Optical fiber array packaging structure, optical device and optical equipment

Abstract

The invention discloses an optical fiber array packaging structure, an optical device and optical equipment. The invention provides an optical fiber array packaging structure, the optical fiber array packaging structure comprises an optical fiber array (102), a first limiting structure (1011) and a second limiting structure (1013), the optical fiber array (102) comprises one or more optical fibers, and the first limiting structure (1011) and the second limiting structure (1013) are jointly used for fixing the one or more optical fibers; the one or more optical fibers are arranged in the first limiting structure (1011) and the second limiting structure (1013), the optical fiber array (102) comprises a protection space (1021), and the protection space (1021) is located between the first limiting structure (1011) and the second limiting structure (1013). Therefore, the protection of the protection space (1021) is realized, and the stress influence on the protection space (1021) is avoided. The protection space (1021) does not need to be protected by a packaging mode, the operation is simple, and the packaging complexity is avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of optical communications, and in particular to an optical fiber array packaging structure, an optical device, and an optical equipment. Background Art

[0002] In current optical fiber communication networks, as the demand for data capacity increases, optical fiber arrays have become an effective means of increasing communication capacity. In order to facilitate the connection with optical fiber communication networks, researchers have proposed optical path connection through optical fiber arrays.

[0003] When the optical fiber array includes a protective space (for example, there are optical fiber devices on the optical fiber array that need to be protected), it is necessary to first retain a longer pigtail on the optical fiber device, then encapsulate the optical fiber device, and then connect the pigtail to other optical fiber arrays through a connector. Protective encapsulation of optical fiber devices is complicated to operate and is prone to the risk of damaging the optical fiber devices. Therefore, how to protect the optical fiber devices on the optical fiber array to achieve simple operation and not cause damage to the optical fiber devices is a problem worth considering. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present application provides an optical fiber array packaging structure, an optical device, and an optical equipment, which are used to protect the protection space (1021) of the optical fiber array (102) without causing stress to the protection space (1021). The protection space (1021) does not need to be protected by packaging, the operation is simple, the complexity of packaging is avoided, and there is no risk of damage to the protection space (1021).

[0005] In a first aspect, the present application provides a fiber array packaging structure, the fiber array packaging structure comprising a fiber array (102), a first limiting structure (1011) and a second limiting structure (1013), the fiber array (102) comprising one or more optical fibers, the first limiting structure (1011) and the second limiting structure (1013) being used together to fix the one or more optical fibers. The one or more optical fibers are placed in the first limiting structure (1011) and in the second limiting structure (1013), the fiber array (102) comprising a protection space (1021), the protection space (1021) being located between the first limiting structure (1011) and the second limiting structure (1013). It can be seen that the first limiting structure (1011) and the second limiting structure (1013) are used together to fix the one or more optical fibers. The optical fiber array (102) includes a protection space (1021), and the protection space (1021) is located between a first limiting structure (1011) and a second limiting structure (1013). The protection space (1021) of the optical fiber array (102) is protected without causing stress to the protection space (1021). There is no need to protect the protection space (1021) by packaging, which is simple to operate, avoids the complexity of packaging, and does not bring the risk of damage to the protection space (1021). Furthermore, the optical fibers on the optical fiber array (102) are fixed by the limiting structure, so that the optical fiber array packaging structure is connected to other optical fiber arrays, and there is no need to use pigtails to make connectors, thereby reducing the difficulty of connection.

[0006] Based on the first aspect, in a possible implementation, the first limiting structure (1011) is a first protruding structure (1011) on the first base (101), and the second limiting structure (1013) is a second protruding structure (1013) on the first base (101). One or more grooves are provided on the first protruding structure (1011), and one or more grooves are provided on the second protruding structure (1013). The optical fiber array (102) includes one or more optical fibers, and each of the one or more optical fibers is placed in a groove corresponding to the first protruding structure (1011) and a groove corresponding to the second protruding structure (1013). The protective space (1021) is located in a concave structure (1012) between the first protruding structure (1011) and the second protruding structure (1013) on the first base (101). It can be seen that the optical fibers on the optical fiber array (102) are fixed by the grooves provided on the protruding structure, so that the optical fiber array packaging structure can be connected to other optical fiber arrays, and there is no need to use pigtails to make connectors, thereby reducing the difficulty of connection. The protection space (1021) is located in the concave structure (1012) between the first protruding structure (1011) and the second protruding structure (1013) on the first base (101). Thus, the influence of stress on the protection space (1021) is avoided. The complexity of the packaging is avoided, and the risk of damage to the protection space (1021) is not brought.

[0007] Based on the first aspect, in a possible implementation, the optical fiber array packaging structure further includes a cover plate, and the cover plate covers the protection space (1021), the first limiting structure (1011) and the second limiting structure (1013). It can be seen that the optical fiber array (102) and the protection space (1021) on the optical fiber array (102) are further protected by the cover plate.

[0008] Based on the first aspect, in a possible implementation, the cover plate includes a first cover plate (103), a second cover plate (104) and a third cover plate (105); the first cover plate (103) is placed on the first protruding structure (1011) for bonding with the first protruding structure (1011). The second cover plate (104) is placed on the second protruding structure (1013) for bonding with the second protruding structure (1013). The third cover plate (105) is placed on the concave structure (1012) for bonding with the concave structure (1012). In this implementation, the first protruding structure (1011) is covered by the first cover plate (103) to achieve bonding with the first protruding structure (1011). The second cover plate (104) is covered by the second protruding structure (1013) to achieve bonding with the second protruding structure (1013). The third cover plate (105) covers the concave structure (1012) to achieve bonding with the concave structure (1012), thereby effectively preventing the optical fiber array (102) from being disturbed by external factors.

[0009] Based on the first aspect, in a possible implementation, the third cover plate (105) is a C-shaped cover plate. In this implementation, the C-shaped cover plate can further protect the protection space (1021), prevent the optical fibers on the optical fiber array (102) from contacting the outside world, and prevent the C-shaped cover plate from directly contacting the protection space (1021).

