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WO2025032947A1 - Connecteur optique, procédé de fabrication de connecteur optique et procédé de fabrication de ferrule - Google Patents

Connecteur optique, procédé de fabrication de connecteur optique et procédé de fabrication de ferrule Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2025032947A1
WO2025032947A1 PCT/JP2024/020944 JP2024020944W WO2025032947A1 WO 2025032947 A1 WO2025032947 A1 WO 2025032947A1 JP 2024020944 W JP2024020944 W JP 2024020944W WO 2025032947 A1 WO2025032947 A1 WO 2025032947A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
adhesive
hole
fiber
ferrule
filling hole
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
PCT/JP2024/020944
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English (en)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
裕幸 山岸
茂樹 松永
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Fujikura Ltd
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Fujikura Ltd
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Fujikura Ltd filed Critical Fujikura Ltd
Publication of WO2025032947A1 publication Critical patent/WO2025032947A1/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
    • G02B6/40—Mechanical coupling means having fibre bundle mating means

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an optical connector, a method for manufacturing an optical connector, and a method for manufacturing a ferrule.
  • Multicore fiber has multiple cores within one cladding.
  • multiple optical fibers single-core fibers are connected to one multicore fiber to branch the optical wiring.
  • Patent Document 1 discloses an optical connector in which multiple optical fibers are inserted into one fiber hole in a ferrule. With this type of optical connector, multiple optical fibers can be connected to a connection target (e.g., a multicore fiber).
  • a connection target e.g., a multicore fiber
  • the tip of each optical fiber may be thinned by etching or other methods. This is to bring the thinned tips into close contact with each other within the fiber hole and align the positions of the cores of each optical fiber with the positions of the cores of the multicore fiber to be connected.
  • the inside of the ferrule is filled with adhesive to fix multiple optical fibers to the ferrule.
  • adhesive to fix multiple optical fibers to the ferrule.
  • the radial rigidity of the optical fiber decreases. Therefore, microbending is likely to occur in the optical fiber when internal stress caused by the cure shrinkage of the adhesive or external force caused by voids formed in the adhesive acts on the optical fiber. Microbending of optical fibers leads to increased excess loss.
  • the present invention was made in consideration of these circumstances, and aims to provide an optical connector, an optical connector manufacturing method, and a ferrule manufacturing method that can position an optical fiber with high precision at the connection end face and reduce microbends in the optical fiber.
  • the optical connector according to aspect 1 of the present invention comprises a ferrule having a connection end surface and a fiber hole opening on the connection end surface, a plurality of optical fibers inserted into the fiber hole, and an adhesive for fixing the plurality of optical fibers to the ferrule, each of the plurality of optical fibers having a small diameter portion, a large diameter portion having a diameter larger than the small diameter portion, and a tapered portion located between the small diameter portion and the large diameter portion, the adhesive includes a first adhesive and a second adhesive having a Young's modulus smaller than that of the first adhesive, the ferrule has a first filling hole communicating with the fiber hole and filled with the first adhesive, and a second filling hole communicating with the fiber hole and filled with the second adhesive, the first filling hole is disposed closer to the connection end surface than the second filling hole, the first filling hole is disposed at a position overlapping the small diameter portion in the longitudinal direction of the fiber hole, and the second filling hole is disposed at a position overlapping the small diameter
  • the second adhesive has a higher viscosity than the first adhesive.
  • the adhesive includes a third adhesive having a larger Young's modulus than the second adhesive, and the ferrule has a third filling hole that communicates with the fiber hole and is filled with the third adhesive, and the third filling hole is located closer to the base end than the second filling hole.
  • the optical connector further includes a boot connected to the end of the ferrule opposite the connection end face, and the boot has an insertion passage through which the multiple optical fibers can be inserted and a fourth filling hole that communicates with the insertion passage and is filled with the second adhesive.
  • the material of the boot is the same as the material of the ferrule.
  • the Young's modulus of the first adhesive is 300 to 14,000 MPa at room temperature
  • the Young's modulus of the second adhesive is 0.4 to 1.5 MPa at room temperature
  • the Young's modulus of the third adhesive is 0.4 to 14,000 MPa at room temperature.
