JP2020112656A - Optical wiring component, manufacturing method for optical wiring component, and electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an optical wiring component and a manufacturing method therefor with which the degree of design freedom is high and manufacturing is easy, and an electronic apparatus equipped with the optical wiring component.SOLUTION: The optical wiring component comprises: a first optical fiber 1 having a first light entering/exiting surface; a second optical fiber 2 having a second light entering/exiting surface; an optical waveguide 3 having a third light entering/exiting surface facing the first light entering/existing surface and a fourth light entering/exiting surface facing the second light entering/exiting surface, both being provided between the first and the second light entering/existing surfaces, and a core part 34 optically connecting between the third and the fourth light entering/exiting surfaces and branching off in the middle; a first support member 4 provided spanning between the first and the second optical fibers; a first adhesive part provided between the first and the third light entering/exiting surfaces and between the second and the fourth light entering/exiting surfaces, respectively; and a second adhesive part provided between the first and second optical fibers and optical waveguide and the first support member, respectively.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to an optical wiring component, a method for manufacturing an optical wiring component, and an electronic device.

In optical communication, an optical waveguide having a branch structure may be used to distribute an optical signal to a plurality of parts.

For example, in Patent Document 1, an optical waveguide substrate having a branching structure for branching one core into three, one optical fiber arranged on one surface of the optical waveguide substrate, and one optical fiber on the other surface An optical module including three optical fibers arranged is disclosed. Such an optical module is used, for example, as a line branch component in an optical line.

JP, 2004-29216, A

However, in the optical module described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to enlarge the optical waveguide according to the diameter of the optical fiber. That is, the other surface of the optical waveguide substrate needs to be opposed to the light input/output surfaces of the three optical fibers. For this reason, the other surface of the optical waveguide substrate needs to be a surface having a size capable of overlapping all the light input/output surfaces in the state where the three optical fibers are arranged. As a result, the size of the optical waveguide substrate may be much larger than that required for the branched structure. As a result, the degree of freedom in designing the optical module is limited, and the larger size increases the difficulty in manufacturing.

An object of the present invention is to provide an optical wiring component having a high degree of design freedom and a low manufacturing difficulty, a method of manufacturing the same, and an electronic device including the optical wiring component.

Such an object is achieved by the present invention of the following (1) to (12).
(1) A first optical fiber having a first light entrance/exit surface provided at one end and a first core portion,
A second optical fiber having a second light entrance/exit surface provided at one end and a second core portion;
A third light entrance/exit surface provided between the first light entrance/exit surface and the second light entrance/exit surface and facing the first light entrance/exit surface, and a second light entrance/exit surface facing the second light entrance/exit surface. An optical waveguide having a four-light entrance/exit surface and a third core portion extending between the third light entrance/exit surface and the fourth light entrance/exit surface and branched in the middle;
A first supporting member provided across the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber;
First adhesive portions provided between the first light entrance/exit surface and the third light entrance/exit surface, and between the second light entrance/exit surface and the fourth light entrance/exit surface, respectively. When,
A first optical fiber and the first supporting member, a second optical fiber and the first supporting member, and an optical waveguide and the first supporting member. 2 adhesive parts,
An optical wiring component comprising:

(2) The optical wiring component according to (1), wherein the first adhesive portion includes a cured product of a photocurable adhesive.

(3) The optical wiring component according to (1) or (2), wherein the second adhesive portion contains a cured product of a photocurable adhesive.

(4) The optical wiring component according to any one of (1) to (3), further including a second support member provided so as to extend between the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber.

(5) Provided between the first optical fiber and the second support member, between the second optical fiber and the second support member, and between the optical waveguide and the second support member, respectively. The optical wiring component according to (4), further including a third adhesive portion that is provided.

(6) The optical wiring component according to (5), wherein the elastic modulus of the third adhesive portion is smaller than the elastic modulus of the second adhesive portion.

(7) The second support member accommodates the first optical fiber, the second optical fiber, the optical waveguide, the first support member, the first adhesive portion, and the second adhesive portion. The optical wiring component according to any one of the above (4) to (6), which is a casing.

(8) The refractive index of the first adhesive portion is a value between the refractive index of the first core portion and the refractive index of the third core portion, and is the same as the refractive index of the second core portion. The optical wiring component according to any one of (1) to (7), which is a value between the refractive index of the third core portion and the refractive index of the third core portion.

(9) The optical wiring component according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein the first support member has a light-transmitting property.

(10) A first optical adapter attached to the other end of the first optical fiber,
A second optical adapter attached to the other end of the second optical fiber;
The optical wiring component according to any one of the above (1) to (9), further comprising:

(11) A first optical fiber having a first light entrance/exit surface at one end, a second optical fiber having a second light entrance/exit surface at one end, and the first light entrance/exit surface and the second light entrance/exit surface. An optical waveguide having a third light input/output surface facing the first light input/output surface and a fourth light input/output surface facing the second light input/output surface. A step of supporting with a jig in a state where the positions are aligned with each other,
A step of bonding the first light entrance/exit surface and the third light entrance/exit surface, and the second light entrance/exit surface to the fourth light entrance/exit surface with a first bonding portion. When,
A first supporting member is arranged so as to straddle between the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber, and the first optical fiber and the first supporting member are arranged between the first optical fiber and the first supporting member. And a step of adhering the space between the optical waveguide and the first supporting member with a second bonding portion, respectively.
A step of removing the jig,
And a method for manufacturing an optical wiring component.

(12) An electronic device comprising the optical wiring component according to any one of (1) to (10) above.

According to the present invention, an optical wiring component having a high degree of freedom in design and easy to manufacture can be obtained.
Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently manufacture an optical wiring component that has a high degree of freedom in design and is easy to manufacture.
Furthermore, according to the present invention, an electronic device including the optical wiring component can be obtained.

