Optical connector

Abstract

To provide an optical connector capable of easily and detachably fitting an optical fiber to an optical integrated circuit.SOLUTION: An optical connector 5 for connecting an optical integrated circuit 3 and an optical fiber 40 together, comprises: a plug member 7 fitted to the optical fiber 40; a receptacle member 6 arranged on the optical integrated circuit 3 and connected to the plug member 7 to transmit light L between the optical integrated circuit 3 and optical fiber 40; and a lock mechanism 9 which switches between a locked state in which the plug member 7 and receptacle member 6 stay connected and an unlocked state in which the plug member 7 and receptacle member 6 are attachable / detachable.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to an optical connector, and more specifically, to an optical connector including a plug member attached to an optical fiber and a receptacle member that can be attached to an optical integrated circuit and configured to be connectable to the plug member.

Background Art

[0002] With the recent increase in the speed of Internet communication and the improvement in the computing power of computing devices, the amount of communication data traffic between computing devices has been increasing. Along with the increase in the amount of communication data traffic between computing devices, higher speed and larger capacity of transmission devices are required. In high-speed and large-capacity transmission devices, optical fiber communication using optical fibers is used. To enable optical fiber communication, a large number of optical fibers are connected to a photoelectric conversion element that converts an optical signal and an electrical signal. In addition to the high speed and large capacity of optical fiber communication, research is being advanced to lay a large number of optical fibers as close as possible to the photoelectric conversion element in order to achieve low power consumption of the photoelectric conversion element.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a typical method for connecting an optical fiber to an optical integrated circuit on which a photoelectric conversion element is mounted. In the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, after placing an optical fiber in a V-groove on a glass substrate or a transparent epoxy substrate, the end face of the optical fiber is polished. Then, while performing precise alignment between the optical fiber and the optical waveguide of the optical integrated circuit, the optical fiber is adhesively fixed to the optical waveguide of the optical integrated circuit to connect the optical fiber to the optical integrated circuit.

[0004] In such a method, it is necessary to use a dedicated positioning device to perform precise alignment between the optical fiber and the corresponding optical waveguide of the optical integrated circuit. Further, since the connection between the optical fiber and the optical waveguide of the optical integrated circuit is an adhesive fixation, once the optical fiber is connected to the optical integrated circuit, the optical fiber cannot be removed from the optical integrated circuit.

[0005] In addition, the optical integrated circuit needs to be mounted on a circuit board such as a flexible printed circuit board or a rigid circuit board. However, when an optical fiber is connected to the optical integrated circuit, it is difficult to handle the optical integrated circuit, and the operation of mounting the optical integrated circuit on the circuit board becomes difficult. On the other hand, when connecting the optical fiber to the optical integrated circuit after mounting the optical integrated circuit on the circuit board, since the above-described dedicated positioning device cannot be used, the operation of connecting the optical fiber to the optical integrated circuit becomes difficult. Therefore, there has been a strong need for an optical connector that can easily and detachably attach an optical fiber to an optical integrated circuit.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide an optical connector that can easily and detachably attach an optical fiber to an optical integrated circuit.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] Such an object is achieved by the present invention defined by the following (1).

[0009] (1) An optical connector for connecting an optical integrated circuit and an optical fiber, a plug member attached to the optical fiber, a receptacle member disposed on the optical integrated circuit and connected to the plug member to transmit light between the optical integrated circuit and the optical fiber, An optical connector, comprising: a locking mechanism for switching between a locked state in which the plug member and the receptacle member are held in a connected state and an unlocked state in which the plug member and the receptacle member are detachable.

Advantages of the Invention

[0010] The optical connector of the present invention has a locking mechanism for switching between a locked state in which the plug member and the receptacle member are held in a connected state and an unlocked state in which the plug member and the receptacle member are detachable. Therefore, according to the optical connector of the present invention, an optical fiber can be easily and detachably attached to the receptacle member. As a result, the optical fiber can be easily and detachably attached to the optical integration circuit via the receptacle member.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

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Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, the optical connector of the present invention will be described in detail based on preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0013] <First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a side view showing a state where the lock mechanism of the optoelectronic hybrid substrate according to the first embodiment is in a locked state. FIG. 2 is a side view showing a state where the lock mechanism of the optoelectronic hybrid substrate shown in FIG. 1 is in an unlocked state. FIG. 3 is a top view of an optical fiber cable. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a plug member. FIG. 5 is a front view of a plug member. FIG. 6 is a front view showing a modified example of a plug member. FIG. 7 is a top view of a plug member. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a receptacle member. FIG. 9 is a bottom view of a receptacle member. FIG. 10 is a front view of a receptacle member. FIG. 11 is a top view of a receptacle member. FIG. 12 is a top view showing a positioning mechanism. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the receptacle member and the plug member are positioned by the positioning mechanism. FIG. 14 is a top view of a lock member. FIG. 15 is a side view of a lock member. FIG. 16 is a side view of the lock member viewed from the side opposite to FIG. 15. FIG. 17 is a side view showing an unlocked state.

[0014] For the sake of convenience of explanation, the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis, which are three mutually orthogonal axes, are shown in each figure. Also, hereinafter, the direction along the X-axis is also referred to as the "X-axis direction", the direction along the Y-axis is also referred to as the "Y-axis direction", and the direction along the Z-axis is also referred to as the "Z-axis direction". Also, the arrow side of each axis is also referred to as the "plus side", and the opposite side is also referred to as the "minus side". Also, the plus side in the Z-axis direction is also referred to as "up", and the minus side is also referred to as "down".

[0015] The optoelectronic hybrid-mounted substrate 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a substrate 2, an optical integrated circuit 3 mounted on the substrate 2, an optical fiber cable 4 including a plurality of optical fibers 40, and an optical connector 5 that optically connects the optical integrated circuit 3 and the optical fiber cable 4. The optical connector 5 includes a receptacle member 6 disposed on the optical integrated circuit 3, a plug member 7 attached to the optical fiber cable 4, a positioning mechanism 8 that positions the receptacle member 6 and the plug member 7, and a locking mechanism 9 that fixes and holds the receptacle member 6 and the plug member 7 in a state positioned by the positioning mechanism 8. Hereinafter, each of these parts will be described in order.

[0016] ≪Substrate 2≫ The substrate 2 is a circuit board, and for example, a flexible printed circuit board, a rigid circuit board, etc. can be used. Note that the substrate 2 may be a circuit board used as a finished product, or may be a circuit board for a jig that is temporarily used during the assembly of a product and separated after assembly.

[0017] ≪Optical integrated circuit 3≫ As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the optical integrated circuit 3 includes a light transmitting and receiving unit 31. The light transmitting and receiving unit 31 includes a light receiving unit that receives light L (optical signal) and a light emitting unit that emits the light L. As the light emitting unit, for example, a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL), a light emitting diode (LED), an organic EL element, etc. can be used, and as the light receiving unit, for example, a photodiode (PD, APD), etc. can be used. Further, the light transmitting and receiving unit 31 may be optically connected to the light receiving unit or the light emitting unit and may have, for example, an optical waveguide formed of silicon. Also, the optical axis of the light transmitting and receiving unit 31 coincides with the Z axis. However, the configuration of the light transmitting and receiving unit 31 is not particularly limited, and for example, a configuration including only one of the light receiving unit and the light emitting unit may be used. In this case, it is a one-way communication that only transmits the light L or only receives an optical signal. The optical integrated circuit 3 may further include individual memory ICs such as a logic IC, a RAM, a ROM, etc., an IC formed by combining those circuits into one chip, and electrical elements (not shown) such as a capacitor, a coil component, a resistance element, a diode, etc.

[0018] Although the optical integrated circuit 3 has been described above, the configuration of the optical integrated circuit 3 is not particularly limited as long as its function can be exerted.

