JPH07181352A - Optical element module - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an optical element module capable of enhancing the performance and reducing the cost, and suitable for mass production. CONSTITUTION:In an optical element module, a housing 2 is formed of a connector insert part 6 and an element insert part 7. The element insert part 7 has element insert recessed parts 21, 22 formed in the direction orthogonal to the inserting direction of the connector of the connector insert part 6, and the element insert recessed parts 21, 22 are formed of fixing side surfaces 24, 25, 34, 35 for fixing a photoreceptor 3 and a light emitting element 4; standard side surfaces 26, 36 for regulating the positions of the photoreceptor 3 and the light emitting element 4 so that the optical axes of the photoreceptor 3 and the light emitting element 4 are substantially conformed to the optical axes of optical cables 63, 64; and bottom surfaces 23, 33. The photoreceptor 3 is fixed by the fixing side surfaces 24, 24, the standard side surface 26, and the bottom surface 23, and the light emitting element 4 by the fixing side surfaces 34, 35, the standard side surface 36, and the bottom surface 33, respectively.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical element module in which optical elements are housed in the same housing, and particularly suitable for mass production,
The present invention relates to an optical element module having a structure that enables high-performance and low-cost commercialization.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional optical element module of this type is constructed such that an optical cable can be attached to and detached from a housing, a plurality of parts including optical elements such as a light emitting element and a light receiving element are mounted in the housing, and It is known as a device capable of converting an optical signal and an electric signal in an optical cable by means of the optical element when the optical element is mounted (Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 4-91319, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. Hei.
43309, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-50903).

First, the optical fiber cable fixing structure of Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 4-91319 is designed to mount a plurality of parts on a holder from three directions.

In the method of assembling the optical element module disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-43309, a gimbal jig having a position adjusting mechanism is used as an assembly jig for aligning the optical axis of the optical element and the optical fiber holder. Thus, after the position is adjusted by the jig, this state is maintained and both are separately fixed.

Further, in the semiconductor laser module of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-50903, a submount is separately arranged for aligning the optical axis of the light emitting element (semiconductor laser) and the optical fiber so that position adjustment can be facilitated. It was done.

[0006]

However, the fixing structure of the optical fiber cable must be assembled by rotating the holder in consideration of the assembly from one direction, which is the easiest to assemble automatically. Since it becomes complicated, it has a big obstacle in mass-producing low-priced products. Further, as the work becomes complicated, the number of intervening defects also increases, and there is a problem in stably producing high-performance products. Furthermore, since the components are mounted on the holder in three directions, the holder has a complicated structure. Therefore, when molding the holder resin, unexpected molding strains occur due to the complicated shape,
There is a drawback that it is not possible to supply stable and high-performance products because the optical axis shifts and the characteristics are adversely affected.

Further, the method of assembling the optical element module requires an expensive gimbal jig in addition to the optical element module,
Not only a great amount of equipment cost is required, but also a great deal of time is required for position adjustment and fixing work after the main adjustment, resulting in a huge manufacturing cost, and as a result, there is a drawback that low-priced products cannot be supplied. .

Further, since the semiconductor laser module has a sub-mount separately added for position adjustment, the number of components increases, and the man-hour required for position adjustment work for aligning the optical axis increases. It has the drawback that it cannot be supplied.

Therefore, none of the plurality of conventional structures described above is concerned with the product structure suitable for mass production, suitable for high performance and low cost.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to realize a product structure in which a plurality of parts are mounted from one direction and the fixing is completed at the same time without rotating the holder, and high performance and cost reduction are possible, and An object is to provide an optical element module suitable for mass production.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, in the invention described in claim 1, an optical cable is detachably attached to the housing, and a plurality of parts including an optical element are mounted in the housing. In an optical element module configured to convert an optical signal and an electrical signal in the optical cable by the optical element when the optical cable is attached, the housing includes a connector insertion portion and an element insertion portion. The element mounting portion is provided with an element insertion recess formed in a direction orthogonal to a connector insertion direction of the connector insertion portion, and the element insertion recess fixes the optical element. A fixed side surface, a reference side surface that regulates the position of the optical element so that the optical axis of the optical element and the optical axis of the optical cable are substantially aligned, and a bottom surface, Constant aspect, the reference side, in an optical element module is characterized in that the structure for fixing the optical element at the bottom.