It is a perspective view showing an optical wiring part concerning a 1st embodiment. It is sectional drawing when it cut|disconnects by the surface parallel to XY plane of the optical wiring component shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing when it cut|disconnects along the optical path of the optical wiring component shown in FIG. 2 by the surface parallel to Z-axis. It is an A section enlarged view of FIG. 4A to 4C are process diagrams for explaining a method of manufacturing the optical wiring component shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the manufacturing method shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the manufacturing method shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the manufacturing method shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the manufacturing method shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the manufacturing method shown in FIG. 5. It is sectional drawing which shows the optical wiring component which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a B section enlarged view of FIG.

Hereinafter, an optical wiring component, a method for manufacturing an optical wiring component, and an electronic device of the present invention will be described in detail based on preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

<First Embodiment>
<<Optical wiring parts>>
First, the optical wiring component according to the first embodiment will be described.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an optical wiring component according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the optical wiring component shown in FIG. 1 taken along a plane parallel to the XY plane. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the optical wiring component shown in FIG. 2 taken along a plane parallel to the Z axis along the optical path. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of part A of FIG. Note that the illustration of the housing is omitted in FIG. Further, in each drawing, an X axis, a Y axis, and a Z axis are set as three axes orthogonal to each other. Further, in the following description, for convenience of description, the positive side of the Z-axis direction is “upper” and the negative side is “lower”.

The optical wiring component 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes one first optical fiber 1, four second optical fibers 2, and an optical waveguide that optically connects both the first optical fiber 1 and the second optical fiber 2. 3, a first supporting member 4, a housing 5 as a second supporting member, a first optical adapter 6 into which the first optical fiber 1 is inserted, and a second optical adapter into which the second optical fiber 2 is inserted. 7 is provided.

The optical waveguide 3 is formed with a core portion 34 (third core portion) extending in the Y-axis direction, and the core portion 34 is branched into four in the middle. Therefore, for example, the light emitted from the first optical fiber 1 toward the optical waveguide 3 is branched into four at the branching portion and distributed to the four second optical fibers 2. Therefore, the optical wiring component 100 in this case functions as an optical distributor. On the other hand, the lights respectively emitted from the second optical fiber 2 toward the optical waveguide 3 are mixed into one at the branching portion and are integrated into one first optical fiber 1. Therefore, the optical wiring component 100 in this case functions as a light mixer.

Hereinafter, each part of the optical wiring component 100 will be described in detail.
(First optical fiber)
The first optical fiber 1 includes an optical fiber main body 11 extending in the Y-axis direction, and a ferrule 12 attached to the end of the optical fiber main body 11 on the Y-axis direction positive side.
Among these, examples of the optical fiber main body 11 include a glass optical fiber and a plastic optical fiber.

Further, the waveguide mode of the optical fiber main body 11 may be a single mode or a multi mode, but is preferably a multi mode. In the multi-mode, the tolerance for the axis deviation at the time of alignment becomes larger than in the single-mode. Therefore, the multimode optical fiber main body 11 can facilitate the connection work when optically connecting to the optical waveguide 3, and is useful from the viewpoint of improving the ease of assembling the optical wiring component 100.

The optical fiber main body 11 shown in FIG. 3 has a circular cross-sectional shape, and has a core portion 111 (first core portion) located at the center thereof and a clad portion 112 that covers the side surface thereof.

Further, the end surface of the optical fiber body 11 on the negative side in the Y-axis direction is referred to as a first light incident/emission surface 113. The first light entrance/exit surface 113 and the optical waveguide 3 are optically connected to each other via a first bonding portion 81 described later.

The ferrule 12 has an insertion hole (not shown), and the end of the optical fiber body 11 is attached to the insertion hole to hold the optical fiber body 11.

Examples of the ferrule 12 include a ceramic ferrule, a glass ferrule, and a plastic ferrule. Further, a metal fitting may be attached to these ferrule main bodies as needed.

It should be noted that the ferrule 12 may be used in a state of being inserted into a housing (not shown) if necessary. This housing has a shape according to various standards. Examples of this standard include SC, FC, MU, D, DJ, ST, LC, SCF, SCH, MT, MPO, MT-RJ.

(Second optical fiber)
The second optical fiber 2 includes an optical fiber main body 21 extending in the Y-axis direction and a ferrule 22 attached to the end of the optical fiber main body 21 on the negative side in the Y-axis direction.
Of these, examples of the optical fiber body 21 include a glass optical fiber and a plastic optical fiber.

Further, the waveguide mode of the optical fiber body 21 may be a single mode or a multi mode, but is preferably a multi mode. In the multi-mode, the tolerance for the axis deviation at the time of alignment becomes larger than in the single-mode. Therefore, the multimode optical fiber main body 21 can facilitate the connection work when optically connecting to the optical waveguide 3, and is useful from the viewpoint of enhancing the ease of assembling the optical wiring component 100.

The optical fiber main body 21 shown in FIG. 3 has a circular cross-sectional shape, and has a core portion 211 (second core portion) located at the center thereof and a clad portion 212 that covers the side surface thereof.

Further, the end surface of the optical fiber main body 21 on the plus side in the Y-axis direction is referred to as a second light entrance/exit surface 213. The second light entrance/exit surface 213 and the optical waveguide 3 are optically connected to each other via a first adhesive portion 81 described later.

The ferrule 22 has an insertion hole (not shown), and the optical fiber main body 21 is held by mounting the end of the optical fiber main body 21 in this insertion hole.

Examples of the ferrule 22 include a ceramic ferrule, a glass ferrule, and a plastic ferrule. Further, a metal fitting may be attached to these ferrule main bodies as needed.

It should be noted that the ferrule 22 may be used in a state of being inserted in a housing (not shown) if necessary. This housing has a shape according to various standards. Examples of this standard include SC, FC, MU, D, DJ, ST, LC, SCF, SCH, MT, MPO, MT-RJ.

