U.S. patent application number 15/055717 was filed with the patent office on 2016-09-29 for optical repeater and optical connector device.
This patent application is currently assigned to FUJIKURA LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is FUJIKURA LTD.. Invention is credited to Akito NISHIMURA.
Application Number | 20160282576 15/055717 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56878183 |
Filed Date | 2016-09-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160282576 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
NISHIMURA; Akito |
September 29, 2016 |
OPTICAL REPEATER AND OPTICAL CONNECTOR DEVICE
Abstract
An optical repeater to be arranged between a substrate and an
optical connector, 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.
Inventors: |
NISHIMURA; Akito;
(Sakura-shi, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
FUJIKURA LTD. |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
FUJIKURA LTD.
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
56878183 |
Appl. No.: |
15/055717 |
Filed: |
February 29, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02B 6/3845 20130101;
G02B 6/4267 20130101; G02B 6/4292 20130101; G02B 6/3882 20130101;
G02B 6/3885 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G02B 6/42 20060101
G02B006/42; G02B 6/32 20060101 G02B006/32; G02B 6/38 20060101
G02B006/38; H04B 10/29 20060101 H04B010/29; G02B 6/30 20060101
G02B006/30 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 25, 2015 |
JP |
2015-062345 |
Claims
1. An optical repeater to be arranged between a substrate and an
optical connector, the optical repeater comprising: 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.
2. An optical repeater according to claim 1, wherein the
substrate-side end-face is arranged with a plurality of end-faces
of optical fibers configuring the optical paths, and the
reinforcing member is configured so as to surround a periphery of
the plurality of the optical fibers.
3. An optical repeater according to claim 2, wherein the
reinforcing member is configured so as to surround a periphery of
each of the plurality of the optical fibers.
4. An optical repeater according to claim 1, wherein 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.
5. An optical repeater according to claim 1, wherein the
substrate-side end-face is provided with a positioning part that
engages with a substrate side positioning part that has been formed
in the substrate.
6. An optical repeater according to claim 5, wherein the
reinforcing member is configured so as to surround the optical
paths and the positioning part.
7. An optical repeater according to claim 1, wherein the
substrate-side end-face is provided with the plurality of the lens
parts that have been formed in the optical paths, the body part has
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 are arranged sandwiched with the two
reinforcing members, and one of the two reinforcing members is
configured so as to surround a periphery of the plurality of the
lens parts.
8. An optical connector device comprising: 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.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority upon Japanese Patent
Application No. 2015-062345 filed on Mar. 25, 2015, which is herein
incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
Technical Field
[0002] The present invention relates to optical repeaters and
optical connector devices.
Related Art
[0003] 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.
[0004] 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.
SUMMARY
[0005] The present invention has an objective to suppress
misalignment.
[0006] An aspect of the invention is an optical repeater to be
arranged between a substrate and an optical connector, the optical
repeater including:
[0007] 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
[0008] 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.
[0009] Other features of the present invention will be made clear
through the present specification with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an optical connector device
1 of a first embodiment as seen from below.
[0011] FIG. 2A is a view seen from a side, and FIG. 2B is a view
seen in a front-rear direction.
[0012] FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are explanatory views of arrangement
positions of a reinforcing member 39.
[0013] FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C are explanatory views of arrangement
examples of a reinforcing member 39.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an optical connector device
1 of a second embodiment as seen from below.
[0015] FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are views showing arrangement examples
of a reinforcing member 39 in a second embodiment.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an optical connector device
1 of a third embodiment as seen from above.
[0017] FIG. 8A to FIG. 8D are views showing arrangement examples of
a reinforcing member 39 in a third embodiment.
[0018] FIG. 9A is a sectional explanatory view of an optical
repeater 300 in a fourth embodiment, and FIG. 9B is a perspective
view of an optical repeater 300 in a fourth embodiment as seen from
below.
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0019] At least the following matters will become clear through the
description of the present specification and the accompanying
drawings.
[0020] 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.
[0021] 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.
[0022] 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.
[0023] 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.
[0024] 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.
[0025] 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.
[0026] 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.
[0027] 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.
[0028] 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.
First Embodiment
[0029] 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.
[0030] 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 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".
[0031] Further, 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 (in other words, an
alignment direction of a plurality of optical fiber holes 24) is
referred to as the "left-right direction".
[0032] 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 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).
[0033] The optical connector device 1 of this embodiment includes
the light guide substrate 10, the optical connector 20, and the
optical repeater 30.
[0034] As shown in FIG. 2A, the light guide substrate 10 includes
the optical element 12 and a light guide 14. In the case that 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. In this way, the optical repeater 30 that has been
mounted on the mirror part and the optical connector 20 are
optically connected. In the case where the optical element 12 is a
light receiving element, 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).
[0035] The light guide substrate 10 of this embodiment is a
silicone substrate and has a small coefficient of linear
expansion.
[0036] 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.
[0037] 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.
[0038] 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.
[0039] 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.
[0040] The body part 21 of the optical 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 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).
[0041] In this embodiment, the optical element 12 (the light guide
substrate 10) and the optical connector 20 are connected via the
optical repeater 30.
[0042] 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.
[0043] 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.
[0044] The body part 31 includes an element-side end-face 31A (a
lower surface), a connector-side end-face 31B (an upper surface),
two positioning holes 32, and a plurality of optical fiber holes
34.