[0019] ≪Optical fiber cable 4≫ As shown in FIG. 3, the optical fiber cable 4 has a plurality of optical fibers 40 arranged in a line along the Y-axis direction. The number of the optical fibers 40 is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, it is eight. Also, a plurality of optical fiber cables 4 may be used. In this case, the plurality of optical fiber cables 4 can be used by being stacked in the Z-axis direction. Each optical fiber 40 has a core portion 41 composed of a core and a cladding surrounding the core, and a coating layer 42 surrounding the core portion 41. In addition, in order to attach the plug member 7 later, in the optical fiber cable 4, the coating layer 42 is peeled off from the tip end portion of each optical fiber 40, and the core portion 41 is exposed. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the portion where the core portion 41 is exposed is also referred to as an exposed portion 400.

[0020] ≪Optical connector 5≫ As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the optical connector 5 includes a receptacle member 6 disposed on the optical integrated circuit 3, a plug member 7 attached to the optical fiber cable 4, a positioning mechanism 8 for positioning the receptacle member 6 and the plug member 7, and a locking mechanism 9 for fixing the receptacle member 6 and the plug member 7.

[0021] -Plug member 7- As shown in FIG. 4, the plug member 7 has an outer shape in which rectangular parallelepipeds of different sizes are coaxially arranged in the X-axis direction, and has a tip end portion 71 located on the tip end side and a base end portion 72 connected to the base end side of the tip end portion 71 and having a diameter larger than that of the tip end portion 71.

[0022] Further, the plug member 7 has an L-shaped through hole 73 formed by the intersection of a bottomed first hole 731 that opens at the base end surface 7B thereof and extends in the X-axis direction and a bottomed second hole 732 that opens at the upper surface 7C thereof and extends in the Z-axis direction. And the optical fiber cable 4 is inserted into the first hole 731 from the base end side of the plug member 7.

[0023] Further, the plug member 7 has a plurality of insertion holes 74 formed linearly along the X-axis direction, penetrating through the tip surface 7A and the inner surface of the through hole 73 (the bottom surface of the first hole 731). As shown in FIG. 5, the number of the insertion holes 74 corresponds to the number of the optical fibers 40, and is eight in the present embodiment. As described above, when a plurality of optical fiber cables 4 are used by being stacked in the Z-axis direction, as shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of other insertion holes 74 may be further provided side by side in the Y-axis direction at positions slightly separated in the Z-axis direction. Further, the plurality of insertion holes 74 are provided at equal intervals along the Y-axis direction, specifically, at the same pitch as the pitch of the optical fibers 40. And the exposed portion 400 of the optical fiber 40 is inserted into each insertion hole 74 from the proximal end side. Thus, by matching the pitch of the insertion holes 74 with the pitch of the optical fibers 40, the insertion of the optical fibers 40 into the insertion holes 74 becomes easy.

[0024] Also, the tip surface of each optical fiber 40 is exposed from the tip surface 7A of the plug member 7 through the insertion hole 74. In particular, the tip surface of each optical fiber 40 is flush with the tip surface 7A of the plug member 7. By adopting such a configuration, while protecting each optical fiber 40, the separation distance between each optical fiber 40 and the receptacle member 6 can be made as short as possible, and the transmission of the light L between the receptacle member 6 and the optical fiber 40 can be stably performed. However, it is not limited thereto, and the tip surface of each optical fiber 40 may protrude from the tip surface 7A of the plug member 7, or conversely, may be retracted inside the plug member 7 from the tip surface 7A.

[0025] Also, in a plan view of the base end surface 7B, each insertion hole 74 overlaps with the first hole 731. According to such a configuration, since the optical fiber cable 4 may be inserted straight along the X-axis direction with respect to the plug member 7, the attachment of the optical fiber cable 4 to the plug member 7 becomes easy.

[0026] Further, the plug member 7 is provided at the corner of the L-shaped through hole 73 (the intersection of the first hole 731 and the second hole 732), and has a mounting table 75 that supports the optical fiber cable 4 inserted into the insertion hole 74 from below on the proximal end side of the insertion hole 74. The mounting table 75 has a mounting surface on which the optical fiber cable 4 is placed, and a plurality of grooves 751 extending linearly along the X-axis direction are provided on the mounting surface so as to extend each insertion hole 74. And the optical fiber 40 is placed in each groove 751. Thus, by providing the groove 751 on the mounting surface, a plurality of optical fibers 40 can be aligned along the groove 751 in front of the insertion hole 74, making it easier to insert the optical fiber 40 into the insertion hole 74. That is, the mounting table 75 not only functions to support the optical fiber cable 4, but also functions as a guide for guiding each optical fiber 40 to the corresponding insertion hole 74.

[0027] Also, as shown in FIG. 5, the plug member 7 has a pair of second fitting holes 761, 762 extending along the X-axis direction on the tip surface 7A. The pair of second fitting holes 761, 762 are located on both sides in the Y-axis direction of the tip surface 7A so as to sandwich a plurality of insertion holes 74 therebetween. As will be described later, pins 811, 812 of the positioning mechanism 8 are inserted into these second fitting holes 761, 762.

[0028] The constituent material of such a plug member 7 is not particularly limited. For example, various resin materials having heat resistance, strength, molding shrinkage rate, thermal expansion coefficient, flame retardancy, water absorption, etc. required for the plug member 7, such as polyetherimide (PEI), polyimide (PI), polyamide (PA), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), liquid crystal polymer (LCP), etc., can be used. Also, the plug member 7 can be formed by injection molding.

[0029] Also, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, the plug member 7 has an adhesive 77 filled in the through hole 73 for adhering and fixing the plug member 7 and the optical fiber cable 4. Thereby, the plug member 7 and the optical fiber cable 4 are firmly fixed, and the state where the plug member 7 is attached to the optical fiber cable 4 is appropriately maintained. Further, the optical fiber cable 4 (particularly, the exposed portion 400) can be covered with the adhesive 77 in the through hole 73, and the optical fiber cable 4 can be protected.

[0030] The adhesive 77 is not particularly limited, but for example, it is preferably a thermosetting resin material. Also, the thermosetting resin material is not particularly limited, but examples include epoxy resin, phenol resin, urea resin, melamine resin, polyester resin, polyimide resin, silicone resin, polyurethane resin, etc., and one or more of these can be mixed and used. In this way, by using a thermosetting resin material as the adhesive 77, it becomes easy to attach the plug member 7 to the optical fiber cable 4.

[0031] Next, a method for attaching the plug member 7 to the optical fiber cable 4 will be briefly described. First, prepare the plug member 7 and fill the uncured adhesive 77 into the through hole 73. Next, prepare the optical fiber cable 4 and form an exposed portion 400 on each optical fiber 40. Then, insert the optical fiber cable 4 into the first hole 731 and the insertion hole 74 in order from the proximal end side of the plug member 7, and project the tip of each optical fiber 40 from the tip surface 7A of the plug member 7. At this time, since the groove 751 formed in the mounting table 75 functions as a guide for guiding each optical fiber 40 to the corresponding insertion hole 74, the insertion into the insertion hole 74 becomes easy.

[0032] Next, fix the optical fiber cable 4 and the plug member 7. And finally, cut the portion of each optical fiber 40 that protrudes from the tip surface 7A of the plug member 7, and adjust the tip surface (cut surface) by polishing or the like so that the tip surfaces of the respective optical fibers 40 are flush with the tip surface 7A of the plug member 7. Thus, the attachment of the plug member 7 to the optical fiber cable 4 is completed.

[0033] According to the method as described above, the attachment of the plug member 7 to the optical fiber cable 4 can be easily performed. However, the attachment method of the plug member 7 to the optical fiber cable 4 is not particularly limited. For example, after inserting the optical fiber cable 4 into the plug member 7, an adhesive 77 may be filled into the through hole 73.

[0034] As described above, the plug member 7 has been explained, but the configuration of the plug member 7 is not particularly limited. For example, the second hole 732 and the mounting table 75 may be omitted. Also, for example, the pitch of the insertion holes 74 may be larger than the pitch of the optical fibers 40.

