JP2010033088A - Photoelectric conversion element - Google Patents

Abstract

There has been a demand for development of a technique capable of realizing, in a space-saving manner, fixing of an optical connector assembled at the tip of an optical fiber to an optical element mounted on a circuit board.
The optical connector is held by simply pushing the optical connector assembled at the tip of the optical fiber into the connector holder on the circuit board on which the optical element is mounted from the direction orthogonal to the circuit board. Therefore, it is possible to provide the photoelectric conversion element 10 that can realize the mounting of the optical connector 14 on the circuit board 11 and the connection with the optical element 16 in a space-saving manner.
[Selection] Figure 4

Description

  In the present invention, an optical connector provided at the tip of an optical fiber is positioned at a position where it can be optically connected to the optical element on a substrate such as a circuit board on which an optical element as a light emitting element and / or a light receiving element is mounted It is related with the photoelectric conversion element which can be mounted.

Currently, optical transceivers used in optical LAN (LAN) systems, etc., align the optical axis of a light emitting element such as a semiconductor laser or a light receiving element such as a photodiode along the surface direction (extending direction) of the circuit board, A system is generally used in which an optical connector is attached to an end portion of a circuit board or lead frame on which these optical elements are mounted and connected to an external optical fiber. As the ferrule of the optical connector used here, a well-known single-core (for example, MU type, SC type) optical ferrule or a multi-core (for example, MT type, MINI-MT type) optical ferrule is used. The optical transceiver used is already standardized.
By the way, as the demand for photoelectric composite circuits and opto-electric hybrid boards has increased recently, optical transceivers with connection methods that use the board direction as the optical axis have various restrictions on the mounting positions of optical connectors. The degree of freedom of route and circuit board design is limited, and there is a problem that the board cannot be reduced in size.

JP-A-6-273461

  In view of the above problems, the present invention can reduce the size of a structure for attaching an optical connector to a board (for example, a circuit board) on which an optical element is mounted. It is an object of the present invention to provide a photoelectric conversion element that can improve the degree of freedom of design of the mounting position in the inside, and can easily position the optical connector with respect to the optical element and can maintain the positioning accuracy stably over a long period of time.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a photoelectric conversion element, an optical element that is provided on a substrate and is a light-emitting element; an optical connector that is connected to an optical fiber; A connector holder for detachably connecting the optical connector and the optical connector, wherein the connector holder includes a locking means for holding the optical connector at a position where the optical element and the optical fiber are optically connected. The optical connector is provided with one of a fitted portion and a fitting portion fitted to the optical connector, the other is provided on the substrate, and the locking means is configured such that the optical connector emits light from the optical element. When pushed toward the substrate in the direction along the optical axis of the surface, the optical element and the optical fiber are optically connected to each other by fitting the fitting part and the fitting part. While positioning, the optical core The optical connector has a structure that holds the optical connector while being urged toward the substrate, and the optical connector holds the optical connector with respect to the optical axis of the light emitting surface of the optical element in a state where the optical connector is held by the connector holder. Provided is a photoelectric conversion element that supports the optical fiber so that an optical axis of the optical fiber forms a certain angle, and the optical connector includes a mirror that forms an optical path that optically connects the optical element and the optical fiber. To do.
In the photoelectric conversion element of the present invention, an optical module having the optical element is provided on a substrate, the connector holder has a frame-shaped main body that is mounted on the substrate and surrounds the optical module, and the locking means includes: It is good also as a structure currently formed in the outer surface of the said frame-shaped main body.
The locking means has a plurality of pressing pieces that can be elastically deformed, and the plurality of pressing pieces push the optical connector in two or more directions by being pushed between the plurality of pressing pieces. It can be set as the structure pressed down toward the said board | substrate.
The pressing piece has a pressing protrusion for holding the optical connector sandwiched between the substrate and a direction of expanding the space when the optical connector is pressed into the space between the pressing pieces. It can be set as the structure which has the induction | guidance | derivation inclined surface which elastically deforms and the said optical connector is pushed in between the said protrusion part for pressing, and the said board | substrate.
The pressing piece may be configured to be pressed toward the substrate while sandwiching the optical connector from both sides.
The pressing piece may have a structure in which protruding portions formed on both sides of the optical connector are pressed from both sides toward the substrate.
The present invention relates to a photoelectric conversion element, an optical element that is provided on a substrate and is a light receiving element; an optical connector that is connected to an optical fiber; and an optical connector that is attached to the substrate so that the optical element and the optical connector can be attached and detached. A connector holder for optical connection, and the connector holder has a locking means for holding the optical connector at a position where the optical element and the optical fiber are optically connected to the optical connector; One of the fitted portion and the fitted portion fitted to the fitted portion is provided, the other is provided on the substrate, and the locking means is a direction in which the optical connector is along the optical axis of the light receiving surface of the optical element. The optical connector is positioned at a position where the optical element and the optical fiber are optically connected by fitting the fitting portion and the fitting portion when being pushed toward the substrate. Facing the board The optical connector has a structure in which the optical axis of the optical fiber is at a certain angle with respect to the optical axis of the light receiving surface of the optical element in a state where the optical connector is held by the connector holder. The optical fiber is supported as it is, and the optical connector provides a photoelectric conversion element having a mirror that forms an optical path for optically connecting the optical element and the optical fiber.
In the photoelectric conversion element of the present invention, an optical module having the optical element is provided on a substrate, the connector holder has a frame-shaped main body that is mounted on the substrate and surrounds the optical module, and the locking means includes: It is good also as a structure currently formed in the outer surface of the said frame-shaped main body.
The locking means has a plurality of pressing pieces that can be elastically deformed, and the plurality of pressing pieces push the optical connector in two or more directions by being pushed between the plurality of pressing pieces. It can be set as the structure pressed down toward the said board | substrate.
The pressing piece has a pressing protrusion for holding the optical connector sandwiched between the substrate and a direction of expanding the space when the optical connector is pressed into the space between the pressing pieces. It can be set as the structure which has the induction | guidance | derivation inclined surface which elastically deforms and the said optical connector is pushed in between the said protrusion part for pressing, and the said board | substrate.
The pressing piece may be configured to be pressed toward the substrate while sandwiching the optical connector from both sides.
The pressing piece may have a structure in which protruding portions formed on both sides of the optical connector are pressed from both sides toward the substrate.
The present invention relates to a photoelectric conversion element, an optical element that is provided on a substrate and is a light receiving and emitting element; an optical connector that is connected to an optical fiber; and the optical element that is attached to the substrate, and the optical element and the optical connector can be attached and detached. A connector holder for optically connecting to the optical connector, the connector holder having a locking means for holding the optical connector at a position where the optical element and the optical fiber are optically connected to the optical connector. One of the fitted portion and the fitting portion fitted to the fitted portion is provided, the other is provided on the substrate, and the locking means is configured such that the optical connector is an optical axis of the light emitting surface and the light receiving surface of the optical element. When the optical element and the optical fiber are optically connected to each other by fitting the fitting part and the fitting part, the optical element and the optical fiber are positioned. The optical connector The optical connector is configured to hold the optical connector with respect to the optical axes of the light emitting surface and the light receiving surface of the optical element in a state where the optical connector is held by the connector holder. Supporting the optical fiber so that the optical axis of the fiber forms a certain angle;
The optical connector provides a photoelectric conversion element having a mirror that forms an optical path for optically connecting the optical element and the optical fiber.
In the photoelectric conversion element of the present invention, an optical module having the optical element is provided on a substrate, the connector holder has a frame-shaped main body that is mounted on the substrate and surrounds the optical module, and the locking means includes: It is good also as a structure currently formed in the outer surface of the said frame-shaped main body.
The locking means has a plurality of pressing pieces that can be elastically deformed, and the plurality of pressing pieces push the optical connector in two or more directions by being pushed between the plurality of pressing pieces. It can be set as the structure pressed down toward the said board | substrate.
The pressing piece has a pressing protrusion for holding the optical connector sandwiched between the substrate and a direction of expanding the space when the optical connector is pressed into the space between the pressing pieces. It can be set as the structure which has the induction | guidance | derivation inclined surface which elastically deforms and the said optical connector is pushed in between the said protrusion part for pressing, and the said board | substrate.
The pressing piece may be configured to be pressed toward the substrate while sandwiching the optical connector from both sides.
The pressing piece may have a structure in which protruding portions formed on both sides of the optical connector are pressed from both sides toward the substrate.

