WO2018037960A1 - Optical connector production method - Google Patents

Abstract

The optical connector production method according to one embodiment is a production method for an optical connector that comprises a ferrule that holds an optical fiber. The production method comprises: a step for exposing the optical fiber from an end surface of the ferrule and securing the optical fiber to the ferrule; a step for mirror finishing the end surface and the optical fiber; and a step for forming a protrusion by attaching a material to an area of the end surface that is not the area at which the optical fiber is exposed.

Description

Manufacturing method of optical connector

One aspect of the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an optical connector.
This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-163911 filed on August 24, 2016, and incorporates all the description content described in the above Japanese application.

Patent Document 1 describes an optical connector with a lens. This optical connector with a lens includes an optical fiber and a ferrule having a holding hole for holding the optical fiber. The optical fiber and the ferrule are provided in a pair, and a light guide member is interposed between the pair of optical fibers. The light guide member includes a main body located between the pair of optical fibers and a spherical light guide lens disposed inside the main body.

JP 2003-255184 A

An optical connector manufacturing method according to an embodiment is an optical connector manufacturing method including a ferrule that holds an optical fiber, the optical fiber being exposed to an end surface of the ferrule, and fixing the optical fiber to the ferrule; A step of mirror-finishing the end face together with the optical fiber, and a step of attaching a material to a region other than the region where the optical fiber is exposed on the end surface to form a convex portion.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an optical connector according to the first embodiment. 2 is a sectional side view of the optical connector of FIG. FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing a method for manufacturing the optical connector of FIG. FIG. 4A is a plan view showing a convex portion according to a modification. FIG. 4B is a plan view showing a convex portion according to a modification. FIG. 4C is a plan view showing a convex portion according to a modification. FIG. 4D is a plan view showing a convex portion according to a modification. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a convex portion according to a modification. FIG. 6 is a side sectional view showing a method for manufacturing an optical connector according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the method of manufacturing the optical connector according to the third embodiment. FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view showing end surfaces of an optical fiber and a ferrule according to a modification. FIG. 9A is a side sectional view schematically showing a conventional optical connection structure. FIG. 9B is a side sectional view schematically showing a conventional optical connection structure.

[Problems to be solved by the present disclosure]
A PC (Physical Contact) method is generally known as a method for connecting connectors between optical fibers. FIG. 9A is a side sectional view showing an example of the structure of a PC type ferrule. The ferrule 100 has a hole 102 that holds the optical fiber 120. The optical fiber 120 is inserted through the hole 102. In this PC method, the optical fibers 120 are optically coupled to each other by pressing the distal end surface of the optical fiber 120 in physical contact with the distal end surface of the optical fiber 120 of the mating connector.

However, the above method has the following problems. In the ferrule 100, the tip surfaces of the two optical fibers 120 are physically contacted and separated from each other and attached and detached. Therefore, if the attachment and detachment are repeated, the tip surfaces of the optical fibers 120 may be worn. Further, when the connection is made with foreign matter attached to the end face 104 of the ferrule 100, the foreign matter comes into close contact with the end face 104 by the pressing force. In order to remove the adhered foreign matter, it is necessary to use a contact type cleaner. In addition, frequent cleaning is necessary to prevent adhesion of foreign matter. Furthermore, in the case of a multi-core ferrule that connects a plurality of optical fibers 120 at the same time, a predetermined pressing force is required for each optical fiber 120. Therefore, as the number of optical fibers 120 increases, a greater force is required for connection. It becomes.

For the above problem, for example, as shown in FIG. 9B, a structure in which a spacer 106 is interposed between the two end faces 104 to provide a gap between the tip faces 121 of the two optical fibers 120 is conceivable. However, in the structure in which the gap is provided between the front end surfaces 121, the light coupling state can be changed depending on the length of the gap. Therefore, the gap needs to be adjusted with high accuracy. Further, since the spacer 106 defines the interval, the thickness of the spacer 106 needs to be designed with high accuracy. Further, since the interval is very small, it is required to make the spacer 106 very thin. Therefore, it is difficult to design and manufacture the spacer 106. Since the spacer 106 may drop off, it is difficult to handle the spacer 106.

This disclosure is intended to provide a method of manufacturing an optical connector that can be easily designed and manufactured, and that can manufacture an optical connector that is easy to handle.

[Effects of the present disclosure]
According to the present disclosure, it is possible to manufacture an optical connector that can be easily designed and manufactured and that has good handleability.

