Optical transmission assembly comprising connector supporting frame and optical module

Abstract

The invention provides an optical transmission assembly and an optical module. The optical transmission assembly comprises a substrate, an optical transmission element group, a support frame, a plurality of multi-core joints and a plurality of adapters. The support frame is coupled to the substrate, and the support frame comprises a plurality of support parts. The multi-core joints are optically coupled with the optical transmission element group. The adapters respectively accommodate the multi-core connectors, and the adapters are respectively coupled to the supporting parts.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an optical transmission assembly and an optical module. BACKGROUND

[0002] Optical modules can transmit and / or receive optical signals for applications such as, but not limited to, data centers, cable TV, and fiber to the home (FTTH). Using optical modules to transmit can provide higher transmission rates and signal bandwidths over longer transmission distances. To promote compatibility of global optical internet products and reduce maintenance burdens, organizations such as Multi-Source Agreement (MSA), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and Optical Internetworking Forum (OIF) have developed several form factors suitable for different signal transmission rates. These form factors include, but are not limited to, XFP, SFP, QSFP (Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable), QSFP-DD (Double Density), OSFP (Octal Small Form Factor Pluggable), and CPO (Co-Packaged Optics).

[0003] Existing optical modules face challenges in optical power, space management, thermal management, insertion loss, and manufacturing yield. SUMMARY

[0004] The present disclosure provides an optical module to help solve the problems of existing optical modules. The present disclosure also provides an optical transmission assembly suitable for an optical module.

[0005] An optical transmission assembly disclosed in an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a substrate, an optical transmission element group, a support frame, a plurality of multi-core connectors, and a plurality of adapters. The support frame is coupled to the substrate, and the support frame includes a plurality of support portions. The multi-core connectors are optically coupled to the optical transmission element group. The adapters respectively accommodate the multi-core connectors, and the adapters are respectively coupled to the support portions.

[0006] An optical module disclosed in another embodiment of the present disclosure includes a housing, a substrate, an optical transmission element group, a support frame, a plurality of multi-core connectors, and a plurality of adapters. The substrate, the optical transmission element group, and the support frame are located in the housing. The support frame includes a plurality of support portions. The multi-core connectors are optically coupled to the optical transmission element group. The adapters respectively accommodate the multi-core connectors, and the adapters are respectively coupled to the support portions.

[0007] The optical transmission assembly and the optical module according to the embodiments of the present application provide a support frame which can be accommodated in the optical module, and an adapter for accommodating optical connectors is coupled to the support frame. Before the optical connectors are assembled with the housing of the optical module, the positions and orientations of the optical connectors are fixed in advance by the support frame to conform to the optical port specifications of the optical module, thereby facilitating the operator to quickly complete the assembly of the optical connectors and the housing. In addition, in the application scenario of assembling the optical module by using automatic equipment, since the optical connectors coupled with optical fibers are coupled to the support frame by the adapter, when the circuit board assembly is picked up or flipped, the optical fibers will also be tilted or flipped, thereby avoiding the situation of being pressed or twisted. Therefore, the support frame helps to maintain the uniform distribution of the positions of the optical fibers, thereby improving the reliability of the optical fibers.

[0008] The above description of the present application and the following description of the embodiments are used to demonstrate and explain the spirit and principles of the present application, and provide further explanation for the protection scope of the present application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an optical transmission assembly according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0010] Figure 2 FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the optical transmission assembly of FIG. 1. Figure 1

[0011] Figure 3 FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the optical transmission assembly of FIG. 1. Figure 1

[0012] Figure 4 FIG. 4 is a front view of the optical transmission assembly of FIG. 1. Figure 1

[0013] Figure 5 FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a support frame of the optical transmission assembly of FIG. 1. Figure 2

[0014] Figure 6 FIG. 6 is a view of assembling the optical transmission assembly of FIG. 1. Figure 7 Figure 1

[0015] Figure 8 FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an optical transmission assembly according to another embodiment of the present application.

[0016] Figure 9 FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an optical transmission assembly according to still another embodiment of the present application.

