JP3211540B2 - Optical transceiver module - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an interface between an optical module and an outside in parallel optical transmission for use in optical communication.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in such optical coupling between an optical element array and the outside, an optical cord connected by an optical element array and an optical fiber array and an optical connector attached to the tip of the optical cord are connected to the outside. It was connected to an optical connector leading to the equipment.

[0003]

In such a connection form, since the point wired from the substrate to the outside is the connection point, the wiring is likely to be cluttered, and the connector on one side sags even when not connected. I was in a state to say.

[0004]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present inventor has proposed that the plurality of integrated optical element arrays are collectively connected to an external connector by floating connection. Was completed. Further, in the present invention, for example, it is effective in a system that one of the two sets of optical element arrays is a light receiving element (PD) array and the other is a light emitting (LD) element.

That is, the present invention provides: a housing A in which an optical module in which a light emitting element array or a light receiving element array and an optical connector receptacle portion positioned and coupled by two guide pins are integrated is built; A housing B in which a push-on connector with a spring pushing function that can be fitted into the optical connector receptacle portion is detachably housed, a housing A, and a housing C in which the housing C is locked by a locking claw before the housing B is coupled. Yes, housing B and housing A
The optical transmission / reception module is constituted by a housing C which is free from the engagement claws by being disengaged by the engagement with the housing C. Also,

[0006] The plurality of sets of push-on connectors are connected to each other, and are characterized in that they can be collectively inserted into and removed from the housing B. Another feature is that one of the two built-in optical modules is a light emitting element array and the other is a light receiving element array. Also,

[0007] It is also characterized in that a plurality of sets of built-in optical modules are built in the housing A and fixed on a substrate, and the housing B is fixed on the same substrate separately from the optical module. Also, the housing A has a structure that can be split up and down, and is characterized in that the optical module is installed inside and aligned after being positioned. Also,

The optical module body has concave portions or convex portions for positioning. By fitting these concave or convex portions to the positions of the housing A, the relative position between the optical module and the housing A is adjusted. It is also unique in that it is matched. It is also characterized in that the shape of the concave and convex portions of the box is different for a plurality of sets of optical modules. Further, the optical connector is characterized in that the optical transmission path of the optical connector receptacle is formed of an optical waveguide. Another feature is that a cover plate having a radiation fin is provided on the upper part of the housing A described above.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. (I) Housing mechanism of parallel transmission optical module: FIG. 1 shows a configuration diagram of a parallel transmission optical module in which two sets of optical element arrays are collectively floating-connected to an external connector.

In FIG. 1, an optical element 3 comprising a light emitting element array or a light receiving element array and an optical fiber array 11
Optical connector receptacle part 2 (shown in FIG. 3)
And a push-on mechanism with a spring-pressing function that can be fitted to the optical connector receptacle part.
The housing A and the housing B are integrated with each other by a locking claw 8 that is fitted to a locking tapered portion 9 before the housing A and the housing B are detachably incorporated. Provided is a parallel transmission optical module including a housing C6 that is free from the engagement claws 8 by being disengaged by the engagement with A.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating unlocking of the housing B with respect to the housing C. Figure 2- (a)
Fig. 2 illustrates a state before the housings A and B are combined.
FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which the housing B has climbed over the locking tapered portion 9, and FIG. 2C is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which the housings A and B are combined.

In FIG. 2, before the housing A4 and the housing B5 are connected, the locking claw 8 is engaged with the locking tapered portion 9 (FIG. 2A).
The locking claw 8 gets over (FIG. 2- (b)), and the housing A
When the housing 4 and the housing 4 are connected, the locking claw 8 is in a floating state with the floating amount = about 2 mm (FIG. 2).
(C)).

In FIG. 1, a multi-core optical connector 2 'to which an optical fiber cord 23 is connected is connected to two sets of push-on mechanisms 7, and the multi-core optical connector 2' is a push-on mechanism 7. Through a housing B5.

It is preferable that one of the optical elements 3 of the two built-in optical modules is an LD array and the other is a PD array. Further, each optical module is independently fixed to the printed circuit board 1, and the housing B5 is preferably fixed on the backboard 10 separately from the optical module.

The housing A4 has a structure that can be split up and down, and has a structure in which an optical module is incorporated therein and then combined vertically. Further, the optical module body has a concave portion or a convex portion for positioning, and by fitting these concave or convex portion to the position of the part of the housing A4, the relative position between the optical module and the housing A4 is adjusted. Can be realized with high accuracy and good work assemblability.

Further, two or more sets of optical modules may have different shapes of the concave and convex portions of the box. By doing so, it is possible to insert the module into a larger number of modules without error. More specifically, the housing A is preferably formed by a base and a cover plate. The base is provided with a convex portion for positioning the optical fiber array portion at the tip of the optical module, the concave portion of the array portion for LD and PD is engaged with the convex portion, and after assembling the insert from above, the cover plate is attached. desirable. The cover plate may be formed of metal, and fins may be attached to improve heat radiation, so that a conductive portion with the internal heat radiator may be formed.

