JP2007199369A - Optical connector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical connector, wherein breakage of a photoelectric conversion element is prevented and a connection loss of an optical signal is reduced. <P>SOLUTION: In the optical connector, a sleeve part 10b of a housing 10 allows a cylindrical part 9b of a module 9 to be inserted from one side hole and allows a ferrule 51 to be inserted from the other side hole respectively thereinto. The cylindrical part 9b has a void 9c. An LED 2 is arranged on the edge of a three-dimensional molding circuit substrate 6 of the cylindrical part 9b, which is in the void 9c, so as to proximately face the top end of an optical fiber 52. Because the LED 2 is arranged within the void 9c, when the cylindrical part 9b is abutted on the ferrule 51 and is pressurized, no stress is applied to the LED 2 and the breakage of the LED 2 can be prevented. Further, the cylindrical part 9b has a lens block 5 and the lens block 5 is formed so as to mold a lens 5a between the LED 2 and the optical fiber 52 and, therefore, on the optical connection part, the connection loss of the optical signal emitted from the LED 2 can be suppressed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical connector that performs photoelectric conversion between an optical signal transmitted through an optical transmission medium such as an optical fiber and an electric signal, and transmits and receives the signal.

  In recent years, optical communication technology that enables high-speed data communication has been widely adopted in the information communication field. In optical communication, an optical fiber transmits an optical signal, and a photoelectric conversion element performs photoelectric conversion between an optical signal and an electric signal. The photoelectric conversion element includes a light emitting element such as a light emitting diode (LED) that converts an electric signal into an optical signal and a light receiving element such as a photodiode (PD) that converts an optical signal into an electric signal. included.

  When an optical fiber is optically connected to an optical connector including a photoelectric conversion element, the optical fiber is accommodated in an optical plug at the connection location. The optical plug has a cylindrical ferrule having a through hole in the center, and the optical fiber is disposed in the through hole. The ferrule is inserted into the optical connector during optical connection. The tip of the optical fiber of the ferrule is disposed so as to be close to the photoelectric conversion element of the optical connector, and exchanges optical signals with the photoelectric conversion element. Thus, since the tip of the ferrule and the photoelectric conversion element are arranged so as to be close to each other, the photoelectric conversion element may be pressed by the ferrule and damaged when the ferrule is inserted.

  Then, the optical connector which prevents damage to the window glass for protection for protecting a photoelectric conversion element and a photoelectric conversion element is known (for example, refer to patent documents 1). This optical connector will be described with reference to FIG. The optical connector includes a pair of optical plugs 100 and an optical receptacle 200 into which the optical plug 100 is inserted. The optical plug 100 has a ferrule 102 in which an optical fiber 101 is disposed in a through hole. The ferrule 102 has a stepped portion 103 and a protruding portion 104. The optical receptacle 200 includes a protective window glass 203 for protecting the photoelectric conversion element 202 housed in the element case 201 and a contact plate 204 for preventing the protective window glass 203 from being damaged. When the ferrule 102 is inserted into the optical receptacle 200, the protrusion 104 of the ferrule 102 is inserted into the center hole of the contact plate 204, and the stepped portion 103 abuts against the contact plate 204, preventing further insertion. In this manner, damage to the protective window glass 203 disposed at the rear stage of the contact plate 204 is prevented, and damage to the photoelectric conversion element is prevented.

An optical module that can prevent damage to a photoelectric conversion element is known (see, for example, Patent Document 2). This optical module will be described with reference to FIG. The optical module 300 includes a platform 310, a photoelectric conversion element 320 mounted on the platform 310 with an optical portion 321, and an optical fiber 330 positioned and attached to the optical portion 321. The photoelectric conversion element 320 has bumps 322 for electrical connection with the outside, and dummy bumps 323 that stop the end face of the optical fiber 330 at a position not in contact with the optical portion 321. Due to such a configuration, the end face of the optical fiber 330 is prevented from coming into contact with the optical portion 321, and the photoelectric conversion element 320 is prevented from being damaged.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 61-13813 JP 2001-59924 A