[0035] -Receptacle member 6- As shown in FIG. 1, the receptacle member 6 is interposed between the optical integrated circuit 3 and the optical fiber cable 4 and optically connects the optical integrated circuit 3 and the optical fiber cable 4. Such a receptacle member 6 is composed of, for example, a light-transmissive material such as a resin material or a glass material. The receptacle member 6 of the present embodiment is composed of a resin material. By forming the receptacle member 6 from a resin material, the formation of the receptacle member 6 becomes easy. The resin material is not particularly limited, but for example, various resin materials having heat resistance, strength, molding shrinkage rate, thermal expansion coefficient, flame retardancy, water absorption, etc. required for the receptacle member 6, such as polyetherimide (PEI), polyimide (PI), polyamide (PA), methyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), etc., can be used. Also, the receptacle member 6 can be formed by injection molding.

[0036] Such a receptacle member 6 is disposed on the upper surface of the optical integrated circuit 3 as shown in FIG. 8 and fixed to the optical integrated circuit 3 via an adhesive (not shown). Further, the receptacle member 6 has a second recessed portion 612 provided on its lower surface 6D. Further, a plurality of second collimator lenses 622 are provided on the bottom surface of the second recessed portion 612. As shown in FIG. 9, the plurality of second collimator lenses 622 are provided at equal intervals (the same pitch as the insertion holes 74) along the Y-axis direction. And each second collimator lens 622 faces the light emitting and receiving portion 31 and the optical axes coincide. Thereby, the receptacle member 6 and the light emitting and receiving portion 31 are optically connected. As described above, when the light emitting and receiving portion 31 has an optical waveguide connected to a light receiving portion or a light emitting portion, each second collimator lens 622 faces the end portion of the optical waveguide (the light incident and exiting portion of the light L). Further, an anti-reflection film (not shown) for preventing reflection of the light L is formed on the surface of each second collimator lens 622. Note that the number of the second collimator lenses 622 corresponds to the number of the optical fibers 40 and is eight in this embodiment. As described above, when a plurality of optical fiber cables 4 are used by being stacked in the Z-axis direction, a plurality of other second collimator lenses 622 may be provided side by side in the Y-axis direction at positions slightly separated in the X-axis direction.

[0037] Further, the height of each second collimator lens 622 is smaller than the depth of the second recessed portion 612. Therefore, the whole of each second collimator lens 622 is located within the second recessed portion 612 and does not protrude from the lower surface 6D. By adopting such a configuration, contact between each second collimator lens 622 and the optical integrated circuit 3 can be avoided, and damage to each second collimator lens 622 due to contact with the optical integrated circuit 3 can be effectively suppressed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, each second collimator lens 622 may be flush with the lower surface 6D or may protrude from the lower surface 6D.

[0038] Also, as shown in FIG. 8, the receptacle member 6 has a front end surface 6A that abuts against the front end surface 7A of the plug member 7. The receptacle member 6 also has a first recessed portion 611 provided on the front end surface 6A. Further, a plurality of first collimator lenses 621 are provided on the bottom surface of the first recessed portion 611. As shown in FIG. 10, the plurality of first collimator lenses 621 are provided at equal intervals (the same pitch as the insertion holes 74) along the Y-axis direction. Also, each first collimator lens 621 faces the front end surface of the corresponding optical fiber 40 when the receptacle member 6 and the plug member 7 are connected. Note that an anti-reflection film (not shown) for preventing reflection of the light L is formed on the surface of each first collimator lens 621. Also, the number of the first collimator lenses 621 corresponds to the number of the optical fibers 40, and is eight in this embodiment. As described above, when a plurality of optical fiber cables 4 are used by stacking them in the Z-axis direction, for example, another plurality of first collimator lenses 621 may be arranged side by side in the Y-axis direction at positions slightly separated in the Z-axis direction.

[0039] The height of each first collimator lens 621 is smaller than the depth of the first recessed portion 611. Therefore, the entirety of each first collimator lens 621 is positioned within the first recessed portion 611 and does not protrude from the front end surface 6A. By adopting such a configuration, contact between each first collimator lens 621 and the plug member 7 can be avoided, and damage to each first collimator lens 621 due to contact with the plug member 7 can be effectively suppressed. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, each first collimator lens 621 may be flush with the front end surface 6A, or may protrude from the front end surface 6A.

[0040] Also, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 11, the receptacle member 6 has a first recess 631 formed on the upper surface 6C and extending along the Y-axis direction. The inner surface of the first recess 631 constitutes a light reflecting surface 631a (mirror) that reflects the light L passing through the receptacle member 6. The light reflecting surface 631a is planar and inclined at 45° with respect to the X-axis direction.

[0041] The light L emitted from the light emitting and receiving unit 31 is made into parallel light by a predetermined facing second collimator lens 622 and enters the receptacle member 6. Then, the parallel light L travels in the receptacle member 6 in the +Z-axis direction, is reflected by 90° at the light reflecting surface 631a, travels in the +X-axis direction, and exits the receptacle member 6 from the corresponding first collimator lens 621. The light L emitted from the first collimator lens 621 is focused by the first collimator lens 621 and enters the optical fiber 40 from the tip surface of the facing optical fiber 40 near its focal point.

[0042] Conversely, the light L emitted from the tip surface of the optical fiber 40 is made into parallel light by a predetermined facing first collimator lens 621 and enters the receptacle member 6. Then, the parallel light L travels in the -X-axis direction, is reflected by 90° at the light reflecting surface 631a, travels in the -Z-axis direction, and exits the receptacle member 6 from the corresponding second collimator lens 622. The light L emitted from the second collimator lens 622 is focused by the second collimator lens 622 and enters the light emitting and receiving unit 31 that faces it near its focal point.

[0043] In this way, the light reflecting surface 631a is provided in the optical path 623 of the light L passing through the receptacle member 6 and has an optical path conversion function of changing the direction of the optical path 623. By providing such a light reflecting surface 631a, the optical path 623 can be freely designed, increasing the design freedom of the optical connector 5. Incidentally, if necessary, a reflective film may be formed on the surface of the light reflecting surface 631a. Examples of the reflective film include various metal films such as Au, Ag, and Al. Examples of the method for forming the metal film include physical vapor deposition methods such as vacuum evaporation, chemical vapor deposition methods such as CVD, and plating methods.

[0044] However, it is not limited thereto, and the light reflecting surface 631a may be omitted. Also, a plurality of light reflecting surfaces 631a may be provided at different locations in the optical path 623 to change the optical path 623 multiple times in the middle.

[0045] Also, as shown in FIG. 10, the receptacle member 6 has a pair of first fitting holes 661 and 662 extending along the X-axis direction on its front end face 6A. The pair of first fitting holes 661 and 662 are located on both sides in the Y-axis direction of the front end face 6A with the first recessed portion 611 interposed therebetween. As will be described later, pins 811 and 812 of the positioning mechanism 8 are inserted into these first fitting holes 661 and 662.

[0046] Also, as shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, the receptacle member 6 has a pair of rotating shaft portions 651 and 652 provided on both side faces 6E and 6F. The rotating shaft portion 651 is a columnar protrusion protruding from the side face 6E toward the plus side in the Y-axis direction, and the rotating shaft portion 652 is a columnar protrusion protruding from the side face 6F toward the minus side in the Y-axis direction. These rotating shaft portions 651 and 652 are coaxially provided along the Y-axis direction and, as will be described later, form the rotating shaft J of the lock member 91 of the lock mechanism 9. In this embodiment, the rotating shaft portions 651 and 652 are integrally formed with the receptacle member 6, but the present invention is not limited to this, and they may be formed separately from the receptacle member 6.

