JP7408933B2 - Optical wiring components and electronic equipment - Google Patents

Description

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

In optical communication, optical wiring components having a branching structure are used to distribute optical signals to multiple parts.

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

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-29216

On the other hand, an optical module such as that described in Patent Document 1 may be required to be used in which three optical fibers are housed in a bent state in a housing. However, when attempting to bend the optical fibers, the ends of the three optical fibers become displaced from each other. Specifically, one end of the three optical fibers is fixed to the optical waveguide substrate, so when the three optical fibers are bent, the optical fibers located inside the curve formed and the optical fibers located outside. The bending radius is different. For this reason, if the lengths of the three optical fibers are equal to each other, the difference in bending radius will cause a positional shift at the other end of each optical fiber. Then, when the other ends of the three optical fibers are fixed so that their positions are aligned, some of the optical fibers will be bent due to the extra length. Then, this bending exerts a load on, for example, the connection portion between the optical fiber and the optical waveguide substrate, causing a problem that the optical coupling efficiency of the connection portion is reduced.

An object of the present invention is to provide an optical wiring component that can suppress the increase in load on the bonded part due to the extra length of the optical fiber even when the connectors are aligned with the optical fiber bent, and an electronic device equipped with such an optical wiring component. The goal is to provide equipment.

Such objects are achieved by the present invention described in (1) to (7) below.
(1) The first optical fiber, the second optical fiber, and the third optical fiber each have a core part that extends from one end toward the other end and branches into a plurality of parts along the way, and the an optical waveguide that optically connects a first optical fiber to the second optical fiber and the third optical fiber; a first bonding portion that adheres the first optical fiber to the one end of the optical waveguide; and a second optical fiber. and the other end of the optical waveguide, and a third adhesive part that adheres the third optical fiber and the other end of the optical waveguide. Department and
a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped casing that accommodates the light guide, has a long axis , and has a first side wall and a second side wall that are parallel to the long axis and face each other ;
Equipped with
The optical waveguide is made of a resin material and has a sheet shape,
The optical waveguide bends more easily in the thickness direction than in the direction perpendicular to the thickness direction,
The optical waveguide is in contact with an inner wall surface of the second side wall, and is arranged such that a portion in contact with the second side wall extends along the long axis of the casing,
The length of the second optical fiber and the length of the third optical fiber are different from each other,
The first optical fiber, the second optical fiber, and the third optical fiber are connectable to the outside of the casing via the first side wall,
The optical wiring component is characterized in that the light guide section is bent so as to generate a restoring force that maintains the state in contact with the second side wall .

(2) The optical wiring component according to (1) above, wherein the length of the first optical fiber is shorter than both the length of the second optical fiber and the length of the third optical fiber.

(3) The optical wiring component according to (1) or (2) above, wherein the thickness of the optical waveguide is thinner than any of the diameters of the first optical fiber, the second optical fiber, and the third optical fiber. .

(4) further comprising a first optical adapter, a second optical adapter, and a third optical adapter attached to the first side wall ,
the first optical fiber is inserted into the first optical adapter;
the second optical fiber is inserted into the second optical adapter;
The optical wiring component according to any one of (1) to (3) above, wherein the third optical fiber is inserted into the third optical adapter.
(5) the length of the second optical fiber is shorter than the length of the third optical fiber;
The optical wiring component according to (4) above, wherein the second optical adapter is located closer to the first optical adapter than the third optical adapter.
(6) The above (4), wherein the optical waveguide is accommodated in the housing in a bent state so that the bending radius is smaller than that of the first optical fiber, the second optical fiber, and the third optical fiber. The optical wiring component described in (5).

(7) An electronic device comprising the optical wiring component according to any one of (1) to (6) above.

According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an optical wiring component that can suppress an increase in load on the bonded portion due to the extra length of the optical fiber even when the connectors are aligned with the optical fiber bent.
Further, according to the present invention, a highly reliable electronic device can be obtained.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an optical wiring component according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the optical wiring component shown in FIG. 1 taken along the XY plane. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a light guide section housed in a housing among the optical wiring components shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of part A in FIG. 3. FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the light guide section shown in FIG. 4. FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the light guide section shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of part B in FIG. 5. FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a light guide section shown in FIG. 2, which is an example of an optical wiring component different from the present invention, and shows a light guide section in which the length of the second optical fiber is the same as the length of the third optical fiber. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the light guide section shown in FIG. 3 in a bent state. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an optical wiring component according to a modification taken along the XY plane. 3 is a process diagram for explaining a method of manufacturing the optical wiring component shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the manufacturing method shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the manufacturing method shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the manufacturing method shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the manufacturing method shown in FIG. 11. FIG.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Optical wiring components and electronic equipment according to the present invention will be described in detail below based on preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

1. Optical Wiring Component First, the optical wiring component according to the embodiment will be described.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an optical wiring component according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the optical wiring component shown in FIG. 1 taken along the XY plane. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a light guide part housed in a housing among the optical wiring components shown in FIG. 2. FIG. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of section A in FIG. 3. 5 and 6 are cross-sectional views of the light guide section shown in FIG. 4, respectively. FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of part B in FIG. Note that in FIGS. 5 and 6, a part of the optical waveguide is simplified. Further, in each figure, an X axis, a Y axis, and a Z axis are set as three axes orthogonal to each other, and each axis is indicated by an arrow. Note that the tip side of the arrow is the plus side of each axis, and the base end side is the minus side. In addition, in the following description, for convenience of explanation, the positive side in the Z-axis direction will be referred to as "upper" and the negative side as "lower".

The optical wiring component 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a first optical fiber 1, a second optical fiber 2, a third optical fiber 3, an optical waveguide 4, and a housing 5. Among these, the first optical fiber 1, the second optical fiber 2, and the third optical fiber 3 are optically connected via an optical waveguide 4, as shown in FIG. This constitutes the light guide section 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the light guide section 10 is bent so as to be curved halfway in the XY plane, and is housed inside the housing 5 in this state.

As shown in FIG. 4, the optical waveguide 4 is formed with a core portion 44 extending in the Y-axis direction, and the core portion 44 is branched into two at a branch portion 46. Therefore, for example, light that enters the first optical fiber 1 from the outside is split into two at the branching portion 46 of the optical waveguide 4 shown in FIG. 4, and distributed to the second optical fiber 2 and the third optical fiber 3. Therefore, the optical wiring component 100 in this case functions as an optical distributor. On the other hand, the light incident on the second optical fiber 2 and the third optical fiber 3 from the outside is mixed into one at the branching part 46 of the optical waveguide 4 and concentrated into the first optical fiber 1. Therefore, the optical wiring component 100 in this case functions as an optical mixer.

