Optical module and information device

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an optical module and an information device capable of improving the reliability of an optical fiber. The optical module includes: a substrate having a main surface; an optical element disposed on the main surface; a lens member disposed on the main surface; an optical fiber having a tip portion and a cover portion continuous from the tip portion; a covering member which covers the covering part in a manner that the top end part is exposed; an auxiliary member; and an adhesive part. The lens member includes: an optical fiber holding portion that holds the tip portion; and a lens unit disposed on an optical path between the optical element and the tip of the optical fiber. The auxiliary member is disposed in a first direction from the tip of the optical fiber toward the covering portion with respect to the optical fiber holding portion. The adhesive portion adheres the covering member and the auxiliary member.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an optical module and an information apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0002] Patent Literature 1 discloses a notebook computer provided with a hinge mechanism. The notebook computer is provided with a first housing in which a circuit board and a hard disk drive, and the like, are built in, and a second housing having a liquid crystal display. Patent Literature 2 discloses an electronic apparatus provided with an electronic apparatus main body, a rotating apparatus rotatably attached by a hinge mechanism, and an electric wire connecting the electronic apparatus main body and the rotating apparatus. Patent Literature 3 discloses a recorder editor having an electronic apparatus main body and a rotating apparatus which is a display section that rotates with respect to the electronic apparatus main body.

[0003] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0004] PATENT LITERATURE

[0005] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-119698

[0006] Patent Literature 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H6-131077

[0007] Patent Literature 3: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-154760

[0008] Patent Literature 4: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-82508

[0009] Patent Literature 5: International Publication No. WO 2023 / 013348

[0010] Further, in an information apparatus, the transmission capacity of a signal increases due to, for example, an improvement in performance of an electric apparatus built in the information apparatus. Also, the number of electric apparatuses mounted on the information apparatus is assumed to increase. With the increase in the transmission capacity of a signal and the increase in the number of electric apparatuses mounted on the information apparatus, it can be necessary to thicken an electric wire or increase the number of electric wires.

[0011] In order to reduce the area occupied by wiring in an information apparatus, it is conceivable to use an optical module having an optical fiber capable of large-capacity signal transmission. In this case, in order to build the optical module in the information apparatus, it is necessary to downsize the optical module. When the lens member that holds the tip end portion of the optical fiber is downsized along with the downsizing of the optical module, the portion of the lens member that holds the tip end portion of the optical fiber also becomes smaller. In this case, the influence of an external force acting on the optical fiber on the tip end portion of the optical fiber can become large. SUMMARY

[0012] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an optical module and an information apparatus capable of improving the reliability of an optical fiber.

[0013] One embodiment of the optical module disclosed herein includes: a substrate having a main surface; an optical element disposed on the main surface; a lens member disposed on the main surface; an optical fiber having a tip portion and a continuous coating portion extending from the tip portion; a coating member covering the coating portion with the tip portion exposed; an auxiliary member; and an adhesive portion. The lens member includes: an optical fiber holding portion for holding the tip portion; and a lens portion disposed in the optical path between the optical element and the tip portion of the optical fiber. The auxiliary member is disposed relative to the optical fiber holding portion in a first direction extending from the tip portion of the optical fiber towards the coating portion. The adhesive portion bonds the coating member to the auxiliary member.

[0014] Invention Effects

[0015] According to one aspect of this disclosure, an optical module that can improve the reliability of optical fibers can be provided. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the information device according to the first embodiment.

[0017] Figure 2 It means Figure 1 The image shows a top view of the optical module of the information device.

[0018] Figure 3 It is Figure 2 A magnified top view of a portion of the optical module shown.

[0019] Figure 4 It is along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view along line IV-IV.

[0020] Figure 5 This is a top view showing an enlarged portion of the optical module of a variant of the first embodiment.

[0021] Figure 6 This is a top view showing an enlarged portion of the optical module of the second embodiment.

[0022] Figure 7 It is along Figure 6 A sectional view along line VII-VII.

[0023] Figure 8 This is a perspective view of the information device according to the third embodiment.

[0024] Figure 9 It is Figure 8 A magnified top view of a portion of the optical module of the information device shown.

[0025] Figure 10 It is along Figure 9FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an X-X line.

[0026] Figure 11 FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the adhesive portion is filled in the through-hole of the fixing portion.

[0027] Figure 12 FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a part of the optical module provided in the information apparatus of the fourth embodiment.

[0028] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] 1, 101: information apparatus

[0030] 2: monitor portion

[0031] 3: main body portion

[0032] 4: hinge portion

[0033] 5, 5A, 105, 205, 305: optical module

[0034] 21: display

[0035] 22: camera

[0036] 23: housing

[0037] 31: keyboard

[0038] 32: touch pad

[0039] 33: power button

[0040] 34: main board

[0041] 35: housing

[0042] 51: substrate

[0043] 51a: front end

[0044] 51b: rear end

[0045] 51c: main surface

[0046] 52: optical element

[0047] 53: lens member

[0048] 53a: groove

[0049] 53b: mirror portion

[0050] 53c: lens portion

[0051] 53d: surface

[0052] 53e: recess

[0053] 54: electrical connector;

[0054] 55: optical fiber;

[0055] 55a: tip end portion;

[0056] 55b: coated portion;

[0057] 56: coated member;

[0058] 57: support member;

[0059] 57a: front end;

[0060] 57A: support member;

[0061] 57b: rear end;

[0062] 57c: corner portion;

[0063] 57d: surface;

[0064] 58: adhesive portion;

[0065] 61: substrate;

[0066] 62: optical element;

[0067] 63: lens member;

[0068] 64: electrical connector;

[0069] 65: dummy optical fiber;

[0070] 65a: tip end portion;

[0071] 65b: coated portion;

[0072] 66: dummy coated member;

[0073] 71: fixing portion;

[0074] 71a: through-hole;

[0075] 71b: rim portion;

[0076] 72: adhesive portion;

[0077] 81: fixing portion;

[0078] D1, D2, D3: direction;

[0079] L: optical path;

[0080] R: rotation axis. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0081] [Explanation of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure]

[0082] First, the contents of the embodiments of the present disclosure are listed to be described.

