JP4413885B2 - Optical module - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical module, and more particularly to an optical module having a structure in which an optical fiber is connected from the outside via a connector.

  In the trend of increasing demand for access Ethernet (registered trademark) and the like, optical modules such as transceivers used in subscriber terminal devices and center station terminal devices are required to be downsized.

  As an optical module, for example, the following Non-Patent Document 1 describes a structure in which a multicore MT (Mechanically Transferable) connector is connected to a module body on which an LSI, a laser diode, and the like are mounted. For the connection between the MT connector and the optical module, for example, a fixture as shown in FIG. 10 is used in order to prevent dropping.

  The fixture includes a hinge 103 attached to an upper portion of an end face to which the MT connector 102 is connected in the module main body 101, and a clip 104 having one end rotatably attached to the hinge 103. At the other end of the clip 104, a system stop piece 104a having an S-shaped cross section that is bent downward and stops at the end of the MT connector 102 is formed. In addition, an opening 104b through which the optical fiber 105 drawn from the end face of the MT connector 102 is passed is formed at the center of the system stop piece 104a.

The MT connector 102 is connected to the module main body 101 with the clip 104 lifted upward with the hinge 103 as an axis. When the MT connector 102 is fixed by the clip 104, the MT connector 102 is turned inward of the clip 104 by rotating the clip 104 downward to stop the system stop piece 104a at the end of the MT connector 102. The module body 101 is pressed and fixed by the urging force.
2000 IEICE Communication Society B-10-144

  By the way, as the optical module and the optical connector are miniaturized, it becomes difficult to rotatably attach one end of the clip 104 to the module main body 101. Moreover, since the system stop piece 104a is inevitably exposed to the outside of the MT connector 102 in order to apply an inward biasing force in the clip 104 having the above structure, the system stop piece 104a is likely to come into contact with the outside. It becomes easy to come off. Further, the urging force of the clip 014 is a direction in which the clip 014 itself contracts, and it becomes difficult to apply a force by which the system stop piece 104a presses the MT connector 102 toward the module body 101 as the MT connector 102 is downsized.

  The objective of this invention is providing the optical module which has the fixing | fixed part of the connector which cannot be removed easily.

A first aspect of the present invention for solving the above-described problems includes a module main body having an optical coupling portion at one end, and a connector storage space arranged outside the module main body and adjacent to the optical coupling portion. And a plurality of fiber through holes that are stored in the connector storage space and arranged in a row or a plurality of rows at a predetermined interval, and are optically coupled to the optical coupling portion in the fiber through holes A rectangular parallelepiped connector into which a fiber is inserted, and two positions near both sides of the module main body through the connector storage space, and on the side of the connector storage space. a first connector movement restricting portion through the arm of the two to be linked to the module body, 3 in the connector insertion direction parallel to the four outer surfaces of said connector A connector holder that is detachably mounted in the connector storage space in a state in which the connector is detachably held in the connector storage space so that the connector is in close contact with the connector storage space. Two second connector movement restricting portions that are opposed to each other by providing a space at a position facing each of the two first connector movement restricting portions, and holding the connector connected to the module body inside A connector holder slidably mounted along the inner wall of the arm constituting the outer frame of the connector storage space, and the connector holder slidable within the connector storage space The two spaces formed between the first connector movement restricting portion and the second connector movement restricting portion when mounted on Two and a leaf spring member fitted detachably biases to widen the spring mounting space, it connects the two leaf spring body, the connector when mounting the plate spring member in the space A plate-shaped bridging portion that covers a surface not covered with the connector holder, and the connector holder is moved toward the module body by the urging force of the two leaf spring bodies fitted in the space. An detachable spring member that presses and slides to urge the connector mounted inside the connector holder to press the module body.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the optical module according to the first aspect, the connector is connected to the module body via a guide pin .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the optical module according to the first aspect or the second aspect, the optical coupling portion in the module body is any one of an optical fiber, an optical waveguide, and a lens. To do.

  According to the present invention, the connector storage space for storing the connector is disposed adjacent to one end of the module main body, and the first connector is located closer to the side facing the one end of the module main body via the connector storage space. While forming the movement restricting portion, a second connector movement restricting portion facing the first connector movement restricting portion in the connector housing space is formed on the connector side, and further, the first and second in the connector housing space are formed. The connector movement restricting portion is configured to energize the first and second connector movement restricting portions in a direction in which the spring body is put in a space facing each other and the space is widened.