Each part of the optical wiring component 100 will be described in detail below.
1.1 Housing The housing 5 is a box with a hollow interior, as shown in FIG. 2, and its outer shape is approximately a rectangular parallelepiped with a long axis along the Y axis, as shown in FIG. I am doing it. Further, the length of the housing 5 along the X-axis is longer than the length along the Z-axis.

Further, among the walls separating the outside and the inside of the housing 5, one side wall 51 parallel to the YZ plane has a first optical adapter 6 and a second optical adapter installed so as to penetrate the side wall 51. 7a and a third optical adapter 7b are provided. Of these, the first optical adapter 6 is installed at the end of the side wall 51 on the Y-axis positive side, and the second optical adapter 7a and the third optical adapter 7b are installed at the ends of the side wall 51 on the Y-axis negative side. It is being The optical wiring component 100 according to the present embodiment includes the first optical adapter 6, the second optical adapter 7a, and the third optical adapter 7b. The first optical fiber 1 is inserted as shown in FIG. 2, the second optical fiber 2 is inserted in the second optical adapter 7a as shown in FIG. A third optical fiber 3 is inserted into.

On the other hand, the bent light guide section 10 is in contact with another side wall 52 parallel to the YZ plane. In other words, the bent state of the light guide section 10 is maintained by contacting the side wall 52.

Furthermore, the housing 5 further includes two side walls 53 and 54 parallel to the XZ plane. Among these, the side wall 53 is located on the Y-axis positive side, and the side wall 54 is located on the Y-axis negative side.
Note that the illustrated shape of the casing 5 is only an example, and the shape is not limited thereto.

1.2 First Optical Fiber The first optical fiber 1 includes a first optical fiber main body 11 and a first optical connector 12 attached to the end of the first optical fiber main body 11.

Among these, examples of the first optical fiber main body 11 include glass optical fibers, plastic optical fibers, and the like.

Further, the waveguide mode of the first optical fiber main body 11 may be a single mode or a multimode, but is preferably a multimode. Multi-mode has greater tolerance for axis misalignment during alignment than single-mode. Therefore, the multimode first optical fiber main body 11 can facilitate the connection work when optically connecting with the optical waveguide 4, and is therefore useful from the viewpoint of increasing the ease of assembling the optical wiring component 100. be.

The first optical fiber main body 11 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 has a circular cross-sectional shape, and includes a core portion 111 located at the center and a cladding portion 112 that covers the side surfaces of the core portion 111. The first optical fiber main body 11 may have a covering portion that covers the side surface of the cladding portion 112, if necessary. Examples of the constituent material of the covering portion include resin materials, glass materials, metal materials, fiber-reinforced composite materials, and the like.

Note that FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line from the first optical fiber 1 to the second optical fiber 2 via the optical waveguide 4. Further, FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line from the first optical fiber 1 to the third optical fiber 3 via the optical waveguide 4.

Furthermore, of the two end faces of the first optical fiber main body 11, the end face on the optical waveguide 4 side is defined as the first light input/output surface 113. The first light input/output surface 113 and the optical waveguide 4 are optically connected via a first adhesive portion 81, which will be described later.

The first optical connector 12 has an insertion hole (not shown), and holds the first optical fiber body 11 by fitting the end of the first optical fiber body 11 into the insertion hole.

Examples of the first optical connector 12 include a ceramic optical connector, a glass optical connector, and a plastic optical connector. Further, the first optical connector 12 may have one of these various optical connectors as a main body and a metal fitting attached to the main body.

Furthermore, the first optical connector 12 may be an assembly of a ferrule and a housing into which the ferrule can be inserted. The housing has a shape that conforms to various standards for optical connections. Examples of this standard include SC, FC, MU, D, DJ, ST, LC, SCF, SCH, MT, MPO, MT-RJ, and the like.

1.3 Second Optical Fiber The second optical fiber 2 includes a second optical fiber main body 21 and a second optical connector 22 attached to the end of the second optical fiber main body 21.

Among these, examples of the second optical fiber main body 21 include glass optical fibers, plastic optical fibers, and the like.

Further, the waveguide mode of the second optical fiber main body 21 may be a single mode or a multimode, but is preferably a multimode. Multi-mode has greater tolerance for axis misalignment during alignment than single-mode. Therefore, the multimode second optical fiber main body 21 can facilitate the connection work when optically connecting with the optical waveguide 4, and is therefore useful from the viewpoint of increasing the ease of assembling the optical wiring component 100. be.

The second optical fiber main body 21 shown in FIG. 5 has a circular cross-sectional shape, and includes a core portion 211 located at the center and a cladding portion 212 covering the side surface thereof. The second optical fiber main body 21 may have a covering portion that covers the side surface of the cladding portion 212, if necessary. Examples of the constituent material of the covering portion include resin materials, glass materials, metal materials, fiber-reinforced composite materials, and the like.

Furthermore, of the two end faces of the second optical fiber main body 21, the end face on the optical waveguide 4 side is defined as a second light input/output surface 213. The second light input/output surface 213 and the optical waveguide 4 are optically connected via a second adhesive portion 82, which will be described later.

The second optical connector 22 has an insertion hole (not shown), and holds the second optical fiber body 21 by fitting the end of the second optical fiber body 21 into the insertion hole.

Examples of the second optical connector 22 include a ceramic optical connector, a glass optical connector, and a plastic optical connector. Further, the second optical connector 22 may have one of these various optical connectors as a main body and a metal fitting attached to the main body.

Further, the second optical connector 22 may be an assembly of a ferrule and a housing into which the ferrule can be inserted. The housing has a shape that conforms to various standards for optical connections. Examples of this standard include SC, FC, MU, D, DJ, ST, LC, SCF, SCH, MT, MPO, MT-RJ, and the like.

1.4 Third Optical Fiber The third optical fiber 3 includes a third optical fiber body 31 and a third optical connector 32 attached to the end of the third optical fiber body 31.

Among these, examples of the third optical fiber main body 31 include glass optical fibers, plastic optical fibers, and the like.

Further, the waveguide mode of the third optical fiber main body 31 may be a single mode or a multimode, but is preferably a multimode. Multi-mode has greater tolerance for axis misalignment during alignment than single-mode. Therefore, the multimode third optical fiber main body 31 can facilitate the connection work when optically connecting with the optical waveguide 4, and is therefore useful from the viewpoint of increasing the ease of assembling the optical wiring component 100. be.

The third optical fiber main body 31 shown in FIG. 6 has a circular cross-sectional shape, and includes a core portion 311 located at the center and a cladding portion 312 covering the side surface thereof. The third optical fiber main body 31 may have a covering portion that covers the side surface of the cladding portion 312, if necessary. Examples of the constituent material of the covering portion include resin materials, glass materials, metal materials, fiber-reinforced composite materials, and the like.

