JP6390265B2 - Connector with lens - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector with a lens.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for optically connecting optical fibers by abutting the connectors with lenses to which the optical fibers are fixed.

JP 2008-151843 A

  In a conventional connector with a lens, a lens is formed on the end face (outer surface) of the ferrule. In such a configuration, the end surface of the ferrule does not become a flat surface due to the lens. For this reason, there is a problem in that when the end surface of a ferrule that tends to become dirty is cleaned, the surface dirt cannot be wiped off well and the dirt remains.

  This invention is made | formed in view of such a situation, and it aims at providing the connector with a lens which can clean an end surface easily.

  The connector with a lens according to the present invention includes, as one side surface thereof, a ferrule that holds an optical fiber, and a lens array that is fixed to the ferrule. The ferrule has a rear end and a front end. Having an opening communicating with a fiber holding hole for holding an optical fiber formed from the front end to the front end, and having a first connection portion to which the lens array is connected at the front end. A back surface including an incident surface for receiving light, and a front surface including an output surface for emitting light from the optical fiber; and a lens for receiving light from the optical fiber on the back surface and connected to the first connection portion And a second connection portion connected to the opposing connector. The second connection portion has a flat surface that emits light from the optical fiber.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the connector with a lens with easy cleaning of an end surface can be provided.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a connector with a lens according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a ferrule of the connector with lens of FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a lens array of the connector with lens of FIG. 4A is a front view of the lens array, FIG. 4B is a rear view of the lens array, FIG. 4C is a plan view of the lens array, and FIG. 4D is a side sectional view of the lens array. . FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the lens-equipped connector of FIG. 6 is a perspective sectional view of the lens-equipped connector of FIG. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a connector with a lens according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a ferrule of the connector with lens of FIG. FIG. 9A is a perspective view seen from the front side of the lens array, and FIG. 9B is a perspective view seen from the back side of the lens array. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the lens-equipped connector of FIG. FIG. 11 is a partially enlarged view of a connection location.

[Description of Embodiment of Present Invention]
First, the contents of the embodiments of the present invention will be listed and described.

  The connector with a lens according to the present invention includes, as one side surface thereof, a ferrule that holds an optical fiber, and a lens array that is fixed to the ferrule. The ferrule has a rear end and a front end. Having an opening communicating with a fiber holding hole for holding an optical fiber formed from the front end to the front end, and having a first connection portion to which the lens array is connected at the front end. A back surface including an incident surface for receiving light, and a front surface including an output surface for emitting light from the optical fiber; and a lens for receiving light from the optical fiber on the back surface and connected to the first connection portion And a second connection portion connected to the opposing connector. The second connection portion has a flat surface that emits light from the optical fiber.

  According to such a configuration, the lens is arranged on the back surface of the lens array connected to the ferrule (the surface facing the ferrule in the lens array). Thereby, it can be set as the structure by which a lens is not arrange | positioned on the surface (surface exposed to the end surface of a connector with a lens) of a lens array, and since the surface of a lens array can be made into a flat surface, the end surface of a connector with a lens can be made easy Can be cleaned. In addition, since the first connection part at the front end of the ferrule and the second connection part on the rear surface of the lens array are connectable, a connector with a lens can be easily formed. Furthermore, since the third connection portion connected to the opposing connector is provided on the surface of the lens array, the connection with the counterpart connector can be easily performed. As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily provide a lens-attached connector having a rear lens configuration that facilitates cleaning of the end face.

  In addition, the back surface and the front end have contact surfaces that contact each other to determine a separation distance between the lens and the front end, and an adhesive that fixes the ferrule and the lens array is interposed between the back surface and the front end. An opening for introduction between the front end and the front end may be formed. When the rear surface of the lens array and the front end of the ferrule abut, the distance between the lens provided on the rear surface and the front end is determined to be a fixed distance. Since the open portion is formed between the back surface and the front end in a state where the back surface and the front end are in contact with each other, by introducing an adhesive into the open portion, the ferrule and the lens array can be easily maintained while maintaining a separation distance. Can be fixed.

  The contact surface may be formed so as to surround three directions among the four directions surrounding the lens. Since the contact surface is formed so as to surround the lens, it is possible to appropriately accommodate the adhesive introduced from the open portion and prevent the adhesive from leaking out.