[Description of Embodiment]
First, the contents of the embodiment of the present disclosure will be listed and described. An optical connector manufacturing method according to an embodiment is an optical connector manufacturing method including a ferrule that holds an optical fiber, the optical fiber being exposed to an end surface of the ferrule, and fixing the optical fiber to the ferrule; A step of mirror-finishing the end face together with the optical fiber, and a step of attaching a material to a region other than the region where the optical fiber is exposed on the end surface to form a convex portion.

In the method for manufacturing an optical connector described above, by projecting a material in the other region, a protruding portion protruding from a region where the optical fiber on the end face is exposed is formed. Therefore, the region where the optical fiber on the end face is exposed is provided at a location recessed from the convex portion. Therefore, since the tip end face of the optical fiber does not contact the mating connector at the time of connection, the tip end face of the optical fiber is not worn even when it is repeatedly attached and detached. Moreover, since the area | region where the optical fiber of an end surface is exposed is an area | region which does not contact physically, even if a foreign material enters into this area | region, adhesion of a foreign material can be avoided. Therefore, cleaning for removing foreign matters can be easily performed. Furthermore, by forming the convex portion that protrudes from the region where the optical fiber is exposed, the above-described spacer can be made unnecessary, and a space can be easily formed between the end faces of the optical fiber. Thus, since the spacer can be made unnecessary, it is possible to manufacture an optical connector that can be easily designed and manufactured and has good handleability.

In the step of forming the convex portion, the convex portion may be formed by jetting material from the 3D printer to the other region. In this case, the projection can be formed with high accuracy by spraying a minute material onto the end face.

Further, the above material may be an ultraviolet curable resin. In this case, the convex portion can be easily formed by curing the material with ultraviolet rays.

In the step of forming the convex portion, the convex portion may be formed by foil pressing. Thus, a convex part can be easily formed by using foil stamping for formation of a convex part.

Further, the convex portion may be made of resin or metal. In this case, the convex portion can be easily formed on the end face of the ferrule.

In the step of forming the convex portion, the convex portion may be formed by screen printing. In this case, the convex portion can be formed with high accuracy on the end face of the ferrule.

Further, the height of the convex portion with respect to the region where the optical fiber is exposed may be 3 μm or more and 200 μm or less. In this case, the distance between the tip surface of the optical fiber and the tip surface of the optical fiber of the mating connector can be 3 μm or more and 200 μm or less. Accordingly, the distance between the two tip surfaces is shortened, and these optical fibers can be connected with a low coupling loss despite the configuration without a lens.

[Details of the embodiment]
Below, the specific example of the manufacturing method of the optical connector which concerns on embodiment is demonstrated, referring drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited to the following illustrations, is shown by the claim, and intends that all the changes within the range equivalent to a claim are included. Hereinafter, in the description of the drawings, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an optical connector 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing the ferrule 2 of the optical connector 1. The optical connector 1 includes a ferrule 2 and an optical fiber 3. The ferrule 2 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped appearance. The ferrule 2 is configured by, for example, a resin such as polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) containing glass.

The optical connector 1 is connected in a connection direction A1 with a mating connector different from the optical connector 1. The ferrule 2 is provided on one end side in the connection direction A1 and faces the mating connector, a rear end face 2j provided on the other end side in the connection direction A1, and a pair of side surfaces extending along the connection direction A1. 2b, and a bottom surface 2k and a top surface 2c.

The end face 2a has a region R1 where the optical fiber 3 is exposed and another region R2. The region R1 is, for example, a horizontally long rectangle on the end surface 2a, and the four corners of the region R1 are rounded. In the region R2, a convex portion 2h protruding from the region R1 in the connection direction A1 is formed, and the convex portion 2h is formed in a frame shape surrounding the region R1. That is, the convex portion 2h is provided outside the region R1 where the optical fiber 3 is exposed.

The tip surface 3a of the optical fiber 3 is exposed on the end surface 2a of the ferrule 2. The region R1 where the front end surface 3a is exposed is located in the concave portion 2g that is recessed from the convex portion 2h. Therefore, an interval corresponding to the height H (see FIG. 3) of the convex portion 2h is formed between the distal end surface 3a and the distal end surface of the optical fiber of the mating connector. The height H of the convex portion 2h with respect to the region R1 is, for example, 3 μm or more and 200 μm or less. Thereby, the space | interval of the front end surface 3a and the front end surface of the optical fiber of the other party connector is prescribed | regulated to 3 micrometers or more and 200 micrometers or less.