Further, in the invention as claimed in claim 2, the element insertion portion has the parallel plane parallel to the direction of inserting the connector into the connector insertion portion, and the insertion in the outer shape portion of the element insertion recess. Forming an orthogonal plane orthogonal to the direction, forming the element insertion recess from a direction perpendicular to this parallel plane, and the element insertion recess inner surface located between the parallel plane and the bottom surface of the element insertion recess , Is formed from a plurality of fixed side surfaces orthogonal to the parallel plane, at least one of the plurality of fixed side surfaces as a reference side surface orthogonal to the connector insertion direction, the optical element is inserted into the element insertion recess, The optical element module is characterized in that the optical element is fixed in a state of being in contact with the fixed side surface inside the element insertion recess, the reference side surface and the bottom surface.

Further, in the invention according to a third aspect, the element insertion recess is elongated in at least one of the fixed side surfaces formed of a plurality of planes orthogonal to the parallel plane, other than the reference side surface. An optical element module is characterized in that it has a structure in which projections in the shape of a triangular prism are formed and the ridge lines of the triangular pillar are aligned in the direction in which the optical element is inserted.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the element insertion portion forms a pair of parallel side planes orthogonal to any of the parallel planes and the orthogonal planes, and has a predetermined side plane. A stepped groove is provided at a position, and the shield case has a structure having a case flat surface in contact with each flat surface of the element insertion portion, and is a part of a flat surface of the case in contact with the side flat surface. In the optical element module, a cut-and-raised section cut and raised toward the inner side of the shield case is provided at a position where it falls into the stepped groove when it is mounted on the element insertion portion.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a narrow groove is formed at the boundary between the connector insertion portion and the element insertion portion of the housing, and the upper end of the element insertion portion is formed, and the shield case is a case. A front part is formed by bending a part of the upper surface to the front side, and the front part is structured to be fitted into the narrow groove when inserted into a predetermined position of the housing. Element module.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical element module, wherein the shield case is formed in a thin rod shape by extending a part of a lower end thereof, and the thin rod shape is used as a ground terminal.

[0017]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since it is configured as described above, the optical element can be inserted from one direction into the element insertion recess provided in the element insertion portion of the housing, and the inserted optical element can be inserted. Can be fixed while being in contact with the fixed plane, the reference plane and the bottom surface.

Further, according to the second aspect of the present invention, since it has the above-mentioned structure, the fixed plane, the reference plane, the bottom surface and the optical element are set in a predetermined state after the insertion of the optical element is completed. It can be placed with high precision.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since it has the above-mentioned structure, a part of the fixed side surface other than the reference side surface has three parts.
The prism is provided to fix the optical element, and the projection of the triangular prism bites into the optical element, so that the optical element can be firmly fixed inside the element insertion recess.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, since the structure is as described above, after inserting the optical element into the element insertion recess,
When the shield case can be inserted from the same direction as when the optical element is inserted and the insertion of the shield case is completed, the cut-and-raised section formed on the shield case is dropped into the stepped portion formed on the element insertion portion. In rare cases, the shield case is firmly fixed to the element insertion portion.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the front face portion provided on the shield case is fitted into the narrow groove formed at the boundary between the connector insertion portion and the element insertion portion of the housing, the shield case is fitted. Will be fixed securely.

According to the sixth aspect of the invention, since the shield case has a thin rod-shaped ground terminal, it is convenient for fixing the optical element module.

[0023]

The present invention will be described below with reference to the illustrated embodiments.

1 to 10 are drawings for explaining a first embodiment according to the present invention. Here, FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment according to the present invention, and is a perspective view showing an optical element module in a state where assembly is completed. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the same embodiment, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a housing of the same embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a shield case of the same embodiment. Further, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a connector is attached to the optical element module of the same embodiment. 6 is a plan view of the housing of the same embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line AA of the housing of the same embodiment. 8 is an enlarged perspective view showing a part of the embodiment, and FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view showing a part of the embodiment. In addition, FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the shield case is attached to the housing in the same embodiment.

