KR101020630B1 - Optical waveguide and method and apparatus for fabricating the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: An optical waveguide and a method and an apparatus for manufacturing the same are provided to conveniently mount the optical waveguide on an optical printed circuit board. CONSTITUTION: A recess for forming an optical waveguide is formed on one side of a frame(100). A length adjusting module is arranged on the recess by adjusting the length of an optical fiber(500). The length adjusting module includes the first member(210) and the second member(220). The first member forms a length adjusting recess in a length direction. A ferrule member is slid and inserted into or hooked in the first member through the first hook recess. The ferrule member inserts an optical fiber. The second member is slid and injected into the length adjusting recess of the first member through a protrusion unit.

Description

Optical waveguide and its manufacturing apparatus and method {OPTICAL WAVEGUIDE AND METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FABRICATING THE SAME}

The present invention relates to an optical waveguide and a manufacturing apparatus and method thereof, and more particularly, it is possible to mass-produce at a low price by using an injection molding method and to easily mount it in an optical printed circuit board (PCB). An optical waveguide, and an apparatus and method for manufacturing the same.

Recently, as a technology suitable for large-capacity ultrafast data processing required in next-generation supercomputers or mobile communication, optical transmission / connection technology using an optical printed circuit board having an integrated chip-to-board optical waveguide has been attracting attention.

However, there are still problems to be solved in order for the chip-to-board or board-to-board optical transmission / connection technology to become common and generalized. Among them, the optical loss using optical printed circuit boards with optical waveguides is minimized. It is necessary to develop an optical transmission / connection technology that can operate stably regardless of changes in external environment or physical force over time.

In particular, most optical losses in optical interconnection systems arise from misalignment of optical waveguides at the interface between photons, which essentially eliminates the possibility of optical waveguide misalignment in an optical printed circuit board. New solutions are needed.

Looking at the prior art, in general, the chip-to-chip optical connection system is formed of a structure in which the optical transmission / reception elements are mounted on the surface of the optical printed circuit board laminated with the optical waveguide and the electrical wiring.

In such a conventional optical connection structure, the optical path that is horizontally run in the optical printed circuit board, and vertically progressed for optical connection to optical components such as optical transmission / reception elements / modules mounted on the surface of the optical printed circuit board. The optical path requires a separate part.

For example, by forming coupling grooves at both end portions of the optical waveguide in the optical printed circuit board and inserting an optical connector block having an optical waveguide bent at 90 degrees in the coupling groove, the optical package block is packaged on the upper portion of the optical connector block. The horizontal optical waveguides of the optical transmission / reception module and the optical printed circuit board are optically connected to each other through the optical waveguide in the optical connector block.

However, in such a conventional structure, the process of assembling and fixing the optical connector block to the coupling groove is not only inconvenient, but also vulnerable to external vibration or shock after assembly. In addition, there is a problem in that optical loss occurs due to misalignment and free space gap between the optical waveguide in the optical connector block and the horizontal optical waveguide in the optical printed circuit board.

As another conventional example, a method of converting the optical path by 90 degrees in the direction of the optical transmission / reception module by forming a reflective surface inclined at 45 degrees in the coupling groove is also not easy to manufacture and has a high possibility of misalignment. have.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, the object of the present invention is not only to be mass-produced at a low price by using an injection molding method, but also to be easily mounted in an optical printed circuit board (PCB) to be manufactured An optical waveguide and an apparatus and method for manufacturing the same are provided.

In order to achieve the above object, the first aspect of the present invention, the mold having a groove for forming at least one optical waveguide on one side; And a length adjusting module for adjusting the length of the optical fiber and placing it on the groove for forming the optical waveguide of the mold, wherein the length adjusting module is formed with a length adjusting groove in a longitudinal direction and at least one optical fiber on one side. A first member is formed in the width direction so that the ferrule member for inserting the sliding and locking is formed, and a protrusion is formed in the longitudinal direction so as to slide into the length adjustment groove of the first member, the first side And a second member having a second locking groove formed to be symmetrical with the first locking groove, wherein at least one optical fiber is disposed on the optical waveguide forming groove of the mold through the length adjusting module. After adding and thermosetting the polymer compound, an optical waveguide is formed by separating the thermosetting epoxy resin or the polymer compound from the mold. To provide a manufacturing device for an optical waveguide, it characterized in that the lock is made.

Here, a screw hole is further formed on the outer circumferential surface of the first member to penetrate the length adjusting groove, and the outer circumferential surface of the protrusion of the second member which is screwed into the screw hole and is slidably inserted into the length adjusting groove of the first member. It is preferred that the fixing member for contacting the first and second members for further fixing and releasing.