A pair of guide holes 2e into which guide pins for positioning the optical connector 1 and the mating connector are inserted are formed in the end surface 2a. The pair of guide holes 2e are arranged along a direction A2 that intersects the connection direction A1. The direction A2 is, for example, a direction orthogonal to the connection direction A1, and is a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the end surface 2a and the side surface 2b. A pair of guide holes 2e are arranged outside the direction A2 of the convex portion 2h.

A rectangular hole 2f is formed on the upper surface 2c, and the optical fiber 3 inside the ferrule 2 can be visually recognized from the hole 2f. The hole 2f is an adhesive introduction hole. Therefore, the optical fiber 3 is bonded and fixed inside the ferrule 2 by introducing an adhesive into the ferrule 2 from the hole 2f in a state where the optical fiber 3 is disposed inside the ferrule 2.

The rear end face 2j of the ferrule 2 is formed with an introduction hole 2p for receiving a plurality of optical fibers 3 together. The plurality of optical fibers 3 are introduced in the form of, for example, a 0.25 mm strand, a 0.9 mm core, or a tape core. The ferrule 2 further includes a plurality of optical fiber holding holes 2d, and the optical fiber 3 is inserted into each optical fiber holding hole 2d. The optical fiber 3 is, for example, a single mode fiber. The plurality of optical fiber holding holes 2d penetrate from the introduction hole 2p to the end surface 2a.

Each optical fiber holding hole 2d penetrates in the connection direction A1, and the center axis direction of each optical fiber holding hole 2d and the optical axis direction of the optical fiber 3 both coincide with the connection direction A1. The front end surfaces 3a of the plurality of optical fibers 3 are arranged along the direction A2 on the end surface 2a. A set of a plurality of tip surfaces 3a arranged in a line is arranged in two stages in a direction A3 intersecting the direction A2. The direction A3 is a direction orthogonal to the upper surface 2c, for example. The connection direction A1, the direction A2, and the direction A3 are, for example, orthogonal to each other.

The front end surface 3a of each optical fiber 3 is flush with the end surface 2a, for example. In the cross section along the optical axis of the optical fiber 3, the normal direction of the tip surface 3 a of the optical fiber 3 is inclined with respect to the central axis direction of the optical fiber holding hole 2 d, that is, the optical axis direction of the optical fiber 3. ing. This inclination angle coincides with the inclination angle with respect to the plane S orthogonal to the optical axis of the optical fiber 3, and the value of this inclination angle is, for example, 10 ° or more and 20 ° or less.

In the region R1 of the end surface 2a, for example, the tip surfaces 3a of the plurality of optical fibers 3 are arranged at equal intervals, and twelve tip surfaces 3a are arranged along the direction A2. Two sets of 12 tip surfaces 3a arranged along the direction A2 are arranged along the direction A3. For example, a total of 24 tip surfaces 3a are arranged. The set of twelve distal end surfaces 3a is displaced up and down with respect to the central axis L extending in the direction A2 through the center of the end surface 2a. Further, the plurality of tip surfaces 3 a and the plurality of guide holes 2 e are arranged at positions that are symmetric with respect to the central axis L.

A method for manufacturing the optical connector 1 configured as described above will be described. Below, the manufacturing method of the optical connector 1 which has the ferrule 2 provided with the end surface 2a in which the optical fiber holding hole 2d holding the optical fiber 3 mentioned above opens is demonstrated.

First, an adhesive is introduced into the hole 2f of the ferrule 2. Next, a plurality of optical fibers 3 are inserted into the respective optical fiber holding holes 2d from the introduction holes 2p on the rear end surface 2j of the ferrule 2, and the plurality of optical fibers 3 are projected from the end surface 2a. That is, the optical fiber 3 is inserted into the optical fiber holding hole 2d to expose the optical fiber 3 to the end face 2a (step of exposing the optical fiber to the end face). Next, the adhesive is cured and the optical fiber 3 is bonded and fixed to the ferrule 2 (step of fixing the optical fiber). And the part which protrudes from the end surface 2a of the optical fiber 3 is cut | disconnected, and the end surface 2a is mirror-finished with the optical fiber 3 (the step surface is mirror-finished by grinding | polishing etc. with an optical fiber).