[0010] Based on the first aspect, in a possible implementation, the cover plate includes a fourth cover plate (106), which is placed on the first base (101) and is used to cover the protection space (1021), the first limiting structure (1011) and the second limiting structure (1013), and is used to bond with the first protruding structure (1011), the second protruding structure (1013) and the concave structure (1012) on the first base (101). In this implementation, bonding with the first protruding structure (1011), the second protruding structure (1013) and the concave structure (1012) on the first base (101) is achieved by a cover plate. The structure is simplified, and the optical fiber array (102) and the protection space (1021) on the optical fiber array (102) are further protected by the cover plate. Thus, the optical fiber array (102) is effectively prevented from being disturbed by external factors.

[0011] Based on the first aspect, in a possible implementation, the fourth cover plate (106) is a T-shaped cover plate. It can be seen that the T-shaped cover plate can further protect the protection space (1021) from contact with the outside world, and can prevent the T-shaped cover plate from directly contacting the protection space (1021).

[0012] Based on the first aspect, in a possible implementation, the optical fiber array packaging structure further includes a first housing (107), each of the one or more optical fibers is placed in a first limiting structure (1011) and a second limiting structure (1013), and is fixed in the first housing (107) together with the first limiting structure (1011) and the second limiting structure (1013). This prevents the optical fiber array (102) from contacting the outside world, and further protects the optical fiber array (102).

[0013] Based on the first aspect, in a possible implementation, the first limiting structure (1011) includes one or more first optical fiber ferrules, and the second limiting structure (1013) includes one or more second optical fiber ferrules; each of the one or more optical fibers is placed in a first optical fiber ferrule and a second optical fiber ferrule, and different optical fibers are placed in different first optical fiber ferrules and different second optical fiber ferrules, and the protective space (1021) is located between the one or more first optical fiber ferrules and the one or more second optical fiber ferrules. In this implementation, another implementation of the first limiting structure (1011) and the second limiting structure (1013) is shown. The first limiting structure (1011) includes one or more first optical fiber ferrules, and the second limiting structure (1013) includes one or more second optical fiber ferrules. Thereby, the optical fibers on the optical fiber array (102) are fixed. Thereby, the influence of stress on the protective space (1021) is avoided. Further, one or more first optical fiber ferrules and the optical fibers placed in the one or more first optical fiber ferrules can form an optical fiber array connector, and / or one or more second optical fiber ferrules and the optical fibers placed in the one or more second optical fiber ferrules can form an optical fiber array connector, thereby achieving connection with other optical fiber arrays.

[0014] Based on the first aspect, in a possible implementation, the first housing (107) further includes a third limiting structure (1071) and a fourth limiting structure (1072), wherein the third limiting structure (1071) is used to fix the first limiting structure (1011), and the fourth limiting structure (1072) is used to fix the second limiting structure (1013). Thus, the optical fiber array (102), the first limiting structure (1011), and the second limiting structure (1013) can be fixed in the first housing (107), thereby protecting the optical fiber array (102).

[0015] Based on the first aspect, in a possible implementation, the first housing (107) is bonded to the first limiting structure (1011) by glue or welding, and the first housing (107) is bonded to the second limiting structure (1013) by glue or welding. The optical fiber array (102), the first limiting structure (1011), and the second limiting structure (1013) can be fixed in the first housing (107), thereby protecting the optical fiber array (102).

[0016] Based on the first aspect, in a possible implementation, an optical fiber device is arranged in the protection space (1021), so that the optical fiber device is protected by the technical solution of the present application, and the complexity of packaging the optical fiber device is avoided, and the risk of damaging the optical fiber device during the packaging process is avoided.

[0017] Based on the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the optical fiber component is located on some or all of the optical fibers in the optical fiber array.

[0018] Based on the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the optical fiber device includes a grating or an optical fiber interferometer.

[0019] A second aspect of the present application provides an optical device, which includes the optical fiber array packaging structure as shown in the first aspect.

[0020] A third aspect of the present application provides an optical device, the optical device comprising the optical fiber array packaging structure as shown in the first aspect.

[0021] A fourth aspect of the present application provides a fiber array connection system, which includes a fiber array connector and a fiber array packaging structure as shown in the first aspect, wherein the fiber array packaging structure is connected to the fiber array connector.

[0022] It can be seen from the above technical solution that the optical fiber array packaging structure provided by the present application includes an optical fiber array (102), a first limiting structure (1011) and a second limiting structure (1013), the optical fiber array (102) includes one or more optical fibers, the first limiting structure (1011) and the second limiting structure (1013) are used together to fix the one or more optical fibers; the one or more optical fibers are placed in the first limiting structure (1011) and the second limiting structure (1013), the optical fiber array (102) includes a protection space (1021), and the protection space (1021) is located between the first limiting structure (1011) and the second limiting structure (1013). It can be seen that the optical fiber array (102) includes a protection space (1021), and the protection space (1021) is located between the first limiting structure (1011) and the second limiting structure (1013). The protection space (1021) of the optical fiber array (102) is protected without causing stress to the protection space (1021). The protection space (1021) does not need to be protected by packaging, and the operation is simple, the complexity of packaging is avoided, and the risk of damage to the protection space (1021) is not brought. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a structure of an optical fiber array packaging structure according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0024] Figure 2a A schematic diagram of a top view of the first protrusion structure 1011 according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0025] Figure 2b A schematic diagram of a side view of the first protrusion structure 1011 according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0026] Figure 3 This is another structural schematic diagram of the optical fiber array packaging structure of the embodiment of the present application;

[0027] Figure 4a A schematic diagram of a front view of the third cover plate 105 of the embodiment of the present application;

[0028] Figure 4b A schematic diagram of a side view of the third cover plate 105 of the embodiment of the present application;

[0029] Figure 4c A schematic diagram of a top view of the third cover plate 105 according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0030] Figure 5 This is another structural schematic diagram of the optical fiber array packaging structure of the embodiment of the present application;

[0031] Figure 6a A schematic diagram of a front view of the fourth cover plate 106 according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0032] Figure 6b A schematic diagram of a side view of the fourth cover plate 106 according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0033] Figure 6c A schematic diagram of a top view of the fourth cover plate 106 according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0034] Figure 7 This is another structural schematic diagram of the optical fiber array packaging structure of the embodiment of the present application;

