JP2011215303A - Optical communication module - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical communication module whose alignment operation is easily and precisely performed even when a plurality of photoelectric elements are mounted.SOLUTION: In a housing 2 having a plurality of light passing holes 4 formed successively, a plurality of holding portions 10 each holding a photodiode 20 and a laser diode 25 are arranged corresponding to the respective light passing holes 4, and the plurality of holding portions 10 are connected through a flexible conductor 30. The holding portions 10 are molded by sealing photodiodes 20 and laser diodes 25 connected to the flexible conductor 30 individually with translucent synthetic resin. Each of the holding portions 10 has a lens surface 11 molded in one body. Further, the holding portion may include a light guide means which guides light from the light passing hole 4 to a light-receiving portion 22 of the photodiode 20 or light from a light emission portion 27 of the laser diode 25 to the light passing hole 4 by reflecting or refracting the light.

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical communication module in which photoelectric elements such as a laser diode and / or a photodiode for optical communication are packaged.

  Conventionally, optical communication using an optical fiber or the like has been widely used. In optical communication, an electrical signal is converted into an optical signal by a photoelectric element such as a laser diode, the optical signal is transmitted and received via an optical fiber, and the received optical signal is converted into an electrical signal by a photoelectric element such as a photodiode. Is done by. For this reason, optical communication modules are widely used in which photoelectric elements such as laser diodes and / or photodiodes are configured as one package together with peripheral circuit elements for operating the photoelectric elements. This optical communication module is called OSA (Optical Sub-Assembly). In recent years, various inventions related to optical communication and optical communication modules have been made.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, a photoelectric element that transmits or receives an optical signal, a stem for fixing the photoelectric element, a cap for covering the photoelectric element, an electric signal applied to the photoelectric element, or from the photoelectric element A plurality of leads for transmitting electrical signals, and a plane portion is provided at one end of a predetermined lead located in a package constituted by a stem and a cap, and one end is connected to the photoelectric element on the plane portion. There has been proposed an optical-electrical conversion module that is excellent in high-frequency characteristics and can be miniaturized by providing an electric circuit component whose end is connected to a lead.

  An optical fiber for performing optical communication includes a core through which light passes and a cladding that covers the periphery of the optical fiber and confines light. The optical fiber is composed of a core and cladding such as HPCF (Hard Polymer Clad Fiber) in which a quartz glass core is covered with a high-strength plastic cladding, and AGF (All silica Glass Fiber) in which the core and cladding are composed of quartz glass. There are various types depending on the material, and it is selected in consideration of the communication speed and cost. HPCF used for relatively low-speed optical communication has a core diameter of about 200 μm, and AGF used for high-speed optical communication has a core diameter of about several μm to several tens of μm. On the other hand, the size of the light emitting portion of the laser diode is about several μm to several tens of μm, and the size of the light receiving portion of the photodiode is about several tens of μm. For this reason, the AGF having a small core diameter needs to be aligned (aligned) with the light emitting portion of the laser diode or the light receiving portion of the photodiode.

JP 2005-167189 A

  An optical communication module can be configured with a plurality of photoelectric elements as one package. For example, by using an optical communication module in which a light emitting element for transmitting an optical signal and a light receiving element for receiving are used as one package, the communication device transmits and receives the optical signal only by mounting one optical communication module. It becomes possible.

  In addition, MT (Mechanically Transferable) connectors widely used as optical fiber connector parts are for connecting a plurality of bundled optical fibers. An optical communication system is easily connected by connecting a large number of optical fibers. Can be built. The optical communication module can be connected to the MT connector, and a plurality of photoelectric elements corresponding to the number of optical fibers are mounted on the optical communication module, so that it is highly convenient to use only by connecting to the MT connector. An optical communication module can be realized.

  In order to mount a plurality of photoelectric elements, a plurality of photoelectric elements can be arranged in parallel on a circuit board of an optical communication module. However, as described above, the photoelectric element needs to be aligned with respect to the center of the optical fiber, and it is difficult to accurately align all of the plurality of photoelectric elements arranged in parallel on the circuit board. there were.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a light that can perform alignment work easily and accurately even when a plurality of photoelectric elements are mounted. To provide a communication module.