  • the method for manufacturing an optical connector according to aspect 7 of the present invention includes preparing a plurality of optical fibers having a small diameter portion, a tapered portion, and a large diameter portion, preparing a ferrule having a fiber hole, a first filling hole communicating with the fiber hole, and a second filling hole located on the base end side of the first filling hole, inserting the plurality of optical fibers into the fiber hole so that the position of the small diameter portion overlaps with the first filling hole in the longitudinal direction of the fiber hole, injecting a first adhesive into the fiber hole through the first filling hole, and after the injection of the first adhesive, injecting a second adhesive having a smaller Young's modulus than the first adhesive into the inside of the ferrule through the second filling hole.
  • the method for manufacturing a ferrule according to aspect 8 of the present invention is a method for manufacturing a ferrule having a connection end face, a fiber hole opening into the connection end face, and an internal space communicating with the fiber hole, and includes the steps of: preparing a ferrule body having the connection end face, the fiber hole, and a recess exposing the internal space; preparing a lid having a first filling hole and a second filling hole; and fitting the lid into the recess to cover the internal space and to fix the ferrule body and the lid together.
  • the above aspects of the present invention provide an optical connector, an optical connector manufacturing method, and a ferrule manufacturing method that can position an optical fiber at the connection end face with high precision and reduce microbends in the optical fiber.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an optical connector according to a first embodiment.
  • 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II of FIG. 1.
  • 2 is a perspective view of the optical connector shown in FIG. 1 with a plurality of optical fibers extracted.
  • FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG.
  • FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an optical connector according to a second embodiment. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in FIG. 5.
  • FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of an optical connector according to a third embodiment.
  • FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a ferrule according to a third embodiment.
  • the optical connector 1A includes a ferrule 10, a plurality of optical fibers 20, an adhesive 30, two positioning pins 40, and a boot 60. Note that the optical connector 1A does not necessarily need to include the positioning pin 40 and the boot 60.
  • the ferrule 10 has a connection end face 10a, a rear end 10b, a fiber hole 11, a first filling hole 12, a second filling hole 13, a third filling hole 14, two positioning holes 15, and an internal space S (see FIG. 2).
  • the connection end face 10a is the surface that is abutted against another connector or the like when the optical connector 1A is connected to the other connector or the like.
  • the rear end 10b is the end of the ferrule 10 opposite the connection end face 10a.
  • the fiber hole 11 and the two positioning holes 15 open in the connection end face 10a. In the connection end face 10a, the fiber hole 11 is arranged so as to be sandwiched between the two positioning holes 15.
  • optical fibers 20 are introduced into a single fiber hole 11. As shown in FIG. 1, a positioning pin 40 is inserted into each of the two positioning holes 15.
  • the optical connector 1A shown is male and has a positioning pin 40. However, the optical connector 1A may be female and not have a positioning pin 40.
  • the material of the ferrule 10 is, for example, resin, ceramic, etc.
  • resin include epoxy, PPS, PEEK, and PEI.
  • ceramic include zirconia.
  • the direction parallel to the central axis O of the fiber hole 11 is referred to as the Z direction, the axial direction Z, or the longitudinal direction Z.
  • the direction from the rear end 10b of the ferrule 10 toward the connection end face 10a along the longitudinal direction Z is referred to as the +Z direction, the forward direction, or the tip side.
  • the direction opposite to the +Z direction is referred to as the -Z direction, the rearward direction, or the base end side.
  • one direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction Z is referred to as the first direction X.
  • the first direction X is also the direction in which the two positioning holes 15 are arranged.
  • the direction perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction Z and the first direction X is referred to as the second direction Y.
  • a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction Z is referred to as a transverse section.
  • the transverse section is a cross section extending along the first direction X and the second direction Y.
  • a direction perpendicular to the central axis O as viewed from the longitudinal direction Z is referred to as a radial direction.
  • FIG. 3 is a diagram of the optical fibers 20 shown in FIG. 1.
  • the optical connector 1A of this embodiment has four optical fibers 20.
  • the number of optical fibers 20 may be changed.
  • Each optical fiber 20 has a bare fiber 21 and a coating 22.