According to the photoelectric conversion element of the present invention, the optical connector assembled at the tip of the optical fiber is pressed by the positioning means so as to be pressed against the substrate such as a circuit board from the substrate, and is mounted on the substrate. An optical element mounted on the substrate by the connector and an optical fiber inclined with respect to the optical axis of the optical element can be optically connected via the optical connector. Since there is almost no need to secure the work space required for pushing the optical connector into the positioning means other than the installation space for the positioning means and the optical connector, the positioning of the optical connector on the board can be substantially saved. realizable.
For this reason, there are no restrictions on the circuit design of the circuit board, and an excellent effect is obtained in that the degree of freedom of the mounting position of the optical element on the board can be improved.
Further, by pressing the optical connector against the optical element mounted on the substrate (or the module mounted with the optical element), the optical connector is simply pushed into the locking means on the substrate, and the optical connector is moved by the positioning means. In the state where it is positioned at a position where optical connection is possible, it can be configured to be held against the substrate by the locking means. In this case, the connection between the optical element and the optical fiber (optical connector) on the circuit board can be performed very easily. Further, in the configuration employing the locking means, the optical axis of the light emitting surface and / or the light receiving surface of the optical element is inclined with respect to the substrate, and the optical connector is moved on the substrate by moving along the optical axis. If the structure is held by the locking means by being pushed into the locking means, the work required to push the optical connector into the locking means in addition to the installation space of the locking means and the optical connector on the substrate Since there is almost no need to secure a space, the optical connector can be substantially held on the board in a space-saving manner. For this reason, there is no restriction on the circuit design of the substrate, and an excellent effect that the degree of freedom of the mounting position of the optical element on the substrate can be improved.

1 is an overall perspective view showing a structure of an optical transceiver according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view showing the optical transceiver of FIG. 1 (a side view seen from the drawing side of the optical fiber 15). FIG. 3 is a side view of the optical transceiver of FIG. 1 viewed from the opposite side to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a front sectional view of the optical transceiver of FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows typically the optical connector attached to the optical transceiver of FIG. 1, Comprising: (a) is a front sectional view, (b) was seen from the joint surface side joined with respect to the joint surface of a photoelectric conversion module. A bottom view and (c) are side views. FIG. 6 is a side view of the optical connector of FIG. 5.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 is an overall perspective view showing the structure of an optical transceiver 10 (substrate mounted optical transceiver) according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side view (the drawing side of an optical fiber 15), and FIG. 3 is a side surface opposite to FIG. 4 and 4 are front sectional views.