(Optical waveguide)
As described above, the optical waveguide 3 is provided between the first optical fiber 1 and the second optical fiber 2 and optically connects them.

The optical waveguide 3 shown in FIG. 4 includes a laminated body in which a lower protective layer 37, a clad layer 31, a core layer 33, a clad layer 32, and an upper protective layer 38 are laminated in this order from the bottom. .. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, in the core layer 33, a long (linear) core portion 34 extending in the Y-axis direction and the core portion 34 are provided adjacent to each other in the X-axis direction. The side clad portion 35 is formed.

Hereinafter, each part of the optical waveguide 3 will be described in more detail.
-Core layer-
The core portion 34 shown in FIG. 2 is surrounded on its side surface by the side surface cladding portion 35 shown in FIG. 2 and the cladding layers 31 and 32 shown in FIG. The core portion 34 has a higher refractive index than the side surface cladding portion 35 and the cladding layers 31 and 32. Thereby, the light can be confined in the core portion 34 and propagated.

In the core layer 33, the refractive index distribution in the plane orthogonal to the optical path may be any distribution, for example, a so-called step index (SI) type distribution in which the refractive index changes discontinuously, It may be a so-called graded index (GI) type distribution in which the refractive index continuously changes.

Further, the cross-sectional shape of the core portion 34 by the plane orthogonal to the optical path of the core portion 34 is not particularly limited, and may be a circle such as a perfect circle, an ellipse, or an oval, a triangle, a quadrangle, a polygon such as a pentagon, or a hexagon, Other shapes may be used.

Furthermore, the average thickness of the core layer 33 is not particularly limited, and is optimized so that the coupling loss is minimized according to the diameter of the core portions 111 and 211 of the optical fiber bodies 11 and 21, but is about 1 to 200 μm. Is preferable, about 5 to 100 μm is more preferable, and about 10 to 70 μm is even more preferable. This ensures the optical characteristics and mechanical strength required for the core portion 34.

Examples of the constituent material (main material) of the core layer 33 include acrylic resin, methacrylic resin, polycarbonate, polystyrene, cyclic ether resin such as epoxy resin and oxetane resin, polyamide, polyimide, polybenzoxazole, Polysilane, polysilazane, silicone resin, fluorine resin, polyurethane, polyolefin resin, polybutadiene, polyisoprene, polychloroprene, polyester such as PET and PBT, polyethylene succinate, polysulfone, polyether, and benzocyclobutene resin And various resin materials such as a cyclic olefin resin such as norbornene resin. As the resin material, a composite material in which materials having different compositions are combined is also used.

Further, the core portion 34 shown in FIG. 2 includes a first branch portion 361, a second branch portion 362, and a third branch portion 363. Among these, in the 1st branch part 361, one core part 34 is branched into two. Thereby, for example, the light propagating from the plus side in the Y-axis direction can be split into two in the first branch portion 361. Further, the second branch portion 362 and the third branch portion 363 are located on the Y axis direction negative side with respect to the first branch portion 361. Then, the light divided into two by the first branching unit 361 is further divided into two. This allows the incident light to be divided into four and emitted in the entire core portion 34.

-Clad layer-
The average thickness of each of the clad layers 31 and 32 is preferably about 1 to 200 μm, more preferably about 3 to 100 μm, and even more preferably about 5 to 60 μm. This ensures the optical characteristics and mechanical strength required for the cladding layers 31 and 32.

As the constituent material of the clad layers 31 and 32, for example, the same material as the constituent material of the core layer 33 described above can be used, but in particular, a (meth)acrylic resin, an epoxy resin, a silicone resin, At least one selected from the group consisting of a polyimide resin, a fluorine resin, and a polyolefin resin is preferable, and a (meth)acrylic resin or an epoxy resin is more preferable.

The cladding layers 31 and 32 may be provided as needed and may be omitted. At this time, for example, if the core layer 33 is exposed to the outside air (air), the outside air functions as the cladding layers 31 and 32.

-Protective layer-
The lower protective layer 37 and the upper protective layer 38 protect the core layer 33 and the clad layers 31 and 32, suppress a decrease in transmission efficiency of the core portion 34 due to an external environment, and mechanically operate the optical waveguide 3. Increase strength.

Examples of the constituent material of the lower protective layer 37 and the upper protective layer 38 include materials containing various resins such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyolefin such as polyethylene and polypropylene, polyimide, polyamide and the like. Can be mentioned.

The average thickness of the lower protective layer 37 and the upper protective layer 38 is not particularly limited, but is preferably about 5 to 500 μm, more preferably about 10 to 400 μm.

The lower protective layer 37 and the upper protective layer 38 may have the same configuration or different configurations.

The lower protective layer 37 and the upper protective layer 38 may be provided as needed, and at least one of them may be omitted.

Here, the end surface of the optical waveguide 3 on the Y axis direction positive side is referred to as a third light entrance/exit surface 391, and the end surface on the Y axis direction minus side is referred to as a fourth light entrance/exit surface 392. Then, the above-mentioned first light incident/exiting surface 113 of the first optical fiber 1 and the third light incident/exiting surface 391 of the optical waveguide 3 are optically connected via the first adhesive portion 81. In addition, the above-described second light incident/exiting surface 213 of the second optical fiber 2 and the fourth light incident/exiting surface 392 of the optical waveguide 3 are optically connected via the first adhesive portion 81.

As the first adhesive portion 81, any adhesive can be used as long as it is an adhesive having a light transmitting property. For example, an epoxy adhesive, an acrylic adhesive, a urethane adhesive, a silicone adhesive, an olefin. Examples thereof include system adhesives and various hot melt adhesives (polyester-based and modified olefin-based).

