JPH10206701A - Optical semiconductor module - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable the integration of miniaturized and simplified connecting mechanism by engaging a lock part with an engage part when the state of press-contacting the top end of ferrule is formed. SOLUTION: The right end of assembly B on the side of optical connector plug is inserted toward an optical fiber output ferrule 5 of assembly A on the side of optical semiconductor module. In this case, a sleeve 11 mounted on a ferrule body having a gap is aligned and easily inserted/coupled to a bearing part by a tapered part at the top end of output ferrule 5 only by pushing it in along with a plug insertion guide part 8. The top ends of both optical fiber ferrules 12 and 5 are abutted and when a plug frame 10 is further continuously inserted, optical connection is surely performed by the further pressure of ferrule pressing spring. At that position, a lock hook part 14 is jumped and locked into a notched part 7 for lock because of its own stability.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical semiconductor module having an optical fiber optical connection structure for directly optically coupling an optical semiconductor element inside a module.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in optical communication between an optical semiconductor module used for optical communication and an external optical fiber, the other end of the optical fiber optically coupled to the optical semiconductor element is guided to the outside of a package to form a pigtail shape, and the terminal is connected to the terminal. This has been done by fusing the end of the external optical fiber or by attaching an arbitrary connecting plug. In recent years, due to the mass productivity of optical semiconductor modules using ceramic packages and their versatility as products, optical semiconductor modules are composed of short fibers optically coupled to optical semiconductor elements, and the special ferrule at the other end is projected and fixed from the ceramic package. A method of connecting with an optical connector plug of an external optical fiber, for example, JP-A-7-31
No. 8764 has been proposed.

[0003]

There is a strong demand for miniaturization and mass production of optical semiconductor modules. From the viewpoint of use, a module in which connection terminals are incorporated in the above-described ceramic package is preferable. However, the problem is that the connection / locking part by the sleeve between the ferrule of the external optical fiber terminal and the ferrule of the short optical fiber terminal optically coupled to the optical semiconductor element, especially the shape of the locking part prevents the detachment due to external force and the long term It is complicated to secure stable connection state. In particular, the ceramic package, which is the substrate of the module, is difficult to process and is not suitable for use or attachment to a part of the mechanical parts of the connection part. Therefore, it has been difficult to incorporate a small and simple connection mechanism requiring processing accuracy. It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved optical semiconductor module.

[0004]

In order to achieve the above object, an optical semiconductor module according to the present invention is an optical semiconductor module for optically coupling an optical semiconductor with the tip of the optical fiber facing the optical semiconductor. A plug frame, a plug-side ferrule movably supported in the plug frame in the axial direction and the radial direction, an urging means for urging the ferrule in a coupling direction, and a resiliently movable member with respect to the substrate. A plug-side assembly having an engaging hook means, an operating portion of the hook means, a sleeve for receiving the ferrule, an optical semiconductor module substrate, an optical semiconductor, and an optical fiber optically coupled at one end to the optical semiconductor; The other end of the optical fiber is coupled and is received by the sleeve and optically coupled to the ferrule. A guide portion for receiving the engaging end of the plug assembly and guiding the deformed hook means, and an optical semiconductor module side assembly having an engaging portion engaging with the hook means. The ferrules are connected to each other with the sleeve by inserting into the plug insertion guide part of the optical semiconductor module side assembly, and when the state in which the tip of each ferrule is pressed by the urging means is formed, the locking part is fixed. It is configured to be engaged with the engaging portion to form a connected state. In the apparatus, the plug frame of the plug-side assembly, means for loosely supporting the coupling ferrule so as to be movable in the axial direction, and the engaging hook portion at the tip is elastically deformed in the sleeve direction so that it can be returned. The engaging portion and the unlocking operation portion may be integrally formed of a structural material resin having excellent spring elasticity. In the device, the flag insertion guide portion and the engagement portion of the optical semiconductor module side assembly can be provided on an upper lid. In order to achieve the above object, still another optical module according to the present invention is an optical semiconductor module in which an optical semiconductor is provided with an optical fiber tip facing the optical semiconductor to optically couple the tip with the semiconductor. A semiconductor, a V-groove block provided on the substrate corresponding to the optical fiber, an optical fiber support provided integrally or in association with the substrate, and a V near the tip supported by the support. An optical fiber having a coupling end which is urged and guided in the V groove bottom direction of the groove block and optically coupled to the optical semiconductor. In the optical semiconductor module, the other end of the optical fiber may be an optical fiber cord connected to or covered with a ferrule. In the optical semiconductor module, the optical fiber support may be a lid fixed to the substrate while maintaining a fixed relationship. In the optical semiconductor module, there is an inclination between a line on the bottom surface of the V-groove block and an optical fiber support line of the optical fiber support, and the optical fiber has a deformed elastic force that causes the vicinity of the tip of the optical fiber to close. The V-groove block may be configured to be pressed toward the bottom. The optical semiconductor can be a light emitting element or a light receiving element.