[0047] Further, the receptacle member 6 has a pair of engaging protrusion portions 641 and 642 provided on both side faces 6E and 6F and located on the front end face 7A side with respect to the rotating shaft J. The engaging protrusion portion 641 is a substantially semi-cylindrical protrusion protruding from the side face 6E toward the plus side in the Y-axis direction and extending in the X-axis direction, and the engaging protrusion portion 642 is a substantially semi-cylindrical protrusion protruding from the side face 6F toward the minus side in the Y-axis direction and extending in the X-axis direction. As will be described later, these engaging protrusion portions 641 and 642 have a function of fixing the lock member 91 to the receptacle member 6 (function of maintaining the locked state) by snap-fit connection of the lock member 91 of the lock mechanism 9. In this embodiment, the engaging protrusion portions 641 and 642 are integrally formed with the receptacle member 6, but the present invention is not limited to this, and they may be formed separately.

[0048] The receptacle member 6 has been described above. According to such a receptacle member 6, since the optical path 623 connecting the corresponding first collimator lens 621 and second collimator lens 622 allows the light L, which is parallel light, to pass through, for example, without using a general "optical waveguide" that covers the core with a cladding and propagates the light L incident on the core while reflecting it at these interfaces, the optical integrated circuit 3 and the optical fiber cable 4 can be optically connected. Therefore, the configuration of the receptacle member 6 becomes simple, and the manufacturing cost of the receptacle member 6 can be reduced.

[0049] -Positioning mechanism 8- As shown in FIG. 12, the positioning mechanism 8 has a function of positioning the receptacle member 6 and the plug member 7. Such a positioning mechanism 8 has a pair of pins 811 and 812 that are fitted to the receptacle member 6 and the plug member 7.

[0050] One end side (the minus side in the X-axis direction) of the pin 811 is fitted (inserted) into the first fitting hole 661 of the receptacle member 6, and the other end side (the plus side in the X-axis direction) is fitted (inserted) into the second fitting hole 761 of the plug member 7. On the other hand, one end side (the minus side in the X-axis direction) of the pin 812 is fitted (inserted) into the first fitting hole 662 of the receptacle member 6, and the other end side (the plus side in the X-axis direction) is fitted (inserted) into the second fitting hole 762 of the plug member 7. Thereby, the relative displacement of the receptacle member 6 and the plug member 7 in the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction is restricted. As a result, as shown in FIG. 13, the front end face 6A of the receptacle member 6 and the front end face 7A of the plug member 7 face each other and come into contact, and the corresponding first collimator lens 621 and the front end face of the optical fiber 40 are positioned in a state of facing each other. Thus, according to the positioning mechanism 8, the receptacle member 6 and the plug member 7 can be positioned simply and more reliably, and the receptacle member 6 and the optical fiber 40 can be optically connected.

[0051] In particular, since the pins 811 and 812 are fitted to the front end surface 6A of the receptacle member 6 and the front end surface 7A of the plug member 7, the first collimator lens 621 provided on the front end surface 6A of the receptacle member 6 and the optical fiber 40 provided on the front end surface 7A of the plug member 7 can be positioned more accurately.

[0052] In this embodiment, the pins 811 and 812 are fixed to the receptacle member 6 in a state of being fitted into the first fitting holes 661 and 662 of the receptacle member 6, respectively. The method of fixing the pins 811 and 812 to the receptacle member 6 is not particularly limited, and for example, an adhesive can be used. By fixing the pins 811 and 812 to the receptacle member 6 in advance in this way, the connection between the receptacle member 6 and the plug member 7 becomes easy. Further, by fixing the pins 811 and 812 to the receptacle member 6 instead of the plug member 7, the pins 811 and 812 do not get in the way during the cleaning of the front end surface 7A of the plug member 7, and the cleaning can be easily performed.

[0053] The constituent material of such pins 811 and 812 is not particularly limited, but for example, various metal materials such as aluminum and stainless steel are preferable. Thereby, pins 811 and 812 with high mechanical strength can be obtained.

[0054] The positioning mechanism 8 has been described above, but the configuration of the positioning mechanism 8 is not particularly limited. For example, the pins 811 and 812 may be fixed to the plug member 7, or the pins 811 and 812 may not be fixed to either the receptacle member 6 or the plug member 7. Further, when the pins 811 and 812 are fixed to the receptacle member 6 as in this embodiment, the pins 811 and 812 may be integrally formed with the receptacle member 6.

[0055] -Locking mechanism 9- The locking mechanism 9 has a function of holding the state in which the receptacle member 6 and the plug member 7 are connected. Such a locking mechanism 9 has a locking member 91 rotatably connected to the receptacle member 6.

[0056] The lock member 91 has a U-shape and, as shown in FIG. 14, includes an upper face plate 92 and a pair of side face plates 931 and 932 extending from both end portions of the upper face plate 92 in the minus Z-axis direction in the Y-axis direction. Further, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, an engagement hole 941 into which the rotation shaft portion 651 of the receptacle member 6 engages is provided at the base end portion (the end portion on the minus X-axis direction side) of the side face plate 931, and an engagement hole 942 into which the rotation shaft portion 652 of the receptacle member 6 engages is provided at the base end portion (the end portion on the minus X-axis direction side) of the side face plate 932. In this way, by the engagement holes 941 and 942 engaging with the rotation shaft portions 651 and 652, the lock member 91 is rotatably connected to the receptacle member 6 about the rotation shaft J. Note that, contrary to this embodiment, a rotation shaft portion may be provided on the lock member 91 and an engagement hole that engages with the rotation shaft portion may be provided on the receptacle member 6.

[0057] Also, as shown in FIG. 14, the lock member 91 has a pair of biasing portions 951 and 952 that bias the plug member 7 in a state positioned by the positioning mechanism 8 toward the receptacle member 6, the pair of biasing portions 951 and 952 being provided at the tip end portions (the end portions on the plus X-axis direction side) of the side face plates 931 and 932. The biasing portion 951 includes a contact portion 951a provided at the tip end portion of the side face plate 931 and contacting the base end face 7B of the plug member 7, and a U-shaped spring portion 951b connecting the contact portion 951a and the side face plate 931. Similarly, the biasing portion 952 includes a contact portion 952a provided at the tip end portion of the side face plate 932 and contacting the base end face 7B of the plug member 7, and a U-shaped spring portion 952b connecting the contact portion 952a and the side face plate 932. And the separation distance D2 between the rotation shaft J and the contact portions 951a and 952a in the natural state (the unlocked state shown in FIG. 2) is slightly smaller than the separation distance D1 between the rotation shaft J and the base end face 7B of the plug member 7 in the state positioned by the positioning mechanism 8.

[0058] In such a locking mechanism 9, as shown in FIG. 17, with the receptacle member 6 and the plug member 7 positioned by the positioning mechanism 8, the locking member 91 is rotated around the rotation axis J, and as shown in FIG. 14, the abutting portions 951a, 952a are brought into contact with the base end surface 7B of the plug member 7, thereby restricting the displacement of the plug member 7 in the X-axis direction with respect to the receptacle member 6, and maintaining the state in which the receptacle member 6 and the plug member 7 are positioned. Hereinafter, this state is also referred to as the "locked state". Conversely, if the locking member 91 is rotated in the reverse direction around the rotation axis J from the locked state, the locked state is released as shown in FIG. 17, and the plug member 7 can be removed from the receptacle member 6. Hereinafter, this state is also referred to as the "unlocked state". Thus, by switching the locking mechanism 9 between the locked state and the unlocked state, the plug member 7 can be easily and detachably attached to the receptacle member 6.

[0059] In particular, as described above, since the separation distance D2 < the separation distance D1, in the locked state, the spring portions 951b, 952b of the biasing portions 951, 952 are elastically deformed, and the abutting portions 951a, 952a bias the plug member 7 toward the receptacle member 6 by the restoring force thereof. Therefore, the plug member 7 is pressed against the receptacle member 6, and the receptacle member 6 and the plug member 7 are held more firmly. Further, the reaction force applied to the locking member 91 by biasing the plug member 7 is transmitted to the receptacle member 6 to which the locking member 91 is connected. Therefore, stress is less likely to occur in the optical integrated circuit 3, and damage to the optical integrated circuit 3 can be effectively suppressed.

