Optical device, light-emitting device, optical cable, and connection method of optical device

Abstract

To provide an optical device capable of reducing measures for securing safety to output light in inter-device connection work used for optical communications.SOLUTION: An optical device comprises a light-emitting device and a host device. The light-emitting device includes: a housing extending along a first direction; a light-emitting device mounted in the housing; an optical connector including a first optical connection part provided at one end of the housing; and an electric connector including a first electric connection part provided at the one end of the housing and receiving a voltage for driving the light-emitting device. The host device includes: a host optical connector including a second optical connection part facing the first optical connection part and optically coupled to the first optical connection part; a host electric connector including a second electric connection part facing the first electric connection part and electrically connected to the first electric connection part; and a host substrate on which the host optical connector and the host electric connector are mounted. In the optical device, the light-emitting device and the host device are connected to each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an optical device, a light-emitting device, an optical cable, and a connection method for an optical device. This application claims priority based on Japanese Application No. 2020-037704 filed on March 5, 2020, and incorporates all the descriptions described in the above Japanese application.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an optical module (data link module) that inputs and outputs a voltage signal and signal light. This optical module includes a printed circuit board inserted into a housing and mounted with an optoelectronic conversion circuit and the like, and an optical interface unit and an electrical interface unit respectively connected to the printed circuit board. The optical interface unit is provided at one end in the longitudinal direction of the housing, and the electrical interface unit is provided at the other end in the longitudinal direction of the housing.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present disclosure provides an optical device. The optical device includes a light-emitting device and a host device. The light-emitting device includes a housing extending along a first direction, a light-emitting device mounted on the housing, and a first optical connection portion provided at one end of the housing, and includes an optical connector optically coupled to the light-emitting device, and an electrical connector provided at one end of the housing and including a first electrical connection portion that receives a voltage for driving the light-emitting device. The host device includes a host optical connector including a second optical connection portion that faces the first optical connection portion and is optically coupled to the first optical connection portion when connected to the light-emitting device, and a host electrical connector including a second electrical connection portion that faces the first electrical connection portion when the first optical connection portion and the second optical connection portion face each other and is electrically connected to the first electrical connection portion, and a host substrate on which the host optical connector and the host electrical connector are mounted. The light-emitting device and the host device are connected to each other.

[0005] The present disclosure provides a light-emitting device. The light-emitting device includes a housing extending along a first direction, a light-emitting device mounted on the housing, and a first optical connection portion provided at one end of the housing and optically coupled to an external optical transmission path, and includes an optical connector optically coupled to the light-emitting device, and an electrical connector provided at one end of the housing and including a first electrical connection portion that receives a voltage for driving the light-emitting device.

[0006] The present disclosure provides an optical cable. The optical cable includes an optical fiber extending along a first direction, a host optical connector that holds the optical fiber along the first direction, and a host electrical connector attached to the host optical connector. The host optical connector has a second optical connection portion provided at one end in the first direction and receiving light transmitted to the optical fiber, and the host electrical connector has a second electrical connection portion provided near one end and electrically connected to an external electrical wiring, and a third electrical connection portion electrically connected to another external electrical wiring along a second direction different from the first direction.

[0007] The present disclosure provides a method for connecting optical devices. The method for connecting the optical devices is a method for connecting a light-emitting device and a host device to each other. The connection method includes: (a) a housing extending along a first direction, a light-emitting device mounted on the housing, a first optical connection portion provided at one end of the housing, an optical connector optically coupled to the light-emitting device, and a flat first electrical connection portion provided at one end of the housing, and an electrical connector for receiving a voltage for driving the light-emitting device; (b) a host optical connector including a second optical connection portion facing the first optical connection portion, a host electrical connector including a concave second electrical connection portion facing the first electrical connection portion and into which the first electrical connection portion can enter, and a host substrate on which the host optical connector and the host electrical connector are mounted; (c) inserting a plurality of guide pins provided on the host optical connector into a plurality of guide holes provided on the optical connector; (d) causing the first electrical connection portion to enter the second electrical connection portion; (e) optically coupling the first optical connection portion to the second optical connection portion; and (f) electrically connecting the first electrical connection portion to the second electrical connection portion.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] [Problems to be Solved by the Present Disclosure] As new optical devices, modes using CPO (Co-Packaged Optics) and ELS (External Light Source) have been proposed. The ELS has a function as a light source for the CPO. The ELS includes a light-emitting element (for example, a laser diode or the like) and a transmission path (for example, an optical fiber or the like) for transmitting the light (for example, laser light) output from the light-emitting element. The ELS supplies continuous light (CW; Continuous Wave) to a plurality of channels of the CPO at one wavelength respectively. The light-emitting element used in the ELS is required to obtain a high output. For example, a light-emitting element that can obtain an output of 23 dBm or more and 27 dBm or less is known.

[0010] In the optical module described in Patent Document 1, an optical interface section and an electrical interface section are provided at different ends in the longitudinal direction. In such a device, when a voltage is input to the electrical interface section, the light-emitting element emits light. This light is transmitted to an external device via the optical interface section. However, when an external device (for example, a power supply) is connected to the electrical interface section provided at one end in a state where no transmission line is connected to the optical interface section, the light output from the optical interface section leaks from the other end where the optical interface section is provided. Usually, since the optical interface section faces the operator side, it is necessary to take measures for ensuring the safety of the output light during the connection operation between devices. For example, problems such as an increase in the number of components in the light-emitting device and an increase in the number of steps in the connection operation have occurred.

[0011] The present disclosure provides an optical device, a light-emitting device, an optical cable, and a method for connecting optical devices that can reduce measures for ensuring the safety of output light during the connection operation between devices used in optical communication.

[0012] [Effects of the Present Disclosure] According to the optical device, the light-emitting device, the optical cable, and the method for connecting optical devices according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce measures for ensuring the safety of transmitted light during the connection operation between devices used in optical communication.

