Optical modules and information equipment

Abstract

To provide optical modules and information equipment that can improve the reliability of optical fibers. [Solution] The optical module comprises a substrate having a main surface, an optical element disposed on the main surface, a lens component disposed on the main surface, an optical fiber having a tip and a covering portion continuous from the tip, a covering member that covers the covering portion so that the tip is exposed, an auxiliary member, and an adhesive portion. The lens component has an optical fiber holding portion that holds the tip and a lens portion disposed on the optical path between the optical element and the tip of the optical fiber. The auxiliary member is disposed in a first direction from the tip of the optical fiber toward the covering portion relative to the optical fiber holding portion. The adhesive portion adheres the covering member and the auxiliary member.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a notebook personal computer provided with a hinge mechanism. The notebook personal computer includes a first housing incorporating a circuit board, a hard disk drive, etc., and a second housing having a liquid crystal display. Patent Document 2 discloses an electronic device including an electronic device main body, a rotating device rotatably attached by a hinge mechanism, and an electric wire connecting the electronic device main body and the rotating device. Patent Document 3 discloses a tape recorder editing machine having an electronic device main body and a rotating device which is a display unit that rotates with respect to the electronic device main body.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

Patent Document 5

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Incidentally, in information equipment, the signal transmission capacity is increasing due to reasons such as improvements in the performance of the electrical equipment built into the equipment. Furthermore, it is anticipated that the number of electrical devices installed in information equipment will increase. With the increase in signal transmission capacity and the increase in the number of electrical devices installed in information equipment, it may be necessary to use thicker wires or increase the number of wires.

[0005] To reduce the area occupied by wiring in information equipment, it is conceivable to use optical modules with optical fibers capable of high-capacity signal transmission. In this case, the optical module needs to be miniaturized in order to be integrated into the information equipment. As the optical module is miniaturized, the lens component that holds the tip of the optical fiber is also miniaturized, and the part of the lens component that holds the tip of the optical fiber becomes smaller. In this case, there is a risk that the effect of external forces acting on the optical fiber on the tip of the optical fiber will increase.

[0006] This disclosure aims to provide optical modules and information equipment that can improve the reliability of optical fibers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An optical module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a substrate having a main surface, an optical element disposed on the main surface, a lens component disposed on the main surface, an optical fiber having a tip portion and a covering portion continuous with the tip portion, a covering member that covers the covering portion so that the tip portion is exposed, an auxiliary member, and an adhesive portion. The lens component has an optical fiber holding portion that holds the tip portion and a lens portion disposed on the optical path between the optical element and the tip portion of the optical fiber. The auxiliary member is disposed in a first direction toward the covering portion from the tip portion of the optical fiber relative to the optical fiber holding portion. The adhesive portion adheres the covering member and the auxiliary member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to one aspect of this disclosure, it is possible to provide an optical module that can improve the reliability of optical fibers. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an information device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a top view showing the optical module included in the information device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a top view showing an enlarged portion of the optical module shown in Figure 2. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view along the line IV-IV in Figure 3. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is an enlarged top view showing a part of the optical module according to a modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is an enlarged top view showing a portion of the optical module according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view along the line VII-VII in Figure 6. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a perspective view showing an information device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a top view showing a magnified portion of the optical module of the information device shown in Figure 8. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view along line XX in Figure 9. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the adhesive has filled the through-hole of the fixing part. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is an enlarged top view showing a portion of the optical module of the information device according to the fourth embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] [Description of Embodiments in this Disclosure] First, the embodiments of this disclosure will be listed and explained. [1]An optical module according to an embodiment includes a substrate having a main surface, an optical element disposed on the main surface, a lens component disposed on the main surface, an optical fiber having a tip portion and a coating portion continuous from the tip portion, a coating member covering the coating portion so that the tip portion is exposed, an auxiliary member, and an adhesive portion. The lens component has an optical fiber holding portion that holds the tip portion and a lens portion disposed on the optical path between the optical element and the tip portion of the optical fiber. The auxiliary member is disposed in a first direction from the tip portion of the optical fiber toward the coating portion with respect to the optical fiber holding portion. The adhesive portion adheres the coating member and the auxiliary member.

[0011] In this optical module, a coating member covering the optical fiber is adhered by an adhesive portion to an auxiliary member disposed in a first direction from the tip portion of the optical fiber toward the coating portion with respect to the optical fiber holding portion. Thus, by adhering the coating member to the auxiliary member in front of the tip portion of the optical fiber, the influence of an external force acting on the optical fiber (e.g., external forces such as bending, twisting, and tension of the optical fiber) on the tip portion of the optical fiber can be reduced. Thereby, for example, damage to the tip portion of the optical fiber due to an external force acting on the optical fiber can be prevented. Therefore, according to this optical module, the reliability of the optical fiber can be enhanced.