  However, although the technique described in Patent Document 1 can prevent the photoelectric conversion element from being damaged, the optical signal is collected at a place where the photoelectric conversion element and the optical fiber are optically connected. Since the condensing member for light emission was not provided, it was difficult to suppress the connection loss of the optical signal. In addition, in the technique described in Patent Document 2, damage to the photoelectric conversion element can be prevented, but since a light collecting member is not provided between the photoelectric conversion element and the optical fiber, connection of an optical signal is possible. It has been difficult to reduce the loss. Further, since the optical fiber is fixed in contact with the dummy bump, the optical fiber may be damaged.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and an object thereof is to provide an optical connector capable of preventing damage to a photoelectric conversion element and reducing connection loss of an optical signal. To do.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, an optical plug ferrule having an optical transmission medium is inserted, and photoelectric conversion between an optical signal and an electric signal transmitted through the optical transmission medium is performed. In an optical connector that performs signal exchange, a photoelectric conversion element for photoelectric conversion, a peripheral circuit element that forms a peripheral circuit of the photoelectric conversion element, and between the photoelectric conversion element and the optical transmission medium A module formed integrally with a lens block formed of a transparent resin so as to mold a lens, a three-dimensional molded circuit board on which the photoelectric conversion element is mounted and the peripheral circuit elements are integrated and mounted; and the module A housing for housing the module, the module including a main body including the three-dimensionally molded circuit board and the peripheral circuit element, and the three-dimensionally molded circuit board, The photoelectric conversion element and the lens block are provided, and a columnar portion protruding from the main body portion is provided. The housing stores a main body storage portion that stores the main body portion, and the cylindrical portion. The cylindrical portion is inserted from one hole, the ferrule is inserted from the other hole, the cylindrical portion has a gap, and the photoelectric conversion element Is formed of at least one of a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and is disposed in the gap and at the tip of the three-dimensionally shaped circuit board in the cylindrical portion so as to face and approach the tip of the optical transmission medium. Is to be placed.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, an optical plug ferrule having an optical transmission medium is inserted, and photoelectric conversion is performed between an optical signal transmitted through the optical transmission medium and an electric signal, thereby transferring the signal. In the optical connector to be performed, a photoelectric conversion element for photoelectric conversion, a peripheral circuit element constituting a peripheral circuit of the photoelectric conversion element, and a transparent lens so as to form a lens between the photoelectric conversion element and the optical transmission medium A lens block formed of resin, a module that mounts the photoelectric conversion element and integrates and mounts the peripheral circuit elements; a module that is integrally formed; a housing that houses the module; A cylindrical fixing sleeve provided in a housing for determining a position of the ferrule in the optical axis direction, and the module includes the module A body part including a body-molded circuit board and the peripheral circuit element, a columnar part provided with the three-dimensionally molded circuit board, the photoelectric conversion element, and the lens block, and protruding from the body part, The housing includes a main body storage portion that stores the main body portion, and a sleeve portion that stores the columnar portion, and the sleeve portion is inserted into the cylindrical portion from one hole and the other hole. The ferrule is inserted, and the fixing sleeve is disposed inside the sleeve portion and abuts on the ferrule inserted into the hole of the sleeve portion to fix the ferrule in the optical axis direction. The photoelectric conversion element is composed of at least one of a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and is a three-dimensional forming circuit for the cylindrical portion so as to face and approach the tip of the optical transmission medium. It is intended to be disposed at the distal end of the plate.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the cylindrical part of the module has a gap, and the photoelectric conversion element is disposed in the gap. Therefore, when the cylindrical part is pressed against the ferrule, the photoelectric conversion is performed. No stress is applied to the element. For this reason, damage to the photoelectric conversion element can be prevented. Furthermore, the cylindrical part has a lens block, and the lens block is formed so as to mold a lens between the photoelectric conversion element and the optical fiber, thereby suppressing the connection loss of the optical signal exchanged between them. can do.

  According to the invention of claim 2, the optical connector has a cylindrical fixing sleeve inside the sleeve portion of the housing, and the fixing sleeve is in contact with a ferrule inserted into one hole of the sleeve portion. Since the ferrule is fixed in the optical axis direction, the cylindrical portion of the module inserted into the other hole of the sleeve portion is not pressed by the ferrule. For this reason, at the time of inserting a ferrule, the photoelectric conversion element of a cylindrical part does not receive a stress, and can prevent damage to a photoelectric conversion element. Furthermore, the cylindrical part has a lens block, and the lens block is formed so as to mold a lens between the photoelectric conversion element and the optical fiber, thereby suppressing the connection loss of the optical signal exchanged between them. can do.

  An optical connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIGS. 1A and 1B show a structure of a transmission optical connector having a light emitting element among optical connectors, and how the transmission optical connector and the optical plug are optically connected. When the optical connector for transmission 1A is optically connected to the optical plug 50, a ferrule 51 having an optical fiber 52 is inserted. The optical connector may be a receiving optical connector having a light receiving element.