1 to 4, reference numeral 11 is a substrate, 12 is a photoelectric conversion module, 13 is a connector holder, 14 is an optical connector, and 15 is an optical fiber (for example, a silica-based optical fiber).
Here, the substrate 11 is a circuit board as an example.
The photoelectric conversion module 12 is a chip-like or array-like module in which a light-emitting element such as a semiconductor laser (for example, laser diode: LD) or a light-receiving element such as a photodiode (PD) is mounted (or built in). is there. The optical axis (light receiving surface) of the optical element of the photoelectric conversion module 12 is perpendicular to the circuit board 11. The photoelectric conversion module 12 is electrically connected to a circuit or the like on the circuit board 11. 4 and the like illustrate a configuration in which the optical element 16 of the photoelectric conversion module 12 is formed on a surface (hereinafter referred to as a bonding surface 12b) facing the bottom surface 12a facing the circuit board 11 of the photoelectric conversion module 12. Further, the bonding surface 12 b extends in a direction along the circuit board 11. Although not particularly illustrated, the circuit board on which the photoelectric conversion module is mounted includes a photoelectric conversion circuit, a control processing unit, an optical signal processing circuit, an optical element driving circuit, a storage circuit, and other electronic components on the circuit board. Various circuits that perform drive control and the like are configured as necessary, or an LSI having these circuit functions can be mounted as necessary.

  The optical transceiver 10 includes a photoelectric conversion module 12 mounted on a circuit board 11 and a frame-shaped connector holder 13 that is fixed on the circuit board 11 and arranged so as to surround the photoelectric conversion module 12 from the outside. Have. The connector holder 13 functions to position and hold the optical connector 14 assembled at the tip of the optical fiber 15 on the photoelectric conversion module 12 and to hold it down so as not to be displaced with respect to the photoelectric conversion module 12. In this embodiment, the joining surface 14a (described later) of the optical connector 14 supported by the connector holder 13 is an optical axis perpendicular to the joining surface 12b of the photoelectric conversion module 12 (in this embodiment, in other words, a circuit board). The optical fiber 15 and the optical element 16 are optically connected to each other by facing the joint surface 12b of the photoelectric conversion module 12 with an optical axis in a direction substantially perpendicular to 11). ing.

  Specifically, the connector holder 13 is formed by bending a metal plate such as stainless steel, and a plurality of contact portions 13a (lower end portions of the frame-shaped main body 13d) to be placed and contacted on the circuit board 11. The fixing piece 13b projecting from the base plate 11 penetrates the circuit board 11 and is fixed to the circuit board 11 on the back surface of the circuit board 11 (the lower surface in FIGS. 2 and 3) so that the circuit board 11 is not wobbled. Fixed to.

5A and 5B are diagrams schematically showing the structure of the optical connector 14, where FIG. 5A is a front sectional view, and FIG. 5B is a view from the side of the bonding surface 14 a bonded to the bonding surface 12 b of the photoelectric conversion module 12. The bottom view, (c) is a side view. FIG. 6 is a side view of the optical connector 14.
The optical connector 14 is fixed by being attached to the main body 14b and a main body 14b made of a synthetic resin such as plastic (for example, PPS (polyphenylene sulfide), epoxy resin), and an optical fiber between the main body 14b. And a glass plate 14c that sandwiches and fixes 15a. The glass plate 14c is exposed on the joint surface 14a of the optical connector 14, and when the optical connector 14 is placed on the photoelectric conversion module 12, the glass plate 14c is placed on the joint surface 12b of the photoelectric conversion module 12. It is arranged facing each other. Further, the optical connector 14 is formed in an appearance block shape having a size that is substantially the same as or slightly smaller than that of the photoelectric conversion module 12. Even if the optical connector 14 is installed on the photoelectric conversion module 12, the optical connector 14 extends outward from the photoelectric conversion module 12. It does not protrude greatly.
In addition, in the said optical connector, it replaces with a glass plate and the translucent board formed with materials other than a glass plate is also employable, for example, a plastic thing may be used.
In short, it is sufficient that the light transmitting plate is made of a material that does not cause any practical problem in light attenuation and light loss at least in the used wavelength band.

The optical fiber 15a sandwiched between the main body 14b of the optical connector 14 and the glass plate 14c is precisely positioned by positioning grooves 14d formed in the main body 14b. The positioning grooves 14d are formed in the same number or more as the optical fibers 15a at the same pitch as the arrangement pitch of the optical fibers 15a.
The optical fiber 15a of this embodiment is a single-core optical fiber exposed from the tip of the optical fiber 15 that is a multi-core optical fiber ribbon, and between the main body 14b of the optical connector 14 and the glass plate 14c, A plurality of optical fibers 15a exposed at the tip of the optical fiber 15 are arranged in parallel by positioning grooves 14d formed in parallel on the surface to which the glass plate 14c of the main body 14b of the optical connector 14 is attached. Is positioned. One optical fiber 15a is accommodated and positioned in one positioning groove 14d. The glass plate 14c can serve as a lid for pressing the optical fiber 15a disposed in the positioning groove 14d into the positioning groove 14d. By pressing the optical fiber 15a into the positioning groove 14d by the glass plate 14c, the state in which the optical fiber 15a is positioned by the positioning groove 14d is stably maintained.