[0012] [2]In the optical module of [1] above, the adhesive portion may adhere the tip portion and the optical fiber holding portion and may spread from the optical fiber holding portion toward the auxiliary member. In this case, the tip portion of the optical fiber can be fixed to the optical fiber holding portion, and the coating member can be fixed to the auxiliary member. Thereby, the optical fiber can be stably fixed.

[0013] [3]In the optical module of [1] or [2] above, the auxiliary member may be disposed between the coating member and the main surface and may be fixed to the main surface. In this case, the auxiliary member can support the coating member, and the optical fiber can be stably fixed.

[0014] [4] In the optical module described in [3] above, the auxiliary member is located on the opposite side of the optical fiber holding portion and has a corner facing the covering member, and the corner may be chamfered. For example, when an external force such as bending of the optical fiber occurs, the covering member covering the optical fiber portion follows the chamfered corner, thereby further reducing the effect on the tip of the optical fiber (stress transmitted to the tip). Therefore, the reliability of the optical fiber can be further improved.

[0015] [5] In the optical module described in [3] or [4] above, the auxiliary member may be formed such that, when viewed from a second direction intersecting the main surface, its width decreases as it moves away from the optical fiber holding portion in the first direction. In this case, the narrower portion of the auxiliary member (the portion relatively far from the tip of the optical fiber) becomes softer. As a result, when an external force such as bending of the optical fiber occurs, the narrower portion is more easily deformed, and as a result, the impact on the tip of the optical fiber can be further reduced. Therefore, the reliability of the optical fiber can be further improved.

[0016] [6] In any of the optical modules described in [3] to [5] above, the Young's modulus of the auxiliary member may be smaller than that of the optical fiber. In this case, the auxiliary member becomes relatively softer. This allows the auxiliary member to absorb external forces, such as bending of the optical fiber, thereby further reducing the impact on the tip of the optical fiber (stress transmitted to the tip).

[0017] [7] In any of the optical modules described in [1] to [6] above, the auxiliary member may be aligned with the covering member in a third direction that intersects the first direction and is parallel to the main surface. By aligning the auxiliary member with the covering member in the third direction, bending of the optical fiber in the third direction can be effectively prevented.

[0018] [8] In the optical module described in [7] above, the auxiliary member comprises a dummy optical fiber that does not transmit light and a dummy covering member that covers the dummy optical fiber, the tip of the dummy optical fiber being held by the optical fiber holder, and the adhesive portion may bond the covering member and the dummy covering member. In this case, the adhesive area of ​​the covering member can be increased while arranging the dummy optical fiber and the dummy covering member using the optical fiber holder.

[0019] [9] In any of the optical modules described in [1] to [8] above, the auxiliary member is positioned between the covering member and the main surface and includes a first auxiliary member fixed to the main surface and a second auxiliary member that intersects the first direction and is aligned with the covering member in a third direction along the main surface, and the adhesive portion may bond the covering member and the first auxiliary member, as well as the covering member and the second auxiliary member. In this case, the bonding area of ​​the covering member can be increased, and the optical fiber can be fixed more stably. Therefore, the impact on the tip of the optical fiber can be reduced, and as a result, the reliability of the optical fiber can be increased.

[0020]

[10] An information device according to one embodiment may include an optical module from any of [1] to [9] above and a housing for housing the optical module. In this case, the information device can transmit light using the optical module.

[0021]

[11] An information device according to one embodiment comprises an optical module, a fixed part, and a housing that houses the optical module and the fixed part. The optical module includes a substrate having a main surface, an optical element disposed on the main surface, a lens component disposed on the main surface, and an optical fiber having a tip and a covering part continuous with the tip. The lens component includes an optical fiber holding part that holds the tip and a lens part disposed on the optical path between the optical element and the tip of the optical fiber. The fixed part is fixed to the housing in a first direction from the tip of the optical fiber toward the covering part with respect to the substrate, and holds the optical fiber.

[0022] In this information device, the optical fiber is held by a fixing part fixed to the housing in a first direction from the tip of the optical fiber toward the coating portion relative to the substrate. By holding the optical fiber by the fixing part before reaching the tip, the influence of external forces acting on the optical fiber (e.g., bending of the optical fiber) on the tip can be reduced. This prevents damage to the tip of the optical fiber due to external forces, for example. Therefore, this information device can improve the reliability of the optical fiber.

[0023]

[12] In the information device described in

[11] above, the fixed part has a through hole through which at least one optical fiber is inserted, and the through hole has an edge that opens to the opposite side of the substrate, and the edge may be curved in a convex shape so as to widen the width of the through hole. For example, when an external force such as bending of the optical fiber occurs, the optical fiber can follow the edge, thereby further reducing the effect on the tip of the optical fiber (stress transmitted to the tip).

[0024]

[13] The information device described in

[11] or

[12] above further comprises an elastic member, the fixing portion having a through hole through which at least one optical fiber is inserted, and the elastic member may be positioned between the optical fiber and the through hole. For example, when an external force such as bending of the optical fiber occurs, the elastic member can absorb the external force, thereby further reducing the effect on the tip of the optical fiber (stress transmitted to the tip).