In these figures, the optical element module 1
Is roughly composed of the housing 2, the light receiving element 3, the light emitting element 4, and the shield case 5. Also,
The light receiving element 3 and the light emitting element 4 are referred to as optical elements.

As shown in the figure, the housing 2 is formed by molding the connector insertion portion 6 and the element insertion portion 7 with a mold. That is, in the connector insertion portion 6 of the housing 2,
A connector insertion hole 8 is formed. At both ends of the connector insertion hole 8, levers 9 and 10 are formed by cutting out a part of the wall surface of the connector insertion portion 6.
Further, recesses 11 and 12 are formed at the tips of the levers 9 and 10. The optical connector 13 is provided with convex portions 14 and 15. When this optical connector 13 is inserted into the connector insertion hole 8 as shown in FIG.
Are fitted and fixed in the recesses 11 and 12 of the levers 9 and 10. In this embodiment, as described above, the optical connector 13 is shown as being attached to the connector insertion portion 6 by the lever lock method. However, as a method of connecting the optical connector 13 to the connector insertion portion 6,
It goes without saying that a method other than this method, such as a friction lock method or a bayonet method, may be applied.
Further, the optical connector 13 is to be inserted into the connector insertion hole 8 of the housing 2 in the arrow X direction shown in FIGS.

Further, the element insertion portion 7 formed in the housing 2 has a parallel plane 16 parallel to the arrow X (the insertion direction of the optical connector 13) and an orthogonal plane 17 orthogonal to the arrow X. Two side planes 18 and 19 parallel to each other and a bottom plane 20 parallel to the parallel plane 16 are formed on the planes 16 and 17, respectively. In addition, the element insertion portion 7
In this, element insertion recesses 21 and 22 are formed from the parallel plane 16 in a direction orthogonal to the plane 16. The light receiving element 3 is mounted in the element insertion recess 21, and the light emitting element 4 is mounted in the element insertion recess 22.

The element insertion recess 21 has a plurality of fixed side surfaces 24 and 25 which are orthogonal to the parallel plane 16 on the inner side surface between the parallel plane 16 and the bottom surface 23 of the insertion recess 21.
And a reference side surface 26 that is orthogonal to the parallel plane 16 and is also orthogonal to the connector insertion direction X.
Further, elongated slots 30 to 32 for drawing out the lead wires 27 to 29 of the light receiving element 3 are formed through the bottom surface 23 of the element insertion recess 21. These elongated slots 30-32 are
The lead wires 27 to 29 of the light receiving element 3 are provided at corresponding positions in a direction orthogonal to the parallel plane 16. The elongated slots 30 to 32 have a funnel shape with a wide upper portion in order to facilitate the insertion of the lead wires 27 to 29, but the funnel shape may be omitted if unnecessary.

Similarly, the element insertion recess 22 has an inner side surface between the parallel plane 16 and the bottom surface 33 of the insertion recess 22.
A plurality of fixed side surfaces 34, 35 orthogonal to the parallel plane 16
And a reference side surface 36 that is orthogonal to the parallel plane 16 and is also orthogonal to the connector insertion direction X.
Further, elongated slotted holes 40, 41 for drawing out the lead wires 37, 38 of the light emitting element 4 are formed through the bottom surface 33 of the element insertion recess 22. The elongated slots 40 and 41 are formed at positions corresponding to the lead wires 37 and 38 of the light emitting element 4 in a direction orthogonal to the parallel plane 16. The elongated slots 40 and 41 have a funnel shape with a wide upper portion in order to facilitate insertion of the lead wires 37 and 38, but the funnel shape may be eliminated if unnecessary.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 6, 8 and 9, a plurality of triangular projections 42 and 43 are provided on the fixed side surface 24 of the element insertion recess 21, and a plurality of triangular projections 42 and 43 are provided on the fixed side surface 25. Triangular protrusions 44 and 45 are formed. These protrusions 42, 4
3, 44 and 45 will be described with reference to FIG. 8 taken along the line BB of FIG. 6 by taking the protrusions 44 and 45 formed on the fixed side surface 25 as an example. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the protrusions 44 and 45 have a substantially elongated triangular shape and have a parallel plane 16
It is formed on the fixed side surface 25 from the side toward the bottom surface 23. The bottoms of the triangular columnar projections 44 and 45 are the bottom surface 2
3 and the opposite ends of the protrusions 44 and 45 are shown in FIGS.
As shown in, the tip is in the shape of a triangular pyramid that is oriented in the parallel plane 16 direction. Further, in the present embodiment, the triangular pyramidal portions of the protrusions 44 and 45 are formed from the parallel plane 16 in the direction of the bottom surface 23 by a dimension L. The triangular pyramid portion may have the dimension L = 0.