The cross-sectional shape of the positioning groove 14d in this embodiment is a V-groove. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the cross-sectional shape of the positioning groove 14d may be, for example, a round groove (groove having a semicircular cross section), a U groove, or the like. Further, instead of forming the positioning groove on the lower surface of the main body 14b of the optical connector 14, a configuration in which the positioning groove is formed on the upper surface of the glass plate 14c and a configuration in which both are formed on the lower surface of the optical connector main body 14b and the upper surface of the glass plate 14c are also employed. Is possible.
Further, the optical fiber 15 is not limited to a multi-core optical fiber ribbon, and various configurations such as a single-core optical fiber can be employed. The optical fiber 15a may be configured to be positioned with high accuracy with respect to the reflecting portion 14g (described later) by a positioning groove, and here is a bare optical fiber, but an optical fiber core wire, an optical fiber strand, etc. Various types can be adopted. However, in order to secure positioning accuracy by the positioning groove, the bare optical fiber is positioned by adopting a configuration in which the entire length is the bare optical fiber or at least the bare optical fiber is exposed at the tip. For the portion other than the bare optical fiber at the tip, a configuration that is a single-core optical fiber such as an optical fiber or an optical fiber can be adopted. As the positioning groove, any configuration can be used as long as at least the bare optical fiber at the tip of the optical fiber 15a can be positioned with high accuracy so as to be in a desired direction with respect to the reflecting portion 14g (described later). In the case of having a relatively thick coating portion compared to the bare optical fiber, a narrow groove portion for housing the bare optical fiber and a relatively thick groove portion for housing the coating portion formed continuously to the thin groove portion It is good also as a positioning groove which has.
The optical fiber applied to the optical connector 14 (specifically, a bare optical fiber) is, for example, a silica-based GI (GI: Graded Index) optical fiber, but is not limited thereto. Absent.

  The bare optical fiber exposed at the tip of the optical fiber 15a is inserted into a recess 14f that is recessed from the surface 14e to which the glass plate 14c of the main body 14b of the optical connector 14 is attached. In the recess 14f, the optical fiber 15a (specifically, the bare optical fiber at the tip) inserted in the recess 14f is positioned on the optical axis extension of the tip surface of the optical fiber 15a (specifically, exposed at the tip). The reflection part 14g formed of a metal vapor deposition film or the like is formed on the inner wall surface facing the tip of the bare optical fiber with a slight clearance. The reflecting portion 14g forms a reflecting surface inclined by 45 degrees with respect to the extension of the optical axis of the tip surface of the optical fiber (specifically, a bare optical fiber), and the optical connector 14 is mounted on the photoelectric conversion module 12. When this occurs, it is located on the optical element 16 on the photoelectric conversion module 12, facing the light emitting surface or light receiving surface of the optical element 16, and exiting from the tip of the optical fiber 15a (specifically, the bare optical fiber at the tip). It functions as a mirror that irradiates the optical element 16 with the incident light bent by 90 degrees, or bends the emitted light from the optical element 16 by 90 degrees and enters the optical fiber 15a. That is, the reflecting portion 14g functions as a mirror that forms an optical path 17 between the optical fiber 15a and the optical element 16.

Of the optical path 17, the portion located between the reflecting portion 14 g and the optical element 16 is an optical path connecting the optical connector 14 and the optical element 16, and the circuit board 11 (exactly the extension of the circuit board). In this optical transceiver 10, in this optical transceiver 10, the optical element 16 and the optical fiber 15 are inclined with respect to the circuit board 11. The optical connection is made. The optical connector 14 fulfills the function of optically connecting the optical fiber 15 extending in a direction transverse to the optical axis of the optical path connecting the optical connector 14 and the optical element 16 to the optical element 16.
Here, the reflecting portion functioning as the mirror is specifically a reflecting film formed by a metal vapor deposition film, but is not limited to this. For example, a film-formed chip is incorporated in the recess 14f. Various configurations such as a configuration can be adopted.
Further, the reflecting portion 14g is not limited to the reflecting portion having a reflecting surface inclined by 45 degrees with respect to the extension line of the optical axis of the tip surface of the optical fiber (specifically, a bare optical fiber). The reflecting portion 14 g forms a bent optical path between the tip of the optical fiber 15 fixed to the optical connector 14 and the optical element 16, and serves as an optical axis of the optical path connecting the optical connector 14 and the optical element 16. The optical fiber 15 extending in the lateral direction and the optical element 16 may be of any type as long as they enable optical connection, and the optical axis extension of the tip surface of the optical fiber (specifically, bare optical fiber). The inclination angle of the reflecting surface with respect to is not particularly limited.
Further, the optical fiber 15a does not necessarily have to protrude from the positioning groove 14d into the recess 14f, and it is sufficient that the positioning accuracy with respect to the reflecting portion 14g of the tip portion facing the reflecting portion 14g is ensured. A configuration in which the portion does not protrude into the recess 14f and is flush with the inner surface of the recess 14f, or a portion positioned in the positioning groove from the recess can be employed.