[0013] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] First, the content of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. An optical device according to an embodiment includes a light-emitting device and a host device. The light-emitting device includes a housing extending along a first direction, a light-emitting device mounted on the housing, a first optical connection portion provided at one end of the housing, an optical connector optically coupled to the light-emitting device, and an electrical connector provided at one end of the housing and including a first electrical connection portion for receiving a voltage for driving the light-emitting device. The host device includes a host optical connector including a second optical connection portion that faces the first optical connection portion and is optically coupled to the first optical connection portion when connected to the light-emitting device, and a host electrical connector including a second electrical connection portion that faces the first electrical connection portion and is electrically connected to the first electrical connection portion in a state where the first optical connection portion and the second optical connection portion face each other, and a host substrate on which the host optical connector and the host electrical connector are mounted. The light-emitting device and the host device are connected to each other.

[0014] In this optical device, in the light-emitting device, both the first optical connection portion of the optical connector and the first electrical connection portion of the electrical connector are provided at one end of the housing. Then, at one end of the housing of the light-emitting device, the light-emitting device and the host device are connected in a state where the first optical connection portion faces the second optical connection portion of the host optical connector and the first electrical connection portion faces the second electrical connection portion of the host electrical connector. As a result, both the input of a voltage (for example, a power supply voltage and a voltage signal, etc.) to the first electrical connection portion and the output of light from the first optical connection portion are performed at one end of the housing. Therefore, the safety with respect to the output light is improved at the other end of the housing facing the operator side, so that it is possible to reduce the measures for ensuring the safety with respect to the output light.

[0015] In the above-described optical device, the host optical connector may include a pair of first guide pins that position the host optical connector with respect to the optical connector when the light-emitting device and the host device are connected, and a pair of second guide pins that are provided at positions sandwiching the pair of first guide pins and position the host optical connector with respect to the optical connector when the light-emitting device and the host device are connected. The outer diameter of the second guide pin may be larger than the outer diameter of the first guide pin. The length from the second optical connection portion to the tip of the second guide pin may be longer than the length from the second optical connection portion to the tip of the first guide pin. In this case, since the positioning is performed stepwise by the first guide pin and the second guide pin, the operability regarding the connection between the light-emitting device and the host device can be improved.

[0016] In the above-described optical device, the optical connector may include a first optical connection member including a first optical connection portion and a first holding member that holds the first optical connection member. The host optical connector may include a second optical connection member including a second optical connection portion and a second holding member that holds the second optical connection member. The second guide pin may be provided on the second holding member. The first guide pin may be provided on the second optical connection member. The first optical connection member may be provided with a pair of first guide holes into which the pair of first guide pins are respectively inserted. The first holding member may be provided with a pair of second guide holes into which the pair of second guide pins are inserted at positions sandwiching the pair of first guide holes. The inner diameter of the second guide hole may be larger than the inner diameter of the first guide hole. In this case, since the first optical connection member and the second optical connection member are positioned with respect to each other and the first holding member and the second holding member are positioned with respect to each other, more precise alignment can be achieved.

[0017] In the above-described optical device, the first optical connection portion may protrude from the first holding member in the first direction. The second optical connection portion may protrude from the second holding member in the first direction. In this case, when the light-emitting device and the host device are connected, the connection portion between the first optical connection portion and the second optical connection portion is not covered by the first holding member and the second holding member, so the visibility of the connection portion between the first optical connection portion and the second optical connection portion can be improved.

[0018] In the above-described optical device, the host optical connector may have an elastic body that applies a biasing force to the second optical connection member so that the second optical connection portion protrudes in the first direction more than the second electrical connection portion. The second holding member may hold the second optical connection member via the elastic body. The host electrical connector may be fixed to the second holding member. In this case, since the second optical connection portion is biased so as to protrude in the first direction more than the second electrical connection portion, the second optical connection portion is connected to the first optical connection portion before the second electrical connection portion is connected to the first electrical connection portion. Thereby, before power is supplied to the light-emitting device, an optical path from the first optical connection portion to the second optical connection portion is defined. Therefore, when a voltage is provided from the second electrical connection portion to the first electrical connection portion and light is output from the light-emitting device, the light is guided along the optical path defined previously, so the safety of the light output from the first optical connection portion is further improved.

[0019] In the above-described optical device, the host device may further include a first optical fiber attached to the host optical connector and optically coupled to the second optical connection portion, and a wiring connected to the second electrical connection portion and provided on the host substrate. The host electrical connector may be fixed to the host optical connector. Also, in the above-described optical device, the light-emitting device may further include a plurality of second optical fibers optically coupled to the light-emitting device and the first optical connection portion, respectively. The first optical connection portion may be arranged along a second direction intersecting the first direction and may be constituted by a plurality of optical coupling portions optically coupled to the plurality of second optical fibers, respectively.

[0020] In the above-described optical device, the second optical connection member may be detachable from the host optical connector along the first direction.

[0021] In the above-described optical device, the second optical connection member may be held by an elastic body with a biasing force of 3 N or more so as to protrude in the first direction from the second electrical connection portion in a state of being inserted into the host optical connector. When the second optical connection member is removed from the host optical connector, the second optical connection member and the elastic body may be removed at least integrally. In a state of being removed from the host optical connector, the elastic body may have a configuration that is detachable from the second optical connection member and the first optical fiber held by the second optical connection member.

[0022] A light-emitting device according to an embodiment includes a housing extending along a first direction, a light-emitting device mounted on the housing, a first optical connection portion provided at one end of the housing, an optical connector optically coupled to the light-emitting device, and an electrical connector provided at one end of the housing and having a first electrical connection portion for receiving a voltage for driving the light-emitting device.

[0023] According to this light-emitting device, since both the input of the voltage to the first electrical connection portion and the output of the light from the first optical connection portion are performed at one end of the housing, it is possible to reduce the measures for ensuring the safety of the output light at the other end.

[0024] An optical cable according to an embodiment includes an optical fiber extending along a first direction, a host optical connector holding the optical fiber along the first direction, and a host electrical connector attached to the host optical connector. The host optical connector is provided at one end in the first direction and has a second optical connection portion for receiving light transmitted to the optical fiber. The host electrical connector is provided in the vicinity of one end and has a second electrical connection portion electrically connected to an external electrical wiring and a third electrical connection portion electrically connected to another external electrical wiring along a second direction different from the first direction.

[0025] According to this optical cable, since the output of the voltage from the second electrical connection portion and the input of the light to the second optical connection portion are performed in the vicinity of each other, it is suitable as a counterpart device to be connected to a device that performs both the input of the voltage and the output of the light at a common one end.