  First, the structure of the transmission optical connector will be described with reference to FIG. The transmission optical connector 1A photoelectrically converts an electrical signal into an optical signal and emits light (LED) that emits light to transmit the optical signal to an optical fiber (optical transmission medium) 52 (photoelectric conversion). Element), a signal processing IC 3 (peripheral circuit element) for processing an electrical signal output to the LED 2, and a noise cut capacitor 4 (peripheral circuit element) constituting the peripheral circuit. Have. Further, the transmission optical connector 1A is mounted with the lens block 5 formed of a transparent resin so as to mold the lens 5a between the LED 2 and the optical fiber, the LED 2, the signal processing IC 3 and the noise cut capacitor 4 3D molded circuit board 6 for integrating and mounting, protective glass plate 7 for protecting LED 2, positioning sleeve 8 for determining the position of ferrule 51 in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis, and the above components are housed. And a housing 10. The signal processing IC 3 and the noise cut capacitor 4 mounted on the three-dimensional molded circuit board 6 are sealed with a sealing resin 31. The three-dimensional molded circuit board 6 is electrically connected to an external electric circuit (not shown) through the electrode 33. A plurality of electrodes 33 are provided in the transmission optical connector 1A, and their uses are, for example, power supply, signal input, grounding, and connection to an electric circuit that determines resistance. The positioning sleeve 8 is preferably provided in the transmission optical connector 1A, but may not be provided.

  The LED 2, the signal processing IC 3, the noise cut capacitor 4, the lens block 5, the three-dimensional molded circuit board 6 and the protective glass plate 7 integrally form a module 9. The module 9 includes a main body 9a including a peripheral circuit including a signal processing IC 3 and a noise cut capacitor 4 and a three-dimensional molded circuit board 6, an LED 2, a lens block 5, a three-dimensional molded circuit board 6, and a protective glass plate 8. And a cylindrical portion 9b protruding from the main body portion 9a. Since the module 9 is integrally formed of the above components, these components can be stored using one housing, the number of components can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced.

  The housing 10 stores the module 9, and has a main body storage portion 10a for storing the main body portion 9a of the module 9, and a sleeve portion 10b for storing the columnar portion 9b. The housing 10 is made of resin and has an electromagnetic shielding function. In the sleeve portion 10b, the cylindrical portion 9b is inserted from one hole, and the ferrule 51 is inserted in the other hole.

  The three-dimensional molded circuit board 6 is a circuit component (MID: Molded Interconnect Device) in which an electric circuit is formed on the surface of a three-dimensional injection molded product. The conductive film of this electric circuit is formed by plating, sputtering film formation, or other film formation methods.

  The positioning sleeve 8 is disposed inside the sleeve portion 10b. Its shape is cylindrical and its roundness is high. The material is ceramic or metal with high surface smoothness. In the positioning sleeve 8, the cylindrical portion 9b is inserted into one hole, and the ferrule 51 is inserted into the other hole, and the position of the ferrule 51 in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis is determined. The direction perpendicular to the optical axis means a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the optical signal propagates in the optical fiber in the ferrule.

  The cylindrical portion 9b of the module 9 is composed of the LED 2, the lens block 5, the three-dimensional molded circuit board 6 and the protective glass plate 7, and is inserted into one hole of the positioning sleeve 8 and inserted into the other hole. It is fixed so as to face the ferrule 51. The lens block 5 covers the LED 2, the three-dimensional molded circuit board 6 and the protective glass plate 7, and is formed of a transparent resin so as to mold the lens 5 a between the LED 2 and the optical fiber 52. The protective glass plate 7 is provided between the lens block 5 and the three-dimensional molded circuit board 6. The columnar portion 9b has a gap 9c, and the gap 9c is provided so as to be surrounded by the three-dimensional molded circuit board 6 and the protective glass plate 7. LED2 is arrange | positioned in the front-end | tip of the solid molded circuit board 6 of the cylindrical part 9b in the space | gap 9c so that it may oppose and adjoin the front-end | tip of the optical fiber 52 of the ferrule 51. FIG.

  The module 9 is fixed in the housing 10. The method is as follows. The cylindrical portion 9 b of the module 9 is inserted into one hole of the positioning sleeve 8. By the insertion, the module 9 is fixed in the optical axis direction and the direction perpendicular to the optical axis. Further, the module 9 is fixed in the optical axis direction by the main body 9 a of the module 9 being abutted against the protrusion 10 c of the housing 10. After the position of the module 9 is fixed, the module 9 is sealed with a sealing resin 32 and stored in the housing 10 in a sealed state.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 1B, a state in which the optical connector for transmission 1A shown in FIG. 1A and the optical plug 50 are optically connected will be described. In the transmitting optical connector 1A, the ferrule 51 of the optical plug 50 is inserted when optically connected. After the ferrule 51 of the optical plug 50 is inserted, the transmission optical connector 1A emits an optical signal obtained by photoelectrically converting an electrical signal to the optical fiber 52 and transmits the signal.