[0017] Figure 10 FIG. 9 is an exploded view of an optical module according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0018] ​​​​​​REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0019] 1: light transmission assembly

[0020] 10: substrate

[0021] 110: upper surface

[0022] 120: lower surface

[0023] 2: light module

[0024] 20: light transmission element group

[0025] 20a: housing

[0026] 20a1: upper housing piece

[0027] 20a2: lower housing piece

[0028] 20b: light transmission assembly

[0029] 210: light emitting unit

[0030] 220: light receiving unit

[0031] 30: support frame

[0032] 310: support portion

[0033] 320: connecting arm

[0034] 321: bent portion

[0035] 322: stop portion

[0036] 330: positioning post

[0037] 350: wire management groove

[0038] 360: retaining structure

[0039] 40, 41, 42: multi-core connector

[0040] 410: main body

[0041] 420: optical fiber

[0042] 50: adapter

[0043] 510: stop portion

[0044] D1: longitudinal direction

[0045] D2: transverse direction

[0046] D3: straight direction DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] The following disclosure describes principles of the present application and exemplary embodiments thereof, which can be illustrated in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where necessary. However, any description and drawings are not intended to exhaustively enumerate all embodiments of the present application nor limit the present application to a particular precise form. Those skilled in the art, with the disclosure before them, will be able to appreciate numerous modifications and variations that are possible, and thus numerous implementations can be reasonably deduced.

[0048] A light module includes light emitting units and light receiving units, which are optically coupled to optical connectors, respectively, and external fiber connectors can be coupled to the corresponding optical connectors. Generally, when assembling the light module, an operator will place the optical connectors in a housing of the light module. However, as the transmission rate and the number of channels of the light module increase, the number of optical connectors also increases, for example, a high-speed light module can include optical connectors optically coupled to the light emitting units and optical connectors optically coupled to the light receiving units. In this case, when placing the optical connectors in the housing, the operator needs to manually adjust the orientation of the optical connectors, resulting in a very time-consuming entire assembly process.

[0049] In addition, in the application scenario of assembling the light module by using an automated device, when the automated device picks up or flips a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA), the optical fibers used to optically couple the optical connectors with the light emitting units or the light receiving units can be crushed or twisted, thereby affecting the optical transmission quality.

[0050] The above-mentioned technical problems make it difficult to realize the automated assembly of the light module.

[0051] According to an embodiment of the present application, a support frame capable of being accommodated inside the light module is provided, and an adapter for accommodating the optical connectors is coupled to the support frame. In this way, before assembling the optical connectors with the housing of the light module, the orientation and position of the optical connectors are fixed in advance, thereby facilitating the operator to quickly complete the assembly of the optical connectors with the housing.

[0052] In addition, in the application scenario of assembling the light module by using an automated device, since the optical connectors optically coupled with the optical fibers are coupled to the support frame by the adapter, when the circuit board assembly is picked up or flipped, the optical fibers will also be tilted or flipped together, thereby avoiding the crushing or twisting situation.

[0053] In this way, the adapter and the support frame can realize automated assembly, the support frame also helps to realize the automated assembly of the substrate and the light transmission component group, and the automated testing of the light transmission component before the assembly of the light transmission component with the housing.

[0054] Those skilled in the art can reasonably combine and configure each technical feature disclosed below to achieve a corresponding technical effect.

[0055] The term "coupled" or "coupling" refers to any connection, link, or similar relationship, and "optically coupled" or "optically coupling" refers to the relationship of light imparted from one element to another. Unless otherwise stated, elements coupled or coupled to each other need not be directly connected to one another, and can be separated by intermediate elements.

[0056] The term "substantially" refers to the degree of exactness within acceptable error ranges, which are considered and reflect minor real-world variations resulting from material composition, material imperfections, and / or limitations / peculiarities in the manufacturing process. Such variations can thus be described as largely achieving the stated characteristic, but not necessarily completely achieving the stated characteristic.

[0057] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a light transport assembly according to an embodiment of the present application, Figure 2 FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the light transport assembly of Figure 1 FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the light transport assembly of Figure 3 FIG. 4 is a front view of the light transport assembly of Figure 1 FIG. 5 is a front view of the light transport assembly of Figure 4 FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a support frame of the light transport assembly of Figure 1 FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a support frame of the light transport assembly of Figure 5 FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a support frame of the light transport assembly of Figure 2 FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a support frame of the light transport assembly of

[0058] Referring to FIGS. 1-9, in one embodiment, the light transport assembly 1 includes a substrate 10, a light transport element group 20, a support frame 30, a plurality of multi-core splices 40, and an adapter 50. Figure 1 Figure 2 In one embodiment, the substrate 10 is a circuit board assembly. In one embodiment, the substrate 10 is a metal housing. In one embodiment, the substrate 10 is a base for carrying optically passive elements, and the base is coupled to a circuit board assembly.

