JP5201064B2 - connector - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector.

  In recent years, optical communications that transport data using optical frequency carriers have become increasingly important. In such optical communication, there is an optical waveguide as a means for guiding signal propagation light from one point to another point.

  This optical waveguide has a core layer provided between a pair of clad layers, for example. The core layer has a linear core portion and a clad portion, which are alternately arranged. A plurality of core portions generally exist in the core layer, but there may be one core portion. The core portion is made of a material that is substantially transparent to light of an optical frequency carrier wave, and the cladding layer and the cladding portion are made of a material having a lower refractive index than the core portion.

  It is preferable that the optical waveguide is a single continuous one, but depending on the distance between the points, the device configuration specifications, and the design restrictions, the optical waveguide is connected via a connector, that is, as a whole. The optical waveguide is divided into a plurality of optical waveguides and these end portions are connected via a connector. As this connector, one having an optical waveguide and a housing into which an end portion of the optical waveguide is inserted into the housing is known (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  In the connectors described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the positioning of the optical waveguide with respect to the housing, that is, the alignment of the central axis of the optical waveguide with the central axis of the housing (centering) This is done by defining the height and the width and thickness (height) of the optical waveguide. Therefore, it is required that each dimensional accuracy is high, and if one of these cannot achieve the predetermined dimensional accuracy, the optical waveguide cannot be inserted into the housing, or it can be inserted. However, there is a problem in that it is not centered in the width direction and / or the thickness direction.

JP 2008-96669 A JP 2000-2820 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide a connector in which the optical waveguide is positioned with high precision when the optical waveguide is inserted into the housing to manufacture the connector.

Such an object is achieved by the following inventions (1) to ( 17 ).
(1) An optical waveguide having at least one core part and a clad part provided so as to surround the outer periphery of the core part, and a hollow body, and a tip part of the optical waveguide is inserted into the hollow part And a connector comprising positioning means for positioning the optical waveguide with respect to the housing,
The housing includes a main body composed of a long bottom plate and a pair of side walls erected from the bottom plate, and a lid that is mounted on the main body and defines the hollow portion between the main body. And
The positioning means is formed in the optical waveguide, penetrates in the thickness direction thereof , opens to the distal end surface of the optical waveguide, and extends through the longitudinal direction of the optical waveguide to the middle thereof ,
Projecting on the bottom plate, and composed of a projection inserted into the through hole ,
When assembling the connector by inserting the distal end portion of the optical waveguide into the housing, the optical waveguide is inserted into the main body portion from the base end side with the lid portion not yet attached. A first insertion for inserting and inserting the protrusion into the through hole; and inserting the optical waveguide from the opposite side of the protruding direction of the protrusion with respect to the main body portion. A connector that is configured to be able to select one of a second insertion and a second insertion .
(2) The connector according to (1), wherein the protrusion is formed integrally with the main body.
(3) The connector according to (1), wherein the protrusion is configured separately from the main body, and the separate is fixed to the main body.
(4) The through hole is located in the cladding part,
The connector according to (3), wherein the protrusion is made of the same material as that of the clad part, and complements a defect in the clad part due to the through hole, and exhibits a function as the clad part.

(5) An optical waveguide having at least one core portion and a clad portion provided so as to surround the outer periphery of the core portion, and a hollow body, and the tip portion of the optical waveguide is inserted into the hollow portion And when the optical waveguide is inserted into the housing, a connector is used which is mounted on the housing and uses a positioning jig for positioning the optical waveguide with respect to the housing in the mounted state .
The housing includes a main body composed of a long bottom plate and a pair of side walls erected from the bottom plate, and a lid that is mounted on the main body and defines the hollow portion between the main body. And
The optical waveguide is formed with at least one through hole that penetrates in the thickness direction, opens at the front end surface of the optical waveguide, and extends partway along the longitudinal direction of the optical waveguide ,
The positioning jig protrudes from said bottom plate in the mounted state, have a projection to be inserted into the through hole,
When assembling the connector by inserting the distal end portion of the optical waveguide into the housing, the optical waveguide is inserted into the main body portion from the base end side with the lid portion not yet attached. A first insertion for inserting and inserting the protrusion into the through hole; and inserting the optical waveguide from the opposite side of the protruding direction of the protrusion with respect to the main body portion. A connector that is configured to be able to select one of a second insertion and a second insertion .

(6) The connector according to (5) , wherein the positioning jig is detachably attached to the housing and is removed after the connector is assembled .

(7) The connector according to (5) or (6) , wherein the housing is formed with a housing side through-hole through which the protruding portion passes.

(8) The connector according to any one of (1) to (7) , wherein the through hole is located at a center portion in a width direction of the optical waveguide.

(9) The connector according to any one of (1) to (8) , wherein the through hole is located in the clad portion.

(10) The connector according to any one of (1) to (9) , wherein the optical waveguide has a width smaller than that of the hollow portion.

(11) The connector according to any one of (1) to (10) , wherein the protrusion includes a small piece disposed along a longitudinal direction of the optical waveguide.

(12) The connector according to any one of (1) to (10) , wherein the protrusion includes a plurality of pin members that are spaced apart along the longitudinal direction of the optical waveguide.

(13) The connector according to any one of (1) to (12) , wherein a total length of the protrusion in the longitudinal direction of the optical waveguide is the same as or shorter than a total length of the through hole.