The recess 14f is closed on the side of the joint surface 14a by the glass plate 14c, and after the optical fiber 15a is fixed, contamination due to intrusion of dust or the like can be prevented. The recess 14f may be a cavity, but may be filled with a transparent (or translucent adhesive that does not obstruct the optical path) adhesive (217) to fix the optical fiber 15a and the glass plate 14c.
Further, light passing through the optical path 17 between the optical fiber 15a and the optical element 16 bonding surface, in particular, light passing between the reflecting portion 14g and the optical element 16 bonding surface is transmitted through the glass plate 14c. Yes. The glass plate 14c has an optical characteristic that allows light passing through the optical path 17 to pass through with almost no loss due to scattering or the like.

According to the optical transceiver 10, the optical connector 14 is installed on the photoelectric conversion module 12 and is held by the connector holder 13, so that the optical path between the optical element 16 and the optical fiber 15 (the light beam formed by each optical fiber 15 a). Optical connection to the road).
Further, the optical connector 14 installed on the photoelectric conversion module 12 is pressed into the photoelectric conversion module 12 by the structure of the connector holder 13 and is stably held so as not to be displaced with respect to the photoelectric conversion module 12.

That is, as shown in FIG. 2 and the like, the connector holder 13 has a pair of pressing pieces 13 c that are elastic pieces for pressing the optical connector 14 into the photoelectric conversion module 12. The pressing piece 13c is a leaf spring-like small piece protruding so as to rise from the frame-shaped main body 13d of the connector holder 13, and functions as a locking means according to the present invention. The connector holder 13 illustrated here is a single part formed by bending a single metal plate such as a stainless steel plate, and the pressing piece 13c is formed of a metal plate forming the connector holder 13 in a frame shape of the connector holder 13. This is a portion formed so as to rise from the main body 13d. This pressing piece 13c is a plan view inner side of the frame-shaped main body 13d from the frame-shaped main body 13d of the connector holder 13 (that is, a space (optical connector pressing space 13e) in which the optical connector 14 is pressed between the plurality of pressing pieces 13c). A pressing protrusion 13f that is curved so as to protrude slightly toward the side). The pressing protrusion 13f is formed so as to protrude from the protruding base end portion of the pressing piece 13c from the connector holder 13 into the optical connector pushing space 13e.
Further, in the pressing protrusion 13f, a portion located on the protruding tip side of the pressing piece 13e from the connector holder 13 from the most protruding portion (the protruding tip 13g) toward the central portion of the optical connector pushing space 13e. The (folding portion 13h) is inclined so that the rising height from the connector holder 13 increases from the protruding tip 13g of the pressing protrusion 13f to the outside of the optical connector pushing space 13e. A guide inclined surface 13i is formed to guide the optical connector 14 pushed from above the holder 13 into the connector holder 13 (specifically, the optical connector pushing space 13e) to the optical connector pushing space 13e.

  In this optical transceiver 10, the optical connector 14 has the bonding surface 14 a facing the optical element 16, and the optical element 16 is mounted on the connector holder 13 with the bonding surface 14 a being maintained substantially parallel to the circuit board 11. The optical connector 14 is pushed into the optical connector pushing space 13e and engaged with the holding pieces 13c (specifically, pressing protrusions 13f) on both sides of the optical connector pushing space 13e. It can be held in a state of being pressed against the photoelectric conversion module 12 by being pressed toward the circuit board 11 by the pressing piece 13c. Further, the optical connector 14 has a positioning accuracy with respect to the photoelectric conversion module 12 by inserting and fitting a pair of positioning pins 14h protruding from the bonding surface 14a into the pin holes 12c opened in the bonding surface 12b of the photoelectric conversion module 12. It can be secured. The positioning pins 14h are disposed opposite to both sides of the reflecting portion 14g, in other words, both sides via the recess 14f. However, the protruding positions of the pair of positioning pins 14h are not limited to this, It can be changed as appropriate.

  The positioning pins 14h function as positioning means for positioning the optical connector 14 at a position where optical connection with the optical element 16 in the photoelectric conversion module 12 is possible. However, since the insertion of the positioning pin 14h into the pin hole 12c is started before being engaged with and held by the holding piece 13c, the positioning pin 14h is pushed into the optical connector pushing space 13e. When the insertion into the pin hole 12c of 14h is started, the optical connector 14 moves toward the optical element 16 by moving along the optical axis of the light emitting surface or the light receiving surface of the optical element 16 (in other words, the optical connector pushing space 13e). The locking means is constituted by a plurality of pressing pieces 13c). When the optical connector 14 is engaged with the plurality of pressing pieces 13c constituting the locking means and the optical connector 14 is held by the locking means so as to be pressed toward the circuit board 11, the positioning pin 14h and the pin The optical connector 14 is positioned with high accuracy at a position where the optical connector 14 can be optically connected to the optical element 16 by the accuracy with the hole 12c.