Similarly, the fixed side surface 3 of the element insertion recess 22
4, 35 have a plurality of triangular protrusions 46, 47, 48,
49 is formed.

Also, these protrusions 42, 43, 44, 4
5, 46, 47, 48 and 49 are formed such that the ridge lines of their triangular prisms are parallel to the parallel plane 16 at right angles (the insertion direction of the light receiving element 3 and the light emitting element 4).

Step grooves 50 and 51 are provided in the lower portions of the side flat surfaces 18 and 19 of the housing 2. Also,
A narrow groove 52 is formed at the boundary between the connector insertion portion 6 and the element insertion portion 7 of the housing 2 and at the end of the parallel plane 16 of the element insertion portion 7.

Next, the shield case 5 will be described. The shield case 5 is composed of a thin metal plate, and has a parallel plane 16 and an orthogonal plane 1 of the housing 2.
7, a thin metal plate is bent so as to be in contact with the side flat surfaces 18 and 19, respectively, to form both side surfaces 53 and 54, a rear surface 55, a front surface 56, and an upper surface 57. Shield case 5
Cut-and-raised pieces 58 and 59 are provided on the lower portions of both side surfaces 53 and 54 of the shield case 5 so as to cut out a part of the shield case 5 and face toward the inside of the shield case 5. Also,
The shield case 5 is assembled in the housing 2 in the same direction as the light receiving element 3 and the light emitting element 4 are inserted. The side surface 53 of the shield case 5 is a side plane surface 18 of the housing 2, and the side surface 54 is a side plane surface 19 of the housing 2.
The rear surface 55 is in contact with the orthogonal plane 17 of the housing 2, and the upper surface 57 thereof is in contact with the parallel plane 16 of the housing 2, whereby the assembling of the shield case 5 to the housing 2 is completed. The shield case 5 has a front surface portion 60 formed by bending a part of the case upper surface 57 toward the front surface. In addition, the shield case 5 is provided with ground terminals 61 and 62, each of which has a lower end partially extending in a thin rod shape.

Further, the optical cable 6 is connected to the optical connector 13.
3, 64 are fixed.

In the embodiment thus constructed, a method of mounting the light receiving element 3 and the light emitting element 4 on the housing 2 will be described below by taking the light receiving element 3 as an example.

First, the light receiving element 3 is fed into the element insertion recess 21 of the housing 2 from the upper side in the direction perpendicular to the parallel plane 16 of the element insertion portion 7.

At this time, the lead wires 27 to 29 of the light receiving element 3
Slots 30 formed on the bottom surface 23 of the element insertion recess 21
Corresponding to .about.32, the back surface 66 of the light receiving element 3 is abutted against the reference side surface 26 orthogonal to the connector insertion direction X while being inserted through these elongated slots 30 to 32, and the lower surface 67 of the light receiving element 3 is pushed. Is brought into contact with the bottom surface 23 of the element insertion recess 21 to complete the insertion of the light receiving element 3 into the element insertion recess 21 of the element insertion portion 7 of the housing 2. 5 and 7 show a state in which the light receiving element 3 is mounted in the element insertion recess 21 of the element insertion portion 7 of the housing 2.

In such an inserted state, the plurality of protrusions 4 installed on the fixed side surfaces 24 and 25 forming the element insertion recess 21.
As shown in FIG. 5, reference numerals 2, 43, 44, and 45 bite into the light receiving element 3 and firmly fix the light receiving element 3 to the housing 2.

