JP5320190B2 - Optical coupling device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical coupling device, and in particular, includes an optical element component provided with an optical element, and an optical connector disposed on the optical element component so as to oppose the optical element and holding the optical waveguide. The present invention relates to an optical coupling device that optically couples between an optical element and an optical element.

  In recent years, with the expansion of transmission capacity, optical communication networks have attracted attention, and optical fiber communication networks are rapidly developing. The role played by optical connectors in optical fiber communication networks is extremely important, and various optical connectors have been developed.

In addition, with the rapid development of multimedia, high-density wiring is becoming an indispensable item in information processing apparatuses such as large-capacity switches and massively parallel computers, and research on optical interconnection technology is being conducted extensively.

  Such optical coupling technology includes, for example, an optical module that is an optical element component that is disposed on a circuit board and is provided with an optical element that is a light emitting element or a light receiving element, and an optical waveguide that is disposed to face the optical element. And an optical connector that holds the optical fiber, and an optical coupling device that optically couples between the optical fiber and the optical element is used. In the optical connector used in such an optical coupling device, for example, the optical axis direction of the optical element is substantially perpendicular to the optical axis direction of the optical fiber guided in parallel with the circuit board surface. The direction needs to be directed to the optical element side of the optical module. For this reason, an optical path changing surface for directing the optical axis direction of the optical fiber toward the optical element is provided inside the optical connector, and optical path conversion of the signal light emitted from the optical fiber or the optical element is performed.

  Patent Document 1 holds the tip of an optical fiber in order to provide an optical coupling device that makes light from an optical fiber drawn parallel to the substrate surface incident on a light receiving element attached to the substrate surface so as to face the upper surface. A transparent plastic material, and a concave mirror for changing the light emitted from the tip of the optical fiber attached in the attachment hole by 90 degrees and condensing the light to enter the light receiving element on the substrate. Are integrally formed.

JP 2001-51162 A

  By the way, in the optical connector used for the optical coupling device described above, the optical path changing surface for changing the optical axis direction of an optical fiber or the like is integrally formed with the connector body using a synthetic resin. The molding die that integrally molds the connector body with the optical path changing surface is a molding die that combines many mold parts that require high precision in order to accurately form the angle and position of the minute optical path changing surface. Is used.

  Here, in the above-described molding die, the die structure becomes complicated, so that the lead time for die production becomes long, and the die production cost may increase. Further, in the resin molding using the above molding die, since the die structure is complicated, it takes time to assemble each die part, and the productivity of the optical connector may be lowered. As described above, when an optical connector integrally formed with a connector main body having an optical path changing surface is used in an optical coupling device, the manufacturing cost of the optical coupling device may be increased.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an optical coupling device with reduced manufacturing costs.

An optical coupling device according to the present invention comprises: an optical element component provided with an optical element; and an optical connector disposed on the optical element component so as to face the optical element and holding an optical waveguide; An optical coupling device that optically couples between the optical element and the optical element, wherein the optical connector includes a connector body formed of a synthetic resin, is provided on a rear end surface of the connector body, and inserts the optical waveguide An optical waveguide insertion port, an optical waveguide provided in the connector main body, communicated with the optical waveguide insertion port and inserted through the optical waveguide, and the optical waveguide so as to face the optical element in the connector main body insertion path and communicating, Rutotomoni formed through between the connector body top surface and the connector body bottom surface, anda window portion is formed by an opening from the front end surface of the connector body, said optical element component The light A socket for attaching a nectar, the socket being inserted into the socket body and disposed in the window, provided on the socket body, and inclined on an extension in the optical axis direction of the optical waveguide or the optical element. is formed, the optical path changing unit having an optical path changing surface which the optical axis direction is changed by the reflection of the signal light to the optical coupling between the optical element and the optical waveguide, seen including, said socket body, said A guide pin or a guide hole for positioning the connector main body on the optical element component; and the connector main body includes a guide hole into which the guide pin of the socket main body is inserted or a guide pin to be inserted into the guide hole of the socket main body. It is characterized by having.

An optical coupling device according to the present invention comprises: an optical element component provided with an optical element; and an optical connector disposed on the optical element component so as to face the optical element and holding an optical waveguide; An optical coupling device that optically couples between the optical element and the optical element, wherein the optical connector includes a connector body formed of a synthetic resin, is provided on a rear end surface of the connector body, and inserts the optical waveguide An optical waveguide insertion port, an optical waveguide provided in the connector main body, communicated with the optical waveguide insertion port and inserted through the optical waveguide, and the optical waveguide so as to face the optical element in the connector main body insertion path and communicating, Rutotomoni formed through between the connector body top surface and the connector body bottom surface, anda window portion is formed by an opening from the front end surface of the connector body, said optical element component The light A socket to which a connector is attached, the socket being inserted and arranged in a socket body formed of an optical resin, the socket body being formed of the optical resin, the optical waveguide or the optical element; An optical path changing unit formed with an inclination on an extension in the optical axis direction, and having an optical path changing surface that optically couples between the optical waveguide and the optical element by changing the optical axis direction by internal reflection of signal light; , only contains the optical path changing unit is formed of a right-angled triangular prism, said right-angled triangular prism of the right portion located on the lower surface side of the connector body, abutted against the vertical face of the right angle triangular prism at the distal end of the optical waveguide Positioned, the inclined surface of the right triangular prism is disposed on the optical waveguide or the extension of the optical element in the optical axis direction, the optical path changing surface is formed by the inclined surface, the optical path changing surface, Previous A condensing lens that condenses the signal light, the socket main body includes a guide pin or a guide hole for positioning the connector main body on the optical element component, and the connector main body includes a guide pin of the socket main body. A guide pin to be inserted or a guide pin to be inserted into the guide hole of the socket body is provided.