[0025]

[14] Any of the information devices described in

[11] to

[13] above further comprises a first adhesive portion and a second adhesive portion, and the optical module further comprises a covering member that covers the covering portion so that the tip portion is exposed, the first adhesive portion adheres the tip portion and the optical fiber holding portion, the second adhesive portion adheres the fixing portion and the covering member, and the adhesive strength between the fixing portion and the covering member may be greater than the adhesive strength between the tip portion and the optical fiber holding portion. In this case, the tensile strength of the optical fiber can be improved.

[0026]

[15] In any of the information devices described in

[11] to

[14] above, the optical module further comprises a covering member that covers the covering portion so that the tip is exposed, an auxiliary member, and an adhesive portion, wherein the auxiliary member is positioned between the covering member and the main surface and comprises at least one of a first auxiliary member fixed to the main surface and a second auxiliary member that intersects in a first direction and is aligned with the covering member in a third direction along the main surface, and the adhesive portion may bond the covering member to at least one of the first auxiliary member and the second auxiliary member. In this way, the adhesive area of ​​the covering member is increased by the auxiliary member, and the optical fiber is further held by the fixing portion, thereby fixing the optical fiber more stably. Therefore, when external forces such as bending of the optical fiber occur, the effect on the tip of the optical fiber (stress transmitted to the tip) can be further reduced.

[0027] [Details of the embodiments of this disclosure] Specific examples of optical modules and information devices according to the embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals will be used for elements that are the same or have the same function, and redundant descriptions will be omitted. However, the present invention is not limited to these examples and is intended to be shown in the claims, with all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims being included.

[0028] [First Embodiment] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an example of an information device according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 is a diagram showing the optical module included in the information device shown in Figure 1. The information device 1 has a monitor unit 2, a main unit 3, and a hinge unit 4. In this embodiment, the information device 1 is a notebook computer. The monitor unit 2 and the main unit 3 are connected to each other via the hinge unit 4. The hinge unit 4 is a part that allows the monitor unit 2 to rotate relative to the main unit 3 about a rotation axis R.

[0029] The monitor unit 2 includes a display 21, a camera 22, and a housing 23. The display 21 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and the camera 22 is, for example, a webcam. The display 21 and camera 22 are driven by electrical signals. The housing 23 is formed in the shape of a flat rectangular parallelepiped. The housing 23 holds the display 21 and camera 22.

[0030] The main unit 3 includes a keyboard 31, a touchpad 32, a power button 33, a motherboard 34, and a casing 35. The keyboard 31, touchpad 32, and power button 33 are each electrically connected to the motherboard 34. The keyboard 31, touchpad 32, and power button 33 are parts operated by the user of the information device 1. When the keyboard 31, touchpad 32, and power button 33 are operated, signals are output from the motherboard 34 to each part of the information device 1, causing each part of the information device 1 to function. The casing 35 is formed in a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape. The casing 35 is held by the keyboard 31, touchpad 32, and power button 33.

[0031] Information device 1 further comprises an optical module 5. The optical module 5 is housed in the housing of information device 1 (in this embodiment, the housing 23 of the monitor unit 2 and the housing 35 of the main unit 3). The optical module 5 has substrates 51, 61, optical elements 52, 62, lens components 53, 63, electrical connectors 54, 64, and an optical fiber 55. In the optical module 5 shown in Figure 2, the optical fiber 55 extends straight along direction D1. The optical elements 52, lens components 53, and electrical connectors 54 are mounted on substrate 51. The optical elements 62, lens components 63, and electrical connectors 64 are mounted on substrate 61. Both ends of the optical fiber 55 are held by the lens components 53, 63, respectively.

[0032] The circuit board 51 is located on the monitor unit 2 and is housed in the housing 23. An image signal from, for example, the camera 22 is input to the electrical connector 54. The optical element 52 converts the electrical signal into an optical signal. The optical element 52 is, for example, a VCSEL (Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser), a type of semiconductor laser diode. The optical element 52 converts the electrical signal from the camera 22 into an optical signal. This optical signal is focused into an optical fiber 55 by the lens component 53.

[0033] The circuit board 61 is located in the main body 3 and housed in the casing 35. The optical signal from the optical fiber 55 is focused onto the optical element 62 by the lens component 63. The optical element 62 converts the optical signal into an electrical signal. The optical element 62 is, for example, a photodiode (PD). The optical element 62 converts the optical signal from the optical fiber 55 into an electrical signal. This electrical signal is output to the motherboard 34 from the electrical connector 64 and processed by the chipset mounted on the motherboard 34.

[0034] As shown in Figure 1, the optical fiber 55 extends from the substrate 51, bypassing the display 21, toward the substrate 61, with the optical module 5 housed in the information device 1. The hinge portion 4 has, for example, a hole, through which the optical fiber 55 extends from the monitor portion 2 to the main body portion 3.