[0005]

In the connection structure between the optical semiconductor module and the external optical fiber according to the present invention, the upper cover is long on the connection side with the external optical fiber, the upper cover and the connection portion are integrated, and the optical connector plug of the external optical fiber is connected. The connection structure can be simplified by performing processing of a possible shape.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an embodiment of an optical semiconductor module according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a main part of an optical connector plug assembly B of the embodiment, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a coupling sleeve. This embodiment of the optical semiconductor module according to the present invention comprises an optical semiconductor module side assembly A and an optical connector plug side assembly B. On the upper surface of the ceramic package 1 of the optical connector plug assembly B, an optical semiconductor element 2 and a V-groove block 3A rising to the right are provided. An LED serving as a signal source or a laser diode can be used as the optical semiconductor element 2 (a passive element, a photodiode,
A phototransistor can also be used). The left end of the optical fiber 4 is supported by the output ferrule 5, and the right end is positioned by the V-groove block 3 </ b> A and faces the light emitting section of the optical semiconductor element 2. The base (right end) of the output ferrule 5 is fixed to an upper lid 6 which is connected to the ceramic package 1 by soldering, an adhesive, or another appropriate method. The right end of the ferrule 5 is floated and supported from the ceramic package 1 so as to engage with a sleeve of an optical connector plug assembly B described later.

An upper lid 6 made of a metal plate is positioned at a predetermined position by a positioning structure (an uneven coupling structure) 9 and fixed to the ceramic package 1 on which the above-described components are mounted by an adhesive or the like. A plug insertion guide portion 8 is formed on the side of the upper lid 6 protruding from the optical fiber output ferrule so as to surround the tip of the output ferrule 5. This shape serves as a guide when inserting the plug frame 10 described later. Further, a part of the upper lid 6 is provided with a notch 7 for engagement for engaging and locking with a locking hook so as to lock at a predetermined position when inserting the plug frame.

The plug frame 10 of the optical connector plug assembly B is injection-molded with a structural material resin having excellent spring elasticity, for example, PBT resin (Polybutilene Terephthalate). A locking hook portion 14 and a locking release button portion 15 are integrally formed on the plug frame 10. The locking hook portion 14 and the locking release button portion 15 are connected to the plug frame 10 at two places by a thin hinge portion 19 (see FIG. 2) so that the locking hook portion 14 and the unlocking release button portion 15 are naturally opened above the height of the plug insertion guide portion 8.
Are connected integrally. The locking hook part 14 and the locking release button part 15 are given a restoring force to a natural state by the spring elasticity of the hinge part 19 of the plug frame when pressed.

The optical connector plug side assembly B is provided with an assembly for supporting the optical fiber assembly coupled to the optical fiber of the optical semiconductor module side assembly A. The ferrule 12 included in the optical fiber assembly is a ferrule support 1
3 are provided integrally. The optical fiber cord 16 is inserted into the support of the ferrule body, and the end of the optical fiber whose outer skin has been removed passes through the center hole of the ferrule 12 and is polished together with the end of the ferrule 12. A sleeve 11 is put on the ferrule 12 and fixed. As shown in FIG.
The right end of the sleeve 11 is opened to be connected to the output ferrule 5 of the optical semiconductor module side assembly A described above.

As best shown in FIG. 2, the left end of the ferrule support 13 and the right end of the sleeve 11 are axially movable by a bearing 20 and a sleeve bearing 21 of the ferrule support of the plug frame 10. It is loosely supported and guided. The two bearing portions are supported so as to be movable in the radial direction with a predetermined gap so as to absorb the misalignment of the opposing optical ferrules. A ferrule pressing spring 17 is inserted between the flange 13a of the ferrule body 13 and the plug frame 10, and the assembly of the support 13, the ferrule body 12, and the sleeve 11 is urged in the direction of the optical fiber 4.