An optical coupling device according to the present invention comprises: an optical element component provided with an optical element; and an optical connector disposed on the optical element component so as to face the optical element and holding an optical waveguide; An optical coupling device that optically couples between the optical element and the optical element, wherein the optical connector includes a connector body formed of a synthetic resin, is provided on a rear end surface of the connector body, and inserts the optical waveguide An optical waveguide insertion port, an optical waveguide provided in the connector main body, communicated with the optical waveguide insertion port and inserted through the optical waveguide, and the optical waveguide so as to face the optical element in the connector main body insertion path and communicating, Rutotomoni formed through between the connector body top surface and the connector body bottom surface, anda window portion is formed by an opening from the front end surface of the connector body, said optical element component The light A socket to which a connector is attached, the socket being disposed by being inserted into the window portion and disposed in a socket body having a through-hole formed through the optical element extending in the optical axis direction. The optical waveguide is formed on the optical waveguide or an extension of the optical element in the optical axis direction, and is optically coupled between the optical waveguide and the optical element by changing the optical axis direction by reflecting signal light. possess an optical path changing unit, an having an optical path changing surface that, the optical path changing unit is formed of a right-angled triangular prism, a right-angled portion of the right-angled triangular prism located on the upper surface of the connector body, the inclined surface of the right-angled triangular prism And an optical path changing body formed by providing a reflecting mirror on the inclined surface, and an edge of the through hole. Provided in the department An optical path changing body support member for supporting the optical path changing body, the optical path changing surface has a concave mirror surface for condensing the signal light, and the socket main body includes the connector main body as the optical element. It has a guide pin or a guide hole for positioning on a component, and the connector body has a guide hole into which the guide pin of the socket body is inserted or a guide pin to be inserted into the guide hole of the socket body. Features.

  In the optical coupling device according to the present invention, the optical waveguide is preferably an optical fiber or a planar optical waveguide.

  According to the optical coupling device having the above configuration, by providing the optical path changing surface on the optical element component side, the connector main body and the optical path changing surface can be molded separately, so that the mold structure of the molding die is further simplified. The manufacturing cost of the optical coupling device is reduced.

In embodiment of this invention, it is a perspective view which shows the structure of an optical coupling device. In embodiment of this invention, it is sectional drawing of the optical fiber insertion direction in the optical coupling device provided in the circuit board. In embodiment of this invention, it is sectional drawing of the socket provided with the optical path change surface or light incident / exit surface which has a condensing lens. In other embodiment of this invention, it is a perspective view which shows the structure of an optical coupling device. In another embodiment of this invention, it is a perspective view which shows the structure of the optical coupling device. In another embodiment of this invention, it is sectional drawing of the optical fiber insertion direction in the optical coupling device provided in the circuit board. In another embodiment of this invention, it is sectional drawing of the optical fiber insertion direction in the optical coupling device which has an optical path change surface in which the concave mirror surface was formed. In another embodiment of this invention, it is sectional drawing of the optical fiber insertion direction in the optical coupling device using the optical fiber which processed the lens at the front-end | tip.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the optical coupling device 10. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the optical coupling device 10 disposed on the circuit board 12 in the optical fiber insertion direction. The optical coupling device 10 includes an optical module 16 having a function as an optical element component provided with the optical element 14, and a light that is disposed to face the optical element 14 and is an optical waveguide, for example, holding an optical fiber 18. A connector 20, and has a function of optically coupling between the optical fiber 18 and the optical element 14.

  The optical connector 20 includes a connector main body 22 formed of a synthetic resin and has a function of holding the optical fiber 18.

  For the optical fiber 18, for example, an all-quartz multimode optical fiber or a single mode optical fiber can be used. As the form of the optical fiber 18, for example, a single-core optical fiber, an optical fiber tape (ribbon), or the like is used. A planar optical waveguide may be used as the optical waveguide. As the planar optical waveguide, for example, a polymer-based or quartz-based planar optical waveguide can be used. For example, a planar optical waveguide made of polyimide resin is used as the polymer-based planar optical waveguide. In the following description, the optical waveguide held by the connector main body 22 will be described as the optical fiber 18. However, the optical waveguide is not limited to the optical fiber 18 and may be a planar optical waveguide.

  The connector body 22 is formed into, for example, a wide and substantially square shape. The connector body 22 is molded by transfer molding using a thermosetting resin such as an epoxy resin, or by molding such as injection molding using a thermoplastic resin such as polyphenylene sulfide resin (PPS) or liquid crystal polymer (LCP). The The optical fiber 18 is fixed to the connector body 22 with an adhesive or the like.

  The optical connector 20 is provided on the rear end surface of the connector main body 22, is provided in the connector main body 22 with an optical fiber insertion port 24 for inserting the optical fiber 18, communicates with the optical fiber insertion port 24, and passes through the optical fiber 18. The optical fiber insertion path 26 is provided in the connector main body 22, communicates with the optical fiber insertion path 26, and has a window portion 28 formed through the connector main body upper surface and the connector main body lower surface. .

  The optical fiber insertion port 24 is provided on the rear end surface of the connector main body 22 and functions as an optical waveguide insertion port for inserting the optical fiber 18 into the connector main body 22. The optical fiber insertion port 24 is provided, for example, in the approximate center of the rear end surface of the connector main body 22 and is formed in a size that allows the optical fiber 18 to be inserted. For example, when a multi-core optical fiber tape is used for the optical fiber 18, the optical fiber insertion port 24 is wide and formed in a substantially rectangular shape.

