US20160282576A1 - Optical repeater and optical connector device - Google Patents
Optical repeater and optical connector device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20160282576A1 US20160282576A1 US15/055,717 US201615055717A US2016282576A1 US 20160282576 A1 US20160282576 A1 US 20160282576A1 US 201615055717 A US201615055717 A US 201615055717A US 2016282576 A1 US2016282576 A1 US 2016282576A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- optical
- substrate
- face
- reinforcing member
- body part
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- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 256
- 230000003014 reinforcing effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 95
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 89
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 15
- 239000013307 optical fiber Substances 0.000 claims description 112
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 description 14
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 description 14
- 229920001296 polysiloxane Polymers 0.000 description 5
- 230000008602 contraction Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 description 3
- XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N Iron Chemical compound [Fe] XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- MCMNRKCIXSYSNV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Zirconium dioxide Chemical compound O=[Zr]=O MCMNRKCIXSYSNV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 230000000149 penetrating effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- PNEYBMLMFCGWSK-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium oxide Inorganic materials [O-2].[O-2].[O-2].[Al+3].[Al+3] PNEYBMLMFCGWSK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910010293 ceramic material Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000881 depressing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000994 depressogenic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052742 iron Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000007769 metal material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000007493 shaping process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008054 signal transmission Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/42—Coupling light guides with opto-electronic elements
- G02B6/4201—Packages, e.g. shape, construction, internal or external details
- G02B6/4266—Thermal aspects, temperature control or temperature monitoring
- G02B6/4267—Reduction of thermal stress, e.g. by selecting thermal coefficient of materials
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/26—Optical coupling means
- G02B6/30—Optical coupling means for use between fibre and thin-film device
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/26—Optical coupling means
- G02B6/32—Optical coupling means having lens focusing means positioned between opposed fibre ends
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/42—Coupling light guides with opto-electronic elements
- G02B6/4292—Coupling light guides with opto-electronic elements the light guide being disconnectable from the opto-electronic element, e.g. mutually self aligning arrangements
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04B—TRANSMISSION
- H04B10/00—Transmission systems employing electromagnetic waves other than radio-waves, e.g. infrared, visible or ultraviolet light, or employing corpuscular radiation, e.g. quantum communication
- H04B10/29—Repeaters
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
- G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
- G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
- G02B6/3833—Details of mounting fibres in ferrules; Assembly methods; Manufacture
- G02B6/3845—Details of mounting fibres in ferrules; Assembly methods; Manufacture ferrules comprising functional elements, e.g. filters
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
- G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
- G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
- G02B6/3873—Connectors using guide surfaces for aligning ferrule ends, e.g. tubes, sleeves, V-grooves, rods, pins, balls
- G02B6/3882—Connectors using guide surfaces for aligning ferrule ends, e.g. tubes, sleeves, V-grooves, rods, pins, balls using rods, pins or balls to align a pair of ferrule ends
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
- G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
- G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
- G02B6/3873—Connectors using guide surfaces for aligning ferrule ends, e.g. tubes, sleeves, V-grooves, rods, pins, balls
- G02B6/3885—Multicore or multichannel optical connectors, i.e. one single ferrule containing more than one fibre, e.g. ribbon type
Definitions
- the present invention relates to optical repeaters and optical connector devices.
- the present invention has an objective to suppress misalignment.
- An aspect of the invention is an optical repeater to be arranged between a substrate and an optical connector, the optical repeater including:
- a body part including a plurality of optical paths to transmit an optical signal between the substrate and the optical connector, a substrate-side end-face in which one end of each of the optical paths opposes the substrate, and a connector connecting part to connect another end of each of the optical paths to the optical connector, the body part being configured from a material with a greater coefficient of linear expansion than that of the substrate;
- a reinforcing member arranged so as to surround the optical paths in a side to the substrate-side end-face, the reinforcing member being configured from a material with a smaller coefficient of linear expansion than that of the body part.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an optical connector device 1 of a first embodiment as seen from below.
- FIG. 2A is a view seen from a side
- FIG. 2B is a view seen in a front-rear direction.
- FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are explanatory views of arrangement positions of a reinforcing member 39 .
- FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C are explanatory views of arrangement examples of a reinforcing member 39 .
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an optical connector device 1 of a second embodiment as seen from below.
- FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are views showing arrangement examples of a reinforcing member 39 in a second embodiment.
- FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an optical connector device 1 of a third embodiment as seen from above.
- FIG. 8A to FIG. 8D are views showing arrangement examples of a reinforcing member 39 in a third embodiment.
- FIG. 9A is a sectional explanatory view of an optical repeater 300 in a fourth embodiment
- FIG. 9B is a perspective view of an optical repeater 300 in a fourth embodiment as seen from below.
- the optical repeater including: a body part including a plurality of optical paths to transmit an optical signal between the substrate and the optical connector, a substrate-side end-face in which one end of each of the optical paths opposes the substrate, and a connector connecting part to connect another end of each of the optical paths to the optical connector, the body part being configured from a material with a greater coefficient of linear expansion than that of the substrate; and a reinforcing member arranged so as to surround the optical paths in a side to the substrate-side end-face, the reinforcing member being configured from a material with a smaller coefficient of linear expansion than that of the body part.
- the substrate-side end-face may be arranged with a plurality of end-faces of optical fibers configuring the optical paths, and the reinforcing member may be configured so as to surround a periphery of the plurality of the optical fibers. In this way, misalignment can be suppressed.
- the reinforcing member may be configured so as to surround a periphery of each of the plurality of the optical fibers. In this way, relative misalignment of optical fibers with each other can be suppressed.
- the substrate-side end-face is provided with a recess and a plurality of lens parts that have been formed in the optical paths of the recess, and the reinforcing member is configured so as to surround a periphery of the end-faces of the plurality of the optical fibers configuring the optical paths, a periphery of the plurality of the lens parts, and a light transmission part configuring the optical paths between the end-faces of the optical fibers and the lens parts.
- misalignment in an end-face of each of optical fibers and misalignment in a lens part can be both suppressed.
- the substrate-side end-face may be provided with a positioning part that engages with a substrate side positioning part that has been formed in the substrate. In this way, a substrate and an optical repeater can be passively aligned.
- the reinforcing member is configured so as to surround the optical paths and the positioning part. In this way, relative misalignment between a positioning part and an optical path (optical fiber) can be suppressed.
- the substrate-side end-face may be provided with the plurality of the lens parts that have been formed in the optical paths
- the body part may have a reflecting part that changes the optical paths between the end-faces of the optical fibers configuring the optical paths and the lens parts
- the plurality of the optical fiber end-faces and the reflecting part may be arranged sandwiched with the two reinforcing members, and one of the two reinforcing members may be configured so as to surround a periphery of the plurality of the lens parts. In this way, misalignment can be suppressed and an optical path can be changed.
- an optical connector device including: a substrate; an optical connector; and an optical repeater to be arranged between the substrate and the optical connector, wherein the optical repeater includes a body part including a plurality of optical paths to transmit an optical signal between the substrate and the optical connector, a substrate-side end-face in which one end of each of the optical paths opposes the substrate, and a connector connecting part to connect another end of each of the optical paths to the optical connector, the body part being configured from a material with a greater coefficient of linear expansion than that of the substrate, and a reinforcing member arranged so as to surround the optical paths in a side to the substrate-side end-face, the reinforcing member being configured from a material with a smaller coefficient of linear expansion than that of the body part.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an optical connector device 1 of a first embodiment as seen from below. Further, FIG. 2A is a view seen from a side, and FIG. 2B is a view seen from a front-rear direction. FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B show a partial section as transparent, for the sake of explanation.
- each direction is defined as shown in the drawings.
- a direction perpendicular to a light guide substrate 10 is referred to as an “up-down direction” and a side to which an optical connector 20 is to be attached to the light guide substrate 10 is referred to as “up”, and an opposite side is referred to as “down”.
- a direction in which two positioning holes 32 and positioning pins 22 are aligned is referred to as a “left-right direction”.
- a direction in which a plurality of optical fibers configuring an optical fiber tape are aligned is referred to as the “left-right direction”.
- a direction which is perpendicular to the left-right direction and the up-down direction is referred to as a “front-rear direction”.
- a side with an optical element 12 in respect to an attachment position of an optical repeater 30 on the light guide substrate 10 is referred to as “front”, and an opposite side is referred to as “rear” (refer to FIG. 2A ).