[0035] Figure 8a A schematic diagram of a front view of the first housing 107 according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0036] Figure 8b A schematic diagram of a side view of the first housing 107 according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0037] Figure 8c A schematic diagram of a top view of the first housing 107 according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0038] Figure 8d Another schematic diagram of a front view of the first housing 107 according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0039] Figure 8e Another schematic diagram of a side view of the first housing 107 according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0040] Figure 8f It is another schematic diagram of a front view of the first housing 107 according to the embodiment of the present application;

[0041] Figure 8g This is another schematic diagram of a top view of the first housing 107 according to the embodiment of the present application;

[0042] Fig. 9This is another structural schematic diagram of the optical fiber array packaging structure of the embodiment of the present application;

[0043] Fig.10a It is another schematic diagram of a front view of the first housing 107 according to the embodiment of the present application;

[0044] Fig.10b Another schematic diagram of a side view of the first housing 107 according to the embodiment of the present application;

[0045] Fig.10c This is another schematic diagram of a top view of the first housing 107 according to the embodiment of the present application;

[0046] Fig.11 A schematic diagram of an optical fiber array connection system according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0047] Fig.12 A schematic structural diagram of an optical splitter including an optical fiber array packaging structure according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] The present application provides an optical fiber array packaging structure, an optical device, and an optical equipment, which are used to protect the protection space of the optical fiber array without causing stress to the protection space. The protection space does not need to be protected by packaging, the operation is simple, the complexity of packaging is avoided, and there is no risk of damage to the protection space.

[0049] The terms "first", "second", "third", "fourth", etc. (if any) in the specification and claims of the present application and the above-mentioned drawings are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the data used in this way can be interchangeable where appropriate, so that the embodiments described herein can be implemented in an order other than that illustrated or described herein. In addition, the terms "including" and "having" and any of their variations are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, product or device that includes a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units that are clearly listed, but may include other steps or units that are not clearly listed or inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices.

[0050] In current optical fiber communication networks, as the demand for data capacity increases, optical fiber arrays have become an effective means of increasing communication capacity. In order to facilitate the connection with optical fiber communication networks, researchers have proposed optical path connection through optical fiber arrays.

[0051] When the optical fiber array includes a protective space (for example, there are optical fiber devices on the optical fiber array that need to be protected), it is necessary to first retain a longer pigtail on the optical fiber device, then encapsulate the optical fiber device, and then connect the pigtail to other optical fiber arrays through a connector. It can be seen that protective encapsulation of optical fiber devices is complicated to operate and easily damages the optical fiber devices. Therefore, how to protect the protective space in the optical fiber array to achieve simple operation and not damage the protective space is a problem worth considering.

[0052] Furthermore, the connector is mainly a connector made of glass or a multi-fiber push-on (MPO) connector, and a fiber array is connected or connected to other fiber arrays through the connector. The process of making the connector also has the risk of damaging the optical fiber devices of the fiber array. Therefore, how to achieve the protection of the protection space in the fiber array and also achieve connection with other fiber arrays to avoid damage to the protection space and simplify the operation is the problem to be solved by this application.

[0053] The present application provides an optical fiber array packaging structure, an optical device, and an optical equipment, which are used to protect the protection space of the optical fiber array without causing stress to the protection space. The protection space does not need to be protected by packaging, the operation is simple, the complexity of packaging is avoided, and there is no risk of damage to the protection space.

[0054] The technical solution provided in the present application can be applied to a fiber optic transmission network. For example, a sensing fiber optic device is added to the fiber array in the trunk line to sense the line status. The fiber array and the sensing fiber optic device can be packaged using the fiber array packaging structure provided in the present application. Alternatively, the technical solution provided in the present application can be applied to an optical distribution network. For example, a sensor device is added to a transmission line, and the transmission line and the sensor device can be packaged using the fiber array packaging structure provided in the present application. For another example, a fiber optic device is added to an optical amplifier to adjust the amplification factor of the optical amplifier. The fiber array and the fiber optic device in the optical amplifier can be packaged using the fiber array packaging structure provided in the present application. The technical solution provided in the present application can also be applied to other networks, which is not specifically limited by the present application.

[0055] The technical solution of the present application is introduced below in conjunction with specific embodiments.

[0056] The present application provides a fiber array packaging structure, which includes a fiber array, a first limiting structure and a second limiting structure. The fiber array includes one or more optical fibers, and the first limiting structure and the second limiting structure are used together to fix the one or more optical fibers. The one or more optical fibers are placed in the first limiting structure and the second limiting structure, and the fiber array includes a protection space, and the protection space is located between the first limiting structure and the second limiting structure. That is, the protection space is not in direct contact with other devices or structures. Thereby, the protection space of the fiber array is protected, and stress is not generated on the protection space. There is no need to protect the protection space by packaging, the operation is simple, the complexity of packaging is avoided, and there is no risk of damage to the protection space. Furthermore, the optical fibers on the fiber array are fixed by the limiting structure, so that the fiber array packaging structure is connected to other fiber arrays, and there is no need to use pigtails to make connectors, thereby reducing the difficulty of connection.

[0057] In a possible implementation, the first limiting structure is a first protruding structure on the first base, and the second limiting structure is a second protruding structure on the first base. One or more grooves are provided on the first protruding structure, and one or more grooves are provided on the second protruding structure. The optical fiber array includes one or more optical fibers, each of which is placed in a groove corresponding to the first protruding structure and a groove corresponding to the second protruding structure. Different optical fibers are placed in different grooves of the first protruding structure and in different grooves of the second protruding structure. The protective space is a concave structure located between the first protruding structure and the second protruding structure on the first base. That is, the protective space is not in direct contact with other devices or structures. Thereby, the protective space of the optical fiber array is protected without causing stress to the protective space.

[0058] Combine the following Figure 1 A possible structure of optical fiber array packaging structure is introduced.