  The abutting surface at the front end includes a first lower end surface that protrudes toward the back surface side or is recessed toward the rear end side from the surface on which the fiber holding hole is formed at the front end. It includes a second lower end surface projecting to the front end side or recessed to the surface side from the provided surface, and the first lower end surface is recessed to the rear end side when the second lower end surface projects to the front end side. And when the 2nd lower end surface is dented in the surface side, it protrudes in the back surface side, and the 1st lower end surface and the 2nd lower end surface may contact. The first lower end surface and the second lower end surface are surfaces in which one of them protrudes and the other indents. Adhesive agent introduced from the open portion is compared with the case where the first lower end surface and the second lower end surface are in contact with each other so that, for example, the surfaces without unevenness are in contact with each other to form the contact surface. Can be more effectively prevented from leaking out.

  The second lower end surface protrudes to the front end side from the surface on which the lens is provided, and the second lower end surface is recessed to the rear end side from the surface where the fiber holding hole is formed at the front end to accommodate the second lower end surface. The first lower end surface may be in contact. As a result, the front end of the ferrule can be configured such that the second lower end surface does not protrude from the surface on which the fiber holding hole is formed (does not protrude toward the back side), and thus after setting the optical fiber on the ferrule (that is, (After passing the optical fiber through the fiber holding hole), the second lower end surface does not hinder the polishing when the optical fiber is polished. From the above, workability can be improved.

  The lens array may further include a rib on the back surface that protrudes from the upper end of the incident surface toward the open portion. Since the mechanical strength of the lens array is increased by having the rib, the lens array can be configured to withstand the stress caused by the change in volume of the adhesive when the adhesive introduced into the open portion is cured, and the lens array can be prevented from being deformed.

  Further, the third connection part is formed at a pair of positions sandwiching a region where light enters and exits the lens array. One of the third connection parts is a pin protruding from the surface, and the other is the back side. It may be a hole that is recessed. Since the third connecting portion is constituted by pins and holes, the connectors can be easily connected. In addition, for example, by sharing the position where the pin is provided and the position where the hole is provided between the connectors, when the connectors to be connected are made to face each other with the vertical direction aligned, the pin and the hole face each other. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the connector from being connected upside down.

  Further, the first connection portion may be a hole formed at a pair of positions sandwiching the fiber holding hole at the front end, and the second connection portion may be a pin formed at a pair of positions sandwiching the lens. . Since the ferrule and the lens array are connected by fitting the pin (second connection portion) and the hole (first connection portion), the connection work can be easily performed. In addition, by being connected by a pair of first connection parts sandwiching the fiber holding hole and a pair of second connection parts sandwiching the lens, the positions of the fiber holding hole and the lens can be stably fixed, The optical axis can be prevented from shifting.

  The first connection portion and the second connection portion may be formed with a latch that can be fitted and temporarily fixed to each other. By forming the latch, it is possible to easily fix the ferrule and the lens array with an adhesive after temporarily fixing the first connection portion and the second connection portion.

  Further, the ferrule and the lens array may be made of materials having the same linear expansion coefficient. Thereby, the position of the fiber holding hole and the position of the lens are less likely to be shifted due to temperature fluctuations, and the optical characteristics can be hardly changed due to temperature fluctuations.

  Further, the ferrule and the lens array are fixed by an adhesive, and the adhesive covers the lens, and the refractive index of the adhesive may be larger than air and smaller than the material constituting the lens array. Thereby, the difference in refractive index between the lens and the fiber end can be reduced, loss due to Fresnel reflection of the beam on the lens surface can be reduced, and the optical characteristics of the connector can be improved.

[Details of the embodiment of the present invention]
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a connector with a lens according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a connector 1 with a lens according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The lens-attached connector 1 holds (fixes) the multi-core optical fiber F, and the end of the connector abuts against the end of the connector with the lens that similarly holds the optical fiber, thereby allowing optical connection between the optical fibers. Connector to perform. The lens-equipped connector 1 includes a ferrule 10 that holds an optical fiber F and a lens array 30 that is fixed to one end of the ferrule 10. The ferrule 10 and the lens array 30 are preferably made of materials having the same linear expansion coefficient, for example, the same material. As a material of the ferrule 10 and the lens array 30, for example, PEI (Poly Ether Imide) or ULTEM which is a transparent resin can be used. In the following description, the width direction of the connector 1 with lens will be described as the X direction, the height direction as the Y direction, and the direction intersecting the X direction and the Y direction (the insertion direction of the optical fiber F) will be described as the Z direction.

