JPH11344644A - Connection structure between optical fiber connector and optical module - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connection structure between an optical fiber connector and an optical module which can completely adjust the angle between the optical fiber and optical module and connect them with high coupling efficiency while fixing the optical module and shortening leads. SOLUTION: The optical fiber connector which holds a plug 1 having an optical fiber 11 in the center of a ferrule 12 by a plug frame 4 through a 1st movable member 13 and the optical module 2 which has a rod lens 21 connected optically to a receiving and transmitting element atop are connected while aligned by a split sleeve 3. In this case, the optical module 2 is fixed to a case 5, to which a fixation member 7 fixing the connector is fitted through a 2nd movable member 6. The plug frame 4 is fixed by the fixation member 7.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a connection structure between a transmission / reception module (optical module) used as an optical communication terminal and an optical fiber connector. More specifically, even when the optical module is fixed, the connection between the optical fiber connector and the optical module is provided with two movable portions, so that the connection between the optical fiber and the optical module that is connected with high coupling efficiency is provided. Regarding the structure.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, optical communication using optical fibers has rapidly spread, and is being used in a wide range of fields such as personal use such as telephones and facsimile machines and mass media such as television information. In this case, the optical fiber is very thin, and it is difficult to completely couple the transmission / reception signal to the optical fiber. If the coupling is not sufficient, the output of the light emitting element may be increased,
It is necessary to improve the sensitivity of the light receiving element, which increases the cost. Therefore, to promote further dissemination,
There is a need for a structure in which an optical module including a light emitting element and a light receiving element of a terminal device and an optical fiber connector are coupled with a large degree of coupling.

Conventional optical fibers are connected to each other, for example, according to JIS C5973-1990, in which the shape of the optical connector is determined, and as shown in FIGS. The ferrule 32 is held so that the angle can be rotated by the spring 34, and the ferrule 32 is inserted into the split sleeve 33 of the coupling connector shown in FIG. 5B, whereby a schematic diagram is shown in FIG. 5C. As described above, the plug (the part formed so that the distal end of the ferrule 32 is held by the movable member and can be coupled to the other end) 30 having both optical fibers 31 at the center is centered by the split sleeve 33 at the outer shape. It is structured to be joined. According to this structure, since both plugs to be connected are both movable by being held by the spring, the split sleeve 3 can be bent and inserted.
3 and are completely modified and combined.

In addition, the coupling between the optical fiber and the optical module having the transmitting / receiving element is performed by changing the outer diameter of the glass rod lens provided to couple with the light emitting element and the light receiving element of the optical module, respectively. As shown in FIG. 6, the ferrule 32 of the plug 30 of the optical fiber cable and the glass rod lens 41 are split and the sleeve is formed in the same manner as in the connection of the optical fiber described above. The structure joined by 33 is used. In this case, as shown in FIG. 6A, if the optical module 40 is fixed to the case 50, only the angle of the plug 30 alone can be changed, so that complete alignment cannot be performed. In some cases, as shown in FIG. 6B, a structure in which the angle can be adjusted by supporting the optical module 40 with the spring 44 is also considered.
No. in the official gazette.

[0005]

As described above, in the structure in which the optical module is fixed to the case, the alignment with the optical fiber may not be completely obtained.
If the optical module has a movable structure that is held by a movable member such as a spring, the leads 45 of the optical module 40 need to be routed with a flexible cable, which increases the length of the wiring, increases the capacitance between the wirings, and increases the loss. There is a problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and while the optical module is fixed and the lead is shortened, the alignment between the optical fiber and the optical module is completely performed to achieve a high level. An object of the present invention is to provide a connection structure between an optical fiber connector and an optical module that can be connected with coupling efficiency.

[0007]

According to the present invention, there is provided a connection structure between an optical fiber connector and an optical module, comprising: an optical fiber connector for holding a plug having an optical fiber as a center by a plug frame via a first movable member; A structure in which a plug and a part of the optical module are optically connected to the transmitting / receiving element and the optical module having a transparent body at the end capable of receiving the force of the optical fiber connector is connected by aligning the plug and a part of the optical module. , The optical module is fixed to a case, a fixing member for fixing the optical fiber connector is attached to the case via a second movable member, and the plug frame is fixed by the fixing member.