  An optical communication module according to the present invention includes a light receiving unit or a light emitting unit, and each of a plurality of photoelectric elements that perform conversion from an optical signal to an electrical signal or from an electrical signal to an optical signal, and a light receiving unit of each photoelectric element Forming a polyhedron having a light-transmitting surface in which a plurality of light-transmitting holes through which light or light from the light-emitting portion of each photoelectric element passes are arranged, each housing the plurality of photoelectric elements, and each of the photoelectric elements And a plurality of holding portions arranged in parallel in the housing corresponding to the plurality of light transmission holes, and the plurality of holding portions are coupled via a flexible conductor. It is characterized by that.

  Further, in the optical communication module according to the present invention, the holding unit individually seals the plurality of photoelectric elements connected to one or a plurality of the conductors together with a part of the conductors with a translucent synthetic resin. It is characterized by being stopped.

  In the optical communication module according to the present invention, the holding unit includes a lens surface that collects light from a corresponding light-transmitting hole on the light receiving unit of the photoelectric element, or light from the light emitting unit of the photoelectric element. The lens surface for condensing the light to a predetermined position outside the housing through the corresponding light passage hole is integrally molded.

  Further, the optical communication module according to the present invention is arranged in the housing so that the holding portion does not coincide with the center of the corresponding light-receiving hole and the center of the corresponding light-receiving hole of the photoelectric element. Light guiding means that reflects or refracts light and guides light from the light passage hole to the corresponding light receiving portion of the photoelectric element or light from the light emitting portion of the photoelectric element to the corresponding light passage hole. It is characterized by having.

  The optical communication module according to the present invention is characterized in that the holding portion and the light guiding means are integrally formed.

  The optical communication module according to the present invention includes a lens provided in each light passage hole of the casing, and the lens is integrally formed with the casing with a light-transmitting synthetic resin. To do.

  In addition, the optical communication module according to the present invention includes a plurality of connection pins that project from the light-transmitting surface of the housing and connect to other members, and the light-transmitting holes include the plurality of connection pins. It is characterized by being arranged in parallel.

  In the present invention, the optical communication module has a configuration in which a plurality of photoelectric elements are arranged corresponding to each light passage hole in a polyhedral housing having a light passage surface in which a plurality of light passage holes are arranged in parallel. . Each photoelectric element is held by a holding portion in the housing, and a plurality of holding portions are arranged in parallel corresponding to each light passage hole. The plurality of holding portions can be handled as one component by being connected via a flexible conductor, and the distance between the holding portions can be adjusted by bending the conductor. Therefore, since the holding part holding the corresponding photoelectric element can be individually positioned with respect to the through hole for transmitting and receiving light, the alignment operation of the plurality of photoelectric elements can be easily and accurately performed. It becomes possible.

  In the present invention, a plurality of photoelectric elements connected to one or a plurality of conductors are individually sealed with a light-transmitting synthetic resin together with a part of the conductors, thereby forming a holding portion for the photoelectric elements. . Thereby, even when a photoelectric element is connected to a flexible conductor, the connection portion between the conductor and the photoelectric element is firmly fixed by resin sealing, and the strength does not decrease. In addition, since the photoelectric elements are individually resin-sealed, the conductor between the holding portions can be kept flexible.

  In the present invention, each holding portion that holds the photoelectric element has a lens surface that collects light on the light receiving portion of the photoelectric element or a lens surface that collects light from the light emitting portion at a predetermined position. Molded integrally with a synthetic resin. Thereby, the number of parts of an optical communication module can be reduced, and the manufacturing process of an optical communication module can be simplified.

  When determining the shape of the housing of the optical communication module in conformity with an MT connector or the like, the interval between the plurality of light passage holes provided in the housing is narrow, and the interval between the plurality of holding portions in the housing is the same as the interval between the light holes. There are times when they cannot be installed side by side. Therefore, in the present invention, a plurality of holding portions are arranged in the housing so that the center of the light passage hole does not coincide with the center of the light receiving portion or the light emitting portion of the photoelectric element held by the holding portion. Also good. In the case of this configuration, an optical element that reflects or refracts light is disposed between the light passage hole and the photoelectric element, and light from the light passage hole is directed to the light receiving part of the photoelectric element or the light emitting part of the photoelectric element. The light from the light is guided to the light hole. Thereby, even if it is a case where the space | interval of a some light transmission hole is narrow, a some photoelectric element can be mounted in an optical communication module.

  In the present invention, the light guiding means is integrally molded with the holding portion with translucent synthetic resin. Thereby, even if it is a case where a light guide means is provided with respect to each photoelectric element, the increase in the number of parts of an optical communication module can be suppressed.