[0059] ​In an embodiment, the optical transmission element group 20 is coupled to the substrate 10. In an embodiment, the optical transmission element group 20 includes one or more optical transmitting units 210 and one or more optical receiving units 220, wherein each optical transmitting unit 210 includes one or more laser diodes, and each optical receiving unit 220 includes one or more photodiodes. In an embodiment, each of the optical transmitting unit 210 and the optical receiving unit 220 further includes optical passive elements, such as, but not limited to, optical isolators, fiber arrays, wavelength division multiplexers, wavelength division demultiplexers, and focusing lenses. In an embodiment, each optical transmitting unit 210 can be understood as a transmitter optical subassembly (TOSA), and each optical receiving unit 220 can be understood as a receiver optical subassembly (ROSA).

[0060] In an embodiment, all of the optical transmitting units 210 and all of the optical receiving units 220 are located on the upper surface 110 of the substrate 10. In an embodiment, at least one optical transmitting unit 210 and at least one optical receiving unit 220 are located on the upper surface 110 of the substrate 10, and other optical transmitting units 210 and other optical receiving units 220 are located on the lower surface 120 of the substrate 10. In an embodiment, all of the optical transmitting units 210 and all of the optical receiving units 220 are located on the lower surface 120 of the substrate 10. In an embodiment, referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2 all of the optical transmitting units 210 are located on the upper surface 110 of the substrate 10, and all of the optical receiving units 220 are located on the lower surface 120 of the substrate 10. Referring to Figure 8 , two optical transmitting units 210 and two optical receiving units 220 are located on the upper surface 110 of the substrate 10.

[0061] According to an embodiment, the support frame 30 can be coupled to the substrate 10. In an embodiment, referring to Figure 2 , the support frame 30 is secured to the substrate. In an embodiment, the support frame 30 is adhered to the upper surface 110 or the lower surface 120 of the substrate 10.

[0062] According to an embodiment, the adapters 50 can each accommodate the multi-fiber pigtails 40. In an embodiment, each multi-fiber pigtail 40 can include a body 410 and a plurality of optical fibers 420 coupled to the body 410. In an embodiment, the body 410 is a plastic shell of the multi-fiber pigtail 40. In an embodiment, the optical fibers 420 pass through the corresponding body 410. In an embodiment, the optical fibers 420 of each multi-fiber pigtail 40 are optically coupled to the optical transmission element group 20. In an embodiment, the multi-fiber pigtail 40 is an MPO pigtail. In an embodiment, referring toFigure 3 The multi-core connector 40 is an MPO male connector. In an embodiment, the optical fiber 420 optically coupled with the light emitting unit 210 is used to transmit the optical signal generated by the light emitting unit 210 to the corresponding multi-core connector 40, and the optical fiber 420 optically coupled with the light receiving unit 220 is used to transmit the optical signal from the corresponding optical fiber 420 to the light receiving unit 220. In an embodiment, referring to Figure 3 The adapter 50 covers the main body 410 of the multi-core connector 40.

[0063] According to an embodiment, the adapters 50 can be coupled to the support frame 30. In an embodiment, the support frame 30 can include a plurality of support portions 310, and the adapters 50 are coupled to the support portions 310. In an embodiment, referring to Figure 3 and Figure 5 Each support portion 310 can be a clasp, and the adapter 50 is clamped to the clasp. In an embodiment, each support portion 310 can include a bearing platform, and the adapter 50 is fixed to the bearing platform. In an embodiment, each support portion 310 can include a recess, and the adapter 50 is accommodated in the recess. In an embodiment, referring to Figure 2 The optical transmission assembly 1 includes a first multi-core connector 41 optically coupled with one of the light emitting units 210 and one of the light receiving units 220, respectively, and a second multi-core connector 42 optically coupled with the other light emitting unit 210 and the other light receiving unit 220.

[0064] In an embodiment, referring to Figure 4 The multi-core connectors 40 can be arranged substantially along the transverse direction D2 of the optical transmission assembly 1. In an embodiment, the multi-core connectors 40 are arranged substantially along the straight direction of the optical transmission assembly 1. Figure 9 A perspective view of an optical transmission assembly according to yet another embodiment of the present application, in which a plurality of multi-core connectors 40 are arranged substantially along the straight direction D3 of the optical transmission assembly 1.

[0065] According to an embodiment, the support frame 30 can include positioning posts 330, and the positioning posts 330 can be between the substrate 10 and the multi-core connectors 40. The specific purpose of the positioning posts 330 is described later.