  The optical plug 50 optically connected to the transmission optical connector 1 </ b> A has a ferrule 51. The ferrule 51 is provided with a through hole, and the optical fiber 52 is disposed in the through hole. When the ferrule 51 is optically connected to the transmission optical connector 1A, the ferrule 51 is inserted into one hole of the positioning sleeve 8 of the transmission optical connector 1A. The positioning sleeve 8 fixes the ferrule 51 in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

  The columnar portion 9 b of the module 9 is inserted and fixed in the other hole of the positioning sleeve 8. In the cylindrical portion 9 b, the three-dimensional molded circuit board 6 on which the LED 2 is mounted is covered with the lens block 5.

  The ferrule 51 inserted into the positioning sleeve 8 is abutted against the lens block 5 in the positioning sleeve 8. The lens block 5 has a shape for fixing the ferrule 51 in the optical axis direction and the direction perpendicular to the optical axis at the time of the butting so that the ferrule 51 does not contact the lens 5a. When the ferrule 51 and the lens block 5 are brought together, stress is applied to the lens block 5, that is, the columnar portion 9 b of the module 9. Since the cylindrical portion 9b of the module 9 has a gap 9c and the LED 2 is disposed in the gap 9c, no stress is applied to the LED 2 when the cylindrical portion 9b is pressed against the ferrule 51. For this reason, damage of LED2 can be prevented.

  In the transmission optical connector 1A as described above, the operation after the optical plug 50 is optically connected will be described below. After optical connection, the transmission optical connector 1A receives an electrical signal from an external electrical circuit (not shown) through the electrode 33, and processes this electrical signal with the signal processing IC 3. The LED 2 photoelectrically converts the processed electrical signal and emits an optical signal. In addition, the transmission optical connector 1 </ b> A collects the optical signal emitted from the LED 2 by the lens 5 a and sends it to the optical fiber 52 of the optical plug 50. Thus, since the lens 5a provided between the LED 2 and the optical fiber 52 condenses the optical signal emitted from the LED 2, the optical signal at the location where the LED 2 and the optical fiber 52 are optically connected to each other is collected. Connection loss can be suppressed.

  Next, an optical connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 (a) (b) to 4 (a) (b). In these drawings, the same members as those of the optical connector according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. The optical connector of the present embodiment is different from the optical connector of the first embodiment in that it has a fixing sleeve for fixing the ferrule in the optical axis direction. FIGS. 2A and 2B show the structures of an optical connector for transmission and an optical connector for light reception, respectively, among optical connectors.

  First, the transmission optical connector will be described with reference to FIG. The transmission optical connector 1A photoelectrically converts an electrical signal into an optical signal and emits light to transmit an optical signal (not shown) to an optical fiber (optical transmission medium) (light emitting diode) 2 (light emitting element). A photoelectric conversion element), a peripheral circuit of the LED 2, and a signal processing IC 3 (peripheral circuit element) for processing an electrical signal output to the LED 2, and a noise-cut capacitor 4 (peripheral circuit element) constituting the peripheral circuit And). Further, the transmission optical connector 1A is mounted with the lens block 5 formed of a transparent resin so as to mold the lens 5a between the LED 2 and the optical fiber, the LED 2, the signal processing IC 3 and the noise cut capacitor 4 A three-dimensionally shaped circuit board 6 that is integrated and mounted, a positioning sleeve 8 for determining the position of the ferrule in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis, and a cylindrical fixing for determining the position of the ferrule (not shown) in the optical axis direction It has a sleeve 11 and a housing 10 that houses the above components. The signal processing IC 3 and the noise cut capacitor 4 mounted on the three-dimensional molded circuit board 6 are sealed with a sealing resin 31. The three-dimensional molded circuit board 6 is electrically connected to an external electric circuit (not shown) through the electrode 33. A plurality of electrodes 33 are provided in the transmission optical connector 1A, and their uses are, for example, power supply, signal input, grounding, and connection to an electric circuit that determines resistance. The positioning sleeve 8 is preferably provided in the transmission optical connector 1A, but may not be provided.