  In the present invention, a lens is provided in a plurality of light transmission holes provided in the housing, and the housing and the lens are integrally molded with a light-transmitting synthetic resin. Thereby, the number of parts of an optical communication module can be reduced, and the manufacturing process of an optical communication module can be simplified.

  In the present invention, a plurality of connection pins for connecting to other members are provided on the light transmitting surface of the housing. The plurality of light passage holes are arranged in parallel between the plurality of connection pins. Thereby, an optical communication module that can be easily connected to other members, such as an MT connector, can be realized.

  In the case of the present invention, the plurality of holding portions connected via the flexible conductor each hold the photoelectric element, and the plurality of holding portions correspond to the plurality of light passage holes arranged in parallel in the housing. Since the distance between the holding parts can be adjusted by bending the conductors, etc., the holding parts holding the photoelectric elements can be individually aligned with respect to the light holes. In addition, alignment of a plurality of photoelectric elements can be performed easily and accurately.

It is a typical perspective view which shows the external appearance of the optical communication module which concerns on this invention. It is typical sectional drawing which shows the internal structure of the optical communication module which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a typical top view which shows the structure of the holding | maintenance part and conductive plate of OSA. It is a typical sectional view showing an internal configuration of an optical communication module concerning modification 1 of Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is a typical sectional view showing an internal configuration of an optical communication module concerning modification 2 of Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is typical sectional drawing which shows the internal structure of the optical communication module which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the structure of a light guide part.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings showing embodiments thereof. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an appearance of an optical communication module according to the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes an OSA in which a plurality of photoelectric elements are packaged, and corresponds to an optical communication module according to the present invention. The OSA 1 includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped casing 2, and two connection pins 3 are juxtaposed in the longitudinal direction on one surface (light transmission surface 2 a) that is substantially rectangular. The connection pin 3 has a round bar shape and is used for connection to other members such as an MT connector (not shown), and is provided so as to protrude substantially vertically from the light transmission surface 2 a of the housing 2.

  Further, on the light transmitting surface 2a of the housing 2, two light transmitting holes 4 are formed side by side in the longitudinal direction of the light transmitting surface 2a between the two connection pins 3. The light transmission hole 4 is a through hole formed in a substantially circular shape so as to communicate with the inside and outside of the housing 2. A photoelectric element is accommodated in the housing 2, and the light passage hole 4 is formed to pass light from the photoelectric element to the outside of the housing 2 or light from the outside of the housing 2 to the photoelectric element. It is a thing.

  Although not shown, the OSA 1 is provided with a plurality of connection terminals for inputting / outputting electric signals on the surface opposite to the light transmitting surface 2 a of the housing 2. Accordingly, the OSA 1 converts the electrical signal input from the connection terminal into an optical signal and emits it from the light passage hole 4 and / or converts the optical signal incident from the light passage hole 4 into an electrical signal and connects it. Can be output from the terminal.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the optical communication module according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The OSA 1 according to the first embodiment includes two photoelectric elements, a photodiode 20 and a laser diode 25, one or a plurality of conductive plates 30 to which these photoelectric elements are connected, and a photoelectric element individually resinated in the housing 2. The two holding portions 10 are sealed.

  The photodiode 20 is a photoelectric element that receives an optical signal, converts it into an electrical signal, and outputs it. The photodiode 20 has a plate shape having a substantially square shape in plan view, and a connection terminal portion 21 is provided on one surface (the lower surface in FIG. 2). The connection terminal portion 21 is a terminal for inputting / outputting an electric signal to / from the photodiode 20 and is used for connection to the conductive plate (conductor) 30 via solder or a conductive adhesive. Is. The upper surface of the photodiode 20 is provided with a light receiving portion 22 that detects light and converts it into an electrical signal, and is electrically connected to the periphery of the light receiving portion 22 via a wire 35 (that is, wire bonding). ) Is provided.

  The laser diode 25 is a photoelectric element that converts an input electric signal into an optical signal and outputs the optical signal. The laser diode 25 has a plate shape that is substantially the same shape as the photodiode 20 and has a substantially square shape in plan view. A connection terminal portion 26 is provided on the lower surface of the laser diode 25. The connection terminal portion 26 is a terminal for inputting / outputting an electric signal to / from the laser diode 25, and is used for connection to the conductive plate 30 via solder or a conductive adhesive. On the upper surface of the laser diode 25, a light emitting unit 27 that emits light is provided at substantially the center, and a terminal for electrical connection via a wire 35 is provided around the light emitting unit 27.