[0035] The details of the optical module 5 will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. Figure 3 is a top view showing an enlarged portion of the optical module 5 shown in Figure 2. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view along line IV-IV in Figure 3. The portion of the optical module 5 located in the main body 3 has the same configuration as the portion of the optical module 5 located in the monitor 2. That is, the arrangement on the substrate 51 is the same as the arrangement on the substrate 61. For this reason, in the following description, the details of the arrangement on the substrate 51 will be described, and the description of the arrangement on the substrate 61 may be omitted. In the following description, the direction perpendicular to direction D1 will be referred to as direction D2 (third direction), and the direction perpendicular to both directions D1 and D2 will be referred to as direction D3 (second direction).

[0036] The optical fiber 55 has a tip portion 55a and a covering portion 55b that is continuous with the tip portion 55a. The optical module 5 further has a covering member 56, which covers the covering portion 55b so that the tip portion 55a is exposed. The tip portion 55a and the covering portion 55b are formed from, for example, glass fiber. The material of the covering member 56 is, for example, a resin material.

[0037] The substrate 51 is formed in a long rectangular shape in direction D1. The substrate 51 has a front end 51a, a rear end 51b, and a main surface 51c (see also Figure 2). The rear end 51b is located on the opposite side of the front end 51a in direction D1. The optical element 52 and the lens component 53 are arranged on the main surface 51c near the rear end 51b. The optical element 52 has an optical axis along direction D3 (a direction perpendicular to the main surface 51c). The lens component 53 is arranged on the main surface 51c so as to cover the optical element 52.

[0038] The lens component 53 has an optical path L inside it between the tip 55a of the optical fiber 55 and the optical element 52. At least the region of the lens component 53 that includes the optical path L is formed of a transparent material through which light can propagate, such as glass or transparent resin. The transparent resin is, for example, a polyetherimide resin. The lens component 53 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and its entirety is made of a light-transmitting material.

[0039] The lens component 53 has a plurality (six in this embodiment) of grooves 53a, a mirror portion 53b, and a lens portion 53c. The plurality of grooves 53a are formed in a region on the surface 53d of the lens component 53 near the rear end 51b. The tip portion 55a of the optical fiber 55 is placed in one of the plurality of grooves 53a. The plurality of grooves 53a are optical fiber holding portions that hold the tip portion 55a of the optical fiber 55. The lens component 53 may have only one groove 53a.

[0040] The mirror section 53b is optically coupled to the optical fiber 55. The mirror section 53b bends the optical path L between the tip 55a of the optical fiber 55 and the optical element 52 by changing the direction of light propagation. The mirror section 53b changes the direction of light propagation from the optical element 52, which propagates vertically, to a horizontal direction.

[0041] The mirror portion 53b forms part of the surface of the lens component 53. In this embodiment, the lens component 53 has a recess 53e formed on its surface 53d, and the mirror portion 53b forms part of the inner surface of the recess 53e. The recess 53e is recessed toward the substrate 51 on the surface 53d. Of the multiple inner surfaces forming the recess 53e, the inner surface near the optical fiber 55 is inclined with respect to the optical path L. The mirror portion 53b is formed by this inclined inner surface. The inner surface forming the mirror portion 53b reflects light due to the difference in refractive index between the forming material of the lens component 53 and the air present in the recess 53e.

[0042] The lens portion 53c is formed on the optical path L between the tip portion 55a of the optical fiber 55 and the optical element 52. The lens portion 53c is formed convexly on the surface of the lens portion 53c facing the substrate 51. The mirror portion 53b is optically coupled to the optical element 52 via the lens portion 53c.

[0043] The optical module 5 further includes a support member 57 (auxiliary member) and an adhesive portion 58.

[0044] The support member 57 is positioned between the covering member 56 and the main surface 51c of the substrate 51 and is fixed to the main surface 51c. The support member 57 supports the covering member 56 and the covering portion 55b inside it. The support member 57 is positioned on the main surface 51c near the rear end 51b. The support member 57 is positioned in the direction D1 (first direction) toward the covering portion 55b from the tip end 55a of the optical fiber 55 relative to the plurality of grooves 53a. In other words, the support member 57 is positioned in the space between the plurality of grooves 53a (lens components 53) and the rear end 51b of the substrate 51. The support member 57 may be in contact with the lens components 53 or may be separated from the lens components 53.

[0045] The support member 57 has a front end 57a and a rear end 57b located opposite the front end 51a in direction D1. The support member 57 is a plate member formed such that, when viewed from direction D3, its width narrows as it moves away from the plurality of grooves 53a in direction D1. Specifically, the support member 57 is formed in a trapezoidal shape such that the width of the front end 57a in direction D2 is longer than the width of the rear end 57b in direction D2. As a result, the region of the support member 57 that includes the rear end 57b is softer than the region of the support member 57 that includes the front end 57a.