- the optical connector device 1 of this embodiment includes the light guide substrate 10 , the optical connector 20 , and the optical repeater 30 .
- the light guide substrate 10 includes the optical element 12 and a light guide 14 .
- the optical element 12 is a light emitting element
- an optical signal sent from the optical element 12 is transmitted through the light guide 14 , and then an optical path is changed to a perpendicular direction to the light guide substrate 10 with a mirror part and outputted.
- the optical repeater 30 that has been mounted on the mirror part and the optical connector 20 are optically connected.
- the optical signal is transmitted in an opposite optical path. In this way, the light guide substrate 10 inputs and outputs the optical signal to a direction perpendicular to the substrate (the up-down direction).
- the light guide substrate 10 of this embodiment is a silicone substrate and has a small coefficient of linear expansion.
- the optical connector 20 is a member that holds end parts of optical fibers transmitting optical signals, and here an MT ferrule (JIS C5981) is being used.
- the optical connector 20 includes a body part 21 , two positioning pins 22 , and a plurality of optical fiber holes 24 .
- the body part 21 is formed from resin. Inside the body part 21 , a plurality of optical fiber end parts are to be held. Then, a lower side end-face of the body part 21 is to be a connecting end-face that connects with the optical repeater 30 .
- the positioning pins 22 are sections to perform alignment with the optical repeater 30 .
- the positioning pins 22 are provided to protrude to a lower side from a lower side end-face of the body part 21 . Further, the two positioning pins 22 are provided with an interval in the left-right direction so as to sandwich the plurality of the optical fiber holes 24 .
- the optical fiber holes 24 are holes in which end parts of the optical fibers are to be inserted.
- the optical fiber holes 24 are to be inserted with bare fibers that have been removed of covering from the optical fiber cores. As a result, the optical fiber holes 24 will be sections to form optical paths inside the body part 21 .
- the optical fiber holes 24 penetrate through the body part 21 in the up-down direction, and the optical fiber end-faces are exposed in the lower side end-face (connecting end-face).
- the plurality of the optical fiber holes 24 are parallel to the up-down direction.
- the plurality of optical fiber holes 24 that are parallel to each other are to be aligned in the left-right direction.
- the body part 21 of the optical connector 20 is made of resin as described above, and the coefficient of linear expansion is large.
- the optical element 12 (the light guide substrate 10 ) and the optical connector 20 are directly connected, misalignment occurs due to the difference in the coefficient of linear expansion during temperature change, and signal loss becomes great (in particular, misalignment becomes great in the left and right ends, and signal loss increases).
- the optical element 12 (the light guide substrate 10 ) and the optical connector 20 are connected via the optical repeater 30 .
- the optical repeater 30 is arranged between the light guide substrate 10 and the optical connector 20 , and is a member to transmit optical signals between the light guide substrate 10 and the optical connector 20 .
- the optical repeater 30 has a body part 31 and a reinforcing member 39 .
- the body part 31 is a section other than the reinforcing member 39 of the optical repeater 30 , and is formed of the same resin as the body part 21 of the optical connector 20 in this embodiment.
- the body part 31 includes an element-side end-face 31 A (a lower surface), a connector-side end-face 31 B (an upper surface), two positioning holes 32 , and a plurality of optical fiber holes 34 .
- the element-side end-face 31 A (corresponds to the substrate-side end-face) is an end-face to a lower side of the body part 31 (the lower surface) and is a connecting end-face with the light guide substrate 10 .
- the element-side end-face 31 A (and, a connector-side end-face 31 B to be described later) is formed with a plurality of optical fiber holes 34 aligned in the left-right direction.
- the optical fiber holes 34 are provided penetrating through the body part 31 in the up-down direction. Further, a plurality of the optical fiber holes 34 are provided aligned in the left-right direction so as to correspond to the plurality of the optical fiber holes 24 of the optical connector 20 . Each of the optical fiber holes 34 is arranged with an optical fiber to transmit optical signals between the light guide substrate 10 and the optical connector 20 . In other words, the optical repeater 30 is provided with a plurality of optical paths to transmit optical signals between the light guide substrate 10 and the optical connector 20 .
- the optical fiber holes 34 in the element-side end-face 31 A are arranged each with one end of the optical fibers (optical paths) and oppose the light guide substrate 10 . Then, by performing aligning of the light guide substrate 10 (input and output positions of optical signals) and the element-side end-face 31 A (optical fibers) of the optical connector 30 , the optical signals are to be transmitted.
- aligning of the light guide substrate 10 and the optical connector 30 is performed by active aligning. In other words, the position of the body part 31 is shifted gradually with respect to the light guide substrate 10 , and is fixed with an adhesive and the like in a position with best signal transmission of optical signals. Thus, positioning holes (or positioning pins) are not provided to the element-side end-face 31 A.
- the connector-side end-face 31 B is an end-face (an upper surface) to an upper side of the body part 31 , and is a connecting end-face with the optical connector 20 .
- the connector-side end-face 31 B is formed with two positioning holes 32 (corresponds to connector connecting part) and a plurality of optical fiber holes 34 .
- the optical fiber holes 34 in the connector-side end-face 31 B are each arranged with the other end of the optical fiber (optical path).
- the positioning holes 32 are holes to perform positioning with the optical connector 20 , and are provided as shapes corresponding to positioning pins 22 of the optical connector 20 .
- the optical connector 20 and the optical repeater 30 are to be positioned. In this way, the optical fiber end-faces that are exposed in the connector-side end-face 31 B are connected with the optical fiber end-faces to the lower side end-face of the optical connector 20 .
- the reinforcing member 39 is a member with a smaller coefficient of linear expansion than the body part 31 , and is a member to suppress expansion and contraction of the body part 31 .
- the material with a smaller coefficient of linear expansion than the resin configuring the body part 31 it is possible to use, for example, such as zirconia, a ceramic material such as alumina, a metal material such as cemented carbide or iron, glass, and silicone.
- the material of the reinforcing member 39 is preferably the same, or is approximately the same as the material of the light guide substrate 10 (silicone) which is to be connected with the optical repeater 30 .
- silicone is used as the reinforcing member 39 .
- the reinforcing member 39 By arranging the reinforcing member 39 in a chamber of a mold during shaping resin of the body part 31 , the reinforcing member 39 can be buried and formed (insert molded) in the body part 31 that is a resin mold. In the case where the reinforcing member 39 is to be arranged to the outer surface of the body part 31 , the reinforcing member 39 can be attached after forming the body part 31 .
- the reinforcing member 39 is provided to the side near to the light guide substrate 10 of the optical repeater 30 (the side of the element-side end-face 31 A). Since the coefficient of linear expansion of the reinforcing member 39 is the same (or is a similar degree) as the coefficient of linear expansion of the light guide substrate 10 , misalignment during temperature change can be suppressed.
- FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are explanatory views of arrangement positions of the reinforcing member 39 .
- FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are also shown as partially transparent for the sake of description.
- the reinforcing member 39 may be positioned in the element-side end-face 31 A. Further, as shown in FIG. 3B , the reinforcing member 39 may be buried near the element-side end-face 31 A. In any case, since the coefficient of the linear expansion of the reinforcing member 39 is the same (or approximately the same) as that of the light guide substrate 10 , misalignment during temperature change can be suppressed. Since the body part 31 is formed with the same resin as that of the body part 21 of the optical connector 20 (since the coefficient of linear expansion is the same), misalignment can be suppressed to the side of the connector-side end-face 31 B.
- FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C are explanatory views showing arrangement examples of the reinforcing member 39 .
- each of the optical fiber holes 34 may be surrounded with the reinforcing member 39 .
- the relative misalignment of the optical fiber holes 34 with each other can be suppressed.
- the entire periphery of the plurality of the optical fiber holes 34 can be surrounded by the reinforcing member 39 . Also in this case, the misalignment can be suppressed, compared to the case where the reinforcing member 39 is not provided.
- a range larger than an optical fiber hole 34 may each be surrounded with the reinforcing member 39 .
- FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C the case where the reinforcing member 39 is positioned in the element-side end-face 31 A is shown, and it is the same for the case where the reinforcing member 39 is buried near the element-side end-face 31 A (refer to FIG. 3B ).
- the optical connector device 1 of this embodiment includes the light guide substrate 10 with a small coefficient of linear expansion, the optical connector 20 with a large coefficient of linear expansion, and the optical repeater 30 arranged between the light guide substrate 10 and the optical connector 20 .
