Optical device

Abstract

The utility model provides an optical device which comprises an optical fiber assembly and a microelectronic assembly, an optical fiber is arranged in the optical fiber assembly, a glass tube is arranged on the outermost layer of the optical fiber assembly, a chip is arranged in the microelectronic assembly, a metal tube is arranged on the outermost layer of the microelectronic assembly, and the metal tube is in butt joint with the glass tube. Wherein the glass tube is provided with a columnar and hollow first main body part, the glass tube is provided with an open connecting end, and the connecting end forms a first connecting part; the metal pipe is provided with a columnar and hollow second main body part, a second connecting part is arranged at the end part of the second main body part, the second connecting part protrudes outwards from the end part of the second main body part along the length direction of the metal pipe, and the outer diameter of the second connecting part is smaller than that of the second main body part; the first connecting part is arranged on the periphery of the second connecting part in a sleeving mode, and the inner circumferential wall of the first connecting part and the outer circumferential wall of the second connecting part are fixed through a first adhesive. According to the utility model, the butt joint reliability of the glass tube and the metal tube can be improved, and miniaturization of optical devices is facilitated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of optical communication devices, and specifically, it is an optical device for butt - jointing a glass tube and a metal tube. Background Technique

[0002] With the development of optical communication technology, optical devices are widely used in fiber - optic communication systems. Moreover, there are more and more optical devices designed by combining glass materials and metal materials. Therefore, the butt - joint structure of a glass tube and a metal tube is also a very common structure in optical devices.

[0003] As Figure 1 shown, an existing optical device includes a first glass tube 10 and a first metal tube 11, and the first glass tube 10 and the first metal tube 11 are butt - jointed at the tube orifice. Specifically, the first glass tube 10 is a columnar and hollow long tube, and the right end of the first glass tube 10 is open, forming the butt - joint with the first metal tube 11. The first metal tube 11 is also a columnar and hollow long tube, and the left end of the first metal tube 11 is open, forming the butt - joint with the first glass tube 10.

[0004] Referring to Figure 2 , in the existing optical device, in order to realize the connection between the first glass tube 10 and the first metal tube 11, an adhesive 12 is usually coated at the tube orifice of the first glass tube 10 and the tube orifice of the first metal tube 11. After the adhesive 12 is cured, the first glass tube 10 and the first metal tube 11 are fixed. However, due to the limitations of the materials themselves, that is, the thermal expansion coefficients of glass and metal are different, in the long - term use process of this optical device using the first glass tube 10 and the first metal tube 11 in combination, the butt - joint surface between the first glass tube 10 and the first metal tube 11 always has a phenomenon of peeling off, resulting in the unstable structure of the optical device and unable to be used reliably for a long time.

[0005] In order to improve the reliability of the butt - joint between the metal tube and the glass tube of the optical device, the existing method is to consider increasing the butt - joint area between the first metal tube and the first glass tube. For example, increasing the tube orifice area of the first glass tube and the first metal tube, such as increasing the tube diameter or increasing the wall thickness of the first metal tube and the first glass tube. However, this method will cause the volume of the first glass tube and the first metal tube to increase, which does not conform to the development trend of miniaturization of optical devices.

[0006] Japanese Patent JP1994310055A discloses a structure for butt - jointing a metal tube and a glass tube. In this structure, one end of the metal tube is sleeved inside the glass tube. However, the outer diameter of the metal tube is not equal to that of the glass tube. Thus, the end face of the glass tube and the end face of the metal tube do not directly and completely butt - joint, and it is impossible to apply an adhesive at the end faces of the glass tube and the metal tube, resulting in an unsatisfactory bonding effect between the glass tube and the metal tube and affecting the connection reliability of the optical device. Summary of the Utility Model

[0007] The purpose of the present utility model is to provide an optical device in which the connection between the glass tube and the metal tube is reliable and is conducive to miniaturization.