[0046] The support member 57 has a corner portion 57c. When viewed from direction D2, the corner portion 57c is one of the two corner portions located opposite the plurality of grooves 53a, and is the corner portion facing the covering member 56 (the corner portion that is not in contact with the substrate 51). The corner portion 57c forms part of the rear end 57b. The corner portion 57c is chamfered. In this embodiment, the corner portion 57c has an R-chamfered shape. The corner portion 57c may also have a C-chamfered shape.

[0047] The support member 57 is formed from a resin material such as polypropylene resin. The Young's modulus of the support member 57 is smaller than that of the optical fiber 55. In other words, the support member 57 is softer than the optical fiber 55.

[0048] The adhesive portion 58 adheres the tip portion 55a of the optical fiber 55 to the groove 53a and extends from the groove 53a toward the support member 57. As a result, the adhesive portion 58 further adheres the covering member 56 to the support member 57. Specifically, the adhesive portion 58 adheres the covering member 56 to the surface 57d of the support member 57 that faces the covering member 56 (the surface located opposite the main surface 51c of the substrate 51). The support member 57 can be considered an additional component that increases the bonding area of ​​the covering member 56. The adhesive portion 58 is, for example, a cured product of UV-curable resin.

[0049] In the embodiment described above, the covering member 56 that covers the optical fiber 55 is bonded by an adhesive portion 58 to a support member 57 which is positioned in a direction D1 toward the covering portion 55b from the tip portion 55a of the optical fiber 55 relative to the groove 53a. In this way, by bonding the covering member 56 to the support member 57 before the tip portion 55a of the optical fiber 55, the influence of external forces acting on the optical fiber 55 (for example, external forces such as bending of the optical fiber 55) on the tip portion 55a of the optical fiber 55 can be reduced. This prevents, for example, damage to the tip portion 55a of the optical fiber 55 due to external forces acting on the optical fiber 55. Therefore, the reliability of the optical fiber 55 can be increased with this optical module 5.

[0050] In this embodiment, the adhesive portion 58 adheres the tip portion 55a to the groove 53a and extends from the groove 53a toward the support member 57. This allows the tip portion 55a of the optical fiber 55 to be fixed to the groove 53a, and the covering member 56 to be fixed to the support member 57. Thus, the optical fiber 55 can be stably fixed.

[0051] In this embodiment, the support member 57 is positioned between the covering member 56 and the main surface 51c of the substrate 51 and is fixed to the main surface 51c. This allows the support member 57 to support the covering member 56 and stably fix the optical fiber 55.

[0052] In this embodiment, the support member 57 has a corner 57c located on the opposite side of the groove 53a and facing the covering member 56, and the corner 57c is chamfered. For example, when an external force such as bending of the optical fiber 55 occurs, the covering member 56 covering the covering portion 55b of the optical fiber 55 follows the chamfered corner 57c, thereby further reducing the impact on the tip portion 55a of the optical fiber 55 (stress transmitted to the tip portion 55a). Therefore, the reliability of the optical fiber 55 can be further improved.

[0053] In this embodiment, the support member 57 is formed such that, when viewed from direction D3, its width narrows as it moves away from the groove 53a in direction D1. In this case, the narrower portion of the support member 57 (the portion relatively far from the tip 55a of the optical fiber 55) becomes softer. As a result, when an external force such as bending of the optical fiber 55 is applied, the narrower portion becomes more easily deformed, and as a result, the impact on the tip 55a of the optical fiber 55 can be further reduced. Therefore, the reliability of the optical fiber 55 can be further improved.

[0054] In this embodiment, the Young's modulus of the support member 57 is smaller than that of the optical fiber 55. In this case, the support member 57 becomes relatively flexible. As a result, when an external force such as bending of the optical fiber 55 occurs, the support member 57 absorbs that external force, thereby further reducing the impact on the tip portion 55a of the optical fiber 55 (the stress transmitted to the tip portion 55a).

[0055] [Modified version of the first embodiment] Next, an optical module 5A relating to a modification of the first embodiment will be described. Figure 5 is an enlarged top view showing a part of the optical module 5A. As shown in Figure 5, the optical module 5A differs from the optical module 5 in that it has a support member 57A which has a different shape from the support member 57 of the first embodiment, instead of the support member 57 of the first embodiment.

[0056] The support member 57A is formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. When viewed from direction D3, the support member 57A is formed in the shape of a rectangle. Unlike the corners 57c of the support member 57, the corners of the support member 57A are not chamfered. The optical module 5A described above can also improve the reliability of the optical fiber 55.

[0057] [Second Embodiment] Next, the optical module 105 provided in the information device according to the second embodiment will be described. Figure 6 is an enlarged top view showing a part of the optical module 105. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view along the line VII-VII in Figure 6. The optical module 105 differs from the optical module 5 in that, instead of the support member 57 of the first embodiment, it has a plurality (five in this embodiment) of dummy optical fibers 65 and a plurality (five in this embodiment) of dummy covering members 66.