  The LED 2, the signal processing IC 3, the noise cut capacitor 4, the lens block 5, and the three-dimensional molded circuit board 6 integrally form a module 9. The module 9 includes a main body 9a including a peripheral circuit including a signal processing IC 3 and a noise cut capacitor 4 and a three-dimensional molded circuit board 6, an LED 2, a lens block 5, and a three-dimensional molded circuit board 6. It has the cylindrical part 9b protrudingly provided by 9a. Since the module 9 is integrally formed of the above components, these components can be stored using one housing, the number of components can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced.

  The housing 10 stores the module 9, and has a main body storage portion 10a for storing the main body portion 9a of the module 9, and a sleeve portion 10b for storing the columnar portion 9b. The housing 10 is made of resin and has an electromagnetic shielding function. In the sleeve portion 10b, the cylindrical portion 9b is inserted from one hole, and a ferrule is inserted in the other hole.

  The three-dimensional molded circuit board 6 is a circuit component (MID: Molded Interconnect Device) in which an electric circuit is formed on the surface of a three-dimensional injection molded product. The conductive film of this electric circuit is formed by plating, sputtering film formation, or other film formation methods.

  The positioning sleeve 8 is disposed inside the sleeve portion 10b. Its shape is cylindrical and its roundness is high. The material is ceramic or metal with high surface smoothness. In the positioning sleeve 8, the cylindrical portion 9b is inserted into one hole, and a ferrule is inserted into the other hole, and the position of the ferrule in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis is determined. The direction perpendicular to the optical axis means a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the optical signal propagates in the optical fiber in the ferrule.

  The fixing sleeve 11 is disposed inside the sleeve portion 10 b of the housing 10 and inside the positioning sleeve 8. Its shape is cylindrical and its roundness is high. The material is, for example, ceramic or metal with high surface smoothness. The fixing sleeve 11 has a cylindrical portion 9b inserted into one hole. The length of the fixing sleeve 11 is longer than the length of the portion of the cylindrical portion 9b inserted into the sleeve. For this reason, the tip of the cylindrical portion 9 b, that is, the lens 5 a is not positioned outside the fixing sleeve 11. The end 11a of the fixing sleeve 11 in the direction in which the ferrule is inserted contacts the vicinity of the tip of the ferrule. The shape of the side cross section of the end portion 11a is, for example, stepped.

  Here, the contact between the ferrule and the fixing sleeve 11 will be described in detail. At the tip of the ferrule, a chamfered portion that is chamfered is provided so that insertion into the sleeve portion 10b of the housing 10 and the positioning sleeve 8 is facilitated. The chamfer angle of this chamfered portion is, for example, approximately 45 °. When the ferrule is inserted into the sleeve portion 10 b and the positioning sleeve 8 of the housing 10, the chamfered portion of the ferrule is the end portion 11 a of the fixing sleeve 11 and abuts on the corner portion on the inner diameter side.

  The cylindrical portion 9b of the module 9 is composed of the LED 2, the lens block 5, and the three-dimensional molded circuit board 6, and is inserted into one hole of the positioning sleeve 8 so as to face the ferrule inserted into the other hole. Fixed to. The lens block 5 covers the LED 2 and the three-dimensional molded circuit board 6 and is formed of a transparent resin so as to mold the lens 5a between the LED 2 and the optical fiber. LED2 is arrange | positioned at the front-end | tip of the solid molded circuit board 6 of the cylindrical part 9b so that it may oppose and adjoin the front-end | tip of the optical fiber of a ferrule.

  The module 9 is fixed in the housing 10. The method is as follows. The cylindrical portion 9 b of the module 9 is inserted into one hole of the fixing sleeve 11. By the insertion, the module 9 is fixed in the optical axis direction and the direction perpendicular to the optical axis. Further, the module 9 is fixed in the optical axis direction by the main body 9 a of the module 9 being abutted against the protrusion 10 c of the housing 10. After the position of the module 9 is fixed, the module 9 is sealed with a sealing resin 32 and stored in the housing 10 in a sealed state.

