Connection structure of optoelectrical composite connector and optoelectrical composite connector

Abstract

To provide a connection structure capable of achieving stability of conduction between conductors and stability of optical coupling between optical fibers while reducing the mismatch of a high-frequency characteristic impedance.SOLUTION: A connection structure of an optoelectrical composite connector includes a first connector and a second connector. The first connector includes a plurality of first conductors, a plurality of first optical fibers, and a first housing. The second connector includes a plurality of second conductors, a plurality of second optical fibers, and a second housing. The first housing includes a first end face, and the second housing includes a second end face. Each leading end portion of the first conductors is exposed at the first end face, and each leading end portion of the second conductors is exposed at the second end face. When the first connector is connected to the second connector, each first conductor and each second conductor are configured to be brought into contact with each other to achieve conduction, and each first optical fiber and each second optical fiber are configured to be optically coupled to each other in a non-contact state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connection structure for an optical-electrical composite connector, and to an optical-electrical composite connector. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an electrical connector having a plurality of conductors arranged in parallel. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-069166 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the connection structure of the electrical connector described in Patent Document 1, a plurality of conductors housed in the electrical connector are connected to the electrode pads of the mating electrical connector via terminals or contacts of different forms. If there is a part in the conduction path that is different from the form of the conductors, this part may cause mismatching of the high-frequency characteristic impedance. In addition, in the connection structure of the electrical connector described in Patent Document 1, only the conductors are wired, but there is a demand to replace some of the conductors with optical fibers to improve the transmission capacity as an optical-electrical composite connector. However, when connecting an optical-electrical composite connector in which some of the conductors are simply replaced with optical fibers to a mating connector, a problem may occur in that it is difficult to stably connect the two due to the difference between the mating force required for connection (conduction) between the conductors and the mating force required for direct connection (PC: Physical Contact) between optical fibers.

[0005] The present disclosure aims to provide a connection structure for an optical-electrical composite connector, and an optical-electrical composite connector that can achieve stable conduction between conductors and stable optical coupling between optical fibers while suppressing mismatch in high-frequency characteristic impedance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A connection structure of an optical-electrical composite connector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first connector and a second connector. The first connector has a plurality of first conductors, a plurality of first optical fibers, and a first housing that houses the respective tips of the plurality of first conductors and the respective tips of the plurality of first optical fibers. The second connector has a plurality of second conductors, a plurality of second optical fibers, and a second housing that houses the respective tips of the plurality of second conductors and the respective tips of the plurality of second optical fibers. The first housing includes a first end face facing the second housing, and the second housing includes a second end face facing the first housing. The respective tips of the plurality of first conductors are exposed at the first end face, and the respective tips of the plurality of second conductors are exposed at the second end face. When the first connector and the second connector are connected, each of the plurality of first conductors and each of the plurality of second conductors are configured to be in contact with each other and be conductive, and each of the plurality of first optical fibers and each of the plurality of second optical fibers are configured to be optically coupled to each other in a non-contact state. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress mismatching of high-frequency characteristic impedance while ensuring stability of electrical continuity between conductors and stability of optical coupling between optical fibers. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a combined optical and electrical connector according to one embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the optical-electrical composite connector shown in FIG. [Diagram 3]FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing a sub-connector of the optical-electrical composite connector shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing a mating connector that is to be mated with the optical-electrical composite connector shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] 5 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view showing a connection structure for connecting the optical and electrical composite connector shown in FIG. 1 with the mating optical and electrical composite connector shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which both connectors are connected in the connection structure shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of region VII in the connection structure shown in FIG. [Figure 8] (a) of Figure 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a first modified example of the connection structure of an optical-electrical composite connector, showing the state before connection, and (b) of Figure 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the first modified example of the connection structure of an optical-electrical composite connector, showing the connected state. [Figure 9] (a) of Figure 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a second modified example of the connection structure of an optical-electrical composite connector, showing the state before connection, and (b) of Figure 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the second modified example of the connection structure of an optical-electrical composite connector, showing the connected state. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a third modified example of the connection structure of the optical-electrical composite connector. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing, on an enlarged scale, the connection structure of the optical-electrical composite connector shown in FIG. 10, illustrating the state before connection. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a connected state in the connection structure shown in FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a modification (fourth modification) of the connection structure shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, the contents of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. [1] A connection structure of an optical-electrical composite connector according to one embodiment includes a first connector and a second connector. The first connector has a plurality of first conductors, a plurality of first optical fibers, and a first housing that houses the respective tips of the plurality of first conductors and the respective tips of the plurality of first optical fibers. The second connector has a plurality of second conductors, a plurality of second optical fibers, and a second housing that houses the respective tips of the plurality of second conductors and the respective tips of the plurality of second optical fibers. The first housing includes a first end face facing the second housing, and the second housing includes a second end face facing the first housing. The respective tips of the plurality of first conductors are exposed at the first end face, and the respective tips of the plurality of second conductors are exposed at the second end face. When the first connector and the second connector are connected, each of the plurality of first conductors and each of the plurality of second conductors are configured to be in contact with each other and be conductive, and each of the plurality of first optical fibers and each of the plurality of second optical fibers are configured to be optically coupled to each other in a non-contact state.