[0058] The dummy optical fiber 65 is formed from the same material as the optical fiber 55 (for example, glass material). The dummy optical fiber 65 has a tip portion 65a and a covering portion 65b that is continuous with the tip portion 65a, and extends along direction D1. The tip portion 65a of the dummy optical fiber 65 is placed in one of the grooves 53a on which the tip portion 55a of the optical fiber 55 is not placed.

[0059] The dummy optical fiber 65 does not transmit light. Therefore, while the tip 55a of the optical fiber 55 is optically coupled to the optical element 52, the tip 65a of the dummy optical fiber 65 is not optically coupled to the optical element 52. Also, while the optical fiber 55 extends outside the substrate 51 to transmit light, the entire dummy optical fiber 65 is located inside the outer edge of the substrate 51 when viewed from direction D3. While the end of the optical fiber 55 opposite to the tip 55a is optically coupled to other optical components, the end of the dummy optical fiber 65 opposite to the tip 65a is not optically coupled to other optical components.

[0060] The dummy covering member 66 is formed from the same material as the covering member 56 (for example, a resin material). The dummy covering member 66 covers the covering portion 65b such that the tip portion 65a is exposed. The entire dummy covering member 66, like the dummy optical fiber 65, is located inside the outer edge of the substrate 51 when viewed from direction D3.

[0061] Multiple sets, each consisting of a dummy optical fiber 65 and a dummy sheathing member 66, are aligned in direction D2 together with sets of optical fiber 55 and sheathing member 56. Specifically, in direction D2, each set of optical fiber 55 and sheathing member 56 is sandwiched between two sets, each consisting of a dummy optical fiber 65 and a dummy sheathing member 66. In this way, the dummy sheathing member 66 is aligned with the sheathing member 56 in direction D2.

[0062] The adhesive portion 58 adheres the tip 55a of the optical fiber 55 to the groove 53a, and also adheres the tip 65a of the dummy optical fiber 65 to the groove 53a. Furthermore, the adhesive portion 58 adheres adjacent covering members 56 and dummy covering members 66, and also adheres two adjacent dummy covering members 66.

[0063] The optical module 105 described above can also improve the reliability of the optical fiber 55. Furthermore, by aligning the dummy covering member 66 with the covering member 56 in direction D2, bending of the optical fiber 55 in direction D2 can be effectively prevented.

[0064] In the optical module 105, an additional component for increasing the bonding area of ​​the covering member 56 is provided, which includes a dummy optical fiber 65 and a dummy covering member 66. The tip 65a of the dummy optical fiber 65 is held in the groove 53a, and the bonding portion 58 bonds the covering member 56 and the dummy covering member 66. In this case, the bonding area of ​​the covering member 56 can be increased while positioning the dummy optical fiber 65 and the dummy covering member 66 using the groove 53a.

[0065] [Third Embodiment] Next, an information device 101 according to the third embodiment will be described. Figure 8 is a perspective view showing an example of an information device 101 according to the third embodiment. Figure 9 is a top view showing an enlarged portion of the optical module provided by the information device 101. The information device 101 is equipped with an optical module 205 in place of the optical module 5 of the first embodiment. The optical module 205 differs from the optical module 5 in that it does not have a support member 57. The information device 101 also further includes fixing parts 71 and 81. The configuration of the fixing part 81 is the same as that of the fixing part 71. Therefore, the description of the configuration of the fixing part 81 may be omitted in the following description.

[0066] The fixing part 71 is located in the monitor part 2 and is housed in the housing 23. The fixing part 71 is fixed to the housing 23 in a direction D1 toward the tip 55a of the optical fiber 55 toward the covering part 55b relative to the substrate 51. The fixing part 71 is fixed to the housing 23 by means of screws or adhesive, for example. The fixing part 71 may be formed integrally with the housing 23. The fixing part 71 is located away from the rear end 51b of the substrate 51 in direction D1. The distance between the fixing part 71 and the rear end 51b of the substrate 51 is, for example, within 400 mm. This distance may be within 200 mm, within 100 mm, within 50 mm, or within 10 mm.

[0067] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view along line XX in Figure 9. The fixing portion 71 has a through hole 71a through which the optical fiber 55 and the covering member 56 are inserted. The fixing portion 71 holds the optical fiber 55 by having the optical fiber 55 pass through the through hole 71a. The through hole 71a penetrates the fixing portion 71 along direction D1. The through hole 71a has an edge portion 71b that opens on the opposite side of the substrate 51. The edge portion 71b is curved convexly so that the width of the through hole 71a widens as it moves outward from the through hole 71a. In other words, the edge portion 71b has a rounded edge shape.