[0083] [1] A light module of one embodiment includes a substrate including a main surface, a light element disposed on the main surface, a lens member disposed on the main surface, an optical fiber including a tip end portion and a coated portion continuous from the tip end portion, a coated member covering the coated portion with the tip end portion exposed, an auxiliary member, and an adhesive portion. The lens member includes a fiber holding portion holding the tip end portion and a lens disposed on an optical path between the light element and the tip end portion of the optical fiber. The auxiliary member is disposed in a first direction from the tip end portion of the optical fiber toward the coated portion with respect to the fiber holding portion. The adhesive portion bonds the coated member and the auxiliary member.

[0084] In the light module, the coated member covering the optical fiber is bonded to the auxiliary member disposed in the first direction from the tip end portion of the optical fiber toward the coated portion with respect to the fiber holding portion by the adhesive portion. Thus, the influence of external force (e.g., external force such as bending, twisting, and stretching of the optical fiber) applied to the optical fiber on the tip end portion of the optical fiber can be reduced by the coated member being bonded to the auxiliary member just before the tip end portion of the optical fiber. Thus, for example, breakage of the tip end portion of the optical fiber caused by external force applied to the optical fiber can be prevented. Thus, according to the light module, the reliability of the optical fiber can be improved.

[0085] [2] In the light module of the above-described [1], the adhesive portion can bond the tip end portion and the fiber holding portion, and the adhesive portion can extend toward the auxiliary member from the fiber holding portion. In this case, the tip end portion of the optical fiber can be fixed to the fiber holding portion, and the coated member can be fixed to the auxiliary member. Thus, the optical fiber can be stably fixed.

[0086] [3] In the light module of the above-described [1] or [2], the auxiliary member can be disposed between the coated member and the main surface and fixed to the main surface. In this case, the auxiliary member can support the coated member, and the optical fiber can be stably fixed.

[0087] [4] In the light module of the above-described [3], the auxiliary member can include a corner portion located on the opposite side of the fiber holding portion and opposite to the coated member, and the corner portion can be chamfered. For example, in the case where external force such as bending of the optical fiber is generated, the influence (stress transmitted to the tip end portion) on the tip end portion of the optical fiber can be further reduced by the coated member covering the coated portion of the optical fiber along the chamfered corner portion. Thus, the reliability of the optical fiber can be further improved.

[0088] [5] In the optical module of any one of the above [3] or [4], the auxiliary member can be formed so as to narrow in width as it moves away from the optical fiber holding portion in the first direction when viewed from the second direction intersecting the main surface. In this case, the portion of the auxiliary member that narrows in width (the portion farther from the tip portion of the optical fiber) becomes soft. Thus, for example, in the case where an external force such as a bend of the optical fiber is generated, the portion that narrows in width deforms easily, and as a result, the influence on the tip portion of the optical fiber can be reduced further. Thus, the reliability of the optical fiber can be improved further.

[0089] [6] In the optical module of any one of the above [3] to [5], the Young's modulus of the auxiliary member can be smaller than the Young's modulus of the optical fiber. In this case, the auxiliary member becomes softer. Thus, for example, in the case where an external force such as a bend of the optical fiber is generated, the influence on the tip portion of the optical fiber (stress transmitted to the tip portion) can be reduced further by allowing the auxiliary member to absorb the external force.

[0090] [7] In the optical module of any one of the above [1] to [6], the auxiliary member can be arranged side by side with the covering member in a third direction intersecting the first direction and along the main surface. The bend of the optical fiber in the third direction can be prevented effectively by the auxiliary member arranged side by side with the covering member in the third direction.

[0091] [8] In the optical module of the above [7], the auxiliary member can have a dummy optical fiber that does not transmit light, and a dummy covering member that covers the dummy optical fiber, a tip portion of the dummy optical fiber is held by the optical fiber holding portion, and the covering member is bonded to the dummy covering member by the bonding portion. In this case, the dummy optical fiber and the dummy covering member can be arranged using the optical fiber holding portion, and the bonding area of the covering member can be increased.

[0092] [9] In the optical module of any one of the above [1] to [8], the auxiliary member can have a first auxiliary member arranged between the covering member and the main surface and fixed to the main surface, and a second auxiliary member arranged side by side with the covering member in a third direction intersecting the first direction and along the main surface, the covering member is bonded to the first auxiliary member by the bonding portion, and the covering member is bonded to the second auxiliary member by the bonding portion. In this case, the bonding area of the covering member can be increased further, and the optical fiber can be fixed more stably. Thus, the influence on the tip portion of the optical fiber can be reduced further, and as a result, the reliability of the optical fiber can be improved further.