  • the bare fiber 21 is made of, for example, quartz glass.
  • the coating 22 partially covers the bare fiber 21 and plays a role in protecting the bare fiber 21.
  • the coating 22 is made of a resin or the like.
  • the material of the coating 22 may be a UV-curable resin.
  • the coating 22 is not provided and the bare fiber 21 is exposed. The exposed bare fiber 21 is inserted into the fiber hole 11 of the ferrule 10.
  • the bare fiber 21 has a small diameter portion 21a, a large diameter portion 21b, and a tapered portion 21c.
  • the outer diameter of the small diameter portion 21a is smaller than the outer diameter of the large diameter portion 21b.
  • the small diameter portion 21a is located at the tip of the bare fiber 21.
  • the tapered portion 21c is located between the small diameter portion 21a and the large diameter portion 21b.
  • the tapered portion 21c has an outer diameter that gradually decreases toward the front.
  • the small diameter portion 21a and the tapered portion 21c can be formed by thinning the end of the bare fiber 21, which has a constant outer diameter (the same outer diameter as the large diameter portion 21b) in the longitudinal direction, for example by etching.
  • the four small diameter portions 21a of the four optical fibers 20 are inserted into one fiber hole 11 of the ferrule 10.
  • the bare fiber 21 does not have to have the tapered portion 21c. That is, the bare fiber 21 may have a shape in which the small diameter portion 21a and the large diameter portion 21b are connected.
  • the small diameter portion 21a and the tapered portion 21c can be formed by etching the bare fiber 21.
  • the bare fiber 21 is quartz glass, hydrofluoric acid or buffered hydrofluoric acid (BHF) may be used as the etching solution.
  • BHF buffered hydrofluoric acid
  • the material of the bare fiber 21 and the method of forming the small diameter portion 21a and the tapered portion 21c are not limited to the above.
  • Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the optical fiber 20.
  • the bare fiber 21 has a core 21d and a clad 21e.
  • the clad 21e is arranged to surround the core 21d.
  • the refractive index of the clad 21e is lower than the refractive index of the core 21d. Therefore, the optical fiber 20 can confine light inside the core 21d.
  • the fiber hole 11 has a guide portion 11a and a positioning portion 11b.
  • the guide portion 11a is located closer to the base end (-Z side) than the positioning portion 11b.
  • the inner diameter of the guide portion 11a is larger than the inner diameter of the positioning portion 11b.
  • the guide portion 11a functions as a guide to make it easier for the bare fiber 21 to enter the positioning portion 11b.
  • the guide portion 11a is not essential.
  • the positioning portion 11b functions to determine the position of the bare fiber 21. By determining the position of each bare fiber 21 inside the positioning portion 11b, an optical connection between the optical connector 1A and another optical connector is achieved.
  • the optical connector to which the optical connector 1A is to be connected may have a so-called multi-core fiber.
  • a multi-core fiber is an optical fiber with multiple cores inside one cladding.
  • the multi-core fiber may have four cores.
  • the optical connector to which the optical connector 1A is to be connected may have the same structure as the optical connector 1A, except for the presence or absence of a positioning pin 40.
  • the first filling hole 12, the second filling hole 13, and the third filling hole 14 open to one end surface of the ferrule 10 facing the second direction Y.
  • the first filling hole 12, the second filling hole 13, and the third filling hole 14 are arranged in this order in the longitudinal direction Z from the tip side (+Z side) to the base side (-Z side).
  • the first filling hole 12 is arranged in a position overlapping the small diameter portion 21a in the longitudinal direction Z
  • the second filling hole 13 is arranged in a position overlapping the small diameter portion 21a in the longitudinal direction Z.
  • the second filling hole 13 may be arranged in a position overlapping the tapered portion 21c in the longitudinal direction Z.
  • the internal space S of the ferrule 10 is located closer to the base end (-Z side) than the fiber hole 11.
  • the fiber hole 11, the first filling hole 12, the second filling hole 13, and the third filling hole 14 are connected to the internal space S.
  • the first filling hole 12, the second filling hole 13, and the third filling hole 14 are connected to the fiber hole 11 via the internal space S.
