Method for manufacturing integrally molded multi-light-transmission sheet assembly

Abstract

A method for manufacturing an integrally molded multi-light-transmission sheet assembly (100A) comprising an integrally molded multi-light-transmission sheet (10) and an accommodation member (20), wherein: a position reference section (25) and a reference structure (R) are imaged, the position reference section (25) being provided to the accommodation member (20), and the reference structure (R) including a reference position marker (R1) that corresponds to the position reference section (25) and core position markers (R2) that indicate individual ideal positions for core regions (11) with reference to the position reference section (25); an adjusted image is generated in which an image of the reference position marker (R1) and an image of the position reference section (25) are overlaid so as to coincide with each other; one end portion of the integrally molded multi-light-transmission sheet (10) is accommodated in a disposition hole (23) in the accommodation member (20); core regions (11) exposed on the end surface at the one end portion accommodated in the disposition hole (23) are imaged; the position of the integrally molded multi-light-transmission sheet (10) relative to the accommodation member (20) is adjusted such that the positions of images of the imaged core regions (11) and the positions of core position markers (R2) corresponding to the positions of the images coincide with each other; and the integrally molded multi-light-transmission sheet (10) is fixed to the accommodation member (20).

Description

Manufacturing method for batch-molded multi-optical transmission sheet assembly

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a batch-molded multi-optical transmission sheet assembly.

[0002] Conventional optical fibers used in optical communication systems are sometimes used in the form of ribbons. A ribbon is a structure in which multiple optical fibers, for example, four optical fibers, are arranged parallel to one another in a plane, and are collectively covered with a resin ribbon layer that surrounds the outer periphery, and then collectively covered with a collective coating layer that surrounds the outer periphery. Such ribbons are connected to equipment or other ribbons by attaching an MT connector to one end.

[0003] In order to connect a conventional ribbon fiber to other optical elements (including other ribbon fiber) such as optical components and optical equipment, for example, when attaching an MT connector, it was necessary to peel off the resin tape layer and the collective coating layer, remove the optical fibers, and insert each optical fiber one by one into each hole formed in the connector housing of the MT connector. This made the installation of the MT connector complicated and time-consuming.

[0004] In response to this, the present inventors have invented and disclosed a batch-molded multi-optical transmission sheet assembly and a manufacturing method thereof. The batch-molded multi-optical transmission sheet includes a sheet-like coating made of plastic and multiple optical transmission regions extending within the coating along the extension direction of the coating. The optical transmission regions include a core region made of plastic and a cladding region, also made of plastic, surrounding the periphery of the core region. The multiple optical transmission regions are arranged in a line substantially parallel to one another along the main surface of the coating. The batch-molded multi-optical transmission sheet has high relative positional accuracy of the core regions. In this case, when attaching ferrules to the batch-molded multi-optical transmission sheet, the batch-molded multi-optical transmission sheet is inserted into the ferrule placement holes and secured together with an adhesive or the like. This eliminates the need for the cumbersome process of peeling off the coating layer, removing the optical fibers, and inserting each optical fiber one by one into each hole formed in the connector housing of the MT connector, as is done when attaching a conventional ribbon optical fiber to an MT connector.

[0005] International Publication No. 2021 / 049540

[0006] A uni-molded multi-optical sheet has high relative positional accuracy of the core regions. However, according to the inventor's extensive research, there are cases where the core regions in a uni-molded multi-optical sheet assembly are misaligned due to misalignment of the core regions in the coating, tilt of the arrangement, deviation of the outer shape of the coating from the designed shape, etc. Such misalignment of the core regions may cause an increase in optical loss (connection loss) when optically connecting the uni-molded multi-optical sheet assembly to other optical elements.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide a manufacturing method for a uni-molded multi-optical transmission sheet assembly that can suppress an increase in connection loss even if the core region is misaligned.

[0008] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, one aspect of the present invention is a method for manufacturing a condensed molded multi-optical transmission sheet assembly, the condensed molded multi-optical transmission sheet assembly comprising: a sheet-like covering portion made of plastic; and a plurality of optical transmission regions provided inside the covering portion so as to extend along the extension direction of the covering portion, each of the optical transmission regions having a core region made of plastic and a cladding region made of plastic surrounding the outer periphery of the core region, the plurality of optical transmission regions being arranged in a row substantially parallel to one another along a main surface of the covering portion; and a receiving member having one end of the condensed molded multi-optical transmission sheet received in an arrangement hole, the method comprising: a position reference portion provided in the receiving member arranged at a first position; and a core region indicating an ideal position of each of the core regions relative to the position reference portion, the core region being arranged at a second position different from the first position ... a position reference portion imaging step of imaging a reference structure including a reference position marker and a position marker; an adjusted image generation step of generating an adjusted image in which the image of the reference position marker and the image of the position reference portion are superimposed so that they coincide; a accommodating step of accommodating one end of the uniaxially molded multi-optical transmission sheet in the arrangement hole of the accommodating member; a core area imaging step of imaging the core area exposed at the end surface at the one end of the uniaxially molded multi-optical transmission sheet accommodated in the arrangement hole; a position adjustment step of adjusting the relative position of the uniaxially molded multi-optical transmission sheet with respect to the accommodating member so that the position of each image of the captured core area coincides with the position of each of the core position markers corresponding to each of the core areas; and a fixing step of fixing the uniaxially molded multi-optical transmission sheet after the position adjustment has been completed to the accommodating member.

[0009] According to the present invention, even if there is a positional deviation of the core region in the uni-molded multi-optical sheet assembly, an increase in connection loss can be suppressed.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a uni-molded multi-optical sheet assembly according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a ferrule shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a front view of the uni-molded multi-optical sheet assembly shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating an example of misalignment of a core region in a uni-molded multi-optical sheet assembly. FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating an example of misalignment of a core region in a uni-molded multi-optical sheet assembly. FIG. 4C is a diagram illustrating an example of misalignment of a core region in a uni-molded multi-optical sheet assembly. FIG. 4D is a diagram illustrating an example of misalignment of a core region in a uni-molded multi-optical sheet assembly. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an apparatus used to manufacture the uni-molded multi-optical sheet assembly shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a method for manufacturing the uni-molded multi-optical sheet assembly shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image displayed on a screen. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a method for manufacturing the uni-molded multi-optical sheet assembly shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a method for manufacturing the uni-molded multi-optical sheet assembly shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a method for manufacturing the uni-molded multi-optical sheet assembly shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 11A is a schematic diagram of a unibody-molded multi-optical sheet assembly according to embodiment 2. FIG. 11B is a schematic diagram of a unibody-molded multi-optical sheet assembly according to embodiment 2. FIG. 12A is a schematic diagram of a unibody-molded multi-optical sheet assembly according to embodiment 3. FIG. 12B is a schematic diagram of a unibody-molded multi-optical sheet assembly according to embodiment 3. FIG. 13A is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a unibody-molded multi-optical sheet assembly according to embodiment 4. FIG. 13B is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a unibody-molded multi-optical sheet assembly according to embodiment 4. FIG. 13C is a diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing a unibody-molded multi-optical sheet assembly according to embodiment 4. FIG. 13D is a diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing a unibody-molded multi-optical sheet assembly according to embodiment 4. FIG. 13E is a diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing a unibody-molded multi-optical sheet assembly according to embodiment 4. FIG. 13F is a diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing a unibody-molded multi-optical sheet assembly according to embodiment 4.FIG. 14A is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a unibody-molded multi-optical sheet assembly according to embodiment 5. FIG. 14B is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a unibody-molded multi-optical sheet assembly according to embodiment 5. FIG. 14C is a diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing a unibody-molded multi-optical sheet assembly according to embodiment 5. FIG. 14D is a diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing a unibody-molded multi-optical sheet assembly according to embodiment 5. FIG. 14E is a diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing a unibody-molded multi-optical sheet assembly according to embodiment 5. FIG. 14F is a diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing a unibody-molded multi-optical sheet assembly according to embodiment 5. FIG. 15A is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a unibody-molded multi-optical sheet assembly according to embodiment 6. FIG. 15B is a diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing a unibody-molded multi-optical sheet assembly according to embodiment 6. FIG. 15C is a diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing a unibody-molded multi-optical sheet assembly according to embodiment 6. FIG. 15D is a diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing a unibody-molded multi-optical sheet assembly according to embodiment 6. FIG. 15E is a diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing a unibody-molded multi-optical sheet assembly according to embodiment 6. FIG. 15F is a diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing a uni-molded multi-optical sheet assembly according to embodiment 6. FIG. 16A is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a uni-molded multi-optical sheet assembly according to embodiment 7. FIG. 16B is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a uni-molded multi-optical sheet assembly according to embodiment 7. FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of an apparatus used for manufacturing the uni-molded multi-optical sheet assembly shown in FIG. 16. FIG. 18A is a diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of a uni-molded multi-optical sheet assembly according to embodiment 8. FIG. 18B is a diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of a uni-molded multi-optical sheet assembly according to embodiment 8. FIG. 18C is a diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing a uni-molded multi-optical sheet assembly according to embodiment 8. FIG. 18D is a diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing a uni-molded multi-optical sheet assembly according to embodiment 8. FIG. 18E is a diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing a uni-molded multi-optical sheet assembly according to embodiment 8. FIG. 18F is a diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing a uni-molded multi-optical sheet assembly according to embodiment 8.FIG. 19A is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a unibody-molded multi-optical sheet assembly according to embodiment 9. FIG. 19B is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a unibody-molded multi-optical sheet assembly according to embodiment 9. FIG. 19C is a diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing a unibody-molded multi-optical sheet assembly according to embodiment 9. FIG. 19D is a diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing a unibody-molded multi-optical sheet assembly according to embodiment 9. FIG. 19E is a diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing a unibody-molded multi-optical sheet assembly according to embodiment 9. FIG. 19F is a diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing a unibody-molded multi-optical sheet assembly according to embodiment 9. FIG. 20 is a schematic configuration diagram of a unibody-molded multi-optical sheet assembly according to embodiment 10.