  As a result, the first and second connector movement restricting portions are biased in the direction of spreading by the spring body, so that a force for pressing the connector into the module body is applied. In this case, it is not necessary to project the spring body outward, and it is possible to make it difficult for the spring body to come off due to contact with the outside. In addition, the spring body is an urging force in the direction of expanding the space between the first and second connector movement restricting portions, and can sufficiently apply a force that presses the connector against the module body.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
1 and 2 are cross-sectional views showing the structure of the optical module according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 3 and 4 show the connection between the module main body and the connector in the optical module according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

  The optical module 1 shown in FIGS. 1A and 3A includes a module main body 11 and a connector housing frame 12 that is formed so as to protrude from the first end portion thereof. The module body 11 includes a substrate 4 to which the optical element 2, the LSI 3, and the like are attached, a plurality of solder balls 5 that are attached to the lower surface of the substrate 4 and electrically connected to the outside, and a middle frame that is attached to the substrate 4. 6 and a package 7 having a shape into which the inner frame 6 is fitted.

  A plurality of fiber through holes 8a into which the first optical fibers 9 are inserted are arranged in a row or a plurality of rows at predetermined intervals at a first end portion of the module main body 11 to which an MT connector 20 described later is connected. The provided ferrule 8 is formed.

  One end of the first optical fiber 9 is disposed at a position where it is optically coupled to the MT connector 20, and the other end on the opposite side is disposed in a state of being optically coupled to the optical element 2 on the substrate 4.

  The first optical fiber 9 and the optical element 2 may be optically coupled via a lens (not shown) or may be abutted against each other and optically coupled. Further, instead of the first optical fiber 9, another optical coupling component such as an optical waveguide or a lens may be attached. The optical element 2 is, for example, a semiconductor laser, and may be a surface emitting type or an edge emitting type.

  A guide pin 10 is inserted into a region closer to both sides of the end of the ferrule 8 to which the MT connector 20 is connected, with one end protruding.

The connector storage frame 12 has a shape surrounding the outer periphery of the connector storage space 13 adjacent to the first end of the middle frame 6. That is, the connector storage frame 12 is inwardly facing from the arm portions 12a and 12b sandwiching the connector storage space 13 from both sides and from the arm portions 12a and 12b on both sides of the connector storage space 13 on the opposite side to the module body 11. The first connector movement restricting portions 12c and 12d projecting from the first connector movement restricting portions 12c and 12d are provided between the first connector movement restricting portions 12c and 12d. An insertion port 12e is provided.
As shown in FIG. 3B, the width of the connector insertion opening 12e is wider than that of the MT connector 20 and is substantially the same as the width of the body of the connector holder 30 described later.

  As shown in FIGS. 1B and 3B, the MT connector 20 has a plurality of fiber through holes 20f arranged in one or a plurality of rows at predetermined intervals inside the MT connector 20 so as to penetrate the fiber. A second optical fiber 21 is inserted into the hole 20f. The second optical fiber 21 extends outward from the end of the MT connector 20 opposite to the portion connected to the ferrule 8.

  The MT connector 20 has a guide pin insertion hole 20 a into which the guide pin 10 protruding from the ferrule 8 is inserted. The guide pin insertion hole 20a may have a shape that penetrates the MT connector 20 as shown in FIG. 3B, or may have a shape that enters partway into the connector.

  When connecting the MT connector 20 and the ferrule 8, the MT connector 20 is inserted into the connector housing space 13 through the connector insertion opening 12 e of the connector housing frame 12, and the guide pin 10 protruding from the ferrule 8 is inserted into the guide pin 10 of the MT connector 20. When the MT connector 20 is pushed in with the insertion hole 20a aligned, the tip of the second optical fiber 21 in the MT connector 20 is aligned with the optical fiber 9 in the ferrule 8 as shown in FIGS. 1 (b) and 3 (c). It will be in the state where it was faced to the tip.