Furthermore, of the two end faces of the third optical fiber main body 31, the end face on the optical waveguide 4 side is defined as a third light input/output surface 313. The third light input/output surface 313 and the optical waveguide 4 are optically connected via a third adhesive portion 83, which will be described later.

The third optical connector 32 has an insertion hole (not shown), and holds the third optical fiber body 31 by fitting the end of the third optical fiber body 31 into the insertion hole.

Examples of the third optical connector 32 include a ceramic optical connector, a glass optical connector, and a plastic optical connector. Further, the third optical connector 32 may have a main body made of these various optical connectors and a metal fitting attached to the main body.

Further, the third optical connector 32 may be an assembly of a ferrule and a housing into which the ferrule can be inserted. The housing has a shape that conforms to various standards for optical connections. Examples of this standard include SC, FC, MU, D, DJ, ST, LC, SCF, SCH, MT, MPO, MT-RJ, and the like.

1.5 Optical Waveguide As described above, the optical waveguide 4 is provided between the first optical fiber 1, the second optical fiber 2, and the third optical fiber 3, and optically connects them.

The optical waveguide 4 shown in FIG. 7 includes a laminate in which a lower protective layer 47, a cladding layer 41, a core layer 43, a cladding layer 42, and an upper protective layer 48 are laminated in this order from the bottom. . Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a linear core portion 44 and a side cladding portion 45 provided adjacent to the core portion 44 are formed in the core layer 43.

Each part of the optical waveguide 4 will be described in further detail below.
1.5.1 Core Layer The core portion 44 shown in FIG. 4 is surrounded on its side by a side cladding portion 45 shown in FIG. 4 and cladding layers 41 and 42 shown in FIG. 7. The refractive index of the core portion 44 is higher than the refractive index of the side cladding portion 45 and the cladding layers 41 and 42. Thereby, light can be confined in the core portion 44 and propagated.

In the core layer 43, the refractive index distribution in the plane perpendicular to the optical path may be any distribution, for example, a so-called step index (SI) type distribution in which the refractive index changes discontinuously, It may be a so-called graded index (GI) type distribution in which the refractive index changes continuously.

Further, the cross-sectional shape of the core portion 44 according to a plane orthogonal to the optical path of the core portion 44 is not particularly limited, and may be a circle such as a perfect circle, an ellipse, or an oval, a polygon such as a triangle, a quadrangle, a pentagon, or a hexagon. Other irregular shapes may also be used.

Further, the average thickness of the core layer 43 is not particularly limited, and the coupling loss can be minimized depending on the diameters of the core portions 111, 211, and 311 of the first optical fiber body 11, the second optical fiber body 21, and the third optical fiber body 31. It is preferably about 1 to 500 μm, more preferably about 10 to 300 μm, and even more preferably about 30 to 100 μm. This ensures the optical properties and mechanical strength required for the core portion 44.

Examples of the constituent material (main material) of the core layer 43 include acrylic resin, methacrylic resin, polycarbonate, polystyrene, cyclic ether resin such as epoxy resin and oxetane resin, polyamide, polyimide, polybenzoxazole, Polysilane, polysilazane, silicone resin, fluorine resin, polyurethane, polyolefin resin, polybutadiene, polyisoprene, polychloroprene, polyester such as PET and PBT, polyethylene succinate, polysulfone, polyether, and benzocyclobutene resin. Various resin materials such as cyclic olefin resins such as norbornene resins and the like can be mentioned. Note that a composite material in which resin materials having different compositions are combined is also used as the resin material.

Further, the core portion 44 shown in FIG. 4 includes a branch portion 46. At the branch section 46, one core section 44 branches into two. Thereby, the light incident on one core section 44 can be distributed to two core sections 44 at the branching section 46 .

1.5.2 Cladding layer The average thickness of the cladding layers 41 and 42 is preferably about 1 to 200 μm, more preferably about 3 to 100 μm, and even more preferably about 5 to 60 μm. . This ensures the optical properties and mechanical strength required for the cladding layers 41 and 42.

Further, as the constituent material of the cladding layers 41 and 42, for example, the same material as the constituent material of the core layer 43 described above can be used.

Note that the cladding layers 41 and 42 may be provided as necessary, and may be omitted. At this time, for example, if the core layer 43 is exposed to outside air (air), the outside air functions as the cladding layers 41 and 42.

Further, the side cladding portion 45 in the core layer 43 and one or both of the cladding layer 41 and the cladding layer 42 may be integrated.

1.5.3 Protective Layer The lower protective layer 47 and the upper protective layer 48 protect the core layer 43 and the cladding layers 41 and 42, suppress the decrease in transmission efficiency of the core section 44 due to external environment, etc. , the mechanical strength of the optical waveguide 4 is increased.

The constituent materials of the lower protective layer 47 and the upper protective layer 48 include, for example, materials containing various resins such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, polyimide, and polyamide. Can be mentioned.

The average thickness of the lower protective layer 47 and the upper protective layer 48 is not particularly limited, but is preferably about 5 to 500 μm, more preferably about 10 to 400 μm.

Furthermore, the lower protective layer 47 and the upper protective layer 48 may have the same configuration or different configurations.

Note that the lower protective layer 47 and the upper protective layer 48 may each be provided as necessary, and at least one of them may be omitted.

1.6 Adhesive Part Of the optical waveguide 4, the end surface of the first optical fiber 1 side end (one end) is the fourth light input/output surface 491, and the second optical fiber 2 side end and the third optical fiber 3 side end ( The other end) is defined as a fifth light input/output surface 492 . The first light input/output surface 113 of the first optical fiber 1 and the fourth light input/output surface 491 of the optical waveguide 4 are optically connected via the first adhesive section 81 . Furthermore, the second light input/output surface 213 of the second optical fiber 2 and the fifth light input/output surface 492 of the optical waveguide 4 are optically connected via the second adhesive portion 82 . Further, the third light input/output surface 313 of the third optical fiber 3 and the fifth light input/output surface 492 of the optical waveguide 4 are optically connected via the third adhesive portion 83. Note that the second adhesive part 82 and the third adhesive part 83 may be integrated with each other so that the boundary cannot be determined.

As the first adhesive part 81, the second adhesive part 82, and the third adhesive part 83, any adhesive can be used as long as it has optical transparency, such as epoxy adhesive, acrylic adhesive, etc. , urethane-based adhesives, silicone-based adhesives, olefin-based adhesives, various hot melt adhesives (polyester-based, modified olefin-based), and the like.