[0066] According to an embodiment, the support frame 30 can include connecting arms 320 between the substrate 10 and the multi-core connectors 40. In an embodiment, the connecting arms 320 are between the substrate 10 and the multi-core connectors 40. In an embodiment, the support portions 310 of the support frame 30 are coupled to the connecting arms 320. In an embodiment, the connecting arms 320 have bending portions 321. In an embodiment, referring to Figure 2 and Figure 5 The positioning posts 330 are between the bending portions 321 and the substrate 10. The specific purpose of the bending portions 321 is described later.

[0067] According to an embodiment, the support frame 30 can comprise at least one cable channel 350, and the optical fibers 420 of the multi-core connector 40 can be located within the cable channel 350. In an embodiment, the cable channel 350 is coupled to the connection arm 320. In an embodiment, referring to Figure 5 , the support frame 30 comprises four cable channels 350, wherein the optical fibers 420 optically coupled to the light emitting unit 210 are located within two of the cable channels 350, and the optical fibers 420 optically coupled to the light receiving unit 220 are located within the other two of the cable channels 350. In an embodiment, the support frame 30 further comprises a retaining structure 360 adjacent to the cable channels 350, wherein the retaining structure 360 can prevent the optical fibers 420 from escaping from the cable channels 350. In an embodiment, referring to Figure 5 , the retaining structure 360 comprises a catch located above the cable channel 350.

[0068] According to an embodiment, each adapter 50 can comprise a stop 510, and the corresponding support portion 310 can spatially interfere with the stop 510 in the longitudinal direction D1 of the optical transmission assembly 1. In an embodiment, referring to Figure 1 and Figure 3 , for a corresponding set of adapters 50 and support portions 310, the support portions 310 substantially spatially interfere with the stops 510 of the adapters 50 in the longitudinal direction D1, such that movement of the adapters 50 housing the multi-core connectors 40 along the longitudinal direction D1 is limited.

[0069] According to an embodiment, each support portion 310 of the support frame 30 can comprise a stop 322, and the stop 322 spatially interferes with the main body 410 of the multi-core connector 40 in the longitudinal direction D1 of the optical transmission assembly 1. In an embodiment, referring to Figure 1 and Figure 3 , for a corresponding set of multi-core connectors 40 and support portions 310, the stops 322 substantially spatially interfere with the main bodies 410 in the longitudinal direction D1, such that movement of the multi-core connectors 40 along the longitudinal direction D1 is limited.

[0070] Figure 6 and Figure 7 is a schematic view of an assembled Figure 1 optical transmission assembly. Referring first to Figure 6 , the multi-core connector 40 is housed within the adapter 50, the adapter 50 is snapped onto the corresponding support portion 310, and the optical fibers 420 of the multi-core connector 40 are placed within the cable channel 350. Referring next to Figure 7The optical transmission element group 20 (the light emitting unit 210 and the light receiving unit 220) is placed on the substrate 10 along the straight direction D3. In an embodiment, the light emitting unit 210 and the light receiving unit 220 are adhered to the substrate 10. In an embodiment, the adapter 50 can also accommodate optical connectors (e.g., MPO female connectors, not shown) to optically couple the optical connectors with the multi-core connector 40.

[0071] To improve the ease of assembly, a jig (not shown) coupled to the support 310 can be additionally provided, and the jig can be used to carry the optical transmission element group 20. When the optical fibers 420 are to be placed in the routing groove 350, the optical transmission element group 20 can be carried on the jig. Then, the optical transmission element group 20 is moved from the jig to the substrate 10, and the jig is removed. More directly, the jig can serve as a temporary carrier for the optical transmission assembly group 20 before the optical transmission assembly group 20 is installed to the substrate 10. In an embodiment, the jig is coupled to the support frame 30. In an embodiment, the positioning post 330 of the support frame 30 is inserted into the jig, and the jig is buckled to the bent portion 321 of the support frame 30, thereby achieving detachable assembly between the jig and the support frame 30.

[0072] Figure 10 A schematic diagram of the disassembly of the optical module according to an embodiment of the present application. According to an embodiment, the optical module 2 can include a housing 20a and an optical transmission assembly 20b. The optical transmission assembly 20b can be the optical transmission assembly 1 described above or the optical transmission assembly of any other embodiment. Figure 1

[0073] In an embodiment, the housing 20a is a single housing, and the optical transmission assembly 20b is accommodated in the housing 20a. In an embodiment, the housing 20a is a multi-part housing including an upper housing part 20a1 and a lower housing part 20a2, and the upper housing part 20a1 and the lower housing part 20a2 are assembled to accommodate the optical transmission assembly 20b. In an embodiment, the substrate 10, the optical transmission element group 20, and the support frame 30 of the optical transmission assembly 20b are located in the housing 20a. In an embodiment, the support frame 30 is separated from the substrate 10, and the support frame 30 is carried on the inner wall surface of the housing 20a.