  In this state, the guide pin insertion hole 20a of the MT connector 20 can be easily removed from the guide pin 10 with a slight pulling force. Therefore, the connector holder 30 shown in FIGS. 2 (a), 4 (a) and 5 These are fixed using the spring member 40 shown in FIGS. 2 (b) and 4 (a).

  As shown in FIG. 5, the connector holder 30 includes a body 31 that is narrower than the connector storage space 13, a concave connector insertion portion 32 that is formed in the body 31 and fits the MT connector 20, and a connector fitting. The MT connector includes a wall 33 that surrounds the outer periphery of the insertion portion 32, a connector end surface exposure port 34 that exposes a connection end of the MT connector 20 to the ferrule 8, and a wall 33 that is opposite to the connector end surface exposure port 34. The optical fiber insertion port 35 has a width narrower than 20 and wider than the second optical fiber 21, and second connector movement restricting portions 36 and 37 projecting from the body 31 to both sides.

  Regarding the length of the connector fitting portion 32, the MT connector 20 is connected to the ferrule 8 and the connector holder 30 is attached to the MT connector 20. It is a grade which a clearance gap produces in.

  The connector holder 30 is attached to the MT connector 20 from above or below with the MT connector 20 connected to the ferrule 8 as shown in FIGS. In this case, a space is formed between the second connector movement restricting portions 35 and 36 of the connector holder 30 and the first connector movement restricting portions 12 c and 12 d of the connector storage frame 12 on both sides of the connector holder 30. The

  As shown in the upper side of FIG. 4A, the spring member 40 is located between the first and second connector movement restricting portions 12c, 12d, 35, and 36 on both sides of the connector holder 30 in the connector housing frame 12. It has two spring bodies 41 and 42 inserted into the space, and a bridge portion 43 that connects the end portions of the spring bodies 41 and 42, and these are elastic plates made of phosphor bronze, stainless steel, nickel titanium, or the like. It is formed by molding. The bridging portion 43 is formed in a flat plate shape that overlaps the MT connector 20 and the upper surface of the module main body 11.

    The spring bodies 41 and 42 include first end portions 41 a and 42 a placed on the first connector movement restriction portions 12 c and 12 d of the connector housing frame 12, and a second connector movement restriction portion 35 of the connector holder 30. , 36, and second end portions 41b, 42b mounted on the first end portions 41a, 42a and biasing portions 41c, 42c formed in a substantially W shape between the first end portions 41a, 42a and the second end portions 41b, 42b, It is composed of The urging portions 41c and 42c are longer than the space formed between the first connector movement restricting portions 12c and 12d and the second connector movement restricting portions 35 and 36 in a state where no stress is applied.

  When the two urging portions 41c, 42c of the spring member 40 are inserted into the spaces between the first and second connector movement restricting portions 12c, 12d, 35, 36 on both sides, respectively, FIG. As shown in b), the spring bodies 41, 42 are contracted by receiving drag from the first and second connector movement restricting portions 12c, 12d, 35, 36 adjacent to both ends thereof. The first and second connector movement restricting portions 12c, 12d, 35, and 36 are urged in a direction that widens the distance between the two connector movement restricting portions 12c, 12d, 35, and 36.

  As a result, the connector holding portion 30 is pressed against the module body 11, and as a result, a force is applied in a direction in which the MT connector 20 is pressed against the ferrule 8, and the MT connector 20 is fixed.

  The spring member 40 is formed by integrating the two spring bodies 41 and 42 by the bridging portion 43, but the two spring bodies 41 and 42 may be separated without providing the bridging portion 43. .

According to the optical module 1 as described above, the outward biasing force of the spring bodies 41 and 42 on both sides of the MT connector 20 connected to the ferrule 8 in the connector storage space 13 surrounded by the connector storage frame 12. Since the MT connector 20 is pressed against the ferrule 8 via the connector holder 30, it is not necessary to expose the spring bodies 41 and 42 to the outside, and the spring bodies 41 and 42 are prevented from coming off due to contact with the outside. It can be prevented in advance. Further, since the spring bodies 41 and 42 are simply fitted into the spaces on both sides of the MT connector 20, the attachment is easy.
(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a connector for an optical module according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 7 and 8 are perspective views showing the optical module according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 6 to 8, the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1 to 5 denote the same elements.