The optical connector can be optically connected to the optical element on the circuit board with the positioning pin fixed to the optical connector and the photoelectric conversion module in which the pin hole into which the positioning pin is inserted and fitted is formed. It functions as a pin-fitting type positioning means for positioning at a proper position.
In addition, in the said embodiment, although the system which inserts and fits the fitting pin (positioning pin) protrudingly provided in the optical connector side to the pin hole of the photoelectric conversion module was illustrated, the formation position of a pin hole is a photoelectric conversion module There is no need to be, and a member fixed to the circuit board other than the photoelectric conversion module or the circuit board itself may be used. It is also possible to adopt a method of inserting and fitting a member (photoelectric conversion module or the like) fixed to the circuit board or a fitting pin fixed to the circuit board itself into a pin hole formed in the optical connector. .
The positioning pin corresponds to the fitting portion according to the present invention, and the pin hole corresponds to the fitted portion according to the present invention. However, the fitting part and the fitted part are not limited to a combination of a positioning pin and a pin hole as long as the optical connector accurately functions so as to be optically connectable to the optical element. Absent.
Moreover, as a fitting part and a to-be-fitted part, the thing of the structure which generate | occur | produces the fixing force (fitting force) which controls that an optical connector separates from an optical element by fitting with a fitting part and a to-be-fitted part. Can also be adopted. In this case, the fitting part and the fitted part can also serve as a locking means for holding the optical connector.

Specifically, the engagement and holding of the optical connector 14 by each pressing piece 13c of the locking means is such that the protruding portions 14i protruding from the opposite side portions of the optical connector 14 are pressed out by the pressing pieces 13c. This is realized by being sandwiched between the unit 13f and the photoelectric conversion module 12. That is, the optical connector 14 is pressed into the photoelectric conversion module 12 by both pressing pieces 13c. The optical connector 14 is sandwiched between the pressing protrusion 13f of each pressing piece 13c and the circuit board 11 via the photoelectric conversion module 12, so that the circuit board 11 is pressed by the pressing protrusion 13f of each pressing piece 13c. It is pressed into.
The dimension between the projecting parts 14i on both sides of the optical connector 14 (the dimension between the projecting tips of each projecting part 14i from the optical connector 14) is the projecting tip 13g of the pressing projection 13f of the pair of pressing pieces 13c. The optical connector 14 (specifically pressed from the connector holder 13 to the pressing protrusion 13f (specifically the folded portion 13h) of each pressing piece 13c constituting the locking means from the connector holder 13 is slightly larger than the distance between them. When the projection 14i is pressed against each pressing projection 13f) toward the optical element 16, the optical connector 14 is inclined by the inclination of the guide inclined surface 13i of the folded portion 13h with respect to the pushing direction of the optical connector 14. The optical connector 14 can be pushed toward the optical element 16 while the pressing piece 13c is elastically deformed so as to expand the pushing space 13e. That is, for the pair of pressing pieces 13c, the optical connector 14 is pushed toward the optical connector pushing space 13e while pushing the gap between the pair of pressing pieces 13c. When the optical connector 14 (specifically, the protrusion 14i) passes the pressing protrusion 13f of each pressing piece 13c toward the photoelectric conversion module 12, the photoelectric conversion module 12 and the pressing pieces 13c are pressed. The protrusions 14i on both sides of the optical connector 14 are sandwiched between the protrusions 13f, and the optical connector 14 is pressed into the photoelectric conversion module 12 by both pressing pieces 13c.

As the pressing piece, a pressing protrusion for holding the optical connector 14 between the circuit board 11 and the optical connector pressing space 13e of the pressing piece accompanying the pressing of the optical connector is expanded. And a guide inclined surface for realizing an elastic deformation in the direction to be pressed (elastic deformation to the outside of the optical connector pushing space 13e) so that the optical connector can be pushed between the pressing protrusion and the circuit board. Any elastic piece may be used, and the specific shape is not particularly limited. For example, it is also possible to apply a leaf-spring-shaped pressing protrusion for bending, instead of a curved spring-formed pressing protrusion. Also, a pressing piece made of a member different from the connector holder, a resin pressing piece, or the like can be used.
Further, the structure of the locking means for pressing the optical connector 14 against the photoelectric conversion module 12 is not limited to the structure using the pressing piece having the above-described shape. For example, the engaging protrusion protruding on the inner surface of the frame-shaped main body 13d Various configurations such as a structure that engages with an engaging recess formed on the side surface of the optical connector 14 can be adopted.

  According to the optical transceiver 10 described above, the space for mounting the optical connector 14 on the circuit board 11 is the same as or slightly larger than the space required for mounting the photoelectric conversion module 12 on the circuit board 11. The connection between the photoelectric conversion module 12 (specifically, the optical element 16 in detail) and the optical fiber 15 on the circuit board 11 can be realized with a very small space.