The attachment and detachment of the embodiment of the optical semiconductor module according to the present invention is performed as follows. The right end of the optical connector plug side assembly B is inserted toward the optical fiber output ferrule 5 of the optical semiconductor module side assembly A. At this time, the sleeve 11 mounted on the ferrule body having a gap in the bearing portion by the tapered portion of the tip of the output ferrule 5 just by pushing along the plug insertion guide portion 8 is aligned,
It is easily inserted and connected. At this time, the locking hook portion 14 is pressed and the restoring force is accumulated. The tips of both optical fiber ferrules 12 and 5 are abutted, and if the plug frame 10 continues to be inserted, further pressing of the ferrule pressing spring 17 ensures reliable optical connection. , And jumps into the locking notch 7 with its own restoring force and is locked.

If the optical semiconductor element 2 is an active element such as a laser diode, the light emitted from the optical semiconductor element 2 is coupled to the optical fiber 4 and taken out via the output ferrule 5, ferrule 12, and optical fiber cord 16. If the optical semiconductor element 2 is a passive element such as a photodiode, an optical signal is transmitted to the optical semiconductor element 2 through a reverse path.

The optical connector plug assembly can be removed by pressing the lock release button 15 integral with the lock hook 14 with a finger, so that the lock hook 14 and the locking notch 7 of the upper lid 6 are pressed.
Can be easily disengaged. On this occasion,
Since the length of the sleeve 11 is more than half (L _{2 in} FIG. ₂ ) on the plug frame 10 side, especially the sleeve 1
Even if 1 and the optical fiber ferrule 12 are not fixed by bonding or the like, the sleeve 11 does not remain on the optical semiconductor module side when being pulled out.

FIG. 4 is an exploded sectional view showing the relationship between the lid and the substrate of the optical semiconductor module side assembly used in the above embodiment. The V-groove block 3 shown in FIG. 1 is slightly different from the V-groove block in shape and uses a V-groove block 3A that rises to the right. The optical fiber 4 inserted and fixed in the output ferrule 5 is bonded and fixed to the upper lid (AU) 6 with an adhesive 22. When the upper lid (AU) 6 is lowered from the position shown in the figure, lowered to the position shown by the broken line in the figure, and fitted to the substrate 1, the ring groove 5A of the output ferrule 5 is also localized using the upper lid positioning pin 9 as a pillow. On the other hand, the bottom line of the V-groove of the V-groove block 3A has an inclination of θ degrees with respect to the horizontal reference, and the tip of the optical fiber 4 is at the lowest position and the optical fiber 4 is near the tip.
It is guided in contact with the groove and localized. Then, the tip of the optical fiber is optically coupled to the optical semiconductor element 2.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing another coupling form of the optical fiber and the optical semiconductor in the device of the present invention. An optical semiconductor element 2 is supported at a constant height by a substrate 1, and a V-groove block 3 is provided for the optical semiconductor element 2. An inclined hole 23 forming an optical fiber support is provided on the upper lid 6 side which is positioned and coupled to the substrate 1. The center line of the inclined hole 23 corresponds to the V of the V-groove block 3.
The optical fiber is slightly inclined with respect to the line at the bottom of the groove.
The tip is optically coupled to the optical semiconductor element 2 by being guided by the groove. The hole 23 forming the support may be provided integrally with the substrate 1 instead of the lid, and the output ferrule 5 may be fixed to the support by inserting an optical fiber through the hole. Another ferrule may be connected to the output ferrule 5 by connecting means such as a sleeve (not shown) to transmit and receive an optical signal.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing still another coupling form between the optical fiber and the optical semiconductor in the device of the present invention. Unlike the one shown in FIG. 5, a V-groove block 3A which rises to the right in the figure is used, and a hole 24 constituting an optical fiber support is provided on the upper lid 6 side. The optical fiber 4 is pressed into the V-groove in the same manner as in the above configuration. It is also possible to provide a hole forming the support integrally with the substrate 1.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing still another connection form between the optical fiber and the optical semiconductor in the device of the present invention. In this embodiment, the optical fiber cord 16 itself is supported by an inclined hole 25 constituting an optical fiber support. In this embodiment, an optical signal is transmitted and received via the optical fiber cord 16. The inclined hole 25 constituting the optical fiber support may be provided at a portion integral with the substrate 1.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing still another coupling form between the optical fiber and the optical semiconductor in the device of the present invention. In this example, a V-groove block 3A that rises to the right in the figure is used, and a hole 26 that forms an optical fiber support that supports an optical fiber substantially horizontally is provided on the upper lid 6 side.