Further, the curing principle of each of the first adhesive part 81, the second adhesive part 82, and the third adhesive part 83 is not particularly limited, and may be a thermosetting type, a curing agent mixed type, a solvent volatilization type, etc. Preferably, it is a photocurable type. That is, it is preferable that the first adhesive part 81, the second adhesive part 82, and the third adhesive part 83 each contain a cured product of a photocurable adhesive. The photocurable adhesive can be cured in a short time while holding the object to be bonded with a light-transmitting jig or the like. Therefore, in a state where the optical waveguide 4 and the first optical fiber 1, second optical fiber 2, and third optical fiber 3 are aligned as described later, they can be easily fixed with high precision. As a result, the optical coupling efficiency of the connection portion can be further improved. Note that the photocurable type includes an ultraviolet curing type.

In addition, when the first adhesive part 81, the second adhesive part 82, and the third adhesive part 83 contain a cured product of a photocurable adhesive, the first adhesive part 81, the second adhesive part 82, and the third adhesive part The elastic modulus of 83 can be made relatively large. Specifically, the elastic modulus of each of the first adhesive part 81, the second adhesive part 82, and the third adhesive part 83 is preferably about 100 to 20,000 MPa, more preferably about 300 to 15,000 MPa, and even more preferably It is approximately 500 to 12,500 MPa, particularly preferably approximately 1,000 to 10,000 MPa. By setting the elastic modulus of each of the first adhesive part 81, the second adhesive part 82, and the third adhesive part 83 within the above range, the first adhesive part 81, the second adhesive part 82, and the third adhesive part 83 are deformed. Therefore, after the optical waveguide 4 and the first optical fiber 1, the second optical fiber 2, and the third optical fiber 3 are aligned, misalignment is less likely to occur. Therefore, it is possible to maintain good optical coupling efficiency.

The elastic modulus of each of the first bonded portion 81, second bonded portion 82, and third bonded portion 83 is measured by a method specified in JIS K 7127, and the measurement temperature is 25°C.

Further, the refractive index of the first adhesive part 81 is not particularly limited, but it is preferably a value between the refractive index of the core part 111 of the first optical fiber main body 11 and the refractive index of the core part 44 of the optical waveguide 4. . By setting the refractive index of the first adhesive part 81 within the above range, the first adhesive part 81 has a refractive index adjustment function. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of coupling loss due to the refractive index difference between the first optical fiber 1 and the optical waveguide 4, and it is possible to realize the optical wiring component 100 with good optical coupling efficiency. .

Similarly, the refractive index of the second bonding part 82 is not particularly limited, but it is a value between the refractive index of the core part 211 of the second optical fiber main body 21 and the refractive index of the core part 44 of the optical waveguide 4. preferable. By setting the refractive index of the second adhesive part 82 within the above range, the second adhesive part 82 has a refractive index adjustment function. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of coupling loss due to the difference in refractive index between the second optical fiber 2 and the optical waveguide 4, and it is possible to realize the optical wiring component 100 with good optical coupling efficiency. .

Similarly, the refractive index of the third bonding part 83 is not particularly limited, but may be a value between the refractive index of the core part 311 of the third optical fiber main body 31 and the refractive index of the core part 44 of the optical waveguide 4. preferable. By setting the refractive index of the third adhesive part 83 within the above range, the third adhesive part 83 has a refractive index adjustment function. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of coupling loss due to the difference in refractive index between the third optical fiber 3 and the optical waveguide 4, and it is possible to realize the optical wiring component 100 with good optical coupling efficiency. .

1.7 Optical Adapter The first optical adapter 6 is, for example, a member having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is attached so as to penetrate the side wall 51 of the housing 5, as described above. Of the two surfaces of the first optical adapter 6 perpendicular to the X-axis, one insertion portion 61 into which the first optical fiber 1 can be inserted is provided on the surface on the positive side of the X-axis. On the other hand, one insertion portion 62 is provided on the X-axis minus side surface into which an optical fiber to be optically connected to the first optical fiber 1 can be inserted. Therefore, the first optical fiber 1 and the optical fiber to be connected are optically connected via the first optical adapter 6.

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

In this embodiment, the second optical adapter 7a and the third optical adapter 7b arranged along the Y axis are integrated to form the multiple optical adapter 7. The multiple optical adapter 7 is also a member having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape, for example, and is attached so as to penetrate the side wall 51 of the housing 5, as described above. Of the two surfaces perpendicular to the X-axis of the multiple optical adapter 7, the surface on the X-axis positive side has an insertion section 71a into which the second optical fiber 2 can be inserted and an insertion section 71b into which the third optical fiber 3 can be inserted. It is provided. The two insertion portions 71a and 71b are lined up along the Y axis. On the other hand, insertion portions 72a and 72b into which optical fibers to be optically connected to the second optical fiber 2 or the third optical fiber 3 are inserted are provided on the surface on the negative side of the X-axis. Therefore, the second optical fiber 2 and the third optical fiber 3 are optically connected to the two optical fibers to be connected via the multiple optical adapter 7. The two insertion portions 72a and 72b are lined up along the Y axis.

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

Note that the second optical adapter 7a and the third optical adapter 7b may be independent from each other.

1.8 Light Guide Section Here, as described above, in the light guide section 10 according to the present embodiment, the first optical fiber 1, the second optical fiber 2, and the third optical fiber 3 are arranged as shown in FIG. This is a member that is optically connected via an optical waveguide 4. In this light guide section 10, the length of the second optical fiber 2 and the length of the third optical fiber 3 are different. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the length of the third optical fiber 3 is longer than the second optical fiber 2. The length of the second optical fiber 2 is defined as the length from the second light input/output surface 213, which is the end face on the optical waveguide 4 side, shown in FIG. It refers to the length up to. Similarly, the length of the third optical fiber 3 is defined as the length from the third light input/output surface 313 shown in FIG. This refers to the length to the side end face.

By providing such a difference in length, for example, as shown in FIG. When aligned with the optical connector 32, sharp bends are less likely to occur in the second optical fiber main body 21 and the third optical fiber main body 31.

FIG. 8 shows an example of an optical wiring component different from the present invention, in which the length of the second optical fiber 2' and the length of the third optical fiber 3' are the same for the light guide section 10 shown in FIG. It is a sectional view showing optical part 10'. The optical wiring component 100' shown in FIG. 8 is the same as the optical wiring component 100 shown in FIG. 2 except that it includes a light guide section 10' instead of the light guide section 10.

Also in FIG. 8, the first optical fiber 1 is inserted into the insertion section 61 of the first optical adapter 6, the second optical fiber 2' is inserted into the insertion section 71a of the second optical adapter 7a, and the third optical fiber 3' is inserted into the insertion section 71a of the second optical adapter 7a. , is inserted into the insertion portion 71b of the third optical adapter 7b. The light guide section 10' shown in FIG. 8 is curved in the XY plane.