[0060] Further, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the lock member 91 has engagement holes 961 and 962 provided in the side plates 931 and 932. In the locked state, these engagement holes 961 and 962 are engaged with the engagement protrusions 641 and 642 provided on the receptacle member 6 by snap - fit connection. Therefore, the unintentional rotation of the lock member 91 around the rotation axis J is restricted, and the locked state can be maintained more reliably. Note that the snap - fit connection between the engagement holes 961 and 962 and the engagement protrusions 641 and 642 can be released by applying a predetermined force, so the locked state can be easily released when necessary.

[0061] Furthermore, the lock member 91 has a square window portion 921 formed in the upper surface plate 92. The window portion 921 is provided so as to overlap with the boundary portion between the receptacle member 6 and the plug member 7 in the locked state. Therefore, through the window portion 921, the connection state between the receptacle member 6 and the plug member 7 (for example, whether the front end surfaces 7A and 6A are properly in contact with each other) can be confirmed. In this embodiment, the window portion 921 is constituted by a through - hole penetrating the upper surface plate 92 in the thickness direction, but is not limited thereto, and the window portion 921 may be constituted by a transparent plate member.

[0062] Such a lock member 91 can be made of, for example, a resin material, a metal material, etc. The lock member 91 of this embodiment is made of various metal materials having heat resistance, spring properties, strength, etc. required for the lock member 91, such as stainless steel, copper alloy, aluminum alloy, etc.

[0063] The above has described the optoelectronic hybrid substrate 1. The optical connector 5 included in such an optoelectronic hybrid substrate 1 is an optical connector 5 for connecting the optical integrated circuit 3 and the optical fiber 40, and includes a plug member 7 attached to the optical fiber 40, and a receptacle member 6 disposed on the optical integrated circuit 3 and connected to the plug member 7 to transmit the optical signal L between the optical integrated circuit 3 and the optical fiber 40. It also includes a lock mechanism 9 for switching between a locked state in which the plug member 7 and the receptacle member 6 are connected and a unlocked state in which the plug member 7 and the receptacle member 6 are detachable. By providing such a lock mechanism 9 that can switch between the locked state and the unlocked state, the optical fiber 40 can be easily and detachably attached to the receptacle member 6. Therefore, the optical fiber 40 can be easily and detachably attached to the optical integrated circuit 3 via the receptacle member 6.

[0064] Also, as described above, the receptacle member 6 has a first collimator lens 621 facing the optical fiber 40 and a second collimator lens 622 facing the optical integrated circuit 3. The optical signal L passes through the optical path 623 between the first collimator lens 621 and the second collimator lens 622. With such a configuration, the optical signal L, which is parallel light, passes through the optical path 623 in the receptacle member 6. Therefore, as the receptacle member 6, for example, it is not necessary to use a general "optical waveguide" in which the core is covered with a cladding and the light incident on the core is propagated while being reflected at these interfaces, and the optical integrated circuit 3 and the optical fiber 40 can be optically connected. Therefore, the configuration of the receptacle member 6 is simplified, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[0065] Also, as described above, the first collimator lens 621 and the optical fiber 40 are separated from each other, and the second collimator lens 622 and the optical integrated circuit 3 are separated from each other. By adopting such a configuration, contact between the first collimator lens 621 and the plug member 7 can be avoided, and damage to the first collimator lens 621 due to contact with the plug member 7 can be effectively suppressed. Also, contact between the second collimator lens 622 and the optical integrated circuit 3 can be avoided, and damage to the second collimator lens 622 due to contact with the optical integrated circuit 3 can be effectively suppressed.

[0066] Also, as described above, the receptacle member 6 is provided in the optical path 623 and has a light reflecting surface 631a that changes the direction of the optical path 623. According to such a configuration, the optical path 623 can be freely designed, and the degree of freedom in designing the optical connector 5 is increased.

[0067] Also, as described above, the optical connector 5 includes pins 811 and 812 that fit into the receptacle member 6 and the plug member 7, and has a positioning mechanism 8 that positions the receptacle member 6 and the plug member 7. According to such a configuration, the receptacle member 6 and the plug member 7 can be easily positioned.

[0068] Also, as described above, the receptacle member 6 is provided on the tip surface 6A, which is the surface facing the plug member 7, and has first fitting holes 661 and 662 into which the pins 811 and 812 are fitted. The plug member 7 is provided on the tip surface 7A, which is the surface facing the receptacle member 6, and has second fitting holes 761 and 762 into which the pins 811 and 812 are fitted. According to such a configuration, the first collimator lens 621 provided on the tip surface 6A of the receptacle member 6 and the optical fiber 40 provided on the tip surface 7A of the plug member 7 can be positioned more accurately.

[0069] Also, as described above, the pins 811 and 812 are fixed to the receptacle member 6 in a state of being fitted into the first fitting holes 661 and 662. By fixing the pins 811 and 812 to the receptacle member 6 in this way, the connection of the plug member 7 to the receptacle member 6 becomes easy. Further, by fixing the pins 811 and 812 to the receptacle member 6 instead of the plug member 7, the pins 811 and 812 do not get in the way during the cleaning of the tip surface 7A of the plug member 7, and the cleaning can be easily performed.

[0070] Also, as described above, the locking mechanism 9 has a locking member 91 rotatably connected to the receptacle member 6, and in a state where the receptacle member 6 and the plug member 7 are connected, the locking member 91 is engaged with the plug member 7 to be in a locked state. According to such a configuration, the locking mechanism 9 has a simple configuration. Also, the switching between the locked state and the unlocked state becomes easy.

[0071] Also, as described above, the locking member 91 has biasing portions 951 and 952 that bias the plug member 7 toward the receptacle member 6 in the locked state. According to such a configuration, in the locked state, the plug member 7 is pressed against the receptacle member 6, and the receptacle member 6 and the plug member 7 are held more firmly.

[0072] Also, as described above, the locking member 91 has a window portion 921 that overlaps with the boundary portion between the receptacle member 6 and the plug member 7 in the locked state. According to such a configuration, even in the locked state, the connection state between the receptacle member 6 and the plug member 7 can be confirmed through the window portion 921.

[0073] <Second Embodiment> FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing a receptacle member included in the optical connector according to the second embodiment. FIG. 19 is a top view of the receptacle member shown in FIG. 18.

[0074] The optical connector 5 of this embodiment is the same as the optical connector 5 of the first embodiment described above, except that the configuration of the receptacle member 6 is different. Therefore, in the following description, regarding this embodiment, the differences from the first embodiment described above will be mainly described, and the description of the same matters will be omitted. Also, in each figure of this embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as those of the above-described embodiments.

[0075] As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the receptacle member 6 of this embodiment is provided on the upper surface 6C and has a recess 67 disposed so as to cross each optical path 623 in the Y-axis direction. Therefore, the receptacle member 6 has an air layer 670 formed by the recess 67 in the middle of each optical path 623. And the light L passes through this air layer 670 while passing through the optical path 623. By providing the air layer 670 in the middle of the optical path 623 in this way, compared with the case where the entire area of the optical path 623 is composed of a resin material or a glass material as in the first embodiment described above, the loss of the light L due to passing through the optical path 623 can be reduced. Therefore, light L with stronger intensity can be transmitted.

[0076] As described above, in the optical connector 5 of this embodiment, the receptacle member 6 has an air layer 670 in the optical path 623, and the light L passes through the air layer 670. By adopting such a configuration, the loss of the light L due to passing through the optical path 623 can be reduced.

[0077] Such a second embodiment can also exhibit the same effects as those of the first embodiment described above.

[0078] <Third Embodiment> FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view showing a receptacle member included in the optical connector according to the third embodiment. FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the receptacle member shown in FIG. 20.