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Furthermore, in each drawing, the same or corresponding elements are appropriately designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations are appropriately omitted. Furthermore, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic, and the dimensional relationships between elements may differ from the actual ones. There may also be parts in which the dimensional relationships and ratios between the drawings differ.

[0012] (Embodiment 1) Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a cable with a ferrule, which is a co-molded multi-optical transmission sheet assembly according to embodiment 1. The cable 100 includes a multi-optical transmission sheet 10, which is a co-molded multi-optical transmission sheet, a ferrule 20 as a housing member, and an instant adhesive 30 as an adhesive, which is an example of a fixing means. In Fig. 1, the longitudinal direction corresponds to the direction in which the ferrule 20 extends and the direction in which the multi-optical transmission sheet 10 extends when not bent. The height direction is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and corresponds to the height direction of the ferrule 20. The width direction is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the height direction and corresponds to the width direction of the ferrule 20.

[0013] Similar to the collectively molded multi-optical transmission sheet described in Patent Document 1, the multi-optical transmission sheet 10 includes multiple core regions 11, multiple cladding regions 12, and a coating 13. The multiple core regions 11 and multiple cladding regions 12 form multiple optical transmission regions. The optical transmission regions are provided inside the coating 13. The multi-optical transmission sheet 10 in FIG. 1 has four cores, and there are four core regions 11, four cladding regions 12, and four optical transmission regions, but there is no particular limit to the number of these. Note that, although all of the optical transmission regions in the multi-optical transmission sheet 10 have the same configuration, one or more may be different from the others.

[0014] The covering 13 is made of plastic, has a sheet-like shape, and extends in the longitudinal direction (extension direction). The optical transmission regions are provided so as to extend along the extension direction and are arranged in a line parallel to each other along the main surface of the covering. However, as long as the arrangement is within an acceptable range of accuracy, it is sufficient that they are arranged approximately parallel. Furthermore, the covering 13 has, for example, a cross section with rounded corners.

[0015] The core region 11 constituting the optical transmission region is a region made of plastic and has a circular cross section. The cladding region 12 constituting the optical transmission region is also made of plastic and has a circular cross section that surrounds the outer periphery of the core region 11. The core region 11 and the cladding region 12 are formed approximately coaxially.

[0016] The core region 11 has a graded-index (GI) type (e.g., square-law) refractive index profile, and the cladding region 12 has a lower refractive index than the core region 11. The optical transmission region has this type of refractive index profile. Therefore, when the optical transmission region propagates light in multiple modes, the fundamental mode propagates light linearly, while the higher-order modes propagate light sinusoidally. As a result, the optical transmission region suppresses the difference in propagation speed between modes and transmits pulsed light with minimal distortion. The diameter of the core region 11 is, for example, 50 μm or 62 μm, but is not particularly limited thereto. Furthermore, the diameter of the core region 11 can be controlled to 10 μm or less, for example, and can be configured to satisfy single-mode conditions. Furthermore, there is no restriction on providing a so-called double-clad structure, in which an additional layer with a lower refractive index than the cladding region 12 is provided outside the cladding region 12. Furthermore, if the length of the multi-mode optical transmission sheet 10 is sufficiently short, a sufficient transmission bandwidth can be ensured even without a GI type refractive index profile. In this case, the refractive index profile may be of a step index (SI) type or any other shape.

[0017] The core regions 11 are also arranged at equal intervals with high precision. Here, the distance between the core regions 11 refers to the distance between the central axes of adjacent core regions 11. However, as long as the accuracy is within an acceptable range, the core regions 11 do not have to be arranged at exactly equal intervals, and it is sufficient if they are arranged at approximately equal intervals. Furthermore, it is easy to intentionally design the distance between the core regions 11.

[0018] Furthermore, the circularity of the core region 11 and cladding region 12 and the shape of the coating portion 13 can be realized with an accuracy of several micrometers or less relative to the design.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along a plane that passes through the center of the ferrule 20 in the longitudinal direction and the width direction. FIG. 3 is a front view of the cable 100. The ferrule 20 is, for example, a ferrule that is compatible with an MT ferrule and has a front end face 21, a rear end face 22, an arrangement hole 23, a communication hole 24, and two guide holes 25. Here, the MT ferrule complies with, for example, the JIS C5981 standard and the IEC 61754-5 standard for F12-type multi-fiber optical fiber connectors. The ferrule 20 can be made of a known thermoplastic resin that is suitable for injection molding and has excellent heat resistance.

[0020] The front end face 21 and the rear end face 22 face each other. The arrangement hole 23 penetrates between the front end face 21 and the rear end face 22. That is, the arrangement hole 23 extends in one direction (the longitudinal direction) within the ferrule 20. The inner shape of the arrangement hole 23 substantially matches the outer shape of the cross section of the multi-optical transmission sheet 10, and is, for example, a rounded shape.

[0021] At least one end of the multi-optical sheet 10 is accommodated in the placement hole 23. The end face of the multi-optical sheet 10 is substantially flush with the front end face 21 of the ferrule 20. However, to achieve physical contact (PC) connection with other optical transmission paths, the core region 11 of the multi-optical sheet 10 may be configured to slightly protrude from the front end face 21 of the ferrule 20. In this case, the protrusion amount of the core region 11 is, for example, about several μm. Furthermore, to connect with other optical transmission paths via an air gap, the core region 11 of the multi-optical sheet 10 may be configured to be slightly recessed from the front end face 21 of the ferrule 20. In this case, the recession amount of the core region 11 is about several μm.

[0022] The communication hole 24 is formed on the upper side in the height direction of the ferrule 20 (see FIG. 1 ) and communicates with the arrangement hole 23 .

[0023] The guide holes 25 are formed on both sides of the arrangement hole 23 in the width direction (see FIG. 1 ), and may extend substantially parallel to the arrangement hole 23, penetrating between the front end face 21 and the rear end face 22. The guide holes 25 are holes into which guide pins for connecting two ferrules 20 to each other are inserted. The guide holes 25 are formed by injection molding when the ferrules 20 are manufactured, or by machining after injection molding. Therefore, the guide holes 25 are formed so that their positions relative to the arrangement hole 23 and the communication holes 24 are highly accurate. The guide holes 25 are an example of a position reference portion.