(14) The connector according to any one of (1) to (13) , wherein the protrusion has a function of absorbing light.
(15) The tip end portion of the optical waveguide is pressed against the bottom plate by the lid portion, and the pressing limit is made when the protrusion comes into contact with the lid portion (1) to (14). A connector according to any one of the above.
(16) The projecting portion according to any one of (1) to (15), wherein the projecting portion is in contact with a portion of the inner surface that defines the through-hole of the optical waveguide that is located on the most proximal side. connector.
(17) The length of the protrusion along the longitudinal direction of the optical waveguide is shorter than the length of the through hole along the longitudinal direction of the optical waveguide,
In a state where the protrusion is in contact with the most proximal end portion of the inner surface defining the through hole of the optical waveguide, a part of the distal end portion of the optical waveguide is less than the distal end surface of the housing. The connector according to any one of (1) to (16), wherein the protruding portion is a cutting allowance to be cut off.

  According to the present invention, when a connector is manufactured by inserting the optical waveguide into the housing, the protrusion is inserted into the slit, thereby positioning the optical waveguide with respect to the housing, that is, the center of the optical waveguide and the housing The center matches (centered). Therefore, the optical waveguide and the housing are positioned with high accuracy.

It is a disassembled perspective view which shows 1st Embodiment of the connector of this invention. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view (a diagram showing a state before insertion) sequentially illustrating steps of inserting an optical waveguide in the connector shown in FIG. 1 into a housing. FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view (a diagram showing a state after insertion) sequentially illustrating steps of inserting an optical waveguide in the connector shown in FIG. 1 into a housing. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows 2nd Embodiment of the connector of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows 3rd Embodiment of the connector of this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows 4th Embodiment of the connector of this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows 5th Embodiment of the connector of this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows 6th Embodiment of the connector of this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows 7th Embodiment of the connector as a reference example .

Hereinafter, the connector of the present invention will be described in detail based on preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.
<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a first embodiment of the connector of the present invention, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are longitudinal sectional views sequentially showing steps of inserting the optical waveguide in the connector shown in FIG. 1 into the housing. . In the following, for convenience of explanation, the upper right side in FIG. 1 (the same applies to FIGS. 6 to 9) is referred to as “base end (rear end)”, and the lower left side is referred to as “front end (front end)”. The left side of the middle (the same applies to FIGS. 4 and 5) is referred to as “base end (rear end)”, and the right side is referred to as “front end (front end)”.

  A connector 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes an optical waveguide 2 and a housing (ferrule) 3, and is assembled by inserting a front end portion of the optical waveguide 2 into the housing 3. In the connector 1, the optical waveguide 2 and the housing 3 are bonded and fixed via an adhesive (not shown), for example. Moreover, the member (boot part) which protects an optical waveguide may be attached to the base end side of the connector 1 as needed, and in that case, it has a corresponding cutting location on the base end side of the connector 1. . Hereinafter, the configuration of each unit will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the optical waveguide 2 includes a cover layer (first cover layer) 4a, a clad layer (first clad layer (clad portion)) 5a, a core layer 6, a clad layer ( A second clad layer (clad portion) 5b and a cover layer (second cover layer) 4b are laminated in this order.

  The core layer 6 includes a core portion (waveguide channel) 61a, 61b, 61c, 61d that is linear in a plan view, and side clad portions (clad portions) 62a, 62b, 62c, 62d that are linear in a plan view. , 62e and these are arranged. Thus, the optical waveguide 2 is a multi-channel one having a plurality of core portions. Of the side clad parts 62a to 62e, the side clad part 62c located at the center is a clad part in which a slit, which will be described later, is formed. Therefore, the width is wider than the other side clad parts 62a, 62b, 62d, 62e. Is also getting wider.

  Since the configuration of each of the core portions 61a to 61d is substantially the same, the core portion 61a will be representatively described below. Further, since the configuration of the side clad portions 62a to 62e is substantially the same, the side clad portion 62a will be representatively described below.

  The core 61a and the side cladding 62a each have a square shape such as a square or a rectangle (rectangle). The width (length in the left-right direction in FIG. 1) and height (length in the vertical direction in FIG. 1) of the core portion 61a and the side cladding portion 62a are not particularly limited, but are about 1 to 200 μm, respectively. Is more preferable, about 5 to 100 μm is more preferable, and about 10 to 60 μm is further preferable.

  The optical waveguide 2 is a clad portion (each side clad portion 62a, 62b, clad layer 5a, 5b) that is provided so as to surround the outer circumference of the core portion 61a and the core portion 61a. ), And can be propagated to the base end side.

  The core 61a and the side cladding 62a have different light refractive indexes, and the difference in refractive index is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.5% or more and 0.8% or more. Is more preferable. On the other hand, the upper limit value may not be set, but is preferably about 5.5%. If the difference in refractive index is less than the lower limit, the effect of transmitting light may be reduced, and even if the upper limit is exceeded, no further increase in light transmission efficiency can be expected.

The refractive index difference is expressed by the following equation, where A is the refractive index of the core portion 61a and B is the refractive index of the side cladding portion 62a.
Refractive index difference (%) = | A / B-1 | × 100

  The core portion 61a is made of a material having a higher refractive index than that of the side clad portion 62a, and is also made of a material having a higher refractive index than the cladding layers 5a and 5b.