[0026] A connection method of an optical device according to an embodiment is a connection method for connecting a light-emitting device and a host device to each other. This connection method includes: (a) a housing extending along a first direction, a light-emitting device mounted on the housing, and a first optical connection portion provided at one end of the housing, the light-emitting device and an optical connector optically coupled to each other, and a flat first electrical connection portion provided at one end of the housing, and an electrical connector for receiving a voltage for driving the light-emitting device; (b) a host optical connector including a second optical connection portion facing the first optical connection portion, a host electrical connector including a concave second electrical connection portion facing the first electrical connection portion and into which the first electrical connection portion can enter, and a host substrate on which the host optical connector and the host electrical connector are mounted; (c) inserting a plurality of guide pins provided on the host optical connector into a plurality of guide holes provided on the optical connector respectively; (d) causing the first electrical connection portion to enter the second electrical connection portion; (e) optically coupling the first optical connection portion to the second optical connection portion; and (f) electrically connecting the first electrical connection portion to the second electrical connection portion.

[0027] According to this connection method, both the electrical connection of the first electrical connection portion to the second electrical connection portion and the optical connection of the first optical connection portion to the second optical connection portion are performed at one end of the housing, so that it is possible to reduce the measures for ensuring the safety of the transmitted light.

[0028] [Details of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] Specific examples of an optical device, a light-emitting device, an optical cable, and an optical device connection method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited to these examples, and is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims. In the following description, the same reference numerals are given to the same elements or elements having the same function, and redundant descriptions may be omitted. In the description, the XYZ orthogonal coordinate system shown in the drawings may be referred to.

[0029] [Optical device] FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views showing an optical device 1 according to an embodiment. The optical device 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a light emitting device 2 and a host device 3, and the light emitting device 2 and the host device 3 are connected to each other. The light emitting device 2 is, for example, an ELS (External Light Source), and the host device 3 is, for example, a CPO (Co-Packaged Optics). The light emitting device 2 is inserted and removed (inserted and withdrawn) along a first direction with respect to the host device 3. In the present embodiment, the X-axis direction is the first direction.

[0030] [Light emitting device] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the light emitting device 2 of FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the light emitting device 2 includes a housing 10 (casing), an electrical connector 20, a light emitting device 30, an optical connector 40, and an optical wiring 50.

[0031] The housing 10 is a rectangular long metal member extending along the X-axis direction. The housing 10 has an upper housing 11 and a lower housing 12. The lower housing 12 has a pair of side walls 12a and 12b extending along the X-axis direction and a bottom plate 12c. In the housing 10, an accommodation space S is defined by the side walls 12a and 12b and the bottom plate 12c. An optical transmission assembly including a light emitting device 30, an optical connector 40, and an optical wiring 50 is mounted in the accommodation space S.

[0032] At one end portion 10a in the longitudinal direction (i.e., the X-axis direction) of the housing 10, the bottom plate 12c protrudes outside the accommodation space S. Further, a substantially U-shaped pull tab 13 extending to the other end portion 10b of the housing 10 is connected to the side walls 12a and 12b. An operator can easily perform the insertion and removal operation of the light emitting device 2 with respect to the host device 3 by gripping this pull tab 13 with a finger or the like and performing an operation of pushing and pulling the pull tab 13 along the X-axis direction.

[0033] The upper housing 11 has a flat plate 11a that covers the accommodation space S. A heat sink 11b is provided on the surface of the flat plate 11a on the side opposite to the accommodation space S. The surface of the flat plate 11a on the side of the accommodation space S is thermally connected to the transmission device, and heat dissipation to the external space is performed in the heat sink 11b, so that the upper housing 11 functions as a heat dissipation member.

[0034] The electrical connector 20 is composed of a printed wiring board 21 (PCBA; Printed Circuit Board Assembly). The printed wiring board 21 is mounted on the bottom plate 12c of the housing 10. The printed wiring board 21 extends along the X-axis direction so as to cover the bottom plate 12c. A part of the printed wiring board 21 protrudes outside the accommodation space S together with the bottom plate 12c at one end portion 10a of the housing 10.

[0035] The printed wiring board 21 has a dielectric substrate 21a, an electrical interface portion 21b (first electrical connection portion), and a device connection portion 21c. The electrical interface portion 21b is composed of a plate-like portion of the printed wiring board 21 that protrudes outside the accommodation space S, and includes a plurality of conductive patterns 22 provided on the main surface 21d of the dielectric substrate 21a at one end portion 10a. Note that conductive patterns 22 may also be provided on the back surface 21e of the dielectric substrate 21a at one end portion 10a. The electrical interface portion 21b is electrically connected to the host device 3 and is a portion that receives a voltage for driving the light emitting device 30.

[0036] The device connection portion 21c is composed of a plurality of conductive terminals 23 provided on the main surface 21d of the dielectric substrate 21a. The device connection portion 21c is electrically connected to the light emitting device 30. The device connection portion 21c inputs the voltage received by the electrical interface portion 21b to the light emitting device 30.

[0037] The light-emitting device 30 is mounted on the dielectric substrate 21a at approximately the center of the housing 10 in the X-axis direction. The light-emitting device 30 is connected to the optical wiring 50 at one end 30a in the X-axis direction and is connected to the device connection portion 21c at the other end 30b in the X-axis direction. One end 30a is an end located on the one-end 10a side of the housing 10, and the other end 30b is an end located on the other-end 10b side of the housing 10. The light-emitting device 30 incorporates a light-emitting element 31. The light-emitting element 31 is, for example, a laser diode. The light-emitting element 31 emits light by the voltage input to the electrical interface portion 21b. The light-emitting device 30 transmits this light to the optical interface portion 41c (described later) of the optical connector 40 via the optical wiring 50.

[0038] The optical connector 40 is mounted on the dielectric substrate 21a between the electrical interface portion 21b and the light-emitting device 30 in the X-axis direction. The optical connector 40 includes a ferrule 41 (first optical connection member), a holding member 42 (first holding member), and a plurality of guide holes 43.