[0059] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a structure of the optical fiber array packaging structure of the present application embodiment. Figure 1 The optical fiber array packaging structure includes a first base 101 and an optical fiber array 102. The first base 101 includes a first protruding structure 1011 and a second protruding structure 1013. The first base 101 includes a concave structure 1012 between the first protruding structure 1011 and the second protruding structure 1013. The optical fiber array 102 includes one or more optical fibers. Figure 1 The example shown is that the optical fiber array 102 includes a plurality of optical fibers ( Figure 1 The optical fiber array 102 includes five optical fibers, which are optical fiber 1 to optical fiber 5 from left to right.

[0060] One or more grooves are provided on the first protruding structure 1011. Optionally, the one or more grooves may be V-shaped grooves, grooves, elliptical grooves, or circular grooves, which are not specifically limited in the present application. Figure 1 In the optical fiber array structure shown, the first protruding structure 1011 includes five grooves (grooves 1 to 5, respectively) as an example for description. It should be noted that the number of grooves provided on the first protruding structure 1011 is the same as the number of optical fibers included in the optical fiber array 102. Each groove is placed in an optical fiber, and different optical fibers are placed in different grooves. For one or more grooves on the first protruding structure 1011, the spacing between the grooves is equal to the spacing between the optical fibers in the optical fiber array 102.

[0061] The second protruding structure 1013 includes one or more grooves. Optionally, the one or more grooves may be V-shaped grooves, grooves, semi-elliptical grooves, or semi-circular grooves, which are not specifically limited in the present application. Figure 1 In the optical fiber array structure shown, the second protruding structure 1013 includes five grooves (grooves 1 to 5, respectively) for introduction. It should be noted that the number of grooves provided on the second protruding structure 1013 is the same as the number of optical fibers included in the optical fiber array 102. Each groove is placed in an optical fiber, and different optical fibers are placed in different grooves. For one or more grooves on the second protruding structure 1013, the spacing between the grooves is equal to the spacing between the optical fibers on the optical fiber array 102.

[0062] The optical fiber array 102 includes one or more optical fibers, each of which is placed in a groove corresponding to the first protruding structure 1011 and in a groove corresponding to the second protruding structure 1013 .

[0063] For example, in the case where one or more grooves in the first protruding structure 1011 are respectively provided with optical fibers, Figure 2a is a schematic diagram of a top view of the first protrusion structure 1011 of the embodiment of the present application, and Figure 2b FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a side view of the first protrusion structure 1011 of the embodiment of the present application. Figure 2a and Figure 2b It can be seen that the first protruding structure 1011 includes grooves 1 to 5, and grooves 1 to 5 are all V-shaped grooves, and the grooves are arranged in parallel. In the case where optical fibers are placed in one or more grooves in the second protruding structure 1013, the top view of the second protruding structure 1013 is the same as that of the first protruding structure 1011. Figure 2a Similarly, the side view of the second protrusion structure 1013 is similar to Figure 2b The second protruding structure 1013 is provided with grooves 1 to 5, which are arranged in parallel.

[0064] Optional, such as Figure 3As shown, the height h2 of the first protruding structure 1011 is the same as the height h4 of the second protruding structure 1013, so that the grooves provided on the first protruding structure 1011 and the grooves provided on the second protruding structure 1013 are on the same horizontal plane. The groove 1 on the first protruding structure 1011 is aligned with the groove 1 on the second protruding structure 1013, that is, the groove 1 on the first protruding structure 1011 and the groove 1 on the second protruding structure 1013 are located on the same straight line. The groove 2 on the first protruding structure 1011 is aligned with the groove 2 on the second protruding structure 1013, that is, the groove 2 on the first protruding structure 1011 and the groove 2 on the second protruding structure 1013 are located on the same straight line. The groove 3 on the first protruding structure 1011 is aligned with the groove 3 on the second protruding structure 1013, that is, the groove 3 on the first protruding structure 1011 and the groove 3 on the second protruding structure 1013 are located on the same straight line. Groove 4 on the first protruding structure 1011 is aligned with groove 4 on the second protruding structure 1013, that is, groove 4 on the first protruding structure 1011 and groove 4 on the second protruding structure 1013 are located on the same straight line. Groove 5 on the first protruding structure 1011 is aligned with groove 5 on the second protruding structure 1013, that is, groove 5 on the first protruding structure 1011 and groove 5 on the second protruding structure 1013 are located on the same straight line.

[0065] The optical fiber array 102 includes optical fibers 1 to 5. Optical fiber 1 is placed in groove 1 on the first protruding structure 1011 and groove 1 on the second protruding structure 1013. Optical fiber 2 is placed in groove 2 on the first protruding structure 1011 and groove 2 on the second protruding structure 1013. Optical fiber 3 is placed in groove 3 on the first protruding structure 1013 and groove 3 on the second protruding structure 1013. Optical fiber 4 is placed in groove 4 on the first protruding structure 1011 and groove 4 on the second protruding structure 1013. Optical fiber 5 is placed in groove 5 on the first protruding structure 1011 and groove 5 on the second protruding structure 1013. It can be seen that the optical fibers on the optical fiber array are fixed by the grooves provided on the protruding structures, so that the optical fiber array packaging structure can be connected to other optical fiber arrays, and there is no need to use pigtails to make connectors, thereby reducing the difficulty of connection. For example, Figure 1 As shown, the first protruding structure 1011 and the optical fibers in one or more grooves on the first protruding structure 1011 can form a fiber optic connector for connecting to other fiber arrays. It should be noted that, optionally, if the fiber array packaging structure requires multiple connectors, the pigtail 1022 on the fiber array 102 may not be retained, and the second protruding structure 1013 and the optical fibers in one or more grooves on the second protruding structure 1013 can form another fiber optic connector for connecting to other fiber arrays.

[0066] like Figure 1As shown, the optical fiber array 102 includes a protection space 1021, and the protection space 1021 is located on the concave structure 1012. The protection space 1021 has no direct contact with the device or structure. Therefore, the protection space 1021 of the optical fiber array 102 is protected without stress on the protection space 1021. There is no need to protect the protection space 1021 by packaging, which is simple to operate, avoids the complexity of packaging, and does not bring the risk of damage to the protection space 1021.