  The constituent materials of the core portion 61a, the side clad portion 62a, and the clad layers 5a and 5b are not particularly limited as long as the above-described refractive index difference is generated, but in this embodiment, the core portion 61a and the side clad portion 62a. Are made of the same material, and the difference in refractive index between the core 61a and the side cladding 62a is manifested by the difference in the chemical structure of the materials.

  Any material can be used as the constituent material of the core layer 6 as long as it is a material that is substantially transparent to light propagating through the core portion 61a. Specifically, an acrylic resin or a methacrylic resin can be used. , Polycarbonate, polystyrene, epoxy resin, polyamide, polyimide, polybenzoxazole, polysilane, polysilazane, and various resin materials such as cyclic olefin resin such as benzocyclobutene resin and norbornene polymer, quartz glass, borosilicate A glass material such as acid glass can be used.

  Among these, in order to express a difference in refractive index due to a difference in chemical structure as in the present embodiment, the refractive index changes by irradiation with active energy rays such as ultraviolet rays and electron beams (or by further heating). Preferably it is a material.

  As such a material, for example, the chemical structure changes due to, for example, at least part of the bond being cut or bound or at least part of the functional group being desorbed and modified by irradiation with active energy rays or heating. Possible materials are listed.

  Specifically, silane-based resins such as polysilane (eg, polymethylphenylsilane), polysilazane (eg, perhydropolysilazane), and the resin serving as a base for materials with structural changes as described above include molecules on the molecular side. The following resins (1) to (6) having a functional group at the chain or terminal may be mentioned. (1) Addition (co) polymer of norbornene type monomer obtained by addition (co) polymerization of norbornene type monomer, (2) Addition copolymer of norbornene type monomer and ethylene or α-olefins, (3) An addition copolymer of a norbornene-type monomer and a non-conjugated diene and, if necessary, another monomer, (4) a ring-opening (co) polymer of a norbornene-type monomer, and, if necessary, the (co) polymer A hydrogenated resin, (5) a ring-opening copolymer of a norbornene monomer and ethylene or α-olefins, and a resin in which the (co) polymer is hydrogenated, if necessary, (6) a norbornene monomer Ring-opening copolymers with non-conjugated dienes or other monomers, and norbornene-based polymers such as resins obtained by hydrogenating the (co) polymers as necessary, and other photocuring reactivity Acrylic resin and epoxy resin obtained by polymerizing monomers.

  Of these, norbornene-based polymers are particularly preferable. These norbornene-based polymers include, for example, ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP), combination of ROMP and hydrogenation reaction, polymerization by radical or cation, polymerization using a cationic palladium polymerization initiator, and other polymerization initiators ( For example, it can be obtained by any known polymerization method such as polymerization using a polymerization initiator of nickel or another transition metal).

  Cladding layers 5a and 5b are disposed on both surfaces of the core layer 6, respectively. The clad layers 5 a and 5 b constitute clad portions located at the lower and upper portions of the core layer 6, respectively, and are in contact with the core layer 6. With such a configuration, each of the core portions 61a to 61d functions as a light guide path whose outer periphery is surrounded by the clad portion.

  Since the clad layers 5a and 5b have substantially the same configuration, the clad layer 5a will be described below representatively.

  The thickness of the clad layer 5a is preferably about 0.05 to 1.5 times the thickness of the core layer 6 and more preferably about 0.1 to 1.25 times. Thereby, the function as a clad layer is suitably exhibited while preventing the optical waveguide 2 from being unnecessarily enlarged (thickened). The thickness of the clad layer 5a and the thickness of the clad layer 5b are the same in the illustrated configuration, but are not limited to this, and may be different.

  Moreover, as a constituent material of the clad layer 5a, for example, the same material as the constituent material of the core layer 6 described above can be used, but a norbornene-based polymer is particularly preferable.

  In the present embodiment, it is possible to select and use different materials appropriately between the constituent material of the core layer 6 and the constituent material of the clad layer 5a in consideration of the refractive index difference between them. is there. Therefore, in order to ensure total reflection of light at the boundary between the core layer 6 and the clad layer 5a, a material may be selected so that a sufficient difference in refractive index is generated. Thereby, a sufficient refractive index difference is obtained in the thickness direction of the optical waveguide 2, and light can be prevented from leaking from the core portions 61a to 61d to the cladding layers 5a and 5b. As a result, attenuation of light propagating through the core portions 61a to 61d can be suppressed.

  From the viewpoint of suppressing light attenuation, it is preferable that the adhesion between the core layer 6 and the cladding layer 5a is high. Therefore, the constituent material of the cladding layer 5a may be any material as long as the refractive index is lower than that of the constituent material of the core layer 6 and the adhesiveness to the constituent material of the core layer 6 is high. Good.

  For example, the norbornene-based polymer having a relatively low refractive index is preferably one containing a norbornene repeating unit having a substituent containing an epoxy structure at the terminal. Such a norbornene-based polymer has a particularly low refractive index and good adhesion.

  Further, the norbornene-based polymer preferably contains an alkylnorbornene repeating unit. Since the norbornene-based polymer containing the alkylnorbornene repeating unit has high flexibility, high flexibility (flexibility) can be imparted to the optical waveguide 2 by using such norbornene-based polymer.