Since the optical semiconductor module according to the present invention is configured as described above, it is possible to provide a miniaturized optical semiconductor module by directly coupling the optical semiconductor element and the optical fiber. For example, it is possible to reduce the number of components, for example, a mechanism of a connecting portion which has been conventionally independently attached to a ceramic package can be provided on a metal lid which is easy to machine. In addition, the step of installing a sleeve that requires high-precision positioning in a conventional ceramic package has been eliminated, and a simpler optical semiconductor module can be manufactured with the same accuracy as the conventional one.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an embodiment of an optical semiconductor module according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a main part of the optical connector plug side assembly of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a sleeve used in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an exploded sectional view showing a relationship between a lid and a substrate of the optical semiconductor module side assembly used in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing another coupling form of the optical fiber and the optical semiconductor in the device according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing still another coupling mode between the optical fiber and the optical semiconductor in the device according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing still another coupling mode between the optical fiber and the optical semiconductor in the device according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing still another coupling mode between the optical fiber and the optical semiconductor in the device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List A optical semiconductor module side assembly AU optical semiconductor module side assembly lid AD optical semiconductor module side assembly board B optical connector plug side assembly 1 board (ceramic package) 2 optical semiconductor element 3, 3A V groove block 4 optical fiber 5 output ferrule 5A Ring groove 6 Upper lid 7 Notch for locking 8 Plug insertion guide part 9 Upper lid positioning pin 10 Frame (plug frame) 11 Sleeve (ferrule alignment sleeve) 11A Sleeve rubbing 12 Ferrule (coupling ferrule) 13 Ferrule body support Part 14 Locking hook part 15 Lock release button part 16 Optical fiber cord 17 Ferrule pressing spring 19 Thin hinge part 20, 21 Bearing hole 22 Adhesive 23 Inclined hole constituting optical fiber support 24 Optical fiber support Hole 25 Holes constituting the inclined hole 26 optical fiber support constituting the driver support

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An optical semiconductor module for optically coupling an end of an optical fiber to an optical semiconductor with the end of the optical fiber facing the optical semiconductor, wherein the optical semiconductor module is supported by the plug frame and the plug frame so as to be movable in an axial direction and a radial direction. A plug-side ferrule having a plug-side ferrule, an urging means for urging the ferrule in a connecting direction, an engaging hook means provided elastically movable with respect to the substrate, and an operating portion of the hook means. A sleeve for receiving the ferrule, an optical semiconductor module substrate, an optical semiconductor, an optical fiber optically coupled at one end to the optical semiconductor, and the other end of the optical fiber coupled to the sleeve for receiving the ferrule; A ferrule to be optically coupled and a guide for receiving an engaging end of the plug assembly and deforming and guiding the hook means. And an optical semiconductor module-side assembly having an engaging portion that engages with the hook means.The plug-side assembly is inserted into the plug insertion guide portion of the optical semiconductor module-side assembly, and the ferrules are fixed by the sleeve. An optical semiconductor module which is configured to be coupled to form a coupled state by engaging the locking portion with the engaging portion when a state in which the tip of each ferrule is pressed by the urging means is formed. 2. The structure according to claim 1, wherein said plug frame of said plug-side assembly, means for loosely supporting said coupling ferrule so as to be movable in the axial direction, and said engaging hook portion at the tip end extend in said sleeve direction. A connection structure for an optical semiconductor module, wherein the locking portion that is elastically deformable and resettable and the unlocking operation portion are integrally formed of a structural material resin having excellent spring elasticity. 3. The connection structure for an optical semiconductor module according to claim 1, wherein said flag insertion guide portion and said engaging portion of said optical semiconductor module side assembly are provided on an upper lid. 4. An optical semiconductor module in which an optical fiber tip faces an optical semiconductor and optically couples the tip with the semiconductor, wherein the substrate corresponds to the optical semiconductor provided on the substrate, and the substrate corresponds to the optical fiber. V provided
A groove block; an optical fiber support provided integrally with or in association with the substrate; and a tip end supported by the support and urged toward the bottom of the V-groove block in the V-groove bottom direction to be guided to the optical semiconductor. An optical fiber having a coupling end to be optically coupled. 5. The optical semiconductor module according to claim 4, wherein the other end of the optical fiber is an optical fiber cord connected to or covered with a ferrule. 6. The optical semiconductor module according to claim 4, wherein said optical fiber support is a lid fixed to said substrate while maintaining a fixed relationship. 7. An inclination is provided between a line on the bottom surface of the V-groove block and an optical fiber support line of the optical fiber support. The optical semiconductor module according to claim 4, wherein the optical semiconductor module is pressed toward the bottom of the V-groove block. 8. The optical semiconductor module according to claim 4, wherein said optical semiconductor is a light emitting element or a light receiving element.