  The optical fiber insertion passage 26 is provided in communication with the optical fiber insertion port 24 and has a function as an optical waveguide insertion passage through which the optical fiber 18 is inserted. The optical fiber insertion path 26 communicates with the optical fiber insertion port 24, communicates with the first insertion path 30 through which the coated optical fiber 18 is inserted, and the bare fiber with the coating removed. And a second insertion passage 32 through which the distal end portion is inserted. The second insertion passage 32 is formed narrower than the first insertion passage 30.

  The window portion 28 communicates with the optical fiber insertion passage 26 so as to face the optical element 14 with the connector main body 22, and is formed to penetrate between the connector main body upper surface 33 and the connector main body lower surface 34. It is formed in a hollow shape in a direction substantially orthogonal to the insertion direction. The window 28 is formed, for example, with a substantially rectangular cross section in a direction substantially orthogonal to the penetrating direction. On the inner peripheral surface of the window portion 28, at least one optical fiber hole 35 that is provided in communication with the second insertion passage 32 of the optical fiber insertion passage 26 and exposes the end of the bare fiber from which the coating has been removed is formed. The For example, the optical fiber holes 35 are provided at a plurality of locations along a direction substantially orthogonal to the insertion direction of the optical fiber 18, and the plurality of optical fiber holes 35 are arranged in one row. The optical fiber hole 35 is formed by, for example, a round hole. In the case where a planar optical waveguide is used as the optical waveguide, a rectangular hole is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the window portion 28 for exposing the distal end portion of the planar optical waveguide into the window portion 28.

  The connector body 22 is preferably provided with at least one guide hole 36 through which a guide pin 60 (described later) for positioning the connector body 22 on the optical module 16 is inserted. By passing the guide hole 36 through the guide pin 60 and attaching the connector main body 22 to the optical module 16, the window portion 28 of the connector main body 22 can be positioned accurately facing the optical element 14 of the optical module 16. For example, it is more preferable that a pair of guide holes 36 are provided on both sides of the window portion 28, for example. A guide hole (described later) for positioning the connector main body 22 may be provided in the optical module 16, and a guide pin inserted into the guide hole of the optical module 16 may be provided in the connector main body 22.

  The optical module 16 includes a module main body 40 provided with the optical element 14 and a socket 42 provided in the module main body 40 to which the optical connector 20 is attached. The optical module 16 is an optical element component provided with the optical element 14. It has a function.

  An optical element 14 that is optically coupled to the optical fiber 18 is disposed in the module body 40. The optical element 14 is composed of a light emitting element or a light receiving element, and has a function as an optical input / output end of the optical module 16. As the light emitting element, a surface emitting element type laser diode (VCSEL: Vertical Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser) or the like is used. Further, a photodiode (PD: Photo Diode) or the like is used as the light receiving element.

  The socket 42 is disposed by being inserted into the socket main body 44 formed of optical resin and the window 28, is formed of the optical resin on the socket main body 44, and extends on the extension of the optical fiber 18 or the optical element 14 in the optical axis direction. And an optical path changing unit 48 having an optical path changing surface 46 that is formed to be inclined and optically couples between the optical fiber 18 and the optical element 14 by changing the optical axis direction by internal reflection of the signal light.

  The socket body 44 is made of an optical resin such as a transparent resin, and is formed, for example, in a substantially square sheet shape. As the optical resin, it is preferable to use an optical resin that efficiently transmits light having a signal wavelength to be used (for example, 850 nm, 1310 nm, 1550 nm, etc.). As the optical resin, PC (polycarbonate resin), PEI (polyetherimide resin), PPA (polyphthalamide resin), or the like can be used.

  The socket body 44 is attached in contact with the lower surface 34 of the connector body. The socket main body 44 has a contact surface that contacts the lower surface 34 of the connector main body on the optical path changing portion 48 side, and the window 28 is formed by contacting the contact surface of the socket main body 44 and the lower surface 34 of the connector main body. The position of the optical path changing surface 46 with respect to the through direction is restricted.

  The socket body 44 preferably has at least one guide pin 60 for guiding and positioning the connector body 22. The guide pin 60 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, for example, and is provided so as to protrude from the socket body 44. More preferably, the guide pins 60 are provided as a pair on both sides of the optical path changing unit 48. The guide pins 60 may be formed integrally with the socket body 44, or may be formed separately and then fixed to the socket body 44 with an adhesive or the like. A guide hole for positioning the connector body 22 may be provided in the socket body 44 of the optical module 16, and a guide pin inserted into the guide hole of the socket body 44 may be provided in the connector body 22.

  The optical path changing unit 48 is provided, for example, in the approximate center of the socket body 44 and is formed of an optical resin. The optical path changing unit 48 is preferably integrally formed of the same synthetic resin as the optical resin for forming the socket body 44. The optical path changing unit 48 is preferably formed in, for example, a prism shape of a right triangular prism, and is formed of a right isosceles triangular prism. The optical path changing section 48 is provided on the connector main body lower surface 34 and is inserted into the window section 28 from an optical path changing section insertion port 50 communicating with the window section 28. The optical path changing unit 48 is located at the right angle portion of the right triangular prism on the lower surface 34 side of the connector body, the vertical surface 52 of the right triangular prism is abutted against the tip of the optical fiber 18, and the inclined surface of the right triangular prism is the optical fiber 18 or The optical element 14 is disposed on an extension in the optical axis direction. The reason why the vertical plane 52 of the right triangular prism is abutted against the tip of the optical fiber 18 is to suppress the reflection by the air layer and make it non-reflective. Since the optical path changing unit 48 is inserted into the window portion 28 from the optical path changing unit insertion port 50, the length of the right triangular prism is shorter than the length of the optical path changing unit insertion port 50 in the longitudinal direction. The width is formed smaller than the width of the optical path changing portion insertion port 50. The optical path changing portion 48 is preferably formed such that the height of the optical path changing portion 48 is smaller than the length of the window portion 28 in the penetrating direction in order to suppress protrusion from the window portion 28.