  Examples of the alkyl group that the alkylnorbornene repeating unit has include a propyl group, a butyl group, a pentyl group, a hexyl group, a heptyl group, an octyl group, a nonyl group, and a decyl group, and a hexyl group is particularly preferable. These alkyl groups may be either linear or branched.

  By including the repeating unit of hexyl norbornene, it is possible to prevent the refractive index of the entire norbornene-based polymer from increasing. A norbornene-based polymer having a repeating unit of hexyl norbornene is preferable because it has excellent transmittance with respect to light in the wavelength region as described above (particularly in the wavelength region near 850 nm).

  The constituent materials of the clad layers 5a and 5b and the side clad portions 62a to 62e may be the same (same type) or different materials, but these preferably have approximate refractive indexes. .

  Such an optical waveguide 2 is slightly different depending on the optical characteristics of the materials of the core portions 61a to 61d and is not particularly limited. For example, the optical waveguide 2 is preferably used in data communication using light in a wavelength region of about 600 to 1550 nm. The

  A cover layer 4a in contact with the surface is formed on the lower surface of the cladding layer 5a, and a cover layer 4b in contact with the surface is formed on the upper surface of the cladding layer 5b. Since the configurations of the cover layers 4a and 4b are substantially the same, the cover layer 4a will be described below representatively.

  The cover layer 4a can be formed for various purposes. For example, the purpose of protecting the clad layer 5a such as flame retardancy, solvent resistance, scratch resistance, durability, etc., and assembly when the optical waveguide 2 is inserted into the housing 3 exhibiting low friction properties. The purpose (easy assembly) etc. which make it easy is mentioned.

  The constituent material suitable for such purposes is not particularly limited. For example, PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PES (polyethylene naphthalate), PEEK (polyetheretherketone), PEI (polyetherimide), PI (polyimide) ), PS (polystyrene), LCP (liquid crystal polymer), and the like. In addition, although the same constituent material of the cover layers 4a and 4b is easier to manufacture, different constituent materials may be used for functional reasons required for the cover layer.

  The cover layer 4a preferably has a relatively small thickness in consideration of the bendability of the optical waveguide 2, but the thickness is not particularly limited. The thickness of the cover layer 4a is smaller than the thickness of the cladding layer 5a in the illustrated configuration, but is not limited thereto, and may be the same as the thickness of the cladding layer 5a or larger than the thickness of the cladding layer 5a. May be. There is no particular relationship to be specified between the thickness of the cover layer 4a and the thickness of the cladding layer 5a. Further, the thickness of the cover layer 4a and the thickness of the cover layer 4b are the same in the illustrated configuration, but are not limited thereto, and may be different.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the housing 3 is a member into which the distal end portion of the optical waveguide 2 is inserted. The housing 3 includes a main body portion 31 and a lid portion 32. The housing 3 is assembled (ie, a hollow body) as a whole by assembling the main body 31 and the lid 32, that is, by attaching the lid 32 to the main body 31.

  The main body 31 includes a long bottom plate 311 and a pair of side walls 312 erected from both edges of the bottom plate 311. Thereby, the main-body part 31 makes the "U" shape in which the cross-sectional shape opened upwards.

  The lid portion 32 has a long plate shape. The width of the lid portion 32 is set to be approximately equal to or slightly smaller than the distance between the side walls 312 of the main body portion 31. By inserting (attaching) the lid portion 32 between the upper portions of the side walls 312, an insertion space (hollow portion) surrounded by the main body portion 31 and the lid portion 32 and into which the optical waveguide 2 is inserted is inserted. 35 is formed. Although the width of the insertion space 35 depends on the width of the optical waveguide 2 to be inserted, for example, 0.5 mm or more is preferable, and 2.5 to 5.0 mm is more preferable.

  In addition, an enlarged diameter portion (flange portion) 36 whose outer diameter is enlarged is formed at the proximal end portion of the housing 3.

  The constituent material of the main body portion 31 and the lid portion 32 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a resin material filled with an inorganic filler. Examples of the resin material include a thermosetting epoxy resin and PPS (polyphenylene). Sulfide) is used. Moreover, as an inorganic filler, granular silica, a glass filler, an alumina, white carbon, bentonite etc. are used, for example. Alternatively, for the reasons of use or assembly process, the housing 3 may be partially or wholly highly transparent, but in this case, it is transparent with a resin material filled with an inorganic filler. If it is a thing with high, such a material can be used suitably.

  When the connector 1 is connected to another connector 1, for example, a pin fitting method can be used. In addition to the fitting method using the pins, the connector 1 can be connected by using a “male connector” as the connector 1 and a “female connector” as the connector connected to the connector 1. . In particular, the pin-fitting method is more preferable because it has a high affinity with existing interfaces such as MT connectors.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the optical waveguide 2 is formed with a slit 21 that is a through hole penetrating in the thickness direction. The housing 3 has a rib (small piece (projection)) 37 into which the slit 21 is inserted. The slit 21 and the rib 37 are parts that function as positioning means for positioning the optical waveguide 2 with respect to the housing 3.