  Details of the ferrule 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the ferrule 10 of the lens-equipped connector 1 of FIG. The ferrule 10 has a rear end 11 and a front end 21. An opening 12 for inserting the optical fiber F is formed at the rear end 11. The opening 12 communicates with the fiber holding hole 13. The fiber holding hole 13 is provided for the purpose of holding each core wire of the optical fiber F. The fiber holding hole 13 communicates with the opening 12 and penetrates from the rear end 11 to the front end 21. The fiber holding holes 13 are formed in multiple stages (for example, two stages) in the Y direction, and a plurality of fiber holding holes 13 at each stage are arranged side by side in the X direction. Each fiber holding hole 13 includes a large-diameter portion 13a formed on the opening 12 side and a small-diameter portion 13b formed on the front end 21 side continuous with the large-diameter portion 13a (see FIG. 6). The large diameter portion 13a holds the coated optical fiber F, and the small diameter portion 13b holds the bare fiber from which the coating of the optical fiber F has been removed.

  The front end 21 has a fiber holding surface 23 in which the fiber holding hole 13 is formed and a contact surface 24 that contacts the lens array 30. The abutment surface 24 is provided so as to surround three directions, excluding the upward direction (upward in the Y direction), among the four directions of the fiber holding surface 23. That is, in the state in which the lens array 30 is in contact, the contact surface 24 is provided so as to surround three directions excluding the upward direction (upward in the Y direction) among the four directions of the lens 34. The contact surface 24 has a shape that is recessed toward the rear end 11 with respect to the fiber holding surface 23. The contact surface 24 includes a first connection surface 24a provided in the left-right direction (both sides in the X direction) of the fiber holding surface 23, and a first lower end surface 24b provided in the downward direction (downward in the Y direction) of the fiber holding surface 23. It consists of. The first connection surface 24a and the first lower end surface 24b are flush with each other.

  A first connection portion 22 to which the lens array 30 is connected is formed on the first connection surface 24a. The 1st connection part 22 is a hole in which the 2nd connection part 35 (refer FIG. 3) which is a guide pin of the lens array 30 mentioned later is inserted. The first connection portion 22 is formed on each of the first connection surfaces 24a on both sides in the X direction. That is, the first connection portions 22 are formed on both sides in the X direction at the front end 21 so as to sandwich the fiber holding holes 13 arranged side by side in the X direction.

  As described above, the contact surface 24 is not provided above the fiber holding surface 23 (upward in the Y direction). For this reason, an open portion 25 is formed above the fiber holding surface 23. In a state where the ferrule 10 and the lens array 30 are in contact with each other, the open portion 25 communicates from the upper direction of the fiber holding surface 23 to the front end 21 and the rear surface 31 (the rear surface of the lens array 30; see FIG. 3). doing. By introducing the adhesive 50 (see FIG. 1) from the opening portion 25, the optical fiber F inserted into the fiber holding hole 13 is fixed to the fiber holding hole 13, and the ferrule 10 and the lens array 30 are fixed. Is done. The refractive index of the adhesive 50 (see FIG. 1) is larger than air and smaller than the material constituting the lens array 30.

  Next, details of the lens array 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the lens array 30 of the connector with lens of FIG. 4A is a front view of the lens array 30, FIG. 4B is a rear view of the lens array 30, FIG. 4C is a plan view of the lens array 30, and FIG. 4D is a side of the lens array 30. It is sectional drawing. The lens array 30 has a back surface 31 including an incident surface 32 and a front surface 41 including an exit surface 42.

  The back surface 31 has an incident surface 32 that receives light from the optical fiber F held in the fiber holding hole 13 of the ferrule 10 and an abutment surface 33 that abuts the ferrule 10. A lens 34 that receives light from the optical fiber F is provided on the incident surface 32. The number of the lenses 34 corresponding to the number of the fiber holding holes 13 is provided, and the lenses 34 are arranged at positions substantially coincident with the optical axes of the optical fibers F held in the fiber holding holes 13. That is, the tip of the optical fiber F is disposed at the focal position of the lens 34. Thereby, the beam emitted from the optical fiber F is incident on the incident surface 32 of the lens array 30, collimated by the lens 34, propagates in the lens array 30, and is emitted from the emission surface 42. When the lens connector 1 is connected to the other (opposite) lens connector, the collimated beam is incident on the exit surface of the other lens connector, propagates through the lens array, and reaches the lens on the entrance surface. The beam collimated by the lens is condensed and coupled to the tip of the optical fiber. As described above, when the lens-equipped connector 1 according to the present embodiment is used, the beams are exchanged between the connectors in the form of the collimated beam with the beam diameter enlarged. Therefore, for example, the optical characteristics are not easily deteriorated due to dust or the like on the connector end face, and the optical characteristics are not easily deteriorated (the tolerance is wide) even when the positioning accuracy of the ferrule 10 and the lens array 30 is low.