[0024] The instant adhesive 30 bonds the multi-optical transmission sheet 10 and the ferrule 20. The instant adhesive 30 is made of a material that does not dissolve the multi-optical transmission sheet 10 or the ferrule 20. The instant adhesive 30 is, for example, a cyanoacrylate-based instant adhesive. The instant adhesive 30 is positioned at least inside the communication hole 24.

[0025] The ferrule 20 may also be attached to the other end (not shown) of the multi-optical transmission sheet 10 .

[0026] As described above, although the relative positional accuracy of the core regions 11 in the multi-optical transmission sheet 10 is high, misalignment of the core regions 11 in the coating 13 may occur. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3 , the four core regions 11 are spaced equally apart with high precision, and the central axes of each core region are aligned linearly with high precision in the width direction. However, the core regions 11 are arranged below the center of the height direction of the multi-optical transmission sheet 10. Note that the instant adhesive 30 shown in FIG. 3 fills the gap between the multi-optical transmission sheet 10 and the placement hole 23.

[0027] 3, however, the four core regions 11 are arranged so that their central axes are positioned on the center line L1 connecting the central axes of the two guide holes 25, and therefore the four core regions 11 can be said to be positioned with high precision relative to the guide holes 25, which serve as positioning reference portions. In this case, when the multi-optical sheet 10 is optically connected using the guide holes 25, a relatively small connection loss is achieved. Note that, for example, the four core regions 11 may be arranged symmetrically with respect to a vertical center line that passes through the centers of the two guide holes 25 and is perpendicular to the center line L1.

[0028] In contrast, Figures 4A to 4D are diagrams showing examples of core region misalignment. Figure 4A shows a state in which the multi-optical sheet 10 is in contact with the lower inner wall of the arrangement hole 23 and fixed with instant adhesive 30. In this case, unlike the case in Figure 3, the four core regions 11 are arranged so that their central axes are positioned at positions offset from the center line L1. In this case, it cannot be said that the four core regions 11 are positioned with high precision relative to the guide hole 25.

[0029] FIG. 4B also shows a state in which a multi-optical sheet 10A, another example of a unibody-molded multi-optical sheet, is accommodated in the arrangement hole 23 of the ferrule 20. In the multi-optical sheet 10A, the four core regions 11 are spaced equally apart with high precision, the central axes of each core region 11 are aligned linearly with high precision in the width direction, and the core regions 11 are aligned at the center of the height direction of the multi-optical sheet 10. However, in the multi-optical sheet 10A, the outer shape of the coating 13 deviates from the designed shape. Specifically, the size of the coating 13 is excessively smaller than the size of the arrangement hole 23. Therefore, in the state shown in FIG. 4B , the four core regions 11 are arranged so that their central axes are located above the center line L1 connecting the central axes of the two guide holes 25. In this case, it cannot be said that the four core regions 11 are positioned with high precision relative to the guide holes 25.

[0030] 4C shows a state in which a multi-optical transmission sheet 10B, which is another example of a uni-molded multi-optical transmission sheet, is accommodated in the arrangement hole 23 of the ferrule 20. In the multi-optical transmission sheet 10B, the four core regions 11 are spaced equally apart with high precision, but the central axes of the core regions 11 are aligned at an angle with respect to the side surface (main surface) in the height direction of the coating 13. Therefore, even in the state shown in FIG. 4C , it cannot be said that the four core regions 11 are positioned with high precision relative to the guide hole 25.

[0031] 4D shows a multi-optical sheet 10C, another example of a uni-molded multi-optical sheet, housed in the arrangement hole 23 of the ferrule 20. In the multi-optical sheet 10C, the four core regions 11 are spaced equally apart with high precision. However, because the outer shape of the coating 13 is irregular, it cannot be said that the four core regions 11 are positioned with high precision relative to the guide hole 25.

[0032] Even if a cable in the state shown in FIGS. 4A to 4D is connected to another cable, there is a risk of a large connection loss.

[0033] Therefore, the multi-optical transmission sheet 10 is manufactured as follows so that the cable 100 can be manufactured in the state shown in Figure 3 rather than the state shown in Figure 4A, and so that the four core regions 11 can be positioned with high precision relative to the guide holes 25 even when multi-optical transmission sheets 10A, 10B, and 10C are used.

[0034] 5 is an explanatory diagram of an apparatus used to manufacture the cable 100. The apparatus 1000 includes a position adjustment device 1100 and a processing device 1200.

[0035] The position adjustment device 1100 includes a base 1110, a stage 1120, and a two-viewpoint camera 1130. The base 1110 has a mounting portion 1111 on which the ferrule 20 can be mounted and a mounting portion 1112 on which a reference structure (described later) can be mounted, and is equipped with the stage 1120 and the two-viewpoint camera 1130.

[0036] The stage 1120 has a mounting groove 1121 in which the multi-optical transmission sheet 10 can be mounted. The stage 1120 can move the mounted multi-optical transmission sheet 10 relative to the mounting portion 1111. The stage 1120 can translate the multi-optical transmission sheet 10 in the width direction (X direction in FIG. 5 ), height direction (Y direction in FIG. 5 ), and longitudinal direction (Z direction in FIG. 5 ) of the multi-optical transmission sheet 10. The stage 1120 can also rotate the multi-optical transmission sheet 10 around an axis along the longitudinal direction (θ direction in FIG. 5 ). The stage 1120 can also rotate the multi-optical transmission sheet 10 around the X-axis and the Y-axis. The translation and rotation are performed by an electric actuator such as a motor provided on the stage 1120, but the translation and rotation may also be performed manually.

[0037] The two-field-of-view camera 1130 includes an optical unit 1131 and a camera unit 1132. The optical unit 1131 includes objective lenses 1131a and 1131b for imaging. The objective lens 1131a is used to image the ferrule 20 placed on the mounting unit 1111 and the multi-optical transmission sheet 10 placed in the mounting groove 1121 in the Z direction. The objective lens 1131b is used to image the reference structure placed on the mounting unit 1112 in the Z direction. The position on the mounting unit 1112 where the reference structure is placed is an example of a second position where the reference structure is disposed. Note that this is a position different from the first position and the second position.

[0038] The optical unit 1131 has a function of guiding a light beam containing an image of the ferrule 20 or the multi-optical transmission sheet 10 captured by the objective lens 1131a and a light beam containing an image of the reference structure captured by the objective lens 1131b to the camera unit 1132. The optical unit 1131 can be configured using optical components such as lenses, prisms, and mirrors.

[0039] The camera unit 1132 receives light rays including images of the ferrule 20 and the multi-optical transmission sheet 10 and light rays including images of the reference structure, and captures images of the ferrule 20, the multi-optical transmission sheet 10, and the reference structure. The two-view camera 1130 is, for example, a beam splitter camera.

[0040] The processing device 1200 is mainly composed of a computer such as a personal computer. The processing device 1200 communicates signals with the dual-view camera 1130 to control the imaging operation of the dual-view camera 1130 and acquires image data captured by the dual-view camera 1130. The processing device 1200 also includes a display unit 1210 such as an LCD monitor for displaying acquired images and adjustment images (described later). The processing device 1200 also communicates signals with the stage 1120 to control the translational or rotational movement of the stage 1120 and acquires information on the relative position of the stage 1120 in the X, Y, and Z directions and the relative rotational position in the θ direction.

[0041] 5 to 10, a method for manufacturing cable 100 using device 1000 will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 6, a worker or a work robot places ferrule 20 on placement portion 1111 and places reference structure R on placement portion 1112.

[0042] Next, the processing device 1200 controls the two-field-of-view camera 1130 to capture images of the guide holes 25 formed in the ferrule 20 and the reference structure R (an example of a position reference portion capturing step). Here, as shown in FIG. 6 , the reference structure R has the same shape as the ferrule 20. A reference position marker R1 and a core position marker R2 are provided on the surface of the reference structure R facing the objective lens 1131b. Two reference position markers R1 are provided to correspond to the guide holes 25 of the ferrule 20. Four core position markers R2 are provided, and indicate the ideal positions of the four core regions 11 relative to the guide holes 25.