  The slit 21 extends along the direction of the central axis 22 (longitudinal direction) of the optical waveguide 2. Further, the slit 21 is open to the distal end surface (one end surface) 23 of the optical waveguide 2. In addition, the length (full length) L1 of the slit 21 is not specifically limited, For example, it is preferable that it is 0.1-10 mm, and it is more preferable that it is 0.5-2.0 mm. Further, the width W1 of the slit 21 is not particularly limited, and is preferably 50 to 1000 μm, and more preferably 60 to 200 μm, for example. By setting to such a numerical range, the slit 21 can be easily processed. For example, since the numerical range of the width W1 is the same as the width of a general dicing blade, the slit 21 can be formed by a single process using the dicing blade. In addition to dicing, the slit 21 can be easily formed by laser processing.

  Moreover, since the part which needs alignment in the optical waveguide 2 is the slit 21, if the slit 21 is processed with high precision, alignment can be performed correctly. Accordingly, the optical waveguide 2 requires less area than the conventional one, and is suitable for mass production of the connector 1 (optical waveguide 2).

  On the other hand, the rib 37 is formed to protrude from the bottom surface 313 (inner peripheral surface) of the insertion space 35 of the housing 3. Like the slit 21, the rib 37 extends (arranges) along the direction of the central axis 22 of the optical waveguide 2. In addition, the length (full length) L2 of the rib 37 is equivalent to the length L1 of the slit 21 in this embodiment. Further, the width W2 of the rib 37 is preferably equal to the width W1 of the slit 21, but if the positioning accuracy sufficient for use can be secured by fitting the rib 37 and the slit 21, the width W2 and the width There is no restriction on the relationship with W1. For example, the rib 37 may have a width that is changed (gradually decreased, gradually increased) in the height direction.

  Further, the height of the rib 37 is not particularly limited, but FIG. 1 shows a case where the height is equal to or slightly smaller than the height of the insertion space 35 (the thickness of the optical waveguide 2) as an example. When the height of the rib 37 is larger than the height of the insertion space 35 (thickness of the optical waveguide 2), it is preferable that a concave portion that can be fitted to the rib 37 is formed in the lid portion 32.

  Since the slit 21 and the rib 37 are formed in this way, when the optical waveguide 2 is inserted into the main body 31 of the housing 3, the optical waveguide 2 can be inserted from the proximal end side of the housing 3, It can also be inserted from above the housing 3. Thereby, according to the process which manufactures the connector 1, the insertion direction with respect to the housing 3 of the optical waveguide 2 can be selected suitably. Further, since the housing 3 is divided into the main body 31 and the lid 32, an appropriate stress is applied to the lid 32 when the optical waveguide 2 is inserted and then the lid 32 is inserted into the main body 31. By doing so, the play in the thickness direction of the optical waveguide 2 inside the insertion space 35 can be reduced as much as possible.

In addition, the slit 21 is located in the central portion of the optical waveguide 2 in the width direction, that is, the side clad portion 62c. Such an arrangement prevents the core portions 61 a to 61 d of the core layer 6 from being affected by the slit 21. As this influence, for example, when the slit 21 extends to (forms) any one of the core portions 61a to 61d, the function of transmitting light of the core portion is impaired. Therefore, the connector 1 can transmit light using all the core portions 61a to 61d.
On the other hand, the rib 37 is also located at the center in the width direction of the housing 3 (insertion space 35).

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, when the optical waveguide 2 and the housing 3 are assembled to manufacture the connector 1, the optical waveguide 2 is positioned with respect to the housing 3 by the slits 21 and the ribs 37 configured as described above. That is, the center axis 22 (width direction center) of the optical waveguide 2 and the center axis 33 (width direction center) of the housing 3 coincide (center). Thus, in the connector 1, the optical waveguide 2 and the housing 3 are positioned with high accuracy.

  By the way, when the optical waveguide 2 does not have the slit 21 and the housing 3 does not have the rib 37 as in the prior art, the width of the optical waveguide 2 has a dimensional accuracy (error) of ± 2 to 5 μm with respect to the width of the insertion space 35 of the housing 3. It was processed to be within. On the other hand, in the present invention, the requirement for the dimensional accuracy is virtually eliminated, and there is no functional problem even when processing is performed with a rough accuracy of, for example, about ± 100 to 500 μm. Thereby, when the optical waveguide 2 is cut, the cutting becomes easy, and thus the productivity of the connector 1 is improved. As a specific example, in the case of the conventional connector without the slit 21 or the rib 37, if the width of the insertion space of the optical waveguide of the housing is 3.000 mm, the optical waveguide is at least about 2.995 ± 0.005 mm. It was necessary to cut the width within the range. On the other hand, in the case of the present invention, the alignment between the optical waveguide 2 and the housing 3 can be achieved by the fitting of the slit 21 and the rib 37, so that the requirement for the dimensional accuracy of the optical waveguide 2 is relaxed or the fact. It ’s gone. For example, when the width of the insertion space 35 of the housing 3 is 3.000 mm, even if the dimensional accuracy of the width of the optical waveguide 2 is about 2.900 ± 0.100 mm or more, the optical waveguide 2 is not in the housing 3. Is inserted into the insertion space 35, and centering is performed by fitting the slit 21 and the rib 37 together.