  The conductive plate 30 of OSA1 is formed of, for example, a thin plate made of metal, has flexibility, and can be bent. The conductive plate 30 is connected to the connection terminal portion 21 of the photodiode 20 and the connection terminal portion 26 of the laser diode 25 using solder or a conductive adhesive, or provided on the upper surface of the photodiode 20 and the laser diode 25. The connected terminals are connected via wires 35, and the photodiode 20 and the laser diode 25 transmit and receive electrical signals. In other words, the conductive plate 30 corresponds to a wiring connecting circuit components in a circuit of an optical communication device using the photodiode 20 and the laser diode 25. The conductive plate 30 is electrically connected to a metal connection terminal exposed to the outside of the housing 2, and the photodiode 20 and the laser diode 25 are connected to the outside through the connection terminal and the conductive plate 30. Electric signals can be transmitted and received.

  The two holding portions 10 of the OSA 1 transmit the photodiode 20 and the laser diode 25 and a part of the conductive plate 30 to which the photodiode 20 and the laser diode 25 are connected (peripheral portions of the connection position of the photodiode 20 and the laser diode 25) to each other. Each of the photodiode 20 and the laser diode 25 is held by being individually sealed with a synthetic resin. The holding part 10 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape in a plan view, and a convex lens surface 11 is integrally formed at the center of the upper surface.

  The lens surface 11 of the holding unit 10 that holds the photodiode 20 is provided to collect the light incident through the light transmitting unit 4 of the housing 2 onto the light receiving unit 22 of the photodiode 20. 11 and the center of the light receiving unit 22 are integrally formed on the upper surface of the holding unit 10 so as to substantially coincide with each other. The lens surface 11 of the holding unit 10 that holds the laser diode 25 allows light emitted from the light emitting unit 27 of the laser diode 25 to pass through a light transmitting unit 4 of the housing 2 at a predetermined position (for example, an MT connector coupled to the OSA 1). It is provided to collect light at a position where the optical fiber is disposed, and is integrally formed on the upper surface of the holding unit 10 so that the center of the lens surface 11 and the center of the light emitting unit 27 are substantially coincident with each other.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view showing configurations of the holding unit 10 and the conductive plate 30 of the OSA 1. In addition, in FIG. 3, the external shape of the holding | maintenance part 10 is shown with the broken line. In the illustrated example, OSA1 includes five conductive plates 30a to 30e. The first conductive plate 30a has a substantially rectangular shape, and the photodiode 20 is connected to the upper surface on one end side in the longitudinal direction using solder or conductive adhesive, and the other end side is exposed to the outside of the housing 2. It is connected to a metal connection terminal. The first conductive plate 30 a is formed with a substantially circular opening 32 having a diameter larger than that of the connection pin 3, and the connection pin 3 passes through the housing 2 and passes through the opening 32 in the housing 2. It is arranged. The second conductive plate 30b has a substantially rectangular shape and is arranged side by side with the first conductive plate 30a. The upper surface on one end side in the longitudinal direction and the terminal provided on the upper surface of the photodiode 20 are connected via the wire 35. The other end side is connected to a metal connection terminal exposed to the outside of the housing 2.

  The third conductive plate 30c has substantially the same configuration as the first conductive plate 30a, and is disposed in the housing 2 in the opposite direction (or symmetrically) with the first conductive plate 30a. The third conductive plate 30c has a substantially rectangular shape, the laser diode 25 is connected to the upper surface on one end side in the longitudinal direction using solder or a conductive adhesive, and the other end side is exposed to the outside of the housing 2. It is connected to a metal connection terminal. Further, a substantially circular opening 32 having a diameter larger than that of the connection pin 3 is formed in the third conductive plate 30c. The fourth conductive plate 30d has substantially the same configuration as the second conductive plate 30b, and is disposed in the casing 2 in the opposite direction to the second conductive plate 30b. The fourth conductive plate 30d has a substantially rectangular shape and is arranged side by side with the third conductive plate 30c. The upper surface on one end side in the longitudinal direction and the terminal provided on the upper surface of the laser diode 25 are connected via the wire 35. The other end side is connected to a metal connection terminal exposed to the outside of the housing 2.

  The fifth conductive plate 30e includes two substantially rectangular portions arranged side by side on the first conductive plate 30a and the third conductive plate 30c, respectively, and a photo of the first conductive plate 30a. Two substantially U-shaped portions and two substantially U-shaped portions arranged so as to surround an end portion to which the diode 20 is connected and an end portion of the third conductive plate 30c to which the laser diode 25 is connected. Are connected to each other.