[0067] Optionally, the protection space may be a sensitive area on the optical fiber array, such as a bending sensitive area or a special structure area on the optical fiber array. Alternatively, an optical fiber device is arranged in the protection space, such as an optical fiber grating or an optical fiber interferometer.

[0068] Optionally, the optical fiber device is located on some or all of the optical fibers in the optical fiber array. Figure 1 As shown, the optical fiber device is located on all the optical fibers of the optical fiber array 102. Optionally, the optical fiber device is a passive optical fiber device or an active optical fiber device. An optical fiber device refers to a part or all of the optical fibers in the optical fiber array that have been subjected to certain treatment and processing so that the part or all of the optical fibers have additional functions in addition to transmitting light. The part or all of the optical fibers can be understood as optical fiber devices in the optical fiber array. For example, the optical fiber device is a grating. By exposing the optical fiber with an ultraviolet laser or a femtosecond laser, a grating can be prepared on the optical fiber so that it has the function of filtering out light of a specific wavelength. For another example, the optical fiber device is an optical fiber interferometer. By performing a half-surface side polishing process on the optical fiber, half of the light passes through the unpolished area and half of the light passes through the polished structure, forming an interferometer structure.

[0069] Optionally, the optical fiber array packaging structure further includes a cover plate, which covers the protection space, the first protruding structure and the second protruding structure, that is, the optical fiber array and the protection space on the optical fiber array are further protected by the cover plate.

[0070] Two possible implementations of the cover are described below.

[0071] Implementation method 1: The cover plate includes a first cover plate, a second cover plate and a third cover plate.

[0072] The first cover plate is placed on the first protruding structure. The first cover plate is used to bond with the first protruding structure. Optionally, the first cover plate can be bonded with the first protruding structure by gluing, welding or injection molding, etc., which is not limited in this application.

[0073] The second cover plate is placed on the second protruding structure. The second cover plate is used to bond with the second protruding structure. Optionally, the second cover plate can be bonded with the second protruding structure by gluing, welding or injection molding, etc., which is not limited in this application.

[0074] The third cover plate is placed on the concave structure. The third cover plate is used to bond with the concave structure. Optionally, the third cover plate can be bonded with the concave structure by gluing, welding or injection molding, etc., which is not limited in this application. Optionally, the third cover plate is a C-shaped cover plate. This prevents the protection space from contacting the outside world, and also prevents the third cover plate from contacting the protection space.

[0075] Combine the following Figure 3 A first cover plate, a second cover plate, and a third cover plate are introduced.

[0076] like Figure 3 As shown, the optical fiber array packaging structure also includes a first cover plate 103, a second cover plate 104 and a third cover plate 105. The width w1 of the first cover plate 103 is equal to the width w2 of the first protruding structure 1011, and the length l1 of the first cover plate 103 is equal to the length l2 of the first protruding structure 1011. The first cover plate 103 is placed on the first protruding structure 1011 and is bonded to the first protruding structure 1011 by glue or welding. The width w3 of the second cover plate 104 is equal to the width w4 of the second protruding structure 1013, and the length l3 of the second cover plate 104 is equal to the length l4 of the second protruding structure 1013. The second cover plate 104 is placed on the first protruding structure 1013 and is bonded to the first protruding structure 1013 by glue or welding. Thereby, the optical fibers on the optical fiber array 102 are further fixed by the first cover plate 103 and the second cover plate 104. The third cover plate 105 is a C-shaped cover plate. In combination with Figures 4a to 4c Introducing the C-type cover. Figure 4a 1 is a schematic diagram of a front view of the third cover plate 105. The width w5 of the third cover plate 105 is equal to the width w6 of the concave structure 1012, and the length l5 of the third cover plate 105 is equal to the length l6 of the concave structure 1012. The third cover plate 105 is placed on the concave structure 1012 and bonded to the concave structure 1012 by glue or welding. Figure 4b Schematic diagram of a side view of the third cover plate 105, wherein h7 is greater than h2 or h4, and h2 and h4 are equal. Figure 4c 1 is a schematic diagram of a top view of the third cover plate 105. It can be seen that the C-shaped cover plate can further protect the protection space 1021, prevent the protection space 1021 from contacting the outside world, and prevent the C-shaped cover plate from contacting the protection space 1021.

[0077] It should be noted that the width w2 of the first protruding structure 1011, the width w4 of the second protruding structure 1013, and the width w6 of the concave structure 1012 are all greater than Figure 3 The optical fiber array is shown with the spacing between the first optical fiber shown from left to right to the last optical fiber shown.

[0078] In another possible implementation, the cover plate includes a fourth cover plate. The fourth cover plate is placed on the first base, covering the protective space, the first raised structure and the second raised structure. That is, the fourth cover plate is used to bond with the first raised structure, the second raised structure and the concave structure. Optionally, the fourth cover plate is bonded with the first raised structure, the second raised structure and the concave structure by glue, welding, or injection molding, which is not limited in this application. Optionally, the fourth cover plate is a T-shaped cover plate.

[0079] like Figure 5 As shown, the height h2 of the first protruding structure 1011 is equal to the height h4 of the second protruding structure 1013. This makes it easy to make the grooves set on the first protruding structure 1011 and the grooves set on the second protruding structure 1013 on the same horizontal plane. The optical fiber array packaging structure also includes a fourth cover plate 106. The fourth cover plate 106 is a T-shaped cover plate, and the fourth cover plate 106 is placed on the first base 101, and is used to bond with the first protruding structure 1011, the concave structure 1012 and the second protruding structure 1013 respectively. Specifically, the fourth cover plate 106 can be bonded with the first protruding structure 1011, the concave structure 1012 and the second protruding structure 1013 respectively by glue, welding or injection molding.

[0080] To facilitate the introduction of the structure of the fourth cover plate 106 , the structure of the fourth cover plate 106 is introduced below by taking the example that the width w2 of the first protruding structure 1011 , the width w4 of the second protruding structure 1013 , and the width w6 of the concave structure are all equal.