Preferably, the mold may be combined into a plurality of unit parts, and each unit part may be separated to separate the thermosetting epoxy resin or the polymer compound from the mold.

Preferably, a fluororesin coating layer may be further formed on the surface of the mold.

Preferably, a plurality of grooves for forming the optical waveguide of the mold may be formed in an array form.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mold having at least one optical waveguide forming groove on one side thereof; Disposing at least one optical fiber whose length and position are adjusted in a U shape on the optical waveguide forming groove; Injecting a liquid epoxy resin or a high molecular compound into the optical waveguide forming groove; And thermosetting the liquid epoxy resin or the polymer compound through a thermosetting process, and then separating the mold and the thermosetting epoxy resin or the polymer compound to form an optical waveguide. It is.

Here, it is preferable to further include the step of polishing the formed optical waveguide to a desired size.

Preferably, the thermosetting process may be the first thermal curing for 30 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes in the temperature range of 80 ℃ to 100 ℃, secondary heat curing in the temperature range of 160 ℃ to 180 ℃.

Preferably, each unit part may be separated using a mold coupled into a plurality of unit parts to separate the thermosetting epoxy resin or the polymer compound from the mold.

Preferably, the method may further include performing a fluororesin coating on the surface of the mold.

Preferably, using the length adjusting module for adjusting the length of the optical fiber when the optical fiber is disposed on the optical waveguide forming groove, the length adjusting module, the length adjusting groove is formed in the longitudinal direction, on one side A first member having a first locking groove formed in a width direction such that the ferrule member for inserting at least one optical fiber is slidably inserted and locked, and a protrusion is formed in the longitudinal direction so as to slide into the length adjusting groove of the first member; The second member may be formed by coupling a second member having a second locking groove to be symmetrical with the first locking groove.

A third aspect of the invention, at least one optical fiber; And a housing formed of an epoxy resin or a polymer compound, the housing including the optical fiber such that an end surface of the optical fiber is exposed on one surface thereof, and the optical fiber is formed in a housing made of an epoxy resin or a polymer compound by injection molding. It is to provide an optical waveguide characterized in that the molding process in the shape of a ruler.

Here, the housing is preferably made of a thermosetting epoxy resin or a high molecular compound.

According to the optical waveguide of the present invention and its manufacturing apparatus and method as described above, it is possible to manufacture optical waveguides of various shapes by using the injection molding method, mass production at a low price as well as an optical printed circuit board (PCB) There is an advantage that can be easily mounted within the manufacturing.

In addition, according to the present invention, since the optical components used in the conventional optical printed circuit board (PCB) are not required, the manufacturing cost of the optical printed circuit board (PCB) can be reduced, and the optical printed circuit board (PCB) ) Can effectively reduce the weight.

In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to effectively prevent the damage of the optical waveguide due to the force directly applied to the optical waveguide in the conventional optical printed circuit board (PCB) fabrication, and effectively reduce the thickness of the optical printed circuit board (PCB) There is an advantage to this.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the following embodiments of the present invention may be modified into various other forms, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below. The embodiments of the present invention are provided to more fully explain the present invention to those skilled in the art.

1 is a combined perspective view for explaining the manufacturing apparatus of the optical waveguide according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figures 2 and 3 is an exploded perspective view for explaining the length adjustment module applied to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view for explaining the mold applied to an embodiment of the present invention.

1 to 4, the apparatus for manufacturing an optical waveguide according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a mold 100 for forming an optical waveguide and a length adjusting module 200 for adjusting the length of an optical fiber. It is made to include.

Here, the mold 100 is a casting mold for forming an optical waveguide by a conventional injection molding method, and at least one optical waveguide forming groove 150 is formed on one side thereof. In this case, when the plurality of optical waveguide forming grooves 150 are formed in plural, they may be formed in an array form. In addition, when the optical waveguide forming groove 150 is formed in an array form, the configuration of the length adjusting module 200 is preferably formed in an array form.

The mold 100 may be configured by screwing a plurality of unit parts, that is, plate-shaped first and second plates 100a and 100b to be separated and fixed to each other. At this time, the second plate 100b has a through hole 110 formed therein so that the optical waveguide forming groove 150 may be formed when the second plate 100b is coupled to the first plate 100a.

Meanwhile, in one embodiment of the present invention, the mold 100 is formed so that two unit parts, that is, the first and second plates 100a and 100b are coupled to each other, but is not limited thereto. It may be formed so as to be formed, or may be formed integrally.

In addition, an epoxy resin or a high molecular compound (for example, natural or synthetic polymer compound, etc.) 600 (see FIG. 6) injected into the mold 100 may be thermally cured and easily separated. A fluororesin coating layer (preferably, Teflon coating layer, etc.) may be further formed on the surface of the mold 100.