  The contact surface 33 is provided so as to protrude from the incident surface 32 toward the front end 21 side (opening portion 25 side) of the ferrule 10, and is a second connection surface provided in the left-right direction (both sides in the X direction) of the incident surface 32. 33a and a second lower end surface 33b provided in the downward direction (downward in the Y direction) of the incident surface 32. The second connection surface 33a and the second lower end surface 33b are flush with each other. A rib 36 is provided at the upper end of the incident surface 32 so as to protrude from the incident surface 32 toward the front end 21 side (opening portion 25 side) of the ferrule 10. The length of the rib 36 protruding from the incident surface 32 toward the front end 21 is shorter than the length of the contact surface 33 protruding. The ribs 36 are provided on both sides in the X direction at the upper end of the incident surface 32 so as to be connected to a part of the protruding portion constituting the second connection surface 33a. Thereby, even when the adhesive 50 introduced from the opening portion 25 is cured and a volume change occurs, the incident surface 32 and the emission surface 42 of the lens array 30 are firmly supported from side to side via the ribs 36. The entrance surface 32 and the exit surface 42 are less likely to warp.

  The second connection surface 33 a is provided with a second connection portion 35 that is connected to the first connection portion 22 of the ferrule 10. The 2nd connection part 35 is a taper-shaped guide pin inserted in the hole-shaped 1st connection part 22, and is provided in each of the 2nd connection surface 33a of X direction both sides. The second connection portion 35 protrudes from the second connection surface 33 a toward the front end 21 of the ferrule 10 in a state where it is combined with the ferrule 10. Since the 2nd connection part 35 is made into the taper shape, the insertion to the 1st connection part 22 of the 2nd connection part 35 can be performed easily. Moreover, the 1st connection part 22 and the 2nd connection part 35 are arrange | positioned in the Y direction center vicinity in the front end 21 and the back surface 31, respectively. Accordingly, the ferrule 10 and the lens array 30 are stably supported via the first connection portion 22 and the second connection portion 35. In the ferrule 10 and the lens array 30, the second connecting portion 35 is inserted into the first connecting portion 22, and the contact surfaces 24 and 33 come into contact with each other, whereby the distance between the lens 34 and the front end 21 of the ferrule 10 is determined. ing. In the state where the contact surfaces 24 and 33 are in contact with each other, the above-described opening portion 25 communicates up to the gap formed between the lens array 30 and the ferrule 10, so that it is introduced from the opening portion 25. The adhesive 50 thus filled is filled up to the gap.

  The surface 41 has an emission surface 42 that emits light from the optical fiber F and a third connection portion 44 that is connected to the opposing connector with lens. The emission surface 42 includes a flat surface 43 that is a flat surface that emits light from the optical fiber F. The third connection portions 44 are formed on both sides in the X direction across a region where light enters and exits the lens array 30 (that is, the flat surface 43). Further, the third connection portion 44 is disposed near the center in the Y direction on the surface 41. One third connection portion 44a is a tapered guide pin protruding from the front surface 41, and the other third connection portion 44b is a hole recessed toward the back surface 31 side. By sharing the positional relationship between the third connecting portion 44a that is a guide pin and the third connecting portion 44b that is a hole into which the guide pin is inserted, the connector 1 with a lens that faces the lens 1 is provided. It can be connected without turning upside down. As a result, it is possible to make all connections using the connector 1 with the lens having the same shape, and the cost reduction is realized by the absence of the male and female connectors and the common use of the mold. The

  Next, the connection state between the ferrule 10 and the lens array 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the lens-equipped connector 1 of FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective sectional view of the lens-equipped connector 1 of FIG. In FIGS. 5 and 6, the optical fiber F is not shown.