  The optical path changing surface 46 is formed of an inclined surface of a right triangular prism and has a function of changing the optical axis direction of the optical fiber 18 or the optical element 14 by internal reflection of signal light. Here, the internal reflection means that light incident on the transparent body is reflected on the boundary surface with the outside (boundary surface with air or the like) without passing through the transparent body. The optical path changing surface 46 is located above the optical element 14 provided in the module main body 40 and is disposed so as to face the light emitting surface or the light receiving surface of the optical element 14. Further, the optical path changing surface 46 is arranged to face the optical fiber hole 35 of the connector main body 22 when the optical path changing section 48 is inserted into the window portion 28 of the connector main body 22.

  The optical path changing surface 46 is preferably disposed so as to be inclined by approximately 45 degrees with respect to the optical axis direction of the optical element 14 provided in the module main body 40. Further, it is preferable that the optical path changing surface 46 is disposed to be inclined by approximately 45 degrees with respect to the optical axis direction of the optical fiber 18 when the optical path changing part 48 is inserted into the window part 28 of the connector main body 22. Thereby, the optical path changing surface 46 bends the signal light emitted from the tip of the optical fiber 18 by approximately 90 degrees by internal reflection and enters the optical element 14, and the signal light emitted from the optical element 14 is made to enter. The light can be bent at approximately 90 degrees by internal reflection and can be incident on the tip of the optical fiber 18. The inclination angle of the optical path changing surface 46 is preferably approximately 45 degrees with respect to the optical axis direction of the optical fiber 18 or the optical element 14, but is not necessarily limited to approximately 45 degrees. The optical path changing surface 46 can be internally reflected so that the signal light emitted from the tip of the optical fiber 18 is incident on the optical element 14, and the signal light emitted from the optical element 14 is incident on the optical fiber 18. It is formed at an inclination angle that allows internal reflection.

  The optical path changing surface 46 of the socket 42 or the light incident / exit surface on which the signal light enters or exits the socket 42 preferably has a condensing lens 54 that condenses the signal light. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the socket 42 having an optical path changing surface 46 having a condensing lens 54 or a light incident / exiting surface, and FIG. 3A is provided with an optical path changing surface 46 having a condensing lens 54. FIGS. 3B and 3C are cross-sectional views of the socket 42 having an optical path changing surface 46 having a condenser lens 54 and a light incident / exit surface.

  The condenser lens 54 is formed of a convex lens that protrudes from the optical path changing surface 46 as shown in FIG. The condensing lens 54 is formed on an extension of the optical fiber 18 or the optical element 14 in the optical axis direction, condenses the signal light emitted from the optical fiber 18 so that the optical element 14 is correctly focused, and the optical element 14 has a function of condensing the signal light so that the signal light emitted from 14 is correctly focused on the optical fiber 18. Since the diffusion of the signal light can be suppressed by condensing the signal light by the condenser lens 54, the optical coupling efficiency between the optical fiber 18 and the optical element 14 can be further improved. The condensing lens 54 is preferably formed integrally with the optical path changing surface 46. The convex surface of the condensing lens 54 is formed of an aspherical surface such as a spherical surface or a parabolic surface (parabolic surface), for example. When a multi-core optical fiber tape is used for the optical fiber 18, it is preferable that the condensing lens 54 is provided on the optical path changing surface 46 for each optical fiber core wire. The condenser lens 54 is formed, for example, by providing at least one minute concave curved surface on a molding surface for molding the optical path changing surface 46 of the mold. Since the optical path changing unit 48 is molded separately from the connector main body 22, a molding die having such a minute concave curved surface can be easily manufactured with high accuracy.

  The condenser lens 54 is not only the optical path changing surface 46 of the optical path changing unit 48, but also a light incident / exit surface on which signal light enters or exits the socket 42 as shown in FIGS. 3 (b) and 3 (c). May be provided. As shown in FIG. 3B, the condensing lens 54 receives signal light from the optical path changing surface 46 and the optical path 18 from the optical fiber 18 or internally reflected by the optical path changing surface 46. It is provided on the vertical surface 52 of the optical path changing unit 48 that functions as a light incident / exit surface that is emitted to the fiber 18. Further, as shown in FIG. 3C, the condensing lens 54 receives signal light from the optical path changing surface 46 and the optical element 14 provided in the module main body 40 to the socket main body 44, or the optical path changing surface 46. The signal light internally reflected by the socket main body 44 may be provided on the light incident / exit surface 56 of the socket main body 44 from which the socket main body 44 is emitted to the optical element 14. The condensing lens 54 is preferably provided on at least one of the optical path changing surface 46, the vertical surface 52 of the optical path changing unit 48, and the light incident / exiting surface 56 of the socket body 44.

  Returning to FIGS. 1 and 2 again, the socket body 44 is provided with uneven portions formed on the light incident / exit surface 56 of the socket body 44 so as to be unevenly arranged with a period smaller than the signal wavelength of the signal light. Is preferred. The light incident / exit surface 56 of the socket main body 44 is formed with fine irregularities arranged in an irregular pattern with a period smaller than the signal wavelength of the signal light, so that the reflection of the signal light on the light incident / exit surface 56 is not reflected. Can be in a state.