- the optical repeater 30 includes the body part 31 and the reinforcing member 39 .
- the body part 31 has the plurality of optical fiber holes 34 (optical fibers) to transmit optical signals between the light guide substrate 10 and the optical connector 20 , the element-side end-face 31 A in which one end of each of the optical fibers oppose the light guide substrate 10 , and the positioning holes 32 to connect the other end of each of the optical fibers to the optical fiber holes 24 of the optical connector 20 , and the body part 31 is configured of a resin with a greater coefficient of linear expansion than that of the light guide substrate 10 .
- the reinforcing member 39 is arranged to surround the optical fiber holes 34 (the optical fibers) in the side of the element-side end-face 31 A, and is configured from silicone with a smaller coefficient of linear expansion than that of the body part 31 . In this way, even when the coefficient of linear expansion of the light guide substrate 10 and the optical connector 20 are different from each other, misalignment due to the difference in the coefficient of linear expansion during temperature change can be suppressed.
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an optical connector device 1 of a second embodiment as seen from below.
- the same configuring sections as in the first embodiment ( FIG. 1 ) are added the same reference signs and explanation of these parts will be omitted.
- An optical repeater 30 in the second embodiment includes a main body part 31 ′.
- the main body part 31 ′ is formed with a transparent resin that can transmit optical signals, and also in the second embodiment, coefficient of linear expansion of the main body part 31 ′ is greater than coefficient of linear expansion of a light guide substrate 10 .
- Optical fiber end-faces are not exposed in an element-side end-face 31 A′ of the main body part 31 ′, and a recess 35 and lens parts 36 are provided.
- the recess 35 is a section depressed with respect to the element-side end-face 31 A′, and is rectangular shaped, long, and narrow in a left-right direction so as to correspond to a plurality of optical fiber holes 34 .
- the lens parts 36 are provided in a bottom surface (here an upper surface) of the recess 35 . Because there is the recess 35 , the lens parts 36 and the light guide substrate 10 are non-contacting.
- the lens part 36 is a collimating lens, and a parallel light (collimated light) is input and output between the lens parts 36 and the light guide substrate 10 .
- the optical fiber holes 34 optical fibers
- the lens part 36 is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of the optical fiber holes 34 (in other words the plurality of the optical fibers).
- the main body 31 ′ is formed with a light transmitting resin, optical paths are formed in a section between the optical fiber end-faces and the lens parts 36 (a light transmission part 37 in FIG. 6B ). That is to say, the lens parts 36 are formed in the optical paths of the recess part 35 , and optical signals are to be input and output via the lens parts 36 .
- FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are figures showing arrangement examples of a reinforcing member 39 in the second embodiment.
- the reinforcing member 39 is provided in the element-side end-face 31 A of the optical repeater 30 as in FIG. 3A , because the lens parts 36 are in the recess 35 in the second embodiment, positions of the lens parts 36 and the optical fiber end-faces may become misaligned during temperature change. Further, merely by surrounding the periphery of the optical fiber end-faces, the position of the lens parts 36 may become misaligned during temperature change.
- the reinforcing member 39 surrounds both the periphery of the plurality of the lens parts 36 and the periphery of the plurality of the optical fiber end-faces. Specifically, in the position of the lens parts in FIG. 6B , the reinforcing member 39 is arranged in the periphery of the lens part 36 , and also in the position of the fiber end-face in FIG. 6B the reinforcing member 39 is arranged in the periphery of the fiber end-faces. Further, the light transmission part 37 configuring the optical paths between the lens parts 36 and the end-faces of the optical fibers is also surrounded. In other words, as shown in FIG.
- the reinforcing member 39 is buried so as to surround the end parts of the optical fiber holes 34 (optical fiber end-faces) and the light transmission part 37 (optical paths between the optical fiber end-faces and the lens parts 36 ) and also to protrude to the side of an element-side end-face 31 A′ of the recess 35 to surround the periphery of the lens parts 36 .
- the optical repeater had been actively aligned with the light guide substrate.
- an optical repeater will be passively aligned with a light guide substrate.
- FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an optical connector device 1 in the third embodiment as seen from above.
- the optical connector device 1 of the third embodiment includes a light guide substrate 10 ′, an optical connector 20 ′, and an optical repeater 30 ′′.
- the same configuring sections as in the above-mentioned embodiments will be added the same reference signs and description of these parts will be omitted.
- the light guide substrate 10 ′ in the third embodiment is formed with two positioning holes 18 (corresponds to substrate side positioning parts) so as to sandwich end parts (mirror parts) of a plurality of light guides 14 in the left-right direction. Further, two positioning holes (not shown) have been formed in a lower side end-face of the optical connector 20 ′.
- a body part 31 ′′ of the optical repeater 30 ′′ in the third embodiment includes an element-side end-face 31 A′′, a connector-side end-face 31 B′′, positioning pins 38 , and optical fiber holes 34 .
- the positioning pins 38 protrude from the element-side end-face 31 A′′ and the connector-side end-face 31 B′′. For this reason, the element-side end-face 31 A′′ and the connector-side end-face 31 B′′ have the same shape, and the body part 31 ′′ is in a rectangular shape.
- the optical fiber holes 34 are provided penetrating the body part 31 ′′ (between the element-side end-face 31 A′′ and the connector-side end-face 31 B′′) in the up-down direction, as similar to in the first embodiment. Further, the plurality of the optical fiber holes 34 are provided aligned in the left-right direction, and each of the optical fiber holes 34 is provided with an optical fiber.
- the two positioning pins 38 are provided so as to sandwich the plurality of the optical fiber holes 34 in the left-right direction. Further, the positioning pins 38 penetrate through the body part 31 ′′ of the optical repeater 30 ′′ in the up-down direction, and each protrude from the element-side end-face 31 A′′ (a lower side) and the connector-side end-face 31 B′′ (an upper side). In this embodiment, by making the positioning pins 38 penetrate through the optical repeater 30 ′′ in the up-down direction, the pins that protrude to the lower side and the pins that protrude to the upper side are configured from a same member.
- the optical repeater 30 can be passively aligned in respect to the light guide substrate 10 .
- the positioning pins 38 to the upper side (the side of the connector-side end-face 31 B′′) engage with positioning holes (not shown) of the optical connector 20 the optical repeater 30 can be passively aligned in respect to the optical connector 20 .
- FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B are figures showing arrangement examples of the reinforcing member 39 in the third embodiment.
- the periphery of each of the optical fiber holes 34 (in other words optical fibers) is surrounded with the reinforcing member 39
- an entire periphery of the plurality of the optical fiber holes 34 is surrounded with the reinforcing member 39 .
- the periphery of the two positioning pins 38 is also surrounded with the same reinforcing member 39 . This is because, when the relative positional relationship of the positioning pins 38 and the optical fiber holes 34 is shifted due to temperature change, signal loss increases. As in the figure, by surrounding the periphery of the two positioning pins 38 with the same reinforcing member as that of the reinforcing member 39 surrounding the periphery of the optical fibers, the shift in the relative positions of the positioning pins 38 and the optical fiber holes 34 (optical fibers) can be suppressed.
- FIG. 8C and FIG. 8D are figures showing another example of arrangement of the reinforcing member 39 in the third embodiment.
- the periphery of the positioning pins 38 does not have to be surrounded with the reinforcing member 39 .
- the periphery of the plurality of the optical fiber holes 34 are surrounded with the reinforcing member 39 , the relative misalignment between the optical fiber holes 34 can be suppressed.
- the optical fiber holes 34 to the left and right ends in particular easily become misaligned.
- such misalignment can be suppressed.
- a range larger than each optical fiber hole 34 may be surrounded each with the reinforcing member 39 .
- the pins that protrude to the lower side and the pins that protrude to the upper side are configured with the same member. It is not limited to the above, however, and the pins to the lower side and the pins to the upper side may be configured with different members. In this case, the projecting and depressing relationship between the pins and the positioning holes may be reversed.
- the positioning pins may be provided to the lower side end-face of the optical connector 20 ′ and the positioning holes may be provided to the connector-side end-face 31 B′′ of the optical connector 30 ′′.
- the positioning pins may be provided on the upper surface of the light guide substrate 10 ′ and the positioning holes may be provided on the element-side end-face 31 A′′ of the optical connector 30 ′′.