  The first conductive plate 30 a and the second conductive plate 30 b are used to exchange electrical signals with the photodiode 20. The third conductive plate 30c and the fourth conductive plate 30d are for exchanging electrical signals with the laser diode 25. The fifth conductive plate 30e is connected to a fixed potential such as a ground potential, and protects (shields) the photodiode 20 and the laser diode 25 from external noise.

  The holding unit 10 that holds the photodiode 20 includes the photodiode 20, one end portion of the first conductive plate 30 a (not including the opening 32), one end portion of the second conductive plate 30 b, the wire 35, Part of the substantially rectangular portion and the substantially U-shaped portion of the conductive plate 30e of 5 are molded by resin sealing with a translucent synthetic resin. Similarly, the holding unit 10 that holds the laser diode 25 includes the laser diode 25, one end portion of the third conductive plate 30c (not including the opening 32), one end portion of the fourth conductive plate 30d, and the wire 35. And a part of a substantially rectangular portion and a substantially U-shaped portion of the fifth conductive plate 30e are molded by resin sealing with a translucent synthetic resin. Thus, the two holding portions 10 of OSA1 are connected via the fifth conductive plate 30e.

  The two holding portions 10 of the OSA 1 are arranged in the housing 2 so as to face the two light transmission holes 4 formed in the light transmission surface 2 a of the housing 2. At this time, each holding part 10 has the center of the lens surface 11 and the center of the light transmission hole 4 substantially coincided with each other, or the center of the light receiving part 22 or the light emitting part 27 and the center of the light transmission hole 4 are approximately. They are positioned so as to coincide with each other and are fixed in the housing 2.

  The positioning (alignment) of the two holding portions 10 is performed by first positioning one holding portion 10 with respect to the corresponding one light passing hole 4 and then positioning the other holding portion 10 with respect to the other light passing hole 4. It can be done by positioning. In the OSA 1 according to the present embodiment, since the two holding portions 10 are connected via the conductive plate 30 (30e) having flexibility, the conductive plate 30 between the two holding portions 10 is bent or bent. In addition, since the distance between the two holding portions 10 can be adjusted appropriately, the positioning operation of the two holding portions 10 can be performed individually.

  The positioning operation of each holding unit 10 is performed by, for example, fixing the housing 2 to a jig or the like and determining the center of the light transmission hole 4 from an image obtained by photographing the housing 2 with a camera or the like. This can be done by determining the position of the holding unit 10 so that the center of the lens surface 11 of the holding unit 10 coincides with the center position.

  In the OSA 1 having the above configuration, the two holding portions 10 that hold the photodiodes 20 and the laser diodes 25 corresponding to the respective light passing holes 4 are arranged in the housing 2 in which the two light passing holes 4 are arranged in parallel. At the same time, the two holding portions 10 are connected via the flexible conductor 30 so that the two holding portions 10 holding the photodiode 20 and the laser diode 25 are handled as one component and the OSA1. Can be assembled. In addition, since the distance between the holding portions 10 can be adjusted by bending or bending the conductor 30, the operation of positioning each holding portion 10 individually with respect to the light transmission hole 4 can be performed. Therefore, the alignment work of the photodiode 20 and the laser diode 25 included in the OSA 1 can be easily and accurately performed.

  Further, the holding part 10 is molded by individually sealing the photodiode 20 and the laser diode 25 connected to the flexible conductor 30 with a light-transmitting synthetic resin. The connecting portion between the diode 20 and the laser diode 25 is firmly fixed by resin sealing, and the strength does not decrease. Moreover, since the conductor 30 between the holding | maintenance parts 10 can maintain flexibility, the alignment operation | work of each holding | maintenance part 10 can be performed separately.

  Further, by integrally molding the lens surface 11 on each holding part 10, the number of parts of the OSA1 can be reduced, and the assembly of the OSA1 can be facilitated. Further, by providing two connection pins 3 for connecting to other members on the light transmission surface 2 a of the housing 2 of the OSA 1 and providing two light transmission holes 4 between the connection pins 3. As with the MT connector, it can be easily connected to other members.

  In the present embodiment, the OSA 1 includes the two photoelectric elements of the photodiode 20 and the laser diode 25. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the OSA 1 may include three or more photoelectric elements. The OSA 1 may be configured to include only a plurality of photodiodes 20, or may be configured to include only a plurality of laser diodes 25. In addition, although the lens surface 11 is integrally formed with each holding portion 10, the present invention is not limited to this, and a separate lens may be provided in the housing 2. The OSA 1 includes the two connection pins 3. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The OSA 1 does not include the connection pins 3, and a hole or a recess into which the connection pin of another member is inserted is formed in the housing 2. It may be configured to.