  The fine uneven portion can be formed, for example, by providing a molding surface for forming the fine uneven portion on the mold surface of the molding die for forming the socket 42. The molding surface for molding the fine irregularities is formed, for example, by providing metal nanoparticles on the mold surface. By molding the optical resin using a molding die having a molding surface for molding the fine uneven portion, the fine uneven portion can be formed on the light incident / exit surface 56 by transfer. Since the socket 42 is molded separately from the connector main body 22, a molding surface for molding the fine irregularities on the molding die of the socket 42 can be easily and accurately formed. Further, the fine uneven portion may be directly formed on the light incident / exit surface 56 using an electron beam lithography method. According to the electron beam lithography method, the light incident / exit surface 56 can be processed with a nanometer size.

  By providing an antireflection film on the light incident / exit surface 56 of the socket main body 44, reflection of signal light on the light incident / exit surface 56 may be prevented. The antireflection film is formed, for example, by applying a dielectric material to the light incident / exiting surface, vacuum deposition, sputtering, or the like. Further, by providing the light attenuating film on the light incident / exit surface 56, the light intensity of the signal light can be reduced, and thus the safety of the eyes can be further improved. The light attenuation film is formed, for example, by sputtering a metal material or the like.

  The socket 42 may be molded separately from the module body 40 or may be molded integrally with the module body 40. When the socket 42 and the module main body 40 are integrally formed, the optical path changing surface 46 is integrally formed so as to be positioned on the extension of the optical element 14 in the optical axis direction.

  Next, the operation of the optical coupling device 10 will be described.

  The optical coupling device 10 is assembled by attaching the optical connector 20 to the optical module 16. First, the optical module 16 is assembled by positioning the socket 42 in the module body 40 so that the optical path changing surface 46 is positioned on the extension of the optical element 14 in the optical axis direction. Next, the guide hole 36 of the connector main body 22 is inserted into the guide pin 60 provided in the socket main body 44 of the optical module 16 so that the optical connector 20 is positioned on the optical module 16. As a result, the optical connector 20 is guided by the guide pins 60 and attached so that the window portion 28 of the connector body 22 faces the optical element 14 of the optical module 16, and the vertical surface 52 of the optical path changing portion 48. Is positioned so as to contact the tip of the optical fiber 18, and the optical path changing surface 46 is positioned on the extension of the optical fiber 18 in the optical axis direction. As described above, the optical path changing surface 46 is positioned on the extension of the optical fiber 18 and the optical element 14 in the optical axis direction. The opening 62 of the window portion 28 formed on the connector main body upper surface 33 side is preferably covered with a lid or the like in order to prevent dust or the like from entering the window portion 28 and contaminating the optical path changing surface 46. .

  When the optical element 14 is a light receiving element, the signal light emitted from the tip of the optical fiber 18 is incident on the vertical surface 52 of the optical path changing unit 48 and bent at approximately 90 degrees by internal reflection at the optical path changing surface 46. The light is incident on the optical element 14 of the optical module 16. Further, when the optical element 14 is a light emitting element, the signal light emitted from the optical element 14 of the optical module 16 is bent at approximately 90 degrees by internal reflection on the optical path changing surface 46 and is perpendicular to the optical path changing unit 48. The light exits from the surface 52 and enters the tip of the optical fiber 18. In this way, the optical coupling device 10 optically couples the optical fiber 18 and the optical element 14.

  In addition, the window part 28 of the optical connector 20 may be further opened from the front end surface of the connector main body 22. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a configuration of the optical coupling device 70. Similar elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. The connector main body 74 of the optical connector 72 is provided with a window portion 76 that is formed so as to penetrate in a direction substantially orthogonal to the insertion direction of the optical fiber 18 and that is opened from the front end surface of the connector main body 74. ing. Since the window 76 is formed by opening from the front end surface of the connector main body 74, the structure of the connector main body 74 is simplified, and the optical connector 72 is miniaturized. Accordingly, the mold structure of the molding die for molding the connector main body 74 can be simplified.

  Next, another optical coupling device will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same element and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the optical coupling device 80. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the optical coupling device 80 arranged on the circuit board 12 in the optical fiber insertion direction. The optical coupling device 80 is an optical module 82 having a function as an optical element component provided with the optical element 14, and an optical module 18 that is disposed to face the optical element 14 and is an optical waveguide, for example, holding the optical fiber 18. The connector 20 is provided, and has a function of optically coupling the optical fiber 18 and the optical element 14. As described above, the optical waveguide held by the optical connector 20 will be described as the optical fiber 18. However, the optical waveguide may be an optical waveguide and is not limited to the optical fiber 18.

  The optical connector 20 includes a connector main body 22 formed of a synthetic resin such as an epoxy resin. The optical connector 20 is provided on the rear end surface of the connector main body 22. The optical fiber insertion port 24 for inserting the optical fiber 18 and the connector main body 22 are provided. An optical fiber insertion path 26 that communicates with the optical fiber insertion port 24, and is inserted into the optical fiber 18, and is provided in the connector main body 22. The optical fiber insertion path 26 communicates with the upper surface of the connector body and the lower surface of the connector body. And a window portion 28 formed therethrough. On the inner peripheral surface of the window portion 28, at least one optical fiber hole 35 that is provided in communication with the second insertion passage 32 of the optical fiber insertion passage 26 and exposes the end of the bare fiber from which the coating has been removed is formed. The The connector main body 22 is preferably provided with at least one guide hole 36 through which a guide pin 88 described later for positioning the optical connector 20 in the optical module 16 is inserted. A guide hole (described later) for positioning the connector main body 22 may be provided in the optical module 16, and a guide pin inserted into the guide hole of the optical module 16 may be provided in the connector main body 22. Further, the optical coupling device 80 uses not only the optical connector 20 but also an optical connector 72 having a window 76 formed to open from the front end surface of the connector main body 74 as shown in FIG. 4 described above. Also good.

