JP7087351B2 - Optical wiring components and electronic devices - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to optical wiring components and electronic devices.

Optical waveguides are generally responsible for short-distance optical communication, whereas optical fibers are used for long-distance optical communication. Therefore, by connecting these, it becomes possible to connect the local network and the backbone network.

For the connection between the optical waveguide and the optical fiber, for example, a form in which the end face of the optical waveguide and the end face of the optical fiber are held in a butted state is adopted (see, for example, Patent Document 1). A coupling mechanism that can be fitted to each other is used for this holding. Specifically, the alignment pin is provided for both the fitting hole provided in the first ferrule holding the end of the optical waveguide and the fitting hole provided in the second ferrule holding the end of the optical fiber. By being inserted, the optical waveguide and the optical fiber are optically coupled.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-75688

When the optical wave guide and the optical fiber are optically coupled in this way, if a gap is formed between the optical waveguide and the optical fiber, the reflectance increases between each optical transmission medium and the gap. As a result, for example, the light to be propagated from the optical waveguide side to the optical fiber side is reflected, and the probability of returning to the optical waveguide side again increases. As a result, the amount of light propagated to the optical fiber side is reduced, resulting in a decrease in optical coupling efficiency. In addition, the return light generated by reflection causes a problem such as destabilizing the light emitting element.

An object of the present invention is to provide an optical wiring component capable of realizing stable optical coupling efficiency with other optical components, and a highly reliable electronic device provided with the optical wiring component.

Such an object is achieved by the present invention of the following (1) to (13) .
(1) A first outer surface and a second outer surface facing each other, a penetrating portion penetrating the first outer surface and the second outer surface, and a protrusion protruding from the first outer surface to a side opposite to the second outer surface side. With an optical connector,
An elastic body provided so as to cover at least a part of the inner surface of the penetrating portion and at least a part of the first outer surface and having translucency and elasticity.
An optical waveguide fixed to the inner surface of the penetrating portion, having a light entrance / exit surface covered with the elastic body, and being entirely made of a resin material and forming a sheet shape .
Have,
The end surface of the protrusion is located on the first outer surface side of the end surface of the elastic body.
An optical wiring component characterized in that the light entrance / exit surface of the optical waveguide projects from the first outer surface to a side opposite to the second outer surface side.

(2) The optical wiring component according to (1) above, wherein when the first outer surface is viewed in a plan view, the protruding portion is located in a region that satisfies at least a relationship opposite to each other across the penetrating portion.

(3) Further, it has at least two guide holes penetrating the first outer surface and the second outer surface.
The optical wiring component according to (2) above, wherein when the first outer surface is viewed in a plan view, the two guide holes are located in regions that satisfy the opposite relationship with each other across the penetrating portion.

(4) The optical wiring component according to (3) above, wherein the guide hole is located between the penetrating portion and the protruding portion when the first outer surface is viewed in a plan view.

(5) The optical wiring component according to (3) or (4) above, wherein the elastic body is provided so as not to cover the guide hole.

(6) The optical wiring component according to any one of (1) to (5) above, wherein the protruding length of the protruding portion is 5 to 99% of the distance between the first outer surface and the end surface of the elastic body.

(7) The optical wiring component according to any one of (1) to (6) above, wherein the elastic body and the protruding portion are separated from each other.

(8) The optical wiring component according to any one of (1) to (7) above, wherein the protrusion length of the light entrance / exit surface is 0.1 to 500% of the thickness of the optical waveguide .
(9) The optical wiring component according to any one of (1) to (8) above, wherein the protruding length of the light inlet / output surface is shorter than the protruding length of the protruding portion.

(10) Any of the above (1) to (9) , wherein the elastic body includes an elastic body main body and a surface layer located on the surface of the elastic body main body and having a lower adhesiveness than the elastic body main body. Optical wiring parts described in Crab.

(11) The optical waveguide has a first main surface and a second main surface that are in a front-to-back relationship with each other.
There is a gap between the first main surface and the inner surface of the penetrating portion.
The optical wiring component according to any one of (1) to (10) above, wherein the second main surface is fixed to the inner surface of the penetrating portion with an adhesive.
(12) The optical wiring component according to (11) above, wherein the elastic body has a cylindrical shape .

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

According to the present invention, an optical wiring component capable of achieving stable optical coupling efficiency with other optical components can be obtained.

Further , according to the present invention, a highly reliable electronic device provided with the optical wiring component can be obtained.

It is a perspective view which shows 1st Embodiment of the optical wiring component of this invention. FIG. 3 is a plan view of a surface of the optical wiring component shown in FIG. 1 facing another optical component. It is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A1-A1 of FIG. It is a partially enlarged view of FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B1-B1 of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows only the optical connector included in the optical wiring component shown in FIG. 1. 6 is a plan view of a surface of the optical connector shown in FIG. 6 facing another optical component. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. It is a partially enlarged perspective view which shows a part of the optical waveguide included in the optical wiring component shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the modification of the optical wiring component and an optical connector shown in FIGS. 1 to 5. It is sectional drawing which shows the 2nd Embodiment of the optical wiring component of this invention. It is a partially enlarged view of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the 3rd Embodiment of the optical wiring component of this invention. FIG. 3 is a plan view of a surface of the optical wiring component shown in FIG. 13 facing another optical component. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A2-A2 of FIG. It is a partially enlarged view of FIG. It is a top view of the surface which faces the other optical component in the 4th Embodiment of the optical wiring component of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows only the optical connector included in the optical wiring component shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the 5th Embodiment of the optical wiring component of this invention. It is a top view of the plane which faces the other optical component in the 6th Embodiment of the optical wiring component of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the method of connecting the optical wiring component shown in FIGS. 13 to 16 and an optical fiber (another optical component). It is a figure for demonstrating the method of manufacturing the optical wiring component shown in FIGS. 13-16. It is a figure for demonstrating the method of manufacturing the optical wiring component shown in FIGS. 13-16.

Hereinafter, the optical connector with an elastic body, the optical wiring component, and the electronic device of the present invention will be described in detail based on the preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

<Optical wiring parts>
<< First Embodiment >>
First, a first embodiment of the optical wiring component of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of the optical wiring component of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of a surface of the optical wiring component shown in FIG. 1 facing another optical component. 3 is a sectional view taken along line A1-A1 of FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line B1-B1 of FIG. Further, FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing only the optical connector included in the optical wiring component shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 7 is a plan view of the surface of the optical connector shown in FIG. 6 facing the other optical component. Yes, FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line CC of FIG. Further, FIG. 9 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing a part of the optical waveguide included in the optical wiring component shown in FIG. In the following description, for convenience of explanation, the upper part of FIGS. 2 and 3 is referred to as “upper” and the lower part is referred to as “lower”.

The optical wiring component 10 shown in FIG. 1 has an optical waveguide 1, an optical connector 5 provided at an end of the optical waveguide 1, and an elastic body 7. Of these, the optical waveguide 1 and the optical connector 5 constitute an optical waveguide 4 with a connector. Further, the optical connector 5 and the elastic body 7 constitute an optical connector 6 with an elastic body (the embodiment of the optical connector with an elastic body of the present invention). These optical connectors 5, the optical waveguide 4 with a connector, and the optical connector 6 with an elastic body will be described in detail later, but are useful as the optical wiring component 10 can be easily manufactured.

The optical waveguide 1 shown in FIG. 1 has a long shape and a strip shape (sheet shape) having a cross-sectional shape smaller than the width. In this optical waveguide 1, an optical signal can be transmitted between one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction.

Here, the optical waveguide 1 may be replaced by an optical transmission line other than the optical waveguide such as an optical fiber. In the present application, a medium capable of transmitting an optical signal such as an optical waveguide or an optical fiber is referred to as an "optical transmission line".

In the following, as an example, a mode using the optical waveguide 1 will be described. According to the optical waveguide 1, it is possible to realize an optical wiring component 10 having excellent flexibility while reducing the thickness. As a result, the optical wiring component 10 having good mountability and handleability can be obtained.

Further, in each drawing of the present application, only the portion corresponding to one end of the optical waveguide 1 is shown in the optical wiring component 10, and the other parts are not shown. The configuration of the optical wiring component 10 other than the portion corresponding to one end of the optical waveguide 1 is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, the same configuration as the portion corresponding to one end. Further, in the present specification, the left end portion of the optical waveguide 1 in FIG. 3 is also referred to as “tip portion 101”, and the left end end surface is also referred to as “tip surface 102”. Further, among the upper and lower surfaces of the optical waveguide 1 in FIG. 3, which are in a front-to-back relationship with each other, the lower surface is also referred to as "lower surface 103 (first main surface)" and the upper surface is also referred to as "upper surface 104 (second main surface)".