[0093]

[10] An information apparatus of one embodiment can include the optical module of any one of the above [1] to [9], and a housing that accommodates the optical module. In this case, in the information apparatus, the optical module can be used for transmission of light.

[0094]

[11] An information apparatus of one embodiment includes an optical module, a fixing portion, and a housing that accommodates the optical module and the fixing portion. The optical module includes a substrate, an optical element, a lens member, and an optical fiber. The substrate has a main surface. The optical element is disposed on the main surface. The lens member is disposed on the main surface. The optical fiber has a tip end portion and a coating portion that is continuous from the tip end portion. The lens member includes a fiber holding portion that holds the tip end portion and a lens that is disposed on an optical path between the optical element and the tip end portion of the optical fiber. The fixing portion is fixed to the housing with respect to the substrate in a first direction from the tip end portion of the optical fiber toward the coating portion, and the fixing portion holds the optical fiber.

[0095] In the information apparatus, the optical fiber is held by the fixing portion of the housing with respect to the substrate in the first direction from the tip end portion of the optical fiber toward the coating portion. Thus, the optical fiber is held by the fixing portion in front of the tip end portion of the optical fiber, and thus, the influence of an external force (e.g., a bending of the optical fiber or the like) on the tip end portion of the optical fiber can be reduced. Thus, for example, breakage of the tip end portion of the optical fiber or the like caused by the external force applied to the optical fiber can be prevented. Thus, according to the information apparatus, the reliability of the optical fiber can be improved.

[0096]

[12] In the information apparatus of the above-described

[11] , the fixing portion can have a through-hole through which at least one or more optical fibers are inserted, and the through-hole can have a rim portion that is opened to the opposite side of the substrate, and the rim portion can be curved in a convex shape in a manner that the width of the through-hole increases. For example, in the case where an external force such as a bending of the optical fiber is generated, the influence (stress transmitted to the tip end portion) on the tip end portion of the optical fiber can be further reduced by making the optical fiber follow the rim portion.

[0097]

[13] The information apparatus of the above-described

[11] or

[12] can further include an elastic member, and the fixing portion can have a through-hole through which at least one or more optical fibers are inserted, and the elastic member can be disposed between the optical fiber and the through-hole. For example, in the case where an external force such as a bending of the optical fiber is generated, the influence (stress transmitted to the tip end portion) on the tip end portion of the optical fiber can be further reduced by making the elastic member absorb the external force.

[0098]

[14] The information apparatus of any one of the above-described

[11] to

[13] can further include a first adhesive portion and a second adhesive portion, and the optical module can further include a covering member that covers the coating portion in a manner that the tip end portion is exposed, the first adhesive portion can adhere the tip end portion to the fiber holding portion, the second adhesive portion can adhere the fixing portion to the covering member, and the adhesive strength between the fixing portion and the covering member can be greater than the adhesive strength between the tip end portion and the fiber holding portion. In this case, the tensile strength of the optical fiber can be improved.

[0099] In the information device according to any one of the above-mentioned

[11] to

[14] , the optical module can further include a covering member that covers the covering portion with the tip end portion exposed, an auxiliary member, and an adhesive portion that adheres at least one of the first auxiliary member disposed between the covering member and the main surface and fixed to the main surface and the second auxiliary member disposed side by side with the covering member in a third direction intersecting the first direction and along the main surface. Thus, the adhering area of the covering member is increased by the auxiliary member, and the optical fiber is further held by the fixing portion, so that the optical fiber can be more stably fixed. Therefore, in the case where an external force such as bending of the optical fiber is generated, the influence on the tip end portion of the optical fiber (stress transmitted to the tip end portion) can be further reduced.

[0100] [Details of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure]

[0101] Hereinafter, specific examples of the optical module and the information device according to the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals are used for the same elements or elements having the same function, and repetitive description will be omitted. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to these examples, but is shown by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0102] [First Embodiment]

[0103] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the information device according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the information device according to the first embodiment. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the information device according to the first embodiment.

[0104] The monitor portion 2 has a display 21, a camera 22, and a housing 23. The display 21 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and the camera 22 is, for example, a Web camera. The display 21 and the camera 22 are driven by receiving electric signals. The housing 23 is formed in a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape. The housing 23 holds the display 21 and the camera 22.

[0105] The main body 3 includes a keyboard 31, a touchpad 32, a power button 33, a motherboard 34, and a housing 35. The keyboard 31, touchpad 32, and power button 33 are electrically connected to the motherboard 34. The keyboard 31, touchpad 32, and power button 33 are operated by the user of the information device 1. When operated via the keyboard 31, touchpad 32, and power button 33, signals are output from the motherboard 34 to various parts of the information device 1, thereby enabling each part of the information device 1 to perform its function. The housing 35 is formed in a flat cuboid shape. The housing 3 holds the keyboard 31, touchpad 32, and power button 33.

[0106] The information device 1 also includes an optical module 5. The optical module 5 is housed within the casing of the information device 1 (in this embodiment, the casing 23 of the monitor unit 2 and the casing 35 of the main body 3). The optical module 5 includes a substrate 51, a substrate 61, optical elements 52 and 62, a lens component 53 and 63, an electrical connector 54 and 64, and an optical fiber 55. Figure 2 In the optical module 5 shown, the optical fiber 55 extends straight along direction D1. Optical element 52, lens component 53, and electrical connector 54 are mounted on substrate 51. Optical element 62, lens component 63, and electrical connector 64 are also mounted on substrate 61. The two ends of the optical fiber 55 are held by lens component 53 and lens component 63, respectively.