When such a light guide section 10' is housed in the casing 5, the bending radius of the curved section is different between the second optical fiber 2' and the third optical fiber 3'. Specifically, the second optical fiber 2' is inserted into the insertion section 71a located on the positive side of the Y-axis, and the third optical fiber 3' is inserted into the insertion section 71b located on the negative side of the Y-axis. Therefore, the length of the curve connecting the optical waveguide 4 and the insertion section 71a on the Y-axis plus side is different from the length of the curve connecting the optical waveguide 4 and the insertion section 71b on the Y-axis minus side. Then, when the light guide section 10' in which the length of the second optical fiber 2' and the length of the third optical fiber 3' are the same is housed in the housing 5, the second optical fiber 2' located inside the curved portion , an extra length (surplus length) occurs. By bending this extra length, a bent portion 20' that bends with a large curvature is generated. The smaller the bending radius of such a bending portion 20', the greater the restoring force. Then, this restoring force exerts a load on the second adhesive portion 82. Such a load causes an increase in the optical coupling loss between the optical waveguide 4 and the second optical fiber 2' at the second adhesive portion 82. Furthermore, since the bending portion 20' has a small bending radius, bending loss also increases.

On the other hand, in the light guide section 10 shown in FIG. 3, the length of the second optical fiber 2 is shorter than the third optical fiber 3, as described above. Therefore, extra length is less likely to occur in the second optical fiber 2 located inside the curved portion. Therefore, even when the light guide section 10 is housed in the housing 5 in a bent state, a bent portion is unlikely to occur. By doing so, it is possible to suppress a load from being applied to the second adhesive portion 82. Furthermore, since a portion where the bending radius becomes small is less likely to occur, an increase in bending loss can also be suppressed.

As described above, the optical wiring component 100 according to the present embodiment includes the first optical fiber 1, the second optical fiber 2, the third optical fiber 3, the optical waveguide 4, the first adhesive part 81, and the second adhesive part. 82 and a third adhesive part 83. The optical waveguide 4 extends from the first optical fiber 1 side end (one end) toward the second optical fiber 2 side end and the third optical fiber 3 side end (other end), and has multiple optical waveguides along the way. The first optical fiber 1 is optically connected to the second optical fiber 2 and the third optical fiber 3 via the core portion 44 . Further, the first adhesive portion 81 adheres the first optical fiber 1 and one end portion of the optical waveguide 4. On the other hand, the second adhesive part 82 adheres the second optical fiber 2 and the other end of the optical waveguide 4. Moreover, the third adhesive part 83 adheres the third optical fiber 3 and the other end of the optical waveguide 4. In the optical wiring component 100 according to this embodiment, the lengths of the second optical fiber 2 and the third optical fiber 3 are different from each other.

In such an optical wiring component 100, for example, even when the light guide section 10 is accommodated in the housing 5 in a bent state, the second optical fiber 2 located inside the curved section can be made shorter than the third optical fiber 3. , the second optical fiber 2 is less likely to have extra length. Therefore, a bending portion is less likely to occur in the second optical fiber 2, and a load is less likely to be applied to the second adhesive portion 82. This makes it possible to suppress an increase in optical coupling loss in the second adhesive portion 82. Furthermore, an increase in bending loss at the bending portion can also be suppressed.

Further, the length L1 of the first optical fiber 1 may be longer than both the length L2 of the second optical fiber 2 and the length L3 of the third optical fiber 3, but in FIG. 3, it is shorter than both. That is, it is preferable that the light guide section 10 satisfy L1<L2 and L1<L3.

In the light guide section 10 that satisfies such a relationship, the ratio of the lengths L2 and L3 to the entire length thereof becomes large. In this way, even if the bending radius varies due to manufacturing errors, for example, excess length is less likely to occur when the light guide section 10 is bent. In other words, by increasing the proportion of the lengths L2 and L3 in the overall length, it is possible to expand the allowable range of the bending radius in which the occurrence of a bent portion can be suppressed. As a result, it is possible to realize the light guide section 10 that can suppress an increase in optical coupling loss in the second bonding section 82.

Note that the difference between the length L2 of the second optical fiber 2 and the length L3 of the third optical fiber 3 is determined by the total length of the light guide section 10, the length L2 of the second optical fiber 2, the length L3 of the third optical fiber 3, and the bending. It is set appropriately depending on the radius, number of branches, etc. As an example, when L2<L3, the difference L3-L2 is preferably 30% or less of the length L3, more preferably 1 to 25%.

Further, the number of branches of the core portion 44 in the optical waveguide 4 is not limited to the above two, and may be three or more. In that case, in addition to the second optical fiber 2 and the third optical fiber 3, a fourth optical fiber, a fifth optical fiber, etc. may be added to the branch side.

Note that when the number of branches of the optical waveguide 4 is two, the difference L3-L2 is preferably about 5 to 8 mm. When the number of branches of the optical waveguide 4 is four, the difference L3-L2 is preferably about 15 to 20 mm. When the number of branches of the optical waveguide 4 is eight, the difference L3-L2 is preferably about 40 to 45 mm.

Further, when the number of branches is, for example, four, in addition to the second optical fiber 2 and the third optical fiber 3, a fourth optical fiber and a fifth optical fiber (not shown) are provided on the branch side. In that case, assuming that the length of the fourth optical fiber is LA and the length of the fifth optical fiber is LB, the light guide portion should satisfy at least the relationship L2<L3, but preferably L2<L3. It is preferable to satisfy the relationship <LA<LB. This makes it difficult for excess length to occur in any optical fiber. As a result, it is possible to suppress an increase in optical coupling loss at the bonded portion connecting each optical fiber and the optical waveguide 4.

Note that when the number of branches is three or more, the multiple optical adapter 7 includes additional lights such as a fourth optical adapter, a fifth optical adapter, etc. in addition to the second optical adapter 7a and the third optical adapter 7b. It may also be equipped with an adapter. In that case, the additional optical adapter may be lined up along the Y axis with the second optical adapter 7a and the third optical adapter 7b, or may be lined up with them on the Z axis. In the former case, the casing 5 can be made thinner. On the other hand, in the latter case, since the multiple optical adapter 7 has a multi-stage structure, the housing 5 can be made smaller in plan view.

Note that the total length of the light guide section 10 is not particularly limited, but is preferably about 5 to 200 cm, more preferably about 10 to 100 cm.