As described above, with the light receiving element 3 inserted in the housing 2, the back surface 66 of the light receiving element 3 contacts the reference side surface 26 orthogonal to the connector insertion direction X and the lower surface 67 of the light receiving element 2. Is the bottom surface 2 of the element insertion recess 21.
It will be positioned and fixed in the state of being in contact with 3.

In this state, the optical axis l-l of the optical cable 63 of the connector 11 assembled at a predetermined position of the housing 2
And the optical axis l′-l ′ of the light receiving element 3 are aligned with high precision on the order of μm.
The dimensions and shapes of the components that make up the are determined. Therefore, when the optical connector 13 and the light receiving element 3 are assembled in the housing 2 at predetermined positions, the optical axes of the optical cable 63 and the light receiving element 3 can be aligned with high accuracy on the order of μm.

Next, regarding the light emitting element 4, the light receiving element 3 is assembled in the same manner as described above.
The back surface 68 of the light emitting element 4 is mounted and fixed in contact with the reference side surface 36 orthogonal to the insertion direction X of the optical connector 13, and the bottom surface 69 of the light emitting element 4 is in contact with the bottom surface 33 of the element insertion recess 22. Has been done. At this time, the projections 46, 4 formed on the fixed side surfaces 34, 35 of the element insertion recess 22
As shown in FIG. 5, 7, 48 and 49 are fixed in a state of biting into the light emitting element 4. In this state, as described in the light receiving element 3, the optical axis g-g of the optical cable 64 assembled to the optical connector 13 and the optical axis g'-g 'of the light emitting element 4 are described.
So that and can be aligned with high accuracy on the order of μm,
The dimensions and shapes of the components that make up the optical element module 1 are determined. Therefore, the optical connector 1 is attached to the housing 2.
3 and the light emitting element 4 are assembled at a predetermined position, the optical axes of the optical cable 64 and the light emitting element 4 can be aligned with high accuracy on the order of μm.

After the light-receiving element 3 and the light-emitting element 4 have been inserted into the housing 2 in this manner, the shield case 5 is attached to the element insertion portion 7 of the housing 2.

The shield case 5 is assembled in the housing 2 in the same direction as the light receiving element 3 and the light emitting element 4 are inserted. This assembly is performed by using the shield case side surface 58, the housing side surface 16, and the shield case side surface 5.
9 and the side surface 17 of the housing, the rear surface 60 of the shield case
And the back surface 15 of the housing and the top surface 57 of the shield case
And the upper surface 18 of the housing are in contact with each other.

In this state, the cut-and-raised pieces 58, 59 installed on the lower portions of both side surfaces 53, 54 of the shield case 5
Will fall into the step grooves 50 and 51 provided in the lower portions of the side flat surfaces 18 and 19 of the housing 2. As a result, the shield case 5 is fixed to the element insertion portion 7 of the housing 2. Further, when the shield case 5 is placed in the assembled state as described above, the front surface 56 thereof is provided at the boundary between the connector insertion portion 6 and the element insertion portion 7 as shown in FIG. It will fit in the groove 52. As described above, FIG. 10 shows a state in which the light receiving element 3, the light emitting element 4, and the shield case 5 are inserted and attached to the element insertion portion 7 of the housing 2.

As described above, in the first embodiment, the light receiving element 3, the light emitting element 4, and the shield case 5 are simply fed into the housing 2 from the same direction.
The assembly of the optical element module 1 is completed.

The optical element module 1 is mounted on a circuit board (not shown) and has the plurality of lead wires 27 described above.
29, 37, 38, and the ground terminals 61, 62 can be fixed by soldering on the circuit board. Here, the earth terminals 61 and 62 projecting downward from the shield case 5 are soldered to the ground on the circuit board to shield the optical element module 1, but at the same time, the earth terminals 61 and 62 are connected to the circuit. The optical element module 1 is firmly fixed to the circuit board by being soldered on the board, and some external force is applied to the optical element module 1.
Damage to the internal light receiving element 3, light emitting element 4, etc.
The position shift and the like are prevented from occurring, and external force is not applied to the lead wires 27 to 29, 37, 38 of the light receiving element 3 and the light emitting element 4.