[0010] In the connection structure of this optical-electrical composite connector, the tip portions of the multiple first conductors are exposed at the first end surface, and the tip portions of the multiple second conductors are exposed at the second end surface. The multiple first conductors and the multiple second conductors are configured to be in contact with each other and conduct electricity. With this connection structure, there is no part in the conduction path that is different from the shape of the conductor, and mismatching of high-frequency characteristic impedance can be suppressed. In addition, with the connection structure of this optical-electrical composite connector, the multiple first optical fibers and the multiple second optical fibers are configured to be optically coupled to each other in a non-contact state. With this configuration, optical fibers that require a higher fitting force than the connection between conductors are optically coupled with a weak force, and the influence on the connection between conductors can be reduced. Therefore, with this configuration, even in a configuration in which conductors are connected to each other, it is possible to ensure stability of the conduction between conductors and stability of the optical coupling between optical fibers. Therefore, with the connection structure of this optical-electrical composite connector, it is possible to ensure stability of the conduction between conductors and stability of the optical coupling between optical fibers while suppressing mismatching of high-frequency characteristic impedance.

[0011] [2] In the optical-electrical composite connector connection structure of [1] above, at least one optical element may be provided between each of the first optical fibers and each of the second optical fibers for optically coupling the corresponding optical fibers together. According to this aspect, the optical fibers can be stably coupled together with high coupling efficiency.

[0012] [3] In the optical-electrical composite connector connection structure of [1] above, an air gap may be provided between each tip of the first optical fibers and each tip of the second optical fibers. The width of the air gap may be 50 μm or less. According to this aspect, the optical fibers can be stably coupled to each other in a non-contact manner with a simple configuration.

[0013] [4] In the optical-electrical composite connector connection structure of [3] above, each tip of the first optical fiber may have a first tip face inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction in which the first optical fiber extends, and each tip of the second optical fiber may have a second tip face inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction in which the second optical fiber extends. In this connection structure, the first tip face and the second tip face may face each other when the first connector and the second connector are connected. According to this aspect, the optical fibers can be stably coupled to each other in a non-contact manner with a simple configuration.

[0014] [5] In the connection structure of any one of the optical-electrical composite connectors [1] to [4] above, the tip of at least one of the plurality of first optical fibers and the plurality of second optical fibers may be located inside the end face of the housing in which they are accommodated. According to this embodiment, the optical fibers are not in direct contact with each other, so that the connection between the conductors is prevented from being hindered. Therefore, the electrical continuity between the conductors can be more reliably achieved.

[0015] [6] The optical-electrical composite connector connection structure of any one of [1] to [5] above may further include a spacer located between the first end face of the first housing and the second end face of the second housing. According to this aspect, the spacer reliably defines the separation distance between the housings, making it possible to precisely perform non-contact optical coupling between the optical fibers.

[0016] [7] In the connection structure of the optical-electrical composite connector of any one of [1] to [6] above, the first connector may have a first electrical sub-connector that houses each tip of a plurality of first conductors and a first optical sub-connector that houses a plurality of first optical fibers. The second connector may have a second electrical sub-connector that houses each tip of a plurality of second conductors and a second optical sub-connector that houses a plurality of second optical fibers. In this connection structure, the first electrical sub-connector and the second electrical sub-connector may be connected, or the first optical sub-connector and the second optical sub-connector may be connected. According to this aspect, since the electrical sub-connectors are connected to each other and the optical sub-connectors are connected to each other, the respective connection modes do not interfere with each other, and therefore the connection between the conductors can be further stabilized and the connection between the optical fibers can be further stabilized.

[0017] [8] In the connection structure of the optical-electrical composite connector of [7] above, the first electrical sub-connector may include a first guide pin, and the second electrical sub-connector may include a first guide hole corresponding to the first guide pin. The first optical sub-connector may include a second guide pin, and the second optical sub-connector may include a second guide hole corresponding to the second guide pin. In this connection structure, the first electrical sub-connector may be positioned relative to the second electrical sub-connector by inserting the first guide pin into the first guide hole. The first optical sub-connector may be positioned relative to the second optical sub-connector by inserting the second guide pin into the second guide hole. According to this aspect, the connection between the conductors can be made more accurate, and more reliable conduction can be achieved. In addition, the connection between the optical fibers can be made more accurate, and the coupling efficiency can be improved.

[0018] [9] In the optical-electrical composite connector connection structure of [7] or [8] above, the first electrical sub-connector and the second electrical sub-connector may be configured to be movable relative to the first optical sub-connector and the second optical sub-connector. According to this embodiment, the connection between the conductors and the connection between the optical fibers can be performed independently of each other, which makes it possible to further stabilize the connection between the conductors and the connection between the optical fibers.

[0019]

[10] In the optical-electrical composite connector connection structure of any one of [1] to [9] above, the first connector and the second connector may be configured to be connectable such that a first longitudinal direction in which the multiple first conductors extend and a second longitudinal direction in which the multiple second conductors extend cross each other. According to this aspect, a connection structure with high design freedom can be obtained.

[0020]

[11] In the connection structure of the optical-electrical composite connector of

[10] above, the first end face of the first housing may include an inclined surface region inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to the first longitudinal direction, and a flat surface region extending along the perpendicular surface. The multiple first conductors may be exposed in the inclined surface region. The multiple first optical fibers may be located in a portion corresponding to the flat surface region. According to this aspect, in a connection structure in which the longitudinal directions intersect, connection between conductors can be more reliably performed, and connection between optical fibers can be more reliably performed.