  As described above, when the length L1 of the slit 21 and the length L2 of the rib 37 are the same, when the entire rib 37 is inserted into the slit 21, the tip of the optical waveguide 2 in the longitudinal direction is inserted. The surface 23 and the front end surface 34 of the housing 3 are at the same position, that is, the front end surface 23 of the optical waveguide 2 and the front end surface 34 of the housing 3 are reliably aligned (see FIG. 3). Thereby, when the connector 1 and the other connector 1 are connected, the front end surfaces 23 of these optical waveguides 2 reliably contact each other, so that the transmission of light between the connectors 1 is reliably performed.

  The rib 37 may have a function of absorbing light. In this case, for example, when light incident from the core portion 61b or the core portion 61c reaches the rib 37, the light is absorbed by the rib 37, and thus, irregular reflection (crosstalk (noise)) at the rib 37 is prevented or suppressed. can do. When the rib 37 absorbs light, the color of the rib 37 is, for example, black. When the rib 37 is black, it is preferable that the main body 31 and the lid 32 are also black.

  The rib 37 may be formed integrally with the main body 31 of the housing 3 or may be formed separately from the main body 31, and the separate body is connected and fixed to the main body 31. It may be a thing.

  In the case where the rib 37 is formed integrally with the main body 31, the method for forming the rib 37 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a mold forming method when the housing 3 is formed. When the rib 37 is formed by molding, the rib 37 with high dimensional accuracy can be easily formed, and the mass productivity of the housing 3 is excellent.

  When the rib 37 is configured separately from the main body 31, the rib 37 may be configured of the same material as the side cladding portion 62 c. Thereby, the defect | deletion by the side clad part 62c by the slit 21 is complemented by the rib 37, Therefore The rib 37 can exhibit the function equivalent to the side clad part 62c.

  Moreover, it does not specifically limit as a formation method of the slit 21, For example, the method by laser processing, the method by dicing, etc. are mentioned.

Second Embodiment
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a second embodiment of the connector of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the second embodiment of the connector of the present invention will be described with reference to this figure. However, the description will focus on differences from the above-described embodiment, and description of similar matters will be omitted.
This embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except that the width of the optical waveguide is different.

  In the connector 1 </ b> A shown in FIG. 4, the width of the optical waveguide 2 </ b> A is set smaller than the width of the insertion space 35 of the housing 3. As a result, when the optical waveguide 2A is inserted into the insertion space 35 of the housing 3, a gap 351 is formed between each side surface 24 of the optical waveguide 2A and the side wall 312 of the housing 3, so that the insertion operation (assembly operation) is performed. Can be easily performed. Further, in the case of the present embodiment, there is no special requirement for the outer shape processing accuracy of the optical waveguide 2A, and this point greatly contributes to the mass productivity of the connector 1A.

<Third Embodiment>
FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a third embodiment of the connector of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the third embodiment of the connector of the present invention will be described with reference to this figure, but the description will focus on differences from the above-described embodiment, and the description of the same matters will be omitted.
This embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except that the lengths of the ribs are different.

  In the connector 1 </ b> B shown in FIG. 5, the length L <b> 2 of the rib 37 </ b> B of the housing 3 </ b> B is shorter than the length L <b> 1 of the slit 21. In this case, when the optical waveguide 2 is inserted into the housing 3B and assembled, a part of the optical waveguide 2 (part indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 5) protrudes from the distal end surface 34 of the housing 3B. This protrusion 25 becomes a cutting allowance (length adjustment allowance) and can be cut (polished) to the same position as the front end surface 34 of the housing 3B. Thereby, the front end surface 23 in a state before cutting is retracted to the front end surface 23 ′ after cutting, and thus the front end surface 23 ′ of the optical waveguide 2 and the front end surface 34 of the housing 3B are more reliably aligned (see FIG. 5).

<Fourth embodiment>
FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a fourth embodiment of the connector of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, the fourth embodiment of the connector of the present invention will be described with reference to this figure. However, the description will focus on differences from the above-described embodiment, and the description of the same matters will be omitted.

  The present embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except that the shape of the protrusions formed to protrude from the housing is different.

  In the connector 1 </ b> C shown in FIG. 6, two pin members 38 a and 38 b are arranged on the bottom surface 313 of the housing 3 </ b> C so as to be separated from each other along the longitudinal direction of the optical waveguide 2. The center-to-center distance (separation distance) between the pin member 38a and the pin member 38b is such that when the optical waveguide 2 and the housing 3C are assembled, the outer diameters of the pin members 38a and 38b are such that the tip surfaces 23 and 34 are aligned. Considering the shape, it is set slightly smaller than the length L1 of the slit 21.

  Each of the pin members 38a and 38b has a cylindrical shape, and has an outer diameter equal to the width W1 of the slit 21 and a height equal to the height of the insertion space 35 (the thickness of the optical waveguide 2). It is slightly smaller than that. FIG. 6 illustrates the case where the pin members 38a and 38b are each cylindrical, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the pin members 38a and 38b are each formed in a polygonal column shape, or the corners thereof are rounded. Various forms such as a tinged shape can be taken.

When manufacturing the connector 1C by assembling the optical waveguide 2 and the housing 3C with the pin members 38a and 38b having the above-described configuration, the pin members 38a and 38b are inserted into the slits 21 of the optical waveguide 2 so that the optical waveguide 2 And the housing 3C are centered. Thereby, the connector 1C has the optical waveguide 2 positioned with high accuracy with respect to the housing 3C.
The number of pin members installed is not limited to two, and may be three or more, for example.