  In a state where the ferrule 10 and the lens array 30 face each other, the positions of the first connection portion 22 of the ferrule 10 and the second connection portion 35 of the lens array 30 coincide with each other in the X direction and the Y direction. Then, by inserting the second connection portion 35 into the first connection portion 22, the contact surface 24 of the ferrule 10 and the contact surface 33 of the lens array 30 contact each other. More specifically, the first connection surfaces 24a provided on both sides in the X direction of the ferrule 10 and the second connection surfaces 33a provided on both sides in the X direction of the lens array 30 abut. Further, the first lower end surface 24b provided at the lower end in the Y direction of the ferrule 10 and the second lower end surface 33b provided at the lower end in the Y direction of the lens array 30 are in contact with each other, and a lower end contact surface 60 is formed.

  The lower end contact surface 60 includes a second lower end surface 33b that protrudes toward the front end 21 of the ferrule 10 relative to the incident surface 32 provided with the lens 34, and a fiber in which the fiber holding hole 13 is formed at the front end 21 of the ferrule 10. It is formed by abutting a first lower end surface 24b that is recessed toward the rear end 11 side of the ferrule 10 with respect to the holding surface 23 (forming a step) and formed to receive the second lower end surface 33b. . Thus, since the lower end contact surface 60 is formed at a location recessed toward the rear end 11 of the ferrule 10 relative to the fiber holding surface 23, the adhesive 50 is introduced when the adhesive 50 is introduced from the open portion 25. It can be set as the structure where 50 does not leak easily.

  As shown in FIG. 6, a receding portion 28 is formed above the small diameter portion 13 b of the fiber holding hole 13 and is a surface inclined obliquely upward from the front end 21 toward the rear end 11. Since the receding portion 28 is formed, the interval between the opening portion 25 and the front end 21 of the ferrule 10 can be increased, and a rib 36 protruding from the upper end of the incident surface 32 toward the front end 21 of the ferrule 10 is provided. Even in this configuration, the adhesive 50 can be easily introduced.

  According to the configuration described above, the lens 34 is disposed on the back surface 31 of the lens array 30 connected to the ferrule 10. Thereby, it can be set as the structure by which a lens is not arrange | positioned on the surface 41 of the lens array 30, and since the surface 41 of the lens array 30 can be made into the flat surface 43, the end surface of the connector 1 with a lens can be cleaned easily. Moreover, since the 1st connection part 22 formed in the front end 21 of the ferrule 10 and the 2nd connection part 35 formed in the back surface 31 of the lens array 30 can be connected, the connector 1 with a lens can be made easy. Can be formed. Furthermore, since the surface 41 of the lens array 30 is provided with the third connection portion 44 that is connected to the opposing connector, the connection with the counterpart connector can be easily performed. From the above, it is possible to easily provide the lens-equipped connector 1 having a back lens configuration that allows easy cleaning of the end surface.

  Further, the back surface 31 and the front end 21 have contact surfaces 33 and 24 that contact each other and define a separation distance between the lens 34 and the front end 21, and the ferrule 10 and the lens are disposed between the back surface 31 and the front end 21. An opening 25 for introducing an adhesive 50 for fixing the array 30 between the back surface 31 and the front end 21 is formed. When the back surface 31 of the lens array 30 and the front end 21 of the ferrule 10 abut, the distance between the lens 34 provided on the back surface 31 and the front end 21 is determined to be a constant distance. And since the open part 25 is formed between the back surface 31 and the front end 21 in the state which the back surface 31 and the front end 21 contact | abutted, the ferrule 10 and the lens array 30 are introduce | transduced into the said open part 25. FIG. Can be easily fixed while maintaining a separation distance.

  The contact surfaces 33 and 24 are formed so as to surround three directions among the four surrounding directions surrounding the lens 34. Since the contact surfaces 33 and 24 are formed so as to surround the lens 34, the adhesive 50 introduced from the opening portion 25 can be appropriately accommodated, and leakage of the adhesive can be prevented.

  In addition, a first lower end surface 24 b that is recessed toward the rear end 11 with respect to the fiber holding surface 23 is formed at the front end 21 of the ferrule 10, and a second lower end surface 33 b that protrudes toward the front end 21 with respect to the incident surface 32 is formed in the lens array 30. The lower end contact surface 60 is formed by the first lower end surface 24b and the second lower end surface 33b. The first lower end surface 24b and the second lower end surface 33b are surfaces in which one of them projects and the other indents. Since the lower end abutment surface 60 is formed by the contact between the first lower end surface 24b and the second lower end surface 33b, for example, the surface without unevenness is abutted to form an abutment surface. In comparison, leakage of the adhesive 50 introduced from the opening 25 can be more effectively prevented. In addition, since the second lower end surface 33b does not protrude from the fiber holding surface 23 (does not protrude toward the back surface 31) at the front end 21 of the ferrule 10, after setting the optical fiber F on the ferrule 10 (that is, When the optical fiber F is polished after the optical fiber F is passed through the fiber holding hole 13, the second lower end surface 33 b does not hinder the polishing. From the above, workability can be improved.