[0039] The ferrule 41 is a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped member that holds the optical wiring 50. The ferrule 41 has a pair of end faces 41a and 41b orthogonal to the X-axis direction. The end face 41a is a face facing the electrical interface portion 21b side, and the end face 41b is a face facing the light-emitting device 30 side. The ferrule 41 has an optical interface portion 41c (first optical connection portion) at the end face 41a. In other words, the optical interface portion 41c is provided at one end 10a of the housing 10. The optical interface portion 41c is a portion optically coupled to the host device 3. The ferrule 41 holds the tip of the optical wiring 50, and the optical interface portion 41c is optically coupled to the optical wiring 50 and is optically coupled to the light-emitting device 30 via the optical wiring 50.

[0040] In this embodiment, the ferrule 41 is an MT (Mechanically Transferable) ferrule that holds an optical fiber group as the optical wiring 50. The optical fiber group as the optical wiring 50 has a plurality (for example, eight) of optical fibers 51 (second optical fibers) arranged along the Y-axis direction and extending along the X-axis direction respectively. The optical interface portion 41c has a plurality of optical coupling portions 41d arranged in a row along the Y-axis direction. The number of the plurality of optical coupling portions 41d is the same as the number of the optical fibers 51. The plurality of optical coupling portions 41d are optically coupled to the plurality of optical fibers 51 respectively. The plurality of optical coupling portions 41d may be the tip end faces of the plurality of optical fibers 51 exposed on the end face 41a.

[0041] The holding member 42 is a member that holds the ferrule 41. The holding member 42 has an outer shape of a rectangular parallelepiped that is slightly larger than the ferrule 41. The holding member 42 has a bottom plate 42a joined to the dielectric substrate 21a and a pair of side walls 42b extending along the side walls 12a, 12b of the housing 10 on the bottom plate 42a. A holding groove 42d is defined in the holding member 42 by the bottom plate 42a and the pair of side walls 42b. The cross-sectional shape of the holding member 42 orthogonal to the X-axis direction is substantially U-shaped. The ferrule 41 is held in the holding groove 42d such that the end face 41a of the ferrule 41 protrudes toward the electrical interface portion 21b side in the X-axis direction from the holding member 42.

[0042] The plurality of guide holes 43 are provided for positioning the light emitting device 2 and the host device 3 when connecting the light emitting device 2 and the host device 3. A plurality of guide pins 83 (described later) are inserted into the plurality of guide holes 43 respectively. The plurality of guide holes 43 are arranged in a row along the Y-axis direction. The plurality of guide holes 43 include a pair of guide holes 43a (first guide holes) and a pair of guide holes 43b (second guide holes).

[0043] The guide hole 43b has an inner diameter larger than that of the guide hole 43a. The pair of guide holes 43a extends along the X-axis direction at positions sandwiching the optical interface portion 41c in the Y-axis direction. The pair of guide holes 43a is provided in the ferrule 41 and opens to the end face 41a. The pair of guide holes 43b extends side by side with the pair of guide holes 43a at positions sandwiching the pair of guide holes 43a in the Y-axis direction. The pair of guide holes 43b is respectively provided in each side wall 42b of the holding member 42 and penetrates each side wall 42b in the X-axis direction.

[0044] [Host device] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the host device 3 includes an optical cable 60 and a printed wiring board 61 (host board). The printed wiring board 61 has a mounting surface 61a extending along the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. The optical cable 60 is mounted on the mounting surface 61a together with a plurality of electronic components (not shown).

[0045] The optical cable 60 includes an electrical connector 70 (host electrical connector), an optical connector 80 (host optical connector), and an optical wiring 90 extending along the X-axis direction. The electrical connector 70 is a mating connector to which the electrical connector 20 of the light emitting device 2 is connected, and the optical connector 80 is a mating connector to which the optical connector 40 of the light emitting device 2 is connected.

[0046] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an enlarged part of the optical device. The electrical connector 70 is joined to the printed wiring board 61. The electrical connector 70 has a base portion 71, a board connection portion 72 (see FIG. 5), and an electrical interface portion 73 (second electrical connection portion). The base portion 71 has a bottom surface 71a facing the mounting surface 61a of the printed wiring board 61 and a top surface 71b (see FIG. 5) opposite to the bottom surface 71a. The board connection portion 72 (third electrical connection portion) is constituted by a plurality of conductive terminals 74 provided on the bottom surface 71a. The board connection portion 72 is electrically connected to the electrical wiring (not shown) of the printed wiring board 61 along a second direction different from the X-axis direction (in this embodiment, the Z-axis direction).

[0047] The electrical interface unit 73 is provided at one end 71c of the base 71 in the X-axis direction. The electrical interface unit 73 is constituted by a concave portion that is recessed toward the other end 71d of the base 71 in the X-axis direction, and includes a plurality of conductive terminals 75 (see FIG. 8) arranged along the Y-axis direction. The electrical interface unit 21b of the light emitting device 2 can enter the electrical interface unit 73. When the electrical interface unit 21b of the light emitting device 2 enters up to the innermost part of the electrical interface unit 73, the plurality of conductive terminals 75 of the electrical interface unit 73 respectively come into contact with the plurality of conductive patterns 22 of the electrical interface unit 21b.

[0048] The optical connector 80 is mounted on the electrical connector 70. The optical connector 80 includes a ferrule 81 (second optical connection member), a cover member 82 (second holding member), and a plurality of guide pins 83.

[0049] The ferrule 81 is a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped member that holds the optical wiring 90. The ferrule 81 has a pair of end faces 81a and 81b (see FIG. 7) orthogonal to the X-axis direction. The end face 81a is a face facing the same direction as one end 71c of the electrical connector 70, and the end face 81b is a face facing the same direction as the other end 71d of the electrical connector 70. The end face 81a is exposed on the one end 80a side of the optical connector 80 in the X-axis direction. The ferrule 81 has an optical interface unit 81c (second optical connection unit) at the end face 81a. In other words, the optical interface unit 81c is provided at one end 80a of the optical connector 80. The electrical interface unit 73 is also provided in the vicinity of the one end 80a. The optical interface unit 81c is a portion optically coupled to the optical interface unit 41c in the light emitting device 2. The ferrule 81 holds the tip of the optical wiring 90, and the optical interface unit 81c is optically coupled to the optical wiring 90.