As shown in FIG. 9, such an optical waveguide 1 includes a laminate in which a clad layer 11, a core layer 13, and a clad layer 12 are laminated in this order from the bottom. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the core layer 13 is formed with eight elongated core portions 14 provided in parallel and side clad portions 15 adjacent to the side surfaces of each core portion 14. ing.

These core portions 14 function as transmission paths for transmitting optical signals in the optical waveguide 1. The front end surface 102 of each core portion 14 is a part of an outer surface connecting the lower surface 103 and the upper surface 104, and is also a light entrance / exit surface capable of optical coupling to each core portion 14.

As shown in FIG. 3, the tip 101 of the optical waveguide 1 is provided with an optical connector 5 so as to cover the tip 101. That is, the optical connector 5 includes a connector main body 51 and a through hole 50 (through portion) formed in the connector main body 51, and the tip portion 101 of the optical waveguide 1 is inserted into the through hole 50. There is.

The left end surface of the optical connector 5 in FIGS. 3 and 8 is a surface facing the optical component when the optical wiring component 10 is optically connected to another optical component. In the present specification, the left end surface of the optical connector 5 in FIGS. 3 and 8 is referred to as “opposing surface 52”, and the right end surface of the optical connector 5 in FIGS. 3 and 8 is referred to as “non-opposing surface 53”. In other words, the optical connector 5 includes a connector main body 51, a facing surface 52 provided on the connector main body 51, a non-facing surface 53 provided on the connector main body 51, and a through hole 50 formed in the connector main body 51. , Is equipped.

The through hole 50 is formed so as to penetrate the facing surface 52 (first outer surface) of the connector main body 51 and the non-facing surface 53 (second outer surface). Further, the through hole 50 is configured to have a cut surface forming a rectangle when cut along a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction thereof.

Further, in the present embodiment, the elastic body 7 continuously covers the optical waveguide 1 from the tip surface 102 to the facing surface 52, and continuously covers the front surface 102 of the optical waveguide 1 to the lower surface 103 and the upper surface 104. It is provided. The elastic body 7 has translucency and elasticity, and has a function of protecting the tip surface 102 which is a light entrance / exit surface. Therefore, when the optical wiring component 10 and other optical components are optically connected, it is possible to prevent the tip surface 102 of the optical waveguide 1 from being significantly damaged. In addition, even if the elastic body 7 is brought into contact with other optical components, the other optical components are less likely to be damaged, so that the optical wiring component 10 and the other optical components can be pressed against each other with sufficient force. Become.

Further, since the elastic body 7 is in close contact with the other optical component and easily deforms following its shape, a gap is less likely to occur between the elastic body 7 and the other optical component. As a result, the generation of Fresnel reflection in the gap can be suppressed, and the decrease in optical coupling efficiency due to reflection loss can be suppressed. Similarly, a gap is less likely to occur between the elastic body 7 and the optical waveguide 1, and the occurrence of Fresnel reflection is suppressed. Therefore, the optical wiring component 10 can realize stable optical coupling efficiency with other optical components.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the optical wiring component 10 will be described in more detail.
(Optical connector)
As described above, the optical connector 5 includes a connector main body 51 and a through hole 50 formed in the connector main body 51.

The optical waveguide 1 is supported by the lower surface 501 and the upper surface 502 of the through hole 50, respectively, via the elastic body 7. As a result, the optical waveguide 1 is fixed in a state of being inserted into the through hole 50. As a result, the optical waveguide 1 can be protected from an external force or the like, so that the optical waveguide 1 can be easily gripped and the decrease in optical coupling efficiency between the optical wiring component 10 and other optical components can be more reliably suppressed. Can be done.

The through hole 50 is formed so as to penetrate the connector main body 51, and is open in the facing surface 52 (first outer surface) and the non-facing surface 53 (second outer surface) of the optical connector 5, respectively. That is, the through hole 50 penetrates so as to connect the facing surface 52 and the non-facing surface 53.

The cross-sectional shape of the through hole 50 (the shape of the cut surface in the direction orthogonal to the line connecting the openings) is not limited to the rectangle as described above, but may be a square, a parallelogram, a hexagon, or an octagon. Other shapes such as squares and oval may be used.

Further, the width of the through hole 50 is preferably set wider than the width of the optical waveguide 1. As a result, a gap can be provided between the side surface of the tip portion 101 of the optical waveguide 1 and the inner surface of the through hole 50. Then, the elastic body 7 can be filled in this space. Thereby, the elastic body 7 can be more firmly fixed between the optical connector 5 and the optical waveguide 1.

In this case, the width of the through hole 50 is preferably about 1.01 to 3 times, more preferably about 1.1 to 2 times the width of the optical waveguide 1. Thereby, the above-mentioned effect can be further enhanced. Further, even if the volume of the elastic body 7 or the optical waveguide 1 changes due to a change in the environment in which the optical wiring component 10 is placed, the elastic body 7 is filled in the gap between the optical waveguide 1 and the through hole 50. Therefore, the increase in stress due to the volume change can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the transmission efficiency of the optical waveguide 1 due to stress concentration.

The outer shape of the connector main body 51 is not particularly limited, and may be a shape similar to a rectangular parallelepiped as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6 or a shape other than that. Further, the connector main body 51 may include a portion conforming to various connector standards. Examples of such a connector standard include a small (Mini) MT connector, an MT connector specified in JIS C 5981, a 16 MT connector, a two-dimensional array type MT connector, an MPO connector, an MPX connector and the like.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, two guide holes 511 are formed in the connector main body 51 of the optical connector 5 according to the present embodiment. The guide hole 511 opens in the facing surface 52 (first outer surface) and in the non-facing surface 53 (second outer surface) of the connector main body 51, respectively. That is, the two guide holes 511 penetrate so as to connect the facing surface 52 and the non-facing surface 53, respectively.

Guide pins (not shown) are inserted into these guide holes 511 when the optical wiring component 10 is connected to other optical components. As a result, when the optical wiring component 10 and the other optical component are aligned, the positions can be more accurately aligned with each other, and both can be fixed to each other. That is, the guide hole 511 functions as a connection mechanism for connecting the optical wiring component 10 to other optical components.

The guide hole 511 does not have to penetrate the connector main body 51 and does not have to open in the plane including the non-opposing surface 53.

Further, instead of the above-mentioned connection mechanism, a locking mechanism using locking by a claw, an adhesive or the like may be used.

Further, the shape of the through hole 50 is not limited to the shape shown in the figure. For example, the through hole 50 of the optical connector 5 shown in FIGS. 3 and 8 includes a portion where the height gradually increases from the facing surface 52 side to the non-opposing surface 53 side, but the height of the through hole 50 The width may be constant.

Examples of the constituent material of the connector main body 51 include various resin materials such as phenol-based resin, epoxy-based resin, olefin-based resin, urea-based resin, melamine-based resin, unsaturated polyester-based resin, polyphenylene sulfide-based resin, and stainless steel. , Various metal materials such as aluminum alloys and the like.

Here, as shown in FIG. 1, the optical connector 5 includes two protrusions 541 and 542 that protrude from the facing surface 52 to the side opposite to the non-facing surface 53. Since these projecting portions 541 and 542 are provided so as to project from the facing surface 52, when the optical wiring component 10 is connected to another optical component, the projecting portions 541 and 542 are preferentially contacted with the other optical component. Therefore, a gap corresponding to the protrusion length of the protrusions 541 and 542 is formed between the facing surface 52 after the connection is completed and the other optical components.

On the other hand, the elastic body 7 is provided on the facing surface 52 as described above. When the optical wiring component 10 is connected to other optical components, the elastic body 7 is compressed between them as the separation distance between the facing surface 52 and the other optical components is gradually reduced. At this time, when the tips of the protrusions 541 and 542 come into contact with other optical components, the separation distance between the two cannot be further reduced. Therefore, even if the elastic body 7 is compressed, its thickness at the time of maximum compression remains equal to the protrusion lengths of the protrusions 541 and 542. As a result, it is possible to prevent the elastic body 7 from being compressed more than necessary, and to prevent the occurrence of problems associated therewith.

That is, if the elastic body 7 is compressed more than necessary, stress may be concentrated on the elastic body 7 and the optical waveguide 1 accompanying the elastic body 7, and their refractive indexes may change unintentionally. On the other hand, since the elastic body 7 is not compressed more than necessary by providing the protrusions 541 and 542, it is possible to suppress a significant change in the refractive index (spacer effect). That is, the protrusions 541 and 542 function as spacers that control the compression width of the elastic body 7. As a result, when the optical wiring component 10 and other optical components are connected, an increase in optical coupling loss due to an unintended change in the refractive index can be suppressed. Therefore, the optical wiring component 10 can realize stable optical coupling efficiency with other optical components.