As described above, in the optical element module according to the present invention, the light receiving element 3, the light emitting element 4, and the shield case 5 are simply fed into the housing 2 from the same direction and mounted, and these parts are installed. The housing 2 can be positioned at a predetermined position on the order of μm with high accuracy, and the fixing can be completed.

11 and 12 are views showing a second embodiment of the optical element module according to the present invention. Here, FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the assembled optical element module, and FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view showing the same embodiment.

The major difference of the second embodiment from the first embodiment is that the partial shape of the housing 2a and the partial shape of the shield case 5a are changed, and the other structures are the same as those of the first embodiment. Is exactly the same as the embodiment of

First, the housing 2a will be described.
That is, in the first embodiment, the connector insertion portion 6 is provided close to the parallel plane 16 side of one side surface of the element insertion portion 7, but in the second embodiment, the connector insertion portion 6a is provided. It is provided close to the center of one side surface of the attachment portion 7a. Also,
In the first embodiment, the step grooves 50, 51 are formed by the side planes 18, 19
However, in the second embodiment, stepped grooves 50a and 51a are formed at both ends of the lower portion of one side surface where the connector insertion portion 6a is provided.

Next, the shield case 5a will be described. That is, in the first embodiment, the shield case 5 is made of a metal plate and has both side surfaces 53 and 54, a rear surface 55, a front surface 56, and an upper surface 57, and cut and raised pieces 58 and 59 are formed at the lower portions of both side surfaces 53 and 54. It is provided. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the shield case 5a has the two side surfaces 53a, 54a, the rear surface 55a, the upper front surface 56a, and the upper surface 57a formed of the metal plate. Same as the above, except that both front surfaces 66, 67 are provided, both front surfaces 66,
A point where cut-and-raised pieces 58a and 59a are provided at the bottom of 67, and the bottoms of both front faces 66 and 67 are extended to extend the ground terminal 61.
The difference from the first embodiment is that a and 62a are provided.

In the second embodiment having such a structure,
First, the light receiving element 3 and the light emitting element 4 are inserted and fixed in the element insertion recesses 21 and 22 of the housing 2a in the direction of the arrow Y in FIG. 12, and after this fixing is completed, the shield case 5a is covered on the housing 2a. Installed, housing 2a
The shield case 5a can be fixed to the housing 2a by dropping the cut-and-raised pieces 58a and 59a provided on the front surfaces 66 and 67 on both sides into the stepped grooves 50a and 51a.

As described above, in the second embodiment, the light receiving element 3, the light emitting element 4, and the shield case 5a can be fixed together by simply assembling them from the direction of the arrow Y in FIG.

13 to 15 are views showing a third embodiment of the optical element module according to the present invention. Here, FIG.
Is a perspective view showing a completed state of the optical element module of the same embodiment, FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the same embodiment, and FIG. 15 is a sectional view of the same embodiment.

The major difference between the third embodiment and the first embodiment is that the connection structure between the connector insertion portion 6b and the element insertion portion 7b of the housing 2b and the structure of the shield case 5b are changed. The other structure is exactly the same as that of the first embodiment.

First, the housing 2b will be described.
That is, a cut groove (not shown) is provided between the connector insertion portion 6b and the element insertion portion 7b from the upper end of the housing 2b to a position above the lower end of the housing 2b. Therefore, the connector insertion portion 6b and the element insertion portion 7b
As shown in FIG. 15, the central portion 75 has a predetermined thickness q.
The lower end portion 76 has a predetermined thickness p and is integrally formed in an inverted T-shape in cross section. Further, the upper end of the central portion 75 between the connector insertion portion 6b and the element insertion portion 7b is the element insertion portion 7b.
Is cut away from the parallel plane 16 toward the lower part in the figure by a certain length r. Reference numerals 77 and 78 are holes for optical signals.