  In addition, the lens array 30 further includes a rib 36 protruding from the upper end of the incident surface 32 toward the open portion 25 on the back surface 31. Since the mechanical strength of the lens array 30 is increased by having the ribs 36, the lens array 30 can be configured to withstand the stress caused by the volume change of the adhesive 50 when the adhesive 50 introduced into the open portion 25 is cured. Can be prevented.

  The third connection portion 44 is formed at a pair of positions sandwiching a region where light enters and exits the lens array 30, and one of the third connection portions 44 is a pin protruding from the surface 41. The other is a hole recessed on the back surface 31 side. By configuring the third connection portion 44 with pins and holes, the connectors can be easily connected. In addition, for example, by sharing the position where the pin is provided and the position where the hole is provided between the connectors, when the connectors to be connected are made to face each other with the vertical direction aligned, the pin and the hole face each other. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the connector from being connected upside down.

  The first connecting portion 22 is a pair of holes formed at the front end 21 with the fiber holding hole 13 interposed therebetween, and the second connecting portion 35 is a pin formed at the pair of positions with the lens 34 interposed therebetween. It is. Since the ferrule 10 and the lens array 30 are connected by fitting the pin (second connection part 35) and the hole (first connection part 22), the connection work can be easily performed. Further, the positions of the fiber holding hole 13 and the lens 34 are stably established by being connected by the pair of first connecting parts 22 sandwiching the fiber holding hole 13 and the pair of second connecting parts 35 sandwiching the lens 34. It can fix, and it can control that an optical axis shifts.

  The ferrule 10 and the lens array 30 are made of materials having the same linear expansion coefficient. As a result, the position of the fiber holding hole 13 and the position of the lens 34 are less likely to shift due to temperature fluctuations, and the optical characteristics can be less likely to fluctuate due to temperature fluctuations.

  The ferrule 10 and the lens array 30 are fixed by an adhesive 50, and the adhesive covers the lens. The refractive index of the adhesive 50 is larger than air and smaller than the material constituting the lens array 30. . Thereby, the difference in refractive index between the lens 34 and the fiber end can be reduced, loss due to Fresnel reflection of the beam by the lens 34 can be reduced, and the optical characteristics of the connector can be improved.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, the connector with lens according to the second embodiment will be described. In the description of this embodiment, differences from the above embodiment will be mainly described.

  FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a connector 101 with a lens according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, the lens-attached connector 101 includes a ferrule 110 that holds an optical fiber, and a lens array 130 that is fixed to one end of the ferrule 110. The basic configuration of the lens-equipped connector 101 is the same as that of the lens-equipped connector 1 of the first embodiment, except that the first connecting portion provided in the ferrule 110, the second connecting portion provided in the lens array 130, and the lens array 130 are provided. About the 3rd connection part provided, it is set as the structure different from the connector 1 with a lens of 1st Embodiment.

  FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the ferrule 110 of the lens-attached connector 101 of FIG. A contact surface 124 that contacts the lens array 130 is provided at the front end 21 of the ferrule 110. The contact surface 124 includes a first connection surface 124a provided in the left-right direction (both sides in the X direction) of the fiber holding surface 23, and a first lower end surface 24b provided in the downward direction (downward in the Y direction) of the fiber holding surface 23. It consists of.

  A first connection portion 122 to which the lens array 130 is connected is formed on the first connection surface 124a. The first connecting portion 122 is different from the first connecting portion 22 of the lens-equipped connector 1 in that the guide pin (second connecting portion) is inserted. That is, in the ferrule 110 of the lens-attached connector 101, both side surfaces 127 are formed in an arcuate shape from the first connection surface 124a to the rear end 11, and the first connection surface 124a of the arcuate shape is provided. The vicinity is the first connection part 122. Further, at the start point and end point of the arc (that is, the upper and lower end portions in the Y direction of the arc), both side surfaces 127 are further depressed to form a step shape 122a.