  • the boot 60 is a cylindrical member through which the optical fibers 20 are inserted.
  • the boot 60 is connected to the rear end 10b of the ferrule 10.
  • the boot 60 is molded integrally with the ferrule 10. Therefore, the material of the boot 60 in this embodiment is the same as the material of the ferrule 10.
  • the boot 60 and the ferrule 10 may be separate members. In this case, for example, the front end of the boot 60 may be inserted into an introduction hole formed in the rear end of the ferrule 10, thereby fixing the boot 60 to the rear end 10b of the ferrule 10.
  • the boot 60 has an insertion passage 61 through which the optical fibers 20 can be inserted.
  • the insertion passage 61 extends in the longitudinal direction Z and penetrates the boot 60.
  • the insertion passage 61 communicates with the internal space S and the fiber hole 11.
  • the adhesive 30 has the function of fixing the multiple optical fibers 20 to the ferrule 10.
  • the adhesive 30 includes a first adhesive 31, a second adhesive 32, and a third adhesive 33.
  • the first adhesive 31, the second adhesive 32, and the third adhesive 33 may be made of, for example, a thermosetting resin. More specifically, the first adhesive 31, the second adhesive 32, and the third adhesive 33 may be made of an epoxy resin.
  • the Young's modulus of the second adhesive 32 is smaller than that of the first adhesive 31.
  • the Young's modulus of the second adhesive 32 is smaller than that of the third adhesive 33.
  • the Young's modulus of the first adhesive 31 is 300 to 14,000 MPa at room temperature
  • the Young's modulus of the second adhesive 32 is 0.4 to 1.5 MPa at room temperature
  • the Young's modulus of the third adhesive 33 is 0.4 to 14,000 MPa at room temperature.
  • the viscosity of the second adhesive 32 is higher than that of the first adhesive 31 and that of the third adhesive 33.
  • the third adhesive 33 may be the same as the first adhesive 31.
  • the third adhesive 33 may be different from the first adhesive 31.
  • the first adhesive 31 is injected into the internal space S of the ferrule 10 through the first filling hole 12.
  • the first adhesive 31 also passes through the internal space S and fills the fiber hole 11.
  • the second adhesive 32 is injected into the internal space S through the second filling hole 13.
  • the third adhesive 33 is injected into the internal space S through the third filling hole 14.
  • the third adhesive 33 also fills the insertion passage 61 through the internal space S.
  • the area filled with the first adhesive 31 is referred to as the first region R1
  • the area filled with the second adhesive 32 is referred to as the second region R2
  • the area filled with the third adhesive 33 is referred to as the third region R3.
  • the first adhesive 31 injected from the first filling hole 12 is filled into the first region R1 and the first filling hole 12.
  • the second adhesive 32 injected from the second filling hole 13 is filled into the second region R2 and the second filling hole 13.
  • the third adhesive 33 injected from the third filling hole 14 is filled into the third region R3, the third filling hole 14, and the insertion passage 61.
  • the first region R1 is disposed over the entire fiber hole 11 and in a portion of the tip side of the internal space S.
  • the third region R3 is disposed in a portion of the rear end side of the internal space S.
  • the second region R2 is disposed between the first region R1 and the third region R3.
  • a first adhesive 31 with a large Young's modulus is disposed around the bare fiber 21. Because the Young's modulus of the first adhesive 31 is large, i.e., the first adhesive 31 is not easily deformed, the position of the bare fiber 21 in the positioning portion 11b is not easily changed. This allows each bare fiber 21 to be positioned with high precision at the connection end face 10a, and reduces connection loss in the optical connection between the optical connector 1A and other optical connectors.
  • the small diameter portion 21a has a lower radial rigidity than the large diameter portion 21b. Therefore, the small diameter portion 21a is easily affected by internal stress due to the cure shrinkage of the adhesive 30 and external forces due to voids formed in the adhesive 30.
  • a second adhesive 32 with a small Young's modulus is arranged around the small diameter portion 21a arranged in the second region R2.
  • the second adhesive 32 which has a small Young's modulus and is soft, can disperse external forces acting on the small diameter portion 21a. As a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of microbends in the bare fiber 21, and to reduce excess loss in the bare fiber 21.