[0081] Combine the following Figures 6a to 6c The fourth cover plate 106 is introduced. Figure 6a FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a front view of the fourth cover plate 106 of the embodiment of the present application. Figure 6a As shown, the height of the fourth cover plate 106 is h2+h9, where h2 is the height of the first protruding structure 1011. The length of the fourth cover plate 106 is l2+l6+l4, where l2 is the length of the first protruding structure 1011, l4 is the length of the second protruding structure 1013, and l6 is the length of the concave structure 1012. Figure 6b A schematic diagram of a side view of the fourth cover plate 106 of the embodiment of the present application, as shown in FIG. Figure 6b As shown, the width of the fourth cover plate 106 is w2, and w2 is the width of the first protruding structure 1011. Figure 6c FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a top view of the fourth cover plate 106 according to an embodiment of the present application. Figure 6b and Figure 6c It can be seen that the fourth cover plate 106 is T-shaped. Figure 6b As shown, the height h8 of the portion of the fourth cover plate 106 disposed on the concave structure 1102 is greater than h2, so that the fourth cover plate 106 does not directly contact the protection space 1021, thereby protecting the protection space 1021. Figure 6c As shown, the width w7 of the portion of the fourth cover plate 106 placed on the protection space 1021 should be greater than or equal to the width of the protection space 1021. The fourth cover plate 106 can be respectively bonded to the first protruding structure 1011, the concave structure 1012, and the second protruding structure 1013 by glue. It can be seen that the protection space 1021 can be further protected by the T-shaped cover plate to avoid contact with the outside world, and the T-shaped cover plate can be prevented from contacting the protection space 1021.

[0082] The above describes a possible structure of the optical fiber array packaging structure. It can be seen that in the above technical solution, the optical fiber array is protected by the cover plate and the first base, thereby effectively preventing the optical fiber array from being interfered by external factors. The technical solution of the present application can effectively improve the packaging efficiency of the device and the convenience of manufacturing, and save the amount of pigtails before and after the optical fiber array.

[0083] Another possible structure of the optical fiber array packaging structure is introduced below.

[0084] Optionally, the optical fiber array packaging structure further includes a first shell, and the one or more optical fibers are placed in the first limiting structure and the second limiting structure, and are fixed in the first shell together with the first limiting structure and the second limiting structure.

[0085] In a possible implementation, the first housing further includes a third limiting structure and a fourth limiting structure, the third limiting structure is used to fix the first limiting structure, and the fourth limiting structure is used to fix the second limiting structure. For the first housing, the third limiting structure and the fourth limiting structure, please refer to the relevant description of the embodiments below.

[0086] In another possible implementation manner, the first shell is bonded to the first limiting structure by glue or welding, and the first shell is bonded to the second limiting structure by glue or welding.

[0087] Optionally, the first limiting structure includes one or more first optical fiber ferrules, and the second limiting structure includes one or more second optical fiber ferrules. The optical fiber array includes one or more optical fibers, each of the one or more optical fibers is placed in a first optical fiber ferrule and a second optical fiber ferrule, and different optical fibers are placed in different first optical fiber ferrules and different second optical fiber ferrules. Optionally, the one or more first optical fiber ferrules can be ceramic hollow sleeves, and the one or more second optical fiber ferrules can be ceramic hollow sleeves.

[0088] Combine the following Figure 7 Another possible structure of optical fiber array packaging is introduced. Figure 7 FIG. 2 is another structural schematic diagram of the optical fiber array packaging structure according to an embodiment of the present application. Figure 7 As shown, the optical fiber array packaging structure includes an optical fiber array 102, a first limiting structure 1011 (i.e., Figure 7 As shown, the first limiting structure 1011 includes the first optical fiber ferrule 10111 to the first optical fiber ferrule 10118, the second limiting structure 1013 (i.e. Figure 7 As shown, the second limiting structure 1013 includes second optical fiber cores 10131 to 10138) and a first housing 107.

[0089] The optical fiber array 102 includes optical fibers 1 to 8 (the optical fibers on the optical fiber array 102 are arranged from left to right, including optical fibers 1 to 8). Optical fibers 1 to 8 are arranged in a one-dimensional arrangement. Optical fiber 1 can be placed in the first optical fiber ferrule 10111 and the second optical fiber ferrule 10131, and optical fiber 2 can be placed in the first optical fiber ferrule 10112 and the second optical fiber ferrule 10132. Optical fiber 3 can be placed in the first optical fiber ferrule 10113 and the second optical fiber ferrule 10133. Optical fiber 4 can be placed in the first optical fiber ferrule 10114 and the second optical fiber ferrule 10134. Optical fiber 5 can be placed in the first optical fiber ferrule 10115 and the second optical fiber ferrule 10135. Optical fiber 6 can be placed in the first optical fiber ferrule 10116 and the second optical fiber ferrule 10136. Optical fiber 7 can be placed in the first optical fiber ferrule 10117 and the second optical fiber ferrule 10137. The optical fiber 8 can be placed in the first optical fiber core 10118 and the second optical fiber core 10138.

[0090] It should be noted that, optionally, the inner diameter of the first fiber optic ferrule is slightly larger than the diameter of the optical fiber, and the inner diameter of the second fiber optic ferrule is slightly larger than the diameter of the optical fiber. This fixes the optical fiber of the optical fiber array. For example, if the diameter of the optical fiber is 250um (micrometer), the inner diameter of the first fiber optic ferrule can be 255um, and the inner diameter of the second fiber optic ferrule can be 255um. The diameter of the optical fiber can also be other sizes, which is just an example.

[0091] Combine the following Figures 8a to 8c The structure of the first housing 107 will be described. Figure 8a This is a schematic diagram of a front view of the first housing 107 according to an embodiment of the present application. Figure 8b A schematic diagram of a side view of the first housing 107 according to an embodiment of the present application. Figure 8c FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a top view of the first housing 107 according to an embodiment of the present application. Figure 8a and Figure 8c It can be seen that the first housing 107 includes a third limiting structure 1071 and a fourth limiting structure 1072. Figure 8b, a side view of the third limiting structure 1071 is shown. It can be seen that the external structure of the third limiting structure 1071 is similar to that of the first limiting structure 1011, or the third limiting structure 1071 matches the first limiting structure 1011. The third limiting structure 1071 is used to fix the first limiting structure 1011. The external structure of the fourth limiting structure 1072 is similar to that of the second limiting structure 1013, or the fourth limiting structure 1072 matches the second limiting structure 1013, and the fourth limiting structure 1072 is used to fix the second limiting structure 1013. This prevents the optical fibers on the optical fiber array 102 from twisting forward and backward, so that the position of the optical fiber ferrule is fixed and misalignment is avoided. The protective space 1021 is located between the first limiting structure 1011 and the second limiting structure 1013, and then placed in the first housing 107, so as to prevent the protective space 1021 from direct contact with the outside world, and avoid bending and external interference.