Next, the shield case 5b will be described. That is, in the shield case 5b, both side surfaces 53b and 54b, a rear surface 55b, and an upper surface 57b are formed of a metal plate, and cut and raised pieces 58b and 59b are provided at the lower ends of both side surfaces 53b and 54b. This is the same as the first embodiment. On the other hand, in the shield case 5b, the front surface 79 is formed large, and a narrow groove 80 is formed in the center of the shield case 5b from the lower side to the upper side in the figure, and small holes 81 and 82 are formed on both sides sandwiching the narrow groove 80. Has been done. With the shield case 5b attached to the housing 2, the centers of the small holes 81 and 82 are arranged so as to coincide with the optical axes of the light receiving element 3 and the light emitting element 4. Further, a part of the lower end of the front surface 79 is extended, and the ground terminals 61b, 62 are symmetrical with the narrow groove 80.
b is provided. In addition, the lower end 84 of the front surface 79 in the figure
Is, as shown in FIG. 14, a dimension P (P≈2 in this embodiment).
mm) and slightly above.

Due to such a structure, the light receiving element 3 and the light emitting element 4 are mounted and fixed in the element insertion recesses 21 and 22 of the housing 2b from the direction of arrow Z in FIG. Then, the shield case 5b is inserted from the direction of the arrow Z in FIG. 14 so that the front surface 79 is inserted into the cut groove, and the entire element insertion portion 7b is covered with the shield case 5b.
b and 59b are dropped and fixed in the step grooves 50b and 51b. Thus, in the third embodiment, the light receiving element 3 and the light emitting element 4 and the shield case 5b are arranged in the same direction (Z).
You can complete mounting and fixing just by sending from.

As described above, in the third embodiment, the front surface 79 of the shield case 5b is larger than those in the first and second embodiments, so that the shield effect can be improved.

As described above, the housings 2, 2a, 2 are the first to third embodiments of the present invention.
The light receiving element 3 and the light emitting element 4 can be mounted and fixed in one direction in the element insertion recesses 21 and 22 of b, and the same mounting direction of the light receiving element 3 and the light emitting element 4 in the housings 2, 2a and 2b. Shield case 5, 5a, 5b from the direction
Can be mounted and fixed. In addition, each of the above embodiments,
It is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to one in which only the light receiving element 3 is mounted or one in which only the light emitting element 4 is mounted.

[0062]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the invention, the element insertion recess is formed in the element mounting portion in a direction orthogonal to the connector insertion direction of the connector insertion portion, and the element insertion recess is formed. A fixed side surface for fixing the optical element to the recess,
A reference side surface that regulates the position of the optical element so that the optical axis of the optical element and the optical axis of the optical cable substantially coincide with each other, and a bottom surface. The optical element is fixed by the fixed side surface, the reference side surface, and the bottom surface. Since it has a structure of, the light receiving element, the light emitting element,
And, by simply inserting the shield case from the same direction and mounting it, these parts can
It can be positioned and fixed with high accuracy on the order of.

According to the first aspect of the invention, no special machine tool or jig is required, no special adjustment is required, and a large number of optical element modules can be inexpensively manufactured with a simple machine tool. Can be provided.

According to the second aspect of the invention, since the outer shape of the element insertion portion is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped and the element insertion recess is provided on one surface of the rectangular parallelepiped, the optical element has an order of μm in the element insertion recess. With this, the shield case is accurately positioned and fixed, and the shield case is accurately fixed to the outside of the housing with high accuracy.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the element insertion recess is formed with an elongated triangular columnar projection on at least one of the fixed side surfaces excluding the reference plane, and the triangular shape is formed in the direction in which the optical element is inserted. Since the columnar ridges are aligned with each other, the optical element can be smoothly inserted, and the optical element can be firmly fixed.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, a step groove is provided at a predetermined position on the side plane of the element insertion portion, and a cut-and-raised piece cut and raised toward the inside of the case is provided in a part of the shield case. When the shield case is attached to the housing, the cut and raised pieces can be dropped into the step groove, so that the shield case is firmly fixed to the housing.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, a narrow groove is formed at the boundary between the connector insertion portion and the element insertion portion of the housing,
In addition, since a part of the top surface of the shield case is formed by bending it to the front side, the front part is fitted into the narrow groove when the front part is inserted and fixed in a predetermined position of the housing, and the shield case is firmly fixed. To be done.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since a part of the lower end of the shield case is extended to form a thin rod-shaped ground terminal, the optical element module is firmly fixed to the circuit board.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the same embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a housing of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a shield case of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which an optical connector is connected to the module of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the housing of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line AA of the housing of the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the element insertion recess of the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the element insertion recess of the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a state in which the shield case of the embodiment is attached.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is an exploded view showing the third embodiment.