  • a third adhesive 33 having a large Young's modulus is disposed around the optical fiber 20. Because the third adhesive 33 has a large Young's modulus, i.e., the third adhesive 33 is not easily deformed, the position of the optical fiber 20 is not easily changed at the rear end of the ferrule 10 and the boot 60. This ensures the tensile strength of the optical fiber 20 at the rear end of the ferrule 10 and the boot 60.
  • the viscosity of the second adhesive 32 disposed between the first adhesive 31 and the third adhesive 33 is higher than the viscosities of the first adhesive 31 and the third adhesive 33. This prevents the second adhesive 32 from flowing toward the first adhesive 31 and the third adhesive 33. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the second adhesive 32 from mixing with the first adhesive 31 and the third adhesive 33.
  • a plurality of optical fibers 20 each having a coating 22 are prepared.
  • the coating 22 is partially removed from each optical fiber 20 to expose the bare fiber 21 .
  • the exposed part of the bare fiber 21 is thinned by etching or the like.
  • the bare fibers 21 are inserted into the fiber holes 11 of the ferrule 10.
  • the first filling hole 12 is positioned so as to overlap the small diameter portion 21a in the longitudinal direction Z
  • the second filling hole 13 is positioned so as to overlap the small diameter portion 21a in the longitudinal direction Z.
  • the second filling hole 13 may also be positioned so as to overlap the tapered portion 21c in the longitudinal direction Z.
  • the first adhesive 31 in a fluid state is injected into the internal space S of the ferrule 10 through the first filling hole 12.
  • the first adhesive 31 fills the first region R1 and the first filling hole 12.
  • the first adhesive 31 may be actively forced into the fiber hole 11 by sucking the fiber hole 11 that opens onto the connection end face 10a with a vacuum or the like.
  • the first adhesive 31 may also be forced into the fiber hole 11 by capillary force or the like generated within the fiber hole 11.
  • the second adhesive 32 in a fluid state is injected into the internal space S through the second filling hole 13.
  • the second adhesive 32 fills the second region R2 and the second filling hole 13.
  • the third adhesive 33 in a fluid state is injected into the internal space S through the third filling hole 14.
  • the third adhesive 33 fills the third region R3 and the third filling hole 14.
  • the third adhesive 33 also fills the insertion passage 61 through the rear end of the internal space S.
  • the third adhesive 33 may be injected prior to the injection of the second adhesive 32.
  • the second adhesive 32 has a higher viscosity than the first adhesive 31 and the third adhesive 33.
  • the high viscosity i.e., low fluidity, makes it easier to place the second adhesive 32 in the desired region. Therefore, by injecting the second adhesive 32 prior to the injection of the third adhesive 33, it becomes easier to control the boundary between the second adhesive 32 and the third adhesive 33. As a result, it becomes easier to control the positions of the second region R2 and the third region R3.
  • the bare fiber 21 is fixed to the ferrule 10 by hardening the first adhesive 31, the second adhesive 32, and the third adhesive 33.
  • the first adhesive 31, the second adhesive 32, and the third adhesive 33 are a thermosetting resin such as an epoxy resin
  • the first adhesive 31, the second adhesive 32, and the third adhesive 33 are heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the hardening temperature.
  • the first adhesive 31, the second adhesive 32, and the third adhesive 33 are not a thermosetting resin
  • the first adhesive 31, the second adhesive 32, and the third adhesive 33 may be hardened by a method other than heating.
  • the first adhesive 31, the second adhesive 32, and the third adhesive 33 are UV-curable resins
  • the first adhesive 31, the second adhesive 32, and the third adhesive 33 may be cured by irradiating them with UV light.
  • multiple optical fibers 20 can be fixed to the ferrule 10. If necessary, other members (such as positioning pins 40) can be attached to the ferrule 10 to obtain the optical connector 1A.
  • the optical connector 1A includes a ferrule 10 having a connection end face 10a and a fiber hole 11 opening to the connection end face 10a, a plurality of optical fibers 20 inserted into the fiber hole 11, and an adhesive 30 for fixing the plurality of optical fibers 20 to the ferrule 10.