After fixing the optical fiber 3 to the ferrule 2, as shown in FIG. 3, the ferrule 2 is placed with the end face 2a of the ferrule 2 facing upward and while passing the optical fiber 3 through the hole T1 of the stage T. Is placed on the stage T. Then, the convex portion 2h is formed by the 3D printer 10 (step of forming the convex portion).

Specifically, while moving the nozzle 11 of the 3D printer 10, an ultraviolet curable resin G, which is a liquid material of the convex portion 2h, is sprayed from the nozzle 11 to the end surface 2a. Since the material is in a liquid state, a support material may be used (for example, by spraying it together with the material) when the material is deformed by gravity. And the convex part 2h is formed by making the injected ultraviolet curable resin harden by applying an ultraviolet ray. At this time, the nozzle 11 is moved along the end surface 2a, and a plurality of ultraviolet curable resin G layers are formed to form the convex portion 2h. The height H of the convex portion 2h is controlled by the pitch and the number of lamination of the layers of the ultraviolet curable resin G. In the case where the above-described support material is used, the support material is removed with high-pressure water after the convex portion 2h is formed, whereby the manufacture of the optical connector 1 is completed.

Next, functions and effects obtained by the method for manufacturing the optical connector 1 will be described.

In the manufacturing method of the optical connector 1, by projecting a material in the other region R2, a protruding portion 2h protruding from the region R1 where the optical fiber 3 of the end face 2a is exposed is formed. Accordingly, the region R1 where the optical fiber 3 is exposed on the end face 2a is provided at a location that is recessed from the convex portion 2h. Accordingly, since the distal end surface 3a of the optical fiber 3 does not abut against the mating connector at the time of connection, the distal end surface 3a of the optical fiber 3 is not worn even if the attachment / detachment is repeated. Further, since the region R1 of the end face 2a where the optical fiber 3 is exposed is a region that does not come into physical contact, even if foreign matter enters the region R1, adhesion of the foreign matter can be avoided. Therefore, cleaning for removing foreign matters can be easily performed.

Furthermore, by forming the convex portion 2h that protrudes from the region R1 where the optical fiber 3 is exposed, the above-described spacer can be made unnecessary, and an interval can be easily formed between the end faces of the optical fiber. Can do. Thus, since the spacer can be made unnecessary, it is possible to manufacture the optical connector 1 which can be easily designed and manufactured and has good handleability.

In the step of forming the convex portion 2h, the material is jetted from the 3D printer 10 to the region R2 to form the convex portion 2h. By ejecting a minute material onto the end surface 2a from the 3D printer 10, the convex portion 2h can be formed with high accuracy.

Further, the above material is an ultraviolet curable resin G. Therefore, the convex portion 2h can be easily formed by curing the ultraviolet curable resin G with ultraviolet rays.

In the first embodiment described above, the frame-shaped convex portion 2h surrounding the region R1 is formed on the end surface 2a. However, as shown in FIGS. 4A to 4D and 5, the shape of the convex portion 2h is It may be a shape other than the shape. For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, a window-like region R4 that protrudes from a region R3 where the distal end surface 3a of the optical fiber 3 is provided and has an opening in the guide hole 2e may be used as the convex portion 2h. Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, a pair of regions R6 provided above and below the region R5 where the tip surface 3a is exposed and extending in the direction A2 may be used as the convex portions 2h.

As shown in FIG. 4C, a rectangular region R8 surrounding the region R7 where the guide hole 2e and the tip surface 3a are exposed may be used as the convex portion 2h. As shown in FIG. 4D, it is possible to have a rectangular portion surrounding the region R9 where the tip surface 3a of the optical fiber 3 is exposed, and a region R10 extending in the direction A2 above and below each guide hole 2e may be a convex portion 2h. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of dot-shaped regions R12 protruding from the region R11 where the tip surface 3a of the optical fiber 3 is exposed may be used as the convex portions 2h. As described above, the shape of the convex portion 2h can be changed as appropriate.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a method for manufacturing the optical connector 1 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Below, the description which overlaps with 1st Embodiment is abbreviate | omitted. FIG. 6 shows a foil press 20 used in the manufacturing method of the second embodiment. The foil stamping machine 20 includes a foil plate 21 projecting downward from the main body of the foil stamping machine 20 and a foil 22 interposed between the foil plate 21 and the end surface 2a.