[0050] In this embodiment, the ferrule 81 is an MT ferrule that holds an optical fiber group as the optical wiring 90. The optical fiber group as the optical wiring 90 has a plurality (eight in this embodiment) of optical fibers 91 (first optical fibers) arranged along the Y-axis direction and extending along the X-axis direction respectively. The optical interface portion 81c has a plurality of optical coupling portions 81d arranged in a row along the Y-axis direction. The number of the plurality of optical coupling portions 81d is the same as the number of the optical fibers 91. The plurality of optical coupling portions 81d are optically coupled to the plurality of optical fibers 91 respectively. The plurality of optical coupling portions 81d may be the tip surfaces of the plurality of optical fibers 91 exposed on the end surface 81a.

[0051] The cover member 82 covers a part of the ferrule 81 and the electrical connector 70. The remaining part of the ferrule 81 protrudes in the X-axis direction from the cover member 82 on the one-end portion 80a side of the optical connector 80. The cover member 82 is joined to the top surface 71b of the base portion 71 in the electrical connector 70. In other words, the cover member 82 is fixed to the electrical connector 70. Further, the ferrule 81 is held by the cover member 82 so that the optical interface portion 81c can move relative to the electrical interface portion 73 in the X-axis direction.

[0052] Specifically, the optical connector 80 further has an elastic body 84 (see FIG. 7) housed inside the cover member 82, and the cover member 82 holds the ferrule 81 via the elastic body 84. The elastic body 84 is, for example, a push spring member (in this embodiment, a compression coil spring). The elastic body 84 is joined to the end face 81b of the ferrule 81. When the light-emitting device 2 and the host device 3 are connected to each other, the elastic body 84 biases the ferrule 81 toward the ferrule 41. Thereby, the PC (Physical Contact) load between the ferrules 41 and 81 is ensured. The elastic body 84 applies a biasing force to the ferrule 81 at one end 80a of the optical connector 80 so that the optical interface portion 81c protrudes in the X-axis direction more than the electrical interface portion 73. Note that, in a state where the ferrule 81 is inserted into the optical connector 80, the elastic body 84 may apply a biasing force of, for example, 3 N or more so that the ferrule 81 protrudes more than the electrical interface portion 73 in the X direction.

[0053] The plurality of guide pins 83 are provided for positioning the light-emitting device 2 and the host device 3 when the light-emitting device 2 and the host device 3 are connected. The plurality of guide pins 83 are arranged in a row along the Y-axis direction corresponding to the plurality of guide holes 43. The plurality of guide pins 83 include a pair of guide pins 83a (first guide pins) and a pair of guide pins 83b (second guide pins). The guide pin 83b has an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the guide pin 83a. Also, the length L1 from the optical interface portion 81c to the tip of the guide pin 83b is larger than the length L2 from the optical interface portion 81c to the tip of the guide pin 83a (see FIG. 5).

[0054] As shown in FIG. 4, when the light-emitting device 2 and the host device 3 are connected, a pair of guide pins 83a are inserted into the guide holes 43a. The pair of guide pins 83a extend along the X-axis direction at a position sandwiching the optical interface portion 81c in the Y-axis direction. The pair of guide pins 83a are provided on the end face 81a of the ferrule 81. A pair of guide pins 83b are inserted into the guide holes 43b when the light-emitting device 2 and the host device 3 are connected. The pair of guide pins 83b extend side by side with the pair of guide pins 83a at a position sandwiching the pair of guide pins 83a in the Y-axis direction. The pair of guide pins 83b are respectively provided on the cover member 82.

[0055] Also, in the optical connector 80, the ferrule 81 holding the optical wiring 90 made of the optical fiber 91 may be a separate member from the cover member 82 and may be configured to be detachable from the optical connector 80. In this case, when the ferrule 81 is removed from the optical connector 80, the ferrule 81 can be removed integrally with the elastic body 84. Also, when removed, the elastic body 84 may be configured to be detachable from the ferrule 81 and the optical wiring 90. By having such a detachable structure, when the optical interface portion 81c of the ferrule 81 or the optical wiring 90 is damaged, the ferrule 81 holding the optical wiring 90 can be easily replaced. In this case, the elastic body 84 can have a structure such as a resin having elasticity with a split structure or a leaf spring structure, for example, but is not particularly limited as long as it can apply a biasing force (for example, 3 N or more) in a state of being attached to the optical connector 80. When the elastic body 84 has a general-purpose spring structure, the optical wiring 90 with optical connection members such as connectors attached to both ends in a state where the optical fiber 91 is passed through the elastic body 84 in advance is used. In this case, it is also necessary to prepare a replacement member for the damaged optical interface portion 81c or the optical wiring 90 with the elastic body 84 attached in advance. On the other hand, by making the elastic body 84 detachable from the optical fiber 91 or the like, it is not necessary to prepare a replacement member with the elastic body 84 attached in advance, and the elastic body 84 can be used repeatedly.

[0056] [Method of Connecting Optical Devices] Next, with reference to FIGS. 5 to 10, a connection method of the optical device 1 that connects the light-emitting device 2 and the host device 3 to each other will be described. The connection between the light-emitting device 2 and the host device 3 is performed by an operation of inserting the light-emitting device 2 into the host device 3.

[0057] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a first step in the connection method of the optical device 1. First, in the first step, the above-described light-emitting device 2 and host device 3 are prepared. Specifically, the light-emitting device 2 is placed on the printed wiring board 61 so that the optical interface portion 41c in the light-emitting device 2 faces the optical interface portion 81c in the host device 3 along the X-axis direction. That is, the optical interface portion 81c faces the optical interface portion 41c when connecting the light-emitting device 2 and the host device 3 to each other. In this state, the electrical interface portion 21b in the light-emitting device 2 also faces the electrical interface portion 73 in the host device 3 along the X-axis direction.

[0058] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a second step in the connection method of the optical device 1. In the second step, the light-emitting device 2 is moved in the X-axis direction in a direction approaching the optical interface portion 81c, and a plurality of guide pins 83 provided on the optical connector 80 are inserted into a plurality of guide holes 43 provided on the optical connector 40, respectively. More specifically, first, a pair of guide pins 83b are inserted into the guide holes 43b, respectively, and then, following the guidance of the pair of guide pins 83b, the light-emitting device 2 is further moved in the X-axis direction, and a pair of guide pins 83a are inserted into the guide holes 43a.