[0092] Each of the one or more optical fibers in the optical fiber array 102 is placed in a corresponding first optical fiber ferrule and a corresponding second optical fiber ferrule, and is fixed in the first housing 107 together with the one or more first optical fiber ferrules and the one or more second optical fiber ferrules. The one or more first optical fiber ferrules are fixed in the first housing 107 by a third limiting structure 1071, and the one or more second optical fiber ferrules are fixed by a fourth limiting structure 1072.

[0093] It should be noted that, optionally, there are multiple ways to open the first housing 107. For example, the first housing 107 can be opened from the top and bottom directions, so that the first housing 107 can be divided into an upper half and a lower half. Then, the optical fiber array 102, the one or more first optical fiber ferrules, and the one or more second optical fiber ferrules are installed in the first housing 107, and then the upper half and the lower half of the first housing 107 are closed. Figure 8d and Figure 8e As shown, the gap for opening the first housing 107 can be seen from the front view and the side view of the first housing 107. For another example, if the first housing 107 is opened from the left and right directions, the first housing 107 can be divided into a left half and a rear half. Then, the optical fiber array 102, the one or more first optical fiber ferrules, and the one or more second optical fiber ferrules are installed in the first housing 107, and then the left half and the right half of the first housing 107 are closed. Figure 8f and Figure 8g As shown, a gap for opening the first housing 107 can be seen from the front view and the top view of the first housing 107 .

[0094] Above Figure 7In the example shown, a fiber array connector can be formed between the first limiting structure 1011 and the third limiting structure 1071 for connecting to other fiber arrays. It should be noted that, optionally, if the fiber array packaging structure requires multiple connectors, the pigtail 1022 on the fiber array 102 may not be retained. A fiber array connector can be formed between the second limiting structure 1013 and the fourth limiting structure 1072 for connecting to other fiber arrays.

[0095] Above Figure 7 In the optical fiber array packaging structure shown, the optical fibers in the optical fiber array 102 are arranged in a one-dimensional arrangement. Optionally, in the present application, the optical fibers in the optical fiber array may also be arranged in a multi-dimensional arrangement. Another possible structure of the optical fiber array packaging structure is described below. Fig. 9 FIG. 2 is another structural diagram of the optical fiber array packaging structure of the embodiment of the present application. Fig. 9 As shown, the optical fiber array package includes an optical fiber array 102, a first limiting structure 1011, a second limiting structure 1013 and a first housing 107. The optical fibers on the optical fiber array 102 are arranged in a two-dimensional arrangement. Therefore, the structure of the first limiting structure 1011 should match the two-dimensional arrangement of the optical fibers of the optical fiber array 102. The structure of the second limiting structure 1013 should match the two-dimensional arrangement of the optical fibers of the optical fiber array 102. The optical fibers of the optical fiber array 102 are placed in the first limiting structure 1011 and the second limiting structure 1013. The optical fiber array 102 includes a protective space 1021, which is located in the first limiting structure 1011 and the second limiting structure 1013.

[0096] In a possible implementation, the first housing 107 includes a third limiting structure and a fourth limiting structure ( Fig. 9 The third limiting structure is used to fix the first limiting structure 1011, and the structure of the third limiting structure matches the structure of the first limiting structure 1011. The fourth limiting structure is used to fix the second limiting structure 1013, and the structure of the fourth limiting structure matches the structure of the second limiting structure 1013. Thus, the first limiting structure 1011 and the second limiting structure 1013 are fixed in the first housing 107. Optionally, both the third limiting structure and the fourth limiting structure can be obtained by injection molding. Figures 10a to 10c A possible structure of the first housing 107 is described below. Fig.10a As shown, Fig.10a This is a schematic diagram of a front view of the first housing 107 according to an embodiment of the present application. Fig.10b 1 is a schematic diagram of a side view of the first housing 107 according to an embodiment of the present application. Fig.10c FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a top view of the first housing 107 according to an embodiment of the present application. Fig.10a and Fig.10c It can be seen that the first housing 107 includes a third limiting structure 1071 and a fourth limiting structure 1072. It can be seen that the outer shape structure of the third limiting structure 1071 is similar to the first limiting structure 1011, or the third limiting structure 1071 matches the first limiting structure 1011. The third limiting structure 1071 is used to fix the first limiting structure 1011. The outer shape structure of the fourth limiting structure 1072 is similar to the second limiting structure 1013, or the fourth limiting structure 1072 matches the second limiting structure 1013. The fourth limiting structure 1072 is used to fix the second limiting structure 1013. Thereby, the optical fibers on the optical fiber array 102 are prevented from twisting forward and backward. The protective space 1021 is located between the first limiting structure 1011 and the second limiting structure 1013, and then placed in the first housing 107, so as to avoid direct contact between the protective space 1021 and the outside world, and to avoid bending of the optical fibers on the optical fiber array 102 and external interference. It should be noted that the opening method of the first housing 107 is the same as that of the aforementioned Figure 7 The opening method of the first shell 107 shown is similar, and the details can be referred to the above related introduction, which will not be repeated here.

[0097] In another possible implementation, Fig. 9 In the structure shown, the first housing 107 is bonded to the first limiting structure 1011 by glue or welding, and the first housing 107 is bonded to the second limiting structure 1013 by glue or welding.