The method for curing the first adhesive portion 81 is not particularly limited, and may be a thermosetting type, a curing agent mixed type, a solvent volatilization type, or the like, but preferably a photocurable type. That is, it is preferable that the first adhesive portion 81 contains a cured product of a photocurable adhesive. The first photo-curing type adhesive portion 81 can be cured in a short time while being held by a jig or the like having a light-transmitting property. Therefore, in a state where the optical waveguide 3 and the first optical fiber 1 and the second optical fiber 2 are aligned with each other as described later, these can be accurately and easily fixed. As a result, the optical coupling efficiency of the connecting portion can be further increased. The photo-curable type includes an ultraviolet curable type.

In addition, when the first adhesive portion 81 contains a cured product of a photo-curable adhesive, the elastic modulus of the first adhesive portion 81 can be made relatively large. Specifically, the elastic modulus of the first adhesive portion 81 is preferably about 1000 to 20000 MPa, more preferably about 300 to 15000 MPa, further preferably about 500 to 12500 MPa, and particularly preferably 1000 to 10000 MPa. It is considered as a degree. By setting the elastic modulus of the first adhesive portion 81 within the above range, the first adhesive portion 81 is less likely to be deformed. Therefore, after aligning the optical waveguide 3 with the first optical fiber 1 and the second optical fiber 2, Positional displacement is less likely to occur. Therefore, the optical coupling efficiency can be favorably maintained.

The elastic modulus of the first adhesive portion 81 is measured by the method specified in JIS K 7127, and the measurement temperature is 25°C.

Furthermore, the refractive index of the first bonding portion 81 is not particularly limited, but the refractive index of the core portion 111 (first core portion) of the optical fiber body 11 and the refractive index of the core portion 34 (third core portion) of the optical waveguide 3 are. And a value between the refractive index of the core portion 211 (second core portion) of the optical fiber body 21 and the refractive index of the core portion 34 (third core portion) of the optical waveguide 3. Preferably. By setting the refractive index of the first adhesive portion 81 within the above range, the first adhesive portion 81 has a refractive index adjusting function. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of coupling loss due to the difference in refractive index between the first optical fiber 1 and the optical waveguide 3, and between the second optical fiber 2 and the optical waveguide 3, and the optical coupling It is possible to realize the optical wiring component 100 with good efficiency.

The number of branches of the core portion 34 in the optical waveguide 3 is not limited to the above four, and may be 2 to 3 or 5 or more as a whole.

(First support member)
The first support member 4 is provided above the optical waveguide 3 and is arranged so as to cover the optical waveguide 3. The first support member 4 is also arranged so as to overlap the first optical fiber 1 and the second optical fiber 2. Therefore, the first support member 4 is arranged so as to continuously cover from above the first optical fiber 1 to above the optical waveguide 3 to above the second optical fiber 2. That is, the first support member 4 is provided so as to extend between the first optical fiber 1 and the second optical fiber 2.

Then, between the first optical fiber 1 and the first supporting member 4, between the second optical fiber 2 and the first supporting member 4, and between the optical waveguide 3 and the first supporting member 4, respectively, second bonding is performed. It is adhered via the portion 82.

Due to the first support member 4 and the second adhesive portion 82 as described above, the first optical fiber 1, the optical waveguide 3 and the second optical fiber 2 are reliably held in the state where the optical axes are aligned. Therefore, the optical coupling efficiency of the optically connected connection interface can be maintained in a high state for a long time.

The method for curing the second adhesive portion 82 is not particularly limited, and may be a thermosetting type, a curing agent mixed type, a solvent volatilization type, or the like, but preferably a photocurable type. That is, the second adhesive portion 82 preferably contains a cured product of a photo-curable adhesive. Since the second photo-curing type adhesive portion 82 cures in a short time, in the state where the optical waveguide 3 and the first optical fiber 1 and the second optical fiber 2 are aligned as will be described later, these and the first supporting member are arranged. It is possible to accurately and easily fix the gap between the upper and the lower part. As a result, the optical coupling efficiency of the connecting portion can be further increased. The photo-curable type includes an ultraviolet curable type.

When the second adhesive portion 82 contains a cured product of a photo-curable adhesive, the elastic modulus of the second adhesive portion 82 can be made relatively large. Specifically, the elastic modulus of the second adhesive portion 82 is preferably about 1000 to 20000 MPa, more preferably about 300 to 15000 MPa, further preferably about 500 to 12500 MPa, and particularly preferably 1000 to 10000 MPa. It is considered as a degree. By setting the elastic modulus of the second adhesive portion 82 within the above range, the second adhesive portion 82 is less likely to be deformed. Therefore, after aligning the optical waveguide 3 with the first optical fiber 1 and the second optical fiber 2, Positional displacement is less likely to occur. Therefore, the optical coupling efficiency can be favorably maintained.

The elastic modulus of the second adhesive portion 82 is measured by the method defined in JIS K 7127, and the measurement temperature is 25°C.

On the other hand, the first support member 4 is not particularly limited as long as it is a member having a higher rigidity than the first optical fiber 1 and the second optical fiber 2. Examples of the constituent material of the first support member 4 include polyolefins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene-propylene copolymer, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), cyclic polyolefins, modified polyolefins, polyvinyl chloride, and polychlorinated compounds. Vinylidene, polystyrene, polyamide, polyimide, polyamideimide, polycarbonate (PC), poly-(4-methylpentene-1), ionomer, acrylic resin, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS resin), acrylonitrile-styrene copolymer Polymer (AS resin), butadiene-styrene copolymer, polyoxymethylene, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polycyclohexane Polyester such as terephthalate (PCT), polyether, polyetherketone (PEK), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherimide, polyacetal (POM), polyphenylene oxide, modified polyphenylene oxide, polysulfone, polyether sulfone, polyphenylene Sulfide, polyarylate, aromatic polyester (liquid crystal polymer), polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, other fluorine-based resin, styrene-based, polyolefin-based, polyvinyl chloride-based, polyurethane-based, polyester-based, polyamide-based, polybutadiene-based, Various thermoplastic elastomers such as trans-polyisoprene-based, fluororubber-based, chlorinated polyethylene-based, epoxy resin, phenol resin, urea resin, melamine resin, unsaturated polyester, silicone resin, polyurethane, etc., or a blended product mainly of these , Polymer alloys, and the like, and one or more of these may be used in combination.

