KR20000031072A - Optical connector module - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: An optical connector module is provided to easily align an optical element and an optical fiber and reduce costs. CONSTITUTION: An optical connector module comprises first and second holders(20,30), a coupler and a guider. An optical element(23) and an optical fiber(33) are respectively mounted in the first and second holders(20,30). The holders(20,30) are coupled each other to be a package by the coupler. The guider aligns the optical element(23) and the optical fiber(33) in their positions in coupling the holders(20,30). The coupler is coupled to one of the holders(20,30) by a hinge shaft and comprises a clamp(41) having an engage step(42) formed on one end, an elastic member(44) applying rotation force to the clamp(41), and an engage groove(45) engaged with the step(42).

Description

Optical connector module

The present invention relates to an optical connector module, and more particularly, to an optical connector module capable of coupling an optical element and an optical fiber.

In general, the optical connector module is employed in the optical transmission module, in particular, a multi-channel optical transmission module having an array structure so as to transmit light independently from each other to couple the optical element and the optical fiber. The optical device is a light emitting device having a linear array structure and irradiating laser light, or a light receiving device having an array structure for receiving light transmitted through the optical fiber. Here, the optical transmission module includes an optical element, an optical fiber, and an optical connector module.

1 is a schematic separated perspective view showing an example of a conventional optical connector module employed in a multi-channel optical transmission module.

Referring to the drawings, the conventional optical connector module includes a ferrule 10 for aligning one end positions of the optical fiber 3 so that the optical element 1 and the plurality of optical fibers 3 of the array structure face each other.

The ferrule 10 is a substrate 11 having a plurality of grooves 11a formed in a V-shape so that each of the optical fibers 3 can be aligned, and each of the grooves 11a in combination with the substrate 11. It includes a cover member 13 for pressing the optical fibers (3) placed in the.

As shown, the ferrule 10 has a plurality of optical fiber alignment grooves 11a in which the plurality of optical fibers 3 are aligned. The ferrule 10 can be formed by making an elaborate V-shaped optical fiber alignment groove 11a by machining on the surface of the ceramic substrate, and the optical fiber 3 has a diameter of approximately 50 to 125 mu m.

On the other hand, as shown in the optical device 1, when the light emitting device 2, such as a semiconductor laser is employed, in order to increase the light utilization efficiency, the light emitting device (2) between the light emitting device 2 and the optical fiber (3) It further includes a lens array 15 for focusing the light irradiated from 2) and incident on the optical fiber (3).

In the conventional optical connector module configured as described above, since each of the plurality of optical fibers 3 must be aligned with the V-shaped groove 11a, each of the optical fibers 3 must be handled separately. Therefore, the alignment is difficult because the optical fiber is likely to be misaligned.

In addition, since the substrate 11 must be machined to form a plurality of grooves 11a, the cost is expensive, and optical coupling means such as a lens array 15 between the light emitting element 2 and the optical fiber 3 are provided. This results in an increase in the number of parts, complicated assembly labor, and high cost.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an optical connector module that is easy to align and inexpensive.

1 is a schematic separated perspective view showing an example of a conventional optical connector module employed in a multi-channel optical transmission module,

2 is an exploded perspective view of an optical connector module according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 3a, 3b and 3c is a plan view schematically showing a state of assembly completed before, during assembly of the optical connector module according to the present invention.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

20,30 ... First and second holders 23 ... Optical elements

33.optical fiber 41.clamp

42 ... Jamming jaw 43 ... Hinge shaft

44.elastic member 45

51.Reference Post 53 ... Reference Hole

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an optical connector module for coupling at least one optical element for emitting and / or receiving an optical signal and at least one optical fiber for transmitting incident light, wherein the optical element is provided with a first connector. With a holder; A second holder supporting one end of the optical fiber and having an end of the optical fiber corresponding to the optical element; Coupling means for coupling and packaging the first and second holders with each other; And a guide means provided in the first and second holders so that the optical element and the optical fiber are correctly aligned when the first and second holders are coupled to each other.

Here, the coupling means, the first and second holders of the clamp is rotatably coupled around the hinge axis on both sides of the holder, respectively, one end of the clamp is provided; An elastic member installed in the holder so as to elastically press a side opposite to the latching jaw with respect to the hinge axis of the clamp to elastically apply a rotational force to the clamp; It may be configured to include a locking groove provided in the other holder corresponding to the locking jaw portion engaging the locking jaw portion by the rotation of the clamp when the first and second holders are coupled.