- An optical repeater of a fourth embodiment is different from the above described embodiments in that it is an optical path changer that changes the optical path and has a reflecting part.
- FIG. 9A is a sectional explanatory view of an optical repeater 300 of the fourth embodiment.
- FIG. 9B is a perspective view of the optical repeater 300 of the fourth embodiment as seen from below.
- a light guide substrate (not shown) of the fourth embodiment is provided with positioning holes that engage with positioning pins 350 .
- the optical repeater 300 of the fourth embodiment is connected with the optical connector 20 of the first embodiment.
- the connection direction of the optical connector 20 is different from that in the first embodiment, however, and in the fourth embodiment, a rear side end-face of a body part 310 to be described later is to be a connecting end-face.
- the optical repeater 300 (optical path changer) includes the body part 310 , a lower side reinforcing member 391 and an upper side reinforcing member 392 , which are reinforcing members.
- the body part 310 configures a section other than the reinforcing members, and the body part 310 includes two positioning holes 320 , a plurality of optical fiber holes 340 , two positioning pins 350 , an optical signal surface 360 , and a reflecting face 370 .
- the body part 310 is integrally formed with a transparent resin that can transmit optical signals.
- the positioning holes 320 are holes to perform positioning with the optical connector 20 , and two positioning holes 320 are provided, in the rear side end-face of the body part 310 , so as to sandwich the plurality of the optical fiber holes 340 in the left-right direction. Then, by engaging the positioning pins 22 of the optical connector 20 in these positioning holes 320 , the optical connector 20 and the optical repeater 300 are to be positioned.
- the optical fiber holes 340 are formed along the front-rear direction, and optical fibers are inserted in advance in the optical fiber holes 340 .
- Optical fiber end-faces are exposed in the rear side end-face of the body part 310 .
- the plurality of the optical fiber holes 340 are formed aligned in the left-right direction.
- the plurality of the optical fiber holes 340 that are parallel to each other are aligned in the left-right direction.
- the positioning pins 350 are pins (guide parts) to be inserted into the positioning holes in the light guide substrate, and the positioning pins 350 protrude from a lower surface of the body part 310 .
- the two positioning pins 350 are provided aligned in the front-rear direction.
- the optical signal surface 360 is a surface to which optical signals enter or exit, and the optical signal surface 360 is formed on the lower surface of the body part 310 .
- a plurality of optical signals are to enter or exit from the optical signal surface 360 .
- the optical signal surface 360 of the body part 310 opposes an upper surface (a surface to which optical signals enter or exit) of a mirror part of the light guide substrate.
- the optical signal surface 360 is formed parallel to the left-right direction (an alignment direction in which the plurality of the optical fiber holes 340 are aligned). Further, the optical signal surface 360 is arranged between the two positioning pins 350 .
- the optical signal surface 360 is formed with a recess along the left-right direction, and the recess is formed with a plurality of lenses. Each lens of the optical signal surface 360 is arranged on an optical path. Lens do not have to be arrange on the optical signal surface 360 , and the optical signal surface 360 may be a flat surface.
- the reflecting face 370 is a surface that reflects optical signals.
- An inclined end-face to the front side of the optical fiber holes 340 (optical fibers) is the reflecting face 370 .
- a recess is formed in an upper surface of the body part 310 , and an inclined end-face to the rear side of the recess is to be the reflecting face 370 .
- the reflecting face 370 is a boundary surface between resin configuring the optical connector 300 and outside air, and light reflects on the boundary surface of the resin and the outside air due to the difference in the index of refraction of the resin and the outside air.
- the reflecting face 370 is formed parallel to the left-right direction (the alignment direction in which the plurality of optical fiber holes 340 are aligned).
- the reflecting face 370 may be a flat surface or may be a lens surface (a curved surface).
- the optical signals that transmit through the body part 310 are to be reflected on the reflecting face 370 .
- the optical signals reflect on the reflecting face 370 and are to exit from the optical signal surface 360 toward the light guide substrate.
- the optical signals reflect on the reflecting face 370 and are to enter the optical fiber end-faces.
- the optical paths in the body part 310 are bent at the reflecting face 370 , and the plurality of the bent optical paths are to be aligned in the left-right direction.
- the optical paths in the body part 310 are to be a section that transmits optical signals between the optical signal surface 360 and the reflecting face 370 (the section parallel to the left-right direction and the up-down direction) and the section (the section parallel to the left-right direction and the front-rear direction) that transmits the optical signals between the reflecting face 370 and the optical fiber end-faces (rear side end-faces).
- the lower side reinforcing member 391 and the upper side reinforcing member 392 are plate-like members with a smaller coefficient of linear expansion than the body part 310 , and are members to suppress expansion and contraction of the body part 310 .
- the lower side reinforcing member 391 and the upper side reinforcing member 392 are plate-like members that are parallel to each other in the left-right direction (the aligning direction in which the plurality of the optical paths are aligned).
- the upper side reinforcing member 392 is arranged to an upper surface of the body part 310 , and is arranged in parallel to the optical fiber holes 340 (optical paths).
- the lower side reinforcing member 391 is arranged to a lower surface of the body part 310 , and is a plate-like member that is perpendicular to optical signals that enter or exit the optical signal surface 360 .
- the lower side reinforcing member 391 and the upper side reinforcing member 392 are not provided to the connector-side end-face (rear-side end-face) of the body part 310 .
- the lower side reinforcing member 391 has a light passing window 391 A.
- the light passing window 391 A is an opening to let optical signals pass through, and is open along the left-right direction.
- the light passing window 391 A is arranged in a position opposing the light signal surface 360 of the body part 310 . Because the lower side reinforcing member 391 has the light passing window 391 A, it is possible to arrange the lower side reinforcing member 391 so as to intersect the optical paths.
- the lower side reinforcing member 391 with a small coefficient of linear expansion since the lower side reinforcing member 391 with a small coefficient of linear expansion has been provided, expansion and contraction of the body part 310 in the left-right direction due to temperature change can be suppressed (misalignment in respect to the light guide substrate can be suppressed). Further, as described above, the connector-side end-face (rear-side end-face) of the body part 310 is not provided with the lower side reinforcing member 391 and the upper side reinforcing member 392 (the coefficient of linear expansion is large in the connector-side end-face). Thus, in the connector-side end-face, misalignment in respect to the optical connector 20 can also be suppressed.
- the upper side reinforcing member 392 and the lower side reinforcing member 391 are arranged opposed so as to sandwich the body part 310 from above and below.
- the optical paths in the body part 310 are to be arranged between the upper side reinforcing member 392 and the lower side reinforcing member 391 .
- the body part 310 is suppressed from curving, and temperature change of the optical paths can be suppressed. Only one of the upper side reinforcing member 392 and the lower side reinforcing member 391 may be provided, however.
Abstract
Description
- The present application claims priority upon Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-062345 filed on Mar. 25, 2015, which is herein incorporated by reference.
- The present invention relates to optical repeaters and optical connector devices.
- It has been known to position an optical connector (for example, a ferrule) that holds end parts of optical fibers and a substrate, and to optically connect optical elements on the substrate and the optical fibers. For example, in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0135618, there is disclosed positioning a ferrule (
reference sign 20 in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0135618) and a receptacle on a substrate (reference sign 80 in the above-mentioned document) and optically connecting photoelectric conversion elements on the substrate and optical fibers. - When magnitude of coefficient of linear expansion of the optical connectors and coefficient of linear expansion of the substrate are different from each other, due to the difference in coefficient of linear expansion during temperature change, there is a possibility that misalignment may occur.
- The present invention has an objective to suppress misalignment.
- An aspect of the invention is an optical repeater to be arranged between a substrate and an optical connector, the optical repeater including:
- a body part including a plurality of optical paths to transmit an optical signal between the substrate and the optical connector, a substrate-side end-face in which one end of each of the optical paths opposes the substrate, and a connector connecting part to connect another end of each of the optical paths to the optical connector, the body part being configured from a material with a greater coefficient of linear expansion than that of the substrate; and
- a reinforcing member arranged so as to surround the optical paths in a side to the substrate-side end-face, the reinforcing member being configured from a material with a smaller coefficient of linear expansion than that of the body part.
- Other features of the present invention will be made clear through the present specification with reference to the accompanying drawings.