The foil 22 constitutes the convex portion 2h and is, for example, a metal foil such as an aluminum foil or a resin film. One surface of the foil 22 is an adhesive layer, and the adhesive layer adheres to the end surface 2a of the ferrule 2 so that the foil 22 adheres to the end surface 2a. The height H of the convex portion 2 h is controlled by the thickness B of the foil 22.

In the manufacturing method of the second embodiment, the step of fixing the optical fiber and the step of mirror-finishing the end surface together with the optical fiber are the same as in the first embodiment. After the mirror finish, the rear end face 2j of the ferrule 2 is placed on the stage T as described above. And the convex part 2h is formed with the hot stamp of the foil stamping machine 20 (step which forms a convex part).

Specifically, first, the foil pusher 20 is arranged above the end surface 2a of the ferrule 2 so that the foil plate 21 faces downward, the foil 22 is interposed between the end surface 2a and the foil plate 21, and the foil 22 An adhesive layer is affixed on the end surface 2a. And the surface on the opposite side of the adhesive layer of the foil 22 is pressed together with heating by the foil plate 21 from above, and the foil 22 is transferred and pasted to the end surface 2a. Thereby, the convex part 2h which consists of foil 22 is formed in the end surface 2a, and the optical connector 1 is completed.

As described above, in the method of manufacturing the optical connector 1 according to the second embodiment, the protruding portion 2 h protruding from the region where the optical fiber 3 of the end face 2 a of the ferrule 2 is exposed is formed by the foil pusher 20. Therefore, the same effect as the first embodiment can be obtained.

In the step of forming the convex portion 2h, the convex portion 2h is formed by foil stamping (hot stamping). Thus, the convex part 2h can be easily formed by using foil stamping for the formation of the convex part 2h. Furthermore, since the convex portion 2h is made of resin or metal, the convex portion 2h can be easily formed on the end surface 2a.

(Third embodiment)
Then, the manufacturing method of the optical connector 1 which concerns on 3rd Embodiment is demonstrated, referring FIG. FIG. 7 shows a screen printer 30 used in the manufacturing method of the third embodiment. The screen printing machine 30 includes a squeegee 31 that moves along the end surface 2a of the ferrule 2, and a screen mesh 32 that is interposed between the squeegee 31 and the end surface 2a.

The screen mesh 32 has a mesh that can pass through the ink-like resin material J. The resin material J is a material for forming the convex portion 2h. The resin material J is pushed into the screen mesh 32 by the squeegee 31, and is applied to the end surface 2a by passing through the screen mesh 32 downward. The height H of the convex portion 2 h is controlled by the thickness K of the space formed between the end face 2 a and the screen mesh 32 and the mesh roughness of the screen mesh 32.

In the manufacturing method of the third embodiment, after mirror finishing, the rear end surface 2j of the ferrule 2 is placed on the stage T as described above. And the convex part 2h is formed by the screen printer 30 (step which forms a convex part). At this time, the screen printer 30 is disposed above the end face 2 a of the ferrule 2.

Specifically, the screen mesh 32 is disposed on the end surface 2 a and the resin material J is placed on the screen mesh 32. Then, the squeegee 31 is moved along the upper surface of the screen mesh 32, and the resin material J is passed under the screen mesh 32, thereby forming a convex portion 2h between the screen mesh 32 and the end surface 2a. Thus, after forming the convex part 2h, the optical connector 1 is completed.

As described above, in the method for manufacturing the optical connector 1 according to the third embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. Further, in the third embodiment, in the step of forming the convex portion 2h, the convex portion 2h is formed by screen printing. Therefore, by using the screen mesh 32 having a highly accurate mesh, the convex portion 2h can be formed on the end surface 2a of the ferrule 2 with high accuracy.

As mentioned above, although the manufacturing method of the optical connector 1 which concerns on embodiment was demonstrated, the manufacturing method of the optical connector which concerns on this invention is not restricted to each above-mentioned embodiment, A various deformation | transformation is possible.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the example in which the tip surface 3a of the optical fiber 3 is exposed on the end surface 2a of the ferrule 2 has been described. However, the tip surface 3a of the optical fiber 3 itself is not exposed on the end surface 2a of the ferrule 2. Also good. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, instead of the front end surface 3a, a GRIN lens 41, which is a fiber type lens, may be exposed on the end surface 2a. An optical fiber 43 is disposed on the opposite side of the end surface 2a of the GRIN lens 41. Thus, in this specification, the case where the fiber lens is exposed to the end face of the ferrule is also included in exposing the optical fiber to the end face of the ferrule.