[0021]

[12] In the connection structure of the optical-electrical composite connector of

[10] or

[11] above, at least one optical element may be provided between each of the plurality of first optical fibers and each of the plurality of second optical fibers to optically couple the corresponding optical fibers, and the optical element may be configured to bend the optical paths of the optical fibers that are optically coupled together. According to this aspect, in a connection structure in which the longitudinal directions cross, optical coupling between the optical fibers can be more reliably performed.

[0022]

[13] An optical-electrical composite connector according to one embodiment includes a plurality of conductors, a plurality of optical fibers, and a housing that accommodates the tips of the conductors and the tips of the optical fibers. The conductors are exposed at an end face of the housing. The tips of the optical fibers are located inside the end face of the housing so that the optical fibers are optically coupled to the mating optical fiber in a non-contact state. According to this optical-electrical composite connector, when the connector is connected to the mating connector, there is no part in the conduction path that differs from the shape of the conductor, and mismatching of high-frequency characteristic impedance can be suppressed. Furthermore, according to this optical-electrical composite connector, similar to the connection structure of the above aspect, when the connector is connected to the mating connector, the optical fibers are optically coupled with each other with a weak force, and the influence on the connection between the conductors can be reduced. Therefore, according to this optical-electrical composite connector, even in a configuration in which the conductors are connected to each other, the stability of the conduction between the conductors and the stability of the optical coupling between the optical fibers can be achieved. Therefore, according to this optical-electrical composite connector, the stability of the conduction between the conductors and the stability of the optical coupling between the optical fibers can be achieved while suppressing mismatching of high-frequency characteristic impedance.

[0023]

[14] The optical-electrical composite connector of

[13] above may further include an optical element for optically coupling each of the plurality of optical fibers to a mating optical fiber. According to this aspect, the optical fibers can be stably coupled to each other with high coupling efficiency.

[0024]

[15] In the optical-electrical composite connector of

[13] or

[14] above, the housing may have a plurality of first storage holes for respectively storing the plurality of conductors and a plurality of second storage holes for respectively storing the plurality of optical fibers. This optical-electrical composite connector may further include a positioning structure for positioning each of the plurality of optical fibers with respect to a mating optical fiber. In this case, accurate positioning with respect to the mating optical connector can be achieved.

[0025] [Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure] A specific example of the connection structure of the optical-electrical composite connector and the optical-electrical composite connector according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same elements or elements having the same functions will be designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted. Note that the present invention is not limited to these examples, but is indicated by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an optical-electrical composite connector according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the optical-electrical composite connector shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a sub-connector constituting the optical-electrical composite connector shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, an optical-electrical composite connector 1A (hereinafter, a first connector, also referred to as "connector 1A") includes two sub-connectors 10A (first electrical sub-connectors), two sub-connectors 20B (first optical sub-connectors), and a frame body 30. The two sub-connectors 10A and the two sub-connectors 20A are sandwiched by the frame body 30. The number of sub-connectors included in the connector 1A is not limited to two each, and may be a configuration including one sub-connector 10A and one sub-connector 20A, or a configuration including three or more sub-connectors 10A and 20A. In addition, the number of sub-connectors 10A and the number of sub-connectors 20A do not need to be the same, and for example, the connector 1A may be a configuration including one sub-connector 10A and three sub-connectors 20A.

[0027] The sub-connector 10A is a connector for electrical conduction, and includes a plurality of conductors 11 (first conductor, second conductor), a housing 15 (first housing, second housing), and a pair of guide pins 40. The plurality of conductors 11 each extend along the X direction, and are arranged side by side in the Y direction inside the sub-connector 10A. The housing 15 stores and holds the respective tip ends 11a of the plurality of conductors 11.

[0028] The plurality of conductors 11 are members for transmitting power or electric signals. Each conductor 11 may be, for example, a signal line or a ground line. In one example, a pair of signal lines and a pair of ground lines may be arranged alternately along the Y direction. A pair of adjacent signal lines may transmit a signal by differential transmission in which currents of opposite phases flow and a signal is transmitted by a potential difference between the pair of signal lines. Each conductor 11 has a conductor made of a metal such as copper. The conductor 11 may be an insulated electric wire in which the conductor is covered with an insulator, or a bare electric wire in which the conductor is exposed as it is. For example, the plurality of conductors 11 may be a flexible flat cable (FFC) integrated with a covering member 12 (see FIG. 1 and FIG. 2). Note that the covering member 12 is omitted in FIG. 3. The covering member 12 covers the portions of the plurality of conductors 11 except for the tip end portion 11a and the rear end portion. The covering member 12 is formed of a resin such as polyester. The distance between each of the conductors of the multiple conductive wires 11 (the distance between the centers) is, for example, 0.6 mm.

[0029] The housing 15 is a member that holds the tip ends 11a of the multiple conductive wires 11, and has a rectangular parallelepiped main body 16. The housing 15 is formed from a resin such as polyphenylene sulfide (PPS). The main body 16 of the housing 15 is provided with multiple storage holes 17 and a pair of guide holes 18.