<Fifth Embodiment>
FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a fifth embodiment of the connector of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, the fifth embodiment of the connector of the present invention will be described with reference to this figure. However, the description will focus on differences from the above-described embodiment, and the description of the same matters will be omitted.

  The present embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except that the projection is omitted from the housing and that an alignment jig is used when inserting the optical waveguide into the housing.

  In the connector 1D shown in FIG. 7, the housing 3D has a rib 37 that is not included in the housing 3 of the first embodiment. Further, a through hole (housing side through hole) through which a pin member 72a, 72b of a positioning jig 7D (described later) penetrates (fits) in a position corresponding to the omitted rib 37 in the bottom plate 311 of the housing 3D. ) 39a and 39b are formed.

  In the connector 1D, a positioning jig 7D is used when the optical waveguide 2 is inserted into the housing 3D. The positioning jig 7D includes a substrate 71 and two pin members (projections) 72a and 72b supported on the substrate 71. The pin member 72 a and the pin member 72 b are arranged apart from each other along the longitudinal direction of the optical waveguide 2. Then, the pin member 72a is fitted into the through hole 39a of the housing 3D, and the pin member 72b is fitted into the through hole 39b of the housing 3D, whereby the positioning jig 7D is attached to the housing 3D. Hereinafter, this state is referred to as “wearing state”.

  Each of the pin members 72a and 72b has a cylindrical shape, and the outer diameter thereof is equal to the width W1 of the slit 21. Further, in the mounted state, each of the pin members 72a and 72b (the upper end portion) protrudes from the bottom surface 313 of the housing 3D. This protrusion amount is equal to or slightly smaller than the height of the insertion space 35 (the thickness of the optical waveguide 2). The protruding portions of the pin members 72 a and 72 b are inserted into the slits 21 of the optical waveguide 2. Thereby, the optical waveguide 2 and the housing 3D are centered. Thereby, the connector 1D has the optical waveguide 2 positioned with high accuracy with respect to the housing 3D.

  Further, after fixing the positioned optical waveguide 2 and the housing 3D with an adhesive, the positioning jig 7D is pulled (removed) from the housing 3D by pulling the positioning jig 7D downward. This positioning jig 7D can be reused when a new connector 1D is manufactured. Note that the positioning jig 7D can be easily detached from the connector 1D by applying appropriate pretreatment such as mold release treatment to the pin members 72a and 72b in advance.

  The constituent material of the positioning jig 7D is not particularly limited, and various metal materials such as stainless steel can be used.

Moreover, it is preferable that the upper end surface 721 of each pin member 72a, 72b is respectively rounded. Thereby, the operation (mounting operation) of inserting the pin members 72a and 72b into the through holes 39a and 39b of the housing 3D can be easily performed.
Further, the number of pin members installed is not limited to two, and may be three or more, for example.

<Sixth Embodiment>
FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing a sixth embodiment of the connector of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, the sixth embodiment of the connector of the present invention will be described with reference to this drawing. However, the difference from the above-described embodiment will be mainly described, and the description of the same matters will be omitted.

  The present embodiment is the same as the fifth embodiment except that the shape of the protrusions formed on the substrate of the positioning jig is different.

  In the connector 1E shown in FIG. 8, ribs (small pieces) 73 that form plate pieces protrude from the substrate 71 of the positioning jig 7E. The rib 73 is disposed along the longitudinal direction of the optical waveguide 2. The upper end surface 731 of the rib 73 is preferably rounded. Thereby, the operation (mounting operation) of inserting the rib 73 into a through hole 39c of the housing 3E described later can be easily performed.

  On the other hand, the housing 3E is formed with a through hole 39c into which the rib 73 of the positioning jig 7E is inserted and fitted in the mounted state. The through hole 39c is located in the middle of the housing 3E in the longitudinal direction.

  When manufacturing the connector 1E by assembling the optical waveguide 2 and the housing 3E by the rib 73 having the above-described configuration, the rib 73 is inserted into the slit 21 of the optical waveguide 2 so that the optical waveguide 2 and the housing 3E are centered. Is done. Thereby, the connector 1E has the optical waveguide 2 positioned with high accuracy with respect to the housing 3E.

<Seventh embodiment>
FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing a seventh embodiment of a connector as a reference example .

Hereinafter, the seventh embodiment of the connector will be described with reference to this drawing. However, the description will focus on differences from the above-described embodiment, and the description of the same matters will be omitted.

  The present embodiment is the same as the fifth embodiment except that the shape of the through hole formed in the optical waveguide is different.

  In the connector 1F shown in FIG. 9, two through holes 21a and 21b are formed in the optical waveguide 2F. In the mounted state, the pin member 72a of the positioning jig 7D is inserted and fitted into the through hole 21a, and the pin member 72b is inserted and fitted into the through hole 21b. As a result, the optical waveguide 2F and the housing 3D are centered, and thus the manufactured connector 1F has the optical waveguide 2F positioned with high accuracy with respect to the housing 3D.

  As mentioned above, although the connector of this invention was demonstrated about embodiment of illustration, this invention is not limited to this, Each part which comprises a connector is substituted with the thing of arbitrary structures which can exhibit the same function. can do. Moreover, arbitrary components may be added.

  In addition, the connector of the present invention may be a combination of any two or more configurations (features) of the above embodiments.