The guide means may include: a reference post provided in one holder of the first and second holders; And a reference hole provided in another holder such that the reference post is slidably fitted so that the first and second holders are guided relative to each other so that the optical element and the optical fiber are correctly aligned.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

2 is an exploded perspective view of an optical connector module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to the drawings, an optical connector module according to the present invention includes first and second holders 20 and 30 in which an optical element 23 and an optical fiber 33 are installed, and the first and second holders 20, respectively. Coupling means for coupling the package 30 to each other and a guide means for aligning the optical element 23 and the optical fiber 33 correctly when the first and second holders 20 and 30 are coupled to each other. It is configured to include.

For example, the front surface 20a of the first holder 20 is preferably provided with a protrusion 21 protruding by a predetermined height a, and at least one channel of light is provided on the front surface 21a of the protrusion 21. The optical elements 23 are arranged in an array, for example, to enable signal transmission and / or reception. In addition, each of the optical devices is provided in the first holder 20 to enable input of an electrical signal from an external device to the optical device 23 and / or transfer of an electrical signal from the optical device 23 to the external device. A plurality of leads 24 electrically connected to 23 are provided. The optical device 23 is a light emitting device that emits an optical signal from an input electrical signal, for example, a light emitting device such as a surface emitting laser, and / or a light receiving device that receives and converts the optical signal into an electrical signal.

The second holder 30 supports one end of the optical fiber 33. It is preferable that the groove portion 31 having a predetermined depth b is provided on the front surface 30a of the second holder 30 so that the protrusion 21 is inserted. In this groove portion, the end portion 33a of the optical fiber 33 is arranged, for example, in an array so as to correspond to the arrangement of the optical elements 23. When at least a portion of the front surfaces 20a and 30a are in contact with each other when the first and second holders 20 and 30 are coupled, the depth b of the groove 31 and the protrusions ( The difference from the height a of 21 corresponds to the required separation distance | ab | between the optical element 23 and the end of the optical fiber 33. Here, as shown in the optical fiber 33, the optical fiber bundle formed in a band shape may be employed. At this time, the optical fiber 33 is preferably a plastic optical fiber. Since the diameter of the plastic optical fiber 33 is relatively large, for example, about 0.5 to 1.0 mm, the second holder 30 can be manufactured and used by injection molding. In addition, the first holder 20 can also be manufactured by injection molding. Therefore, an inexpensive optical connector module can be constructed.

The coupling means clamps 41 are rotatably coupled to both sides of the first or second holders 20 and 30, preferably the second holders 30, and the locking jaw portion 42 is provided at one end thereof. And a resilient member 44 elastically applying a rotational force to the clamp 41 and a locking groove 45 to which the locking jaw portion 42 is engaged.

The clamps 41 are rotatably coupled to hinge shafts 43 on both sides of the second holder 30, respectively. The locking jaw portion 42 is located at the front surface 30a side of the second holder 30 of the clamp 41.

Both sides of the second holder 30 are elastic members 44, for example, elastic springs, to elastically press the side opposite to the locking jaw portion 42 against the hinge shaft 43 of the clamp 41. Are installed on each. By the elastic pressing force of the elastic member 44, the clamps 41 are respectively forced in the direction in which the engaging jaw portions 42 are collected.

The locking grooves 45 are respectively provided at both sides of the first holder 20 to correspond to the locking jaw portion 42. When the first and second holders 20 and 30 are coupled to the engaging groove 45, the clamp 41 is rotated by a predetermined angle by the pressing force of the elastic member 44, as described below. 42) is hooked up.

On the other hand, the second holder 30 is preferably provided so that the clamp 41 is rotatably installed in a predetermined angle range. 2 is provided with receiving grooves 35 having predetermined depths on both sides of the second holder 30, and the clamp 41 is hinged between a pair of wall portions 36 constituting the receiving groove 35. (43) shows an example installed so as to be rotatable.

In addition, when the first and second holders 20 and 30 are coupled, the surface contacting the first holder 20 of the locking jaw portion 42 may be an inclined surface 42a. In this case, when the first and second holders 20 and 30 are coupled, the first holder 20 relatively slides the locking jaws 42 toward the second holder 30 in a direction away from each other. In progress, the coupling is completed, that is, the engaging jaw portion 42 meets the engaging groove 45 at a position where the front surfaces 20a and 30a are almost in contact with each other. In this case, the clamp 41 is continuously biased by the pressing force of the elastic member 44 in the direction in which the locking jaw portions 42 are collected, and thus the locking jaw portion 42 is elastically biased toward the locking groove 45. It is elastically coupled to the locking groove 45 by.