[0030] Each storage hole 17 is a hole extending along the X direction and penetrating the main body 16 of the housing 15. Each storage hole 17 opens at the front end face 15a (first end face, second end face) and the rear end face 15b of the housing 15. The multiple storage holes 17 store multiple conductors 11, respectively. As an example, eighteen storage holes 17 aligned along the Y direction may be arranged in two rows along the Z direction. The inner diameter of each storage hole 17 is the same as or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the conductor (tip portion 11a) of the conductor 11. The tip portion 11a of the conductor 11 is stored and held in each storage hole 17. The tip portions 11a of the multiple conductors 11 are exposed from the multiple storage holes 17 at the front end face 15a. Specifically, the tip faces 11b (first end face, second end face) of the multiple conductors 11 are flush with the front end face 15a. When the connector 1A is connected to an optical-electrical composite connector 1B (see FIG. 4, hereafter referred to as “connector 1B”) described later, each of the multiple conductors 11 arranged in this manner comes into contact with and becomes conductive to each of the multiple conductors 11 of the connector 1B.

[0031] The pair of guide holes 18 are holes penetrating the housing 15 along the X direction, and are formed at both ends of the housing 15 so as to sandwich the multiple storage holes 17 in the Y direction. Each guide hole 18 is configured so that a guide pin 40 can be press-fitted into it, and the pair of guide pins 40 are press-fitted into each of the pair of guide holes 18. The cross-sectional shape of the guide hole 18 and the guide pin 40 is, for example, circular. The inner diameter of the pair of guide holes 18 is formed to be larger than the inner diameter of each storage hole 17. When the connector 1A is connected to a connector 1B (see FIG. 4) described later, the guide holes 18 and the guide pins 40 allow the housing 15 of the connector 1A to be positioned relative to the housing 15 of the connector 1B.

[0032] The sub-connector 20A includes a plurality of optical fibers 21, a housing 25, and a pair of guide pins 42. The plurality of optical fibers 21 each extend along the X direction, and are arranged in the sub-connector 20A so as to be aligned in the Y direction. The housing 25 stores and holds the tip portions 21a of the plurality of optical fibers 21.

[0033] The multiple optical fibers 21 are members for transmitting optical signals. Each optical fiber 21 has an optical fiber core made of glass or the like, and a resin coating that covers the optical fiber core. At the tip portion 21a of each optical fiber 21, the resin coating is removed to expose the optical fiber core. The multiple optical fibers 21 may be tape fibers. The distance between each optical fiber core of the multiple optical fibers 21 (center-to-center distance) is, for example, 0.6 mm.

[0034] The housing 25 is a member that holds the tips 21a of the optical fibers 21, and has a rectangular parallelepiped main body 26, similar to the housing 15. The housing 25 is made of a resin such as PPS. The main body 26 of the housing 25 is provided with a plurality of storage holes 27 and a pair of guide holes 28.

[0035] Each storage hole 27 is a hole extending along the X direction and penetrating the main body 26 of the housing 25. Each storage hole 27 opens at the front end surface 25a and the rear end surface 25b of the housing 25. The multiple storage holes 27 store multiple optical fibers 21, respectively. As an example, eighteen storage holes 27 aligned along the Y direction may be arranged in two rows along the Z direction. The inner diameter of each storage hole 27 is the same as or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the optical fiber core (tip portion 21a) of the optical fiber 21. The tip portion 21a of the optical fiber 21 is stored and held in each storage hole 27. Each tip portion 21a of the multiple optical fibers 21 is located inside the housing 25 with respect to the front end surface 25a. Details will be described later. Each of the multiple optical fibers 21 arranged in this manner is optically coupled to the multiple optical fibers 21 of the connector 1B when the connector 1A is connected to the connector 1B described later. The optical fibers 21 are optically coupled to each other in a non-contact state, details of which will be described later.

[0036] The pair of guide holes 28, like the guide hole 18, are holes penetrating the housing 25 in the X direction, and are formed on both ends of the housing 25 so as to sandwich the storage holes 27 in the Y direction. Each guide hole 28 is configured so that a guide pin 42 can be press-fitted into it, and a pair of guide pins 42 are press-fitted into each of the pair of guide holes 28. By using such guide holes 28 and guide pins 42, when the connector 1A is connected to a connector 1B described later, the housing 25 of the connector 1A can be positioned with respect to the housing 25 of the connector 1B.

[0037] Next, an optical-electrical composite connector, which is an example of a mating connector that is connected to the above-mentioned connector 1A to form a connection structure, will be described with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing an optical-electrical composite connector configured to be able to be fitted to the optical-electrical composite connector 1A. As shown in FIG. 4, the optical-electrical composite connector 1B (second connector) includes two sub-connectors 10B (second electrical sub-connectors), two sub-connectors 20B (second optical sub-connectors), and a frame body 30. The sub-connector 10B differs from the sub-connector 10A in that it does not have a guide pin 40, but the other configuration is the same as the sub-connector 10A. Similarly, the sub-connector 20B differs from the sub-connector 20A in that it does not have a guide pin 42, but the other configuration is the same as the sub-connector 20A. The connector 1A is connected to such a connector 1B so that their front end faces face each other to form a connection structure. At this time, the respective guide pins 40, 42 of the connector 1A are inserted (press-fitted) into the corresponding guide holes 18, 28 of the connector 1B, thereby adjusting the relative positions of the connector 1A and the connector 1B. The connector 1B may be mounted on a board (not shown) or the like.