[0107] A substrate 51 is disposed on the monitor section 2 and housed in the housing 23. An image signal from a camera 22 is input to an electrical connector 54, for example. An optical element 52 converts the electrical signal into an optical signal. The optical element 52 is, for example, a VCSEL (Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser), a type of semiconductor laser diode. The optical element 52 converts the electrical signal from the camera 22 into an optical signal. This optical signal is focused onto an optical fiber 55 by a lens component 53.

[0108] A substrate 61 is disposed on the main body 3 and housed in the housing 35. Optical signals from the optical fiber 55 are focused onto the optical element 62 by a lens component 63. The optical element 62 converts the optical signals into electrical signals. The optical element 62 is, for example, a PD (Photodiode). This electrical signal is output from the electrical connector 64 to the main board 34 and processed by the chipset mounted on the main board 34.

[0109] like Figure 1 As shown, with the optical module 5 housed in the information device 1, the optical fiber 55 extends from the substrate 51, around the display 21, toward the substrate 61. For example, a hole is provided in the hinge portion 4, through which the optical fiber 55 extends from the monitor portion 2 to the main body portion 3.

[0110] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 Details of optical module 5 will be provided. Figure 3 It is Figure 2 A top view showing a portion of the optical module 5. Figure 4 It is along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view along line IV-IV. It should be noted that the portion of the optical module 5 disposed in the main body 3 has the same configuration as the portion of the optical module 5 disposed in the monitor 2. That is, the configuration on substrate 51 is the same as the configuration on substrate 61. Therefore, in the following description, details of the configuration on substrate 51 will be explained, and the description of the configuration on substrate 61 may be omitted at times. In the following description, the direction perpendicular to direction D1 will be referred to as direction D2 (third direction), and the direction perpendicular to both direction D1 and direction D2 will be referred to as direction D3 (second direction).

[0111] The optical fiber 55 has a tip portion 55a and a continuous coating portion 55b extending from the tip portion 55a. The optical module 5 also has a coating member 56 that covers the coating portion 55b with the tip portion 55a exposed. The tip portion 55a and the coating portion 55b are formed, for example, of glass fiber. The material of the coating member 56 is, for example, a resin material.

[0112] The substrate 51 is formed into a long rectangular shape in direction D1. The substrate 51 has a front end 51a, a rear end 51b, and a main surface 51c (see also...). Figure 2 The rear end 51b is located on the opposite side of the front end 51a in direction D1. The optical element 52 and the lens component 53 are disposed on the main surface 51c near the rear end 51b. The optical element 52 has an optical axis along direction D3 (a direction perpendicular to the main surface 51c). The lens component 53 is disposed on the main surface 51c in a manner that covers the optical element 52.

[0113] The lens component 53 has an internal optical path L between the tip 55a of the optical fiber 55 and the optical element 52. The region of the lens component 53 including at least the optical path L is formed, for example, of a transparent material that allows light to propagate, such as glass or transparent resin. The transparent resin is, for example, a polyetherimide-based resin. The lens component 53 is formed in a cuboid shape, and its entirety is made of a light-transmitting material.

[0114] The lens component 53 has a plurality of slots 53a (six in this embodiment), a mirror portion 53b, and a lens portion 53c. The plurality of slots 53a are formed in the region near the rear end 51b in the surface 53d of the lens component 53. The tip portion 55a of the optical fiber 55 is placed in one of the slots 53a. The plurality of slots 53a are optical fiber holding portions that hold the tip portion 55a of the optical fiber 55. The lens component 53 may also have only one slot 53a.

[0115] The mirror portion 53b is optically coupled with the optical fiber 55. The mirror portion 53b bends the optical path L between the tip portion 55a of the optical fiber 55 and the optical element 52 by converting the propagation direction of light. The mirror portion 53b converts the propagation direction of light propagating in the vertical direction from the optical element 52 to the horizontal direction.

[0116] The mirror portion 53b constitutes a part of the surface of the lens member 53. In the present embodiment, the lens member 53 has a recessed portion 53e formed in the surface 53d, and the mirror portion 53b constitutes a part of the inner surface of the recessed portion 53e. The recessed portion 53e is recessed on the surface 53d toward the substrate 51. The inner side surface of the recessed portion 53e near the optical fiber 55 among the plurality of inner side surfaces is inclined with respect to the optical path L. The mirror portion 53b is formed by the inclined inner side surface. The inner side surface forming the mirror portion 53b reflects light by the difference in refractive index between the material forming the lens member 53 and the air present in the recessed portion 53e.

[0117] The lens portion 53c is formed on the optical path L between the tip portion 55a of the optical fiber 55 and the optical element 52. The lens portion 53c is formed in a convex shape on the surface of the lens portion 53c opposite to the substrate 51. The mirror portion 53b is optically coupled with the optical element 52 via the lens portion 53c.

[0118] The optical module 5 further has a support member 57 (an auxiliary member) and an adhesive portion 58.