Further, the ratio of length L2 and length L3 to the total length of light guide section 10 is preferably more than 50%, and more preferably 60% or more and 90% or less. This makes the effect that extra length is less likely to occur even when the bending radius varies when the light guide section 10 is bent, more pronounced.

Further, the optical waveguide 4 has a sheet shape. Specifically, the optical waveguide 4 has two rectangular main surfaces that have a front-back relationship with each other and a side surface that connects the main surfaces. The distance between the principal surfaces is sufficiently shorter than the length of each side of the principal surfaces. As a result, the optical waveguide 4 has a characteristic of being very easy to bend in the thickness direction and difficult to bend in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction. Therefore, when the light guide section 10 is bent during manufacturing of the optical wiring component 100, the optical waveguide 4 is bent preferentially compared to the first optical fiber 1, the second optical fiber 2, and the third optical fiber 3. . Since the optical waveguide 4 has a sheet shape, it naturally bends in the thickness direction. At this time, the restoring force generated in the optical waveguide 4 is extremely small. Therefore, even if the light guide section 10 is bent, the first adhesive section 81, the second adhesive section 82, and the third adhesive section 83 are less likely to be subjected to a load. Thereby, an increase in optical coupling loss in the first adhesive part 81, the second adhesive part 82, and the third adhesive part 83 can be suppressed.

In addition, by housing the light guide part 10 in the housing 5 in a bent state, in the optical wiring component 100, both the first optical adapter 6 and the multiple optical adapter 7 can be mounted on the same side wall 51. I can do it. Thereby, when performing the work of inserting external optical fibers into both the first optical adapter 6 and the multiple optical adapter 7, the work efficiency can be improved. As a result, an optical wiring component 100 that is easy to handle is obtained.

Moreover, if the length of the light guide part 10 is long enough, a part of the light guide part 10 can be accommodated in the state of contacting the inner wall surface of the housing|casing 5. This state is likely to be maintained at all times due to the force (restoring force) of the bent light guide section 10 to restore its original shape. Therefore, the light guide section 10 can be fixed to the housing 5 in a mild manner, making it difficult for the light guide section 10 to swing. As a result, fluctuations in transmission efficiency due to rocking in the light guide section 10 can be suppressed.

Note that, when the longest side of each side of the main surface of the optical waveguide 4 is defined as the long axis, the length L4 of the long axis of the optical waveguide 4 shown in FIG. It is preferably about 80 mm, more preferably about 7 to 50 mm.

Further, when the length of the short axis perpendicular to the long axis of the optical waveguide 4 is defined as the width, the width W of the optical waveguide 4 shown in FIG. 4 is approximately 1.0 to 15 mm, although it varies slightly depending on the number of branches. It is preferably about 1.5 to 10 mm, and more preferably about 1.5 to 10 mm.

Here, the distance between the main surfaces of the optical waveguide 4 is defined as the thickness t. The thickness t of the optical waveguide 4 shown in FIG. 7 is the diameter φ1 of the first optical fiber 1 shown in FIG. 4, the diameter φ2 of the second optical fiber 2 shown in FIG. 4, and the diameter φ3 of the third optical fiber 3 shown in FIG. It is preferable that it is thinner than either. Thereby, the optical waveguide 4 becomes easier to bend than the first optical fiber 1, the second optical fiber 2, and the third optical fiber 3. As a result, even when the light guide section 10 is bent, the load is less likely to be applied to the first adhesive section 81, the second adhesive section 82, and the third adhesive section 83. Thereby, it is possible to suppress an increase in optical coupling loss at the first bonding section 81, the second bonding section 82, and the third bonding section 83.

In addition, in this application, "the diameter φ1 of the first optical fiber 1" refers to the diameter of the first optical fiber main body 11. Similarly, in the present application, “the diameter φ2 of the second optical fiber 2” refers to the diameter of the second optical fiber main body 21. Similarly, in the present application, “the diameter φ3 of the third optical fiber 3” refers to the diameter of the third optical fiber main body 31. Further, the thickness of the optical waveguide 4 refers to the length of the optical waveguide 4 along the Z axis.

The thickness t of the optical waveguide 4 shown in FIG. 7 is preferably about 50 to 500 μm, more preferably about 100 to 300 μm.

In the optical waveguide 4 having the size described above, the restoring force when bent in the thickness direction can be kept sufficiently small. Also, the risk of buckling when bent is reduced.

Note that the diameter φ1 of the first optical fiber body 11, the diameter φ2 of the second optical fiber body 21, and the diameter φ3 of the third optical fiber body 31 are not particularly limited, respectively, but are preferably about 100 to 1000 μm, and about 200 to 800 μm. It is more preferable that Thereby, the mechanical properties of the first optical fiber main body 11, the second optical fiber main body 21, and the third optical fiber main body 31 can be optimized. As a result, when the light guide section 10 is bent, it is possible to achieve both rigidity that does not bend and a restoring force that is not too large.

In this case, the difference between the thickness t and the diameter φ1, the difference between the thickness t and the diameter φ2, and the difference between the thickness t and the diameter φ3 are preferably 50 to 800 μm, and 100 to 100 μm. More preferably, it is 500 μm. As a result, the difference is optimized, so that the optical waveguide 4 becomes relatively easy to bend, and even when the light guide part 10 is bent, the first adhesive part 81, the second adhesive part 82, and the third adhesive part 83 The load becomes difficult to apply. Moreover, bending loss is suppressed in the first optical fiber main body 11, the second optical fiber main body 21, and the third optical fiber main body 31.

Furthermore, the above-mentioned effects can be obtained even when the light guide section 10 is housed in the housing 5. FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the light guide section 10 shown in FIG. 3 in a bent state. For example, the light guide section 10 may be used in a simply bent state as shown in FIG. 9 without being housed in the housing 5. An optical wiring component including such a light guide section 10 also has the same effects as the optical wiring component 100 described above.

As described above, the optical waveguide 4 can be bent preferentially compared to the first optical fiber 1, the second optical fiber 2, and the third optical fiber 3. Therefore, when the light guide section 10 is bent, the bending radius of the optical waveguide 4 becomes smaller due to the bending of the optical waveguide 4 in the thickness direction, and the bending of the first optical fiber 1, second optical fiber 2, and third optical fiber 3 is reduced. The radius becomes relatively large. In this way, the light guide section 10 can be bent while the restoring force generated in the first optical fiber 1, second optical fiber 2, and third optical fiber 3 is kept small. In other words, the restoring force when the optical waveguide 4 is bent in the thickness direction is smaller than the restoring force when the first optical fiber 1, the second optical fiber 2, and the third optical fiber 3 are bent. By being bent in the thickness direction, the restoring force of the entire light guide section 10 can be kept small. As a result, the light guide section 10 can be deformed smaller and put together while suppressing an increase in optical coupling loss in the first bonding section 81, the second bonding section 82, and the third bonding section 83. That is, such a light guide section 10 exhibits the above-mentioned effects not only when it is housed in the housing 5 but also when used in a bent state. Furthermore, even if the light guide section 10 is bent during manufacturing, for example, it is unlikely to cause an increase in loss. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the light guide section 10 and the optical wiring component 100 that are easy to handle can be obtained.