[0043] Here, the ideal positions of the four core regions 11 relative to the guide holes 25 are positions where the four core regions 11 should be arranged relative to the guide holes 25 in the completed cable 100 according to the design. Therefore, the four core position markers R2 indicating the ideal positions are arranged, for example, so that their respective center points are located on a line segment connecting the center points of the two reference position markers R1. The processing device 1200 then acquires data of the captured image.

[0044] Next, the processing device 1200 generates an adjusted image (an example of an adjusted image generating step) and displays the adjusted image IA on the screen of the display unit 1210. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on the screen 1211 of the display unit 1210. Here, image IR is an image of the reference structure R, image I1 is an image of the reference position marker R1, and image I2 is an image of the core position marker R2. Meanwhile, image I20 is an image of the ferrule 20, and image I25 is an image of the guide hole.

[0045] The adjusted image IA is obtained by superimposing the image I1 of the reference position marker R1 in the image of the reference structure R and the image I25 of the guide hole 25 so that they coincide with each other. Here, in order to align the image I1 of the reference position marker R1 with the image I25 of the guide hole 25, it is preferable that the mounting unit 1112 is equipped with an actuator, which allows fine adjustment of the position of the reference structure R mounted on the mounting unit 1112. However, the fine adjustment of the position of the reference structure R mounted on the mounting unit 1112 may be performed manually, or the position of the image of the reference structure R may be fine-tuned using software. Furthermore, in order to align the image I1 of the reference position marker R1 with the image I25 of the guide hole 25, the mounting unit 1111 may be equipped with an actuator, which allows fine adjustment of the position of the ferrule 20 mounted on the mounting unit 1111. However, the fine adjustment of the position of the ferrule 20 mounted on the mounting unit 1111 may be performed manually, or the position of the image of the ferrule 20 may be fine-tuned using software.

[0046] 8, the worker or the work robot places the multi-optical transmission sheet 10 in the placement groove 1121 of the stage 1120. Next, the processing device 1200 controls the stage 1120 to place one end of the multi-optical transmission sheet 10 in the placement hole 23 of the ferrule 20 (an example of a placing step).

[0047] Next, the processing device 1200 controls the two-view camera 1130 to capture an image of the core region 11 exposed on the end surface at one end of the multi-optical transmission sheet 10 housed in the ferrule 20 (an example of a core region imaging step). Thereafter, the processing device 1200 acquires data of the captured image.

[0048] Next, the processing device 1200 controls the stage 1120 to adjust the relative position of the multi-optical transmission sheet 10 with respect to the ferrule 20 so that the positions of each image of the core region 11 coincide with the positions of the images I2 of the core position marker R2 corresponding to each position (an example of a position adjustment step).

[0049] For example, in Fig. 9, image I10 is an image of the end face of the multi-optical transmission sheet 10, and four images I11 are images of the core region 11. As shown in the upper part of Fig. 9, when the core region 11 is first imaged, the position of each image I2 in the adjusted image IA is misaligned with the position of each image I11 of the core region 11 on the screen 1211. Therefore, the processing device 1200 controls the stage 1120 to adjust the position of the multi-optical transmission sheet 10 so that the position of each image I11 of the core region 11 matches the position of each image I2 corresponding to that position. As a result, as shown in the lower part of Fig. 9, the positions of the four core regions 11 relative to the guide holes 25 become ideal positions.

[0050] 10, once the worker or robot has completed adjusting the relative position of the optical fiber sheet 10 to the ferrule 20, they drip instant adhesive 30 stored in a container C into the communication hole 24 to fix the optical fiber sheet 10 to the ferrule 20 (an example of a fixing step). The dripped instant adhesive 30 reaches the gap between the optical fiber sheet 10 and the placement hole 23 from within the communication hole 24, fills the gap, and solidifies. This results in the cable 100 being in the state shown in FIG.

[0051] According to the above manufacturing method, even if the core regions 11 are misaligned in the coating 13, the misalignment of the core regions 11 with respect to the guide holes 25 is suppressed, thereby realizing a cable 100 in which an increase in connection loss is suppressed. Furthermore, according to the above manufacturing method, even if the core regions 11 are misaligned as in the multi-optical transmission sheets 10A, 10B, and 10C shown in FIG. 4 or in a multi-optical transmission sheet with a different type of misalignment, it is possible to realize a cable 100 in which an increase in connection loss is suppressed.

[0052] In the above, the processing device 1200 does not have to display the captured reference structure R, guide hole 25, and core region 11 on the display unit 1210. The step of overlaying the captured guide hole 25 so that it coincides with the reference position marker R1, and the step of adjusting the relative position of the multi-optical transmission sheet 10 with respect to the ferrule 20 may also be performed by data processing by the processing device 1200 without displaying them on the display unit 1210. These overlay and position adjustment steps can be performed with higher accuracy by software processing using artificial intelligence technology or the like.

[0053] In the above manufacturing method, the multi-optical sheet 10 is cut in advance to form a highly accurate end face before one end of the multi-optical sheet 10 is placed in the placement hole 23 of the ferrule 20. However, in the above manufacturing method, such an end face may also be formed by placing one end of the multi-optical sheet 10 in the placement hole 23 so that it protrudes beyond the front end face 21 of the ferrule 20, adjusting the position, fixing the multi-optical sheet 10 to the ferrule 20, and then cutting the protruding portion.

[0054] 11A and 11B are schematic diagrams illustrating the configuration of an optical assembly 100A, which is a co-molded multi-optical transmission sheet assembly according to embodiment 2. Fig. 11A is a cross-sectional view of the optical assembly 100A along the longitudinal direction and passing through the center of the ferrule in the width direction, and Fig. 11B is a front view of the optical assembly 100A viewed in the longitudinal direction. The optical assembly 100A has a configuration in which the ferrule 20 of the cable 100 shown in Fig. 1 is replaced with a ferrule 20A, and an electronic board 40 is further added.

[0055] The ferrule 20A is a ferrule that is compatible with MT ferrules, similar to the ferrule 20. The ferrule 20A has a front end face 21, a rear end face 22, an arrangement hole 23A, a communication hole 24, two guide holes 25, and a step portion 26A. The front end face 21, the rear end face 22, and the communication hole 24 are the same as the corresponding elements in the ferrule 20, and therefore description thereof will be omitted. Note that the ferrule 20A may also be formed by joining a first member 20A1 and a second member 20A2 shown in FIG. 11A.

[0056] Like the arrangement hole 23, the arrangement hole 23A penetrates between the front end face 21 and the rear end face 22. The step portion 26A is provided within the arrangement hole 23A. The arrangement hole 23 is divided by the step portion 26A into a first portion with rounded corners located on the rear end face 22 side and large enough to allow the multi-optical sheet 10 to pass through, and a second portion with rounded corners located on the front end face 21 side and large enough to prevent the multi-optical sheet 10 from passing through. The first portion is provided in the first member 20A1, and the second portion is provided in the second member 20A2. The multi-optical sheet 10 is placed in the first portion, with its end face abutting against the step portion 26A.

[0057] The electronic substrate 40 includes a photoelectric element 41, an electric element 42, and a substrate body 43. The photoelectric element 41 is mounted on the substrate body 43. The photoelectric element 41 is, for example, an array element, and each element constituting the array is optically coupled to each of the core regions 11 of the multi-optical transmission sheet 10. The photoelectric element 41 is, for example, a light-emitting array element such as a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser array element, or a light-receiving array element such as a photodiode array element. The photoelectric element 41 is configured so that its light-emitting surface or light-receiving surface faces the multi-optical transmission sheet 10, not the substrate body 43. In addition, bonding wires extend from the light-emitting surface or light-receiving surface of the photoelectric element 41 to the substrate body 43, and electrical connection is achieved by wire bonding implementation.

[0058] The electric element 42 is an element electrically connected to the photoelectric element 41, and is a driver of the light-emitting array element when the photoelectric element 41 is a light-emitting array element, or a transimpedance amplifier that converts a current signal output from the light-receiving array element into a voltage signal when the photoelectric element 41 is a light-receiving array element.