[0008] To achieve the above - mentioned first purpose, the optical device provided by the present utility model includes an optical fiber assembly and a micro - electronic assembly. An optical fiber is arranged inside the optical fiber assembly, and the outermost layer of the optical fiber assembly is a glass tube. A chip is arranged inside the micro - electronic assembly, and the outermost layer of the micro - electronic assembly is a metal tube. The metal tube is butt - jointed with the glass tube. Among them, the glass tube has a columnar and hollow first main body part, and the glass tube has an open connection end, and the connection end forms a first connection part. The metal tube has a columnar and hollow second main body part, and a second connection part is arranged at the end of the second main body part. The second connection part protrudes outward along the length direction of the metal tube from the end of the second main body part, and the outer diameter of the second connection part is smaller than the outer diameter of the second main body part. The first connection part is sleeved on the outer periphery of the second connection part, and the inner peripheral wall of the first connection part and the outer peripheral wall of the second connection part are fixed by a first adhesive. Moreover, a shoulder part is formed between the second connection part and the second main body part, the end face of the first connection part abuts against the shoulder part, and the end face of the first connection part and the shoulder part are fixed by a second adhesive.

[0009] As can be seen from the above - mentioned solution, the metal tube is provided with a second connection part that can be inserted into the glass tube, and the inner peripheral wall of the first connection part and the outer peripheral wall of the second connection part are adhesively fixed by a first adhesive. In this way, the part where the metal tube and the glass tube are connected by the first adhesive is the inner peripheral wall of the first connection part and the outer peripheral wall of the second connection part, rather than just the end faces at the pipe orifices of the metal tube and the glass tube. Therefore, the present utility model can greatly increase the bonding area between the metal tube and the glass tube, making the bonding between the glass tube and the metal tube more firm.

[0010] In addition, since the increase in the bonding area between the metal tube and the glass tube is achieved by adding the second connection part, and the second connection part extends along the length direction of the metal tube, it is not necessary to increase the radial dimensions of the metal tube and the glass tube, which is conducive to the miniaturization of the optical device. Moreover, after the second connection part is inserted into the first connection part, the second connection part will not be exposed outside the optical device. Therefore, only a very small distance needs to be reserved inside the glass tube to meet the connection requirements, and the volume of the optical device will not be increased.

[0011] Moreover, by abutting the end face of the first connecting portion against the shoulder portion, the connection between the glass tube and the metal tube can be made more reliable. In addition, in the present utility model, not only is it fixed between the inner peripheral wall of the first connecting portion and the outer peripheral wall of the second connecting portion by the first adhesive, but also the end face of the first connecting portion and the shoulder portion are fixed by the second adhesive, making the connection between the glass tube and the metal tube more reliable.

[0012] A preferred solution is that the second connecting portion and the second main body portion are integrally formed; or the second connecting portion is welded to the end of the second main body portion.

[0013] Thus, it can be seen that the second connecting portion and the second main body portion on the metal tube can be made by integral molding, which can improve the strength between the second connecting portion and the second main body portion. In addition, the second connecting portion can also be welded to the second main body portion, which can reduce the forming difficulty of the metal tube.

[0014] A further solution is that a shoulder portion is formed between the second connecting portion and the second main body portion, and the end face of the first connecting portion abuts against the shoulder portion.

[0015] Thus, it can be seen that by abutting the end face of the first connecting portion against the shoulder portion, the connection between the glass tube and the metal tube can be made more reliable.

[0016] A further solution is that the end face of the first connecting portion and the shoulder portion are fixed by the second adhesive.

[0017] It can be seen that not only is it fixed between the inner peripheral wall of the first connecting portion and the outer peripheral wall of the second connecting portion by the first adhesive, but also the end face of the first connecting portion and the shoulder portion are fixed by the second adhesive, making the connection between the glass tube and the metal tube more reliable.

[0018] A further solution is that the outer diameter of the first main body portion is equal to the outer diameter of the second main body portion. In this way, the overall outer diameter of the optical device remains equal, which is beneficial to the use of the optical device.

[0019] A further solution is that the outer diameter of the second connecting portion is less than or equal to the inner diameter of the second main body portion. Further, the second connecting portion is annular.

[0020] A still further solution is that an optical fiber is installed in the glass tube and a chip is installed in the metal tube. In this way, for scenarios where a chip is required to detect optical signals, the optical fiber can be encapsulated in the glass tube, and the chip used for detection can be encapsulated in the metal tube, and the detection of optical signals by the chip is realized through the docking of the metal tube and the glass tube.

[0021] A further solution is that the optical device is a photodetector, a spectroscopic detector, a microelectromechanical optical switch or a tunable optical attenuator. Description of the Drawings

[0022] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an existing docking assembly of a glass tube and a metal tube.