[0119] The support member 57 is disposed between the cover member 56 and the main surface 51c of the substrate 51, and is fixed to the main surface 51c. The support member 57 supports the cover member 56 and the covered portion 55b inside thereof. The support member 57 is disposed on the main surface 51c in the vicinity of the rear end 51b. The support member 57 is disposed in the direction D1 (the first direction) from the tip portion 55a of the optical fiber 55 toward the covered portion 55b with respect to the plurality of grooves 53a. That is, the support member 57 is disposed in the space between the plurality of grooves 53a (the lens member 53) and the rear end 51b of the substrate 51. The support member 57 can be in contact with the lens member 53, or can be away from the lens member 53.

[0120] The support member 57 has a front end 57a and a rear end 57b on the opposite side of the front end 57a in the direction D1. The support member 57 is a plate member formed so as to be narrower in width as it is farther from the plurality of grooves 53a in the direction D1 as viewed in the direction D3. Specifically, the support member 57 is formed in a trapezoidal shape in which the width in the direction D2 of the front end 57a is longer than the width in the direction D2 of the rear end 57b. Thus, the region of the support member 57 including the rear end 57b is softer than the region of the support member 57 including the front end 57a.

[0121] The support member 57 has a corner portion 57c. The corner portion 57c is a corner portion opposite to the covering member 56 (a corner portion not in contact with the substrate 51) of the two corner portions located on opposite sides of the plurality of grooves 53a when viewed in the direction D2. The corner portion 57c constitutes a part of the rear end 57b. The corner portion 57c is chamfered. In the present embodiment, the corner portion 57c has a shape chamfered with an R. The corner portion 57c can have a shape chamfered with a C.

[0122] The support member 57 is formed of a resin material such as a polypropylene resin, for example. The Young's modulus of the support member 57 is smaller than the Young's modulus of the optical fiber 55. That is, the support member 57 is softer than the optical fiber 55.

[0123] The adhesive portion 58 adheres the tip end portion 55a of the optical fiber 55 to the groove 53a, and the adhesive portion 58 extends from the groove 53a toward the support member 57. Thus, the adhesive portion 58 further adheres the covering member 56 to the support member 57. Specifically, the adhesive portion 58 adheres the covering member 56 to a surface 57d of the support member 57 (a surface located on the opposite side of the main surface 51c of the substrate 51) opposite to the covering member 56. The support member 57 can be said to be an additional member for increasing the adhesive area of the covering member 56. The adhesive portion 58 is a cured product of a UV-curable resin, for example.

[0124] According to the present embodiment described above, the covering member 56 covering the optical fiber 55 is adhered to the support member 57 disposed in the groove 53a in the direction D1 from the tip end portion 55a of the optical fiber 55 toward the covered portion 55b by the adhesive portion 58. In this way, it is possible to reduce the influence of external force (for example, external force such as bending of the optical fiber 55) acting on the optical fiber 55 on the tip end portion 55a of the optical fiber 55 by adhering the covering member 56 to the support member 57 in front of the tip end portion 55a of the optical fiber 55. Thus, for example, it is possible to prevent breakage of the tip end portion 55a of the optical fiber 55 and the like caused by external force acting on the optical fiber 55. Therefore, according to the optical module 5, it is possible to improve the reliability of the optical fiber 55.

[0125] In the present embodiment, the adhesive portion 58 adheres the tip end portion 55a to the groove 53a, and the adhesive portion 58 extends from the groove 53a toward the support member 57. Thus, it is possible to fix the tip end portion 55a of the optical fiber 55 to the groove 53a, and it is possible to fix the covering member 56 to the support member 57. Therefore, it is possible to stably fix the optical fiber 55.

[0126] In the present embodiment, the support member 57 is disposed between the covering member 56 and the main surface 51c of the substrate 51, and is fixed to the main surface 51c. Thus, the support member 57 can support the covering member 56, and can stably fix the optical fiber 55.

[0127] In the present embodiment, the support member 57 has a corner portion 57c on the opposite side of the groove 53a from the covering member 56, and the corner portion 57c is chamfered. For example, in the case where an external force such as a bend of the optical fiber 55 is generated, the influence on the tip end portion 55a of the optical fiber 55 (stress transmitted to the tip end portion 55a) can be further reduced by the covering member 56 covering the covered portion 55b of the optical fiber 55 along the chamfered corner portion 57c. Thus, the reliability of the optical fiber 55 can be further improved.

[0128] In the present embodiment, the support member 57 is formed so as to narrow in width as it moves away from the groove 53a in the direction Dl when viewed from the direction D3. In this case, the portion of the support member 57 that is narrow in width (the portion that is further away from the tip end portion 55a of the optical fiber 55) becomes soft. As a result, for example, in the case where an external force such as a bend of the optical fiber 55 is generated, the portion that is narrow in width deforms easily, and as a result, the influence on the tip end portion 55a of the optical fiber 55 can be further reduced. Thus, the reliability of the optical fiber 55 can be further improved.

[0129] In the present embodiment, the Young's modulus of the support member 57 is smaller than the Young's modulus of the optical fiber 55. In this case, the support member 57 becomes softer. As a result, for example, in the case where an external force such as a bend of the optical fiber 55 is generated, the influence on the tip end portion 55a of the optical fiber 55 can be further reduced by the support member 57 absorbing the external force (stress transmitted to the tip end portion 55a).

[0130] [Variation of the First Embodiment]

[0131] Next, the optical module 5A of the variation of the first embodiment will be described. Figure 5 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the optical module 5A. As Figure 5 indicated, the optical module 5A differs from the optical module 5 in that it has a support member 57A having a different shape from the support member 57 of the first embodiment instead of the support member 57 of the first embodiment.