[0079] The optical connector 5 of the present embodiment is the same as the optical connector 5 of the first embodiment described above, except that the configuration of the receptacle member 6 is different. Therefore, in the following description, regarding the present embodiment, the differences from the first embodiment described above will be mainly described, and the description of the same matters will be omitted. Also, in each figure of the present embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as those of the above-described embodiments.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 20, in the present embodiment, the optical axis of the light emitting and receiving unit 31 coincides with the X-axis. On the other hand, in the receptacle member 6, the first recess 631 (light reflecting surface 631a) is omitted from the configuration of the first embodiment described above, and further, a second recess 612 is provided on the base end surface 6B thereof, and a plurality of second collimator lenses 622 are provided on the bottom surface of the second recess 612. That is, in the receptacle member 6 of the present embodiment, the corresponding first collimator lens 621 and second collimator lens 622 are arranged side by side in the X-axis direction, and each optical path 623 is in a straight line along the X-axis. Then, with the plurality of second collimator lenses 622 aligned with the optical axis of the light emitting and receiving unit 31, the base end surface 6B of the receptacle member 6 is fixed to the side surface of the optical integrated circuit 3 via an adhesive (not shown).

[0081] Also, such a third embodiment can exhibit the same effects as those of the first embodiment described above. As shown in FIG. 21, a recess 67 as in the second embodiment described above may be provided in the receptacle member 6 of the present embodiment, and an air layer 670 may be disposed in the middle of each optical path 623.

[0082] <Fourth Embodiment> FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view showing a receptacle member included in an optical connector according to the fourth embodiment.

[0083] The optical connector 5 of this embodiment is the same as the optical connector 5 of the first embodiment described above, except that the configuration of the receptacle member 6 is different. Therefore, in the following description, regarding this embodiment, the differences from the first embodiment described above will be mainly described, and the description of the same matters will be omitted. Also, in the drawings of this embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the configurations that are the same as those of the above-described embodiments.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 22, in this embodiment, the optical axis of the light transmitting and receiving unit 31 coincides with the X axis. On the other hand, the receptacle member 6 of this embodiment has a rectangular notch 68 that notches the corner between the lower surface 6D and the base end surface 6B, and is fixed to the optical integrated circuit 3 via an adhesive (not shown) so that the inner corner of the notch 68 and the exit corner of the optical integrated circuit 3 are aligned.

[0085] Also, in the receptacle member 6 of this embodiment, a second recessed portion 612 is provided on the side surface of the notch 68, and a plurality of second collimator lenses 622 are provided at a position on the bottom surface of the second recessed portion 612 that faces the light transmitting and receiving unit 31. Further, in the receptacle member 6 of this embodiment, a second recess 632 extending along the Y-axis direction is provided on the lower surface 6D, and the inner surface of the second recess 632 constitutes a light reflecting surface 632a (mirror) that reflects the light L passing through the receptacle member 6. And the light reflecting surfaces 631a and 632a are arranged in the Z-axis direction. The light reflecting surface 632a is planar, like the light reflecting surface 631a, and is inclined at 45° with respect to the X axis.

[0086] The light L emitted from the light emitting and receiving unit 31 is made parallel by a predetermined second collimator lens 622 facing it and enters the receptacle member 6. Then, the parallel light L travels inside the receptacle member 6 in the positive X-axis direction, is reflected by 90° at the light reflecting surface 632a and travels in the positive Z-axis direction, and is further reflected by 90° at the light reflecting surface 631a and travels in the positive X-axis direction, and is emitted from the receptacle member 6 through the corresponding first collimator lens 621. The light L emitted from the first collimator lens 621 is focused by the first collimator lens 621 and enters the optical fiber 40 from the tip surface of the optical fiber 40 facing it near the focal point.

[0087] Conversely, the light L emitted from the optical fiber 40 is made parallel by a predetermined first collimator lens 621 facing it and enters the receptacle member 6. Then, the parallel light L travels inside the receptacle member 6 in the negative X-axis direction, is reflected by 90° at the light reflecting surface 631a and travels in the negative Z-axis direction, and is further reflected by 90° at the light reflecting surface 632a and travels in the negative X-axis direction, and is emitted from the receptacle member 6 through the corresponding second collimator lens 622. The light L emitted from the second collimator lens 622 is focused by the second collimator lens 622 and enters the light emitting and receiving unit 31 facing it near the focal point.

[0088] According to the configuration as described above, for example, compared with the third embodiment described above, the length of the optical connector 5 in the X-axis direction can be shortened. Therefore, a smaller optical connector 5 can be obtained.

[0089] Such a fourth embodiment can also exhibit the same effects as those of the first embodiment described above.

[0090] <Fifth Embodiment> FIG. 23 is a top view showing a lock member included in the optical connector according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 24 is a front view of the lock member. FIG. 25 is a side view of the lock member. FIG. 26 is a side view of the lock member as viewed from the side opposite to that of FIG. 25.

[0091] The optical connector 5 of the present embodiment is the same as the optical connector 5 of the first embodiment described above, except that the configuration of the locking member 91 is different. Therefore, in the following description, regarding the present embodiment, the differences from the first embodiment described above will be mainly described, and the description of the same matters will be omitted. In addition, in each figure of the present embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as those of the above-described embodiment.

[0092] In the first embodiment described above, the locking member 91 is formed by bending a plate material. However, as shown in FIGS. 23 to 26, the locking member 91 of the present embodiment is formed by bending a wire W. In such a locking member 91, as shown in FIG. 23, both ends of the wire W are engaged with holes 691 and 692 formed on both side surfaces 6E and 6F of the receptacle member 6, whereby the locking member 91 is rotatably connected to the receptacle member 6 about the rotation axis J.

[0093] The locking member 91 also has a contact portion W2 that contacts the base end surface 7B of the plug member 7 in the locked state. As shown in FIG. 24, the contact portion W2 is formed so as to avoid contact with the optical fiber cable 4. The separation distance between the rotation axis J and the contact portion W2 in the natural state (unlocked state) is smaller than the separation distance between the rotation axis J and the base end surface 7B. In the locked state, the wire W is elastically deformed as a whole or partially, and the plug member 7 is urged toward the receptacle member 6 by the restoring force.

[0094] Further, as shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, the locking member 91 has an engaging portion W1 that straddles the engaging protrusions 641 and 642 and engages with the engaging protrusions 641 and 642 in the locked state. Thereby, the unintentional rotation of the locking member 91 about the rotation axis J is restricted, and the locked state can be more reliably maintained.

[0095] Also by such a fifth embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment described above can be exhibited.

[0096] <Sixth Embodiment> FIG. 27 is a top view showing a locking mechanism of the optical connector according to the sixth embodiment. FIG. 28 is a top view showing a base member of the optical connector. FIG. 29 is a side view showing a locking member of the optical connector. FIG. 30 is a side view of the locking member viewed from the side opposite to FIG. 29. FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view of the locking member.

[0097] The optical connector 5 of the present embodiment is the same as the optical connector 5 of the first embodiment described above, except that the configuration of the locking mechanism 9 is different. Therefore, in the following description, regarding the present embodiment, the differences from the first embodiment described above will be mainly described, and the description of the same matters will be omitted. Also, in each figure of the present embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as those of the above-described embodiments.

[0098] As shown in FIG. 27, the locking mechanism 9 of the present embodiment includes a base member 90 fixed to the substrate 2 and a locking member 91 rotatably connected to the base member 90.

[0099] As shown in FIG. 28, the base member 90 is fixed to the substrate 2. Further, the base member 90 has a rectangular frame shape surrounding the optical integrated circuit 3. Note that the base member 90 is non-contact with the optical integrated circuit 3 disposed inside thereof. Also, the base member 90 has a pair of rotation shaft portions 901a and 901b provided on both inner side surfaces 90E and 90F. The rotation shaft portion 901a is a columnar protrusion protruding from the inner side surface 90E toward the minus side in the Y-axis direction, and the rotation shaft portion 901b is a columnar protrusion protruding from the inner side surface 90F toward the plus side in the Y-axis direction. These rotation shaft portions 901a and 901b are coaxially provided along the Y-axis and form the rotation shaft J of the locking member 91.