[0045] 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 the
light 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.
[0046] 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.
[0047] 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 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 31A
(optical fibers) of the optical connector 30, the optical signals
are to be transmitted. In this embodiment, 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
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 the light guide substrate
10, misalignment does not easily occur.
[0048] The connector-side end-face 31B 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
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).
[0049] 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.
By making the positioning pins 22 of the optical connector 20
engage with the positioning holes 32, the optical 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 the
optical connector 20.
[0050] 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.
As 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.
[0051] 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. In this embodiment, silicone is used as the
reinforcing member 39.
[0052] 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.
[0053] 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 31A). 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.
[0054] 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.
[0055] As shown in FIG. 3A, the reinforcing member 39 may be
positioned in the element-side end-face 31A. Further, as shown in
FIG. 3B, the reinforcing member 39 may be buried near the
element-side end-face 31A. 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 31B.
[0056] FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C are explanatory views showing arrangement
examples of the reinforcing member 39.
[0057] 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 reinforcing member 39. In this case, the relative
misalignment of the optical fiber holes 34 with each other can be
suppressed.
[0058] As shown in FIG. 4B, 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.
[0059] As shown in FIG. 4C, a range larger than an optical fiber
hole 34 may each be surrounded with the reinforcing member 39.
[0060] In FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C, the case where the reinforcing member
39 is positioned in the element-side end-face 31A is shown, and it
is the same for the case where the reinforcing member 39 is buried
near the element-side end-face 31A (refer to FIG. 3B).
[0061] As described above, 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 31A 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 31A, 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.
Second Embodiment
[0062] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an optical connector device
1 of a second embodiment as seen from below. In FIG. 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.
[0063] 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 31A' of the main body part 31', and a
recess 35 and lens parts 36 are provided.
[0064] 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.
[0065] 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. In the second
embodiment, the optical fiber holes 34 (optical fibers) are
provided near to the recess part 35 (refer to FIG. 6), and 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). As described above, since 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.
[0066] FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are figures showing arrangement examples
of a reinforcing member 39 in the second embodiment.
[0067] Supposing that in the second embodiment, the reinforcing
member 39 is provided in the element-side end-face 31A 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.
[0068] In the second embodiment, 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.
6B, 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 31A' of the recess 35 to surround
the periphery of the lens parts 36.
[0069] By arranging the reinforcing member 39 in this way,
misalignment in the end-faces of the optical fibers, and
misalignment of the lens parts 36 can be suppressed, and in the
second embodiment misalignment can also be suppressed.
Third Embodiment
[0070] 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.
[0071] 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.
[0072] 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'.
[0073] A body part 31'' of the optical 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.
[0074] 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 the
body part 31'' is in a rectangular shape.
[0075] 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.
[0076] 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 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 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.
[0077] 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 the light
guide substrate 10, the optical repeater 30 can be passively
aligned in respect to the light 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 the optical connector 20, the optical repeater 30 can be
passively aligned in respect to the optical connector 20.
[0078] FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B are figures showing arrangement examples
of the reinforcing member 39 in the third embodiment. In FIG. 8A,
the periphery of each of the optical fiber holes 34 (in other words
optical fibers) is surrounded with the reinforcing member 39, and
in FIG. 8B, an entire periphery of the plurality of the optical
fiber holes 34 is surrounded with the reinforcing member 39.
[0079] Further, in FIG. 8A and in FIG. 8B, 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.
[0080] FIG. 8C and FIG. 8D are figures showing another example of
arrangement of the reinforcing member 39 in the third
embodiment.
[0081] 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 reinforcing member 39, the relative
misalignment between the optical fiber holes 34 can be suppressed.
Assuming that there is no reinforcing member 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 reinforcing
member 39, such misalignment can be suppressed.
[0082] Although not shown, as similar to the first embodiment (FIG.
4C), a range larger than each optical fiber hole 34 may be
surrounded each with the reinforcing member 39.
[0083] 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 the optical connector 20' and the
positioning holes may be provided to the connector-side end-face
31B'' of the optical connector 30''. Further, 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 31A'' of the optical connector 30''.
Fourth Embodiment
[0084] 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.
[0085] 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. Further, 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.
[0086] 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.
[0087] 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.
[0088] 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.
[0089] 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.
[0090] 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 two positioning 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, the optical repeater 300 and the light guide substrate
are to be aligned.
[0091] 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.
When the optical repeater 300 and the light guide substrate are
aligned, 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.
[0092] 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).
[0093] The optical signals that transmit through the body part 310
are to be reflected on the reflecting face 370. In the case where
the optical signals exit from the end-faces of the optical fibers,
the optical signals reflect on the reflecting face 370 and are to
exit from the optical signal surface 360 toward the light guide
substrate. Further, in the case where the optical signals enter the
optical signal surface 360 from 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).
[0094] 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.
[0095] 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). On the other hand, 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.
[0096] The lower side reinforcing member 391 has a light passing
window 391A. The light passing window 391A is an opening to let
optical signals pass through, and is open along the left-right
direction. The light passing window 391A 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
391A, it is possible to arrange the lower side reinforcing member
391 so as to intersect the optical paths.
[0097] 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 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.
[0098] In the fourth embodiment, 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. In this
way, 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. In this way, 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.
Other Points
[0099] 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.
* * * * *