Among these, the constituent material of the first support member 4 is preferably one selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, acrylic resin, polyethylene terephthalate and ABS resin. These are useful as constituent materials for the first support member 4 because they have relatively large bending strength.

The first support member 4 preferably has a light-transmitting property. Thereby, when a photo-curable adhesive is used as the second adhesive portion 82, the second adhesive portion 82 can be cured by irradiating light through the first supporting member 4. Therefore, the curing operation of the second adhesive portion 82 can be efficiently performed, and the optical waveguide 3 and the first optical fiber 1 and the second optical fiber 2 can be efficiently fixed in the aligned state.

In addition, the above-mentioned first adhesive portion 81 is at least between the above-described first light incident/exiting surface 113 and the third light incident/exiting surface 391, and the second light incident/exiting surface 213 and the fourth light incident/exiting surface. It suffices if they are respectively located between them and 392, but as shown in FIG. 4, they may be wet and spread so as to contact at least one of the side surface 214 of the second optical fiber 2 and the upper surface 393 of the optical waveguide 3. Although not shown, the first adhesive portion 81 may be spread so as to be in contact with the side surface of the first optical fiber 1. When such a wetting spread occurs, the first adhesive portion 81 is interposed between the first optical fiber 1 or the second optical fiber 2 and the second adhesive portion 82. Therefore, the first adhesive portion 81 acts like a so-called primer, and between the first optical fiber 1 and the second optical fiber 2 and the second adhesive portion 82, and between the optical waveguide 3 and the second adhesive portion 82. Can be bonded more firmly.

In addition, since the contact area of the first adhesive portion 81 increases, the adhesive strength between the first adhesive portion 81 and the first optical fiber 1 and the second optical fiber 2 and the optical strength of the first adhesive portion 81 and the optical fiber The adhesive strength with the waveguide 3 can be further increased.

The shape of the first support member 4 when viewed from the Z-axis direction is not particularly limited, and may be any shape as long as it extends between the first optical fiber 1 and the second optical fiber 2.

The first support member 4 shown in FIG. 3 has, for example, a plate shape that extends along the XY plane, but may have a shape other than the plate shape, such as a block shape. The thickness of the first support member 4 is appropriately set according to the constituent material of the first support member 4, but is, for example, about 0.10 mm or more and 5.0 mm or less.

The second adhesive portion 82 is provided between the first optical fiber 1 and the first supporting member 4, between the second optical fiber 2 and the first supporting member 4, and between the optical waveguide 3 and the first supporting member 4. Since it suffices that they are provided between them, it is not necessary to fill all the gaps generated between them. However, it is preferable to provide the second adhesive portion 82 so as to eliminate the gap as much as possible.

(Case)
The housing 5 is a case that houses the first optical fiber 1, the second optical fiber 2, the optical waveguide 3, and the first support member 4. The outer shape of the housing 5 shown in FIG. 2 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped, and the inside is hollow.

Further, although the housing 5 looks like a rectangle when viewed from the Z-axis direction, the first optical adapter 6 is attached to the shorter side of the rectangle on the plus side in the Y-axis direction, and the shorter side on the minus side in the Y-axis direction. The second optical adapter 7 is attached corresponding to the side. The first optical adapter 6 and the second optical adapter 7 are mounted so that a part thereof is inserted into the housing 5 through a through hole provided in the housing 5 and the other portion projects from the housing 5. ing.

The constituent material of the housing 5 is appropriately selected and used from the materials enumerated as the constituent material of the first supporting member 4 described above, and ABS resin is preferable particularly from the viewpoint of weather resistance, mechanical properties, cost and the like. Used.

At least one of the first optical fiber 1, the second optical fiber 2, the optical waveguide 3, and the first supporting member 4 described above is a housing via a locking member such as a screw or a rivet or another member. It may be fixed to 5. Thereby, the housing 5 is provided so as to straddle the first optical fiber 1 and the second optical fiber 2, and thus functions as a second support member that supports them. That is, the housing 5 has a function of accommodating and protecting at least the first optical fiber 1, the second optical fiber 2, the optical waveguide 3, the first supporting member 4, the first bonding portion 81, and the second bonding portion 82, and the first It also has the function of holding the optical fiber 1, the second optical fiber 2 and the optical waveguide 3 in the aligned state. Thereby, the optical waveguide 3 and the first optical fiber 1 and the second optical fiber 2 can be more accurately fixed in the aligned state. As a result, the coupling loss can be further suppressed.

Note that another member may be interposed between the housing 5 and the first optical fiber 1, the second optical fiber 2, and the optical waveguide 3, and the member may be used as the second support member.

Further, the contents may be retained by filling the housing 5 with a resin material such as a potting agent.

(First optical adapter and second optical adapter)
The first optical adapter 6 is, for example, a member having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape, and is mounted so as to penetrate the housing 5 as described above. Of the two surfaces of the first optical adapter 6 orthogonal to the Y axis, one insertion portion 61 into which the first optical fiber 1 can be inserted is provided on the surface on the minus side in the Y axis direction. On the other hand, on the surface on the plus side in the Y-axis direction, one insertion portion 62 into which the optical fiber of the connection partner optically connected to the first optical fiber 1 is inserted is provided. Therefore, the first optical fiber 1 and the optical fiber of the connection partner are optically connected via the first optical adapter 6.

The first optical adapter 6 may comply with various standards regarding the optical connector housing. Examples of this standard include SC, FC, MU, D, DJ, ST, LC, SCF, SCH, MT, MPO, MT-RJ.