[0059] The substrate body 43 is a rigid substrate having an inverted L-shape in side view, and is attached to the front end surface 21 of the ferrule 20A by adhesive or the like. The substrate body 43 is provided with a wiring pattern that electrically connects the photoelectric element 41 and the electrical element 42. When the substrate body 43 is attached to the front end surface 21 of the ferrule 20A, the photoelectric element 41 is disposed in a space (i.e., the second portion described above) formed in the placement hole 23A by the stepped portion 26A and in front of the end surface of the multi-optical transmission sheet 10. Meanwhile, the electrical element 42 is mounted on the surface of the substrate body 43 facing upward in the height direction (see FIG. 1 ).

[0060] The substrate body 43 also has two positioning holes 43a. When the substrate body 43 is attached to the front end surface 21 of the ferrule 20A, the two positioning holes 43a are adjusted to match the two guide holes 25 (see FIG. 11B ) of the ferrule 20A, respectively. Here, the array elements of the photoelectric conversion element 41 are positioned with high precision with the two positioning holes 43a. As a result, by adjusting the positions of the two positioning holes 43a to match the two guide holes 25, each of the elements constituting the array of the photoelectric conversion element 41 is optically coupled with each of the core regions 11 of the multi-optical transmission sheet 10 with high precision. The positioning holes 43a are an example of a positioning portion. The electronic substrate 40 or the substrate body 43 is an example of a component having a positioning portion.

[0061] When manufacturing the optical assembly 100A having such a configuration, first, similarly to when manufacturing the cable 100 described above, the position reference portion imaging step, adjustment image generating step, accommodation step, core region imaging step, position adjustment step, and fixing step are performed, followed by the step of attaching the electronic board 40 to the ferrule 20A. In the step of attaching the electronic board 40 to the ferrule 20A, for example, the electronic board 40 or the board main body 43, which is a component having a positioning hole 43a, is adjusted in position relative to the ferrule 20A so that the positioning hole 43a is in the attachment position relative to the guide hole 25, and then the component is attached to the ferrule 20A. In this embodiment, "adjusting the positioning hole 43a to the attachment position relative to the guide hole 25" means that the positioning hole 43a is aligned with the guide hole 25. The step of attaching the electronic board 40 to the ferrule 20A may also be performed by another method. For example, first, the two-view camera 1130 captures an image of the core region 11 exposed at the end surface of the multi-optical transmission sheet 10 and an image of the light-emitting or light-receiving surface (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as the light-receiving or light-emitting surface) of the photoelectric element 41 mounted on the electronic substrate 40. Next, similar to the position adjustment step, position adjustment is performed so that each image of the core region 11 matches each image of the light-emitting or light-receiving surface. Next, the two-view camera 1130 is removed, and the electronic substrate 40 and the ferrule 20A are moved relatively to shorten the distance between them and then attached. This relative movement is performed so that the positions of the core region 11 and the light-emitting or light-receiving surface do not shift. This method can also be used for aligning the core region with the light-emitting or light-receiving surface of the photoelectric element in the third embodiment described below, and for aligning the lens with the light-emitting or light-receiving surface of the photoelectric element in the fourth, sixth, eighth, and ninth embodiments.

[0062] According to the above manufacturing method, as in the case of embodiment 1, even if the core region 11 is misaligned in the covering portion 13, misalignment of the core region 11 with respect to the guide hole 25 and the photoelectric element 41 is suppressed, and an optical assembly 100A can be realized in which an increase in connection loss is suppressed. Here, the connection loss refers to the connection loss between the photoelectric element 41 and the multi-optical transmission sheet 10.

[0063] In the above manufacturing method, the multi-optical sheet 10 is cut to form a high-precision end face before one end of the multi-optical sheet 10 is placed in the placement hole 23 of the ferrule 20A. However, in the above manufacturing method, such an end face may be formed by dividing the ferrule 20A into a first member 20A1 and a second member 20A2, placing one end of the multi-optical sheet 10 in the placement hole 23 so that it protrudes beyond the front end face of the first member 20A1, adjusting the position, fixing the multi-optical sheet 10 to the first member 20A1, and then cutting the protruding portion. The second member 20A2 may then be joined to the first member 20A1 to form the ferrule 20A.

[0064] 12A and 12B are schematic diagrams illustrating the configuration of an optical assembly 100B, which is a unibody-molded multi-optical transmission sheet assembly according to embodiment 3. Fig. 12A is a cross-sectional view of the optical assembly 100B along the longitudinal direction and passing through the center of the ferrule in the width direction, and Fig. 12B is a front view of the optical assembly 100B as viewed in the longitudinal direction. The optical assembly 100B has a configuration in which an electronic board 40B is added to the cable 100 according to embodiment 1 shown in Fig. 1.

[0065] The electronic board 40B includes a photoelectric element 41B, an electrical element 42, and a board body 43B. The photoelectric element 41B is mounted on the board body 43B. Like the photoelectric element 41, the photoelectric element 41B is, for example, an array element, and each of the elements constituting the array is optically coupled to each of the core regions 11 of the multi-optical transmission sheet 10. However, the photoelectric element 41B is mounted on the opposite side of the board body 43B from the ferrule 20. The light-emitting surface or light-receiving surface of the photoelectric element 41B is configured to face the board body 43B. The photoelectric element 41B is mounted and electrically connected to the board body 43B by flip-chip mounting rather than wire bonding. The board body 43B has optical coupling holes 43Bb. The optical coupling holes 43Bb allow optical coupling between each of the elements constituting the array in the photoelectric element 41B and each of the core regions 11 of the multi-optical transmission sheet 10.

[0066] The electric element 42 is an element electrically connected to the photoelectric element 41B, and is, for example, a driver for a light-emitting array element or a transimpedance amplifier.

[0067] The substrate body 43B is a rigid substrate having an inverted L-shape in side view, and is attached by adhesive or the like to the front end surface 21 of the ferrule 20. The substrate body 43B is provided with a wiring pattern that electrically connects the photoelectric element 41B and the electric element 42.

[0068] As in the second embodiment, the substrate body 43B is provided with two positioning holes 43a. When the substrate body 43B is attached to the front end surface 21 of the ferrule 20, the position of the two positioning holes 43a is adjusted so that each of the two positioning holes 43a coincides with each of the two guide holes 25 of the ferrule 20. As in the second embodiment, the array elements of the photoelectric conversion element 41B are positioned with high precision with the two positioning holes 43a. As a result, by adjusting the position of the two positioning holes 43a so that each of the two positioning holes 43a coincides with each of the two guide holes 25, each of the elements constituting the array of the array elements of the photoelectric conversion element 41B is optically coupled with each of the core regions 11 of the multi-optical transmission sheet 10 with high precision.

[0069] The optical assembly 100B having such a configuration can be manufactured in the same manner as the optical assembly 100A described above.

[0070] According to the above manufacturing method, as in the cases of Embodiments 1 and 2, even if the core region 11 is misaligned in the coating 13, misalignment of the core region 11 with respect to the guide hole 25 and the photoelectric element 41B is suppressed, and an optical assembly 100B can be realized in which an increase in coupling loss is suppressed. Here, the connection loss refers to the connection loss between the photoelectric element 41B and the multi-optical transmission sheet 10.

[0071] Furthermore, the optical assembly 100B employs flip-chip mounting, which allows the assembly to be made smaller than in the case of wire-bonding mounting, and the wiring length between the electrical element 42 and the photoelectric element 41B can be shortened, making it suitable for transmitting and receiving high-frequency signals.

[0072] 13A to 13F are diagrams illustrating a schematic configuration of an optical assembly 100C, which is a co-molded multi-optical transmission sheet assembly according to a fourth embodiment, and a manufacturing method thereof. FIG. 13A is a cross-sectional view of the optical assembly 100C along the longitudinal direction and passing through the center of the ferrule in the width direction, and FIG. 13B is a front view of the optical assembly 100C viewed in the longitudinal direction. FIGS. 13C to 13F are diagrams illustrating a manufacturing method of the optical assembly 100C. The optical assembly 100C has a configuration in which the ferrule 20B of the optical assembly 100B shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B is replaced with a ferrule 20C, and a lens element 50 is further added.