[0059] FIGS. 7 and 8 are perspective views showing a third step and a fourth step in the connection method of the optical device 1. Note that FIG. 8 shows a structure in which a part of the host device 3 is cut away. In the third step, the light-emitting device 2 is further moved in the X-axis direction, and the tip of the electrical interface portion 21b is made to enter the electrical interface portion 73.

[0060] In the fourth step, the electrical interface unit 21b is further inserted into the electrical interface unit 73, and the end face 41a of the ferrule 41 and the end face 81a of the ferrule 81 are brought into contact with each other. Thereby, the optical interface unit 41c and the optical interface unit 81c are optically coupled. Specifically, a plurality of optical coupling portions 41d (for example, the tip end faces of the plurality of optical fibers 51 exposed on the end face 41a) and a plurality of optical coupling portions 81d (for example, the tip end faces of the plurality of optical fibers 91 exposed on the end face 81a) are physically contacted with each other. In the fourth step, since the conductive pattern 22 and the conductive terminal 75 are not in contact, the electrical interface unit 21b and the electrical interface unit 73 are not electrically connected.

[0061] FIGS. 9 and 10 are perspective views showing the fifth step in the connection method of the optical device 1. In the fifth step, by pushing the light emitting device 2 against the biasing force of the elastic body 84 joined to the end face 81b of the ferrule 81, the elastic body 84 is contracted, and the optical interface unit 81c is brought closer to the electrical interface unit 73. Thereby, the electrical interface unit 21b is further inserted into the electrical interface unit 73, and the electrical interface unit 21b is electrically connected to the electrical interface unit 73. More specifically, the conductive pattern 22 and the conductive terminal 75 are physically contacted with each other. Thus, the light emitting device 2 and the host device 3 are connected to each other, and the connection of the optical device 1 is completed.

[0062] [Operation and Effect] The operation and effects of the optical device 1, the light-emitting device 2, the optical cable 60, and the connection method of the optical device 1 described above will be described. In the optical device 1, in the light-emitting device 2, the optical interface portion 41c of the optical connector 40 and the electrical interface portion 21b of the electrical connector 20 are both provided at one end portion 10a of the housing 10. And at one end portion 10a of the housing 10 of the light-emitting device 2, the light-emitting device 2 and the host device 3 are connected in a state where the optical interface portion 41c faces the optical interface portion 81c of the optical connector 80 and the electrical interface portion 21b faces the electrical interface portion 73 of the electrical connector 70. Thereby, both the input of the voltage (the power supply voltage in this embodiment) to the electrical interface portion 21b and the output of the light from the optical interface portion 41c are performed at one end portion 10a of the housing 10. Therefore, since the safety with respect to the output light is improved at the other end portion 10b of the housing 10 facing the operator side, it is possible to reduce the measures for ensuring the safety with respect to the output light.

[0063] As in the above-described optical device 1, when the light-emitting device 2 and the host device 3 are connected, the optical connector 80 has a pair of guide pins 83a that position the optical connector 80 with respect to the optical connector 40, and is provided at a position sandwiching the pair of guide pins 83a. When the light-emitting device 2 and the host device 3 are connected, it has a pair of guide pins 83b that position the optical connector 80 with respect to the optical connector 40. The outer diameter of the guide pin 83b is larger than the outer diameter of the guide pin 83a, and the length L1 from the optical interface portion 81c to the tip of the guide pin 83b may be longer than the length L2 from the optical interface portion 81c to the tip of the guide pin 83a. In this case, since the positioning is performed stepwise by the guide pin 83a and the guide pin 83b, the operability regarding the connection between the light-emitting device 2 and the host device 3 can be improved.

[0064] Like the above-described optical device 1, the optical connector 40 has a ferrule 41 including an optical interface portion 41c and a holding member 42 that holds the ferrule 41. The optical connector 80 has a ferrule 81 including an optical interface portion 81c and a cover member 82 that holds the ferrule 81. The guide pin 83b is provided on the cover member 82, and the guide pin 83a is provided on the ferrule 81. The ferrule 41 is provided with a pair of guide holes 43a into which the pair of guide pins 83a are respectively inserted, and the holding member 42 is provided with a pair of guide holes 43b into which the pair of guide pins 83b are inserted at positions sandwiching the pair of guide holes 43a. The inner diameter of the guide hole 43b may be larger than the inner diameter of the guide hole 43a. In this case, since the holding member 42 and the cover member 82 are positioned relative to each other and the ferrule 41 and the ferrule 81 are positioned relative to each other, more precise alignment can be achieved.

[0065] Like the above-described optical device 1, the optical interface portion 41c may protrude in the X-axis direction from the holding member 42, and the optical interface portion 81c may protrude in the X-axis direction from the cover member 82. In this case, when the light-emitting device 2 and the host device 3 are connected, since the connection portion between the optical interface portion 41c and the optical interface portion 81c is not covered by the holding member 42 and the cover member 82, the visibility with respect to the connection portion between the optical interface portion 41c and the optical interface portion 81c can be improved.

[0066] Like the above-described optical device 1, the optical connector 80 has an elastic body 84 that applies a biasing force to the ferrule 81 so that the optical interface portion 81c protrudes in the X-axis direction more than the electrical interface portion 73. The cover member 82 holds the ferrule 81 via the elastic body 84, and the cover member 82 may be fixed to the electrical connector 70. In this case, since the optical interface portion 81c is biased so as to protrude in the X-axis direction more than the electrical interface portion 73, the optical interface portion 81c is connected to the optical interface portion 41c before the electrical interface portion 73 is connected to the electrical interface portion 21b. Thereby, before power is supplied to the light-emitting device 30, an optical path from the optical interface portion 41c to the optical interface portion 81c is defined. Therefore, when a voltage is provided from the electrical interface portion 73 to the electrical interface portion 21b and light is output from the light-emitting device 30, the light is guided along the previously defined optical path, so that the safety of the light output from the optical interface portion 41c is further improved.