[0132] The support member 57A is formed in a cuboid shape. The support member 57A is formed in a long rectangle when viewed from the direction D3. The corner portion of the support member 57A differs from the corner portion 57c of the support member 57, and is not chamfered. As with the optical module 5A described above, the reliability of the optical fiber 55 can be improved.

[0133] [Second Embodiment]

[0134] Next, the optical module 105 provided to the information device of the second embodiment will be described. Figure 6 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the optical module 105. Figure 7 is a view taken along Figure 6FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the line VII-VII of FIG. 6. The optical module 105 differs from the optical module 5 in that the support member 57 of the first embodiment is replaced with a plurality of (five in the present embodiment) dummy optical fibers 65 and a plurality of (five in the present embodiment) dummy covering members 66.

[0135] The dummy optical fiber 65 is formed of, for example, the same material (e.g., a glass material) as the optical fiber 55. The dummy optical fiber 65 has a tip end portion 65a and a covering portion 65b continuous from the tip end portion 65a, and extends in the direction Dl. The tip end portion 65a of the dummy optical fiber 65 is placed in the groove 53a in which the tip end portion 55a of the optical fiber 55 is not placed among the plurality of grooves 53a.

[0136] The dummy optical fiber 65 does not transmit light. Therefore, the tip end portion 55a of the optical fiber 55 is optically coupled with the optical element 52, in contrast to which the tip end portion 65a of the dummy optical fiber 65 is not optically coupled with the optical element 52. Further, the optical fiber 55 extends to the outside of the substrate 51 to transmit light, in contrast to which the entirety of the dummy optical fiber 65 is located inside the outer edge of the substrate 51 when viewed from the direction D3. The end portion opposite to the tip end portion 55a in the optical fiber 55 is optically coupled with other optical components, in contrast to which the end portion opposite to the tip end portion 65a in the dummy optical fiber 65 is not optically coupled with other optical components.

[0137] The dummy covering member 66 is formed of, for example, the same material (e.g., a resin material) as the covering member 56. The dummy covering member 66 covers the covering portion 65b in a manner that the tip end portion 65a is exposed. The entirety of the dummy covering member 66 is located inside the outer edge of the substrate 51 when viewed from the direction D3, like the dummy optical fiber 65.

[0138] The plurality of groups each composed of the dummy optical fiber 65 and the dummy covering member 66 are arranged side by side with the group of the optical fiber 55 and the covering member 56 in the direction D2. Specifically, the group of the optical fiber 55 and the covering member 56 is sandwiched between two groups each composed of the dummy optical fiber 65 and the dummy covering member 66 in the direction D2. In this way, the dummy covering member 66 is arranged side by side with the covering member 56 in the direction D2.

[0139] The adhesive portion 58 adheres the tip end portion 55a of the optical fiber 55 to the groove 53a, and adheres the tip end portion 65a of the dummy optical fiber 65 to the groove 53a. Also, the adhesive portion 58 adheres the adjacent covering member 56 to the dummy covering member 66, and adheres the two adjacent dummy covering members 66 to each other.

[0140] The optical module 105 described above can also improve the reliability of the optical fiber 55. Further, the dummy covering member 66 arranged side by side with the covering member 56 in the direction D2 can effectively prevent the bending of the optical fiber 55 in the direction D2.

[0141] In the optical module 105, an additional component for increasing the bonding area of ​​the covering member 56 includes a dummy optical fiber 65 and a dummy covering member 66. The tip 65a of the dummy optical fiber 65 is held by a groove 53a, and the bonding portion 58 bonds the covering member 56 to the dummy covering member 66. In this case, the dummy optical fiber 65 and the dummy covering member 66 can be configured using the groove 53a, and the bonding area of ​​the covering member 56 is increased.

[0142] [Third Implementation]

[0143] Next, the information device 101 of the third embodiment will be described. Figure 8 This is a perspective view showing an example of the information device 101 according to the third embodiment. Figure 9 This is a top view showing an enlarged portion of the optical module included in the information device 101. The information device 101 includes an optical module 205 instead of the optical module 5 of the first embodiment. The optical module 205 differs from the optical module 5 in that it does not have a support member 57. Furthermore, the information device 101 also includes a fixing part 71 and a fixing part 81. It should be noted that the configuration of the fixing part 81 is the same as that of the fixing part 71. Therefore, in the following description, the description of the configuration of the fixing part 81 will sometimes be omitted.

[0144] A fixing part 71 is disposed on the monitor part 2 and housed in the housing 23. The fixing part 71 is fixed to the housing 23 in a direction D1 relative to the substrate 51, from the tip 55a of the optical fiber 55 toward the covering part 55b. The fixing part 71 is fixed to the housing 23, for example, by screws or adhesive. The fixing part 71 may also be integrally formed with the housing 23. The fixing part 71 is located away from the rear end 51b of the substrate 51 in the direction D1. The distance between the fixing part 71 and the rear end 51b of the substrate 51 is, for example, within 400 mm. This distance may also be within 200 mm, within 100 mm, within 50 mm, or within 10 mm.