[0073] The ferrule 20C is a ferrule that is compatible with MT ferrules, similar to the ferrule 20. The ferrule 20C has a front end face 21, a rear end face 22, an arrangement hole 23C, a communication hole 24, two guide holes 25, and a protrusion 26C. The front end face 21, the rear end face 22, the communication hole 24, and the guide holes 25 are similar to the corresponding elements in the ferrule 20, and therefore will not be described.

[0074] Like the arrangement hole 23, the arrangement hole 23C penetrates between the front end face 21 and the rear end face 22. The protrusion 26C is provided within the arrangement hole 23C and protrudes into the arrangement hole 23C. The protrusion 26C divides the arrangement hole 23C into a third portion located on the rear end face 22 and having rounded corners that is sized to allow the multi-optical sheet 10 to pass through, and a fourth portion located on the front end face 21 and having rounded corners in two stages of size that does not allow the multi-optical sheet 10 to pass through. The multi-optical sheet 10 is placed in the third portion, with its end face abutting against the protrusion 26C.

[0075] Furthermore, guide holes 26Ca are provided on the side of the protruding portion 26C facing the front end face 21 of the ferrule 20C, on both sides of the arrangement hole 23C in the width direction (see FIG. 13D).

[0076] The lens element 50 is attached to the protrusion 26C. The lens element 50 is, for example, plate-shaped with rounded corners, and has four array lenses 51 arranged in the width direction. The lens element 50 has a light-condensing effect or a collimating and condensing effect, and functions to increase the optical coupling efficiency between the photoelectric element 41B and the multi-optical transmission sheet 10. The lens element 50 also has two positioning holes 52 arranged on both sides of the array lens 51 in the width direction and positioned with high precision relative to the array lens 51 (see FIG. 13F).

[0077] When the lens element 50 is attached to the protruding portion 26C, the two positioning holes 52 are adjusted to coincide with the two guide holes 26Ca of the protruding portion 26C, respectively. Here, the array lens 51 of the lens element 50 is positioned with high precision relative to the two positioning holes 52. Furthermore, the two guide holes 26Ca are positioned with high precision relative to the two guide holes 25. As a result, by adjusting the position so that the two positioning holes 52 coincide with the two guide holes 26Ca, each of the lenses of the array lens 51 of the lens element 50 is optically coupled with each of the core regions 11 of the multi-optical transmission sheet 10 with high precision. The positioning holes 52 are an example of a positioning portion. The lens element 50 is an example of a component equipped with a positioning portion.

[0078] To manufacture the optical assembly 100C having such a configuration, first, similar to the manufacturing process of the cable 100 described above, the steps of capturing a position reference portion image, generating an adjusted image, accommodating, capturing a core region image, adjusting the position, and fixing are performed to achieve the state shown in FIGS. 13C and 13D , followed by the step of attaching the lens element 50 and the electronic board 40B to the ferrule 20C. Specifically, the lens element 50, which has a positioning hole 52, is attached to the ferrule 20C by adjusting the relative position of the component with respect to the ferrule 20C so that the positioning hole 52 is in the mounting position relative to the guide hole 25 (see FIGS. 13E and 13F ). In this embodiment, the positioning hole 52 is aligned with the guide hole 26Ca. This is because the guide hole 26Ca is positioned with high precision relative to the guide hole 25.

[0079] According to the above manufacturing method, as in the cases of Embodiments 1 to 3, even if the core region 11 is misaligned in the covering portion 13, misalignment of the core region 11 with respect to the guide hole 25, the lens element 50, and the photoelectric element 41B is suppressed, thereby realizing the optical assembly 100C in which an increase in connection loss is suppressed. Furthermore, the optical assembly 100C can be made smaller than in the case of wire bonding mounting, and is suitable for transmitting and receiving high-frequency signals.

[0080] In the above manufacturing method, the multi-optical sheet 10 is cut to form a high-precision end face before one end of the multi-optical sheet 10 is inserted into the placement hole 23C of the ferrule 20C. However, in the above manufacturing method, such an end face may be formed by dividing the ferrule 20C into a first member and a second member, as in the case of the ferrule 20A, inserting one end of the multi-optical sheet 10 into the placement hole 23C so that it protrudes beyond the front end face of the first member, adjusting the position, fixing the multi-optical sheet 10 to the first member, and then cutting the protruding portion. The second member may then be bonded to the first member to form the ferrule 20C. The second member may also be made of a transparent material such as polyetherimide and integrated with the lens element 50. In this case, position adjustment for the lens element 50 is not required.

[0081] 14A to 14F are diagrams illustrating a schematic configuration of an optical assembly that is a unibody-molded multi-optical transmission sheet assembly according to embodiment 5, and a manufacturing method thereof. Fig. 14A is a cross-sectional view of the optical assembly 100D along the longitudinal direction and passing through the center of the ferrule in the width direction, and Fig. 14B is a top view of the optical assembly 100D as viewed in the height direction. Figs. 14C to 14F are diagrams illustrating a manufacturing method of the optical assembly 100D.

[0082] The optical assembly 100D includes a multi-optical transmission sheet 10, a ferrule 20D, an instant adhesive 30, and an electronic substrate 40D.

[0083] The ferrule 20D has an upper end surface 21D, a rear end surface 22, an arrangement hole 23D, a communication hole 24, two guide holes 25D1, an inclined surface 27D, and a mirror 28.

[0084] The top end face 21D faces upward in the height direction, and the rear end face 22 faces rearward in the longitudinal direction. The top end face 21D and the rear end face 22 do not face each other. The arrangement hole 23D penetrates between the top end face 21D and the rear end face 22. That is, the arrangement hole 23D is bent by approximately 90 degrees within the ferrule 20D. The inner shape of the arrangement hole 23D in the longitudinal direction approximately matches the outer shape of the cross section of the multi-optical transmission sheet 10, and is, for example, rounded. At least one end of the multi-optical transmission sheet 10 is accommodated in the arrangement hole 23D.

[0085] The communication hole 24 is formed in the upper end surface 21D and communicates with the arrangement hole 23D.

[0086] The guide holes 25D1 are formed on both sides of the arrangement hole 23D in the width direction in the upper end surface 21D. The guide holes 25D1 are formed by injection molding when the ferrule 20 is produced or by machining after injection molding, and are formed with high precision in position relative to the arrangement hole 23D and the communication hole 24. The guide holes 25D1 are an example of a position reference portion.

[0087] The inclined surface 27D is provided as part of the inner wall surface midway through the placement hole 23D, and forms an angle of approximately 45 degrees with respect to the optical axis of the core region 11 extending in the longitudinal direction of the placement hole 23D. The mirror 28 is flat and provided on the inclined surface 27D.

[0088] The instant adhesive 30 bonds the multi-optical sheet 10 and the ferrule 20D together.

[0089] The electronic substrate 40D includes a photoelectric element 41B, an electric element 42, and a substrate body 43D. The photoelectric element 41B is mounted on the substrate body 43D by flip-chip mounting. The electric element 42 is an element electrically connected to the photoelectric element 41B.

[0090] The substrate body 43D is a rigid substrate having a flat plate shape and is attached to the top end surface 21D of the ferrule 20D by adhesive or the like. The substrate body 43D is provided with a wiring pattern that electrically connects the photoelectric element 41 and the electrical element 42. When the substrate body 43D is attached to the top end surface 21D of the ferrule 20D, the photoelectric element 41B and the electrical element 42 are disposed on the opposite side of the substrate body 43D from the ferrule 20D. The substrate body 43D is provided with optical coupling holes 43Db, and optical coupling is achieved between each of the elements constituting the array in the photoelectric element 41B and each of the core regions 11 of the multi-optical transmission sheet 10 through the optical coupling holes 43Db and via the mirror 28.

[0091] The substrate body 43D also has two positioning holes 43a. When the substrate body 43D is attached to the top end surface 21D of the ferrule 20D, the two positioning holes 43a are adjusted to match with the two guide holes 25D of the ferrule 20D, respectively. The array elements of the photoelectric conversion device 41B are positioned with high precision with the two positioning holes 43a. As a result, by adjusting the position of the two positioning holes 43a to match with the two guide holes 25D, each of the elements constituting the array of the photoelectric conversion device 41B is optically coupled with each of the core regions 11 of the multi-optical transmission sheet 10 with high precision.