The housing C preferably has a built-in housing B. When the locking claw 8 comes off, the housing C becomes zero in the axial direction.
It can have a stroke of ２2 mm, preferably 2 mm or more. Thereby, even if the position of the printed board is to some extent, for example, about ± 1 mm,
Tight connection between the optical module and the multi-core optical connector 2 'can be realized without applying a pressing force to the optical module.

The optical connector is preferably of a multi-core type and a push-pull type. A guide pin connection type ferrule is spring-pressed in the inside thereof, and the connection is released by an outer ejector.

(II) Parallel transmission module: The housing mechanism of the present invention can be basically widely applied to a parallel transmission module. Specifically, one end of an optical fiber array is joined to a module optical system (optical element), and the other end is connected. Can be applied to a structure that is coupled to an optical connector. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a basic structure of the parallel transmission module constituting the housing mechanism of the present invention.

In FIG. 3, the optical fiber array itself is
A module internal coupling end face at the module end for coupling to an optical element inside the module; an external connector coupling end face for coupling to an external optical connector; a guide pin 22 at the external connector coupling end face; A positioning member composed of upper and lower plates 15 and 16 on the end face side and a metal flange (not shown) are provided on the outer periphery thereof.

Further, the optical fiber 12 is positioned at both ends by the lower plate 16 and the upper plate 15, and the optical fiber 12, the upper and lower plates 15, 16 and the metal flange are integrally fixed by a hermetic seal member such as solder or low melting point glass. And has a guide pin 22 and a guide pin groove 14. In this case, the guide pin 22 may be provided with the guide pin groove 14 on the optical fiber positioning member on the optical fiber array 11 side or on an appropriate side on the optical connector 2 'side and fixed in this groove.

Further, the optical fiber 12 has a structure positioned in the fiber groove 13. In particular, the optical fiber array is completely sealed with hermetic sealing members,
It is important that both end faces are polished.

As the hermetic seal member, there are Zn, Sb, Al, Ti, S
One to which an additive such as i or Cu is added may be used. These members are important from the viewpoint of hermetic sealing of components inside the optical fiber array and from the viewpoint of reliability management between the optical fiber array and various optical elements in the module.

In order to seal the optical fiber array, it is preferable to inject a hermetic seal member from the tip end side of the optical fiber array or the like with a solder bath. If a metal flange is provided with a window (not shown) or an optical fiber exposed portion, the upper and lower plates of the optical fiber can be reliably clamped at that point.

As an effect of providing such a window portion or an optical fiber exposed portion, the gap is widened, so that the rise of solder is stopped and the position of the optical fiber is controlled. further,
It is desirable to provide a wall (not shown) on the lower plate 16. The wall and the lower plate 16 are preferably formed by solid-phase bonding of Si and glass or Si-Si.
The solid-phase bonding is preferably performed by anodic bonding, and the solid-phase bonding is preferably performed by direct bonding between Si and Si.

It is preferable to provide an oxide film on the surface of the silicon of the lower plate 16 in order to adhere to the upper plate 15 and the solder. It is preferable to improve the reliability by applying a metal coat or a carbon coat on the optical fiber 12 in order to make it easier to solder. The optical fiber 12, the upper and lower plates 15, 16 and the metal flange are preferably polished on substantially the same plane. If the Young's modulus of the upper plate 15 is small at the time of polishing the end face, polishing is easy.

The optical fiber 12, the upper and lower plates 1
The structure in which 5 and 16 protrude from the metal flange portion has good polishing properties. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a light emitting / receiving module having an optical fiber array provided with a metal flange on the outer periphery.

In FIG. 4, 22 is a guide pin, 11 is an optical fiber array, 17 is a positioning section, 18 is an IC section,
19 is a terminal, 20 is an array lens, 21 is LD or PD
An array. As shown in FIG. 4, a metal flange (not shown) is provided on the outer periphery of the optical fiber array built in the optical connector receptacle part 2, and a guide pin 22 is fixed to the tip of the optical fiber array. It is connected to the optical connector 2 'etc. by the guide pin 22,
An LD or PD array 20 and an IC section 18 are connected to the rear end via the array lens 20 and are connected to another optical device or the like at a terminal 19.

By attaching a metal flange or the like to the optical fiber array 11 and fixing it to the module end,
As shown in FIG. 1, the optical connector receptacle 2 is provided. Furthermore, the bonding of the optical fiber array to the optical element such as an LD or PD array, a lens array, an optical waveguide, or the like, can be centered and fixed with an adhesive, or can be bonded to the case of an optical module using solder or a YAG laser. A guide pin may be used.

Further, the end face of the optical fiber array is not limited to planar polishing, but may be obliquely angle-coupled by oblique polishing (for example, 5 to 1).
0 °), and a non-reflective coating is also possible. In the present invention, as the optical fiber array, the configuration in which the optical fibers are positioned and fixed by the upper and lower plates has been described. It may be used for a part. Guide pin grooves may be formed in the optical waveguide as needed.