Further, the optical wiring component 100 shown in FIG. 2 includes a housing 5, and a first optical adapter 6, a second optical adapter 7a, and a third optical adapter 7b attached to the housing 5.

The first optical fiber 1 is inserted into the first optical adapter 6, the second optical fiber 2 is inserted into the second optical adapter 7a, and the third optical fiber 3 is inserted into the third optical adapter 7b.

As described above, the light guide section 10 is housed inside the housing 5 in a bent state. Even when the first optical fiber 1, second optical fiber 2, and third optical fiber 3 are inserted into the first optical adapter 6, second optical adapter 7a, and third optical adapter 7b, the first adhesive part 81, An increase in the load on the second adhesive part 82 and the third adhesive part 83 can be suppressed. That is, by using the first optical adapter 6, the second optical adapter 7a, and the third optical adapter 7b, the positions of the respective ends of the first optical fiber 1, the second optical fiber 2, and the third optical fiber 3 (positions of optical connectors) can be adjusted. Even when they are aligned, it is possible to suppress an increase in the load on the first adhesive part 81, the second adhesive part 82, and the third adhesive part 83.

Note that the first optical adapter 6, the second optical adapter 7a, and the third optical adapter 7b may be provided as necessary, and may be omitted. In that case, a portion of each of the first optical fiber main body 11, the second optical fiber main body 21, and the third optical fiber main body 31 may be drawn out to the outside by penetrating the side wall 51.

Further, in this case, the first optical connector 12, the second optical connector 22, and the third optical connector 32 may be omitted. If these are omitted, optical elements and the like may be directly connected to the first optical fiber main body 11, the second optical fiber main body 21, and the third optical fiber main body 31.

2. Modified Example of Optical Wiring Component Next, a modified example of the optical wiring component according to the embodiment described above will be described.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an optical wiring component 100A according to a modification taken along the XY plane. Hereinafter, a modified example will be described. In the following description, the configuration different from the above embodiment will be described, and the description of similar matters will be omitted.

The optical wiring component 100A according to the modification is the same as the optical wiring component 100 according to the embodiment, except that the way the light guide section 10A fits inside the housing 5 is different.

Specifically, in the optical wiring component 100A shown in FIG. 10, the lengths of the second optical fiber 2 and the third optical fiber 3 in the light guide section 10A are particularly longer than the first optical fiber 1. Therefore, the second optical fiber 2 and the third optical fiber 3 are not only bent but also wound into an annular shape and housed inside the housing 5.

In this way, by winding the optical fiber into an annular shape, the restoring force of the second optical fiber 2 and the third optical fiber 3 is relaxed. In other words, by utilizing the fact that the bending radii of the second optical fiber 2 and the third optical fiber 3 wound into an annular shape can be changed relatively easily, the restoring force is increased between the second adhesive part 82 and the third adhesive part 83. It becomes difficult to put a load on the Therefore, in the optical wiring component 100A shown in FIG. 10, it is possible to particularly suppress an increase in optical coupling loss in the first adhesive part 81, the second adhesive part 82, and the third adhesive part 83.

Further, by winding it up in an annular shape, the effect of suppressing the swinging of the light guide section 10A inside the housing 5 becomes more pronounced.
Even in the above modifications, the same effects as in the embodiment described above can be obtained.

3. Method for Manufacturing Optical Wiring Component Next, a method for manufacturing the optical wiring component 100 shown in FIG. 2 will be described.

FIG. 11 is a process diagram for explaining a method of manufacturing the optical wiring component 100 shown in FIG. 2. 12 to 15 are diagrams for explaining the manufacturing method shown in FIG. 11, respectively. In addition, in FIG. 12, illustration of holding plates 94 and 95, which will be described later, is omitted, and the insides of the first optical fiber 1, second optical fiber 2, third optical fiber 3, and optical waveguide 4 are shown as seen through. There is.

The manufacturing method shown in FIG. 11 includes a supporting step S01 in which the first optical fiber 1, the second optical fiber 2, the third optical fiber 3, and the optical waveguide 4 are supported by the jig 9, the first adhesive part 81, the second adhesive part 82 and a bonding step S02 of bonding with the third bonding portion 83, and a jig removal step S03 of removing the jig 9. Each step will be explained in sequence below.

3.1 Support process S01
First, the first optical fiber 1, the second optical fiber 2, the third optical fiber 3, and the optical waveguide 4 are prepared. Then, the first optical fiber 1, the second optical fiber 2, and the third optical fiber 3 are arranged so as to be optically connected via the optical waveguide 4.

Next, with these positions aligned with each other, they are supported by a jig 9. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the jig 9 includes a flat base 90, a first protrusion 91, a second protrusion 92, and a third protrusion 93 that protrude upward from the base 90. It is equipped with Of these, the first convex portion 91 is provided below the first optical fiber 1 and supports the first optical fiber 1 from below. Further, the second convex portion 92 is provided below the second optical fiber 2 and the third optical fiber 3, and supports them from below. Furthermore, a groove 96 is formed in the upper surface 921 of the second convex portion 92, as shown in FIG. By fitting the second optical fiber 2 and the third optical fiber 3 into this groove 96, their positions can be easily regulated. Although not shown, the position of the first optical fiber 1 can be easily regulated by similarly forming a groove 96 on the upper surface of the first convex portion 91. Further, the third convex portion 93 is provided below the optical waveguide 4 and supports the optical waveguide 4 from below.

Furthermore, the jig 9 includes pressing plates 94 and 95 shown in FIG. Among these, the pressing plate 94 is provided above the first optical fiber 1 and presses down the first optical fiber 1 from above by its own weight or engagement with the first convex portion 91 . Further, the pressing plate 95 is provided above the second optical fiber 2 and the third optical fiber 3, and presses down the second optical fiber 2 and the third optical fiber 3 from above by its own weight or engagement with the second convex portion 92. By using such holding plates 94 and 95, the first optical fiber 1, the second optical fiber 2, and the third optical fiber 3 can be reliably fitted into the groove 96 described above. As a result, the first optical fiber 1, the second optical fiber 2, and the third optical fiber 3 can be guided to their respective target positions and their movements can be restricted.