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of anoptical connector device 1 of a first embodiment as seen from below. -
FIG. 2A is a view seen from a side, andFIG. 2B is a view seen in a front-rear direction. -
FIG. 3A andFIG. 3B are explanatory views of arrangement positions of a reinforcingmember 39. -
FIG. 4A toFIG. 4C are explanatory views of arrangement examples of a reinforcingmember 39. -
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of anoptical connector device 1 of a second embodiment as seen from below. -
FIG. 6A andFIG. 6B are views showing arrangement examples of a reinforcingmember 39 in a second embodiment. -
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of anoptical connector device 1 of a third embodiment as seen from above. -
FIG. 8A toFIG. 8D are views showing arrangement examples of a reinforcingmember 39 in a third embodiment. -
FIG. 9A is a sectional explanatory view of anoptical repeater 300 in a fourth embodiment, andFIG. 9B is a perspective view of anoptical repeater 300 in a fourth embodiment as seen from below. - At least the following matters will become clear through the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.
- An optical repeater to be arranged between a substrate and an optical connector will become clear, the optical repeater including: a body part including a plurality of optical paths to transmit an optical signal between the substrate and the optical connector, a substrate-side end-face in which one end of each of the optical paths opposes the substrate, and a connector connecting part to connect another end of each of the optical paths to the optical connector, the body part being configured from a material with a greater coefficient of linear expansion than that of the substrate; and a reinforcing member arranged so as to surround the optical paths in a side to the substrate-side end-face, the reinforcing member being configured from a material with a smaller coefficient of linear expansion than that of the body part.
- According to such an optical repeater, misalignment due to the difference in coefficient of linear expansion between a substrate and an optical connector during temperature change can be suppressed.
- The substrate-side end-face may be arranged with a plurality of end-faces of optical fibers configuring the optical paths, and the reinforcing member may be configured so as to surround a periphery of the plurality of the optical fibers. In this way, misalignment can be suppressed.
- The reinforcing member may be configured so as to surround a periphery of each of the plurality of the optical fibers. In this way, relative misalignment of optical fibers with each other can be suppressed.
- Preferably, the substrate-side end-face is provided with a recess and a plurality of lens parts that have been formed in the optical paths of the recess, and the reinforcing member is configured so as to surround a periphery of the end-faces of the plurality of the optical fibers configuring the optical paths, a periphery of the plurality of the lens parts, and a light transmission part configuring the optical paths between the end-faces of the optical fibers and the lens parts. In this way, misalignment in an end-face of each of optical fibers and misalignment in a lens part can be both suppressed.
- The substrate-side end-face may be provided with a positioning part that engages with a substrate side positioning part that has been formed in the substrate. In this way, a substrate and an optical repeater can be passively aligned.
- Preferably, the reinforcing member is configured so as to surround the optical paths and the positioning part. In this way, relative misalignment between a positioning part and an optical path (optical fiber) can be suppressed.
- The substrate-side end-face may be provided with the plurality of the lens parts that have been formed in the optical paths, the body part may have a reflecting part that changes the optical paths between the end-faces of the optical fibers configuring the optical paths and the lens parts, the plurality of the optical fiber end-faces and the reflecting part may be arranged sandwiched with the two reinforcing members, and one of the two reinforcing members may be configured so as to surround a periphery of the plurality of the lens parts. In this way, misalignment can be suppressed and an optical path can be changed.
- Further, an optical connector device will become clear including: a substrate; an optical connector; and an optical repeater to be arranged between the substrate and the optical connector, wherein the optical repeater includes a body part including a plurality of optical paths to transmit an optical signal between the substrate and the optical connector, a substrate-side end-face in which one end of each of the optical paths opposes the substrate, and a connector connecting part to connect another end of each of the optical paths to the optical connector, the body part being configured from a material with a greater coefficient of linear expansion than that of the substrate, and a reinforcing member arranged so as to surround the optical paths in a side to the substrate-side end-face, the reinforcing member being configured from a material with a smaller coefficient of linear expansion than that of the body part.
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of anoptical connector device 1 of a first embodiment as seen from below. Further,FIG. 2A is a view seen from a side, andFIG. 2B is a view seen from a front-rear direction.FIG. 2A andFIG. 2B show a partial section as transparent, for the sake of explanation. - In the below explanation, each direction is defined as shown in the drawings. In other words, a direction perpendicular to a
light guide substrate 10 is referred to as an “up-down direction” and a side to which anoptical connector 20 is to be attached to thelight guide substrate 10 is referred to as “up”, and an opposite side is referred to as “down”. - Further, a direction in which two
positioning holes 32 and positioningpins 22 are aligned is referred to as a “left-right direction”. A direction in which a plurality of optical fibers configuring an optical fiber tape are aligned (in other words, an alignment direction of a plurality of optical fiber holes 24) is referred to as the “left-right direction”. - Further, a direction which is perpendicular to the left-right direction and the up-down direction is referred to as a “front-rear direction”. A side with an
optical element 12 in respect to an attachment position of anoptical repeater 30 on thelight guide substrate 10 is referred to as “front”, and an opposite side is referred to as “rear” (refer toFIG. 2A ). - The
optical connector device 1 of this embodiment includes thelight guide substrate 10, theoptical connector 20, and theoptical repeater 30. - As shown in
FIG. 2A , thelight guide substrate 10 includes theoptical element 12 and alight guide 14. In the case that theoptical element 12 is a light emitting element, an optical signal sent from theoptical element 12 is transmitted through thelight guide 14, and then an optical path is changed to a perpendicular direction to thelight guide substrate 10 with a mirror part and outputted. In this way, theoptical repeater 30 that has been mounted on the mirror part and theoptical connector 20 are optically connected. In the case where theoptical element 12 is a light receiving element, the optical signal is transmitted in an opposite optical path. In this way, thelight guide substrate 10 inputs and outputs the optical signal to a direction perpendicular to the substrate (the up-down direction). - The
light guide substrate 10 of this embodiment is a silicone substrate and has a small coefficient of linear expansion. - The
optical connector 20 is a member that holds end parts of optical fibers transmitting optical signals, and here an MT ferrule (JIS C5981) is being used. Theoptical connector 20 includes abody part 21, two positioningpins 22, and a plurality of optical fiber holes 24. - The
body part 21 is formed from resin. Inside thebody part 21, a plurality of optical fiber end parts are to be held. Then, a lower side end-face of thebody part 21 is to be a connecting end-face that connects with theoptical repeater 30. - The positioning pins 22 are sections to perform alignment with the
optical repeater 30. The positioning pins 22 are provided to protrude to a lower side from a lower side end-face of thebody part 21. Further, the twopositioning pins 22 are provided with an interval in the left-right direction so as to sandwich the plurality of the optical fiber holes 24. - The optical fiber holes 24 are holes in which end parts of the optical fibers are to be inserted. The optical fiber holes 24 are to be inserted with bare fibers that have been removed of covering from the optical fiber cores. As a result, the optical fiber holes 24 will be sections to form optical paths inside the
body part 21. The optical fiber holes 24 penetrate through thebody part 21 in the up-down direction, and the optical fiber end-faces are exposed in the lower side end-face (connecting end-face). The plurality of the optical fiber holes 24 are parallel to the up-down direction. The plurality of optical fiber holes 24 that are parallel to each other are to be aligned in the left-right direction. - The
body part 21 of theoptical connector 20 is made of resin as described above, and the coefficient of linear expansion is large. Thus, when the optical element 12 (the light guide substrate 10) and theoptical connector 20 are directly connected, misalignment occurs due to the difference in the coefficient of linear expansion during temperature change, and signal loss becomes great (in particular, misalignment becomes great in the left and right ends, and signal loss increases). - In this embodiment, the optical element 12 (the light guide substrate 10) and the
optical connector 20 are connected via theoptical repeater 30. - The
optical repeater 30 is arranged between thelight guide substrate 10 and theoptical connector 20, and is a member to transmit optical signals between thelight guide substrate 10 and theoptical connector 20. Theoptical repeater 30 has abody part 31 and a reinforcingmember 39. - The
body part 31 is a section other than the reinforcingmember 39 of theoptical repeater 30, and is formed of the same resin as thebody part 21 of theoptical connector 20 in this embodiment. - The
body part 31 includes an element-side end-face 31A (a lower surface), a connector-side end-face 31B (an upper surface), twopositioning holes 32, and a plurality of optical fiber holes 34. - The element-side end-
face 31A (corresponds to the substrate-side end-face) is an end-face to a lower side of the body part 31 (the lower surface) and is a connecting end-face with thelight guide substrate 10. The element-side end-face 31A (and, a connector-side end-face 31B to be described later) is formed with a plurality of optical fiber holes 34 aligned in the left-right direction. - The optical fiber holes 34 are provided penetrating through the