The use of the optical waveguide facilitates hermetic sealing and the like, and can easily cope with the need to change the pitch between the element and the optical connector. Further, the functions of multiplexing / demultiplexing and multiplexing / demultiplexing can also be provided in this receptacle portion.

[0032]

EXAMPLES The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the following Examples, which do not limit the scope of the present invention. As an example of the present invention, one set of a 12-ch LD array and a set of a 12-ch PD array are mounted on a set of modules, and push-pull coupling with two sets of 12 single-mode optical connectors is performed on a backboard. The configuration realized through the above will be described.

First, the housing A is formed of polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) plastic. The cover plate is made of metal, and to improve heat dissipation,
Has fins. In addition, a heat conductor is in contact between the cover plate and the module to facilitate conduction of heat of the module inside. These can be easily contacted by attaching a cover plate.

The housing A is formed of a base and a cover plate, and the base has a projection for positioning the optical fiber array at the tip of the optical module.
After assembling by inserting from above into the concave portion of the PD array portion by engaging the concave portion, the cover plate was attached.

The housing C has a built-in housing B, and has a stroke of 2 mm in the axial direction when the lock is released. As a result, the position of the printed board is ± 1
mm, the optical module and the multi-core optical connector can be connected without applying a pressing force to the backboard. Both housings B and C were formed of PPS plastic.

In the push-pull type multi-core optical connector, a 12-pin guide pin connection type ferrule is internally spring-pressed, and the connection is released by an outer ejector. The pitch of the 12-core multi-core optical connector was 16 mm. The height of the housing A from above the printed circuit board was suppressed to 9.0 mm or less in consideration of mounting.

With this configuration, attachment / detachment was performed 500 times.
The loss fluctuation was within 0.4 dB, and it was confirmed that there was no problem in practical use. Further, according to this configuration, the optical transceiver module and the multi-core optical connector can be independently coupled to the backboard, and the workability has been significantly improved.
In addition, transmission and reception are integrated, reducing installation space and improving on-site handling.

[0038]

As described above, according to the housing mechanism of the parallel transmission optical module of the present invention, a plurality of integrated optical element arrays can be collectively float-connected to an external connector, and the connection operation is easy. become.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a parallel transmission optical module in which two sets of optical element arrays are collectively floating-connected to an external connector.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating unlocking of a housing B with respect to a housing C. FIG. 2A illustrates a state before the housings A and B are joined, FIG. 2B illustrates a state where the housing B has passed over the locking tapered portion 9, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state where housings A and B are combined.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a basic structure of a parallel transmission module constituting a housing mechanism of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a light emitting / receiving module having an optical fiber array provided with a metal flange on an outer periphery.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printed circuit board 2 Optical connector receptacle part 2 'multi-core optical connector 3 Optical element 4 Housing A 5 Housing B 6 Housing C 7 Push-on mechanism 8 Locking claw 8' Claw 9 Locking taper part 10 Backboard 11 Optical fiber array DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 Optical fiber 13 Fiber groove 14 Guide pin groove 15 Upper plate 16 Lower plate 17 Positioning part 18 IC part 19 Terminal 20 Array lens 21 LD or PD array 22 Guide pin 23 Optical fiber cord

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-2-181710 (JP, A) JP-A-4-87808 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G02B 6/24-6/43

Claims (9)

(57) [Claims] A light emitting element array or a light receiving element array;
One housing A containing an optical module in which an optical connector receptacle portion that is positioned and coupled by two guide pins is integrated, and a push-on connector with a spring pushing function that can be fitted into the optical connector receptacle portion. There is a housing B detachably built in, a housing A, and a housing C for locking the housing B by a locking claw before the housing A and the housing B are coupled. The locking claw is disengaged by fitting the housing B and the housing A. An optical transmission / reception module comprising a housing C free from both. 2. The optical transmitting and receiving module according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of sets of push-on connectors are connected to each other, so that the push-on connectors can be collectively inserted into and removed from the housing B. 3. The optical transceiver module according to claim 1, wherein one of the two sets of built-in optical modules is a light emitting element array and the other is a light receiving element array. 4. A plurality of sets of built-in optical modules are built in a housing A and fixed on a substrate,
The optical transceiver module according to claim 1, wherein the optical transceiver module is fixed on the same substrate as the optical module. 5. The optical transmission / reception module according to claim 1, wherein the housing A has a structure that can be split up and down, and an optical module is incorporated in the inside and then aligned vertically after positioning. 6. The optical module body has a concave portion or a convex portion for positioning, and these concave or convex portions are connected to the housing A.
6. The optical transceiver module according to claim 4, wherein the optical module and the housing A are positioned relative to each other by being fitted to the position of the part. 7. The optical transceiver module according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of sets of optical modules have different shapes of the concave and convex portions of the box. 8. The optical transceiver module according to claim 1, wherein the optical transmission path of the optical connector receptacle part according to claim 1 is formed by an optical waveguide. 9. The optical transceiver module according to claim 1, further comprising a cover plate having a radiation fin on an upper part of the housing A according to claim 1.