  The MT connector 50 shown in FIG. 6 has second connector movement restricting portions 52 and 53 protruding on both sides. The MT connector 50 is connected to a ferrule 8 provided on the module main body 11 as shown in FIG. The MT connector 50 has the same structure as that of the MT connector 20 of the first embodiment except for the external shape, and a guide pin into which the second optical fiber 51 is inserted and the guide pin 10 is further fitted. It has a fitting hole 50a.

  As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the connector housing frame 12 surrounding the connector housing space 13 for housing the MT connector 50 is provided at the first end of the package body 11 as in the first embodiment. Is formed. The connector storage frame 12 includes arms 12a and 12b that sandwich the MT connector 50 body with a gap on both sides, and first connector movement restriction portions 12c and 12d that protrude inward from the ends of the arms 12a and 12b. Have.

  A connector insertion port 12e is provided between the first connector movement restricting portions 12c and 12d so as to sandwich the end portion of the MT connector 50 on the side from which the second optical fiber is drawn. The connector insertion opening 12e has a width that allows the body of the MT connector 50 to be inserted and is narrower than the second connector movement restricting portions 52 and 53 of the MT connector 50. It has a structure that does not come off.

In the connector storage space 13 in the connector storage frame 12, the length L ₁ between the guide pin 10 protruding from the ferrule 8 and the first connector movement restricting portions 12 c and 12 d of the connector storage frame 12 is the first of the MT connector 50. 2 is longer than the length L ₀ of the connector movement restricting portions 52, 53.

  When connecting the MT connector 50 to the ferrule 8 of the module main body 11, as shown in FIG. 7B, the MT connector 50 is inserted into the connector storage space 13 and the connector insertion port 12e from above or below. In this case, care is taken not to hit the guide pin 10 protruding from the ferrule 8.

  After that, when the MT connector 50 is moved toward the ferrule 8 and the guide pin fitting hole 50a is further pushed in along with the guide pin 10, the MT connector 50 and the ferrule 8 are connected as shown in FIG. As a result, the second optical fiber 51 in the MT connector 50 and the first optical fiber 9 in the ferrule 8 are brought into contact with each other.

  As a result, a space is formed between the second connector movement restricting portions 52 and 53 on both sides of the MT connector 50 and the first connector movement restricting portions 12c and 12d of the connector housing frame 12, so that the first embodiment is performed. Similarly to the form, the spring members 41 and 42 are fitted into the spaces using the spring member 40.

  As a result, the first and second connector movement restricting portions 12c, 12d, 52, 53 are urged in the direction of spreading by the spring bodies 41, 42, so that a force that presses the ferrule 8 is applied to the MT connector 50. It is done. Further, the amount of protrusion of the spring member 40 to the outside is about the thickness of the spring member 40, and it is difficult for the spring member 40 to come off due to contact with the outside.

7 and 8, the second connector movement restricting portions 52 and 53 are formed directly on the MT connector 50. However, the MT connector 20 and the connector holder 30 as shown in the first embodiment are used. The second connector movement restricting portion may be formed on the side portion of the connector holder 30 by using it.
(Other embodiments)
By the way, in the above-described embodiment, the structure in which the space to which the spring bodies 41 and 42 are attached is secured on both sides of the MT connectors 20 and 50, but the structure in which the space is arranged only on one side may be employed. In the above embodiment, the urging force for expanding the space between the first and second connector movement restricting portions is applied by the spring bodies 41 and 42 which are leaf springs. However, the shape of the leaf spring is substantially W. A shape other than a letter shape, for example, a U-shape or a C-shape may be used, or a coil spring or other elastic body may be used.

  In the above embodiment, a multi-core fiber is used. However, the configuration of the present invention is not limited to this, and a single-core fiber may be used. Further, the shape of the ferrule is not limited to the substantially square shape integrated with the frame body as described above. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, a cylindrical ferrule 62 into which the first optical fiber 61 is inserted is provided. A cylindrical ferrule 65 into which the second optical fiber 64 is inserted is attached to the frame body 6 and the connector 63 is also attached. Further, the ferrules 61 and 65 are attached to a C-shaped sleeve 67 having a split 66 in the axial direction. May be fixed by abutting each other.

