.

  6A and 6B are cutaway perspective views of the ferrule 1. FIG. FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional view of the ferrule 1. As shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C, the frame member 2 has a step 21 on the second surface 9 and a latch 22 on the third surface 10. Positioning of the support member 3 with respect to the frame member 2 in the direction in which the support member 3 is inserted into the frame member 2 is performed by the support member 3 coming into contact with the step 21. The latch 22 protrudes in a direction intersecting with the third surface 10, and bends in a direction opposite to the direction in which the latch 22 protrudes when the support member 3 is inserted into the frame member 2. Then, after the support member 3 is inserted, the latch 22 descends in the protruding direction, and the support member 3 is fixed to the frame member 2. That is, the support member 3 is fixed to the frame member 2 in the direction in which the support member 3 is inserted into the frame member 2 by the latch 22.

  FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view of the ferrule 1. FIG. 7B is a top view of the ferrule 1. As shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, the frame member 2 has a first surface long on the optical axis on the fourth surface 11 and the fifth surface 12, which are a pair of surfaces facing each other. Convex part 23 is provided. The support member 3 has a second recess 25 that is long on the optical axis on the side surface 24 that faces the fourth surface 11 and the fifth surface 12, respectively. The 4th surface 11 and the 5th surface 12 have opposed the side surface 24 which the support member 3 has, respectively. The first convex portion 23 guides the second concave portion 25. Instead of the first convex portion 23, the frame member 2 may have first concave portions that are long on the optical axis on the fourth surface 11 and the fifth surface 12. Further, the support member 3 may have a second convex portion on the side surface 24. In this case, the first concave portion guides the second convex portion.

  The effects of the ferrule 1 having the above configuration will be described below.

  According to such a configuration, since the lens 14 is integrally formed on the first surface 8 that is the inner surface of the ferrule 1, the tip surface 17 that is the outer surface of the ferrule can be flattened. Thereby, cleaning of the front end surface 17 is easy. And it is easy to form the lens 14 in the inner surface of a ferrule by comprising the ferrule 1 from the frame member 2 and the supporting member 3 which are two different members.

  In the ferrule 1, the frame member 2 has a step 21 on the second surface 9. Positioning of the support member 3 with respect to the frame member 2 in the direction in which the support member 3 is inserted into the frame member 2 is facilitated by the support member 3 coming into contact with the step 21. At this time, the position of the step 21 is preferably formed according to the numerical aperture of the optical fiber 6 supported by the support member 3. The support member 3 is easily fixed to the frame member 2 in the direction in which the support member 3 is inserted into the frame member 2 by the latch 22.

  Further, the first convex portion 23 guides the second concave portion 25. Thereby, the support member 3 is easily positioned with respect to the frame member 2 in a direction that intersects with the optical axis and extends along the side surface 24.

  A projection 18 is formed at the opening of the insertion hole 5. The diameter of the opening 19 is smaller than the diameter of the cross section perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical fiber 6. Thereby, when the optical fiber 6 is inserted into the insertion hole 5, the optical fiber 6 comes into contact with the protrusion 18. As a result, the optical fiber 6 is easily positioned with respect to the support member 3. Moreover, since the opening 19 of the insertion hole 5 is larger than the cross-sectional area perpendicular to the optical axis of the core 20 of the optical fiber 6, the light emitted from the core 20 is not blocked by the opening 19.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view of the ferrule 26 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8B is a top view of the ferrule 26. The configuration of the ferrule 26 according to the present embodiment is such that the frame member 2 of the ferrule 1 according to the first embodiment is replaced with a frame member 34 and the support member 3 is replaced with a support member 35. The configuration of the frame member 34 is the same as that of the frame member 2 except that the third concave portion 28 is provided. The configuration of the support member 35 is the same as that of the support member 3 except that the fourth recess 31 is provided. As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the frame member 34 has a third recess 28 in each of a pair of surfaces 27 facing each other along the optical axis among the surfaces defining the internal space 29. have. The support member 35 has a fourth recess 31 on the side surface 30 facing the third recess 28. And the 3rd recessed part 28 and the 4th recessed part 31 comprise the guide pin insertion hole 32 long to an optical axis. According to the present embodiment, the guide pin 33 functions to position the support member 3 with respect to the frame member 2.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a process of positioning the optical fiber 6 in the optical fiber insertion direction in the third embodiment. The configuration of the ferrule according to the third embodiment is obtained by replacing the support member 3 according to the first embodiment with a support member 36, and other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the support member 36 has an insertion hole 37. The cross section perpendicular to the optical axis of the insertion hole 37 is a circle having the same diameter in any part. In the present embodiment, when the optical fiber 6 is inserted into the support member 3, the plate 39 is installed so as to come into contact with the surface of the support member 36, and the optical fiber 6 is abutted against the plate 39. Is easily positioned with respect to the support member 3.

  The ferrule according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various other modifications are possible.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Ferrule, 2 ... Frame member, 3 ... Support member, 5 ... Insertion hole, 5A ... Insertion hole row | line | column, 6 ... Optical fiber, 6A ... Optical fiber array, 7 ... Internal space, 8 ... 1st surface, 14 ... Lens, 14A ... lens array, 18 ... projection, 21 ... step, 22 ... latch, 23 ... first convex portion, 25 ... second concave portion.

Claims (8)

An opening into which a plurality of optical fibers providing a plurality of optical axes parallel to each other are inserted;
A fixing portion to which the optical fiber is fixed;
A flat tip surface intersecting the optical axis;
A first surface facing the tip surface and intersecting the optical axis;
A lens integrally formed on the first surface,
A ferrule in which tips of the optical fibers are opposed to each other with a gap from the first surface. The fixing portion includes a support member having an insertion hole into which the optical fiber is inserted,
The opening, the tip surface, the first surface, and the lens are formed in a frame member,
The frame member forms an internal space into which the support member is inserted,
The tip of the optical fiber is exposed on the surface of the support member that faces the first surface with a space therebetween, and the lens and the tip of the optical fiber are optically coupled. The ferrule according to 1. The frame member has a step on a second surface along the optical axis among the surfaces defining the internal space,
The ferrule according to claim 2, wherein positioning of the support member with respect to the frame member in a direction in which the support member is inserted into the frame member is performed when the support member abuts on the step. The frame member has a latch on a third surface facing the second surface among the surfaces defining the internal space,
The ferrule according to claim 3, wherein the support member is fixed to the frame member in a direction in which the support member is inserted into the frame member by the latch. The frame member extends along the optical axis among the surfaces defining the internal space, and each of a pair of surfaces facing each other has a first convex portion or a first concave portion that is long on the optical axis. And
5. The support member according to claim 2, wherein the support member has a second concave portion guided by the first convex portion or a second convex portion guided by the first concave portion. 6. Ferrule. The frame member has a third recess on each of a pair of surfaces facing each other along the optical axis among the surfaces defining the internal space,
The support member has fourth recesses on the surfaces facing the pair of surfaces,
The ferrule according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the third recess and the fourth recess constitute a guide pin insertion hole that is long in the optical axis.   7. The diameter of the opening portion of the insertion hole is smaller than a diameter in a cross section perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical fiber and larger than a diameter of the core of the optical fiber in the cross section. The ferrule described in the paragraph.   It is a manufacturing method of the ferrule as described in any one of Claims 2-6, Comprising: When inserting the said optical fiber in the said insertion hole, a board is installed so that it may contact | abut on the said surface of the said supporting member, The ferrule manufacturing method, wherein the optical fiber is positioned with respect to the support member by abutting the optical fiber against the plate.

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