body part 31 in the up-down direction. Further, a plurality of the optical fiber holes 34 are provided aligned in the left-right direction so as to correspond to the plurality of the optical fiber holes 24 of theoptical connector 20. Each of the optical fiber holes 34 is arranged with an optical fiber to transmit optical signals between thelight guide substrate 10 and theoptical connector 20. In other words, theoptical repeater 30 is provided with a plurality of optical paths to transmit optical signals between thelight guide substrate 10 and theoptical connector 20. - The optical fiber holes 34 in the element-side end-
face 31A are arranged each with one end of the optical fibers (optical paths) and oppose thelight guide substrate 10. Then, by performing aligning of the light guide substrate 10 (input and output positions of optical signals) and the element-side end-face 31A (optical fibers) of theoptical connector 30, the optical signals are to be transmitted. In this embodiment, aligning of thelight guide substrate 10 and theoptical connector 30 is performed by active aligning. In other words, the position of thebody part 31 is shifted gradually with respect to thelight guide substrate 10, and is fixed with an adhesive and the like in a position with best signal transmission of optical signals. Thus, positioning holes (or positioning pins) are not provided to the element-side end-face 31A. In this way there are no positioning holes in the element-side end-face 31A, thus the element-side end-face 31A is made smaller compared to the connector-side end-face 31B. Thus, after fixing the element-side end-face 31A with respect to thelight guide substrate 10, misalignment does not easily occur. - The connector-side end-
face 31B is an end-face (an upper surface) to an upper side of thebody part 31, and is a connecting end-face with theoptical connector 20. The connector-side end-face 31B is formed with two positioning holes 32 (corresponds to connector connecting part) and a plurality of optical fiber holes 34. The optical fiber holes 34 in the connector-side end-face 31B are each arranged with the other end of the optical fiber (optical path). - The positioning holes 32 are holes to perform positioning with the
optical connector 20, and are provided as shapes corresponding to positioningpins 22 of theoptical connector 20. By making the positioning pins 22 of theoptical connector 20 engage with the positioning holes 32, theoptical connector 20 and the optical repeater 30 (in particular the connector-side end-face 31B) are to be positioned. In this way, the optical fiber end-faces that are exposed in the connector-side end-face 31B are connected with the optical fiber end-faces to the lower side end-face of theoptical connector 20. - The reinforcing
member 39 is a member with a smaller coefficient of linear expansion than thebody part 31, and is a member to suppress expansion and contraction of thebody part 31. As the material with a smaller coefficient of linear expansion than the resin configuring thebody part 31, it is possible to use, for example, such as zirconia, a ceramic material such as alumina, a metal material such as cemented carbide or iron, glass, and silicone. - The material of the reinforcing
member 39 is preferably the same, or is approximately the same as the material of the light guide substrate 10 (silicone) which is to be connected with theoptical repeater 30. In this embodiment, silicone is used as the reinforcingmember 39. - By arranging the reinforcing
member 39 in a chamber of a mold during shaping resin of thebody part 31, the reinforcingmember 39 can be buried and formed (insert molded) in thebody part 31 that is a resin mold. In the case where the reinforcingmember 39 is to be arranged to the outer surface of thebody part 31, the reinforcingmember 39 can be attached after forming thebody part 31. - The reinforcing
member 39 is provided to the side near to thelight guide substrate 10 of the optical repeater 30 (the side of the element-side end-face 31A). Since the coefficient of linear expansion of the reinforcingmember 39 is the same (or is a similar degree) as the coefficient of linear expansion of thelight guide substrate 10, misalignment during temperature change can be suppressed. -
FIG. 3A andFIG. 3B are explanatory views of arrangement positions of the reinforcingmember 39.FIG. 3A andFIG. 3B are also shown as partially transparent for the sake of description. - As shown in
FIG. 3A , the reinforcingmember 39 may be positioned in the element-side end-face 31A. Further, as shown inFIG. 3B , the reinforcingmember 39 may be buried near the element-side end-face 31A. In any case, since the coefficient of the linear expansion of the reinforcingmember 39 is the same (or approximately the same) as that of thelight guide substrate 10, misalignment during temperature change can be suppressed. Since thebody part 31 is formed with the same resin as that of thebody part 21 of the optical connector 20 (since the coefficient of linear expansion is the same), misalignment can be suppressed to the side of the connector-side end-face 31B. -
FIG. 4A toFIG. 4C are explanatory views showing arrangement examples of the reinforcingmember 39. - As shown in
FIG. 4A , the periphery of each of the optical fiber holes 34 (in other words optical fibers) may be surrounded with the reinforcingmember 39. In this case, the relative misalignment of the optical fiber holes 34 with each other can be suppressed. - As shown in
FIG. 4B , the entire periphery of the plurality of the optical fiber holes 34 can be surrounded by the reinforcingmember 39. Also in this case, the misalignment can be suppressed, compared to the case where the reinforcingmember 39 is not provided. - As shown in
FIG. 4C , a range larger than anoptical fiber hole 34 may each be surrounded with the reinforcingmember 39. - In
FIG. 4A toFIG. 4C , the case where the reinforcingmember 39 is positioned in the element-side end-face 31A is shown, and it is the same for the case where the reinforcingmember 39 is buried near the element-side end-face 31A (refer toFIG. 3B ). - As described above, the
optical connector device 1 of this embodiment includes thelight guide substrate 10 with a small coefficient of linear expansion, theoptical connector 20 with a large coefficient of linear expansion, and theoptical repeater 30 arranged between thelight guide substrate 10 and theoptical connector 20. Theoptical repeater 30 includes thebody part 31 and the reinforcingmember 39. Thebody part 31 has the plurality of optical fiber holes 34 (optical fibers) to transmit optical signals between thelight guide substrate 10 and theoptical connector 20, the element-side end-face 31A in which one end of each of the optical fibers oppose thelight guide substrate 10, and the positioning holes 32 to connect the other end of each of the optical fibers to the optical fiber holes 24 of theoptical connector 20, and thebody part 31 is configured of a resin with a greater coefficient of linear expansion than that of thelight guide substrate 10. The reinforcingmember 39 is arranged to surround the optical fiber holes 34 (the optical fibers) in the side of the element-side end-face 31A, and is configured from silicone with a smaller coefficient of linear expansion than that of thebody part 31. In this way, even when the coefficient of linear expansion of thelight guide substrate 10 and theoptical connector 20 are different from each other, misalignment due to the difference in the coefficient of linear expansion during temperature change can be suppressed. -
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of anoptical connector device 1 of a second embodiment as seen from below. InFIG. 5 , the same configuring sections as in the first embodiment (FIG. 1 ) are added the same reference signs and explanation of these parts will be omitted. - An
optical repeater 30 in the second embodiment includes amain body part 31′. Themain body part 31′ is formed with a transparent resin that can transmit optical signals, and also in the second embodiment, coefficient of linear expansion of themain body part 31′ is greater than coefficient of linear expansion of alight guide substrate 10. Optical fiber end-faces are not exposed in an element-side end-face 31A′ of themain body part 31′, and arecess 35 andlens parts 36 are provided. - The
recess 35 is a section depressed with respect to the element-side end-face 31A′, and is rectangular shaped, long, and narrow in a left-right direction so as to correspond to a plurality of optical fiber holes 34. - The
lens parts 36 are provided in a bottom surface (here an upper surface) of therecess 35. Because there is therecess 35, thelens parts 36 and thelight guide substrate 10 are non-contacting. Thelens part 36 is a collimating lens, and a parallel light (collimated light) is input and output between thelens parts 36 and thelight guide substrate 10. In the second embodiment, the optical fiber holes 34 (optical fibers) are provided near to the recess part 35 (refer toFIG. 6 ), and thelens part 36 is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of the optical fiber holes 34 (in other words the plurality of the optical fibers). As described above, since themain body 31′ is formed with a light transmitting resin, optical paths are formed in a section between the optical fiber end-faces and the lens parts 36 (alight transmission part 37 inFIG. 6B ). That is to say, thelens parts 36 are formed in the optical paths of therecess part 35, and optical signals are to be input and output via thelens parts 36. -
FIG. 6A andFIG. 6B are figures showing arrangement examples of a reinforcingmember 39 in the second embodiment. - Supposing that in the second embodiment, the reinforcing
member 39 is provided in the element-side end-face 31A of theoptical repeater 30 as inFIG. 3A , because thelens parts 36 are in therecess 35 in the second embodiment, positions of thelens parts 36 and the optical fiber end-faces may become misaligned during temperature change. Further, merely by surrounding the periphery of the optical fiber end-faces, the position of thelens parts 36 may become misaligned during temperature change. - In the second embodiment, the reinforcing
member 39 surrounds both the periphery of the plurality of thelens parts 36 and the periphery of the plurality of the optical fiber end-faces. Specifically, in the position of the lens parts inFIG. 6B , the reinforcingmember 39 is arranged in the periphery of thelens part 36, and also in the position of the fiber end-face inFIG. 6B the reinforcingmember 39 is arranged in the periphery of the fiber end-faces. Further, thelight transmission part 37 configuring the optical paths between thelens parts 36 and the end-faces of the optical fibers is also surrounded. In other words, as shown inFIG. 6B , the reinforcingmember 39 is buried so as to surround the end parts of the optical fiber holes 34 (optical fiber end-faces) and the light transmission part 37 (optical paths between the optical fiber end-faces and the lens parts 36) and also to protrude to the side of an element-side end-face 31A′ of therecess 35 to surround the periphery of thelens parts 36. - By arranging the reinforcing
member 39 in this way, misalignment in the end-faces of the optical fibers, and misalignment of thelens parts 36 can be suppressed, and in the second embodiment misalignment can also be suppressed. - In the above described first embodiment and second embodiment, the optical repeater had been actively aligned with the light guide substrate. In a third embodiment, an optical repeater will be passively aligned with a light guide substrate.