  The optical module 82 includes a module main body 40 provided with the optical element 14 and a socket 84 provided in the module main body 40 to which the optical connector 20 is attached. The optical module 82 is an optical element component provided with the optical element 14. It has a function. The optical element 14 includes the above-described light emitting element or light receiving element.

  The socket 84 is inserted into the socket main body 86 and the window portion 28, and is provided on the socket main body 86. The socket 84 is formed on the optical fiber 18 or the optical element 14 in an optical axis direction, and is inclined. And an optical path changing unit 92 having an optical path changing surface 90 that optically couples between the optical fiber 18 and the optical element 14 by changing the reflection.

  The socket body 86 is formed in a substantially square sheet shape with a synthetic resin such as an epoxy resin or a polyphenylene sulfide resin. The socket body 86 has a through hole 87 formed so as to penetrate through the extension of the optical element 14 in the optical axis direction. The signal light emitted from the optical element 14 enters the optical fiber 18 through the through hole 87, and the signal light emitted from the optical fiber 18 enters the optical element 14 through the through hole 87.

  The socket body 86 is attached in contact with the lower surface 34 of the connector body. The socket body 86 has a contact surface that contacts the lower surface 34 of the connector body on the optical path changing portion 92 side, and the window portion 28 is brought into contact with the contact surface of the socket body 86 and the lower surface 34 of the connector body. The position of the optical path changing surface 90 with respect to the through direction is restricted.

  The socket body 86 preferably has at least one guide pin 88 for positioning the connector body 22 on the optical module 82. The guide pin 88 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, for example, and is provided so as to protrude from the socket body 86. More preferably, the guide pins 88 are provided as a pair on both sides of the optical path changing unit 92. The guide pins 88 may be formed integrally with the socket body 86, or may be formed separately and then fixed to the socket body 86 with an adhesive or the like. A guide hole for positioning the connector body 22 may be provided in the socket body 86 of the optical module 82, and a guide pin inserted into the guide hole of the socket body 86 may be provided in the connector body 22.

  The optical path changing unit 92 is provided in the socket body 86 and is inserted into the window unit 28 and arranged. The optical path changing unit 92 is formed so as to be inclined on the extension of the optical fiber 18 or the optical element 14 in the optical axis direction, and optically couples the optical fiber 18 and the optical element 14 by changing the optical axis direction by reflection. An optical path changing body 94 having an optical path changing surface 90 and an optical path changing body support member 96 that is provided standing on the edge of the through hole 87 and supports the optical path changing body 94 are provided.

  The optical path changing body 94 is preferably formed of, for example, a right triangular prism and a right isosceles triangular prism. The optical path changing body 94 is inserted into the window portion 28 from the optical path changing portion insertion port 50 of the connector main body 22, the right angle portion of the right triangular prism is positioned on the connector main body upper surface 33 side, and the inclined surface of the right triangular prism is the optical fiber 18 or optical fiber. The element 14 is disposed on the extension in the optical axis direction. Since the optical path changing body 94 is inserted into the window portion 28 from the optical path changing portion insertion port 50, the length of the right triangular prism is shorter than the length of the optical path changing portion insertion port 50 in the longitudinal direction. The width is formed smaller than the width of the optical path changing portion insertion port 50. The optical path changing body 94 is preferably formed such that the height of the right triangular prism is smaller than the length of the window portion 28 in the penetrating direction in order to suppress the protrusion from the window portion 28.

  The optical path changing surface 90 is formed of, for example, a reflecting mirror formed by metal vapor deposition on an inclined surface of a right triangular prism, and has a function of reflecting signal light emitted from the optical fiber 18 or the optical element 14. The optical path changing surface 90 is located above the optical element 14 and is disposed to face the light emitting surface or the light receiving surface of the optical element 14. Further, the optical path changing surface 90 is disposed to face the optical fiber hole 35 of the connector main body 22 when the optical path changing section 92 is inserted into the window portion 28 of the connector main body 22.

  The optical path changing surface 90 is preferably arranged so as to be inclined by approximately 45 degrees with respect to the optical axis direction of the optical fiber 18 or the optical element 14. As a result, the optical path changing surface 90 can bend the signal light emitted from the tip of the optical fiber 18 to be incident on the optical element 14 by approximately 90 degrees, and the signal light emitted from the optical element 14 is approximately 90. Can be made to be incident on the optical fiber 18. The tilt angle of the optical path changing surface 90 is preferably approximately 45 degrees with respect to the optical axis direction of the optical fiber 18 or the optical element 14, but is not necessarily limited to approximately 45 degrees. The optical path changing surface 90 can be reflected so that the signal light emitted from the tip of the optical fiber 18 enters the optical element 14, and the signal light emitted from the optical element 14 enters the optical fiber 18. It is formed at an inclination angle that allows reflection.