[0145] Figure 10 It is along Figure 9 The X-ray cross-sectional view shows the fixing part 71, which has a through hole 71a through which the optical fiber 55 and the coating member 56 are inserted. The fixing part 71 holds the optical fiber 55 by inserting it through the through hole 71a. The through hole 71a extends through the fixing part 71 in the direction D1. The through hole 71a has an edge 71b that opens to the opposite side of the substrate 51. The edge 71b is bent into a convex shape such that the width of the through hole 71a increases as it moves outward toward the outside of the through hole 71a. In other words, the edge 71b has a shape with an R-shaped chamfer.

[0146] Alternatively, the adhesive portion 72 (second adhesive portion) can be filled into the through hole 71a of the fixing portion 71. Figure 11is a sectional view showing a state in which the adhesive portion 72 is filled in the through-hole 71a of the fixing portion 71. In this case, the through-hole 71a has a shape in which the amount to be filled with the adhesive portion 72 is larger than the coated member 56. The adhesive portion 72 adheres the coated member 56 to the inner surface of the through-hole 71a. The adhesive portion 72 is a cured product of an adhesive that also has elasticity after curing. That is, the adhesive portion 72 is also an elastic member. The adhesive portion 72 is, for example, a cured product of a UV-curable resin. The adhesive strength achieved by the adhesive portion 72 between the fixing portion 71 and the coated member 56 is larger than the adhesive strength achieved by the adhesive portion 58 between the tip portion 55a of the optical fiber 55 and the groove 53a.

[0147] The fixing portion 81 is disposed to the main body portion 3 and housed in the housing 35. The fixing portion 81 is disposed so as to be distanced from the substrate 61 and fixed to the housing 35. The fixing portion 81 has a through-hole (omitted from the drawing) through which the optical fiber 55 and the coated member 56 are inserted, similarly to the fixing portion 71.

[0148] Note that the optical module 205 can also have a plurality of optical fibers 55, and the plurality of optical fibers 55 can also be inserted through the through-hole 71a.

[0149] According to the third embodiment described above, the optical fiber 55 is held by the fixing portion 71 of the housing 23 with respect to the substrate 51 in the direction D1. Thus, the optical fiber 55 is held by the fixing portion 71 in front of the tip portion 55a of the optical fiber 55, whereby the influence of an external force (for example, a bending of the optical fiber 55 or the like) acting on the optical fiber 55 on the tip portion 55a of the optical fiber 55 can be reduced. Thus, for example, breakage or the like of the tip portion 55a of the optical fiber 55 caused by the external force acting on the optical fiber 55 can be prevented. Therefore, according to the information apparatus 101, the reliability of the optical fiber 55 can be improved.

[0150] In the third embodiment, the distance between the fixing portion 71 and the substrate 51 can be, for example, 400 mm or less. In this case, the optical fiber 55 can be stably held.

[0151] In the third embodiment, the rim portion 71b of the through-hole 71a is curved in a convex shape in a manner in which the width of the through-hole 71a becomes larger. For example, in a case where an external force such as a bending of the optical fiber 55 is generated, the influence (stress transmitted to the tip portion 55a) on the tip portion 55a of the optical fiber 55 can be further reduced by the optical fiber 55 following the rim portion 71b.

[0152] In the third embodiment, the adhesive portion 72 can also be disposed between the coated member 56 and the through-hole 71a. For example, in a case where an external force such as a bending of the optical fiber 55 is generated, the influence (stress transmitted to the tip portion 55a) on the tip portion 55a of the optical fiber 55 can be further reduced by the adhesive portion 72 absorbing the external force.

[0153] In the third embodiment, the adhesion strength realized by the adhesion portion 72 between the fixing portion 71 and the covering member 56 is greater than the adhesion strength realized by the adhesion portion 58 between the tip portion 55a of the optical fiber 55 and the groove 53a. Thus, the tensile strength of the optical fiber 55 can be improved.

[0154] [Fourth Embodiment]

[0155] Next, the information apparatus of the fourth embodiment will be described. Figure 12 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the optical module 305 provided in the information apparatus of the fourth embodiment. The information apparatus of the fourth embodiment is provided with the optical module 305 instead of the optical module 205 of the third embodiment.

[0156] The optical module 305 is different from the optical module 205 of the third embodiment in that it has the support member 57 of the first embodiment, the plurality of dummy optical fibers 65 of the second embodiment, and the plurality of dummy covering members 66 of the second embodiment. The adhesion portion 58 adhesively connects the covering member 56 to the support member 57 (first auxiliary member) and adhesively connects the covering member 56 to the dummy covering members 66 (second auxiliary members). The fixing portion 71 is configured to be away from the rear end 51b of the substrate 51 in the direction D1, as in the third embodiment.

[0157] With the fourth embodiment described above, the reliability of the optical fiber 55 can also be improved. Further, the adhesion area of the covering member 56 is increased by the support member 57 and the dummy covering members 66, and the optical fiber 55 is held by the fixing portion 71, whereby the optical fiber 55 can be more stably fixed. Thus, in the case where an external force such as a bend is applied to the optical fiber 55, the influence (stress transmitted to the tip portion 55a) on the tip portion 55a of the optical fiber 55 can be further reduced.

[0158] [Modified Example]

[0159] The optical module and the information apparatus according to the present disclosure are not limited to the above-described embodiments and modified example, and various modifications can be made.

[0160] In the second embodiment, the plurality of groups each composed of the dummy optical fiber 65 and the dummy covering member 66 are arranged side by side with the group of the optical fiber 55 and the covering member 56 in the direction D2, but a member other than the dummy optical fiber 65 and the dummy covering member 66 can be arranged side by side with the covering member 56 in the direction D2. In this case, the adhesion portion 58 adhesively connects the covering member 56 to the member.