-
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of anoptical connector device 1 in the third embodiment as seen from above. Theoptical connector device 1 of the third embodiment includes alight guide substrate 10′, anoptical connector 20′, and anoptical repeater 30″. The same configuring sections as in the above-mentioned embodiments will be added the same reference signs and description of these parts will be omitted. - The
light guide substrate 10′ in the third embodiment is formed with two positioning holes 18 (corresponds to substrate side positioning parts) so as to sandwich end parts (mirror parts) of a plurality of light guides 14 in the left-right direction. Further, two positioning holes (not shown) have been formed in a lower side end-face of theoptical connector 20′. - A
body part 31″ of theoptical repeater 30″ in the third embodiment includes an element-side end-face 31A″, a connector-side end-face 31B″, positioning pins 38, and optical fiber holes 34. - With regard to the
body part 31″ in the third embodiment, as will be described later on, the positioning pins 38 protrude from the element-side end-face 31A″ and the connector-side end-face 31B″. For this reason, the element-side end-face 31A″ and the connector-side end-face 31B″ have the same shape, and thebody part 31″ is in a rectangular shape. - The optical fiber holes 34 are provided penetrating the
body part 31″ (between the element-side end-face 31A″ and the connector-side end-face 31B″) in the up-down direction, as similar to in the first embodiment. Further, the plurality of the optical fiber holes 34 are provided aligned in the left-right direction, and each of the optical fiber holes 34 is provided with an optical fiber. - The two
positioning pins 38 are provided so as to sandwich the plurality of the optical fiber holes 34 in the left-right direction. Further, the positioning pins 38 penetrate through thebody part 31″ of theoptical repeater 30″ in the up-down direction, and each protrude from the element-side end-face 31A″ (a lower side) and the connector-side end-face 31B″ (an upper side). In this embodiment, by making the positioning pins 38 penetrate through theoptical repeater 30″ in the up-down direction, the pins that protrude to the lower side and the pins that protrude to the upper side are configured from a same member. - By making the positioning pins 38 (corresponds to positioning parts) to the lower side (the side of the element-side end-
face 31A″) engage with the positioning holes 18 of thelight guide substrate 10, theoptical repeater 30 can be passively aligned in respect to thelight guide substrate 10. Similarly, by making the positioning pins 38 to the upper side (the side of the connector-side end-face 31B″) engage with positioning holes (not shown) of theoptical connector 20, theoptical repeater 30 can be passively aligned in respect to theoptical connector 20. -
FIG. 8A andFIG. 8B are figures showing arrangement examples of the reinforcingmember 39 in the third embodiment. InFIG. 8A , the periphery of each of the optical fiber holes 34 (in other words optical fibers) is surrounded with the reinforcingmember 39, and inFIG. 8B , an entire periphery of the plurality of the optical fiber holes 34 is surrounded with the reinforcingmember 39. - Further, in
FIG. 8A and inFIG. 8B , the periphery of the two positioning pins 38 is also surrounded with the same reinforcingmember 39. This is because, when the relative positional relationship of the positioning pins 38 and the optical fiber holes 34 is shifted due to temperature change, signal loss increases. As in the figure, by surrounding the periphery of the twopositioning pins 38 with the same reinforcing member as that of the reinforcingmember 39 surrounding the periphery of the optical fibers, the shift in the relative positions of the positioning pins 38 and the optical fiber holes 34 (optical fibers) can be suppressed. -
FIG. 8C andFIG. 8D are figures showing another example of arrangement of the reinforcingmember 39 in the third embodiment. - As shown in the figures, the periphery of the positioning pins 38 does not have to be surrounded with the reinforcing
member 39. When the periphery of the plurality of the optical fiber holes 34 are surrounded with the reinforcingmember 39, the relative misalignment between the optical fiber holes 34 can be suppressed. Assuming that there is no reinforcingmember 39, the optical fiber holes 34 to the left and right ends in particular easily become misaligned. On the contrary, when the periphery of the plurality of the optical fiber holes 34 is surrounded with the reinforcingmember 39, such misalignment can be suppressed. - Although not shown, as similar to the first embodiment (
FIG. 4C ), a range larger than eachoptical fiber hole 34 may be surrounded each with the reinforcingmember 39. - In this embodiment, by making the positioning pins 38 penetrate through the
optical repeater 30″ in the up-down direction, the pins that protrude to the lower side and the pins that protrude to the upper side are configured with the same member. It is not limited to the above, however, and the pins to the lower side and the pins to the upper side may be configured with different members. In this case, the projecting and depressing relationship between the pins and the positioning holes may be reversed. For example, the positioning pins may be provided to the lower side end-face of theoptical connector 20′ and the positioning holes may be provided to the connector-side end-face 31B″ of theoptical connector 30″. Further, the positioning pins may be provided on the upper surface of thelight guide substrate 10′ and the positioning holes may be provided on the element-side end-face 31A″ of theoptical connector 30″. - An optical repeater of a fourth embodiment is different from the above described embodiments in that it is an optical path changer that changes the optical path and has a reflecting part.