  The optical path changing surface 90 preferably has a concave mirror surface for collecting the signal light emitted from the optical fiber 18 or the optical element 14. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view in the optical fiber insertion direction of the optical coupling device 80 having the optical path changing surface 90 on which the concave mirror surface 98 is formed. The concave mirror surface 98 is formed on an extension of the optical fiber 18 or the optical element 14 in the optical axis direction, condenses the signal light emitted from the optical fiber 18 so that the optical element 14 is correctly focused, and the optical element 14 The signal light can be condensed so that the signal light emitted from the optical fiber 18 is correctly focused on the tip of the optical fiber 18. Since the diffusion of the signal light can be suppressed by condensing the signal light, the optical coupling efficiency between the optical fiber 18 and the optical element 14 can be improved. The concave mirror surface 98 is formed of, for example, a spherical surface or an aspherical surface such as a parabolic surface (parabolic surface). When a multi-core optical fiber tape is used for the optical fiber 18, it is preferable that the concave mirror surface 98 is provided on the optical path changing surface 90 for each optical fiber core wire. The concave mirror surface 98 is formed, for example, by providing at least one minute convex curved surface on the molding surface for molding the optical path changing surface 90 of the molding die. Since the optical path changing unit 92 is molded separately from the connector main body 22, a molding die having such a minute convex curved surface can be easily manufactured with high accuracy.

  The optical path changing body support member 96 is erected on, for example, an edge of a through hole 87 provided in the socket body 86 and has a function of supporting the optical path changing body 94. The optical path changing body support member 96 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin such as an epoxy resin. The optical path changing body support member 96 is preferably formed integrally with the optical path changing body 94. Of course, the optical path changing body support member 96 may be formed as a separate body from the optical path changing body 94 and then joined.

  The socket 84 may be formed separately from the module main body 40 or may be formed integrally with the module main body 40. When the socket 84 and the module main body 40 are integrally molded, the optical path changing surface 90 is integrally molded so as to be positioned on the extension of the optical element 14 in the optical axis direction.

  Next, the operation of the optical coupling device 80 will be described.

  The optical coupling device 80 is assembled by attaching the optical connector 20 to the optical module 82. First, the optical module 82 is assembled by positioning the socket 84 in the module body 40 so that the optical path changing surface 90 is positioned on the extension of the optical element 14 in the optical axis direction. Next, the guide hole 36 of the connector main body 22 is inserted into the guide pin 88 provided in the socket main body 86 of the optical module 82, so that the optical connector 20 is positioned on the optical module 82. Thus, the optical connector 20 is guided by the guide pins 88 and attached so that the window portion 28 of the connector body 22 faces the optical element 14 of the optical module 82, and the optical path changing surface 90 is the optical fiber 18. It is positioned on the extension in the optical axis direction. Thus, the optical path changing surface 90 is positioned on the extension of the optical fiber 18 and the optical element 14 in the optical axis direction.

  When the optical element 14 is a light receiving element, the signal light emitted from the tip of the optical fiber 18 is reflected by the optical path changing surface 90 by being bent at approximately 90 degrees and is incident on the optical element 14 of the optical module 82. When the optical element 14 is a light emitting element, the signal light emitted from the optical element 14 of the optical module 82 is reflected by the optical path changing surface 90 by being bent by approximately 90 degrees and is incident on the tip of the optical fiber 18. The In this way, the optical connector 20 can optically couple between the optical fiber 18 and the optical element 14 of the optical module 82.

  The optical fiber 18 can be an optical fiber whose tip is processed into a lens. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view in the optical fiber insertion direction of the optical coupling device 80 using the optical fiber 18 having the lens processed at the tip 100. By using the optical fiber 18 in which the bare fiber tip 100 is processed into a lens, the signal light emitted from the bare fiber tip 100 can be condensed, so that the diffusion of the signal light can be prevented and the optical coupling efficiency can be improved. . For lens processing of the bare fiber tip 100, a general optical fiber lens processing method can be used. The optical fiber 18 is preferably attached to the connector body 22 with the lens-processed bare fiber tip 100 protruding from the optical fiber hole 35 to the window portion 28. The optical fiber 18 is attached to the connector body 22 so that the bare fiber tip 100 does not come into contact with the optical path changing portion 92 inserted into the window portion 28.

  As described above, according to the optical coupling device having the above configuration, the optical path changing unit that changes the optical axis direction of the optical fiber or the optical element by reflecting the signal light is provided in the socket of the optical module, and is separate from the optical connector. Since it is formed, it is not necessary to use a molding die having a complicated structure for integrally molding an optical connector having an optical path changing surface which is a minute and precise optical component, and a more simplified and simplified structure is possible. It can be molded using a molding die. As a result, the lead time for mold production can be shortened and the mold production cost can be reduced. In addition, since the optical module has an optical path changing function for changing the optical axis direction of the optical fiber or the optical element, it is not necessary to perform resin molding with a molding die having a complicated structure. While improving, the socket which has a smaller and highly accurate optical connector or an optical path changing part can be manufactured easily. From these things, the manufacturing cost of an optical coupling device can be held down.

  According to the optical coupling device having the above-described configuration, the optical path changing unit is provided in the socket of the optical module and is formed separately from the optical connector. Only a molding die for molding the socket having the optical path changing portion may be newly manufactured. For example, even when changing the tilt angle on the optical path changing surface, changing the size or curvature of the concave mirror surface or the condensing lens, changing the arrangement of the concave mirror surface or the condensing lens due to the change in the pitch or arrangement of the optical fiber, etc. Since only a molding die for molding the socket having the changing portion needs to be newly manufactured, the manufacturing cost of the optical coupling device can be suppressed.

  According to the optical coupling device having the above configuration, at least one guide pin provided in the socket main body and positioning the connector main body on the optical module, at least one guide hole provided in the connector main body and inserted through the guide pin, Therefore, it is possible to easily perform positioning of the connector main body so that the window portion of the connector main body faces the optical element of the optical module and positioning of the optical path changing surface with respect to the optical axis direction of the optical fiber or the optical element.