The second optical adapter 7 is also a member having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer diameter, for example, and is mounted so as to penetrate the housing 5 as described above. Of the two surfaces of the second optical adapter 7 which are orthogonal to the Y axis, four insertion portions 71 into which the second optical fiber 2 can be inserted are provided on the surface on the plus side in the Y axis direction. On the other hand, on the surface on the minus side in the Y-axis direction, there are provided four insertion portions 72 into which the optical fibers of the connection partners optically connected to the second optical fiber 2 are inserted. Therefore, the four second optical fibers 2 and the four optical fibers of the connection partner are optically connected via the second optical adapter 7.

The second optical adapter 7 may comply with various standards regarding the optical connector housing. Examples of this standard include SC, FC, MU, D, DJ, ST, LC, SCF, SCH, MT, MPO, MT-RJ.

As described above, the optical wiring component 100 according to the present embodiment has the first optical input/output surface 113 provided at one end and the first optical fiber 1 having the core portion 111 (first core portion), A second optical fiber 2 having a second light entrance/exit surface 213 provided at one end and a core portion 211 (second core part), a first light entrance/exit surface 113, and a second light entrance/exit surface 213. And a fourth light entering/exiting surface 392 facing the first light entering/exiting surface 113 and a fourth light entering/exiting surface 392 facing the second light entering/exiting surface 213. And a fourth light entrance/exit surface 392, and an optical waveguide 3 having a core portion 34 (third core portion) branched in the middle, a first optical fiber 1 and a second optical fiber 2. Between the first light incident/exit surface 113 and the third light incident/exit surface 391, and between the second light incident/exit surface 213 and the fourth light incident/exit. First adhesive portion 81 provided between surface 392, first optical fiber 1 and first supporting member 4, between second optical fiber 2 and first supporting member 4, and light guiding. The second adhesive portion 82 is provided between the waveguide 3 and the first support member 4, respectively.

According to such an optical wiring component 100, the first support member 4 is provided so as to extend between the first optical fiber 1 and the second optical fiber 2, and the first adhesive member 81 adheres between them. Even with a small optical waveguide 3, the optical waveguide 3 and the first optical fiber 1 and the second optical fiber 2 can be bonded and fixed with sufficient adhesive strength. As a result, the alignment state can be favorably maintained for a long period of time, and the coupling loss can be suppressed to be small. Then, for example, the distance between the second optical fibers 2 can be freely changed by a simple structure in which the second optical fibers 2 are drawn around. Therefore, even if the optical waveguide 3 is small, a sufficient space can be secured at the other end of the second optical fiber 2. Therefore, it is possible to realize the optical wiring component 100 which has an effect that the degree of freedom in design is high because the optical waveguide 3 is small and the degree of manufacturing difficulty is low because the structure is simple.

The first optical adapter 6 and the second optical adapter 7 may be provided as needed and may be omitted. In that case, a part of the first optical fiber 1 and a part of the second optical fiber 2 may be exposed to the outside of the housing 5, respectively.

The second optical adapter 7 may have a multi-stage structure in which a plurality of second optical adapters 7 are stacked in the Z-axis direction. Even in such a case, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to deal with the problem by simply routing the second optical fiber 2 as appropriate.

<< Manufacturing method of optical wiring parts >>
Next, a method for manufacturing the optical wiring component 100 shown in FIG. 3, that is, a method for manufacturing the optical wiring component according to the embodiment will be described.

FIG. 5 is a process chart for explaining a method of manufacturing the optical wiring component 100 shown in FIG. 6 to 10 are views for explaining the manufacturing method shown in FIG. 5, respectively. 6, the pressing plates 94 and 95 are not shown, and the insides of the first optical fiber 1, the second optical fiber 2, and the optical waveguide 3 are seen through.

In the manufacturing method shown in FIG. 5, [1] a supporting step S01 of supporting the first optical fiber 1 and the second optical fiber 2 and the optical waveguide with a jig, and [2] a first bonding step of bonding with the first bonding portion 81. S02, [3] a second bonding step S03 for bonding with the second bonding portion 82, and [4] a jig removing step S04 for removing the jig. Hereinafter, each step will be sequentially described.

[1] Supporting step S01
First, the first optical fiber 1 having the first light entrance/exit surface 113 at one end, the second optical fiber 2 having the second light entrance/exit surface 213 at one end, and the third light entrance opposite to the first light entrance/exit surface 113. An optical waveguide 3 having a fourth light entrance/exit surface 392 facing the exit surface 391 and the second light entrance/exit surface 213 is prepared. The first light entering/exiting surface 113 and the third light entering/exiting surface 391, and the second light entering/exiting surface 213 and the fourth light entering/exiting surface 392 face each other with a small distance therebetween. Are arranged to.

Next, the jig 9 is supported with these positions aligned with each other. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the jig 9 includes a flat plate-shaped base portion 90, a first convex portion 91, a second convex portion 92, and a third convex portion 93 which project upward from the base portion 90. Equipped with. Of these, the first convex portion 91 is provided below the first optical fiber 1 and supports the first optical fiber 1 from below. The second convex portion 92 is provided below the second optical fiber 2 and supports the second optical fiber 2 from below. A groove 96 is formed on the upper surface 921 of the second convex portion 92, as shown in FIG. By fitting the second optical fiber 2 into the groove 96, its position can be easily regulated. Although not shown, the position of the first optical fiber 1 can be easily regulated by similarly forming the groove 96 on the upper surface of the first convex portion 91. Furthermore, the third convex portion 93 is provided below the optical waveguide 3 and supports the optical waveguide 3 from below.