The guide means may include a reference post 51 provided in the first or second holder 20 and 30, preferably the second holder 30, and a first holder to slidably fit the reference post 51. And a reference hole 53 provided at 20. The first and second holders 20 and 30 are positioned so that the reference posts 51 and the reference holes 53 face each other, and then the first and / or second holders 20 and 30 are first contacted until the front surfaces 20a and 30a are almost fit. Alternatively, when the second holders 20 and 30 are relatively moved toward each other, the first and second holders 20 and 30 are guided to each other by the reference post 51 and the reference hole 53. And the optical element 23 and the optical fiber 33 are correctly aligned.

The optical connector module according to the present invention provided as described above is assembled as follows.

First, in the non-assembled state, the clamps 41 are rotated to a position where the catching jaws 42 are collected from each other, as shown in FIG. 3A by the pressing force of the elastic member 44. When the first holder 20 is relatively close to the second holder 30 at the position where the reference post 51 is fitted into the reference hole 53, the reference post 51 slides in the reference hole 53. The first and second holders 20 and 30 are inserted to guide each other relatively. In addition, the first holder 20 slides along the inclined surface 42a of the locking jaw 42 and simultaneously presses the inclined surface 42a in a direction away from the locking jaw portions 42. Thus, while advancing the first holder 20 relative to the second holder 30, as shown in FIG. 3B, the clamps 41 rotate at a predetermined angle in a direction in which the locking jaws 42 are far from each other. do. And, as shown in Figure 3c, the clamp 41 is the locking jaw at the position where the front surface (20a, 30a) is almost in contact, that is, the position where the locking jaw 42 meets the locking groove 45 (42) is rotated in the direction of gathering each other and the engaging jaw portions 42 are engaged by the engaging groove 45, respectively, the mutual assembly of the first and second holder 20, 30 is completed. At this time, the protrusion 21 is fitted into the groove 31, the optical element 23 and the optical fiber 33 is correctly aligned with a predetermined interval (| a-b |) spaced apart.

Meanwhile, when the side of the clamp 41 corresponding to the elastic member 44 is pressed, the locking jaw portion 42 is separated from the locking groove 45, and the front surfaces 20a and 30a are separated from each other. The optical connector module can be disassembled by advancing the first and second holders 20 and 30.

On the other hand, the optical connector module as described above has a first holder 20 that is selectively mounted on the optical element 23 of the surface light laser array and / or photodetector array, thereby converting the electrical signal into an optical signal for transmission And / or receives the transmitted optical signal and converts it into an electrical signal.

Therefore, the optical connector module as described above can be employed in an apparatus requiring high speed signal transmission. That is, it may be employed for one-way signal transmission between the main body of the computer and the display device, or for high-speed signal transmission in both directions.

As described above, the optical connector module according to the present invention requires less ferrules and optical coupling means, thereby reducing the number of parts and employing the first and / or second holders manufactured by injection molding, thereby lowering the manufacturing cost.

In addition, the coupling means and the guide means are integrally provided in the first and second holders, so that the optical elements and the optical fiber are correctly aligned and the coupling is performed by sliding the front surfaces of the two first and second holders to almost contact each other. Easy to align, compact and easy to disassemble and assemble.

Claims (3)

An optical connector module for coupling at least one optical element for emitting and / or receiving an optical signal and at least one optical fiber for transmitting incident light, the optical connector module comprising: A first holder in which the optical element is installed; A second holder supporting one end of the optical fiber and having an end of the optical fiber corresponding to the optical element; Coupling means for coupling and packaging the first and second holders with each other; And a guide means provided in the first and second holders so that the optical device and the optical fiber are correctly aligned when the first and second holders are coupled to each other. The method of claim 1, wherein the coupling means, A clamp coupled to both sides of one holder of the first and second holders so as to be rotatable about a hinge axis, and having a locking jaw at one end thereof; An elastic member installed in the holder so as to elastically press a side opposite to the latching jaw with respect to the hinge axis of the clamp to elastically apply a rotational force to the clamp; And a locking groove provided to correspond to the locking jaw portion in the other holder to engage the locking jaw portion by the rotation of the clamp when the first and second holders are coupled to each other. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the guide means, A reference post provided in one holder of the first and second holders; And a reference hole provided in another holder such that the reference post is slidably fitted, thereby guiding the first and second holders relative to each other so that the optical element and the optical fiber are correctly aligned. .