10, 70, 80 Optical coupling device 12 Circuit board 14 Optical element 16, 82 Optical module 18 Optical fiber 20 Optical connector 22 Connector body 24 Optical fiber insertion port 26 Optical fiber insertion path 28, 76 Window 30 First insertion path 32 First 2 Insertion path 33 Connector main body upper surface 34 Connector main body lower surface 35 Optical fiber hole 36 Guide hole 40 Module main body 42, 84 Socket 44, 86 Socket main body 46, 90 Optical path changing surface 48, 92 Optical path changing part 50 Optical path changing part insertion port 52 Vertical Surface 54 Condensing lens 56 Light incident / exit surface 60, 88 Guide pin 62 Opening 72 Optical connector 74 Connector body 87 Through hole 94 Optical path changing body 96 Optical path changing body support member 98 Concave mirror surface 100 Bare fiber tip

Claims (4)

An optical element component provided with an optical element;
An optical connector disposed on the optical element component to face the optical element and holding an optical waveguide;
An optical coupling device that optically couples between the optical waveguide and the optical element,
The optical connector is
Provided with a connector body made of synthetic resin
An optical waveguide insertion port provided on a rear end surface of the connector body, into which the optical waveguide is inserted;
An optical waveguide insertion path that is provided in the connector body, communicates with the optical waveguide insertion port, and inserts the optical waveguide;
So as to face the optical element to the connector body, communicating with the optical waveguide insertion path is formed through between the connector body top surface and the connector body bottom surface Rutotomoni is opened from the front end surface of the connector body A window portion formed by
Including
The optical element component includes a socket for attaching the optical connector,
The socket is
The socket body,
Inserted into the window portion, provided on the socket body, formed to be inclined on an extension in the optical axis direction of the optical waveguide or the optical element, and the optical axis direction is changed by reflection of signal light. An optical path changing unit having an optical path changing surface for optically coupling between the optical waveguide and the optical element;
Only including,
The socket body has a guide pin or a guide hole for positioning the connector body on the optical element component,
The connector main body has a guide hole into which a guide pin of the socket main body is inserted or a guide pin to be inserted into a guide hole of the socket main body . An optical element component provided with an optical element;
An optical connector disposed on the optical element component to face the optical element and holding an optical waveguide;
An optical coupling device that optically couples between the optical waveguide and the optical element,
The optical connector is
Provided with a connector body made of synthetic resin
An optical waveguide insertion port provided on a rear end surface of the connector body, into which the optical waveguide is inserted;
An optical waveguide insertion path that is provided in the connector body, communicates with the optical waveguide insertion port, and inserts the optical waveguide;
So as to face the optical element to the connector body, communicating with the optical waveguide insertion path is formed through between the connector body top surface and the connector body bottom surface Rutotomoni is opened from the front end surface of the connector body A window portion formed by
Including
The optical element component includes a socket for attaching the optical connector,
The socket is
A socket body formed of optical resin;
It is inserted and arranged in the window part, is formed of the optical resin on the socket body, is formed to be inclined on the optical axis direction of the optical waveguide or the optical element, and the optical axis direction of the signal light is An optical path changing unit having an optical path changing surface that is optically coupled between the optical waveguide and the optical element by being changed by internal reflection;
Only including,
The optical path changing portion is formed of a right triangular prism, and a right angle portion of the right triangular prism is positioned on a lower surface side of the connector body, a vertical surface of the right triangular prism is abutted against a tip of the optical waveguide, and the right angle An inclined surface of a triangular prism is disposed on the optical waveguide or an extension in the optical axis direction of the optical element, and the optical path changing surface is formed by the inclined surface,
The optical path changing surface has a condensing lens that condenses the signal light,
The socket body has a guide pin or a guide hole for positioning the connector body on the optical element component,
The connector main body has a guide hole into which a guide pin of the socket main body is inserted or a guide pin to be inserted into a guide hole of the socket main body . An optical element component provided with an optical element;
An optical connector disposed on the optical element component to face the optical element and holding an optical waveguide;
An optical coupling device that optically couples between the optical waveguide and the optical element,
The optical connector is
Provided with a connector body made of synthetic resin
An optical waveguide insertion port provided on a rear end surface of the connector body, into which the optical waveguide is inserted;
An optical waveguide insertion path that is provided in the connector body, communicates with the optical waveguide insertion port, and inserts the optical waveguide;
So as to face the optical element to the connector body, communicating with the optical waveguide insertion path is formed through between the connector body top surface and the connector body bottom surface Rutotomoni is opened from the front end surface of the connector body A window portion formed by
Including
The optical element component includes a socket for attaching the optical connector,
The socket is
A socket body having a through-hole formed so as to penetrate on an extension in the optical axis direction of the optical element;
Inserted into the window portion, provided on the socket body, formed to be inclined on an extension in the optical axis direction of the optical waveguide or the optical element, and the optical axis direction is changed by reflection of signal light. An optical path changing unit having an optical path changing surface for optically coupling between the optical waveguide and the optical element;
I have a,
The optical path changing unit is
It is formed of a right triangular prism, and a right angle portion of the right triangular prism is positioned on the upper surface side of the connector body, and an inclined surface of the right triangular prism is positioned on an extension in the optical axis direction of the optical waveguide or the optical element. The optical path changing surface is formed by providing a reflecting mirror on the inclined surface; and
An optical path changing body support member that is provided at an edge of the through hole and supports the optical path changing body,
The optical path changing surface has a concave mirror surface for collecting the signal light,
The socket body has a guide pin or a guide hole for positioning the connector body on the optical element component,
The connector main body has a guide hole into which a guide pin of the socket main body is inserted or a guide pin to be inserted into a guide hole of the socket main body . The optical coupling device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
The optical coupling device, wherein the optical waveguide is an optical fiber or a planar optical waveguide.

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