[0100] Further, the base member 90 has a pair of engaging protrusions 902a and 902b provided on both inner side surfaces 90E and 90F and on the tip surface 6A side with respect to the rotation axis J. As shown in FIG. 28, the engaging protrusion 902a protrudes from the inner side surface 90E toward the minus side in the Y-axis direction, and the tip thereof is rounded in a hemispherical shape. Similarly, the engaging protrusion 902b protrudes from the inner side surface 90F toward the plus side in the Y-axis direction, and the tip thereof is rounded in a hemispherical shape. The engaging protrusions 902a and 902b have a function of suppressing the unintended rotation of the lock member 91 and maintaining the locked state by being snap-fitted to the lock member 91 in the locked state.

[0101] Such a base member 90 can be made of, for example, a resin material, a metal material, or the like. The lock member 91 of the present embodiment, like the receptacle member 6, is made of various resin materials having heat resistance, strength, molding shrinkage rate, thermal expansion coefficient, flame retardancy, water absorption, etc. required for the base member 90, such as polyetherimide (PEI), polyimide (PI), polyamide (PA), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), PPS (polyphenylene sulfide), LCP (liquid crystal polymer), and the like.

[0102] As shown in FIG. 27, the lock member 91 has a U-shape, similar to the first embodiment described above, and includes an upper panel 92 and a pair of side panels 931 and 932 extending from both ends of the upper panel 92 in the minus Z-axis direction in the Y-axis direction. Further, as shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, a long hole 943 for engaging with the rotating shaft portion 901a of the base member 90 is provided at the base end portion of the side panel 931, and a long hole 944 for engaging with the rotating shaft portion 901b of the base member 90 is provided at the base end portion of the side panel 932. In this way, by engaging the long holes 943 and 944 with the rotating shaft portions 901a and 901b, the lock member 91 is rotatably connected to the base member 90 about the rotation axis J. Further, the long holes 943 and 944 extend in the X-axis direction in the locked state. Therefore, the lock member 91 can slide in the X-axis direction with respect to the base member 90 in the locked state. Conversely, contrary to this embodiment, a rotating shaft portion may be provided on the lock member 91, and a long hole for engaging with the rotating shaft portion may be provided on the base member 90.

[0103] In addition to the pair of biasing portions 951 and 952 provided at the tip ends of the side panels 931 and 932, the lock member 91 has a biasing portion 953 provided at the base end portion of the upper panel 92 as shown in FIG. 31. In the locked state, the plug member 7 and the receptacle member 6 positioned by the positioning mechanism 8 are sandwiched from both sides in the X-axis direction by the biasing portions 951, 952, and 953, so that the state in which the receptacle member 6 and the plug member 7 are positioned can be maintained. The biasing portion 953 has a contact portion 953a that contacts the base end surface 6B of the receptacle member 6, and a U-shaped spring portion 953b that connects the contact portion 953a and the upper panel 92, similar to the biasing portions 951 and 952. The separation distance D3 between the contact portion 953a and the contact portions 951a and 952a in the natural state (unlocked state) is slightly smaller than the separation distance D1 between the rotation axis J and the base end surface 7B of the plug member 7 in the state positioned by the positioning mechanism 8. That is, D3 < D1.

[0104] Also, as shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, the lock member 91 has engagement holes 961 and 962 formed in the side plates 931 and 932. In the locked state, these engagement holes 961 and 962 are engaged with the engagement protrusions 902a and 902b provided on the base member 90 by snap - fit connection. Therefore, in the locked state, unintentional rotation around the rotation axis J of the lock member 91 is restricted, and the locked state can be maintained more reliably. Note that the engagement holes 961 and 962 are elongated holes extending in the X - axis direction in the locked state, and are configured not to inhibit the slide of the lock member 91 in the X - axis direction with respect to the base member 90 in the locked state.

[0105] In such a lock mechanism 9, with the receptacle member 6 and the plug member 7 positioned by the positioning mechanism 8, the lock member 91 is rotated around the rotation axis J, and the contact portions 951a and 952a are brought into contact with the base end surface 7B of the plug member 7, and the contact portion 953a is brought into contact with the base end surface 6B of the receptacle member 6. Thereby, the receptacle member 6 and the plug member 7 are sandwiched by the lock member 91, and the state where the receptacle member 6 and the plug member 7 are positioned is maintained. Note that in this state, the engagement holes 961 and 962 of the lock member 91 are engaged with the engagement protrusions 902a and 902b of the base member 90 by snap - fit connection, and the locked state is maintained. Conversely, if the snap - fit connection is released and the lock member 91 is rotated in the reverse direction around the rotation axis J from the locked state, the unlocked state is achieved, and the plug member 7 can be removed from the receptacle member 6.

[0106] In particular, in the present embodiment, since the lock member 91 is slidable in the X - axis direction with respect to the base member 90 in the locked state, when the lock member 91 is in the locked state, it is difficult for a load to be applied to the base member 90 or the optical integrated circuit 3, and damage to these can be effectively suppressed.

[0107] Also, as described above, since the separation distance D3 < the separation distance D1, in the locked state, the spring portions 951b, 952b, 953b of the biasing portions 951, 952, 953 are each elastically deformed, and the contact portions 951a, 952a, 953a press the plug member 7 and the receptacle member 6 against each other by the restoring force thereof. Therefore, the receptacle member 6 and the plug member 7 are held more firmly.

[0108] As described above, in the optical connector 5 of the present embodiment, the optical integrated circuit 3 is mounted on the substrate 2. The locking mechanism 9 includes a base member 90 fixed to the substrate 2 and a lock member 91 rotatably connected to the base member 90. In a state where the receptacle member 6 and the plug member 7 are connected, the lock member 91 is engaged with the receptacle member 6 and the plug member 7 to be in a locked state. According to such a configuration, the locking mechanism 9 has a simple configuration.

[0109] Also, as described above, a pair of rotary shaft portions 901a, 901b are formed on one of the base member 90 and the lock member 91, and a pair of long holes 943, 944 that engage with the pair of rotary shaft portions 901a, 901b are formed on the other. In particular, in the present embodiment, a pair of rotary shaft portions 901a, 901b are formed on the base member 90, and a pair of long holes 943, 944 that engage with the pair of rotary shaft portions 901a, 901b are formed on the lock member 91. The lock member 91 is slidable along the long holes 943, 944 with respect to the base member 90. According to such a configuration, when the lock member 91 is in the locked state, it is difficult for a load to be applied to the base member 90 and the optical integrated circuit 3, and damage to these can be effectively suppressed.

[0110] Also, such a sixth embodiment can exhibit the same effects as those of the first embodiment described above.

[0111] <Seventh Embodiment> FIG. 32 is a top view showing an optical connector according to the seventh embodiment.

[0112] The optical connector 5 of the present embodiment is the same as the optical connector 5 of the sixth embodiment described above, except that the configuration of the locking member 91 is different. Therefore, in the following description, regarding the present embodiment, the differences from the sixth embodiment described above will be mainly described, and the description of the same matters will be omitted. Also, in the drawings of the present embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the configurations that are the same as those of the above-described embodiments.

[0113] In the sixth embodiment described above, the locking member 91 is formed by bending a plate material. However, as shown in FIG. 32, the locking member 91 of the present embodiment is formed by bending a wire W. In such a locking member 91, both end portions of the wire W are engaged with holes 903a and 903b formed in both inner side surfaces 90E and 90F of the base member 90, so that the locking member 91 is rotatably connected to the base member 90 about the rotation axis J.

[0114] Further, the locking member 91 has a contact portion W3 that contacts the base end surface 7B of the plug member 7 and a contact portion W4 that contacts the base end surface 6B of the receptacle member 6 in the locked state. The separation distance between the contact portion W3 and the contact portion W4 in the natural state (unlocked state) is smaller than the separation distance between the base end surfaces 6B and 7B. In the locked state, the wire W is elastically deformed as a whole or partially, and the plug member 7 and the receptacle member 6 are pressed against each other by the restoring force. Further, the locking member 91 has an engaging portion W5 that straddles the engaging protrusions 902a and 902b and engages with the engaging protrusions 902a and 902b in the locked state. Thereby, the unintentional rotation of the locking member 91 about the rotation axis J in the locked state is restricted, and the locked state can be maintained more reliably. Note that the contact portion W3 has, for example, the same configuration as the contact portion W2 of the fifth embodiment described above.