[0038] Next, referring to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the connection state of the conductor 11 and the connection state of the optical fiber 21 when the connector 1A and the connector 1B are connected will be described. As shown in Fig. 5, in the connection structure S of the optical-electrical composite connector, in each of the connectors 1A and 1B, the tip 11a of the conductor 11 is configured to be exposed to the front end face 15a of the housing 15 that houses the conductor 11. For example, the tip faces 11b of the multiple conductors 11 are configured to be flush with the front end face 15a. On the other hand, in each of the connectors 1A and 1B, the tip face 21b of each optical fiber 21 is configured to be slightly recessed inward from the front end face 25a of the housing 25 that houses the optical fiber 21, and is not exposed to the front end face 25a. When the connector 1A and the connector 1B having such a configuration are connected, the conductors 11 of the connector 1A and the conductors 11 of the connector 1B come into contact with each other and are electrically connected, as shown in Fig. 6. On the other hand, each of the optical fibers 21 of the connector 1A and each of the optical fibers 21 of the connector 1B are configured to be optically coupled to each other in a non-contact state. That is, an air gap G is formed between the tips of the optical fibers 21. When the width (width according to the connection method) of such an air gap G is minute, optical coupling can be performed even when the optical fibers are not in contact with each other. Therefore, in this embodiment, the tip positions of the optical fibers 21 of each of the connectors 1A and 1B are set so that the width of such an air gap G is, for example, 50 μm or less. The air gap G may be 40 μm or less, 30 μm or less, or 20 μm or less.

[0039] 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of region VII shown in FIG. 6. In the optical fiber 21 that performs optical coupling in a non-contact state as described above, the tip surface 21b may be inclined as shown in FIG. 7. The tip surface 21b of the optical fiber 21 housed in the connector 1A and the tip surface 21b of the optical fiber 21 housed in the connector 1B are configured to face each other, and as an example, the facing tip surfaces 21b, 21b may be formed to be parallel to each other. The inclination angle of the tip surface 21b may be, for example, 3° or more and 10° or less with respect to a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (optical axis) in which the optical fiber 21 extends. As an example, the inclination angle of the tip surface 21b of the optical fiber 21 is 8°.

[0040] [First Modification] Next, a first modified example of the connection structure of the optical-electrical composite connector will be described with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8(a) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the first modified example of the connection structure of the optical-electrical composite connector, showing a state before connection, and FIG. 8(b) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the first modified example of the connection structure of the optical-electrical composite connector, showing a connected state. As shown in FIG. 8(a) and (b), the connection structure S1 of the optical-electrical composite connector according to the first modified example includes an optical-electrical composite connector 1C (hereinafter referred to as "connector 1C", a first connector) and an optical-electrical composite connector 1D (hereinafter referred to as "connector 1D", a second connector). The connector 1C and the connector 1D have sub-connectors 10A and 10B, similar to the connector 1A and the connector 1B. That is, the connection structure of the multiple conductors 11 is the same as the embodiment described above, and the tip surface 11b of the multiple conductors 11 is exposed at the front end surface 15a of the housing 15.

[0041] On the other hand, the sub-connectors 20C and 20D have a plurality of optical fibers 21 and a housing 25A that accommodates the plurality of optical fibers 21. In the sub-connectors 20C and 20D, the tip faces 21b of the plurality of optical fibers 21 are formed to extend inward from the front end face 25a of the housing 25A, as in the above-mentioned embodiment. Furthermore, in this first modified example, the sub-connector 20C of the connector 1C is provided with an optical element 50 that faces the tip face 21b of each optical fiber 21. The optical element 50 is, for example, an optical lens such as a condenser lens. At least one optical element 50 may be provided on the conduction path when optically coupling the optical fiber 21 of the sub-connector 20C and the optical fiber 21 of the sub-connector 20D, and two or more optical elements 50 (for example, lenses) may be provided on the conduction path. With this configuration, the optical fibers 21 can be stably coupled with each other with high coupling efficiency. In addition, the optical element 50 that performs optical coupling in a non-contact state may be provided in at least one of the connectors 1C and 1D, but may also be provided in both the connectors 1C and 1D. Even when such an optical element 50 is provided, an air gap G is provided at the tip end 21a of the optical fiber 21.

[0042] [Second modified example] Next, a second modified example of the connection structure of the optical-electrical composite connector will be described with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9(a) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the second modified example of the connection structure of the optical-electrical composite connector, showing a state before connection, and FIG. 9(b) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the second modified example of the connection structure of the optical-electrical composite connector, showing a connected state. As shown in FIG. 9(a) and (b), the connection structure S2 of the optical-electrical composite connector according to the second modified example includes an optical-electrical composite connector 1E (hereinafter, a first connector, referred to as "connector 1E") and an optical-electrical composite connector 1F (hereinafter, a second connector, referred to as "connector 1F"). The connector 1E and the connector 1F have sub-connectors 10A and 10B, similar to the connector 1A and the connector 1B. That is, the connection structure of the multiple conductors 11 is the same as the embodiment described above, and the tip surface 11b of the multiple conductors 11 is exposed at the front end surface 15a of the housing 15.