In addition, the length adjusting module 200 adjusts the length of the optical fiber to perform a function for placing on the optical waveguide forming groove 150 of the mold 100.

The length adjusting module 200 is largely composed of the organic coupling of the first and second members 210 and 220, the first member 210 is the first body 211 and the first body constituting the entire body The length adjusting groove 212 is formed in the longitudinal direction of the 211, and at least one ferrule member for inserting at least one optical fiber 500 (see FIG. 5) into one side of the first body 211. The first locking groove 213 is formed in the width direction of the first body 211 so that the 400 is slidingly inserted and locked.

At this time, the length adjusting groove 212 of the first member 210 is formed in a slit (Silt) shape so that at least one side of the first body 211 is opened, but is not limited thereto, as shown in FIG. In addition, the length adjusting groove 212 may be formed to be recessed in one side of the first body 211.

On the other hand, the first locking groove 213 is located in the width direction of the first body 211 so that the optical fiber 500 inserted into the ferrule member 400 can be exposed to the outside of the first body 211 in the width direction Preferably, the side is formed to be open.

In addition, at least one ferrule member 400 is formed in the first locking groove 213 so that the first recess 213a is formed to be concave so as not to move in the width direction of the first body 211.

The second member 220 has a protrusion 222 in the longitudinal direction of the second body 221 so as to slide into the second body 221 and the length adjusting groove 212 of the first member 210 forming the overall body. Formed.

In addition, the second locking groove 223 is formed in the same shape as the first locking groove 213 to be symmetrical with the first locking groove 213 on one side of the second member 220, and the first locking groove ( Like the 213, the second groove 223a is formed such that the at least one ferrule member 400 may not move in the width direction of the second body 221 and may be caught.

In addition, a screw hole 214 is further formed to penetrate the length adjusting groove 212 on the outer circumferential surface of the first member 210, and is screwed into the screw hole 214 to adjust the length of the first member 210. A fixing member 300 may be further provided to contact the outer circumferential surface of the protrusion 222 of the second member 220 slidingly inserted into the 212 to fix and release the first and second members 210 and 220. have.

On the other hand, the ferrule member 400 applied to an embodiment of the present invention is configured to mount at least one optical fiber 500 when branching or extending the optical fiber 500, so that at least one optical fiber 500 is inserted. An insertion groove 410 is formed, and a protruding portion 420 is formed on one outer circumferential surface thereof so as to slide into and engage the first and second recesses 213a and 223a.

In addition, when a plurality of optical fibers 500 are inserted into the ferrule member 400, a plurality of insertion grooves 410 spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval so that a plurality of parallel optical fibers 500 are inserted into one line in a row. Preferably formed.

That is, sliding and inserting and locking a plurality of ferrule members 400 in which the optical fiber 500 is inserted into the first and second grooves 213a and 223a of the first and second locking grooves 213 and 223 in a row. In addition, by sliding and locking one ferrule member 400 into which a plurality of optical fibers 500 are inserted, there is an effect of easily manufacturing an optical waveguide of a multichannel.

Hereinafter, a method of manufacturing a desired optical waveguide using the optical waveguide manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention described above will be described in detail.

5 to 7 are cross-sectional views illustrating a method of manufacturing an optical waveguide according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, first, a mold 100 having at least one optical waveguide forming groove 150 is provided on one side thereof, and then formed in a U shape to be spaced apart at a predetermined interval on the optical waveguide forming groove 150. Place at least one optical fiber 500 whose length and position are adjusted.

That is, the first and second engaging grooves 213 and 223 formed in the first and second members 210 and 220 of the length adjusting module 200 applied to the above-described embodiment of the present invention. After sliding each of the at least one ferrule member 400 into which the at least one optical fiber 500 is inserted into the recesses 213a and 223a, the length is adjusted to the size of the desired optical waveguide.

Then, the optical fiber 500 is adjusted by the length control module 200 using a separate device (not shown) so that the optical fiber 500 to be spaced apart at regular intervals on the optical waveguide forming groove 150 of the mold 100 The position of 500 is adjusted and arranged.

On the other hand, it may further comprise the step of performing a fluororesin coating on the surface of the mold 100 so that the epoxy resin (Polyoxy Resin) or the high molecular compound 600 injected into the mold 100 can be easily heat-separated have.

6 and 7, a liquid epoxy resin or a polymer compound 600 is introduced into an optical waveguide forming groove 150, and the liquid epoxy resin or polymer is formed through a thermosetting process. After thermosetting the compound 600, the mold 100 and the thermosetting epoxy resin or polymer compound are separated to form a desired optical waveguide 700. In addition, a process of polishing the formed optical waveguide 700 to a desired size may be performed.