[0098] The present application also provides a fiber array connection system. Fig.11 , Fig.11 The optical fiber array connection system shown includes an optical fiber array connector and an optical fiber array packaging structure, and the optical fiber array connector is connected to the optical fiber array packaging structure. Figure 1 In the optical fiber array packaging structure shown, the first protruding structure 1011 and the optical fibers in one or more grooves on the first protruding structure 1011 can form an optical fiber connector for connecting to other optical fiber arrays. Specifically, the first protruding structure 1011 and the optical fibers in one or more grooves on the first protruding structure 1011 can form an optical fiber connector, which is then connected to other optical fiber arrays by glue or limiting means.

[0099] The present application also provides an optical device, which includes the optical fiber array packaging structure shown in the above embodiment. The optical device is used to connect with other optical fiber arrays. For example, the optical device is a splitter, a combiner, an optical attenuator, an optical amplifier, or a wavelength division multiplexer. For example, Fig.12The optical splitter shown in the figure includes a single fiber connector, a splitting structure and a fiber array packaging structure. One end of the splitting structure (including multiple optical fibers of the splitting structure) is connected to the fiber array packaging structure to achieve the connection between the multiple optical fibers of the splitting structure and the multiple optical fibers of the fiber array packaging structure. The splitting structure and the fiber array packaging structure can be connected by bonding. For example, Fig.12 The optical fiber array packaging structure shown can be Figure 1 In the optical fiber array packaging structure shown, the first protruding structure 1011 and the optical fibers in one or more grooves on the first protruding structure 1011 can form an optical fiber connector, one end of the light splitting structure is connected to the optical fiber connector, and the other end of the light splitting structure (including an optical fiber of the light splitting structure) is connected to a single optical fiber connector.

[0100] The present application also provides an optical device, which includes a fiber array packaging structure as shown in the above embodiment. For example, the optical device is a fiber optic device product including a fiber array. For example, the optical device is an optical amplifier device, or an optical sensor device, etc. The optical sensor device includes a fiber array packaging structure. The grating or fiber interferometer in the fiber array packaging structure can be used as a sensor device. Optionally, the optical sensor device also includes a sampling device that can transmit the collected data back. The optical amplifier includes a multi-channel optical amplifier, and the multi-channel optical amplifier includes a fiber array packaging structure.

[0101] As described above, the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, rather than to limit them. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or make equivalent replacements for some of the technical features therein. However, these modifications or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. An optical fiber array packaging structure, characterized in that: The optical fiber array packaging structure comprises an optical fiber array (102), a first limiting structure (1011) and a second limiting structure (1013); the optical fiber array (102) comprises one or more optical fibers; the first limiting structure (1011) and the second limiting structure (1013) are used together to fix the one or more optical fibers; The one or more optical fibers are placed in the first limiting structure (1011) and the second limiting structure (1013), and the optical fiber array (102) includes a protection space (1021), and the protection space (1021) is located between the first limiting structure (1011) and the second limiting structure (1013).

2. The optical fiber array packaging structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first limiting structure (1011) is a first protruding structure (1011) on the first base (101), and the second limiting structure (1013) is a second protruding structure (1013) on the first base (101); one or more grooves are provided on the first protruding structure (1011), and one or more grooves are provided on the second protruding structure (1012); The optical fiber array (102) comprises one or more optical fibers, each of the one or more optical fibers is placed in a groove corresponding to the first protruding structure (1011) and in a groove corresponding to the second protruding structure (1013); the protective space (1021) is located in a concave structure (1012) between the first protruding structure (1011) and the second protruding structure (1013) on the first base.

3. The optical fiber array packaging structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The optical fiber array packaging structure also includes a cover plate, which covers the protection space (1021), the first limiting structure (1011) and the second limiting structure (1013).

4. The optical fiber array packaging structure according to claim 3, characterized in that: The cover plate comprises a first cover plate (103), a second cover plate (104) and a third cover plate (105); The first cover plate (103) is placed on the first protruding structure (1011), the second cover plate (104) is placed on the second protruding structure (1013), and the third cover plate (105) is placed on the concave structure (1012).

5. The optical fiber array packaging structure according to claim 4, characterized in that: The third cover plate (105) is a C-shaped cover plate.

6. The optical fiber array packaging structure according to claim 4, characterized in that: The cover plate comprises a fourth cover plate (106), and the fourth cover plate (106) is placed on the first base (101) and is used to cover the protection space (1021), the first limiting structure (1011) and the second limiting structure (1013).

7. The optical fiber array packaging structure according to claim 6, characterized in that: The fourth cover plate (106) is a T-shaped cover plate.

8. The optical fiber array packaging structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The optical fiber array packaging structure also includes a first shell (107), and each of the one or more optical fibers is placed in the first limiting structure (1011) and the second limiting structure (1013), and is fixed in the first shell (107) together with the first limiting structure (1011) and the second limiting structure (1013).

9. The optical fiber array packaging structure according to claim 8, characterized in that: The first limiting structure (1011) includes one or more first optical fiber plug-ins, and the second limiting structure (1013) includes one or more second optical fiber plug-ins; Each of the one or more optical fibers is placed in a first optical fiber core and a second optical fiber core, and different optical fibers are placed in different first optical fiber cores and different second optical fiber cores; the protection space (1021) is located between the one or more first optical fiber cores and the one or more second optical fiber cores.

10. The optical fiber array packaging structure according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that: The first housing (107) further comprises a third limiting structure (1071) and a fourth limiting structure (1072), wherein the third limiting structure (1071) is used to fix the first limiting structure (1011), and the fourth limiting structure (1072) is used to fix the second limiting structure (1013).

11. The optical fiber array packaging structure according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that: The first shell (107) is bonded to the first limiting structure (1011) by gluing or welding, and the first shell (107) is bonded to the second limiting structure (1013) by gluing or welding.

12. The optical fiber array packaging structure according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: Optical fiber devices are arranged in the protection space (1021).

13. The optical fiber array packaging structure according to claim 12, characterized in that: The optical fiber device is located on part or all of the optical fibers in the optical fiber array (102).

14. The optical fiber array packaging structure according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that: The optical fiber device includes a grating or an optical fiber interferometer.

15. An optical device, characterized in that: The optical device comprises the optical fiber array packaging structure according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. An optical device, characterized in that: The optical device comprises the optical fiber array packaging structure according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

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