[0074] In summary, the optical transmission assembly and the optical module according to the embodiments of the present application provide a support frame that can be accommodated inside the optical module, and an adapter for accommodating optical connectors is coupled to the support frame. Before the optical connectors are assembled with the housing of the optical module, the positions and orientations of the optical connectors are fixed in advance by the additionally provided support frame to conform to the optical port specifications of the optical module, thereby facilitating the operator to quickly complete the assembly of the optical connectors and the housing.

[0075] ​Furthermore, in the application scenario of assembling the optical module by using the automated equipment, since the optical joint coupled with the optical fiber is coupled to the support frame by the adapter, when the circuit board assembly is picked up or flipped, the optical fiber will also be tilted or flipped together, thereby avoiding the situation of being crushed or twisted. Therefore, the support frame helps to maintain the neat distribution of the optical fiber position, thereby improving the reliability of the optical fiber.

Claims

1. An optical transmission component, characterized in that, Include: One substrate; One optical transmission element group; A support frame is coupled to the substrate, and the support frame includes a plurality of support portions; Multiple multi-core connectors are optically coupled to the optical transmission element group; as well as Multiple adapters, each accommodating multiple multi-core connectors, and each adapter being coupled to multiple support portions.

2. The optical transmission component according to claim 1, characterized in that, The support frame is locked to the substrate.

3. The optical transmission component according to claim 1, characterized in that, The support frame further includes a positioning post, which is located between the substrate and the plurality of multi-core connectors.

4. The optical transmission component according to claim 1, characterized in that, The support frame further includes a connecting arm between the substrate and the plurality of multi-core connectors, the plurality of support portions being coupled to the connecting arm, and the connecting arm having a bent portion.

5. The optical transmission component according to claim 1, characterized in that, The support frame further includes at least one cable management groove, and each of the plurality of multi-core connectors includes a plurality of optical fibers optically coupled to the optical transmission element group, and the plurality of optical fibers of the plurality of multi-core connectors are located within the at least one cable management groove.

6. The optical transmission component according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the multiple support parts is a buckle, and the multiple adapters are respectively snapped into the multiple buckles.

7. The optical transmission component according to claim 6, characterized in that, Each of the multiple adapters includes a stop portion, and the retainer spatially interferes with the stop portion in a longitudinal direction of the optical transmission component.

8. The optical transmission component according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the multiple support portions includes a stop portion, and the stop portion spatially interferes with the multi-core connector in a longitudinal direction of the optical transmission component.

9. The optical transmission component according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each of these multi-core connectors is an MPO connector.

10. An optical module, characterized in that, Include: A shell; A substrate is located inside the housing; An optical transmission element assembly is located inside the housing; A support frame is located inside the housing, and the support frame includes multiple support parts; as well as Multiple multi-core connectors are optically coupled to the optical transmission element group; as well as Multiple adapters, each accommodating multiple multi-core connectors, and each adapter being coupled to multiple support portions.

11. The optical module according to claim 10, characterized in that, The support frame further includes a positioning post, which is located between the substrate and the plurality of multi-core connectors.

12. The optical module according to claim 10, characterized in that, The support frame further includes a connecting arm between the substrate and the plurality of multi-core connectors, the plurality of support portions being coupled to the connecting arm, and the connecting arm having a bent portion.

13. The optical module according to claim 10, characterized in that, The support frame further includes at least one cable management groove, and each of the plurality of multi-core connectors includes a plurality of optical fibers optically coupled to the optical transmission element group, and the plurality of optical fibers of the plurality of multi-core connectors are located within the at least one cable management groove.

14. The optical module according to claim 10, characterized in that, Each of the multiple support parts is a buckle, and the multiple adapters are respectively snapped into the multiple buckles.

15. The optical module according to claim 14, characterized in that, Each of the multiple adapters includes a stop portion, and the buckle spatially interferes with the stop portion in a longitudinal direction of the optical module.

16. The optical module according to claim 10, characterized in that, Each of the multiple support portions includes a stop portion, and the stop portion spatially interferes with the multi-core connector in a longitudinal direction of the optical module.

17. The optical module according to claim 10, characterized in that, Each of these multi-core connectors is an MPO connector.

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