On the other hand, if the protruding length of the protruding portion 54 is too long, the elastic body 7 may not be compressed at all depending on the shape of other optical components, and the elastic body 7 may not be able to perform its function. Therefore, in the extending direction of the optical waveguide 1, it is preferable that the end face of the protrusion 54 is located closer to the base end side than the end face of the elastic body 7. In other words, it is preferable that the end surface of the protrusion 54 is located closer to the facing surface 52 than the end surface of the elastic body 7. As a result, the elastic body 7 protrudes further than the protruding portion 54, so that even if the protruding portion 54 is provided, the elastic body 7 is likely to be compressed when connected to many optical components. As a result, the effect of compressing the elastic body 7 can be easily enjoyed, and the spacer effect of the protruding portion 54 can also be enjoyed. Therefore, the photocoupling efficiency can be particularly improved.

The protrusion length L3 (see FIG. 4) of the protrusion 54 is not particularly limited as long as the end face of the protrusion 54 is located closer to the proximal end side than the end face of the elastic body 7, but the protrusion 54 The protrusion length L3 is preferably set to about 5 to 99% of the thickness L2 of the elastic body 7, and more preferably set to about 10 to 90%. As a result, the compression width of the elastic body 7 is optimized, and the increase width of stress in the elastic body 7 and the optical waveguide 1 is also optimized. Therefore, it is possible to enjoy the effect of improving the optical coupling efficiency by deforming the elastic body 7 following other optical components while suppressing an unintended change in the refractive index due to an increase in stress. As a result, the optical coupling efficiency can be particularly improved as a whole.

The protrusion length L3 of the protrusion 54 is preferably 0.02 to 0.3 mm, more preferably 0.04 to 0.1 mm.

On the other hand, the total length of the optical connector 5 is preferably, for example, 3.0 to 30.0 mm, more preferably 7.9 to 8.1 mm, and further preferably 7.95 to 8.05 mm. preferable.

The protrusion length L3 of the protrusion 54 and the thickness L2 of the elastic body 7 are obtained as the distance from the facing surface 52 to the end face of the protrusion 54 and the distance from the facing surface 52 to the end face of the elastic body 7, respectively. .. Further, the total length of the optical connector 5 is obtained as a distance from the non-opposing surface 53 to the end surface of the protruding portion 54.

Further, in the present embodiment, a group of protrusions 54 is composed of two protrusions 541 and 542. The shape of the protrusion 54 is not particularly limited, and may be composed of, for example, one portion or three or more portions.

The protrusion length L3 of the protrusion 54 is appropriately set according to the shape of the other optical component, but may be larger than the thickness L2 of the elastic body 7 depending on the shape of the other optical component. That is, for example, when the light input / output portion of another optical component is projected, the elastic body 7 can fully exert its function even if the elastic body 7 is retracted from the protruding portion 54. Therefore, the above-mentioned effect can be obtained.

In consideration of the above cases, the protrusion length L3 of the protrusion 54 is preferably about 5 to 200% of the thickness L2 of the elastic body 7, and more preferably about 5 to 150%. It is more preferably about 100%. As a result, good optical coupling efficiency can be realized regardless of the shape of other optical components.

Further, in the optical connector 5 shown in FIG. 2, when the facing surface 52 is viewed in a plan view, the protruding portion 541 and the protruding portion 542 are located in a region that satisfies the opposite relationship with each other across the through hole 50. That is, in the optical connector 5 shown in FIG. 2, when the facing surface 52 is viewed in a plan view, the protruding portion 541 is located at the left end of FIG. 2, and the protruding portion 542 is located at the right end of FIG. By satisfying such a positional relationship, the protrusions 54 can be arranged in a well-balanced manner. As a result, when the optical wiring component 10 and other optical components are connected, a plurality of contacts are formed and the contacts are sufficiently separated from each other. Therefore, the other optical components and the protrusion 54 can be stably brought into contact with each other. As a result, it is possible to further improve the reliability of the connection state and further improve the optical coupling efficiency.

It should be noted that this positional relationship is not essential, and this positional relationship may not be satisfied as long as the other optical components and the protrusion 54 can be stably brought into contact with each other.

That is, the arrangement of the protrusions 54 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 2, and may be, for example, an arrangement in which the protrusions 54 are provided at the upper and lower ends of the facing surface 52 shown in FIG. 2, respectively. The protrusions 54 may be provided at the four corners of the facing surface 52, respectively.

Further, in FIG. 2, of the facing surfaces 52, the protrusions 54 are provided on the left side and the right side of the through hole 50, respectively, while the protrusions 54 are not provided above or below the through hole 50. .. According to such an arrangement, a sufficient effect is obtained even when a plurality of through holes 50 are formed in one optical connector 5. That is, when the two through holes 50 are provided so as to overlap each other in the vertical direction in the optical connector 5, the space required for that can be secured. In other words, the space required to provide the two through holes 50 is prevented from being narrowed by the protrusion 54, and conversely, the optical connector 5 is prevented from being enlarged in order to secure such space. can do. As a result, even in the optical connector 5 having two or more through holes 50 and having two or more optical waveguides 1 inserted therein, the optical connector 5 having an increase in size can be obtained.

On the other hand, the protruding portion 54 shown in FIG. 2 is provided on the outside of the guide hole 511 (on the side opposite to the through hole 50 side), but is provided on the inside of the guide hole 511 (on the side of the through hole 50). It is preferable that there is no such thing. If the protruding portion 54 is provided on the through hole 50 side of the guide hole 511, the area in which the elastic body 7 can be arranged becomes narrower by that amount, so that the degree of freedom in arranging the elastic body 7 may be reduced. On the other hand, by providing the elastic body 7 on the outer side of the guide hole 511, a larger area for the elastic body 7 to cover the facing surface 52 can be secured, so that the arrangement of the elastic body 7 can be further stabilized. Can be done.

Further, the constituent material of the protruding portion 54 is preferably the same as the constituent material of the connector main body 51. The bending strength of the constituent material of the protrusion 54 is not particularly limited, but is preferably about 20 to 150 MPa, more preferably about 30 to 140 MPa, and even more preferably about 40 to 130 MPa. As a result, the bending strength of the protrusion 54 becomes sufficiently high. Therefore, for example, when the optical wiring component 10 is connected to another optical component, even if a large load is applied to the protrusion 54, the protrusion 54 Damage can be suppressed. On the other hand, the bending strength may exceed the upper limit value, but in that case, there is a concern about side effects such as a decrease in the impact resistance of the protruding portion 54, so that the bending strength is preferably not more than the upper limit value.

Further, the optical connector 5 may have an arbitrary configuration added to the configurations shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, if necessary.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a modified example of the optical wiring component and the optical connector shown in FIGS. 1 to 5. This modification is the same as the optical wiring components and optical connectors shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 except that the following items are different.

As shown in FIG. 10, the optical connector 5 according to the modified example is composed of an assembly in which the connector main body 51 is an assembly of a base 51a and a lid 51b. In FIG. 10, the elastic body 7 is not shown for convenience of illustration.

In this modification, as shown by the broken line arrow in FIG. 10, the lid 51b is fitted in the groove provided in the substrate 51a. That is, the through hole 50 is formed by closing the opening above the groove with the lid 51b.
The substrate 51a and the lid 51b are fixed to each other by using, for example, an adhesive.

The lid 51b may be used or omitted as needed. In that case, since the upper part of the through hole 50 is opened, the optical waveguide 1 is placed on the bottom surface of the groove provided in the substrate 51. That is, the bottom surface of the groove serves as a mounting surface for mounting the optical waveguide 1.
The above-mentioned effects can be obtained even in the above-mentioned modified examples.

(Optical waveguide)
As described above, FIG. 9 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing a part of the optical waveguide included in the optical wiring component shown in FIG. In FIG. 9, for convenience of explanation, the vicinity of two core portions 14 of the optical waveguide 1 shown in FIG. 5 is enlarged and shown.

The two core portions 14 shown in FIG. 9 are each surrounded by a clad portion (side clad portion 15 and the clad layers 11 and 12), and light can be confined and propagated in the core portion 14.

The refractive index distribution in the cross section of the core portion 14 may be any distribution. This refractive index distribution may be a so-called step index (SI) type distribution in which the refractive index changes discontinuously, or a so-called graded index (GI) type distribution in which the refractive index continuously changes. May be.

Further, the optical waveguide 1 and the core portion 14 formed therein may be linear or curved in a plan view, respectively. Further, the optical waveguide 1 and the core portion 14 formed therein may be branched or intersect in the middle of each.