  The configuration of the conductive plate 30 shown in FIG. 3 is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the conductive plate 30 that connects the two holding portions 10 does not need to be provided so as to connect the two holding portions 10 at a substantially shortest distance, and is conductive so as to bypass other members. For example, the plate 30 may be provided to connect the two holding portions 10 together. Further, the two holding portions 10 are connected by the shield conductive plate 30e connected to the ground potential, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the two holding portions 10 are connected by the other conductive plates 30a to 30d. The structure which connects may be sufficient.

(Modification 1)
FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the optical communication module according to Modification 1 of Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The OSA 1 according to the above-described first embodiment includes the photodiode 20 in which the connection terminal portion 21 and the light receiving portion 22 are provided on the opposite surface, and the laser diode 25 in which the connection terminal portion 26 and the light emitting portion 27 are provided on the opposite surface. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The OSA 1 according to the first modification includes a photodiode 20a in which the connection terminal portion 21 and the light receiving portion 22 are provided on the same surface, and a laser diode 25a in which the connection terminal portion 26 and the light emitting portion 27 are provided on the same surface. It is.

  The photodiode 20a included in the OSA 1 according to the modified example 1 includes a light receiving portion 22 at the center of one surface (upper surface in FIG. 4), a connection terminal portion 21 around the periphery, and a center at the opposite surface. A terminal for connecting to the conductive plate 30 via the wire 35 is provided. An opening 31 is formed in the conductive plate 30 (30a) at a portion facing the light receiving portion 22 of the connected photodiode 20a, and the light collected by the lens surface 11 through the opening 31 is received by the light receiving portion of the photodiode 20a. 22 can receive light.

  Similarly, the laser diode 25a included in the OSA 1 according to the first modification includes a light emitting unit 27 at the center of the upper surface, a connection terminal unit 26 around the light emitting unit 27, and a wire 35 at the center of the opposite surface. Terminals for connecting to the conductive plate 30 are provided. An opening 31 is formed in the conductive plate 30 (30c) at a portion facing the light emitting portion 27 of the connected laser diode 25a, and the light emitted from the light emitting portion 27 of the laser diode 25a through the opening 31 is formed on the lens surface 11. The light can be condensed at a predetermined position.

  As described above, the OSA1 includes the photodiode 20a in which the connection terminal portion 21 and the light receiving portion 22 are provided on the same surface, or the laser diode 25a in which the connection terminal portion 26 and the light emitting portion 27 are provided on the same surface. However, by forming the opening 31 in the conductive plate 30 and allowing the light to the light receiving unit 22 or the light from the light emitting unit 27 to pass through, the same operations and effects as the OSA 1 according to the first embodiment described above can be obtained. It is possible to realize OSA1 having the same.

(Modification 2)
FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the optical communication module according to Modification 2 of Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The OSA 1 according to the first embodiment described above is configured to mold the holding unit 10 by sealing the photoelectric element and the conductive plate 30 with a light-transmitting synthetic resin, but is not limited thereto. The holding portion 10b of the OSA 1 according to the modified example 2 does not have flexibility on the opposite side (lower side) of the conductive plate 30 to which the photodiode 20 or the laser diode 25 is connected on one side (upper side in FIG. 5). This is a configuration in which a substrate or the like is attached and reinforced.

  Further, the OSA 1 according to the modified example 2 has a housing 2 (at least a light transmitting surface 2a) formed of a transparent synthetic resin, and a lens 5 is integrally formed in each light transmitting hole 4. Yes. One lens 5 is for condensing light to the light receiving portion 22 of the photodiode 20 held by the holding portion 10b, and the other lens 5 is a light emission of the laser diode 25 held by the holding portion 10b. It is for condensing the light from the part 27 to a predetermined position.

  As described above, the photodiode 20 and the laser diode 25 are not necessarily sealed with resin, and may be configured differently such as being reinforced with a substrate. Even in this configuration, the above-described first embodiment is used. The OSA1 having the same operation and effect as the OSA1 can be realized. Further, by integrally molding the lens 5 on the housing 2, even if the lens cannot be integrally molded on the holding portion 10b, the number of parts of the OSA 1 can be reduced.