[0008] With this structure, there are two movable parts in the connection between the optical fiber connector and the optical module. Can be connected. On the other hand, since the optical module is completely fixed to the case, its leads are also fixed, so that it is not necessary to route the optical module with a flexible cable for a long time, and the problems associated with the leads do not occur.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, a connection structure between an optical fiber connector and an optical module according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

A connection structure between an optical fiber connector and an optical module according to the present invention is shown in FIG.
An optical fiber connector for holding the plug 1 at the center of the plug 2 by the plug frame 4 via the first movable member 13, and a rod lens 21 optically connected to the transmitting / receiving element
Is connected to the optical module 2 having the front end by aligning the plug 1 and the rod lens 21 with the split sleeve 3. The optical module 2 is fixed to a case 5, and a fixing member 7 for fixing the optical fiber connector is attached to the case 5 via a second movable member 6. Then, the plug frame 4 is fixed by the fixing member 7.

[0011] As described with reference to FIG.
An optical fiber 11 is provided at the center of a ferrule 12 having a connector structure defined in IS C5973-1990, and the tip thereof is held by a plug frame 4 so that the angle can be changed by a first movable member 13 such as a spring. It is formed in a structure that can be coupled to a counterpart by inserting its tip into the split sleeve 3 or the like.

The optical module 2 has a stem 22 on which a transmitting element 23 composed of a laser diode chip and a receiving element 24 composed of a photodiode or the like are mounted, as shown in FIG. It is configured to optically couple with a rod lens 21 similarly attached to the housing 25 through a condenser lens 26 such as an aspherical lens attached to the camera. That is, in the example shown in FIG.
About half of the surface of the receiving element 24 is formed on an anti-slope surface, and the signal light from the transmitting element 23 is reflected on the surface of the receiving element 24 and coupled to the rod lens 21, and the received signal light from the optical fiber is The receiving device 24 can directly receive the light via the lens 21 and the condenser lens 26. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and a structure may be used in which the transmission signal light and the reception signal light are separated using a conventional half mirror, and the transmission element and the reception element are separately disposed. The optical module 2 is fixed to a case 5 made of a resin such as PPS or a zinc alloy die-cast by a screw 9 or an adhesive at a stem 22 portion.

In the example shown in FIG. 2, the distal end portion is constituted by the rod lens 21. However, since the light is already condensed by the condenser lens 26, it comes into contact with the distal end of an ordinary glass plate or the like. Any transparent body that can receive the force of the optical fiber connector may be used. Instead of the condensing lens 26 and the rod lens 21, an optical fiber covered with a ferrule is fixed to a so-called front-end fiber in which a lens is attached to the tip of the fiber so that the lens portion faces the transmitting / receiving element side. A structure in which the (transparent body) is exposed at the tip may be used.

The split sleeve 3 is formed of zirconia or phosphor bronze, which has the same spring property as the conventional one, and is provided with a slit formed in the longitudinal direction of a cylindrical ring. Even when the sleeve is expanded and received, and contracted by its spring property, it has the property of correcting the bending and tightening even if the angle of the insertion from both ends is not linear. The split sleeve 3 is held so as to freely move inside a sleeve holder 8 formed integrally with the middle plate 5a of the case 5.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, the fixing member 7 has a U-shaped cross section made of a synthetic resin, and has a claw 7a for holding the plug frame 4 at a tip end thereof and a bottom surface. A through hole is provided at the center to allow the rod lens 21 of the optical module 2 to pass therethrough. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the case 5 has a structure in which the case 5 is held by the second movable member 6 made of a spring via the middle plate 5a. That is, when the plug 1 of the optical fiber connector is inserted, the protrusion 4a of the plug case 4 enters the inside of the claw 7a by pushing the plug case 4, and the plug frame 4 is held by the claw 7a of the fixing member 7. At this time, the second movable member 6 contracts and stops when the force of the first movable member 13 is balanced. In this state, the fixed member 7 is suspended in the air only by being supported by the second movable member 6. As a result, the structure is such that contact between the tip of the plug 1 and the tip of the rod lens of the optical module 2 can be maintained.