[0043] On the other hand, the sub-connectors 20E and 20F have a plurality of optical fibers 21 and a housing 25B that houses the plurality of optical fibers 21. Unlike the above-mentioned embodiment, the sub-connectors 20E and 20F are formed so that the tip faces 21b of the plurality of optical fibers 21 are exposed at the front end face 25a of the housing 25B. However, in this second modified example, a frame-shaped spacer 55 is further provided between the connector 1E and the connector 1F. The spacer 55 is sandwiched between the front end face 25a of the housing 25 of the connector 1E and the front end face 25a of the housing 25 of the connector 1F so as to be positioned therebetween, and keeps the plurality of optical fibers 21 housed in the connector 1E and the plurality of optical fibers 21 housed in the connector 1F in a non-contact state. That is, the spacer 55 reliably defines the separation distance between the housings, and it becomes possible to perform optical coupling between the optical fibers without contact with high accuracy. The spacer 55 is a member that optically couples both optical fibers without contact, and has a hollow frame shape. Since the spacer 55 is a member that defines the air gap G between the optical fibers 21, the thickness thereof may be 50 μm or less, 40 μm or less, 30 μm or less, or 20 μm or less. In the example shown in Fig. 9, the tip surface 21b of each optical fiber 21 is flush with the front end surface 25a of the housing 25B, but is not limited thereto. For example, the spacer 55 may be provided in an arrangement in which the tip surface 21b of the optical fiber 21 is located inside the front end surface 25a of the housing 25B.

[0044] [Third Modification] Next, a third modified example of the connection structure of the optical-electrical composite connector will be described with reference to Figs. 10, 11, and 12. Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing a third modified example of the connection structure of the optical-electrical composite connector. Fig. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of the connection structure of the optical-electrical composite connector shown in Fig. 10, showing a state before connection. Fig. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a connected state in the connection structure shown in Fig. 11. As shown in Fig. 10, the connection structure S3 of the optical-electrical composite connector according to the third modified example includes an optical-electrical composite connector 1G (hereinafter referred to as "connector 1G", a first connector) and an optical-electrical composite connector 1H (hereinafter referred to as "connector 1H", a second connector). In this connection structure S3, the connector 1G and the connector 1H are connected so that the extending direction of the conductor 11 and the optical fiber 21 housed in the connector 1G is perpendicular (intersects) to the extending direction of the conductor 11 and the optical fiber 21 housed in the connector 1H. In this modified example, the connection direction is different from that of the above-mentioned embodiment. The connector 1H is mounted on a substrate 60.

[0045] Here, with reference to Figs. 11 and 12, the connection between the conductor wires 11 and the connection between the optical fibers 21 in the third modified example will be described. As shown in Figs. 11 and 12, the connector 1G has a plurality of conductor wires 11, a plurality of optical fibers 21, and a housing 15C that stores and holds the tip portions 11a of the plurality of conductor wires 11 and the tip portions 21a of the plurality of optical fibers 21. In Figs. 11 and 12, the conductor wires 11 and the optical fibers 21 are partially shown, and the rest is omitted. The housing 15C of the connector 1G has a front end face 15c. The front end face 15c has an inclined surface region 15d inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (first longitudinal direction) in which the conductor wires 11 and the optical fibers 21 extend, and a flat region 15e extending along the perpendicular surface. The plurality of conductor wires 11 are exposed at the inclined surface region 15d of the housing 15C. On the other hand, the optical fibers 21 are located in a portion of the housing 15C that corresponds to the flat area 15e, and are slightly recessed inward from the flat area 15e.

[0046] The connector 1H, which is the counterpart connector of the connector 1G, has a plurality of conductors 11, a plurality of optical fibers 21, and a housing 25C that stores and holds the tip portions 11a of the plurality of conductors 11 and the tip portions 21a of the plurality of optical fibers 21, similar to the connector 1G. In the third modification, the conductors and the optical fibers are connected to cross each other (for example, to form an L-shape), so that the longitudinal direction in which the conductors 11 of the connector 1H extend and the longitudinal direction in which the optical fibers 21 extend are different from the longitudinal direction in which the conductors 11 and the optical fibers 21 of the connector 1G extend, and as an example, they are perpendicular to each other. The housing 25C of such a connector 1H has a front end surface 25c. The front end surface 25c is a surface corresponding to the front end surface 15c, and has an inclined surface region 25d inclined to a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (second longitudinal direction) in which the conductors 11 and the optical fibers 21 extend, and a flat surface region 25e extending along the perpendicular surface. The conductive wires 11 are exposed at the inclined surface region 25d of the housing 25C. On the other hand, the optical fibers 21 are located in a portion of the housing 25C corresponding to the flat surface region 25e, and extend inward from the flat surface region 25e.

[0047] In the third modification, the housing 25C has a storage hole 27c for storing the optical fiber 21 in an L-shape. The storage hole 27c includes a first portion 27d extending in the same direction as the optical fiber 21 of the connector 1G extends, and a second portion 27e extending in the same direction as the optical fiber 21 of the connector 1H extends. The first portion 27d and the second portion 27e close to the first portion 27d remain as voids, and the optical fiber 21 is not stored therein. Meanwhile, an optical element 65 for bending the direction of the optical signal is provided between the first portion 27d and the second portion 27e. As such an optical element 65, for example, an optical mirror or a prism for changing the optical path can be used. When the connector 1G and the connector 1H are connected as shown in FIG. 12, the optical fibers 21 are optically coupled to each other in a non-contact state by the optical element 65. Since the conductor wires 11 of the connector 1G and the conductor wires of the connector 1H are both exposed, the connectors 1G and 1H are connected to each other to provide electrical continuity.

[0048] [Fourth Variation] Next, a fourth modified example of the connection structure of the optical-electrical composite connector will be described with reference to FIG. 13. FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a modified example (fourth modified example) of the connection structure shown in FIG. 11. The fourth modified example is a modified example in which the number of optical fibers is increased in the connection structure shown in the third modified example. In the fourth modified example, the number of optical fibers 21 is increased to two rows. Meanwhile, the portion of the inclined surface area 15d where the conductor 11 is exposed is reduced. As a result, the connection structure according to the fourth modified example can shorten the length of the connector 1G. Note that, in the case where the conductor and the optical fiber are connected in an L-shape as in the third and fourth modified examples, the area where the conductor 11 is exposed is not limited to the inclined area, and may be a flat area. In this case, the flat area where the optical fiber is located and the flat area where the conductor 11 is located (exposed) may be different areas, and these flat areas may form a step shape when viewed in cross section.