  Next, the receiving optical connector will be described with reference to FIG. The receiving optical connector 1B receives an optical signal from an optical fiber (optical transmission medium) (not shown), and at the same time, receives a light receiving element (photoelectric element) comprising a PD (Photo Diode) 12 for photoelectrically converting the optical signal into an electric signal. Conversion circuit), a signal processing IC 13 (peripheral circuit element) for processing an electrical signal from the PD 12, and a noise-cut capacitor 14 (peripheral circuit element) constituting the peripheral circuit. Have. Further, the receiving optical connector 1B is mounted with the lens block 15 formed of a transparent resin so as to mold the lens 15a between the PD 12 and the optical fiber, the PD 12, and the signal processing IC 13 and the noise cutting capacitor 14. 3D molded circuit board 16 that is integrated and mounted, a positioning sleeve 18 for determining the position of the ferrule in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis, and a cylindrical fixing for determining the position of the ferrule (not shown) in the optical axis direction It has a sleeve 21 and a housing 20 that houses the above components. The signal processing IC 13 and the noise cut capacitor 14 mounted on the three-dimensional molded circuit board 16 are sealed with a sealing resin 41. The three-dimensional molded circuit board 16 is electrically connected to an external electric circuit (not shown) through the electrode 43. A plurality of electrodes 43 are provided in the receiving optical connector 1B, and their uses are, for example, power supply, signal input, grounding, and connection to an electric circuit that determines resistance. The positioning sleeve 18 is preferably provided in the receiving optical connector 1B, but may not be provided.

  The PD 12, the signal processing IC 13, the noise cut capacitor 14, the lens block 15, and the three-dimensional molded circuit board 16 integrally form a module 19. The module 19 includes a main body portion 19a including a peripheral circuit including a signal processing IC 13 and a noise cut capacitor 14 and the three-dimensional molded circuit board 16, a PD 12, a lens block 15, and a three-dimensional molded circuit board 16, and a main body section. It has the column-shaped part 19b protrudingly provided by 19a. Since the module 19 is integrally formed of the above components, these components can be stored using one housing, the number of components can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced.

  The housing 20 houses the module 19, and has a main body housing portion 20a for housing the main body portion 19a of the module 19, and a sleeve portion 20b for housing the columnar portion 19b. The housing 20 is made of resin and has an electromagnetic shielding function. In the sleeve portion 20b, the cylindrical portion 19b is inserted from one hole, and a ferrule is inserted in the other hole.

  The three-dimensional molded circuit board 16 is a circuit component (MID: Molded Interconnect Device) in which an electric circuit is formed on the surface of a three-dimensional injection molded product. The conductive film of this electric circuit is formed by plating, sputtering film formation, or other film formation methods.

  The positioning sleeve 18 is disposed inside the sleeve portion 20b. Its shape is cylindrical and its roundness is high. The material is ceramic or metal with high surface smoothness. In the positioning sleeve 18, the cylindrical portion 19 b is inserted into one hole, and a ferrule is inserted into the other hole to determine the position of the ferrule in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis. The direction perpendicular to the optical axis means a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the optical signal propagates in the optical fiber in the ferrule.

  The fixing sleeve 21 is disposed inside the sleeve portion 20 b of the housing 20 and inside the positioning sleeve 18. Its shape is cylindrical and its roundness is high. The material is, for example, ceramic or metal with high surface smoothness. In the fixing sleeve 21, the columnar portion 19 b is inserted into one hole. The length of the fixing sleeve 21 is longer than the length of the portion of the cylindrical portion 19b that is inserted into the sleeve. For this reason, the tip of the cylindrical portion 19 b, that is, the lens 15 a is not positioned outside the fixing sleeve 21. The end 21a of the fixing sleeve 21 in the direction in which the ferrule is inserted comes into contact with the vicinity of the tip of the ferrule. The shape of the side cross section of the end 21a is, for example, stepped.

  Here, the contact between the ferrule and the fixing sleeve 21 will be described in detail. At the tip of the ferrule, a chamfered portion that is chamfered is provided so that insertion into the sleeve portion 20b of the housing 20 and the positioning sleeve 18 is facilitated. The chamfer angle of this chamfered portion is, for example, approximately 45 °. When the ferrule is inserted into the sleeve portion 20b of the housing 20 and the positioning sleeve 18, the chamfered portion of the ferrule is an end portion 21a of the fixing sleeve 21 and abuts on a corner portion on the inner diameter side.

  The cylindrical portion 19b of the module 19 is composed of the PD 12, the lens block 15, and the three-dimensional molded circuit board 16, and is inserted into one hole of the positioning sleeve 18 so as to face the ferrule inserted into the other hole. Fixed to. The lens block 15 covers the PD 12 and the three-dimensional molded circuit board 16, and is formed of a transparent resin so as to mold the lens 15a between the PD 12 and the optical fiber. The PD 12 is disposed in the gap 19c and at the tip of the three-dimensional molded circuit board 16 of the cylindrical portion 19b so as to face and approach the tip of the ferrule optical fiber.