  • Each of the plurality of optical fibers 20 has a small diameter portion 21a, a large diameter portion 21b having a diameter larger than the small diameter portion 21a, and a tapered portion 21c located between the small diameter portion 21a and the large diameter portion 21b.
  • the adhesive 30 includes a first adhesive 31 and a second adhesive 32 having a smaller Young's modulus than the first adhesive 31.
  • the ferrule 10 has a first filling hole 12 communicating with the fiber hole 11 and filled with the first adhesive 31, and a second filling hole 13 communicating with the fiber hole 11 and filled with the second adhesive 32.
  • the first filling hole 12 is positioned closer to the connection end surface 10a than the second filling hole 13.
  • the first filling hole 12 is positioned in the longitudinal direction Z at a position overlapping with the small diameter portion 21a.
  • the second filling hole 13 is positioned in the longitudinal direction Z at a position overlapping with the small diameter portion 21a or the tapered portion 21c.
  • the optical fiber 20 can be positioned with high precision at the connection end surface 10a by using the first adhesive 31.
  • the small diameter portion 21a is easily affected by internal stress due to the cure shrinkage of the adhesive 30 and external forces due to voids formed in the adhesive 30.
  • the second adhesive 32 with a small Young's modulus is arranged around the small diameter portion 21a arranged near the second filling hole 13.
  • the second adhesive 32 with a small Young's modulus and softness can disperse external forces acting on the small diameter portion 21a.
  • the occurrence of microbends in the optical fiber 20 can be suppressed.
  • the optical fiber 20 can be positioned with high precision at the connection end surface 10a, and microbends in the optical fiber 20 can be reduced.
  • the second adhesive 32 also has a higher viscosity than the first adhesive 31. This configuration allows the second adhesive 32 to be more reliably positioned in the desired area (e.g., the portion of the optical fiber 20 where microbends are likely to occur).
  • the adhesive 30 also contains a third adhesive 33 having a larger Young's modulus than the second adhesive 32, and the ferrule 10 has a third filling hole 14 that communicates with the fiber hole 11 and is filled with the third adhesive 33, and the third filling hole 14 is disposed closer to the base end than the second filling hole 13.
  • the use of the third adhesive 33 ensures the tensile strength of the optical fiber 20 at the base end of the ferrule 10.
  • the Young's modulus of the first adhesive 31 is 300 to 14,000 MPa at room temperature
  • the Young's modulus of the second adhesive 32 is 0.4 to 1.5 MPa at room temperature
  • the Young's modulus of the third adhesive 33 is 0.4 to 14,000 MPa at room temperature.
  • the manufacturing method of the optical connector 1A of this embodiment includes preparing a plurality of optical fibers 20 each having a small diameter portion 21a, a tapered portion 21c, and a large diameter portion 21b, preparing a ferrule 10 having a fiber hole 11, a first filling hole 12 communicating with the fiber hole 11, and a second filling hole 13 located on the base end side of the first filling hole 12, inserting the plurality of optical fibers 20 into the fiber hole 11 in the longitudinal direction Z of the fiber hole 11 so that the position of the small diameter portion 21a overlaps with the first filling hole 12, injecting a first adhesive 31 into the fiber hole 11 through the first filling hole 12, and after the injection of the first adhesive 31, injecting a second adhesive 32 having a smaller Young's modulus than the first adhesive 31 into the inside of the ferrule 10 from the second filling hole 13.
  • the optical fiber 20 can be positioned with high precision at the connection end surface 10a, and microbending of the optical fiber 20 can be reduced.
  • the boot 60 has a fourth filling hole 62.
  • the fourth filling hole 62 opens to one end face of the boot 60 facing the second direction Y.
  • the fourth filling hole 62 is connected to the insertion passage 61.
  • the second adhesive 32 is injected into the insertion passage 61 through the fourth filling hole 62.
  • the second adhesive 32 fills the rear end of the insertion passage 61.
  • the tip of the insertion passage 61 is filled with the third adhesive 33 injected through the third filling hole 14.