[0067] According to the above-described light-emitting device 2, since both the input of the voltage to the electrical interface portion 21b and the output of the light from the optical interface portion 41c are performed at one end portion 10a of the housing 10, it is possible to reduce the measures for ensuring the safety of the output light at the other end portion 10b.

[0068] According to the above-described optical cable 60, since the output of the voltage from the electrical interface portion 73 and the input of the light to the optical interface portion 81c are performed in the vicinity of each other, it is suitable as a device on the opposite side connected to the light-emitting device 2 that performs both the input of the voltage and the output of the light at the common one end portion 10a.

[0069] According to the above connection method, both the electrical connection of the electrical interface unit 21b to the electrical interface unit 73 and the optical connection of the optical interface unit 41c to the optical interface unit 81c are performed at one end 10a of the housing 10. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the measures for ensuring the safety of the transmitted light.

[0070] Also, according to the above connection method, before the electrical interface unit 73 is connected to the electrical interface unit 21b, the optical interface unit 81c is connected to the optical interface unit 41c. Therefore, before power is supplied to the light-emitting device 30, the optical path from the optical interface unit 41c to the optical interface unit 81c is defined. Thus, the safety of the light output from the optical interface unit 41c is further improved.

[0071] The above embodiments have described one embodiment of the present disclosure. The optical device, light-emitting device, optical cable, and connection method of the optical device according to the present disclosure can be arbitrarily modified from the above-described embodiments. For example, as the light-emitting device, a device that transmits and receives light (for example, a transceiver, etc.) may be applied instead of the light-emitting device 2 in the above embodiment.

[0072] In addition, in the above embodiment, the optical connection between the ferrule 41 of the light-emitting device 2 and the ferrule 81 of the host device 3 is exemplified as a PC connection. However, the connection method is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, a spacer 100 is provided between the ferrule 41 and the ferrule 81, and the optical fiber 51 held by the ferrule 41 and the optical fiber 91 held by the ferrule 81 may be optically connected by an air-gap method. In this case, since the tip of the optical fiber 51 and the tip of the optical fiber 91 are not directly connected (air intervenes therebetween), the dust resistance performance can be improved compared to the PC connection. That is, according to this method, even if dust is sandwiched between the ferrules, it will not be crushed and fixed, so the dust can be easily removed by air blowing. The spacer 100 may be a thin film (film) having an opening provided around the end face 81a of the ferrule 81 so as not to block the optical path of the optical interface portion 81c. Also, the spacer 100 may be provided on the end face of the ferrule 41. Further, as a method other than the air-gap method, a lens method with high dust resistance may be applied to the optical connection structure between the light-emitting device 2 and the host device 3. In this lens method, for example, lenses are arranged on the end faces of the optical coupling portion 41d and the optical coupling portion 81d, and the beam diameter from the optical fiber is enlarged by these lenses to perform optical coupling as collimated light. In this method, even if dust adheres, the ratio of the dust hiding the optical path is relatively small, so it is possible to suppress a decrease in connection loss in optical coupling.

[0073] In addition, for the optical fiber 51 that constitutes the optical wiring 50 of the light-emitting device 2 and the optical fiber 91 that constitutes the optical wiring 90 of the optical cable 60 of the host device 3, any optical fiber may be used, but a polarization-maintaining fiber (PMF) can be used. When polarization-maintaining fibers are used for the optical fiber 51 and the optical fiber 91, at the coupling point between the light-emitting element 31 at one end 30a of the light-emitting device 30 and the optical fiber 51, and at the coupling point between the optical coupling portion 41d and the optical coupling portion 81d, they are connected with polarization-maintaining fibers whose rotation angles are adjusted so that the polarization dependencies match each other, thereby suppressing polarization crosstalk (XT) and polarization-dependent loss at the coupling portion and supplying light without loss of optical power.

[0074] In addition, since there are restrictions on the optical wiring space in the light-emitting device 2 and the host device 3, the optical fiber 51 and the optical fiber 91 can be low-bending-loss type optical fibers. When the optical fiber 51 and the optical fiber 91 are the above-described polarization-maintaining fibers, they can be low-bending-loss type polarization-maintaining fibers. To reduce the bending loss of the polarization-maintaining fiber, for example, by using a trench structure (see FIG. 12) in which the refractive index is decreased separately from the stress-applying portion, the confinement of light can be strengthened to reduce the bending loss.

[0075] Also, in the light-emitting device 2, as shown in FIG. 13, a detachable cap 110 may be provided on an end face having the optical connector 40 of the light-emitting device 2 so that dust does not adhere to the ferrule 41 or the optical interface portion 41c, and the ferrule 41 or the optical interface portion 41c may be covered with the cap 110. Similarly, in the host device 3, as shown in FIG. 14, a detachable cap 120 may be provided at the entrance of the host device 3 so that dust does not adhere to the ferrule 81 or the optical interface portion 81c, and the ferrule 81 or the optical interface portion 81c may be covered with the cap 120. Before inserting the light-emitting device 2 into the host device 3, a form may be adopted in which these caps 110 and 120 are removed and mated. Further, in the host device 3, as shown in FIG. 15, a dust-proof cover structure 130 may be provided on the ferrule 81 of the optical connector 80 or the entire optical connector 80 so that dust does not adhere to the optical interface portion 81c. Similarly, a dust-proof cover may be provided on the ferrule 41 of the optical connector of the light-emitting device 2 or the entire optical connector.