  In the first connecting portion 122, the step shape 122a includes an inclined shape 122x that is inclined with respect to the Z direction so as to project from the inner side in the X direction toward the outer side in the X direction from the front end 21 toward the rear end 11, and the rear of the inclined shape 122x. And a latch shape 122y extending in the X direction from the end (that is, the portion that protrudes most outward in the X direction in the inclined shape 122x) toward the inside in the X direction.

  FIG. 9A is a perspective view as seen from the front side of the lens array 130, and FIG. 9B is a perspective view as seen from the back side of the lens array 130. In the lens array 30 described in the first embodiment, the second connection portion 35 is provided so as to protrude from the second connection surface 33a, whereas in the lens array 130 of the present embodiment, the X direction of the lens array 30 is provided. A second connection portion 135 is provided along the side surfaces 137. The second connection portion 135 extends from the front surface 41 to the back surface 31 (more specifically, the second connection surface 133a) along the both side surfaces 137, and further in the state combined with the ferrule 110. 2 protrudes from the connection surface 133a toward the front end 21 of the ferrule 110. The second connecting portion 135 is a cylindrical guide pin, and a part of the outer diameter of the guide pin protrudes from the both side surfaces 137 outward in the X direction (side).

  A convex portion 138 is provided at the distal end portion of the second connection portion 135 so as to cover the distal end portion. The convex portion 138 is provided so as to cover a substantially semicircle on both ends in the X direction of the cylindrical tip portion. In addition, both end portions in the circumferential direction of the convex portion 138 have an inclined shape 139 that extends from the inner side to the outer side in the X direction from the second connection surface 133a side toward the front end 21 side of the ferrule 110. The inclination angle of the inclined shape 139 substantially matches the inclination angle of the inclined shape 122x described above.

  The surface 41 is provided with third connection portions 144 on both sides in the X direction. One third connection portion 144a (see FIG. 10) is a tapered guide pin protruding from the front surface 41, and the other third connection portion 144b is a hole recessed toward the back surface 31 side. The third connecting portion 144 is provided so as to be continuous with the second connecting portion 135 in the Z direction, and, like the second connecting portion 135, a part of the outer diameter is outward from the side surfaces 137 in the X direction (side). It protrudes. The outer diameter of the third connection portion 144 is the same as or slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the second connection portion 135.

  Next, the connection between the ferrule 110 and the lens array 130 will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11 as well. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the lens-equipped connector 101 of FIG. FIG. 11 is a partially enlarged view of a connection location. 10 and 11, the illustration of the optical fiber F is omitted.

  In a state where the ferrule 110 and the lens array 130 face each other, the positions of the first connection portion 122 of the ferrule 110 and the second connection portion 135 of the lens array 130 coincide with each other in the X direction and the Y direction. And the ferrule 110 and the lens array 130 are positioned by inserting the 2nd connection part 135 so that it may follow along with the 1st connection part 122 dented in circular arc shape.

  When the second connecting portion 135 is inserted into the first connecting portion 122, the lens array 130 is ferruled with the inclined shape 122x of the first connecting portion 122 and the inclined shape 139 of the second connecting portion 135 in contact with each other. Push to 110 side. In the pushing process, both the guide pin (second connection part 135) and the hole (first connection part 122) are slightly deformed. In the deformed state, by further pushing along the inclination of the inclined shape 122x and the inclined shape 139, the entire convex portion 138 is sequentially moved from the inclined shape 139 to the rear end of the inclined shape 122x (that is, the stepped shape 122a most outward in the X direction). Reach over the overhanging part). When the protruding portion 138 is disposed at the position over the position, the protruding portion 138 (second connecting portion 135) is opposite to the insertion direction (push-in direction) by fitting the protruding portion 138 and the latch shape 122y. It is suppressed that it moves to. That is, the ferrule 110 and the lens array 130 are temporarily fixed. In this way, by introducing the adhesive 50 from the opening 25 in a state where the ferrule 110 and the lens array 130 are temporarily fixed, the ferrule 110 and the lens array 130 can be fixed (mainly fixed) easily. Improves.

  In the lens-equipped connector 101 of the second embodiment, both side surfaces 127 of the ferrule 110 are recessed in an arc shape to provide the first connection portion 122 and the outer diameters of the second connection portion 135 and the third connection portion 144 are also provided. Since a part is provided so as to protrude outward in the X direction from both side surfaces 137 of the lens array 130, the second connection portion 135 and the third connection portion 144 with respect to the entrance surface 32 and the exit surface 42 of the lens array 130. The area occupied by can be reduced. As a result, more lenses 34 can be provided on the incident surface 32.