In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above, Various changes are possible.
For example, in the embodiment described above, the optical connector 14 is optically connected to the optical element 16 with an optical axis in a direction substantially orthogonal to the circuit board 11, so that the optical fiber 15 and the optical element 16 are However, in the present invention, the direction of the optical axis of the optical connection between the optical element 16 and the optical connector 14 is inclined with respect to the circuit board. As long as it is sufficient, it is not limited to the direction substantially orthogonal to the circuit board 11. Furthermore, the present invention can optically connect an optical fiber in a direction along a circuit board to an optical element through an optical connector with an optical axis inclined to the circuit board. The stop means only needs to fulfill the function of positioning and holding the optical connector at a position where the optical fiber can be optically connected to the optical element. Various specific configurations of the connector holder can be employed.
In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the optical connector arranged so as to be superimposed on the optical element 16 mounted on the circuit board is held by the connector holder is exemplified. However, the present invention is not limited to this. An optical connector that is positioned and held so as to be pressed against the optical element by the connector holder on the other surface side of the circuit board with respect to the optical element mounted on the one surface side of the circuit board. A configuration in which the optical element is optically connected through the through hole can also be adopted.
The optical connector used in the present invention can be said to be a surface mount optical connector. In the present invention, the optical transceiver uses this surface mount optical connector and is mounted on the substrate (circuit board or the like) side. A structure for receiving a type optical connector (the above-described locking means, connector holder, etc.) is a general term. Therefore, for example, even if the substrate side is only a light receiving / emitting element, and there is no configuration of the various electric circuits, an optical connector (surface mount type optical connector) is provided on the end face (light receiving surface or light emitting surface) of these light receiving / emitting elements. It can be said that an optical transceiver is configured as long as the configuration is opposed. Further, even if there is no board and only a board-mounted optical connector and its receiving structure (connector holder) (that is, a configuration in which the optical element is directly held by the receiving structure), it corresponds to the optical transceiver of the present invention. (In this case, the connector holder also serves as the substrate).

The adhesive filling the recesses of the optical connector is not limited to a completely transparent adhesive. Even if it is translucent, it can be used as long as it is an adhesive that allows the light passing through the optical fiber to pass with an acceptable transmittance.
Further, as shown in FIG. 5A and the like, when a multi-core optical fiber ribbon is used, one or a plurality of optical fibers located on one end side in the width direction are located on the other end side for transmission. One or a plurality of optical fibers may be used for reception, and one or a plurality of fibers positioned at the center in the width direction may not be used. In this case, since there is no unused fiber in the center, the distance between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit is increased, and problems such as interference due to scattered light can be further reduced.
Moreover, in this invention, the structure in which a connector holder consists only of a latching means or a positioning means is also realizable.
In the present invention, the “substrate” refers to the entire mounting object (base, table) on which the optical element is mounted, and is not limited to the circuit board. Moreover, the arrangement position of the optical element with respect to the substrate does not necessarily have to be on the substrate, and may be, for example, a form arranged in a hole formed in the substrate.
The positioning pin is a general term for protruding members that position the optical connector and the substrate. The positioning pin is preferably a metal round bar pin as exemplified in the above-described embodiment, but is not limited thereto. For example, it may be a protrusion formed by integral molding on a resin optical connector or a protrusion formed by integral molding on a resin substrate. It can be said that it corresponds to the positioning pin in the present invention as long as it projects from the optical connector side or the board side toward the mating side and functions to position the optical connector and the board. For example, if the projecting portion projecting from the optical connector fits with the other side (substrate) and performs the function of positioning between the substrate and the optical connector, the projecting portion projecting from the optical connector Can be referred to as a “positioning pin” according to the present invention. In addition, if the projecting part projecting on the board side is engaged with a recess (fitting part) on the optical connector side to fulfill the function of positioning between the board and the optical connector, this It can be called a “positioning pin” in the invention. As described above, the positioning pin is preferably a round bar pin having a circular cross section, but the cross sectional shape may be, for example, an ellipse, a rectangle, or a square. The cross-sectional shape may be hollow. Further, the number of positioning pins is preferably two, but may be a number other than two (one or three or more) for the purpose of improving positioning accuracy.
On the other hand, the “pin hole (positioning pin hole)” in this specification is a general term for a portion into which a positioning pin is fitted, and is not limited to a pin hole that is a round hole corresponding to a round bar pin. . If the positioning pin is fitted so that the positioning pin can be positioned with high accuracy to perform the function of positioning between the substrate and the optical connector, this is referred to as a pin hole according to the present invention. be able to.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Optical transceiver, 11 ... Board | substrate (circuit board), 12 ... Photoelectric conversion module, 13 ... Connector holder, 14 ... Optical connector, 14a ... Bonding surface, 14g ... Mirror (reflecting part), 15, 15a ... optical fiber, 16 ... optical element, 17 ... optical path.

Claims (18)