  • the rear end of the insertion passage 61 is filled with the second adhesive 32, which has a small Young's modulus and is soft, so the bending stress applied to the optical fiber 20 can be alleviated.
  • the boot 60 has an insertion passage 61 through which multiple optical fibers 20 can be inserted, and a fourth filling hole 62 that communicates with the insertion passage 61 and is filled with the second adhesive 32.
  • the second adhesive 32 which has a small Young's modulus, is disposed around the optical fiber 20 disposed near the fourth filling hole 62, so that the bending stress applied to the optical fiber 20 can be alleviated.
  • the material of the boot 60 is the same as the material of the ferrule 10. With this configuration, even if the material of the boot 60 is the same as the material of the ferrule 10, the bending stress applied to the optical fiber 20 can be effectively alleviated by using the second adhesive 32.
  • the structure of the ferrule 70 is different from the structure of the ferrule 10 according to the first embodiment.
  • the ferrule 70 according to this embodiment has a ferrule body portion 71 and a lid portion 72 formed separately.
  • the ferrule 70 has a connection end face 10a, a rear end portion 10b, a fiber hole 11, a first filling hole 12, a second filling hole 13, a third filling hole 14, two positioning holes 15 (not shown in Figures 7 and 8), and an internal space S.
  • the ferrule body 71 has a connection end surface 10a, a fiber hole 11, and a recess 71a that exposes the internal space S.
  • the recess 71a has a shape corresponding to the lid 72.
  • the lid 72 has a first filling hole 12, a second filling hole 13, and a third filling hole 14.
  • the lid 72 is attached to the ferrule body 71 by fitting into the recess 71a of the ferrule body 71. At this time, the internal space S is covered by the lid 72.
  • a first groove 71b that forms the fiber hole 11 and part of the internal space S is formed on the surface of the ferrule body 71 that faces the lid 72 in the Y direction.
  • a second groove 72a that forms the fiber hole 11 and part of the internal space S is formed on the surface of the lid 72 that faces the ferrule body 71 in the Y direction.
  • the ferrule body 71 and the lid 72 are injection molded as separate bodies. After the ferrule body 71 and the lid 72 are assembled, they are fixed in place with adhesive or the like.
  • the manufacturing method of the ferrule 70 of this embodiment is a manufacturing method of a ferrule 70 having a connection end face 10a, a fiber hole 11 opening into the connection end face 10a, and an internal space S communicating with the fiber hole 11, in which a ferrule body 71 having the connection end face 10a, the fiber hole 11, and a recess 71a exposing the internal space S is prepared, a lid 72 having a first filling hole 12 and a second filling hole 13 is prepared, and the lid 72 is fitted into the recess 71a to cover the internal space S and fix the ferrule body 71 and the lid 72 together.
  • ferrules are formed by injection molding.
  • the mold for injection molding has pins that correspond to each hole in the ferrule.
  • the pins that correspond to the fiber holes have an outer diameter that corresponds to the inner diameter of the fiber hole. Because the inner diameter of the fiber hole is extremely small, the outer diameter of the pins that correspond to the fiber holes is also extremely thin.
  • the lid portion 72 having the first filling hole 12 and the second filling hole 13 is prepared separately from the ferrule body portion 71.
  • the lid portion 72 and the ferrule body portion 71 are combined to form the fiber hole 11 and the internal space S.
  • the range P of the fiber hole 11 formed by the pin of the mold can be reduced.
  • the length of the pin having the outer diameter corresponding to the fiber hole 11 can be shortened.
  • the difficulty of abutting the pin corresponding to the fiber hole 11 against the part of the mold corresponding to the recess 71a is lower than the difficulty of the mold structure when the ferrule is molded integrally. As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to easily and highly precisely mold the ferrule 70.
  • the Young's modulus of the second adhesive 32 is smaller than that of the first adhesive 31.
  • the second adhesive 32 may have a smaller cure shrinkage rate than the first adhesive 31. In this case, it is possible to reduce internal stress due to cure shrinkage of the second adhesive 32.