  The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

  For example, in the first embodiment, the first lower end surface 24 b that is recessed toward the rear end 11 side from the fiber holding surface 23 is formed at the front end 21 of the ferrule 10, and the second lower end protrudes toward the front end 21 side from the incident surface 32. Although the lower end surface 33b is formed on the rear surface 31 of the lens array 30, and the lower end contact surface 60 is formed by the first lower end surface 24b and the second lower end surface 33b, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, a first lower end surface protruding to the back surface side from the fiber holding surface is formed, and a second lower end surface recessed to the front surface side from the incident surface is formed, and the first lower end surface and the second lower end surface A lower end contact surface may be formed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,101 ... Connector with lens, 10,110 ... Ferrule, 11 ... Rear end, 12 ... Opening part, 13 ... Fiber holding hole, 21 ... Front end, 22, 122 ... First connection part, 23 ... Fiber holding surface, 24 33a, 124a, 133 ... contact surface, 24a, 124a ... first connection surface, 24b ... first lower end surface, 25 ... open part, 30 ... lens array, 31 ... back surface, 32 ... entrance surface, 33a, 133a ... 2nd connection surface, 34 ... lens, 35, 135 ... 2nd connection part, 36 ... rib, 41 ... surface, 42 ... emitting surface, 43 ... flat surface, 44, 144 ... 3rd connection part, 50 ... adhesive agent, 60: Lower end contact surface, F: Optical fiber.

Claims (9)

A ferrule holding an optical fiber, and a lens array fixed to the ferrule,
The ferrule has a rear end and a front end,
The rear end has an opening communicating with a fiber holding hole for holding the optical fiber formed from the rear end toward the front end,
The front end has a first connection part to which the lens array is connected,
The lens array is
A back surface including an incident surface for receiving light from the optical fiber, and a surface including an output surface for emitting light from the optical fiber,
The rear surface has a lens that receives light from the optical fiber, and a second connection portion that is connected to the first connection portion,
On said surface, possess a flat surface for emitting light from the optical fiber, and a third connecting portion that is connected to the counter connector,
The back surface and the front end have contact surfaces that contact each other and define a separation distance between the lens and the front end,
Between the back surface and the front end, an opening for introducing an adhesive for fixing the ferrule and the lens array between the back surface and the front end is formed,
The said contact surface is a connector with a lens currently formed so that 3 directions may be enclosed among the surrounding 4 directions surrounding the said lens . The abutment surface of the front end includes a first lower end surface that protrudes toward the back surface side or is recessed toward the rear end side from the surface where the fiber holding hole is formed at the front end,
The contact surface of the back surface includes a second lower end surface that protrudes toward the front end side or is recessed toward the front surface side than the surface on which the lens is provided,
The first lower end surface is recessed toward the rear end side when the second lower end surface protrudes toward the front end side, and the rear surface when the second lower end surface is recessed toward the surface side. Protruding to the side,
Wherein the first lower surface and the second bottom surface is in contact, with lens connector according to claim 1. The second lower end surface protruding to the front end side from the surface on which the lens is provided, and the second lower end surface recessed from the front end side to the rear end side than the surface in which the fiber holding hole is formed are accommodated. The connector with a lens according to claim 2 , wherein the first lower end surface formed so as to abut is in contact. It said lens array is on the back, further comprising, a lens with a connector of any one of claims 1 to 3, a rib that projects from the upper end of the incident surface to the opening direction. The third connection portion is formed at a pair of positions across a region where light enters and exits the lens array,
The one is the third connecting part is a pin protruding from said surface, the other is a hole recessed in said back side, a lens with a connector of any one of claims 1-4. The first connection part is a hole formed at a pair of positions sandwiching the fiber holding hole at the front end,
Said second connecting portion, said lens is a pin formed on the pair of position across the lens connector with any one of claims 1-5. Wherein the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are formed latch that can be fixed temporarily fitted with each other, the lens connector with any one of claims 1-6. The said ferrule and said lens array, the linear expansion coefficient is constituted by a material the same as one another, with lens connector according to any one of claims 1-7. The ferrule and the lens array are fixed by an adhesive,
The adhesive covers the lens;
The refractive index of the adhesive is less than that of the material constituting the large and the lens array than air connector with a lens of any one of claims 1-8.

Images