  Moreover, a core layer is not limited to what has a several core part, For example, you may have one core part.

  In the first to third embodiments, the rib formed on the housing may have a function of absorbing light as described above, and on the contrary, the light is diffused. It may have the function to do.

1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F Connector 2, 2A, 2F Optical waveguide 21 Slit 21a, 21b Through hole 22 Central axis 23 Front end surface (one end surface)
24 Side 25 Protruding part 3, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E Housing (ferrule)
31 Main body 311 Bottom plate 312 Side wall 313 Bottom (inner surface)
32 Lid 33 Central axis 34 Tip surface 35 Insertion space (hollow part)
351 Gap 36 Expanded part (flange)
37, 37B Rib (small piece (projection))
38a, 38b Pin member 39a, 39b, 39c Through hole (housing side through hole)
4a Cover layer (first cover layer)
4b Cover layer (second cover layer)
5a Cladding layer (first cladding layer (cladding part))
5b Clad layer (second clad layer (clad part))
6 Core layer 61a, 61b, 61c, 61d Core part 62a, 62b, 62c, 62d, 62e Side clad part (cladding part)
7D, 7E Positioning jig 71 Substrate 72a, 72b Pin member (projection)
721 Upper end surface 73 Rib (small piece)
731 Upper end surface L1, L2 Length (full length)
W1, W2 width

Claims (17)

An optical waveguide having at least one core portion and a clad portion provided so as to surround the outer periphery of the core portion; and a housing configured by a hollow body into which the distal end portion of the optical waveguide is inserted. A connector comprising positioning means for positioning the optical waveguide with respect to the housing,
The housing includes a main body composed of a long bottom plate and a pair of side walls erected from the bottom plate, and a lid that is mounted on the main body and defines the hollow portion between the main body. And
The positioning means is formed in the optical waveguide, penetrates in the thickness direction thereof , opens to the distal end surface of the optical waveguide, and extends through the longitudinal direction of the optical waveguide to the middle thereof ,
Projecting on the bottom plate, and composed of a projection inserted into the through hole ,
When assembling the connector by inserting the distal end portion of the optical waveguide into the housing, the optical waveguide is inserted into the main body portion from the base end side with the lid portion not yet attached. A first insertion for inserting and inserting the protrusion into the through hole; and inserting the optical waveguide from the opposite side of the protruding direction of the protrusion with respect to the main body portion. A connector that is configured to be able to select one of a second insertion and a second insertion . The connector according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion is formed integrally with the main body. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion is configured separately from the main body, and the separate is fixed to the main body. The through hole is located in the cladding part,
The connector according to claim 3, wherein the protrusion is made of the same material as that of the clad part, and complements a defect in the clad part due to the through-hole to exert a function as the clad part. An optical waveguide having at least one core portion and a clad portion provided so as to surround the outer periphery of the core portion; and a housing configured by a hollow body into which the distal end portion of the optical waveguide is inserted. When the optical waveguide is inserted into the housing, the connector is mounted on the housing and uses a positioning jig for positioning the optical waveguide with respect to the housing in the mounted state ,
The housing includes a main body composed of a long bottom plate and a pair of side walls erected from the bottom plate, and a lid that is mounted on the main body and defines the hollow portion between the main body. And
The optical waveguide is formed with at least one through hole that penetrates in the thickness direction, opens at the front end surface of the optical waveguide, and extends partway along the longitudinal direction of the optical waveguide ,
The positioning jig protrudes from said bottom plate in the mounted state, have a projection to be inserted into the through hole,
When assembling the connector by inserting the distal end portion of the optical waveguide into the housing, the optical waveguide is inserted into the main body portion from the base end side with the lid portion not yet attached. A first insertion for inserting and inserting the protrusion into the through hole; and inserting the optical waveguide from the opposite side of the protruding direction of the protrusion with respect to the main body portion. A connector that is configured to be able to select one of a second insertion and a second insertion . The connector according to claim 5 , wherein the positioning jig is detachably attached to the housing and is detached after the connector is assembled . The connector according to claim 5 or 6 , wherein the housing is formed with a housing side through-hole through which the protruding portion passes. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , wherein the through hole is located at a central portion in a width direction of the optical waveguide. The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the through hole is located in the clad portion. The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the optical waveguide has a width smaller than that of the hollow portion. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 10 , wherein the protrusion is configured by a small piece disposed along a longitudinal direction of the optical waveguide. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 10 , wherein the protrusion is composed of a plurality of pin members that are spaced apart along the longitudinal direction of the optical waveguide. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 12 , wherein a total length of the protrusion in the longitudinal direction of the optical waveguide is equal to or shorter than a total length of the through hole. The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the protrusion has a function of absorbing light. The tip end portion of the optical waveguide is pressed against the bottom plate by the lid portion, and the pressing limit is made when the protrusion comes into contact with the lid portion. connector. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion is in contact with a portion of the inner surface that defines the through hole of the optical waveguide that is located on the most proximal side. The length of the protrusion along the longitudinal direction of the optical waveguide is shorter than the length of the through hole along the longitudinal direction of the optical waveguide,
In a state where the protrusion is in contact with the most proximal end portion of the inner surface defining the through hole of the optical waveguide, a part of the distal end portion of the optical waveguide is less than the distal end surface of the housing. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the protruding portion is a cutting allowance to be cut off.

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