[0092] The manufacturing process of the optical assembly 100D having such a configuration will be described. First, ferrule members 20D1 and 20D2 are prepared. As shown in FIGS. 14C and 14D , the ferrule members 20D1 and 20D2 are components that, when combined, form the ferrule 20D. The ferrule members 20D1 and 20D2 can be formed by manufacturing the ferrule 20D by injection molding or the like and then dividing it into two. From the standpoint of shape accuracy, the ferrule members 20D1 and 20D2 may be manufactured individually by injection molding or the like. The ferrule member 20D1 has substantially the same shape as the ferrule 20 in the cable 100 according to the first embodiment. The ferrule member 20D1 has a hole 23D1 corresponding to the arrangement hole 23 of the ferrule 20. The ferrule member 20D1 can also be considered an example of a housing member. The ferrule member 20D1 also has a guide portion 25D2 corresponding to the guide hole 25 of the ferrule 20. The guide portion 25D2 is an example of a position reference portion. The inclined surface 27D and the mirror 28 are provided on the ferrule member 20D2 side. The ferrule member 20D2 is provided with a recess 23D2. When the ferrule members 20D1 and 20D2 are joined, the hole 23D1 and the recess 23D2 are connected to form the arrangement hole 23D.

[0093] Next, as in the case of embodiment 1, the position reference portion imaging step, adjustment image generating step, accommodation step, core region imaging step, position adjustment step, and fixing step are performed using the ferrule member 20D1 and the multi-optical sheet 10 in the device 1000. This produces the assembly shown on the right side of Figures 14C and 14D, in which the core region 11 of the multi-optical sheet 10 is positioned with high precision relative to the guide portion 25D2.

[0094] Next, the ferrule members 20D1 and 20D2 are joined together to form the ferrule 20D. In this case, the ferrule members 20D1 and 20D2 are positioned by, for example, aligning the guide portion 25D2 of the ferrule member 20D1 with a guide portion (not shown) of the ferrule member 20D2 that is formed at a position corresponding to the guide portion 25D2.

[0095] Next, a step of attaching the electronic board 40D to the ferrule 20D is performed. Specifically, the relative position of the electronic board 40D or the board main body 43D having the positioning holes 43a is adjusted relative to the ferrule 20D so that the positioning holes 43a are in the attachment positions relative to the guide holes 25D1, and the component is attached to the ferrule 20D. In this embodiment, "adjusting the positioning holes 43a to be in the attachment positions relative to the guide holes 25D1" means that the positioning holes 43a are aligned with the guide holes 25D1.

[0096] According to the above manufacturing method, as in the cases of Embodiments 1 to 4, even if the core region 11 is misaligned in the covering portion 13, the misalignment of the core region 11 with respect to the guide hole 25D1 and the photoelectric element 41B is suppressed, and an optical assembly 100D in which an increase in coupling loss is suppressed can be realized. Furthermore, the optical assembly 100D can be made smaller than in the case of wire bonding mounting, and is suitable for transmitting and receiving high-frequency signals.

[0097] Sixth Embodiment Figures 15A to 15F are diagrams illustrating a schematic configuration of an optical assembly that is a co-molded multi-optical transmission sheet assembly according to a sixth embodiment, and a manufacturing method thereof. Figure 15A is a cross-sectional view of the optical assembly 100E along the longitudinal direction and passing through the center of the ferrule in the width direction, and Figure 15B is a top view of the optical assembly 100E as viewed in the height direction. Figures 15C to 15F are diagrams illustrating a manufacturing method of the optical assembly 100E. The optical assembly 100E has a configuration in which the ferrule 20D of the optical assembly 100D shown in Figures 14A to 14F is replaced with a ferrule 20E, and a lens element 50 is further added.

[0098] The ferrule 20E has an upper end surface 21E, a rear end surface 22, an arrangement hole 23E, a communication hole 24, two guide holes 25E1, protrusions 26E1 and 26E2, an inclined surface 27E, and a mirror 28.

[0099] The top end face 21E faces upward in the height direction, and the rear end face 22 faces rearward in the longitudinal direction. The arrangement hole 23E penetrates between the top end face 21E and the rear end face 22. That is, the arrangement hole 23E is bent by approximately 90 degrees within the ferrule 20E. The internal shape of the arrangement hole 23E, in the portion that houses the multi-optical transmission sheet 10, approximately matches the external cross-sectional shape of the multi-optical transmission sheet 10, and has rounded corners, for example. At least one end of the multi-optical transmission sheet 10 is housed in the arrangement hole 23E.

[0100] The guide holes 25E1 are formed on both sides of the arrangement hole 23E in the width direction in the upper end surface 21E. The guide holes 25E1 are formed by injection molding when the ferrule 20E is produced or by machining after injection molding, and are formed with high precision in position relative to the arrangement hole 23E and the communication hole 24. The guide holes 25E1 are an example of a position reference portion.

[0101] The protrusions 26E1 and 26E2 are provided in the arrangement hole 23E and protrude into the arrangement hole 23E. The protrusion 26E1 is located on the side of the arrangement hole 23E that is away from the rear end surface 22 of the portion extending in the longitudinal direction. The end surface of the multi-optical transmission sheet 10 abuts against the protrusion 26E1. The protrusion 26E2 is located on the portion of the arrangement hole 23E that extends in the height direction.

[0102] Furthermore, guide holes 26E2a are provided on the side surfaces of the protrusion 26E2 facing the upper end surface 21E of the ferrule 20E, on both sides of the arrangement hole 23E in the width direction (see FIG. 15D).

[0103] The inclined surface 27E is provided as part of the inner wall surface midway through the placement hole 23E, and forms an angle of approximately 45 degrees with respect to the optical axis of the core region 11 extending in the longitudinal direction of the placement hole 23E. The mirror 28 is provided on the inclined surface 27E.

[0104] The lens element 50 is attached to the protrusion 26E2. As described above, the lens element 50 has four array lenses 51 and two positioning holes 52 that are positioned with high precision relative to the array lenses 51 (see FIG. 15F).

[0105] When the lens element 50 is attached to the protrusion 26E2, the two positioning holes 52 are adjusted to coincide with the two guide holes 26E2a of the protrusion 26E2, respectively. As with the optical assembly 100C shown in FIG. 13 , the array lens 51 of the lens element 50 is positioned with high precision relative to the two positioning holes 52. Furthermore, the two guide holes 26E2a are positioned with high precision relative to the two guide holes 25E1. As a result, by adjusting the position of the two positioning holes 52 so that they coincide with the two guide holes 26E2a, each lens of the array lens 51 of the lens element 50 is optically coupled with each core region 11 of the multi-optical transmission sheet 10 with high precision. The positioning holes 52 are an example of a positioning portion. The lens element 50 is an example of a component equipped with a positioning portion.

[0106] The optical assembly 100E having such a configuration can be manufactured in the same manner as the optical assembly 100D shown in Figures 14A to 14F. Specifically, first, ferrule members 20E1 and 20E2 are prepared. As shown in Figures 15C and 15D, the ferrule members 20E1 and 20E2 are components that, when coupled, form the ferrule 20E. The ferrule member 20E1 has substantially the same shape as the ferrule member 20D1 in the optical assembly 100D and is provided with a hole 23E1 corresponding to the hole 23D1 in the ferrule member 20D1. The ferrule member 20E1 can also be considered an example of a housing member. The ferrule member 20E1 also has a guide portion (not shown) that corresponds to the guide hole 25D1 in the ferrule member 20D1 and is an example of a positioning reference portion. The protrusions 26E1 and 26E2, the inclined surface 27E, and the mirror 28 are provided on the ferrule member 20E2 side. The ferrule member 20E2 is provided with a recess 23E2. When the ferrule members 20E1 and 20E2 are joined together, the hole 23E1 and the recess 23E2 are connected to form the arrangement hole 23E.