  The module 19 is fixed in the housing 20. The method is as follows. The cylindrical portion 19 b of the module 19 is inserted into one hole of the fixing sleeve 21. By the insertion, the module 19 is fixed in the optical axis direction and the direction perpendicular to the optical axis. Further, the module 19 is fixed in the optical axis direction by the main body 19 a of the module 19 being abutted against the protrusion 20 c of the housing 20. After the position of the module 19 is fixed, the module 19 is sealed with a sealing resin 42 and stored in the housing 20 in a sealed state.

  FIG. 3 shows a back surface of the optical connector 45 having both the transmission optical connector 1A and the reception optical connector 1B as described above. The transmission optical connector 1 </ b> A and the reception optical connector 1 </ b> B are arranged on the left and right sides and are accommodated in one housing 60. By connecting the electrode 33 and the electrode 43 to an external electric circuit (not shown), signals are exchanged with the electric circuit.

  Since the optical connector 45 includes both the optical connector for transmission 1A and the optical connector for reception 1B, it can transmit and receive optical signals. In addition, since one housing 60 accommodates the module 9 of the transmission optical connector 1A and the module 19 of the reception optical connector 1B, the number of parts can be reduced and the cost can be reduced.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b), for example, a state in which the transmission optical connector 1A shown in FIG. 2 (a) and the optical plug are optically connected will be described. In the transmitting optical connector 1A, the ferrule 51 of the optical plug 50 is inserted when optically connected. After the ferrule 51 of the optical plug 50 is inserted, the transmission optical connector 1A emits an optical signal obtained by photoelectrically converting an electrical signal to the optical fiber 52 and transmits the signal. The optical connector may be a receiving optical connector 1B having a light receiving element.

  The optical plug 50 optically connected to the transmission optical connector 1 </ b> A has a ferrule 51. The ferrule 51 is provided with a through hole, and the optical fiber 52 is disposed in the through hole. When the ferrule 51 is optically connected to the transmission optical connector 1A, the ferrule 51 is inserted into one hole of the positioning sleeve 8 of the transmission optical connector 1A. The positioning sleeve 8 fixes the ferrule 51 in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

  The columnar portion 9 b of the module 9 is the other hole of the positioning sleeve 8 and is inserted into the hole of the fixing sleeve 11 and fixed. In the cylindrical portion 9 b, the three-dimensional molded circuit board 6 on which the LED 2 is mounted is covered with the lens block 5.

  The chamfered portion of the ferrule 51 inserted into the positioning sleeve 8 comes into contact with the end portion 11a of the fixing sleeve 11 and is fixed in the optical axis direction. Since the length of the fixing sleeve 11 is longer than the length of the cylindrical portion 9b inserted into the sleeve, the lens 5a is not positioned outside the fixing sleeve 11. For this reason, the columnar portion 9 b of the module 9 is not pressed by the ferrule 51. Therefore, when the ferrule is inserted, the LED 2 in the cylindrical portion 9b is not subjected to stress, and the LED 2 can be prevented from being damaged. The optical axis direction refers to a direction in which an optical signal propagates in the optical fiber 52 in the ferrule 51.

  The operation after the optical plug 50 is optically connected in the optical connector for transmission 1A and the optical connector for reception 1B as described above will be described below. After optical connection, the transmission optical connector 1A receives an electrical signal from an external electrical circuit (not shown) through the electrode 33, and processes this electrical signal with the signal processing IC 3. The LED 2 photoelectrically converts the processed electrical signal and emits an optical signal. In addition, the transmission optical connector 1 </ b> A collects the optical signal emitted from the LED 2 by the lens 5 a and sends it to the optical fiber 52 of the optical plug 50.

  Further, after connection, the optical connector for reception 1B condenses the optical signal from the optical fiber 52 of the optical plug 50 by the lens 5a and receives it by the PD 12. The PD 12 photoelectrically converts this optical signal into an electrical signal and outputs the electrical signal. The receiving optical connector 1 </ b> B processes this electrical signal with the signal processing IC 13 and sends the processed electrical signal to an external electrical circuit (not shown) via the electrode 43. As described above, the lenses 5a and 15a provided between the LED 2 or the PD 12 and the optical fiber 52 condense the optical signals exchanged between them, so that the LED 2 or the PD 12 and the optical fiber 52 are optically connected. The connection loss of the optical signal can be suppressed at the connected location.