According to this structure, the optical module 2 can be fixed to the case 5 and the leads 27 thereof are also fixed, so that it is not necessary to route the leads with a flexible cable. On the other hand, the mutual alignment between the rod lens 21 of the optical module 2 and the plug 1 of the optical fiber connector fixes the first movable member 13 interposed in holding the plug 1 and the plug frame 4 holding the plug 1. Since the fixed member 7 is movable by the second movable member 6, the two movable portions can correct a positional deviation such as a bending thereof. Therefore, even if it is inserted in a direction inclined from both sides, it is tightened by the split sleeve 3 so that the center axis coincides at the front end, and the bending is absorbed and corrected by the two movable portions. As a result, the alignment is performed with the center axes completely aligned, and the optical fiber connector and the optical module can be connected with a high degree of coupling.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, a spring is used as the second movable member, and the fixed member 7 is held by the spring so that the angle with respect to the optical module 2 can be changed. Needless to say, a plate material having a spring property such as a rubber plate may be interposed instead of the spring. Further, the second movable member 6 does not have to be interposed between a part of the case 5 and the fixing member 7 does not need to be provided independently for fixing the plug frame 4. May be provided in common with the components of the above. 3 and 4 show another example of the second movable member 6 and an example in which the fixed member 7 is shared with other components.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, the sleeve holder 8 is formed integrally with the case 5 from plastic or the like, and the fixing member 7 is made of a material having a spring property such as stainless steel, resin, etc. This has a structure having a portion 7b, and an end of the leaf spring portion 7b is directly fixed to the case 5. As described above, even if a spring is not used and a spring having a leaf spring portion is used, the claw 7 at the distal end of the fixed member 7 may be used as the second movable portion 6.
The plug frame 4 held by a can be made movable. As a result, the inclination of the plug 1 and the optical module 2 can be completely corrected by the movement of the plug frame 4 and the movement of the plug 1 for connection.

The example shown in FIG. 4 is an example in which the fixing member 7 and the sleeve holder 8 are integrally formed of, for example, resin. The structure in which the fixing member 7 is fixed by the second movable member 6 by a spring via the middle plate 5a of the case 5 and other structures are the same as those in the example of FIG. in this way,
The fixing member 7 can be shared with other components.

[0020]

According to the present invention, when an optical module and an optical fiber connector are connected, they can be completely aligned and connected. Therefore, an optical fiber connector having extremely high coupling efficiency can be obtained. A connection structure with the optical module is obtained. Furthermore, since the optical module can be fixed, the leads can also be fixed, and it is not necessary to use a flexible lead as a lead and to use the lead, and there is no deterioration in characteristics due to the capacitance between the leads.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory sectional view of an embodiment of a connection structure of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory sectional view of an example of the optical module of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a modified example of the second movable member of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an example in which the fixing member of FIG. 1 is integrated with a sleeve holder.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a connection structure of a conventional optical fiber connector.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional connection structure between an optical fiber connector and an optical module.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 plug 2 optical module 3 split sleeve 4 plug frame 5 case 6 second movable member 7 fixed member 11 optical fiber 12 ferrule 13 first movable member 21 rod lens

Claims (1)

[Claims] A first plug having an optical fiber as a center;
An optical fiber connector held by a plug frame via a movable member, and an optical module optically connected to a transmitting / receiving element and having a transparent body at a distal end capable of receiving the force of the optical fiber connector. A connection structure for connecting a part of a module by positioning it with a split sleeve, wherein the optical module is fixed to a case and the optical fiber connector is fixed to the case via a second movable member. Is attached,
A connection structure between an optical module and an optical module in which the plug frame is fixed by the fixing member.