Even if the fiber lens is exposed on the end surface 2a as described above, the same effect as that of each embodiment can be obtained by forming the convex portion 2h on the end surface 2a. Further, the type of the optical fibers 3 and 43 may not be a normal single mode fiber, but may be a special single mode fiber, a fiber type lens as described above, or a multimode fiber. Special single-mode fibers include an MFD expansion fiber in which optical fibers having different mode field diameters (MFD) are connected to the tip of the optical fiber 3 by fusion or welding, and the contents are diffused by burner or arc discharge. TEC fiber etc. in which the MFD is expanded are also included.

When a special single mode fiber, fiber type lens, or multimode fiber is exposed on the end face 2a, the upper limit of the height H can be increased. For example, the height of the convex portion 2h with respect to the region R1 can be increased. It can be 3 μm or more and 200 μm or less. In this case, the distance between the tip surface of the optical fiber and the tip surface of the optical fiber of the mating connector can be 3 μm or more and 200 μm. Therefore, it is possible to optimize the distance between the two tip surfaces, and these optical fibers can be connected with low coupling loss. Further, when the special single mode fiber is the above-described MFD expansion fiber, TEC fiber, or the like, since the emitted beam diameter is increased, an effect of reducing the loss due to the axial deviation between the optically connected connectors can be obtained. Further, when the MFD is enlarged, the numerical aperture is decreased, so that the emitted beam is close to collimated light, and the optimum range of the distance between the two tip surfaces can be expanded.

In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the end surface 2a of the ferrule 2 and the front end surface 3a of the optical fiber 3 are inclined with respect to the surface S has been described. However, the end surface of the ferrule and the front end surface of the optical fiber may not be inclined with respect to the surface S. When it is not inclined, an antireflection film can be formed, and the Fresnel loss generated at the end face of the fiber can be reduced. The antireflection film needs to be formed at least on the tip surface of the optical fiber. However, when it is technically difficult to form a film only on the front end surface of the optical fiber, it may be formed on the end surface of the ferrule. Anti-reflection measures may be taken using other than anti-reflection films. Further, the Fresnel loss can be reduced even if the treatment or processing for preventing reflection is performed when the vehicle is inclined. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the present invention is applied to the ferrule 2 that is a multi-core ferrule including a plurality of optical fibers 3, but the present invention is also applicable to a single-core ferrule.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Optical connector, 2 ... Ferrule, 2a ... End surface, 2b ... Side surface, 2c ... Upper surface, 2d ... Optical fiber holding hole, 2e ... Guide hole, 2f ... Hole, 2g ... Concavity, 2h ... Convex part, 2j ... Rear End face, 2k ... bottom face, 2p ... introduction hole, 3, 43 ... optical fiber, 3a ... tip face, 10 ... 3D printer, 11 ... nozzle, 20 ... foil press, 21 ... foil plate, 22 ... foil, 30 ... screen printing 31 ... Squeegee, 32 ... Screen mesh, 41 ... GRIN lens, A1 ... Connection direction, A2, A3 ... direction, G ... UV curable resin (material), J ... Resin material (material), L ... Center axis, R1 R11 region, S surface, T stage, T1 hole.

Claims (7)

1. An optical connector manufacturing method including a ferrule that holds an optical fiber,
   Exposing the optical fiber to an end face of the ferrule and fixing the optical fiber to the ferrule;
   Mirroring the end face with the optical fiber;
   Attaching a material to a region other than the region where the optical fiber is exposed on the end face to form a convex portion;
   An optical connector manufacturing method comprising:
2. In the step of forming the convex portion, the material is jetted from the 3D printer to the other region to form the convex portion.
   The manufacturing method of the optical connector of Claim 1.
3. The material is an ultraviolet curable resin.
   The manufacturing method of the optical connector of Claim 1 or 2.
4. In the step of forming the convex part, the convex part is formed by foil pressing.
   The manufacturing method of the optical connector of Claim 1.
5. The convex portion is made of resin or metal.
   The manufacturing method of the optical connector of Claim 4.
6. In the step of forming the convex portion, the convex portion is formed by screen printing.
   The manufacturing method of the optical connector of Claim 1.
7. The height of the convex portion with respect to the region where the optical fiber is exposed is 3 μm or more and 200 μm or less.
   The method for manufacturing an optical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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