[0023] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a partial enlarged view in

[0024] Figure 3 is a schematic structural diagram of the docking of the metal tube and the glass tube in the optical device of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 4 is Figure 3 a partial enlarged view in

[0026] The present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the drawings and embodiments. Detailed Embodiments

[0027] The optical device of the present invention includes an optical fiber assembly and a microelectronic assembly. An optical fiber is provided in the optical fiber assembly, and the optical fiber is encapsulated in a glass tube. Preferably, the outermost layer of the optical fiber assembly is the glass tube. A chip is provided in the microelectronic assembly, and the chip is encapsulated in a metal tube. Preferably, the outermost layer of the microelectronic assembly is the metal tube.

[0028] Referring to Figure 3 , the optical fiber assembly has a glass tube 20. The glass tube 20 has a first main body portion 21. The first main body portion 21 is cylindrical and hollow inside, and the optical fiber can be installed into the first main body portion 21. One end of the first main body portion 21 close to the metal tube 30 is an open end. Combining Figure 4 , the open end forms a first connection portion 22 for docking with the metal tube 30. In this embodiment, the wall thickness of the glass tube 20 is uniformly arranged, and the first connection portion 22 is a section of the wall of the glass tube 20 close to the end.

[0029] The metal tube 30 has a second main body portion 31. The second main body portion 31 is also cylindrical and hollow inside, and the detection chip can be installed into the second main body portion 31. One end of the second main body portion 31 close to the glass tube 20 is an open end, and a second connection portion 32 is formed at the open end. Referring to Figure 4 , the second connection portion 32 extends outward from the end of the second main body portion 31 close to the glass tube 20 along the length direction of the metal tube 30. Preferably, the second connection portion 32 is in the shape of a circular ring column, and the outer diameter of the second connection portion 32 is smaller than the outer diameter of the second main body portion 31.

[0030] The second connecting portion 32 extends into the first connecting portion 22. The inner diameter of the first connecting portion 22 is L1, and the outer diameter of the second connecting portion 32 is L2. From Figure 4 It can be seen that the inner diameter L1 of the first connecting portion 22 is greater than the outer diameter L2 of the second connecting portion 32, enabling the second connecting portion 32 to be smoothly inserted into the first connecting portion 22. Moreover, between the inner peripheral wall of the first connecting portion 22 and the outer peripheral wall of the second connecting portion 32, they are adhesively fixed through a first adhesive 40. The first adhesive 40 used can be an adhesive commonly used in optical devices, which has the advantage of a relatively small coefficient of thermal expansion and can effectively avoid the phenomenon of thermal expansion and contraction.

[0031] In addition, a shoulder portion 33 is formed between the second main body portion 31 and the second connecting portion 32. Since the second connecting portion 32 is formed by shrinking from the end of the second main body portion 31 towards the axis direction of the metal tube 30, the shoulder portion 33 will be exposed on the second main body portion 31. When the glass tube 20 is butted against the metal tube 30, the end face 23 of the first connecting portion 22 of the glass tube 20 can abut against the shoulder portion 33. Further, a second adhesive 41 is filled between the end face 23 of the first connecting portion 22 and the shoulder portion 33, and the end face 23 of the first connecting portion 22 and the shoulder portion 33 are fixedly connected through the second adhesive 41. Preferably, the first adhesive 40 and the second adhesive 41 are the same adhesive, which has a very small coefficient of thermal expansion.

[0032] In addition, the second connecting portion 32 can be integrally formed with the second main body portion 31. For example, when manufacturing the metal tube 30, the second connecting portion 32 and the second main body portion 31 can be integrally injection-molded. Or, the second connecting portion 32 is connected to the end of the second main body portion 31 by welding, that is, the second main body portion 31 and the second connecting portion 32 are pre-made and the second connecting portion 32 is fixed to the second main body portion 31 by welding.

[0033] Moreover, the inner diameter of the second main body portion 31 is L3. Preferably, the inner diameter L1 of the first main body portion 21 is equal to the inner diameter L3 of the second main body portion 31. In this way, the outer diameter L2 of the second connecting portion 32 is smaller than the inner diameter L3 of the second main body portion 31. Of course, in other embodiments, the outer diameter L2 of the second connecting portion 32 can also be equal to the inner diameter L3 of the second main body portion 31.

[0034] Further, the outer diameter of the first main body portion 21 is equal to the outer diameter of the second main body portion 31. In this way, after the glass tube 20 is butted against the metal tube 30, since the second connecting portion 32 completely extends into the first connecting portion 21 and the outer diameters of the glass tube 20 and the metal tube 30 are equal, the outer diameter of the entire optical device remains uniform, which is beneficial to the use and installation of the optical device in the optical fiber system.