  The connector-side ferrule 62 is attached to a connector fitting portion of a connector holder as shown in FIG. The shape of the connector fitting portion is matched with the ferrule 62.

  Further, in the connector storage space 13, a sufficient space for receiving the spring body can be secured between the end of the connector on the side where the optical fiber extends to the outside and the first connector movement restricting portions 12c and 12d of the connector storage frame 12. If the structure can be adopted, the end face of the connector on the side where the optical fiber extends to the outside may function as the second connector movement restricting portion. In that case, it is not necessary to provide the connector movement restricting portions 35, 36, 52, and 53 that protrude to the side of the connector as shown in FIGS. 4 (b) and 7 (b).

  By the way, in said embodiment, although the structure which connects an optical connector to an optical module main body was demonstrated, you may employ | adopt the above fixing structures for the adapter for connecting optical connectors.

  For example, it has a shape similar to that of the module main body 1 to which the connector housing frame 12 as shown in FIG. 1 is attached, and further has a recess for fitting the second optical connector in place of the ferrule 8 described above. Make an adapter.

  Then, by fitting the second optical connector into the recess, optical connection between the second connector and the MT connector 20 becomes possible. Also in this case, as in the above-described embodiment, a spring body is fitted between the first connector movement restricting portion provided on the connector housing frame side and the second connector movement restricting portion provided on the MT connector 20 side. Then, a force directed to the second optical connector is applied to the MT connector 20, and the second connector and the MT connector 20 are fixed in the adapter.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view (No. 1) showing an optical module according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a sectional view (No. 2) showing the optical module according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view (No. 1) showing the optical module according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view (No. 2) showing the optical module according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a connector holder used in the optical module according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an optical module connector according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7: is a perspective view (the 1) which shows the optical module which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 8: is a perspective view (the 2) which shows the optical module which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an optical coupling part of an optical module according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an optical module according to the prior art.

Explanation of symbols

1: Optical module 2: Optical component 3: LSI
4: Board 5: Solder ball 6: Middle frame 7: Package 8: Ferrule 9: Optical fiber 10: Guide pin 11: Module main body 12: Connector housing frame 12a, 12b: Arm 12c, 12d: First connector movement restricting portion 13: Connector storage space 20, 50: MT connector 21, 51: Optical fiber 30: Connector holder 35, 36, 52, 53: Second connector movement restricting portion 40: Spring member 41, 42: Spring body 43: Bridge Tangle 61: Ferrule 63: Connector 66: Sleeve

Claims (3)

A module body having an optical coupling portion at one end;
A connector storage space disposed outside the module body and adjacent to the optical coupling portion;
An optical fiber that is housed in the connector housing space and has a plurality of fiber through holes arranged in one or a plurality of rows at a predetermined interval, and is optically coupled to the optical coupling portion in the fiber through hole. A rectangular parallelepiped connector inserted,
Two parts that are disposed near two sides of the module main body through the connector storage space and that are connected to the module main body via an arm at the side of the connector storage space. A first connector movement restricting portion;
A connector detachably mounted in the connector storage space in a state in which the connector is detachably held inside so as to be in close contact with three of the four outer surfaces parallel to the connector insertion direction of the connector. Two second connector movement restricting portions which are holding tools and which are opposed to each other by providing a space at a position facing each of the two first connector movement restricting portions when mounted in the connector storage space. A connector mounted in the connector storage space so as to be slidable along an inner wall of the arm constituting the outer frame of the connector storage space in a state where the connector connected to the module main body is held inside Holding tool,
When the connector holder is slidably mounted in the connector housing space, it is attached to and detached from the two spaces formed between the first connector movement restricting portion and the second connector movement restricting portion. Two leaf spring bodies that are freely fitted and urged in the direction of expanding the space, and the two leaf spring bodies are connected, and when the leaf spring body is mounted in the space , the connector of the connector A flat bridge portion covering the surface not covered with the holder, and the connector holder is slid in the module body direction by the urging force of the two leaf spring bodies fitted in the space. A detachable spring member that urges the connector mounted inside the connector holder to press against the module body;
An optical module comprising:   The optical module according to claim 1, wherein the connector is connected to the module body via a guide pin. The optical module according to claim 1, wherein the optical coupling portion in the module body is one of an optical fiber, an optical waveguide, and a lens.

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