Further, the jig 9 includes pressing plates 94 and 95 shown in FIG. 7. Of these, the pressing plate 94 is provided above the first optical fiber 1 and holds the first optical fiber 1 from above by its own weight or by engagement with the first convex portion 91. Further, the pressing plate 95 is provided above the second optical fiber 2, and presses the second optical fiber 2 from above by its own weight or engagement with the second convex portion 92. By using such pressing plates 94 and 95, the first optical fiber 1 and the second optical fiber 2 can be securely fitted into the groove 96 described above. As a result, the first optical fiber 1 and the second optical fiber 2 can be guided to their intended positions and their movement can be restricted.

[2] First bonding step S02
Next, the first bonding portion 81 is provided between the first light incident/exiting surface 113 and the third light incident/exiting surface 391 and between the second light incident/exiting surface 213 and the fourth light incident/exiting surface 392, respectively. Supply an adhesive for forming. Then, by curing the adhesive, these are bonded via the first bonding portion 81, as shown in FIG.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 9, the jig 9 includes, as shown in FIG. 9, between the first convex portion 91 and the third convex portion 93 in the Y-axis direction and the second convex portion 92 in the Y-axis direction. A recess 97 may be formed between each of these and the third protrusion 93. By providing such a recess 97, it is possible to prevent the first bonding portion 81 from adhering to the jig 9. In addition, it is also difficult to prevent the first bonding portion 81 from spreading wet on the upper surface of the optical waveguide 3 and the side surfaces of the first optical fiber 1 and the second optical fiber 2.

If necessary, at least one of the first optical fiber 1, the second optical fiber 2 and the optical waveguide 3 may be surface-treated. As a result, it is possible to cause or promote the wetting and spreading of the surface of the first adhesive portion 81 that is made of a material that is difficult to spread and wet. The surface treatment is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include corona treatment, plasma treatment, ozone treatment and the like.

[3] Second bonding step S03
Next, after removing the pressing plates 94 and 95, the first support member 4 is arranged so as to straddle between the first optical fiber 1 and the second optical fiber 2.

Then, between the first optical fiber 1 and the first supporting member 4, between the second optical fiber 2 and the first supporting member 4, and between the optical waveguide 3 and the first supporting member 4, respectively, An adhesive for forming the adhesive portion 82 is supplied. Then, by curing the adhesive, these are bonded via the second bonding portion 82, as shown in FIG.

[4] Dejig process S04
Next, the jig 9 is removed. Then, if necessary, the first optical fiber 1, the second optical fiber 2, the optical waveguide 3, and the first supporting member 4 are fixed to the housing 5. As a result, the optical wiring component 100 shown in FIG. 3 is obtained.

According to the manufacturing method as described above, an optical wiring component having a high degree of freedom in design can be efficiently and easily manufactured.

<Second Embodiment>
Next, the optical wiring component according to the second embodiment will be described.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing an optical wiring component according to the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of part B of FIG. In each drawing, the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis are set as three axes orthogonal to each other.

Hereinafter, the second embodiment will be described, but in the following description, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and description of similar matters will be omitted. Further, in FIGS. 11 and 12, the same components as those of the above-described embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals.

The optical wiring component 100 according to the second embodiment is related to the first embodiment except that the first optical fiber 1, the second optical fiber 2, and the optical waveguide 3 are supported by the housing 5 via the third adhesive portion 83. It is similar to the optical wiring component 100.

That is, in the above-described first embodiment, the first optical fiber 1, the second optical fiber 2, and the optical waveguide 3 are locked to the housing 5 by using, for example, a locking member, but in the present embodiment, It is adhered to the housing 5 via the 3 adhesive portion 83. Therefore, also in this embodiment, the housing 5 serves as the second support member.

As a result, the first optical fiber 1, the second optical fiber 2, and the optical waveguide 3 can be supported by being sandwiched between the first support member 4 and the housing 5, so that these parts can be aligned for a long period of time. Can be maintained well over. Therefore, the coupling loss can be suppressed to be smaller.

The third adhesive portion 83 is provided between the first optical fiber 1 and the housing 5, between the second optical fiber 2 and the housing 5, and between the optical waveguide 3 and the housing 5, respectively. There is. However, it is not necessary to fill all the gaps between them. By using such a third adhesive portion 83, the first optical fiber 1, the second optical fiber 2 and the optical waveguide 3 can be sandwiched between the second adhesive portion 82 and the third adhesive portion 83. Thus, the optical wiring component 100 has a structure in which the first support member 4, the second adhesive portion 82, the optical waveguide 3, the third adhesive portion 83, and the housing 5 (second support member) are arranged in this order from above. Will be included. This structure is a structure that satisfies a plane-symmetrical relationship when the XY plane is a reference plane. Therefore, even if a disturbance such as vibration, shock, or temperature change is applied, local stress concentration is unlikely to occur, and excellent durability is exhibited. As a result, a more reliable optical wiring component 100 can be obtained.

Furthermore, in this case, since the third adhesive portion 83 is provided close to the housing 5, it is easily affected by the outside air temperature. Therefore, the elastic modulus of the third adhesive portion 83 is preferably smaller than the elastic modulus of the second adhesive portion 82. Accordingly, even if the housing 5 expands or contracts due to the influence of the outside air temperature, the influence can be easily absorbed by the third adhesive portion 83. As a result, the expansion and contraction of the housing 5 can be made less likely to affect the optical waveguide 3 and its vicinity, and the optical wiring component 100 having excellent reliability with respect to temperature changes can be realized.

The difference between the elastic modulus of the third adhesive portion 83 and the elastic modulus of the second adhesive portion 82 is preferably 100 MPa or more, and more preferably 300 MPa or more and 5000 MPa or less. By setting the difference in elastic modulus within the above range, it is possible to more surely enjoy the above-described effects while maintaining the function as the adhesive portion on both sides.

The elastic modulus of the third adhesive portion 83 is measured by the method specified in JIS K 7127, and the measurement temperature is 25°C.