The cross-sectional shape of the core portion 14 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a circle such as a perfect circle, an ellipse, or an oval, or a polygon such as a triangle, a quadrangle, a pentagon, or a hexagon. The rectangular shape) has an advantage that the core portion 14 can be easily formed.

The width and height of the core portion 14 (thickness of the core layer 13) are not particularly limited, but are preferably about 1 to 200 μm, more preferably about 5 to 100 μm, and more preferably about 10 to 70 μm. It is more preferable to have it. As a result, the density of the core portion 14 can be increased while suppressing the decrease in the transmission efficiency of the optical waveguide 1.

On the other hand, when a plurality of core portions 14 are arranged in parallel as shown in FIG. 9, the width of the side clad portions 15 located between the core portions 14 is preferably about 5 to 250 μm, preferably 10 to 200 μm. It is more preferably about 10 to 120 μm. As a result, it is possible to increase the density of the core portions 14 while preventing the optical signals from being mixed (crosstalk) between the core portions 14.

The constituent material (main material) of the core layer 13 as described above is, for example, an acrylic resin, a methacrylic resin, a polycarbonate, a polystyrene, a cyclic ether resin such as an epoxy resin or an oxetane resin, a polyamide, a polyimide, or a poly. Benzoxazole, polysilane, polysilazane, silicone resin, fluororesin, polyurethane, polyolefin resin, polybutadiene, polyisoprene, polychloroprene, polyesters such as PET and PBT, polyethylene succinate, polysulfone, polyether, and benzocyclo In addition to various resin materials such as cyclic olefin resins such as butene resins and norbornene resins, glass materials such as quartz glass and borosilicate glass can be used. The resin material may be a composite material in which materials having different compositions are combined.

Further, as the constituent materials of the clad layers 11 and 12, for example, the same materials as the constituent materials of the core layer 13 described above can be used, but in particular, (meth) acrylic resin, epoxy resin, silicone resin, and the like. It is preferably at least one selected from the group consisting of a polyimide-based resin, a fluororesin-based resin, and a polyolefin-based resin.

It is preferable that the entire optical waveguide 1 is made of a resin material. As a result, the optical waveguide 1 becomes highly flexible, and the mounting work can be facilitated.

The width of the optical waveguide 1 is not particularly limited, but is preferably about 1 to 100 mm, more preferably about 2 to 10 mm.

The number of core portions 14 formed in the optical waveguide 1 is not particularly limited, but is preferably about 1 to 100. If the number of core portions 14 is large, the optical waveguide 1 may be multi-layered, if necessary. Specifically, the core layer and the clad layer can be alternately layered on the optical waveguide 1 shown in FIG. 9 to form a multi-layer structure.

Further, although not shown in FIG. 2 and the like, as shown in FIG. 9, the optical waveguide 1 may further include a support film 2 as a lowermost layer and a cover film 3 as an uppermost layer. ..

Examples of the constituent materials of the support film 2 and the cover film 3 include various resin materials such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene, polyolefins such as polypropylene, polyimide, and polyamide.

The average thickness of the support film 2 and the cover film 3 is not particularly limited, but is preferably about 5 to 500 μm, more preferably about 10 to 400 μm. As a result, the support film 2 and the cover film 3 have appropriate rigidity, so that the core layer 13 is reliably supported and the core layer 13 and the clad layers 11 and 12 are reliably protected from external forces and the external environment. can do.

The support film 2 and the cover film 3 may be provided as necessary or may be omitted.

Further, the tip surface 102 of the optical waveguide 1 shown in FIG. 4 is located on the right side (non-opposing surface 53 side) of the facing surface 52. In other words, the tip surface 102 of the optical waveguide 1 shown in FIG. 4 recedes to the right from the facing surface 52. As a result, the thickness of the elastic body 7 adjacent to the tip surface 102 becomes thicker, so that when the elastic body 7 comes into close contact with another optical component, it becomes easier to follow the shape of the other optical component. Therefore, a gap is less likely to occur between the elastic body 7 and other optical components. As a result, the occurrence of Fresnel reflection in the gap can be suppressed to be smaller, and the decrease in optical coupling efficiency due to reflection loss can be further suppressed. Similarly, a gap is less likely to occur between the elastic body 7 and the optical waveguide 1, and the occurrence of Fresnel reflection is further suppressed. Therefore, the optical wiring component 10 can realize a particularly stable optical coupling efficiency with other optical components.

The receding length L4 of the tip surface 102 is not particularly limited, but is preferably about 0.1 to 500%, more preferably about 0.5 to 200% of the thickness of the optical waveguide 1. .. As a result, a sufficient thickness is secured for the elastic body 7, so that the effect that the elastic body 7 can easily follow the shape of other optical components can be further enjoyed, while the optical waveguide 1 and the optical waveguide 1 can be enjoyed more. It is possible to suppress an increase in coupling loss due to an excessively large separation distance from other optical components. As a result, a particularly stable optical coupling efficiency can be realized between the optical wiring component 10 and other optical components.

The tip surface 102 of the optical waveguide 1 is not limited to the above position, and may be located on the side opposite to the non-opposing surface 53 with respect to the facing surface 52 of the optical connector 5, and includes the facing surface 52. It may be located on a plane.

Further, as described above, an optical fiber may be used instead of the optical waveguide 1.
Examples of the optical fiber include a polymer optical fiber and a glass optical fiber. A plurality of optical fibers may be inserted into the through hole 50.

Further, instead of the optical waveguide 1, an optical fiber array in which a plurality of optical fibers are bundled in a band shape may be used.

(Elastic body)
As described above, the elastic body 7 has translucency and elasticity, and continuously covers the optical waveguide 1 from the front end surface 102 to the lower surface 103 and the upper surface 104.

Here, the translucent property means a property having transparency at the wavelength of the light incident on the optical waveguide 1. In the present invention, it refers to a state in which the insertion loss is 2 dB or less when light having a wavelength of 850 nm is incident on the elastic body 7, and is referred to as “having translucency”.

Further, the elastic body 7 preferably has elasticity in addition to translucency. The elasticity here means the property of deforming when an external force is applied and restoring to the original shape when the external force is removed. Specifically, it refers to a state in which the tensile strength is 0.3 MPa or more and the elastic modulus is 0.01 to 1000 MPa, and is referred to as "having elasticity".

Since the elastic body 7 has translucency and elasticity in this way, when the optical wiring component 10 and other optical components are optically connected, the tip surface 102 of the optical waveguide 1 is the elastic body 7. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the tip surface 102 of the optical waveguide 1 from being significantly damaged. Therefore, the optical wiring component 10 and the other optical component can be pressed against each other with sufficient force, and the stability of the connection can be improved.

Further, since the elastic body 7 is in close contact with other optical components and easily deforms according to the shape thereof, the space between the elastic body 7 and the other optical components and the space between the elastic body 7 and the optical waveguide 1. It becomes difficult for gaps to occur. As a result, the occurrence of Fresnel reflection in the gap can be suppressed, and the decrease in optical coupling efficiency due to reflection loss can be suppressed. Therefore, the optical wiring component 10 can realize a stable optical coupling efficiency with other optical components.

Further, the elastic body 7 shown in FIG. 4 has entered the inside of the through hole 50. As a result, the elastic body 7 comes into contact with (covers the inner surface) the inner surface of the through hole 50, and is therefore fixed to the optical connector 5 in a wider area. As a result, even if an external force, an environmental change, or the like is applied, a gap is less likely to occur between the elastic body 7 and the optical waveguide 1, and more stable optical coupling between the optical wiring component 10 and other optical components is achieved. Efficiency is achieved. Then, even if a drop impact is applied to the connection body between the optical wiring component 10 and another optical component, or the connection body is subjected to a temperature cycle test, the optical coupling loss is less likely to increase.

By the way, the position where the elastic body 7 enters the inside of the through hole 50 is not particularly limited, but in the example shown in FIGS. It is in the shape of a cylinder that covers it. As a result, the elastic body 7 can be more reliably fixed to the optical connector 5 and the optical waveguide 1.

The penetration length L1 of the elastic body 7 (distance between the plane including the facing surface 52 and the portion of the elastic body 7 on the most non-facing surface 53 side) is not particularly limited, but is 10% or more of the thickness of the optical waveguide 1. It is preferably 100% or more, more preferably 500% or more, and even more preferably 500% or more. As a result, the length for the elastic body 7 to enter is necessary and sufficient, so that the elastic body 7 can be more reliably fixed to the optical waveguide 1.

If the penetration length L1 is less than the lower limit, the length into which the elastic body 7 enters becomes insufficient. Therefore, depending on the situation of other fixed regions such as the contact area between the elastic body 7 and the facing surface 52, , There is a possibility that the elastic body 7 cannot be fixed with a particularly high strength.