  • the second adhesive 32 may have a smaller water absorption rate than the first adhesive 31. In this case, it is possible to suppress swelling of the second adhesive 32 due to water.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Coupling Of Light Guides (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un connecteur optique (1A) comprenant une ferrule (10) qui a une surface d'extrémité de connexion (10a) et un trou de fibre (11) qui est ouvert dans la surface d'extrémité de connexion, une pluralité de fibres optiques (21) qui sont insérées dans le trou de fibre, et un adhésif (30) qui fixe la pluralité de fibres optiques à la ferrule, chacune de la pluralité de fibres optiques ayant une partie de petit diamètre (21a), une partie de grand diamètre (21b) qui a un diamètre plus grand que la partie de petit diamètre, et une partie effilée (21c) qui est positionnée entre la partie de petit diamètre et la partie de grand diamètre, l'adhésif comprenant un premier adhésif (31) et un second adhésif (32) ayant un module de Young inférieur à celui du premier adhésif, la ferrule ayant un premier trou de remplissage (12) communiquant avec le trou de fibre et rempli du premier adhésif, et un second trou de remplissage (13) communiquant avec le trou de fibre et rempli du second adhésif, le premier trou de remplissage étant disposé plus près du côté de surface d'extrémité de connexion que le second trou de remplissage, le premier trou de remplissage étant disposé à une position chevauchant la partie de petit diamètre dans la direction longitudinale du trou de fibre, et le second trou de remplissage étant disposé à une position chevauchant la partie de petit diamètre ou la partie effilée dans la direction longitudinale.
PCT/JP2024/020944 2023-08-10 2024-06-07 Connecteur optique, procédé de fabrication de connecteur optique et procédé de fabrication de ferrule Pending WO2025032947A1 (fr)

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Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH08234057A (ja) * 1995-02-24 1996-09-13 Furukawa Electric Co Ltd:The 多心光コネクタ
JP2013125195A (ja) * 2011-12-15 2013-06-24 Sumitomo Electric Ind Ltd 光ファイバ端部構造の作製方法、及び光ファイバ端部構造
JP2017187552A (ja) * 2016-04-01 2017-10-12 日立金属株式会社 光ファイバ固定構造及び光ファイバ固定方法
JP2019191369A (ja) * 2018-04-25 2019-10-31 住友電気工業株式会社 光接続部品及び光接続部品の製造方法
US20190384019A1 (en) * 2017-03-07 2019-12-19 Corning Optical Communications LLC Receptacle bodies for optical chips and optical connections incorporating the same
WO2022065001A1 (fr) * 2020-09-25 2022-03-31 住友電気工業株式会社 Ferrule, et connecteur optique ainsi que procédé de fabrication de celui-ci
WO2022158019A1 (fr) * 2021-01-22 2022-07-28 株式会社フジクラ Gaine, structure de ferrule et procédé de fabrication de fibre équipée d'une ferrule
JP2023071241A (ja) * 2021-11-11 2023-05-23 住友電気工業株式会社 光コネクタ、及び光コネクタの製造方法

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH08234057A (ja) * 1995-02-24 1996-09-13 Furukawa Electric Co Ltd:The 多心光コネクタ
JP2013125195A (ja) * 2011-12-15 2013-06-24 Sumitomo Electric Ind Ltd 光ファイバ端部構造の作製方法、及び光ファイバ端部構造
JP2017187552A (ja) * 2016-04-01 2017-10-12 日立金属株式会社 光ファイバ固定構造及び光ファイバ固定方法
US20190384019A1 (en) * 2017-03-07 2019-12-19 Corning Optical Communications LLC Receptacle bodies for optical chips and optical connections incorporating the same
JP2019191369A (ja) * 2018-04-25 2019-10-31 住友電気工業株式会社 光接続部品及び光接続部品の製造方法
WO2022065001A1 (fr) * 2020-09-25 2022-03-31 住友電気工業株式会社 Ferrule, et connecteur optique ainsi que procédé de fabrication de celui-ci
WO2022158019A1 (fr) * 2021-01-22 2022-07-28 株式会社フジクラ Gaine, structure de ferrule et procédé de fabrication de fibre équipée d'une ferrule
JP2023071241A (ja) * 2021-11-11 2023-05-23 住友電気工業株式会社 光コネクタ、及び光コネクタの製造方法

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