From the above, it is preferable that the second adhesive portion 82 and the third adhesive portion 83 differ from each other in the type of adhesive, that is, the composition of the adhesive. This makes it easier for the second adhesive portion 82 to maintain the aligned state of the members by taking advantage of the relatively large elastic modulus, while the third adhesive portion 83 has a relatively elastic modulus. It can absorb the influence of outside temperature by taking advantage of its small advantages.

The method for curing the third adhesive portion 83 is not particularly limited, and may be a thermosetting type, a curing agent mixed type, a solvent volatilization type, or the like, but from the viewpoint of ease of assembly, elastic modulus, etc., It is preferable that the second adhesive portion 82 is a photo-curable adhesive agent, while the third adhesive portion 83 is an adhesive agent by another curing method.

≪Electronic equipment≫
According to the optical wiring component according to the embodiment as described above, as described above, an optical wiring component having a high degree of freedom in design and easy to manufacture can be obtained. Therefore, for example, it is possible to design optical wiring components having various outer shapes and reduce costs. Therefore, an electronic device provided with such an optical wiring component becomes low in cost and high in added value.

Examples of the electronic device of the present invention include electronic devices such as smartphones, tablet terminals, mobile phones, game machines, router devices, WDM devices, personal computers, televisions, servers, and supercomputers.

The optical wiring component, the method for manufacturing the optical wiring component, and the electronic device according to the present invention have been described above based on the illustrated embodiments, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

For example, any element may be added to the optical wiring component according to the above embodiment. In addition, the optical wiring component manufacturing method according to the above-described embodiment may be added with a process for any purpose. Furthermore, the order of the steps is not limited to the above order and may be replaced.

1 1st optical fiber 2 2nd optical fiber 3 Optical waveguide 4 1st supporting member 5 Housing 6 1st optical adapter 7 2nd optical adapter 9 Jig 11 Optical fiber main body 12 Ferrule 21 Optical fiber main body 22 Ferrule 31 Clad layer 32 Clad layer 33 Core Layer 34 Core portion 35 Side clad portion 37 Lower protective layer 38 Upper protective layer 61 Insert portion 62 Insert portion 71 Insert portion 72 Insert portion 81 First adhesive portion 82 Second adhesive portion 83 Third adhesive portion 90 Base portion 91 First convex Part 92 Second convex part 93 Third convex part 94 Pressing plate 95 Pressing plate 96 Groove 97 Recess 100 Optical wiring component 111 Core part 112 Clad part 113 First light entering/exiting surface 211 Core part 212 Cladding part 213 Second light entering/exiting Surface 214 Side surface 361 First branch portion 362 Second branch portion 363 Third branch portion 391 Third light entering/exiting surface 392 Fourth light entering/exiting surface 393 Upper surface 921 Upper surface S01 Supporting step S02 First bonding step S03 Second bonding step S04 Dejig process

Claims (12)

A first optical fiber having a first light entrance/exit surface provided at one end and a first core portion;
A second optical fiber having a second light entrance/exit surface provided at one end and a second core portion;
A third light entrance/exit surface provided between the first light entrance/exit surface and the second light entrance/exit surface and facing the first light entrance/exit surface and a second light entrance/exit surface facing the second light entrance/exit surface. An optical waveguide having a four-light entrance/exit surface, a third core portion extending between the third light entrance/exit surface and the fourth light entrance/exit surface, and branched in the middle;
A first supporting member provided across the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber;
First adhesive portions provided between the first light entrance/exit surface and the third light entrance/exit surface, and between the second light entrance/exit surface and the fourth light entrance/exit surface, respectively. When,
A first optical fiber and the first supporting member, a second optical fiber and the first supporting member, and an optical waveguide and the first supporting member. 2 adhesive parts,
An optical wiring component comprising: The optical wiring component according to claim 1, wherein the first adhesive portion includes a cured product of a photocurable adhesive. The optical wiring component according to claim 1, wherein the second adhesive portion includes a cured product of a photocurable adhesive. The optical wiring component according to claim 1, further comprising a second support member that is provided so as to extend between the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber. A first optical fiber and the second support member, a second optical fiber and the second support member, and between the optical waveguide and the second support member, respectively. The optical wiring component according to claim 4, further comprising a 3 adhesive portion. The optical wiring component according to claim 5, wherein the elastic modulus of the third adhesive portion is smaller than the elastic modulus of the second adhesive portion. The second support member is a housing that accommodates the first optical fiber, the second optical fiber, the optical waveguide, the first support member, the first adhesive portion, and the second adhesive portion. The optical wiring component according to any one of claims 4 to 6. The refractive index of the first adhesive portion is a value between the refractive index of the first core portion and the refractive index of the third core portion, and the refractive index of the second core portion is equal to the refractive index of the third core portion. The optical wiring component according to any one of claims 1 to 7, which has a value between the refractive index of the core portion and the refractive index of the core portion. The optical wiring component according to claim 1, wherein the first support member has a light-transmitting property. A first optical adapter attached to the other end of the first optical fiber;
A second optical adapter attached to the other end of the second optical fiber;
The optical wiring component according to claim 1, further comprising: A first optical fiber having a first light input/output surface at one end, a second optical fiber having a second light input/output surface at one end, and provided between the first light input/output surface and the second light input/output surface. An optical waveguide having a third light entering/exiting surface facing the first light entering/exiting surface and a fourth light entering/exiting surface facing the second light entering/exiting surface. In the combined state, a step of supporting with a jig,
A step of bonding the first light entrance/exit surface and the third light entrance/exit surface, and the second light entrance/exit surface to the fourth light entrance/exit surface with a first bonding portion. When,
A first supporting member is arranged so as to straddle between the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber, and the first optical fiber and the first supporting member are arranged between the first optical fiber and the first supporting member. And a step of adhering the space between the optical waveguide and the first supporting member with a second bonding portion, respectively.
A step of removing the jig,
And a method for manufacturing an optical wiring component. An electronic device comprising the optical wiring component according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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