  When the shape of the housing 2 of the OSA 1 is determined in conformity with a standard such as an MT connector, the interval (pitch) between the plurality of light transmission holes 4 provided in the light transmission surface 2a of the housing 2 is narrow, In some cases, the plurality of holding portions 10 cannot be arranged in parallel at substantially the same pitch as the pitch of the light holes 4. A solution to this problem will be described in the second embodiment below.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the optical communication module according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In the OSA 201 according to the second embodiment, the pitch of the two light passage holes 204 formed in the light passage surface 2a of the housing 2 is narrow, and the two holding portions 210 are arranged in parallel in the housing 2 at the same pitch. (I.e., the center of the light transmission hole 204 and the center of the light receiving unit 22 of the photodiode 20 held by the holding unit 210 or the center of the light emitting unit 27 of the laser diode 25 cannot be arranged substantially coincident). ) Configuration.

  The OSA 201 according to the second embodiment is provided to project from each holding unit 210 that holds the photodiode 20 or the laser diode 25, and guides light incident through the light passage hole 4 to the light receiving unit 22 of the photodiode 20, or A light guide unit 240 that guides light emitted from the light emitting unit 27 of the laser diode 25 to the light hole 4 is provided. The light guide unit 240 is integrally formed with the holding unit 210 and a light-transmitting synthetic resin, and has a plurality of surfaces having different shapes. Further, the front end portion (upper end portion in FIG. 6) of the light guide portion 240 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape having a diameter smaller than that of the light passage hole 4, and each holding portion 210 guides light into the corresponding light passage hole 204. The portion 240 is disposed in the housing 2 with the tip portion inserted.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of the light guide unit 240. In FIG. 7, the light guide unit 240 of the holding unit 210 that holds the photodiode 20 is illustrated, and the light guide unit 240 of the holding unit 210 that holds the laser diode 250 is not illustrated. 240 has substantially the same configuration.

  The light guide unit 240 has a lens surface 241 as an end surface of a tip portion molded in a substantially cylindrical shape. The lens surface 241 converts light emitted with a predetermined spread from a predetermined position outside the OSA 1 (point A in FIG. 7) into parallel light by refraction, and enters the light guide 240. The light guide unit 240 has a reflection plane 242 that totally reflects the parallel light incident in the light guide unit 240 from the lens surface 241, and the reflection plane 242 causes the parallel light from the lens surface 241 to be in a substantially vertical direction. reflect. In addition, the light guide unit 240 further reflects the light reflected by the reflection plane 242 in a substantially vertical direction and also has a reflection curved surface 243 that condenses the light reception unit 22 of the photodiode 20 held by the holding unit 10. Have.

  That is, the light guide unit 240 converts the light from the point A into parallel light at the lens surface 241, reflects the parallel light in a substantially vertical direction at the reflection plane 242, and reflects the reflected parallel light at the reflection curved surface. The light can be further reflected at 243 and condensed on the light receiving portion 22 of the photodiode 20.

  Further, when the laser diode 25 is held by the holding unit 210, the light guide unit 240 converts the light emitted from the light emitting unit 27 of the laser diode 25 into parallel light by the reflection curved surface 243 and reflects it, The reflected light is further reflected by the reflection plane 242 in a substantially vertical direction, and the reflected light is further condensed at point A by the lens surface 241.

  The positioning operation of the two holding portions 210 of the OSA 201 according to the second embodiment is as follows. First, one holding portion 210 is inserted into the light hole 204 through the distal end portion of the light guide portion 240 and then the center of the lens surface 241. After positioning so that the center of the light transmission hole 204 substantially coincides, and then inserting the other holding part 210 into the light hole 204 through the distal end portion of the light guide part 240, the light passing through the center of the lens surface 241. This can be done by positioning so that the center of the hole 204 substantially matches. Since the two holding portions 210 are connected via the conductive plate 30 having flexibility, the conductive plate 30 between the two holding portions 210 can be bent or bent, and the distance between the two holding portions 110 can be bent. Therefore, the positioning work of the two holding portions 110 can be performed individually.

  The OSA 201 according to the second embodiment having the above configuration includes a light guide unit 240 that reflects or refracts light, and emits light from the light passage hole 204 to the light receiving unit 22 of the photodiode 20 or light emission of the laser diode 25. By adopting a configuration in which light from the portion 27 is guided to the light hole 204, the pitch of the plurality of light passage holes 204 provided in the housing 2 is narrow, and the plurality of holding portions 210 are arranged at the same pitch in the housing 2. The OSA 201 can carry out transmission / reception of an optical signal through the light passage hole 204 by mounting a plurality of photoelectric elements.