On the other hand, the upper limit of the penetration length L1 does not have to be set in particular, but it is considered that the total length of the elastic body 7 becomes longer as the penetration length L1 becomes longer, and the elastic body 7 is more susceptible to thermal expansion. Therefore, it is preferable that the length of the through hole 50 is suppressed to about 95% or less. Thereby, the effect of improving the photobonding efficiency by the elastic body 7 can be enjoyed more stably.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the elastic body 7 is preferably provided so as to cover the facing surface 52. As a result, the elastic body 7 is more firmly and more stably fixed to the optical connector 5.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the elastic body 7 is formed so as to project to the left side (project to the side opposite to the non-opposite surface 53) from the plane including the facing surface 52 of the connector main body 51. As a result, the elastic body 7 comes into contact with the other optical component before the optical connector 5 when the optical wiring component 10 is connected to the other optical component. Then, by gradually reducing the distance between the two, the gap between the two is gradually filled while the elastic body 7 is deformed. At this time, since the elastic body 7 is compressed and subsequently deformed, it becomes difficult for air to remain at the connection interface, and it is possible to suppress a decrease in optical coupling efficiency (increase in reflection loss) due to Fresnel reflection. can.

The thickness L2 of the elastic body 7 (distance between the tip of the elastic body 7 and the plane including the facing surface 52) is not particularly limited, but is preferably about 1 to 5000% of the thickness of the optical waveguide 1. It is more preferably about 2000%. As a result, when the elastic body 7 hits another optical component, a sufficient amount of deformation is secured to change following the shape of the elastic body 7. Therefore, it is possible to further suppress the residual air at the connection interface, and it is possible to more reliably suppress the decrease in the photocoupling efficiency.

When the thickness L2 is less than the lower limit, the protruding length of the elastic body 7 becomes smaller. Therefore, depending on the physical characteristics of the elastic body 7 and the shape of the other optical component, the function of following the other optical component may be obtained. It may decrease. On the other hand, when the thickness L2 exceeds the upper limit value, the shape of the elastic body 7 may become unstable due to the influence of its own weight or the like depending on the physical characteristics of the elastic body 7 or the shape of other optical components.

Examples of the constituent materials of the elastic body 7 include transparent polyamide, polyolefin, fluororesin, polyester, (meth) acrylic resin, plastic resin such as polycarbonate, epoxy resin, oxetane resin, vinyl ether resin, and melamine resin. , Phenolic resin, silicone resin, curable resin such as transparent polyimide, and the like, and a material containing one or more of these is used.

The constituent materials of the elastic body 7 include styrene-based, polyolefin-based, polyvinyl chloride-based, polyurethane-based, polyester-based, polyamide-based, polybutadiene-based, transpolyisoprene-based, fluororubber-based, and chlorinated materials, if necessary. Various thermoplastic elastomers such as polyethylene may be contained.

Further, as a constituent material of the elastic body 7, a curable resin such as a thermosetting resin or a photocurable resin is preferably used. Such a material can be efficiently formed in a short time when forming the elastic body 7. Therefore, an elastic body 7 having excellent dimensional accuracy at high temperature can be obtained.

As described above, the translucency of the elastic body 7 satisfies the insertion loss of 2 dB or less, preferably 1.5 dB or less, when light having a wavelength of 850 nm is incident on the elastic body 7. Such an elastic body 7 can suppress a decrease in transmission efficiency even when it is interposed between the optical waveguide 1 and other optical components. Therefore, the optical coupling efficiency between the optical wiring component 10 and other optical components can be sufficiently increased.

The insertion loss of the elastic body 7 is, for example, 4.6.1 insertion in the polymer optical waveguide test method (JPCA-PE02-05-01S-2008), which is a standard created by the Japan Electronic Circuit Industry Association. It can be measured according to the loss measuring method.

Further, it is preferable that the elastic body 7 has a compressive deformability so as to exhibit a predetermined amount of deformation when pressed with a predetermined load. Specifically, it is preferable that the elastic body 7 exhibits a characteristic that the amount of compression deformation when a region having an area of 7.4 mm ² is pressed with a load of 15 N at room temperature (25 ° C.) is 0.005 mm or more. When the optical wiring component 10 is connected to another optical component, the elastic body 7 is pressed against another optical component (for example, an optical fiber). At this time, the elastic body 7 is pressed against the other optical component. It will follow the parts and dent appropriately. Therefore, it becomes more difficult for a gap to be formed between the other optical component and the elastic body 7. As a result, the generation of Fresnel reflection due to the gap is suppressed, and the decrease in the optical coupling efficiency due to the reflection loss can be further suppressed.

Further, when the elastic body 7 is appropriately recessed, the positions of the elastic body 7 and other optical components are less likely to shift. This makes it possible to more reliably suppress the decrease in the optical coupling efficiency.

If the amount of compression deformation is less than the lower limit, the elastic body 7 may hardly be dented even if another optical component is pressed against the elastic body 7. Therefore, depending on the shape of the other optical component, it may be difficult for the elastic body 7 to follow the other optical component, and there is a possibility that a gap is likely to occur or a misalignment is likely to occur.

The amount of compression deformation is preferably 0.01 mm or more, and more preferably 0.015 mm or more.

The lower limit of the amount of compression deformation is preferably 5% or more, more preferably 10% or more, and even more preferably 15% or more of the thickness of the elastic body 7.

On the other hand, the upper limit of the amount of compression deformation is not particularly limited, but is preferably 50% or less, more preferably 40% or less, and further preferably 30% or less of the thickness of the elastic body 7. .. If the amount of compression deformation exceeds the upper limit value, the elastic body 7 may be deformed too much depending on the shape of the other optical component, and the connection between the other optical component and the optical waveguide 1 may become unstable.

When measuring the amount of compression deformation, the above load is applied using a square pillar rod made of an iron-based alloy such as stainless steel. Therefore, the surface on which the elastic body 7 is pressed is a rectangle having a length of 4 mm and a width of 3 mm. Then, the maximum depth of the recess formed by pressing is defined as the amount of compression deformation. The thickness of the elastic body 7 is the length of the elastic body 7 on the optical path connecting the optical waveguide 1 and other optical components.

Further, the amount of compression deformation can be adjusted according to the composition, elastic modulus, hardness, molecular weight, density, structure, shape and the like of the material constituting the elastic body 7. For example, by increasing the elastic modulus, hardness, molecular weight, and density, the amount of compressive deformation can be adjusted to be small. On the contrary, by lowering the elastic modulus, hardness, molecular weight and density, the compressive deformation amount can be adjusted to increase.

Further, in the elastic body 7, the Poisson's ratio at 85 ° C. is preferably about 0.4 to 0.5, and more preferably about 0.425 to 0.495. Since such an elastic body 7 exhibits properties similar to so-called rubber elasticity, it is difficult for the marks to remain even when another optical component or the optical waveguide 1 is pressed against the elastic body 7 at a high temperature. If a mark remains at a high temperature, the mark, that is, a recess, tends to remain even at a low temperature. As a result, when the temperature drops from a high temperature to a low temperature and the elastic body 7 contracts according to the coefficient of thermal expansion, the shape of the elastic body 7 cannot keep up with the contraction and is between the other optical component and the elastic body 7. There may be a gap.

On the other hand, when it becomes difficult for marks to remain at high temperatures, the generation of gaps due to temperature changes is suppressed even after the high temperature history. As a result, stable optical coupling efficiency with other optical components can be realized.

Further, when the Poisson's ratio at 85 ° C. is lower than the lower limit value, when another optical component is pressed against the elastic body 7 and is dented, it may be difficult to additionally expand in a direction orthogonal to the pressing direction. Therefore, the internal stress becomes high, and there is a possibility that marks may remain due to the pressing of other optical components.

Such Poisson's ratio is measured according to the Poisson's ratio measuring method specified in JIS K 7161-1: 2014, JIS K 7161-2: 2014 and JIS K 7127: 1999. At this time, the test temperature is 85 ± 2 ° C. and the relative humidity is 50 ± 10%.

The shore D hardness of the elastic body 7 is not particularly limited, but is preferably about 10 to 60, more preferably about 15 to 55, and even more preferably about 20 to 50. As described above, when the shore D hardness is within the above range, when the elastic body 7 is pressed by another optical component, the shape followability becomes higher and a dent having an appropriate depth is formed. Effect can be obtained. That is, the elastic body 7 dents following the other optical component, so that a gap is less likely to occur between the other optical component and the elastic body 7 (reflection loss is suppressed), and the elastic body 7 has an effect. It is possible to more reliably achieve the effect that the positional deviation between the elastic body 7 and the other optical component is suppressed by the dent, and the decrease in the optical coupling efficiency is suppressed.