A photoelectric conversion element,
An optical element provided on a substrate and being a light emitting element;
An optical connector connected to an optical fiber; and a connector holder attached to the substrate for detachably optically connecting the optical element and the optical connector;
The connector holder has a locking means for holding the optical connector at a position where the optical element and the optical fiber are optically connected;
The optical connector is provided with one of the fitted portion and the fitting portion fitted therein, and the other is provided on the substrate.
When the optical connector is pushed toward the substrate in the direction along the optical axis of the light emitting surface of the optical element, the locking means is configured to fit the fitting portion and the fitted portion, The optical element and the optical fiber are positioned at a position where the optical fiber is optically connected, and the optical connector is held while being biased toward the substrate,
The optical connector supports the optical fiber so that the optical axis of the optical fiber forms a certain angle with respect to the optical axis of the light emitting surface of the optical element in a state where the optical connector is held by the connector holder. ,
The said optical connector has a mirror which forms the optical path which optically connects between the said optical element and the said optical fiber, The photoelectric conversion element characterized by the above-mentioned. An optical module having the optical element is provided on a substrate,
The connector holder has a frame-shaped body mounted on the substrate and surrounding the optical module;
The photoelectric conversion element according to claim 1, wherein the locking means is formed on an outer surface of the frame-shaped main body.   The locking means has a plurality of pressing pieces that can be elastically deformed, and the plurality of pressing pieces push the optical connector in two or more directions by being pushed between the plurality of pressing pieces. The photoelectric conversion element according to claim 1, wherein the photoelectric conversion element is pressed toward the substrate. The pressing piece includes a pressing protrusion for holding the optical connector sandwiched between the substrate and a direction in which the space is expanded when the optical connector is pressed into the space between the plurality of pressing pieces. 4. The photoelectric conversion element according to claim 3, further comprising a guiding inclined surface that is elastically deformed so that the optical connector is pushed between the pressing protrusion and the substrate.   5. The photoelectric conversion element according to claim 3, wherein the pressing piece is configured to press toward the substrate while sandwiching the optical connector from both sides. 6.   6. The pressing piece according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein protruding portions formed on both side portions of the optical connector are pressed toward the substrate from both sides. The photoelectric conversion element as described. A photoelectric conversion element,
An optical element provided on the substrate and being a light receiving element;
An optical connector connected to an optical fiber; and a connector holder attached to the substrate for detachably optically connecting the optical element and the optical connector;
The connector holder has a locking means for holding the optical connector at a position where the optical element and the optical fiber are optically connected;
The optical connector is provided with one of the fitted portion and the fitting portion fitted therein, and the other is provided on the substrate.
When the optical connector is pushed toward the substrate in a direction along the optical axis of the light receiving surface of the optical element, the locking means is configured to fit the fitting portion and the fitting portion. The optical element and the optical fiber are positioned at a position where the optical fiber is optically connected, and the optical connector is held while being biased toward the substrate,
The optical connector supports the optical fiber such that the optical axis of the optical fiber forms a certain angle with respect to the optical axis of the light receiving surface of the optical element in a state where the optical connector is held by the connector holder. ,
The said optical connector has a mirror which forms the optical path which optically connects between the said optical element and the said optical fiber, The photoelectric conversion element characterized by the above-mentioned. An optical module having the optical element is provided on a substrate,
The connector holder has a frame-shaped body mounted on the substrate and surrounding the optical module;
The photoelectric conversion element according to claim 7, wherein the locking means is formed on an outer surface of the frame-shaped main body.   The locking means has a plurality of pressing pieces that can be elastically deformed, and the plurality of pressing pieces push the optical connector in two or more directions by being pushed between the plurality of pressing pieces. 9. The photoelectric conversion element according to claim 7, wherein the photoelectric conversion element is pressed toward the substrate. The pressing piece includes a pressing protrusion for holding the optical connector sandwiched between the substrate and a direction in which the space is expanded when the optical connector is pressed into the space between the plurality of pressing pieces. The photoelectric conversion element according to claim 9, further comprising a guide inclined surface that is elastically deformed so that the optical connector is pushed between the pressing protrusion and the substrate.   11. The photoelectric conversion element according to claim 9, wherein the pressing piece is configured to press toward the substrate while sandwiching the optical connector from both sides.   The said pressing piece presses the protrusion part formed in the both sides of the said optical connector toward the said board | substrate from both sides, The any one of Claims 9-11 characterized by the above-mentioned. The photoelectric conversion element as described. A photoelectric conversion element,
An optical element provided on the substrate and being a light emitting and receiving element;
An optical connector connected to an optical fiber; and a connector holder attached to the substrate for detachably optically connecting the optical element and the optical connector;
The connector holder has a locking means for holding the optical connector at a position where the optical element and the optical fiber are optically connected;
The optical connector is provided with one of the fitted portion and the fitting portion fitted therein, and the other is provided on the substrate.
When the optical connector is pushed toward the substrate in a direction along the optical axis of the light emitting surface and the light receiving surface of the optical element, the locking means fits the fitting portion and the fitted portion. Thus, the optical element and the optical fiber are positioned at a position where the optical fiber is optically connected, and the optical connector is held while being biased toward the substrate,
The optical connector is configured so that the optical axis of the optical fiber forms a certain angle with respect to the optical axes of the light emitting surface and the light receiving surface of the optical element in a state where the optical connector is held by the connector holder. Support
The said optical connector has a mirror which forms the optical path which optically connects between the said optical element and the said optical fiber, The photoelectric conversion element characterized by the above-mentioned. An optical module having the optical element is provided on a substrate,
The connector holder has a frame-shaped body mounted on the substrate and surrounding the optical module;
The photoelectric conversion element according to claim 13, wherein the locking means is formed on an outer surface of the frame-shaped main body.   The locking means has a plurality of pressing pieces that can be elastically deformed, and the plurality of pressing pieces push the optical connector in two or more directions by being pushed between the plurality of pressing pieces. The photoelectric conversion element according to claim 13, wherein the photoelectric conversion element is pressed toward the substrate. The pressing piece includes a pressing protrusion for holding the optical connector sandwiched between the substrate and a direction in which the space is expanded when the optical connector is pressed into the space between the plurality of pressing pieces. The photoelectric conversion element according to claim 15, further comprising a guide inclined surface that is elastically deformed so that the optical connector is pushed between the pressing protrusion and the substrate.   17. The photoelectric conversion element according to claim 15, wherein the pressing piece is configured to press the optical connector toward the substrate while sandwiching the optical connector from both sides.   18. The pressing piece according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein protruding portions formed on both side portions of the optical connector are pressed toward the substrate from both sides. The photoelectric conversion element as described.

Images