At this time, the thermosetting process is performed after the first heat curing for about 30 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes in the temperature range of about 80 ℃ to 100 ℃, and the second heat curing to the temperature range of about 160 ℃ to 180 ℃ desirable.

Although preferred embodiments of the optical waveguide according to the present invention and a manufacturing apparatus and method thereof according to the present invention have been described, the present invention is not limited thereto, but the scope of the claims and the detailed description of the invention and the accompanying drawings are various. It is possible to carry out modifications and this also belongs to the present invention.

1 is a perspective view of the coupling for explaining the optical waveguide manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 and 3 is an exploded perspective view for explaining the length adjustment module applied to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view for explaining the form applied to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 to 7 are cross-sectional views illustrating a method of manufacturing an optical waveguide according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (13)

A mold having at least one optical waveguide forming groove on one side thereof; And By adjusting the length of the optical fiber made of a length adjusting module for placing on the optical waveguide forming groove of the mold, The length control module, A first member having a length adjusting groove formed in a length direction, the first member having a first locking groove formed in a width direction such that the ferrule member for inserting at least one optical fiber into one side is slidably inserted and locked; Protruding portion is formed in the longitudinal direction to be inserted into the length adjusting groove of the first member, and includes a second member having a second locking groove formed on one side to be symmetrical with the first locking groove, After the at least one optical fiber is placed on the optical waveguide forming groove of the mold through the length adjusting module, the epoxy resin or the polymer compound is introduced into the mold and thermally cured, and then the thermosetting epoxy resin is formed from the mold. An optical waveguide manufacturing apparatus, characterized in that the optical waveguide is formed by separating the high molecular compound. According to claim 1, A screw hole is further formed in the outer circumferential surface of the first member to penetrate the length adjusting groove, and is screwed into the screw hole to fit into the outer circumferential surface of the protrusion of the second member slidingly inserted into the length adjusting groove of the first member. Apparatus for manufacturing an optical waveguide, characterized in that the fixing member is further provided for fixing and releasing the first and second members. According to claim 1, The mold is coupled to a plurality of unit parts, the unit for manufacturing an optical waveguide, characterized in that the thermosetting epoxy resin or polymer compound is separated from the mold by separating each unit part. According to claim 1, Apparatus for manufacturing an optical waveguide, characterized in that the fluorine resin coating layer is further formed on the surface of the mold. According to claim 1, The apparatus for manufacturing an optical waveguide, wherein the plurality of grooves for forming the optical waveguide are formed in an array form. Providing a mold having at least one optical waveguide forming groove on one side; Disposing at least one optical fiber whose length and position are adjusted in a U shape on the optical waveguide forming groove; Injecting a liquid epoxy resin or a high molecular compound into the optical waveguide forming groove; And And thermosetting the liquid epoxy resin or the polymer compound through a thermosetting process, and then separating the mold and the thermosetting epoxy resin or the polymer compound to form an optical waveguide. The method according to claim 6, The method of manufacturing an optical waveguide further comprising the step of polishing the formed optical waveguide to a desired size. The method according to claim 6, The thermosetting process is a method of manufacturing an optical waveguide, characterized in that the secondary heat curing in the temperature range of 160 ℃ to 180 ℃ after the first heat curing for 30 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes in the temperature range of 80 ℃ to 100 ℃. . The method according to claim 6, A method of manufacturing an optical waveguide, characterized in that for separating each unit part using a mold coupled to a plurality of unit parts to separate the thermosetting epoxy resin or polymer compound from the mold. The method according to claim 6, The manufacturing method of the optical waveguide further comprising the step of performing a fluororesin coating on the surface of the mold. The method according to claim 6, When the optical fiber is disposed on the optical waveguide forming groove, a length adjusting module for adjusting the length of the optical fiber is used, The length adjusting module includes a first member in which a length adjusting groove is formed in a length direction and a first locking groove is formed in a width direction so that the ferrule member for inserting at least one optical fiber into one side is slidably inserted and locked; An optical waveguide is formed by combining a second member having a second locking groove formed on one side thereof so as to be slid into the length adjusting groove of the first member, the second locking groove being symmetric to the first locking groove on one side thereof. Manufacturing method. At least one optical fiber; And It is made of an epoxy resin or a polymer compound, and includes a housing containing the optical fiber so that the end section of the optical fiber is exposed to one surface, The optical waveguide, characterized in that the optical fiber is molded in a U-shape in a housing made of an epoxy resin or a high molecular compound using an injection molding method. 13. The method of claim 12, The housing is an optical waveguide, characterized in that made of a thermosetting epoxy resin or a high molecular compound.

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