[0068] The through-hole 71a of the fixing part 71 may be filled with an adhesive part 72 (second adhesive part). Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the through-hole 71a of the fixing part 71 is filled with the adhesive part 72. In this case, the through-hole 71a has a larger shape than the covering member 56 due to the amount that the adhesive part 72 fills. The adhesive part 72 adheres the covering member 56 to the inner surface of the through-hole 71a. The adhesive part 72 is a cured product of an adhesive that retains elasticity even after curing. In other words, the adhesive part 72 is also an elastic member. The adhesive part 72 is, for example, a cured product of a UV-curable resin. The adhesive strength between the fixing part 71 and the covering member 56 by the adhesive part 72 is greater than the adhesive strength between the tip 55a of the optical fiber 55 and the groove 53a by the adhesive part 58.

[0069] The fixing portion 81 is located on the main body portion 3 and is housed in the housing 35. The fixing portion 81 is located away from the substrate 61 and is fixed to the housing 35. Similar to the fixing portion 71, the fixing portion 81 has a through hole (not shown) through which the optical fiber 55 and the covering member 56 are inserted.

[0070] The optical module 205 may have multiple optical fibers 55, and the multiple optical fibers 55 may pass through the through-hole 71a.

[0071] According to the third embodiment described above, the optical fiber 55 is held by a fixing part 71 fixed to the housing 23 in direction D1 relative to the substrate 51. In this way, by holding the optical fiber 55 by the fixing part 71 in front of the tip 55a of the optical fiber 55, the influence of external forces acting on the optical fiber 55 (for example, external forces such as bending of the optical fiber 55) on the tip 55a of the optical fiber 55 can be reduced. This prevents, for example, damage to the tip 55a of the optical fiber 55 due to external forces acting on the optical fiber 55. Therefore, the reliability of the optical fiber 55 can be increased with the information device 101.

[0072] In the third embodiment, the distance between the fixing part 71 and the substrate 51 may be, for example, 400 mm or less. In this case, the optical fiber 55 can be held stably.

[0073] In the third embodiment, the edge 71b of the through hole 71a is curved in a convex shape so as to widen the width of the through hole 71a. For example, when an external force such as bending of the optical fiber 55 occurs, the optical fiber 55 follows the edge 71b, which further reduces the effect on the tip 55a of the optical fiber 55 (stress transmitted to the tip 55a).

[0074] In the third embodiment, the adhesive portion 72 may be positioned between the covering member 56 and the through hole 71a. For example, when an external force such as bending of the optical fiber 55 occurs, the adhesive portion 72 absorbs the external force, thereby further reducing the impact on the tip portion 55a of the optical fiber 55 (stress transmitted to the tip portion 55a).

[0075] In the third embodiment, the adhesive strength of the adhesive portion 72 between the fixing portion 71 and the covering member 56 is greater than the adhesive strength of the adhesive portion 58 between the tip portion 55a of the optical fiber 55 and the groove 53a. This makes it possible to improve the tensile strength of the optical fiber 55.

[0076] [Fourth Embodiment] Next, an information device according to the fourth embodiment will be described. Figure 12 is an enlarged top view showing a part of the optical module 305 included in the information device according to the fourth embodiment. The information device according to the fourth embodiment is equipped with the optical module 305 in place of the optical module 205 of the third embodiment.

[0077] The optical module 305 differs from the optical module 205 of the third embodiment in that it has a support member 57 of the first embodiment, a plurality of dummy optical fibers 65 of the second embodiment, and a plurality of dummy covering members 66 of the second embodiment. The adhesive portion 58 adheres the covering member 56 to the support member 57 (first auxiliary member) and also adheres the covering member 56 to the dummy covering member 66 (second auxiliary member). The fixing portion 71 is positioned away from the rear end 51b of the substrate 51 in direction D1, similar to the third embodiment.

[0078] The reliability of the optical fiber 55 can also be improved by the fourth embodiment described above. Furthermore, by increasing the adhesive area of ​​the covering member 56 with the support member 57 and the dummy covering member 66, and holding the optical fiber 55 with the fixing part 71, the optical fiber 55 can be fixed even more stably. Therefore, when external forces such as bending of the optical fiber 55 occur, the effect on the tip portion 55a of the optical fiber 55 (stress transmitted to the tip portion 55a) can be further reduced.

[0079] [Differentiation] The optical modules and information devices described herein are not limited to the embodiments and modifications described above, and various other modifications are possible.

[0080] In the second embodiment, multiple sets, each consisting of a dummy optical fiber 65 and a dummy covering member 66, were arranged in direction D2 together with sets of optical fiber 55 and covering member 56. However, members other than the dummy optical fiber 65 and dummy covering member 66 may be arranged in direction D2 together with the covering member 56. In this case, the adhesive portion 58 adheres the covering member 56 to the member in question.

[0081] In the third embodiment, the adhesive portion 72 was filled between the covering member 56 and the inner surface of the through hole 71a, but an elastic member that does not have adhesive properties (for example, a rubber member) may be placed between the covering member 56 and the inner surface of the through hole 71a. In this case as well, if an external force such as bending of the optical fiber 55 occurs, the elastic member can absorb that external force.