[0115] Also, such a seventh embodiment can exhibit the same effects as those of the first embodiment described above.

[0116] <Eighth Embodiment> FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional view showing an optical connector according to the eighth embodiment.

[0117] The optical connector 5 of this embodiment is the same as the optical connector 5 of the first embodiment described above, except that the configuration of the plug member 7 is different. Therefore, in the following description, regarding this embodiment, the differences from the first embodiment described above will be mainly described, and the description of the same matters will be omitted. Also, in the drawings of this embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the configurations that are the same as those of the above-described embodiments.

[0118] As shown in FIG. 33, the plug member 7 of this embodiment has a plurality of lenses 78 provided on the tip surface 7A. Each lens 78 is provided so as to overlap with the insertion hole 74 and closes the tip-side opening of the insertion hole 74. And the tip surface of each optical fiber 40 abuts against the back surface of the lens 78. That is, each lens 78 is positioned between the corresponding first collimator lens 621 and the tip surface of the optical fiber 40. Also, each lens 78 is a convex lens and condenses the light L emitted from the optical fiber 40 in the vicinity of the first collimator lens 621 facing the light L directly. Thereby, the diffusion of the light L emitted from the optical fiber 40 can be prevented, and the light L can be efficiently incident into the receptacle member 6 through the first collimator lens 621. Therefore, the loss of the light L can be effectively suppressed.

[0119] Such a plug member 7 is composed of a material having light transmissibility, such as a resin material or a glass material, for example, in the same manner as the receptacle member 6. The plug member 7 of this embodiment is composed of a resin material. By configuring the plug member 7 from a resin material, the formation of the plug member 7 becomes easy. Note that the resin material is not particularly limited, but for example, various resin materials having heat resistance, strength, molding shrinkage rate, thermal expansion coefficient, flame retardancy, water absorption, etc. required for the plug member 7, such as polyetherimide (PEI), polyimide (PI), polyamide (PA), methyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), etc., can be used.

[0120] As described above, in the optical connector 5 of the present embodiment, the plug member 7 has a lens 78 positioned between the first collimator lens 621 and the tip surface of the optical fiber 40. According to such a configuration, the diffusion of the light L emitted from the optical fiber 40 can be prevented, and the light L can be efficiently incident into the receptacle member 6 through the first collimator lens 621. Therefore, the loss of the light L can be effectively suppressed.

[0121] Even with such an eighth embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment described above can be exhibited.

[0122] As described above, the optical connector of the present invention has been described based on the illustrated embodiments. However, the optical connector of the present invention is not limited thereto, and the configuration of each part can be replaced with any configuration having the same function. Also, any other arbitrary components may be added to the present invention. Further, the embodiments may be appropriately combined.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0123] 1... Optoelectronic hybrid substrate, 2... Substrate, 3... Optical integrated circuit, 31... Light emitting and receiving part, 4... Optical fiber cable, 40... Optical fiber, 400... Exposed part, 41... Core part, 42... Coating layer, 5... Optical connector, 6... Receptacle member, 6A... Front end face, 6B... Base end face, 6C... Upper surface, 6D... Lower surface, 6E... Side surface, 6F... Side surface, 611... First recessed part, 612... Second recessed part, 621... First collimator lens, 622... Second collimator lens, 623... Optical path, 631... First recess, 631a... Light reflecting surface, 632... Second recess, 632a... Light reflecting surface, 641... Engaging projection part, 642... Engaging projection part, 651... Rotation shaft part, 652... Rotation shaft part, 661... First fitting hole, 662... First fitting hole, 67... Recess, 670... Air layer, 68... Notch, 691... Hole, 692... Hole, 7... Plug member, 7A... Front end face, 7B... Base end face, 7C... Upper surface, 71... Tip part, 72... Base end part, 73... Through hole, 731... First hole, 732... Second hole, 74... Insertion hole, 75... Mounting table, 751... Groove, 761... Second fitting hole, 762... Second fitting hole, 77... Adhesive, 78... Lens, 8... Positioning mechanism, 811... Pin, 812... Pin, 9... Locking mechanism, 90... Base member, 90E... Inner surface, 90F... Inner surface, 901a... Rotation shaft part, 901b... Rotation shaft part, 902a... Engaging projection part, 902b... Engaging projection part, 903a... Hole, 903b... Hole, 91... Locking member, 92... Upper panel, 921... Window part, 931... Side panel, 932... Side panel, 941... Engaging hole, 942... Engaging hole, 943... Long hole, 944... Long hole, 951... Biasing part, 951a... Contact part, 951b... Spring part, 952... Biasing part, 952a... Contact part, 952b... Spring part, 953... Biasing part, 953a... Contact part, 953b... Spring part, 961... Engaging hole, 962... Engaging hole, D1... Spacing distance, D2... Spacing distance, D3... Spacing distance, J... Rotation axis, L... Light, W... Wire, W1... Engaging part, W2... Contact part, W3... Contact part, W4... Contact part, W5... Engaging part

Claims

1. An optical connector for connecting an optical integrated circuit and an optical fiber, comprising: a plug member attached to the optical fiber; a receptacle member disposed on the optical integrated circuit and connected to the plug member to transmit light between the optical integrated circuit and the optical fiber; a lock mechanism for switching between a locked state in which the plug member and the receptacle member are connected and a unlocked state in which the plug member and the receptacle member are detachable.

2. The receptacle member includes: a first collimator lens facing the optical fiber; a second collimator lens facing the optical integrated circuit, wherein the light passes through an optical path between the first collimator lens and the second collimator lens. The optical connector according to claim 1.

3. The first collimator lens and the optical fiber are spaced apart, and the second collimator lens and the optical integrated circuit are spaced apart. The optical connector according to claim 2.

4. The plug member has a lens located between the first collimator lens and the tip surface of the optical fiber. The optical connector according to claim 2.

5. The receptacle member has a light reflecting surface provided in the optical path to change the direction of the optical path. The optical connector according to claim 2.

6. The receptacle member has an air layer in the optical path, and the light passes through the air layer. The optical connector according to claim 2.

7. The receptacle member and the plug member are provided with pins that fit together, and a positioning mechanism for positioning the receptacle member and the plug member. The optical connector according to claim 1.

8. The receptacle member has a first fitting hole provided on a surface facing the plug member, into which the pin fits, and the plug member has a second fitting hole provided on a surface facing the receptacle member, into which the pin fits. The optical connector according to claim 7.

9. The pin is fixed to the receptacle member in a state of being fitted into the first fitting hole. The optical connector according to claim 8.

10. The lock mechanism has a lock member rotatably connected to the receptacle member. The optical connector according to claim 1, wherein in a state where the receptacle member and the plug member are connected, the lock member is engaged with the plug member to bring the connector into the locked state.

11. The optical integrated circuit is mounted on a substrate, The lock mechanism includes a base member fixed to the substrate, and a lock member rotatably connected to the base member. The optical connector according to claim 1, wherein in a state where the receptacle member and the plug member are connected, the lock member is engaged with the receptacle member and the plug member to bring the connector into the locked state.

12. A pair of rotary shaft portions are formed on one of the base member and the lock member, and a pair of elongated holes engaging with the pair of rotary shaft portions are formed on the other. The optical connector according to claim 11, wherein the lock member is slidable along the elongated holes with respect to the base member.

13. The optical connector according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the lock member has a biasing portion that biases the plug member toward the receptacle member in the locked state.

14. The optical connector according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the lock member has a window portion that overlaps a boundary portion between the receptacle member and the plug member in the locked state.

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