The shore D hardness of the elastic body 7 is measured by, for example, a JIS K 6253: 2012 type D durometer or an ASTM D2240 type D durometer.

As described above, the elasticity of the elastic body 7 means a characteristic that the tensile strength is 0.3 MPa or more and the elastic modulus is 0.01 to 1000 MPa, but the tensile strength is preferable. A characteristic of 1 MPa or more and a elastic modulus of 0.1 to 300 MPa, more preferably a tensile strength of 5 MPa or more and an elastic modulus of 0.5 to 100 MPa. It means that. Such an elastic body 7 is interposed between the optical waveguide 1 and other optical components, and when a compressive force is applied from both of them, the elastic body 7 deforms relatively easily to follow the shapes of both, and is plastically deformed. Is unlikely to occur.

If the tensile strength of the elastic body 7 is less than the lower limit, the elastic body 7 may be damaged depending on the magnitude of the load when a load is applied to the elastic body 7. Further, when the elastic modulus of the elastic body 7 is less than the lower limit value, the elastic body 7 is extremely easily deformed, and there is a possibility that the elastic body 7 will be deformed even by its own weight. On the other hand, if the elastic modulus of the elastic body 7 exceeds the upper limit value, the elastic body 7 is less likely to be deformed, and the shape may be difficult to follow with other optical components.

The tensile strength of the elastic body 7 can be measured, for example, according to the test method for the tensile properties of plastic specified in JIS K 7127: 1999.

The elastic modulus of the elastic body 7 is, for example, a storage elastic modulus E'measured at a frequency of 1 Hz and a measurement temperature of 23 ° C. by a dynamic viscoelasticity measuring device using a test piece having a length of 20 mm, a width of 20 mm, and a thickness of 1 mm. Is required as. Examples of the dynamic viscoelasticity measuring device include RSAIII manufactured by TA Instruments, DMS210 and DMS6100 manufactured by SII Nanotechnology.

Further, the refractive index of the elastic body 7 is preferably between the refractive index of the core portion 14 of the optical waveguide 1 and 1.4. When the refractive index of the elastic body 7 is within such a range, the refractive index difference between the optical waveguide 1 and the elastic body 7 and between the elastic body 7 and another optical component (for example, an optical fiber). It is possible to suppress the reflection loss associated with this. This makes it possible to further increase the optical coupling efficiency between the optical wiring component 10 and other optical components.

Since the refractive index of the core of the optical fiber is usually about 1.46, the refractive index of the elastic body 7 may be preferably between the refractive index of the core portion 14 and 1.46. ..

Further, when the other optical component is other than the optical fiber, the refractive index of the elastic body 7 is set to be between the refractive index of the core portion 14 of the optical waveguide 1 and the refractive index of the other optical component. preferable. This makes it possible to further increase the optical coupling efficiency between the optical wiring component 10 and other optical components.

Further, the protruding portion 54 of the optical connector 5 and the elastic body 7 may be in contact with each other, but are preferably arranged so as to be separated from each other as shown in FIG. As a result, the degree of freedom of deformation when the elastic body 7 is compressed is secured. That is, when the elastic body 7 is compressed in one direction, deformation freedom is exhibited by stretching in a direction orthogonal to the elastic body 7, but at this time, if the extension in the orthogonal direction is hindered by the protrusion 54, the elastic body 7 is free. Deformation will be hindered. On the other hand, since the protrusion 54 and the elastic body 7 are separated from each other, the shape followability of the elastic body 7 becomes better, and the optical coupling efficiency between the optical wiring component 10 and other optical components becomes higher. Can be enhanced.

Further, it is preferable that the elastic body 7 is provided so as not to cover the guide hole 511. This prevents the elastic body 7 from hindering the insertion of a guide pin (not shown) into the guide hole 511. As a result, when the optical wiring component 10 and the other optical component are aligned, the positions can be more accurately aligned with each other.

The surface of the elastic body 7 may be surface-treated, if necessary. Examples of the surface treatment include corona treatment, surface modification treatment such as plasma treatment, liquid repellent treatment, low reflection coating, film formation treatment such as protective coating, and the like.

<< Second Embodiment >>
Next, a second embodiment of the optical wiring component of the present invention will be described.

11 is a cross-sectional view showing a second embodiment of the optical wiring component of the present invention, and FIG. 12 is a partially enlarged view of FIG.

Hereinafter, the second embodiment will be described, but in the following description, the differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the same matters will be omitted. In FIGS. 11 and 12, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as those in the above-described embodiment.

The optical wiring component 10 according to the second embodiment is the same as the optical wiring component 10 according to the first embodiment, except that the arrangement of the optical waveguide 1 with respect to the optical connector 5 is different.

The tip surface 102 of the optical waveguide 1 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 is located on the left side (opposite side of the non-opposing surface 53) of the facing surface 52 of the optical connector 5. In other words, the tip surface 102 of the optical waveguide 1 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 projects to the left from the facing surface 52. This makes it easier to maintain the state in which the elastic body 7 is pressed against the tip surface 102. As a result, a gap is less likely to occur between the elastic body 7 and the optical waveguide 1, so that the optical coupling efficiency between the optical wiring component 10 and other optical components can be particularly improved.

The protruding length L5 of the tip surface 102 is not particularly limited, but is preferably about 0.1 to 500%, more preferably about 0.5 to 200% of the thickness of the optical waveguide 1. .. As a result, the elastic body 7 is pressed against the tip surface 102 with sufficient strength, and it is possible to suppress the occurrence of defects such as bending and bending of the optical waveguide 1 due to the tip surface 102 protruding too much. As a result, the optical coupling efficiency can be further improved while ensuring the reliability of the connector.
In such a second embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

<< Third Embodiment >>
Next, a third embodiment of the optical wiring component of the present invention will be described.

13 is a perspective view showing a third embodiment of the optical wiring component of the present invention, and FIG. 14 is a plan view of a surface of the optical wiring component shown in FIG. 13 facing another optical component. 15 is a sectional view taken along line A2-A2 of FIG. 13, and FIG. 16 is a partially enlarged view of FIG.

Hereinafter, the third embodiment will be described, but in the following description, the differences from the first and second embodiments will be mainly described, and the same matters will be omitted. In FIGS. 13 to 16, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as those in the above-described embodiment.

The optical wiring component 10 according to the third embodiment is the same as the optical wiring component 10 according to the first and second embodiments, except that the shapes of the optical connector 5 and the elastic body 7 are different.

The upper surface 502 of the through hole 50 according to the present embodiment is a mounting surface on which the optical waveguide 1 is placed, and the optical waveguide 1 is adhered to the upper surface 502 via an adhesive (not shown).

Further, the lower surface 501 of the through hole 50 according to the present embodiment is separated from the optical waveguide 1. That is, the height of the through hole 50 according to the present embodiment is set large so that the lower surface 103 of the optical waveguide 1 and the lower surface 501 of the through hole 50 can be sufficiently separated from each other. As a result, even when the volume change occurs in the adhesive or the optical waveguide 1, the volume change can be absorbed by the gap between the optical waveguide 1 and the lower surface 501.

Further, in the examples shown in FIGS. 13 to 16, the elastic body 7 is inserted so as to cover the entire inner surface of the through hole 50 (in a cylindrical shape covering all of the upper and lower surfaces and the side surfaces). As a result, the elastic body 7 becomes a cylinder (a square cylinder in FIGS. 13 and 14), so that the elastic body 7 can be more reliably fixed to the optical connector 5 and the optical waveguide 1.

Further, the elastic body 7 may cover at least the tip surface 102, but as shown in FIG. 16, it is preferable that the elastic body 7 is provided so as to cover the surface of the optical waveguide 1 (the lower surface 103 in FIG. 16). As a result, the optical waveguide 1 is sandwiched between the elastic body 7 and the upper surface 502 of the connector main body 51. As a result, the elastic body 7 can be more reliably fixed to the optical waveguide 1, and a gap is less likely to occur between the elastic body 7 and the optical waveguide 1.

The elastic body 7 may be provided so as to cover the upper surface 104 of the optical waveguide 1. That is, although not shown in FIG. 16, the elastic body 7 may be inserted between the upper surface 104 of the optical waveguide 1 and the upper surface 502 of the through hole 50. As a result, the elastic body 7 is more firmly fixed to the optical connector 5 and the optical waveguide 1, so that the reliability of the optical wiring component 10 can be further improved.

Further, in FIG. 14, the elastic body 7 has a cylindrical shape, but the shape of the elastic body 7 is not limited to that, and may be any shape. For example, the elastic body 7 may be provided so as to close the through hole 50 by filling the inside of the cylinder as well.
In such a third embodiment, the same effects as those in the first and second embodiments can be obtained.