[0082] In the third embodiment, the optical fiber 55 was inserted through the through hole 71a of the fixing part 71 while covered by the covering member 56. However, the optical fiber 55 may also be inserted through the through hole 71a of the fixing part 71 while not covered by the covering member 56. In other words, the optical fiber 55 may be directly held by the fixing part 71. In this case, the adhesive part 72 adheres the covering member 56 to the inner surface of the through hole 71a.

[0083] In the fourth embodiment, the support member 57 may be omitted. Alternatively, the multiple dummy optical fibers 65 and the multiple dummy covering members 66 may be omitted. Alternatively, the fixing part 71 may be omitted. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0084] 1,101…Information equipment 2…Monitor section 3…Main body 4…Hinge section 5, 5A, 105, 205, 305… Optical Modules 21…Display 22... Camera 23…Cabinet 31…Keyboard 32…Touchpad 33... Power button 34…Motherboard 35... Cabinet 51... Circuit board 51a...front end 51b…rear end 51c…main surface 52… Optical element 53... Lens parts 53a...Groove 53b...Mirror section 53c... Lens part 53d…Surface 53e…recess 54… Electrical connector 55… Fiber optic 55a...Tip 55b... Covering part 56... Covering material 57…Support member 57a...front end 57A...Support member 57b…rear end 57c…Corner 57d...face 58...Adhesive part 61... Circuit board 62…Optical element 63... Lens parts 64… Electrical connector 65... Dummy optical fiber 65a...Tip 65b... Covering part 66... ​​Dummy covering material 71…Fixed part 71a... Through hole 71b…Edge 72...Adhesive part 81…Fixed part D1,D2,D3…direction L…Light path R... Rotation axis

Claims

1. A substrate having a main surface, An optical element arranged on the main surface, A lens component arranged on the main surface, An optical fiber having a tip portion and a covering portion continuous with the tip portion, A covering member that covers the covering portion so that the tip portion is exposed, Auxiliary member, It comprises an adhesive part, The lens component comprises an optical fiber holding portion that holds the tip portion, and a lens portion disposed on the optical path between the optical element and the tip portion of the optical fiber. The auxiliary member is positioned relative to the optical fiber holding portion in a first direction from the tip of the optical fiber toward the covering portion, The adhesive portion is an optical module that adheres the covering member and the auxiliary member together.

2. The optical module according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive portion adheres the tip portion and the optical fiber holding portion, and extends from the optical fiber holding portion toward the auxiliary member.

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

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

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

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

7. The optical module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the auxiliary member intersects the first direction and is aligned with the covering member in a third direction along the main surface.

8. The auxiliary member comprises a dummy optical fiber that does not transmit light and a dummy covering member that covers the dummy optical fiber. The tip of the dummy optical fiber is held in the optical fiber holder, The optical module according to claim 7, wherein the adhesive portion adheres the covering member and the dummy covering member together.

9. The aforementioned auxiliary member is Displaced between the covering member and the main surface, and fixed to the main surface, a first auxiliary member, It has a second auxiliary member that intersects the first direction and is aligned with the covering member in a third direction along the main surface, The optical module according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the adhesive portion adheres the covering member and the first auxiliary member, and also adheres the covering member and the second auxiliary member.

10. The optical module according to claim 1 or claim 2, An information device comprising a housing for the aforementioned optical module.

11. Optical module and, The fixing part, The system comprises the optical module and the housing that accommodates the fixed part, The aforementioned optical module is A substrate having a main surface, An optical element arranged on the main surface, A lens component arranged on the main surface, It comprises an optical fiber having a tip portion and a covering portion continuous with the tip portion, The lens component comprises an optical fiber holding portion that holds the tip portion, and a lens portion disposed on the optical path between the optical element and the tip portion of the optical fiber. The fixing portion is fixed to the housing in a first direction toward the covering portion of the optical fiber relative to the substrate, and holds the optical fiber, and is an information device.

12. The fixing portion has a through hole through which at least one optical fiber is inserted, The through hole has an edge that opens to the opposite side of the substrate, The information device according to claim 11, wherein the edge portion is curved in a convex shape so as to widen the width of the through hole.

13. Further equipped with an elastic member, The fixing portion has a through hole through which at least one or more optical fibers are inserted. The information device according to claim 11, wherein the elastic member is disposed between the optical fiber and the through hole.

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

15. The aforementioned optical module is A covering member that covers the covering portion so that the tip portion is exposed, Auxiliary member, It further comprises an adhesive part, The aforementioned auxiliary member is Displaced between the covering member and the main surface, and fixed to the main surface, a first auxiliary member, It has at least one of the following: a second auxiliary member that intersects the first direction and is aligned with the covering member in a third direction along the main surface, The information device according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the adhesive portion adheres the covering member to at least one of the first auxiliary member and the second auxiliary member.

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