[0049] As described above, in the optical-electrical composite connector connection structure S according to the present embodiment, the tip portions 11a of the multiple conductors 11 are exposed at the front end surface in the connector 1A, and the tip portions 11a of the multiple conductors 11 are exposed at the front end surface in the connector 1B. The conductors 11 of the connector 1A and the conductors 11 of the connector 1B are configured to be in contact with each other and conduct electricity. According to this connection structure, there is no part in the conduction path that is different from the shape of the conductors, and mismatching of high-frequency characteristic impedance can be suppressed. Also, according to the optical-electrical composite connector connection structure S, the optical fibers 21 of the connector 1A and the optical fibers 21 of the connector 1B are configured to be optically coupled to each other in a non-contact state. According to this configuration, optical fibers that require a higher fitting force than the connection between conductors are optically coupled with a weak force, and the influence on the connection between conductors can be reduced. Therefore, according to this connection structure S, even in a configuration in which conductors are connected to each other, it is possible to ensure stability of the conduction between conductors and stability of the optical coupling between optical fibers. Therefore, according to the optical-electrical composite connector connection structure S, it is possible to suppress mismatching of high-frequency characteristic impedance while ensuring stability of electrical continuity between conductors and stability of optical coupling between optical fibers.

[0050] In the optical-electrical composite connector connection structure S according to this embodiment, an air gap is provided between each tip of the optical fibers 21 of the connector 1A and each tip of the optical fibers 21 of the connector 1B. The width of the air gap is 50 μm or less. With this simple configuration, the optical fibers can be stably coupled to each other without contact.

[0051] In the optical-electrical composite connector connection structure S according to this embodiment, the ends of the optical fibers 21 of the connectors 1A and 1B are located inside the front end faces 15a, 25a of the housings 15 and 25 in which they are housed. With this configuration, the optical fibers are not in direct contact with each other, preventing the connection between the conductors from being impeded. Therefore, the electrical continuity between the conductors can be more reliably achieved.

[0052] In the optical-electrical composite connector connection structure S according to the present embodiment, the connector 1A has a sub-connector 10A that houses the ends of the multiple conductors 11, and a sub-connector 20A that houses the multiple optical fibers 21. The connector 1B has a sub-connector 10B that houses the ends of the multiple conductors 11, and a sub-connector 20B that houses the multiple optical fibers 21. In the connection structure S, the sub-connector 10A is connected to the sub-connector 10B, and the sub-connector 20A is connected to the sub-connector 20B. According to this connection configuration, the sub-connectors 10A and 10B for conductors are connected to each other, and the sub-connectors 20A and 20B for optical fibers are connected to each other, so that the connection modes of each do not interfere with each other, and therefore the connection between conductors can be further stabilized, and the connection between light can be further stabilized.

[0053] In the optical-electrical composite connector connection structure S according to the present embodiment, the sub-connector 10A includes a guide pin 40, and the sub-connector 10B includes a guide hole 18 corresponding to the guide pin 40. Alternatively, the sub-connector 20A may include a guide pin 42, and the sub-connector 20B may include a guide hole 28 corresponding to the guide pin 42. In this connection structure, the sub-connector 10A is positioned relative to the sub-connector 10 by inserting the guide pin 40 into the guide hole 18 of the sub-connector 10B. The sub-connector 20A is positioned relative to the sub-connector 20B by inserting the guide pin 42 into the guide hole 28 of the sub-connector 20B. This allows the connection between the conductors to be more accurate, and more reliable conduction can be achieved. Also, the connection between the optical fibers to be more accurate, and the coupling efficiency can be improved.

[0054] In the optical-electrical composite connector connection structure S according to the present embodiment, the sub-connectors 10A and 10B are configured to be movable relative to the sub-connectors 20A and 20B. With this configuration, the connection between conductors and the connection between optical fibers can be performed independently of each other, which makes it possible to further stabilize the connection between conductors and the connection between optical fibers.

[0055] The above-mentioned functions and effects of the connection structure S can be similarly achieved in the connection structures S1 to S3 according to the first to fourth modified examples. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 1A, 1C, 1E, 1G...Optical / electrical composite connector (first connector) 1B, 1D, 1F, 1H...Optical / electrical composite connector (second connector) 10A…Sub-connector (first electrical sub-connector) 10B...Sub-connector (second electrical sub-connector) 11...Conductor (first conductor, second conductor) 11a...Tip 11b...Tip surface (first end surface, second end surface) 12...Covering material 15...Housing (first housing, second housing) 15C…Housing (first housing) 15a, 15c...Front end surface (first end surface, second end surface) 15b…Rear end surface 15d...Slope area 15e…plane area 16…Main body 17...Storage hole 18...Guide hole 20A, 20C, 20E...Sub-connector (first optical sub-connector) 20B, 20D, 20F...Sub-connector (second optical sub-connector) 21...Optical fiber 21a...Tip 21b…Tip surface 25, 25A, 25B...Housing (first housing, second housing) 25C…Housing (second housing) 25a, 25c...front end surface 25b…Rear end surface 25d…Slope area 25e…plane area 26…Main body 27,27c…Storage hole 27d…Part 1 27e…Second part 28...Guide hole 30…frame body 40,42…Guide pin 50...Optical elements 55…Spacer 60...Substrate 65...Optical elements G…Air gap S, S1, S2, S3...Connection structure of optical / electrical composite connector