Explanation of Signs

[0076] 1… optical device 2… light-emitting device 3… host device 10… housing 10a… one end portion 10b… the other end portion 11… upper housing 11a… flat plate 11b… heat sink 12… lower housing 12a… side wall 12b… side wall 12c… bottom plate 13… pull tab 20… electrical connector 21… printed wiring board 21a… dielectric substrate 21b… electrical interface portion (first electrical connection portion) 21c… device connection portion 21d… main surface 21e… back surface 22… conductive pattern 23…Conductive terminal 30…Light-emitting device 30a…One end 30b…The other end 31…Light-emitting element 40…Optical connector 41…Ferrule (first optical connection member) 41a…End face 41b…End face 41c…Optical interface part (first optical connection part) 41d…Optical coupling part 42…Holding member (first holding member) 42a…Bottom plate 42b…Side wall 42d…Holding groove 43…Guide hole 43a…Guide hole (first guide hole) 43b…Guide hole (second guide hole) 50…Optical wiring 51…Optical fiber (second optical fiber) 60…Optical cable 61…Printed wiring board (host board) 61a…Mounting surface 70…Electrical connector (host electrical connector) 71…Base 71a…Bottom surface 71b…Top surface 71c…One end 71d…The other end 72…Board connection part (third electrical connection part) 73…Electrical interface part (second electrical connection part) 74…Conductive terminal 75…Conductive terminal 80…Optical connector (host optical connector) 80a…One end 81…Ferrule (second optical connection member) 81a…End face 81b…End face 81c…Optical interface part (second optical connection part) 81d…Optical coupling part 82…Cover member (second holding member) 83…Guide pin 83a… Guide pin (first guide pin) 83b… Guide pin (second guide pin) 84… Elastomer 90… Optical wiring 91… Optical fiber (first optical fiber) 100… Spacer 110… Cap 120… Cap 130… Dust-proof cover structure S… Accommodation space

Claims

1. A light-emitting device comprising a housing extending along a first direction, a light-emitting device mounted on the housing, an optical connector optically coupled to the light-emitting device and including a first optical connection portion provided at one end of the housing, and an electrical connector provided at one end of the housing and including a first electrical connection portion for receiving a voltage for driving the light-emitting device. When connected to the light-emitting device, a host optical connector including a second optical connection portion facing the first optical connection portion and optically coupled to the first optical connection portion, and a host electrical connector facing the first electrical connection portion in a state where the first optical connection portion and the second optical connection portion face each other and electrically connected to the first electrical connection portion, and a host substrate on which the host optical connector and the host electrical connector are mounted. Comprising: The light-emitting device and the host device are connected to each other, and the light device.

2. The host optical connector is: When the light-emitting device and the host device are connected, a pair of first guide pins for positioning the host optical connector with respect to the optical connector, A pair of second guide pins provided at positions sandwiching the pair of first guide pins and for positioning the host optical connector with respect to the optical connector when the light-emitting device and the host device are connected. The outer diameter of the second guide pin is larger than the outer diameter of the first guide pin. The length from the second optical connection portion to the tip of the second guide pin is longer than the length from the second optical connection portion to the tip of the first guide pin. The optical device according to claim 1.

3. The optical connector is: A first optical connection member including the first optical connection portion, A first holding member for holding the first optical connection member. The host optical connector is: A second optical connection member including the second optical connection portion, A second holding member for holding the second optical connection member. The first guide pin is provided on the second optical connection member. The second guide pin is provided on the second holding member. The first optical connection member is provided with a pair of first guide holes into which the pair of first guide pins are respectively inserted. The first holding member is provided with a pair of second guide holes into which the pair of second guide pins are inserted at positions sandwiching the pair of first guide holes. The inner diameter of the second guide hole is larger than the inner diameter of the first guide hole. The optical device according to claim 2.

4. The first optical connection part protrudes from the first holding member in the first direction. The second optical connection part protrudes from the second holding member in the first direction. The optical device according to claim 3.

5. The second optical connection member is detachable from the host optical connector along the first direction. The optical device according to claim 3 or claim 4.

6. The host optical connector has an elastic body that applies an urging force to the second optical connection member so that the second optical connection part protrudes in the first direction more than the second electrical connection part, The second holding member holds the second optical connection member via the elastic body, The host electrical connector is fixed to the second holding member. The optical device according to any one of claims 3 to 5.

7. The second optical connection member is held by the elastic body with an urging force of 3 N or more so as to protrude in the first direction from the second electrical connection part in a state of being inserted into the host optical connector. When the second optical connection member is removed from the host optical connector, the second optical connection member and the elastic body are removed at least integrally. In a state of being removed from the host optical connector, the elastic body has a configuration that is detachable from the second optical connection member and the first optical fiber held by the second optical connection member. The optical device according to claim 6.

8. The host device A first optical fiber attached to the host optical connector and optically coupled to the second optical connection part, A wiring provided on the host substrate and connected to the second electrical connection part, And further has The host electrical connector is fixed to the host optical connector. The optical device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The light emitting device further has a plurality of second optical fibers optically coupled to the light emitting device and the first optical connection part respectively, The first optical connection part is arranged along a second direction intersecting the first direction, and is constituted by a plurality of optical coupling parts optically coupled to the plurality of second optical fibers respectively. The optical device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A housing extending along the first direction, A light emitting device mounted on the housing, It has a first optical connection portion provided at one end of the housing and optically coupled to an external optical transmission path, and an optical connector optically coupled to the light emitting device, an electrical connector provided at one end of the housing and having a first electrical connection portion for receiving a voltage for driving the light emitting device, A light emitting device comprising.

11. An optical fiber extending along a first direction, A host optical connector for holding the optical fiber along the first direction, A host electrical connector attached to the host optical connector, Comprising, The host optical connector is provided at one end in the first direction and has a second optical connection portion for receiving light transmitted to the optical fiber, The host electrical connector is provided near the one end, and has a second electrical connection portion electrically connected to an external electrical wiring and a third electrical connection portion electrically connected to another external electrical wiring along a second direction different from the first direction, Optical cable.

12. A method for connecting an optical device that connects a light emitting device and a host device to each other, A step of preparing the light emitting device including a housing extending along a first direction, a light emitting device mounted on the housing, a first optical connection portion provided at one end of the housing, an optical connector optically coupled to the light emitting device, and a flat first electrical connection portion provided at one end of the housing, and an electrical connector for receiving a voltage for driving the light emitting device, A step of preparing the host device including a host optical connector including a second optical connection portion facing the first optical connection portion, a host electrical connector including a concave second electrical connection portion facing the first electrical connection portion and into which the first electrical connection portion can enter, and a host substrate on which the host optical connector and the host electrical connector are mounted, A step of inserting a plurality of guide pins provided on the host optical connector into a plurality of guide holes provided on the optical connector, A step of allowing the first electrical connection portion to enter the second electrical connection portion, A step of optically coupling the first optical connection portion to the second optical connection portion, A step of electrically connecting the first electrical connection portion to the second electrical connection portion, A method for connecting an optical device including.

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