<< Fourth Embodiment >>
Next, a fourth embodiment of the optical wiring component of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 17 is a plan view of the surface of the optical wiring component of the present invention facing the other optical component in the fourth embodiment. Further, FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing only the optical connector included in the optical wiring component shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, the fourth embodiment will be described, but in the following description, the differences from the third embodiment will be mainly described, and the same matters will be omitted. In FIGS. 17 and 18, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as those in the above-described embodiment.

The optical wiring component 10 according to the fourth embodiment is the same as the optical wiring component 10 according to the third embodiment, except that the shape of the optical connector 5 is different.

The optical connector 5 shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 includes one protrusion 54. The protruding portion 54 shown in FIG. 17 has a frame shape provided along the edge portion of the facing surface 52 when the facing surface 52 is viewed in a plan view. According to such a shape, the protrusions 54 are arranged in a more balanced manner. Therefore, when the optical wiring component 10 and the other optical component are connected, the other optical component and the protruding portion 54 can be brought into contact with each other more stably, the reliability of the connected state can be further improved, and the light can be obtained. The binding efficiency can be further improved.
It should be noted that even in such a fourth embodiment, the same effect as that of the third embodiment can be obtained.

<< Fifth Embodiment >>
Next, a fifth embodiment of the optical wiring component of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view showing a fifth embodiment of the optical wiring component of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the fifth embodiment will be described, but in the following description, the differences from the third embodiment will be mainly described, and the same matters will be omitted. In FIG. 19, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as those in the above-described embodiment.

The optical wiring component 10 according to the present embodiment is the same as the optical wiring component 10 according to the third embodiment, except that the configuration of the elastic body 7 is different.

The elastic body 7 shown in FIG. 19 includes an elastic body body 71 having elasticity and a surface layer 72 provided on the surface of the elastic body body 71 and having a lower adhesiveness than the elastic body body 71. According to such an elastic body 7, the elastic body body 71 secures the entire elasticity so that the elastic body 7 can follow other optical components, while the elastic body 7 follows other optical components. It is possible to prevent crimping. As a result, the connection operation and the disconnection operation between the optical wiring component 10 and other optical components can be easily performed, and the optical wiring component 10 having good handleability can be obtained.

The constituent material of the surface layer 72 is not particularly limited as long as the adhesiveness of the surface layer 72 is lower than that of the elastic body body 71. As an example, a material obtained by modifying the elastic body body 71 can be mentioned. In addition, it may be a material additionally formed by a film forming method or the like, and as an example, silicon oxide, aluminum oxide, zirconium oxide, titanium oxide, magnesium fluoride, calcium fluoride, inorganic materials such as various glasses, and polypropylene. Examples thereof include polyalkylenes such as polyimide, polyimide fluoride, polyester, nylon, silicone resin, organic materials such as acrylic resin, and composite materials containing both inorganic and organic materials.

Further, the adhesiveness of the elastic body body 71 and the adhesiveness of the surface layer 72 are measured by various adhesive strength test methods, respectively. Examples of such an adhesive strength test method include a peel adhesive strength test method, an inclined ball tack test method, a rolling ball tack test method, a probe tack test method, and the like.

The adhesiveness (adhesive force) of the surface layer 72 is preferably 95% or less, and more preferably 90% or less of the adhesiveness (adhesive force) of the elastic body body 71. As a result, when another optical component is pressed against the elastic body 7, it is possible to prevent the other optical component from being unintentionally crimped against the elastic body 7. As a result, the optical wiring component 10 having good handleability can be obtained.

Further, it is preferable that the surface layer 72 has a higher hardness than the elastic body body 71. According to such an elastic body 7, the surface of the elastic body 7 is less likely to be scratched. As a result, even if the other optical components have high hardness, the effect of the elastic body 7 can be maintained for a long period of time. Then, for example, even when the operation of connecting the optical wiring component 10 and the other optical component and the operation of disconnecting the optical component are repeated, the optical coupling loss is less likely to increase.

On the other hand, the hardness of the surface layer 72 may be higher than the hardness of the elastic body body 71, but specifically, the Mohs hardness is preferably 3 or more, more preferably 4 or more, and 5 or more. Is even more preferable. With the surface layer 72 having such a hardness, even if other optical components or the like come into contact with each other, the surface layer 72 is less likely to be scratched.

The thickness of the surface layer 72 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.01 μm or more and 5 μm or less, and more preferably 0.1 μm or more and 1 μm or less. By setting the thickness of the surface layer 72 within the above range, the surface layer 72 is less likely to be peeled off, and the surface layer 72 is more likely to follow the elastic body body 71. Therefore, the followability of other optical components on the surface of the elastic body 7 is also improved.

If the thickness of the surface layer 72 exceeds the upper limit, the surface layer 72 becomes too thick, so that the mechanical strength of the surface layer 72 tends to affect the mechanical strength of the entire elastic body 7, and the elastic body 72 is likely to be affected. There is a risk that the followability on the surface of 7 will decrease. Further, if the surface layer 72 becomes too thick, the bond loss may worsen.

Further, as a method of forming the surface layer 72, as described above, a method of modifying the elastic body main body 71, a method of forming a surface layer 72 on the surface of the elastic body main body 71, and the like can be mentioned.

Examples of the reforming method include plasma treatment, arc discharge treatment, corona discharge treatment, ultraviolet irradiation treatment, electron beam irradiation treatment and the like.

On the other hand, examples of the film forming method include a vapor phase film forming method such as a sputtering method and a vacuum vapor deposition method, a sol-gel method, and a liquid phase film forming method such as a coating method.

The surface layer 72 does not have to cover the entire surface of the elastic body body 71, and may be present at least in a part thereof.

Further, even when the surface layer 72 is provided, the characteristics of the elastic body 7, for example, the mechanical properties such as the amount of compression deformation, the elastic modulus, the shore hardness, and the Poisson's ratio, and the optical properties such as the refractive modulus are the elastic bodies. Since the characteristics of the main body 71 are almost the same as those of the main body 71, the characteristics of the elastic body main body 71 can be regarded as the characteristics of the elastic body 7.
Also in the fifth embodiment as described above, the same effect as that of the third embodiment can be obtained.

<< 6th Embodiment >>
Next, a sixth embodiment of the optical wiring component of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 20 is a plan view of the surface of the optical wiring component of the present invention facing the other optical component in the sixth embodiment.

Hereinafter, the sixth embodiment will be described, but in the following description, the differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the same matters will be omitted. In FIG. 20, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as those in the above-described embodiment.

The optical wiring component 10 according to the present embodiment is the same as the optical wiring component 10 according to the first embodiment, except that the configuration of the elastic body 7 is different.

The elastic body 7 shown in FIG. 20 has a rounded shape when the facing surface 52 is viewed in a plan view. That is, the plan-view shape of the elastic body 7 shown in FIG. 20 is a rectangle with rounded corners. With such a rounded shape, the elastic body 7 is less likely to peel off from the facing surface 52. As a result, a more reliable optical wiring component 10 can be obtained.

The minimum bending radius of the elastic body 7 in the plan view shape is preferably 2 mm or more, and more preferably 4 mm or more. This makes the elastic body 7 more difficult to peel off.
Also in the sixth embodiment as described above, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

<How to connect optical wiring parts>
Next, an example of a method of connecting the optical wiring component 10 shown in FIGS. 13 to 16 to another optical component will be described.

FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method of connecting the optical wiring component 10 shown in FIGS. 13 to 16 and the optical fiber 9 (another optical component).

In this connection method, eight optical fibers 9 are pressed against the elastic body 7 of the optical wiring component 10 and both are fixed. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 21A, the optical connector 5 attached to one end of the optical waveguide 1 and the optical connector 91 attached to one end of the eight optical fibers 9 are brought close to each other. Then, as shown in FIG. 21B, eight optical fibers 9 are pressed against the elastic body 7. As a result, pressure is applied to the elastic body 7 from the optical fiber 9, and the elastic body 7 deforms following the shape of the optical fiber 9. In this state, the optical connector 5 and the optical connector 91 are fixed to each other by using a guide pin, a clip, or the like (not shown). As a result, the optical wiring component 10 and the optical fiber 9 are optically and mechanically connected.

The optical fiber 9 is an example of other optical components. Examples of other optical components include various optical elements such as optical waveguides, light emitting diodes, semiconductor lasers, lenses, and prisms.

<Manufacturing method of optical wiring parts>
Next, an example of a method for manufacturing the optical wiring component 10 shown in FIGS. 13 to 16 will be described.