  Further, by integrally molding the light guide unit 240 with the holding unit 210 using a light-transmitting synthetic resin, the number of parts of the OSA 1 is reduced as compared with a configuration in which the light guide unit 240 and the holding unit 210 are separated. The manufacturing process of OSA1 can be simplified.

  In the present embodiment, the configuration includes the photodiode 20 in which the connection terminal portion 21 and the light receiving portion 22 are provided on the opposite surfaces, and the laser diode 25 in which the connection terminal portion 26 and the light emitting portion 27 are provided on the opposite surfaces. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and by using the same configuration as that of the first modification of the first embodiment, the connection terminal portion 21 and the light receiving portion 22 are provided on the same surface, and the connection It is good also as a structure provided with the laser diode 25a in which the terminal part 26 and the light emission part 27 were provided in the same surface. Still further, by appropriately setting the shape of the light guide unit 240, a photoelectric conversion device such as an edge-emitting laser diode in which the light emitting unit 27 is provided on a surface perpendicular to the surface on which the connection terminal unit 26 is provided. It can also be set as the structure provided with an element.

  Further, the shape of the light guide unit 240 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is an example, and the shape is not limited to this. The shape of each light passage hole 204, the arrangement of the plurality of light passage holes 204, The shape of the light guide unit 240 can be set as appropriate according to the arrangement of the plurality of holding units 210, the shape of the holding unit 210, and the like. In addition, the light guide unit 240 is integrally formed with the holding unit 210. However, the configuration is not limited thereto, and the light guide unit 240 may be separated from the holding unit 210.

  In addition, the holding part 210 is positioned so that the center of the light transmission hole 204 and the center of the lens surface 241 of the light guide part 240 coincide with each other. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A configuration in which the position of the holding unit 210 is determined only by fitting the tip portion of the light guide unit 240 may be used.

1 OSA
2 Housing 2a Light-transmitting surface 3 Connection pin 4 Light-transmitting hole 5 Lens 10, 10a, 10b Holding portion 11 Lens surface 20, 20a Photodiode (photoelectric element)
21 Connection terminal portion 22 Light receiving portion 25, 25a Laser diode (photoelectric element)
26 Connection terminal portion 27 Light emitting portion 30, 30a to 30e Conductive plate (conductor)
31 opening 32 opening 35 wire 201 OSA
204 light transmission hole 210 holding part 240 light guide part (light guide means)
241 Lens surface 242 Reflection plane 243 Reflection curved surface

Claims (7)

A plurality of photoelectric elements each having a light receiving portion or a light emitting portion and performing conversion from an optical signal to an electrical signal or from an electrical signal to an optical signal;
Forming a polyhedron having a light-transmitting surface in which a plurality of light-transmitting holes through which light to the light-receiving portion of each photoelectric element or light from the light-emitting portion of each photoelectric element passes are arranged, and housing the plurality of photoelectric elements Body,
Each holding the photoelectric element, and a plurality of holding portions arranged in parallel in the housing corresponding to the plurality of light passage holes,
The optical communication module, wherein the plurality of holding portions are connected via a flexible conductor. The said holding | maintenance part is sealing individually the some photoelectric element connected to the one or some said conductor with the translucent synthetic resin with a part of said conductor. The optical communication module according to 1. The holding portion has a lens surface for condensing light from the corresponding light passage hole to the light receiving portion of the photoelectric element, or light from the light emitting portion of the photoelectric element through the corresponding light passage hole. The optical communication module according to claim 2, wherein a lens surface that condenses light at a predetermined position is integrally molded. The holding part is
Arranged in the housing so that the center of the light receiving part or the light emitting part of the held photoelectric element does not coincide with the center of the corresponding light transmission hole,
Light guiding means that reflects or refracts light and guides light from the light passage hole to the corresponding light receiving portion of the photoelectric element or light from the light emitting portion of the photoelectric element to the corresponding light passage hole. The optical communication module according to claim 2, wherein the optical communication module is provided. The optical communication module according to claim 4, wherein the holding unit and the light guide unit are integrally molded. A lens provided in each light passage hole of the housing;
The optical communication module according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the lens is integrally molded with the casing with a light-transmitting synthetic resin. Protrusively provided on the light-transmitting surface of the housing, and includes a plurality of connection pins for connecting to other members,
The optical communication module according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the light passage holes are arranged in parallel between the plurality of connection pins.

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