3.2 Adhesion process S02
Next, an adhesive for forming the first adhesive part 81 is supplied between the first optical fiber 1 and the optical waveguide 4. Note that this adhesive is preferably applied not only to both end surfaces but also to the side surface of the first optical fiber 1 and the side surface of the optical waveguide 4. Then, by curing the adhesive, these are bonded together via the first bonding portion 81, as shown in FIG.

Further, a bonding portion for forming a second bonding portion 82 is provided between the second optical fiber 2 and the optical waveguide 4 . Note that this adhesive is preferably applied not only to both end faces but also to the side surface of the second optical fiber 2 and the side surface of the optical waveguide 4. Then, by curing the adhesive, these are bonded together via the second bonding portion 82, as shown in FIG.

Further, a bonding portion for forming a third bonding portion 83 is provided between the third optical fiber 3 and the optical waveguide 4 . Note that this adhesive is preferably applied not only to both end surfaces but also to the side surface of the third optical fiber 3 and the side surface of the optical waveguide 4. Then, by curing the adhesive, these are bonded together via the third bonding portion 83, as shown in FIG.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 15, the jig 9 has a space between the first convex part 91 and the third convex part 93 in the Y-axis direction, and a second convex part 92 in the Y-axis direction, as necessary. A recess 97 may be formed between the third protrusion 93 and the third protrusion 93 . By providing such a recess 97, it is possible to prevent the first adhesive part 81, the second adhesive part 82, and the third adhesive part 83 from adhering to the jig 9.

Furthermore, if necessary, at least one of the first optical fiber 1, the second optical fiber 2, the third optical fiber 3, and the optical waveguide 4 may be subjected to surface treatment. Thereby, it is possible to cause or promote the wetting and spreading of the adhesive even on a surface made of a material on which it is difficult to spread the adhesive. This surface treatment is not particularly limited, and includes, for example, corona treatment, plasma treatment, ozone treatment, and the like.

3.3 Jig removal process S03
Next, remove the jig 9. Thereafter, the first optical fiber 1, second optical fiber 2, third optical fiber 3, and optical waveguide 4 are housed in the housing 5 as necessary. As a result, the optical wiring component 100 shown in FIG. 2 is obtained.

4. Electronic equipment According to the optical wiring component according to the embodiment described above, even when the optical connectors are aligned with the optical fiber bent, it is possible to suppress the increase in load on the bonded part due to the extra length of the optical fiber. I can do it. Therefore, even when optical wiring components are accommodated in a small space, they can be accommodated while suppressing an increase in transmission loss. Therefore, an electronic device including such an optical wiring component has high reliability and can be miniaturized.

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

Although the optical wiring component and electronic device of the present invention have been described above based on the illustrated embodiments, the present invention is not limited thereto.

For example, the optical wiring component of the present invention may be one in which the configuration of each part of the above embodiment is replaced with an arbitrary structure having a similar function, or one in which an arbitrary structure is added to the above embodiment. It may be.

1 First optical fiber 2 Second optical fiber 2' Second optical fiber 3 Third optical fiber 3' Third optical fiber 4 Optical waveguide 5 Housing 6 First optical adapter 7 Multiple optical adapter 7a Second optical adapter 7b Third optical adapter 9 Treatment Tool 10 Light guide section 10' Light guide section 10A Light guide section 11 First optical fiber body 12 First optical connector 20' Flexible portion 21 Second optical fiber body 22 Second optical connector 31 Third optical fiber body 32 Third optical connector 41 Clad Layer 42 Cladding layer 43 Core layer 44 Core part 45 Side cladding part 46 Branch part 47 Lower protective layer 48 Upper protective layer 51 Side wall 52 Side wall 53 Side wall 54 Side wall 61 Insertion part 62 Insertion part 71a Insertion part 71b Insertion part 72a Insertion part 72b Insertion part 81 First adhesive part 82 Second adhesive part 83 Third adhesive part 90 Base 91 First convex part 92 Second convex part 93 Third convex part 94 Holding plate 95 Holding plate 96 Groove 97 Recessed part 100 Optical wiring component 100' Optical wiring component 100A Optical wiring component 111 Core portion 112 Clad portion 113 First light input/output surface 211 Core portion 212 Clad portion 213 Second light input/output surface 311 Core portion 312 Clad portion 313 Third light input/output surface 491 Fourth light Input/exit surface 492 Fifth light input/output surface 921 Upper surface L1 Length L2 Length L3 Length L4 Length S01 Supporting process S02 Adhesive process S03 Jig removal process t Thickness W Width φ1 Diameter φ2 Diameter φ3 Diameter

Claims (7)

A first optical fiber, a second optical fiber, and a third optical fiber each have a core part that extends from one end toward the other end and branches into a plurality of parts along the way, and the first optical fiber an optical waveguide that optically connects the second optical fiber and the third optical fiber; a first adhesive portion that adheres the first optical fiber and the one end of the optical waveguide; a second adhesive part that adheres the other end of the waveguide; and a third adhesive part that adheres the third optical fiber and the other end of the optical waveguide;
a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped casing that accommodates the light guide, has a long axis , and has a first side wall and a second side wall that are parallel to the long axis and face each other ;
Equipped with
The optical waveguide is made of a resin material and has a sheet shape,
The optical waveguide bends more easily in the thickness direction than in the direction perpendicular to the thickness direction,
The optical waveguide is in contact with an inner wall surface of the second side wall, and is arranged such that a portion in contact with the second side wall extends along the long axis of the casing,
The length of the second optical fiber and the length of the third optical fiber are different from each other,
The first optical fiber, the second optical fiber, and the third optical fiber are connectable to the outside of the casing via the first side wall,
The optical wiring component is characterized in that the light guide section is bent so as to generate a restoring force that maintains the state in contact with the second side wall . The optical wiring component according to claim 1, wherein the length of the first optical fiber is shorter than both the length of the second optical fiber and the length of the third optical fiber. The optical wiring component according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the thickness of the optical waveguide is thinner than any of the diameters of the first optical fiber, the second optical fiber, and the third optical fiber. further comprising a first optical adapter, a second optical adapter, and a third optical adapter attached to the first side wall ,
the first optical fiber is inserted into the first optical adapter;
the second optical fiber is inserted into the second optical adapter;
The optical wiring component according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the third optical fiber is inserted into the third optical adapter. The length of the second optical fiber is shorter than the length of the third optical fiber,
The optical wiring component according to claim 4, wherein the second optical adapter is located closer to the first optical adapter than the third optical adapter. 6. The optical waveguide according to claim 4, wherein the optical waveguide is accommodated in the housing in a bent state so that the bending radius is smaller than that of the first optical fiber, the second optical fiber, and the third optical fiber. Optical wiring parts. An electronic device comprising the optical wiring component according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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