Claims

1. a first connector having a plurality of first conductors, a plurality of first optical fibers, and a first housing that houses the respective tip portions of the plurality of first conductors and the respective tip portions of the plurality of first optical fibers; a second connector having a plurality of second conductors, a plurality of second optical fibers, and a second housing that houses the respective tip portions of the plurality of second conductors and the respective tip portions of the plurality of second optical fibers; the first housing includes a first end surface facing the second housing, the second housing includes a second end surface facing the first housing, each of the first conductors has a tip end exposed at the first end surface; each of the second conductors has a tip end exposed at the second end surface; a connection structure of an optical-electrical composite connector, wherein when the first connector and the second connector are connected, each of the plurality of first conductors and each of the plurality of second conductors are configured to be in contact with each other and conductive, and each of the plurality of first optical fibers and each of the plurality of second optical fibers are configured to be optically coupled to each other in a non-contact state.

2. At least one optical element is provided between each of the plurality of first optical fibers and each of the plurality of second optical fibers, for optically coupling the corresponding optical fibers to each other.

2. The optical / electrical composite connector connection structure according to claim 1.

3. an air gap is provided between each of the tips of the first optical fibers and each of the tips of the second optical fibers, and the width of the air gap is 50 μm or less; 2. The optical / electrical composite connector connection structure according to claim 1.

4. each of the first optical fibers has a first tip surface inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal direction in which the first optical fiber extends; each of the tips of the second optical fibers has a second tip surface inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal direction in which the second optical fibers extend; the first end surface and the second end surface face each other when the first connector and the second connector are connected to each other.

4. The optical / electrical composite connector connection structure according to claim 3.

5. a tip end of at least one of the plurality of first optical fibers and the plurality of second optical fibers is located inside an end face of a housing in which the optical fibers are housed; 4. The optical / electrical composite connector according to claim 2, wherein the optical / electrical composite connector is a connector having a first end and a second end.

6. a spacer positioned between the first end surface of the first housing and the second end surface of the second housing, 2. The optical / electrical composite connector connection structure according to claim 1.

7. the first connector has a first electrical sub-connector that houses the respective tip portions of the plurality of first conductors and a first optical sub-connector that houses the plurality of first optical fibers; the second connector has a second electrical sub-connector that houses the respective tip portions of the plurality of second conductors and a second optical sub-connector that houses the plurality of second optical fibers; The first electrical sub-connector and the second electrical sub-connector are connected to each other, The first optical sub-connector and the second optical sub-connector are connected to each other.

2. The optical / electrical composite connector connection structure according to claim 1.

8. the first electrical sub-connector includes a first guide pin, and the second electrical sub-connector includes a first guide hole corresponding to the first guide pin; the first optical sub-connector includes a second guide pin, the second optical sub-connector includes a second guide hole corresponding to the second guide pin, the first electrical sub-connector is positioned relative to the second electrical sub-connector by inserting the first guide pin into the first guide hole; the first optical sub-connector is positioned relative to the second optical sub-connector by inserting the second guide pin into the second guide hole; 8. The optical / electrical composite connector connection structure according to claim 7.

9. the first electrical sub-connector and the second electrical sub-connector are configured to be movable relative to the first optical sub-connector and the second optical sub-connector.

9. The optical / electrical composite connector connection structure according to claim 7 or 8.

10. The first connector and the second connector are configured to be connectable such that a first longitudinal direction in which the plurality of first conductors extend and a second longitudinal direction in which the plurality of second conductors extend intersect with each other.

2. The optical / electrical composite connector connection structure according to claim 1.

11. the first end surface of the first housing includes an inclined surface region inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to the first longitudinal direction and a flat surface region extending along the perpendicular surface, the first conductors are exposed at the inclined surface region; the plurality of first optical fibers are located in a portion corresponding to the planar region; The optical / electrical composite connector connection structure according to claim 10.

12. at least one optical element is provided between each of the first optical fibers and each of the second optical fibers, the optical element optically coupling the corresponding optical fibers to each other; The optical element is configured to bend the optical paths of the optical fibers optically coupled to each other. The optical / electrical composite connector connection structure according to claim 10 or 11.

13. A plurality of conductors; A plurality of optical fibers; a housing for accommodating the tip ends of the plurality of conductors and the tip ends of the plurality of optical fibers; the plurality of conductors are exposed at an end surface of the housing, a tip end of each of the plurality of optical fibers is located inside the end face of the housing so that the plurality of optical fibers are optically coupled to a counterpart optical fiber in a non-contact state; Optical and electrical hybrid connector.

14. further comprising an optical element for optically coupling each of the plurality of optical fibers to the corresponding optical fiber; The composite optical and electrical connector according to claim 13.

15. the housing has a plurality of first storage holes for storing the plurality of conductors, respectively, and a plurality of second storage holes for storing the plurality of optical fibers, respectively; The optical and electrical composite connector comprises: a positioning structure for positioning each of the plurality of optical fibers relative to the corresponding optical fiber; The optical and electrical composite connector according to claim 13 or 14.

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