-
FIG. 9A is a sectional explanatory view of anoptical repeater 300 of the fourth embodiment.FIG. 9B is a perspective view of theoptical repeater 300 of the fourth embodiment as seen from below. A light guide substrate (not shown) of the fourth embodiment is provided with positioning holes that engage with positioning pins 350. Further, theoptical repeater 300 of the fourth embodiment is connected with theoptical connector 20 of the first embodiment. The connection direction of theoptical connector 20 is different from that in the first embodiment, however, and in the fourth embodiment, a rear side end-face of abody part 310 to be described later is to be a connecting end-face. - The optical repeater 300 (optical path changer) includes the
body part 310, a lowerside reinforcing member 391 and an upperside reinforcing member 392, which are reinforcing members. - The
body part 310 configures a section other than the reinforcing members, and thebody part 310 includes twopositioning holes 320, a plurality of optical fiber holes 340, two positioningpins 350, anoptical signal surface 360, and a reflectingface 370. Thebody part 310 is integrally formed with a transparent resin that can transmit optical signals. - The positioning holes 320 are holes to perform positioning with the
optical connector 20, and twopositioning holes 320 are provided, in the rear side end-face of thebody part 310, so as to sandwich the plurality of the optical fiber holes 340 in the left-right direction. Then, by engaging the positioning pins 22 of theoptical connector 20 in thesepositioning holes 320, theoptical connector 20 and theoptical repeater 300 are to be positioned. - The optical fiber holes 340 are formed along the front-rear direction, and optical fibers are inserted in advance in the optical fiber holes 340. Optical fiber end-faces are exposed in the rear side end-face of the
body part 310. The plurality of the optical fiber holes 340 are formed aligned in the left-right direction. The plurality of the optical fiber holes 340 that are parallel to each other are aligned in the left-right direction. - The positioning pins 350 are pins (guide parts) to be inserted into the positioning holes in the light guide substrate, and the positioning pins 350 protrude from a lower surface of the
body part 310. In this embodiment, the twopositioning pins 350 are provided aligned in the front-rear direction. By inserting the positioning pins 350 into the positioning holes in the light guide substrate, theoptical repeater 300 and the light guide substrate are to be aligned. - The
optical signal surface 360 is a surface to which optical signals enter or exit, and theoptical signal surface 360 is formed on the lower surface of thebody part 310. A plurality of optical signals are to enter or exit from theoptical signal surface 360. When theoptical repeater 300 and the light guide substrate are aligned, theoptical signal surface 360 of thebody part 310 opposes an upper surface (a surface to which optical signals enter or exit) of a mirror part of the light guide substrate. Theoptical signal surface 360 is formed parallel to the left-right direction (an alignment direction in which the plurality of the optical fiber holes 340 are aligned). Further, theoptical signal surface 360 is arranged between the two positioning pins 350. Theoptical signal surface 360 is formed with a recess along the left-right direction, and the recess is formed with a plurality of lenses. Each lens of theoptical signal surface 360 is arranged on an optical path. Lens do not have to be arrange on theoptical signal surface 360, and theoptical signal surface 360 may be a flat surface. - The reflecting
face 370 is a surface that reflects optical signals. An inclined end-face to the front side of the optical fiber holes 340 (optical fibers) is the reflectingface 370. A recess is formed in an upper surface of thebody part 310, and an inclined end-face to the rear side of the recess is to be the reflectingface 370. The reflectingface 370 is a boundary surface between resin configuring theoptical connector 300 and outside air, and light reflects on the boundary surface of the resin and the outside air due to the difference in the index of refraction of the resin and the outside air. The reflectingface 370 is formed parallel to the left-right direction (the alignment direction in which the plurality of optical fiber holes 340 are aligned). The reflectingface 370 may be a flat surface or may be a lens surface (a curved surface). - The optical signals that transmit through the
body part 310 are to be reflected on the reflectingface 370. In the case where the optical signals exit from the end-faces of the optical fibers, the optical signals reflect on the reflectingface 370 and are to exit from theoptical signal surface 360 toward the light guide substrate. Further, in the case where the optical signals enter theoptical signal surface 360 from the light guide substrate, the optical signals reflect on the reflectingface 370 and are to enter the optical fiber end-faces. The optical paths in thebody part 310 are bent at the reflectingface 370, and the plurality of the bent optical paths are to be aligned in the left-right direction. The optical paths in thebody part 310 are to be a section that transmits optical signals between theoptical signal surface 360 and the reflecting face 370 (the section parallel to the left-right direction and the up-down direction) and the section (the section parallel to the left-right direction and the front-rear direction) that transmits the optical signals between the reflectingface 370 and the optical fiber end-faces (rear side end-faces). - The lower
side reinforcing member 391 and the upperside reinforcing member 392 are plate-like members with a smaller coefficient of linear expansion than thebody part 310, and are members to suppress expansion and contraction of thebody part 310. - The lower
side reinforcing member 391 and the upperside reinforcing member 392 are plate-like members that are parallel to each other in the left-right direction (the aligning direction in which the plurality of the optical paths are aligned). The upperside reinforcing member 392 is arranged to an upper surface of thebody part 310, and is arranged in parallel to the optical fiber holes 340 (optical paths). On the other hand, the lowerside reinforcing member 391 is arranged to a lower surface of thebody part 310, and is a plate-like member that is perpendicular to optical signals that enter or exit theoptical signal surface 360. The lowerside reinforcing member 391 and the upperside reinforcing member 392 are not provided to the connector-side end-face (rear-side end-face) of thebody part 310. - The lower
side reinforcing member 391 has alight passing window 391A. Thelight passing window 391A is an opening to let optical signals pass through, and is open along the left-right direction. Thelight passing window 391A is arranged in a position opposing thelight signal surface 360 of thebody part 310. Because the lowerside reinforcing member 391 has thelight passing window 391A, it is possible to arrange the lowerside reinforcing member 391 so as to intersect the optical paths. - Also in the fourth embodiment, since the lower
side reinforcing member 391 with a small coefficient of linear expansion has been provided, expansion and contraction of thebody part 310 in the left-right direction due to temperature change can be suppressed (misalignment in respect to the light guide substrate can be suppressed). Further, as described above, the connector-side end-face (rear-side end-face) of thebody part 310 is not provided with the lowerside reinforcing member 391 and the upper side reinforcing member 392 (the coefficient of linear expansion is large in the connector-side end-face). Thus, in the connector-side end-face, misalignment in respect to theoptical connector 20 can also be suppressed. - In the fourth embodiment, the upper
side reinforcing member 392 and the lowerside reinforcing member 391 are arranged opposed so as to sandwich thebody part 310 from above and below. In this way, the optical paths in thebody part 310 are to be arranged between the upperside reinforcing member 392 and the lowerside reinforcing member 391. In this way, thebody part 310 is suppressed from curving, and temperature change of the optical paths can be suppressed. Only one of the upperside reinforcing member 392 and the lowerside reinforcing member 391 may be provided, however. - The above embodiment is to facilitate understanding of this invention, and does not limit understanding of this invention. This invention may be changed or modified without departing from the scope thereof, and it is needless to say that this invention includes its equivalents.
Claims (8)
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JP2015062345A JP6506064B2 (en) | 2015-03-25 | 2015-03-25 | Optical repeater and optical connector device |
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US20160282576A1 true US20160282576A1 (en) | 2016-09-29 |
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Cited By (1)
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US11726268B1 (en) * | 2022-03-25 | 2023-08-15 | Enplas Corporation | Ferrule, optical connector, and optical connector module |
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WO2018165061A1 (en) * | 2017-03-07 | 2018-09-13 | Corning Optical Communications LLC | Universal photonic adaptor for coupling an optical connector to an optoelectronic substrate |
JP2022509357A (en) * | 2018-10-23 | 2022-01-20 | クードクアンタ フロリダ インコーポレイテッド | Detachable connection of optical and optical bench base connectors with alignment couplers |
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JPH0694943A (en) * | 1992-09-10 | 1994-04-08 | Fujitsu Ltd | Multicore connector for optical fiber |
JPH08338925A (en) * | 1995-06-13 | 1996-12-24 | Furukawa Electric Co Ltd:The | Optical connector |
JP2004109398A (en) * | 2002-09-17 | 2004-04-08 | Fujikura Ltd | Ferrule for optical connector and manufacturing method therefor |
JP2007121973A (en) * | 2005-10-31 | 2007-05-17 | Fujikura Ltd | Optical connector |
US7334946B2 (en) * | 2005-12-21 | 2008-02-26 | Intel Corporation | Passively aligned optical-electrical interface with microlenses |
US7927976B2 (en) * | 2008-07-23 | 2011-04-19 | Semprius, Inc. | Reinforced composite stamp for dry transfer printing of semiconductor elements |
US8985865B2 (en) * | 2008-11-28 | 2015-03-24 | Us Conec, Ltd. | Unitary fiber optic ferrule and adapter therefor |
JP2009223340A (en) * | 2009-07-06 | 2009-10-01 | Mitsubishi Electric Corp | Optical component and optical path changing device used for the same |
JP5252735B2 (en) * | 2009-09-11 | 2013-07-31 | 株式会社フジクラ | Multi-fiber optical connector manufacturing method and multi-fiber optical connector |
JP5530332B2 (en) * | 2010-10-27 | 2014-06-25 | 日本航空電子工業株式会社 | Optical module |
JP6001327B2 (en) * | 2012-05-23 | 2016-10-05 | 京セラ株式会社 | Optical wiring component, optical wiring module, and optical wiring device |
-
2015
- 2015-03-25 JP JP2015062345A patent/JP6506064B2/en active Active
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Cited By (1)
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US11726268B1 (en) * | 2022-03-25 | 2023-08-15 | Enplas Corporation | Ferrule, optical connector, and optical connector module |
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JP2016180946A (en) | 2016-10-13 |
US9435968B1 (en) | 2016-09-06 |
JP6506064B2 (en) | 2019-04-24 |
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