22 and 23 are diagrams for explaining a method of manufacturing the optical wiring components shown in FIGS. 13 to 16, respectively. Note that FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view similar to that of FIG. Further, in the following description, for convenience of explanation, the upper part of FIGS. 22 and 23 is referred to as “upper” and the lower part is referred to as “lower”. Further, in FIGS. 22 and 23, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as those in the above-described embodiment.

The manufacturing method of the optical wiring component 10 includes [1] a preparatory step of preparing an optical waveguide 4 with a connector including an optical waveguide 1 and an optical connector 5, and [2] at least a tip surface 102 (optical inlet / output surface) of the optical waveguide 1. A molding step of molding the resin composition 70 with the molding die 8 while contacting the resin composition 70 with respect to (3), a curing step of curing the resin composition 70 to obtain an elastic body 7, and [4]. ] It has a mold removal step of removing the mold 8. Hereinafter, each step will be described in detail.

[1] Preparation step First, the optical waveguide 1 and the optical connector 5 are prepared. Then, as shown in FIG. 22A, the optical waveguide 1 and the optical connector 5 are bonded and fixed using an adhesive or the like. As a result, the optical waveguide 4 with a connector shown in FIG. 22A is obtained.

At the same time, the molding die 8 shown in FIG. 22A is prepared. Then, the molding die 8 is arranged with respect to the optical waveguide 4 with a connector. The molding die 8 is a molding die for forming an elastic body 7 having a desired shape by molding the resin composition 70. Specifically, the molding die 8 shown in FIG. 22A includes a cavity 81 corresponding to the shape of the elastic body 7 to be formed. By molding the resin composition 70 by the cavity 81, the elastic body 7 can be molded into a desired shape.

[2] Molding Step Next, as shown in FIG. 22B, the resin composition 70 is supplied between the tip surface 102 of the optical waveguide 1 and the molding die 8. As a result, the resin composition 70 is stored and molded in the through hole 50 of the optical connector 5 and in the cavity 81, and is in contact with the tip surface 102 of the optical waveguide 1.

The method for supplying the resin composition 70 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a method using a supply device such as a dispenser. Further, the supply path is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a path via an opening on the non-opposing surface 53 side of the through hole 50, or a path via a hole provided in the molding die 8. Note that FIG. 22B illustrates, as an example, a state in which the resin composition 70 is supplied via a path penetrating the molding die 8.

[3] Curing Step Next, the molded resin composition 70 is cured. As a result, the elastic body 7 shown in FIGS. 13 to 16 is obtained. When the resin composition 70 has a photocurable property, a molding die 8 having a light transmissive property is used, and as shown in FIG. 23A, the resin composition 70 has a light-transmitting property. Light L may be irradiated through the molding die 8. As a result, the resin composition 70 can be cured while maintaining the state in which the resin composition 70 is molded by the molding die 8. As a result, an elastic body 7 with high dimensional accuracy can be obtained.

The curing method of the resin composition 70 is not limited to the above method, and for example, when the resin composition 70 has thermosetting property, it can be cured by heating.

[4] Mold release step Next, as shown in FIG. 23 (b), the mold 8 is released from the elastic body 7. As a result, the optical wiring component 10 shown in FIGS. 13 to 16 can be obtained.

According to the manufacturing method as described above, the elastic body 7 can be molded by the molding die 8 and at the same time, the elastic body 7 and the optical waveguide 1 can be aligned with each other. Thereby, for example, the central portion of the elastic body 7 and the optical axis of the optical waveguide 1 can be more accurately aligned. As a result, the optical wiring component 10 capable of achieving stable optical coupling efficiency with other optical components can be efficiently manufactured.

The above manufacturing method is an example, and other manufacturing methods may be adopted. For example, after forming the elastic body 7 with respect to the optical connector 5 and manufacturing the optical connector 6 with the elastic body, the optical waveguide 1 may be adhered and fixed to obtain the optical wiring component 10. As a result, the optical wiring component 10 can be manufactured while suppressing the influence of heat applied to the optical waveguide 1 in the manufacturing process. Then, the optical connector 6 with an elastic body can realize the optical wiring component 10 capable of realizing stable optical coupling efficiency with other optical components.

<Electronic equipment>
As described above, the optical wiring component of the present invention as described above can suppress the decrease in optical coupling efficiency due to optical connection even when connected to other optical components. Therefore, by providing the optical wiring component of the present invention, a highly reliable electronic device (electronic device of the present invention) capable of performing high-quality optical communication can be obtained.

Examples of the electronic device provided with the optical wiring component of the present invention include electronic devices such as smartphones, tablet terminals, mobile phones, game machines, router devices, WDM devices, personal computers, televisions, and home servers. In any of these electronic devices, it is necessary to transmit a large amount of data at high speed between an arithmetic unit such as an LSI and a storage device such as a RAM. Therefore, if such an electronic device is provided with the optical wiring component of the present invention, problems such as noise and signal deterioration peculiar to electrical wiring can be eliminated, and a dramatic improvement in its performance can be expected.

Further, in the optical waveguide portion, the amount of heat generated is significantly reduced as compared with the electric wiring. Therefore, the power required for cooling can be reduced, and the power consumption of the entire electronic device can be reduced.

Although the optical connector with an elastic body, the optical wiring component, and the electronic device have been described above based on the illustrated embodiment, the present invention is not limited thereto.

For example, in the above embodiment, an optical connector is attached to one end of the optical waveguide, but a similar optical connector may be attached to the other end, and a different optical connector is attached. May be good. Further, various light receiving / receiving elements may be mounted on the other end instead of the optical connector. Moreover, an arbitrary element may be added to the said embodiment.

1 Optical Waveguide 2 Support Film 3 Cover Film 4 Optical Waveguide with Connector 5 Optical Connector 6 Optical Connector with Elastic Body 8 Elastic Body 8 Molded 9 Optical Fiber 10 Optical Wiring Parts 11 Clad Layer 12 Clad Layer 13 Core Layer 14 Core 15 Side Clad Part 50 Through hole 51 Connector body 51a Base 51b Lid 52 Facing surface 53 Non-facing surface 54 Protruding part 70 Resin composition 71 Elastic body body 72 Surface layer 81 Cavity 91 Optical connector 101 Tip 102 Tip surface 103 Bottom surface 104 Top surface 501 Bottom surface 502 Top surface 511 Guide hole 541 Protruding part 542 Protruding part L Optical L1 Entering length L2 Thickness L3 Protruding length L4 Retreat length L5 Protruding length

Claims (13)

The first outer surface and the second outer surface facing each other, the penetrating portion penetrating the first outer surface and the second outer surface, and the protruding portion protruding from the first outer surface to the side opposite to the second outer surface side. With an optical connector
An elastic body provided so as to cover at least a part of the inner surface of the penetrating portion and at least a part of the first outer surface and having translucency and elasticity.
An optical waveguide fixed to the inner surface of the penetrating portion, having a light entrance / exit surface covered with the elastic body, and being entirely made of a resin material and forming a sheet shape .
Have,
The end surface of the protrusion is located on the first outer surface side of the end surface of the elastic body.
An optical wiring component characterized in that the light entrance / exit surface of the optical waveguide projects from the first outer surface to a side opposite to the second outer surface side. The optical wiring component according to claim 1, wherein when the first outer surface is viewed in a plan view, the projecting portion is located at least in a region sandwiching the penetrating portion and satisfying a relationship opposite to each other. Further, it has at least two guide holes penetrating the first outer surface and the second outer surface.
The optical wiring component according to claim 2, wherein when the first outer surface is viewed in a plan view, the two guide holes are located in a region that satisfies the opposite relationship with each other across the penetrating portion. The optical wiring component according to claim 3, wherein the guide hole is located between the penetrating portion and the protruding portion when the first outer surface is viewed in a plan view. The optical wiring component according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the elastic body is provided so as not to cover the guide hole. The optical wiring component according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the protruding length of the protruding portion is 5 to 99% of the distance between the first outer surface and the end surface of the elastic body. The optical wiring component according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the elastic body and the protruding portion are separated from each other. The optical wiring component according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the protruding length of the light entrance / exit surface is 0.1 to 500% of the thickness of the optical waveguide . The optical wiring component according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the protruding length of the light inlet / output surface is shorter than the protruding length of the protruding portion. The one according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the elastic body includes an elastic body main body and a surface layer located on the surface of the elastic body main body and having a lower adhesiveness than the elastic body main body. Optical wiring parts. The optical waveguide has a first main surface and a second main surface that are in a front-to-back relationship with each other.
There is a gap between the first main surface and the inner surface of the penetrating portion.
The optical wiring component according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the second main surface is fixed to the inner surface of the penetrating portion with an adhesive. The optical wiring component according to claim 11, wherein the elastic body has a cylindrical shape. An electronic device comprising the optical wiring component according to any one of claims 1 to 12 .

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