[0161] In the third embodiment, the adhesive portion 72 is filled between the covering member 56 and the inner surface of the through-hole 71a, but an elastic member (for example, a rubber member or the like) that does not have adhesive ability can also be arranged between the covering member 56 and the inner surface of the through-hole 71a. In this case, the elastic member can also absorb an external force in the case where a bend or the like of the optical fiber 55 is generated.

[0162] In the third embodiment, the optical fiber 55 is inserted through the through-hole 71a of the fixing portion 71 in a state covered by the covering member 56, but the optical fiber 55 can also be inserted through the through-hole 71a of the fixing portion 71 in a state not covered by the covering member 56. That is, the optical fiber 55 can also be held directly by the fixing portion 71. In this case, the adhesive portion 72 adheres the optical fiber 55 to the inner surface of the through-hole 71a.

[0163] In the fourth embodiment, the support member 57 can also be omitted. Alternatively, the plurality of dummy optical fibers 65 and the plurality of dummy covering members 66 can also be omitted. Alternatively, the fixing portion 71 can also be omitted.

Claims

1. An optical module, comprising: The substrate has a main surface; Optical elements are disposed on the main surface; A lens component is disposed on the main surface; An optical fiber having a tip portion and a continuous coating portion extending from the tip portion; A covering member that covers the covered portion with the top portion exposed; Auxiliary components; as well as Adhesive part, The lens component includes: an optical fiber holding portion for holding the tip portion; and a lens portion disposed in the optical path between the optical element and the tip portion of the optical fiber. The auxiliary member is disposed relative to the optical fiber holding portion in a first direction from the tip portion of the optical fiber toward the covered portion. The adhesive portion bonds the covered component to the auxiliary component.

2. The optical module according to claim 1, wherein, The adhesive portion bonds the top end portion to the optical fiber holding portion, and the adhesive portion extends from the optical fiber holding portion toward the auxiliary component.

3. The optical module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The auxiliary component is disposed between the covered component and the main surface, and is fixed to the main surface.

4. The optical module according to claim 3, wherein, The auxiliary member has a corner portion located on the opposite side of the optical fiber holding portion and opposite to the covered member. The corners were chamfered.

5. The optical module according to claim 3, wherein, The auxiliary member is formed such that, when viewed from a second direction intersecting the main surface, its width narrows as it moves away from the fiber holding portion in the first direction.

6. The optical module according to claim 3, wherein, The Young's modulus of the auxiliary component is smaller than that of the optical fiber.

7. The optical module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The auxiliary component is positioned alongside the covered component, intersecting the first direction and extending upwards along a third direction of the main surface.

8. The optical module according to claim 7, wherein, The auxiliary component has a dummy optical fiber that does not transmit light and a dummy covering component that covers the dummy optical fiber. The tip of the dummy optical fiber is held by the optical fiber holding part. The adhesive portion bonds the covered component to the dummy covered component.

9. The optical module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The auxiliary component has: A first auxiliary component is disposed between the covered component and the main surface, and is fixed to the main surface; as well as The second auxiliary component is positioned parallel to the covered component, intersecting the first direction and extending upwards along a third direction from the main surface. The adhesive portion bonds the covered component to the first auxiliary component and the covered component to the second auxiliary component.

10. An information device, comprising: The optical module as described in claim 1 or 2; and The housing contains the optical module.

11. An information device, comprising: Optical module; Fixing part; and The housing accommodates the optical module and the fixing part. The optical module has: The substrate has a main surface; Optical elements are disposed on the main surface; A lens component is disposed on the main surface; as well as An optical fiber has a tip portion and a continuous coating portion extending from the tip portion. The lens member has a fiber holding portion that holds the tip portion, and a lens portion that is disposed on an optical path between the optical element and the tip portion of the optical fiber. The fixing portion is fixed to the housing with respect to the substrate in a first direction from the tip portion of the optical fiber toward the covering portion, and holds the optical fiber.

12. The information device according to claim 11, wherein The fixing portion has a through-hole through which the at least one optical fiber is inserted, The through-hole has a rim portion that is opened to the opposite side of the substrate, The rim portion is curved in a convex shape in a manner that the width of the through-hole increases.

13. The information device according to claim 11, wherein The information device further has an elastic member, The fixing portion has a through-hole through which the at least one optical fiber is inserted, The elastic member is disposed between the optical fiber and the through-hole.

14. The information device according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein The information device further has a first adhesive portion and a second adhesive portion, The optical module further has a covering member that covers the covering portion in a manner that the tip portion is exposed, The first adhesive portion adheres the tip portion and the fiber holding portion, The second adhesive portion adheres the fixing portion and the covering member, The adhesive strength between the fixing portion and the covering member is greater than the adhesive strength between the tip portion and the fiber holding portion.

15. The information device according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein The optical module further has: a covering member that covers the covering portion in a manner that the tip portion is exposed; an auxiliary member; and an adhesive portion, The auxiliary member has at least one of a first auxiliary member and a second auxiliary member, wherein the first auxiliary member is disposed between the covering member and the main surface and is fixed to the main surface, and the second auxiliary member is side by side with the covering member in a third direction that intersects the first direction and along the main surface, The adhesive portion adheres at least one of the first auxiliary member and the second auxiliary member and the covering member. ​

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