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view showing the third embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view showing the third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Optical element module 2, 2a, 2b Housing 3 Light receiving element 4 Light emitting element 5, 5a, 5b Shield case 6, 6a, 6b Connector insertion portion 7, 7a, 7b Element insertion portion 8 Connector insertion hole 16 Parallel plane 17 Orthogonal plane 18, 19 Side plane 20 Bottom plane 21, 22 Element insertion recess 23, 33 Bottom surface 24, 25, 34, 35 Fixed side surface 26, 36 Reference side surface 50, 50a, 50b, 51, 51a, 51b Step groove 58, 58a, 58b, 59, 59a, 59b Cut and raised section 61, 61a, 61b, 62, 62a, 62b Ground terminal

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An optical cable is attached to and detached from a housing, a plurality of parts including an optical element are mounted in the housing, and when the optical cable is mounted, an optical signal in the optical cable is transmitted by the optical element. In an optical element module configured to be convertible with an electric signal, the housing includes a connector insertion portion and an element insertion portion, and the element attachment portion includes a connector of the connector insertion portion. An element insertion recess formed in a direction orthogonal to the insertion direction is provided, and the element insertion recess has a fixed side surface for fixing the optical element, an optical axis of the optical element, and an optical axis of the optical cable. The structure is composed of a reference side surface that regulates the position of the optical element so that they coincide with each other, and a bottom surface, and the optical element is fixed by the fixed side surface, the reference side surface, and the bottom surface. Optical element module to be used. 2. The optical element module according to claim 1, wherein the element insertion portion has a parallel flat surface parallel to a direction of inserting the connector into the connector insertion portion, in the outer shape portion of the element insertion recess. An orthogonal plane that is orthogonal to the insertion direction is formed, and an element insertion recess is formed from a direction that is perpendicular to this parallel plane, and the inside surface of the element insertion recess that is located between the parallel plane and the bottom surface of the element insertion recess. Is formed from a plurality of fixed side surfaces orthogonal to the parallel plane, and at least one of the plurality of fixed side surfaces is a reference side surface orthogonal to the connector insertion direction, and the optical element is inserted into the element insertion recess. The optical element module is characterized in that the optical element is fixed in a state of being in contact with the fixed side surface, the reference side surface and the bottom surface in the element insertion recess. 3. The optical element module according to claim 1, wherein the element insertion recess is elongated in at least one of the fixed side surfaces other than the reference plane among a plurality of fixed side surfaces orthogonal to the parallel plane. An optical element module having a structure in which projections in the shape of a triangular prism are formed, and the ridge lines of the triangular prism are aligned in the direction in which the optical element is inserted. 4. The optical element module according to claim 1, wherein the element insertion portion forms a pair of parallel side planes orthogonal to any of the parallel planes and the orthogonal planes, and the sides. A step groove is provided at a predetermined position on the flat surface, and the shield case has a structure having a case flat surface in contact with each flat surface of the element insertion portion, and is a part of the flat surface of the case in contact with the side flat surface. An optical element module comprising: a cut-and-raised section cut and raised toward the inner side of the shield case at a position where the shield case is fitted into the element insertion portion, and the position falls into the step groove. 5. The optical element module according to claim 1, wherein a narrow groove is formed at a boundary between the connector insertion portion of the housing and the element insertion portion, and a top end portion of the element insertion portion is formed, and the shield is provided. The case has a front surface portion formed by bending a part of the top surface of the case toward the front surface side, and the front surface portion is configured to be fitted into the narrow groove when inserted into a predetermined position of the housing. Characteristic optical element module. 6. The optical element module according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the shield case is formed by extending a part of a lower end thereof into a thin rod shape, and the thin rod shape is used as an earth terminal. Optical element module.