  The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the embodiment as described above, and various modifications can be made according to the purpose of use. For example, in an optical connector having both a transmission optical connector 1A and a reception optical connector 1B, the left and right arrangements of the transmission optical connector 1A and the reception optical connector 1B in the ferrule insertion direction are opposite to the arrangement shown in FIG. It doesn't matter. Further, the cylindrical portions 9b and 19b of the modules 9 and 19 may be configured by only the lens blocks 5 and 15, or may be configured by the lens blocks 5 and 15 and a photoelectric conversion element. Further, the end portions 11a and 21a of the fixing sleeves 11 and 21 may be tapered.

(A) is a sectional side view before the ferrule of the optical plug is inserted into the optical connector for transmission according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and (b) is after the ferrule is inserted into the optical connector for transmission. FIG. (A) is a sectional side view of the optical connector for transmission according to the second embodiment of the present invention and a sectional view taken along the line AA ′, and (b) is an optical connector for reception according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The side sectional view and its BB 'line sectional view. The figure which shows the back surface of the optical connector which has the said transmission optical connector and the said reception optical connector together. (A) is a side sectional view before the ferrule of the optical plug is inserted into the transmission optical connector, and (b) is a side sectional view after the ferrule is inserted into the transmission optical connector. The side sectional view of the conventional optical plug and optical receptacle. The side sectional view of the conventional optical module.

Explanation of symbols

1A Optical connector for transmission 1B Optical connector for reception 2 LED (light emitting element)
3, 13 IC for signal processing (peripheral circuit element)
4,14 Noise-cutting capacitors (peripheral circuit elements)
5, 15 Lens block 6, 16 Three-dimensional molded circuit board 7, 17 Protection glass plate 8, 18 Positioning sleeve 9, 19 Module 9a, 19a Body portion 9b, 19b Columnar portion 9c, 19c Air gap 10, 20 Housing 10a, 20a Main body storage portion 10b, 20b Sleeve portion 11, 21 Fixing sleeve 11a, 21a End portion 12 PD (light receiving element)

Claims (2)

In an optical connector that inserts a ferrule of an optical plug having an optical transmission medium, performs photoelectric conversion between an optical signal transmitted through the optical transmission medium and an electric signal, and transmits and receives signals,
A photoelectric conversion element for photoelectric conversion, a peripheral circuit element constituting a peripheral circuit of the photoelectric conversion element, and a transparent resin so as to mold a lens between the photoelectric conversion element and the optical transmission medium A module that is integrally formed with a lens block and a three-dimensionally molded circuit board that mounts the photoelectric conversion elements and integrates the peripheral circuit elements;
A housing for housing the module,
The module includes a main body portion including the three-dimensional molded circuit board and the peripheral circuit element, a columnar portion protruding from the main body portion, and the three-dimensional molded circuit board, the photoelectric conversion element, and the lens block. Have
The housing includes a main body storage portion that stores the main body portion, and a sleeve portion that stores the columnar portion,
The sleeve portion has the cylindrical portion inserted from one hole and the ferrule inserted from the other hole.
The cylindrical portion has a gap,
The photoelectric conversion element is composed of at least one of a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and is a three-dimensional forming circuit for the cylindrical portion in the gap so as to face and approach the tip of the optical transmission medium. An optical connector arranged at the tip of a substrate. In an optical connector that inserts a ferrule of an optical plug having an optical transmission medium, performs photoelectric conversion between an optical signal transmitted through the optical transmission medium and an electric signal, and transmits and receives signals,
A photoelectric conversion element for photoelectric conversion, a peripheral circuit element constituting a peripheral circuit of the photoelectric conversion element, and a transparent resin so as to mold a lens between the photoelectric conversion element and the optical transmission medium A module that is integrally formed with a lens block and a three-dimensionally molded circuit board that mounts the photoelectric conversion elements and integrates the peripheral circuit elements;
A housing for housing the module;
A cylindrical fixing sleeve provided in the housing for determining the position of the ferrule in the optical axis direction;
The module includes a main body portion including the three-dimensional molded circuit board and the peripheral circuit element, a columnar portion protruding from the main body portion, and the three-dimensional molded circuit board, the photoelectric conversion element, and the lens block. Have
The housing includes a main body storage portion that stores the main body portion, and a sleeve portion that stores the columnar portion,
The sleeve portion has the cylindrical portion inserted from one hole and the ferrule inserted from the other hole.
The fixing sleeve is disposed on the inner side of the sleeve portion, contacts the ferrule inserted into the hole of the sleeve portion, and fixes the ferrule in the optical axis direction.
The photoelectric conversion element is composed of at least one of a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and is disposed at the tip of the three-dimensionally shaped circuit board of the cylindrical portion so as to face and approach the tip of the optical transmission medium. An optical connector characterized by that.

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