[0035] During the assembly of the optical device, when docking the metal tube 30 with the glass tube 20, first apply an adhesive on the outer peripheral wall of the second connection portion 32, or an adhesive can also be applied on the inner peripheral wall of the first connection portion 22. Then, insert the second connection portion 32 into the end of the glass tube 20 so that the first connection portion 22 is sleeved on the outer periphery of the second connection portion. Moreover, as the metal tube 30 is pushed towards the glass tube 20, the end face 23 of the first connection portion 22 will abut against the shoulder portion 33. In addition, a part of the adhesive will be pushed between the end face 23 of the first connection portion 22 and the shoulder portion 33. After the adhesive cures, the glass tube 20 and the metal tube 30 are reliably connected.

[0036] The optical device of the present utility model can be a photodetector, a spectroscopic detector TAPD, a microelectromechanical (MEMS) optical switch, or a tunable optical attenuator (MEMS VOA), etc. The common feature of these optical devices is that they need to couple the fiber optic component with the microelectronic component, that is, the fiber optic component is docked with the microelectronic component. An actual usage scenario is that the optical collimator part (a component composed of a pigtail and a lens glass tube) extends into the glass tube and is fixed with an adhesive, and the photodetector, etc. (a microelectronic component composed of a chip and a metal package housing) can be placed into the metal tube or the package housing is directly designed to have a structure with a second connection portion, and the first connection portion and the second connection portion are adhesively fixed through an adhesive.

[0037] Since the present utility model provides an annular columnar second connection portion at the end of the metal tube, the part filled with the adhesive between the glass tube and the metal tube is mainly the inner peripheral wall of the first connection portion and the outer peripheral wall of the second connection portion. Since the contact area between the inner peripheral wall of the first connection portion and the outer peripheral wall of the second connection portion is relatively large, compared with traditional optical devices, the area coated with the adhesive between the glass tube and the metal tube of the optical device of the present utility model is greatly increased, thereby increasing the reliability of the connection between the glass tube and the metal tube.

[0038] In addition, if it is necessary to increase the area coated with the adhesive between the glass tube and the metal tube, only the length of the second connection portion needs to be increased, and there is no need to increase the outer diameter and the wall thickness of the glass tube and the metal tube, which is beneficial to the miniaturization of the optical device.

[0039] Finally, it should be emphasized that the above is only the preferred embodiment of the present utility model and is not used to limit the present utility model. For those skilled in the art, the present utility model can have various changes and modifications. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present utility model shall be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. Optical devices, including: An optical fiber assembly and a microelectronic assembly, wherein the optical fiber assembly is provided with an optical fiber, the outermost layer of the optical fiber assembly is a glass tube, and the microelectronic assembly is provided with a chip, the outermost layer of the microelectronic assembly is a metal tube, and the metal tube is butted against the glass tube; Features: The glass tube has a first hollow columnar main body, and the glass tube has an open connecting end, and the connecting end forms a first connecting portion; The metal tube has a columnar and hollow second main body, a second connecting portion is arranged at the end of the second main body, the second connecting portion protrudes outward from the end of the second main body along the length direction of the metal tube, and the outer diameter of the second connecting portion is smaller than the outer diameter of the second main body; The first connecting portion is sleeved on the outer periphery of the second connecting portion, and the inner peripheral wall of the first connecting portion and the outer peripheral wall of the second connecting portion are fixed by a first adhesive; A shoulder portion is formed between the second connecting portion and the second main body portion, the end surface of the first connecting portion abuts against the shoulder portion, and the end surface of the first connecting portion and the shoulder portion are fixed by a second adhesive.

2. The optical device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second connecting portion is integrally formed with the second main body portion; or The second connecting portion is welded to an end portion of the second main body portion.

3. The optical device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The outer diameter of the first main body portion is equal to the outer diameter of the second main body portion.

4. The optical device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: An outer diameter of the second connecting portion is smaller than or equal to an inner diameter of the second main body portion.

5. The optical device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The second connecting portion is in the shape of a circular column.

6. The optical device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The glass tube contains an optical fiber, and the metal tube contains a chip.

7. The optical device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The optical device is a photoelectric detector, a spectroscopic detector, a micro-electromechanical optical switch or an adjustable optical attenuator.

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