[0107] 14A to 14F, the device 1000 performs the position reference portion imaging step, the adjustment image generating step, the accommodation step, the core region imaging step, the position adjustment step, and the fixing step using the ferrule member 20E1 and the multi-optical transmission sheet 10. This produces an assembly in which the core region 11 of the multi-optical transmission sheet 10 is positioned with high precision relative to the guide portion 25E2.

[0108] Next, the ferrule members 20E1 and 20E2 are joined together to form the ferrule 20E (see FIGS. 15C and 15D). In this case, the ferrule members 20E1 and 20E2 are positioned by, for example, aligning the guide portions of the ferrule member 20E1 with the guide portions of the ferrule member 20E2 that are formed at positions corresponding to the guide portions.

[0109] Next, a step of attaching the lens element 50 to the protruding portion 26E2 of the ferrule 20E is performed (see FIGS. 15E and 15F).Furthermore, as in the fifth embodiment, a step of attaching the electronic board 40D to the ferrule 20E is performed.

[0110] According to the above manufacturing method, as in the cases of Embodiments 1 to 5, even if the core region 11 is misaligned in the coating 13, misalignment of the core region 11 with respect to the guide hole 25E1 and the photoelectric element 41B is suppressed, thereby realizing an optical assembly 100E in which an increase in connection loss is suppressed. Note that the ferrule member 20E2 and a lens element such as the lens element 50 may be integrated. In this case, the step of attaching the lens element is not necessary.

[0111] 16A and 16B are schematic structural diagrams of an optical assembly that is a unibody molded multi-optical transmission sheet assembly according to embodiment 7. Fig. 16A is a cross-sectional view of the optical assembly 100F along the longitudinal direction and passing through the center of the ferrule in the width direction, and Fig. 16B is a top view of the optical assembly 100F as viewed in the height direction.

[0112] The optical assembly 100F includes a multi-optical transmission sheet 10, a ferrule 20F, and an instant adhesive 30.

[0113] The ferrule 20F has a configuration similar to that of the ferrule 20D in embodiment 5. That is, the ferrule 20F has an upper end surface 21F, a rear end surface 22, an arrangement hole 23F, a communication hole 24, two guide holes 25F, an inclined surface 27F, and a mirror 28.

[0114] The top end face 21F faces upward in the height direction, and the rear end face 22 faces rearward in the longitudinal direction. The top end face 21F and the rear end face 22 do not face each other. The arrangement hole 23F penetrates between the top end face 21F and the rear end face 22 and is bent at approximately 90 degrees within the ferrule 20F. The inner shape of the arrangement hole 23F in the longitudinal direction approximately matches the outer shape of the cross section of the multi-optical transmission sheet 10, and has rounded corners, for example. At least one end of the multi-optical transmission sheet 10 is accommodated in the arrangement hole 23F.

[0115] The communication hole 24 is formed in the upper end surface 21F and communicates with the arrangement hole 23F.

[0116] The guide holes 25F are formed on both sides of the arrangement hole 23F in the width direction in the upper end surface 21F. The guide holes 25F are formed by injection molding when the ferrule 20 is produced or by machining after injection molding, and are formed with high precision in position relative to the arrangement hole 23F and the communication hole 24. The guide holes 25F are an example of a position reference portion.

[0117] The inclined surface 27F is provided as part of the inner wall surface midway through the placement hole 23F, and forms an angle of approximately 45 degrees with respect to the optical axis of the core region 11 extending in the longitudinal direction of the placement hole 23F. The mirror 28 is provided on the inclined surface 27F.

[0118] The instant adhesive 30 bonds the multi-optical sheet 10 and the ferrule 20D together.

[0119] As can be seen from FIG. 16B, when the optical assembly 100F is viewed from the top surface 21F side, the guide hole 25F is visible, and the core region 11 reflected on the mirror 28 through the opening 23Fa of the arrangement hole 23F is visible.

[0120] A case where an optical assembly 100F having such a configuration is manufactured will be described. Fig. 17 is an explanatory diagram of an apparatus used to manufacture the optical assembly 100F. The apparatus 1000A has a configuration in which the position adjustment apparatus 1100 in the apparatus 1000 shown in Fig. 5 is replaced with a position adjustment apparatus 1100A, and the two-viewpoint camera 1130 is replaced with a two-viewpoint camera 1130A.

[0121] The two-field-of-view camera 1130A includes an optical unit 1131A and a camera unit 1132A. The optical unit 1131A includes objective lenses 1131Aa and 1131Ab for imaging. The objective lens 1131Aa is used to image the ferrule 20 placed on the mounting unit 1111 and the multi-optical transmission sheet 10 placed in the mounting groove 1121 in the Y direction. The objective lens 1131Ab is used to image the reference structure placed on the mounting unit 112 in the Y direction. The position on the mounting unit 1112 where the reference structure is placed is an example of a second position where the reference structure is disposed. Note that this is a different position from the first position and the second position.

[0122] The position adjustment device 1100A differs from the position adjustment device 1100 in that it is configured to be able to mount a two-viewpoint camera 1130.

[0123] 16A, 16B, and 17, a method for manufacturing optical assembly 100F using apparatus 1000A will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 17, a worker or a work robot places ferrule 20F on placement portion 1111. Furthermore, the worker or the work robot places reference structure R on placement portion 1112.

[0124] Next, the processing device 1200 controls the two-view camera 1130A to capture images of the guide hole 25F provided in the ferrule 20F and the reference structure R (an example of a position reference portion capturing step). Thereafter, the processing device 1200 acquires data of the captured image.

[0125] 7 (an example of an adjusted image generating step), and displays the adjusted image on the screen of the display unit 1210. The adjusted image includes a reference position marker corresponding to the guide hole 25F of the ferrule 20F and four core position markers indicating the ideal positions of the four core regions 11 relative to the guide hole 25F. Furthermore, the adjusted image is superimposed so that the image of the guide hole 25F and the image of the reference position marker of the reference structure R coincide with each other.

[0126] Next, the worker or the work robot places the multi-optical transmission sheet 10 in the placement groove 1121 of the stage 1120. Next, the processing device 1200 controls the stage 1120 to place one end of the multi-optical transmission sheet 10 in the placement hole 23F of the ferrule 20F (an example of a placing step).

[0127] Next, the processing device 1200 controls the two-view camera 1130A to capture an image of the core region 11 exposed at one end surface of the multi-optical transmission sheet 10 housed in the ferrule 20F (an example of a core region imaging step). In this imaging, the processing device 1200 captures an image of the core region 11 reflected by the mirror 28, as can be seen in FIG. 16. The processing device 1200 then acquires data of the captured image.

[0128] Next, the processing device 1200 controls the stage 1120 to adjust the relative position of the multi-optical transmission sheet 10 with respect to the ferrule 20F so that the position of each image of the core region 11 coincides with the position of each core position marker of the corresponding reference structure R (an example of a position adjustment step).

[0129] Next, once the worker or work robot has completed adjusting the relative position of the multi-optical transmission sheet 10 to the ferrule 20, they drip instant adhesive 30 into the communicating hole 24 to fix the multi-optical transmission sheet 10 to the ferrule 20F (an example of a fixing step).

[0130] According to the above manufacturing method, as in the cases of embodiments 1 to 6, even if there is a positional misalignment of the core region 11 in the covering portion 13, the positional misalignment of the core region 11 relative to the guide hole 25F is suppressed, and an optical assembly 100F can be realized in which an increase in connection loss is suppressed.

[0131] (Embodiment 8) Figures 18A to 18F are diagrams illustrating a schematic configuration of an optical assembly that is a co-molded multi-optical transmission sheet assembly according to embodiment 8, and a manufacturing method thereof. Figure 18A is a cross-sectional view of the optical assembly 100G along the longitudinal direction and passing through the center of the ferrule in the width direction, and Figure 18B is a top view of the optical assembly 100G viewed in the height direction. Figures 18C to 18F are diagrams illustrating a manufacturing method of the optical assembly 100G. The optical assembly 100G has a configuration in which the ferrule 20F of the optical assembly 100F shown in Figures 16A and 16B is replaced with a ferrule 20G, and an electronic board 40D and a lens element 50 are further added.

[0132] The ferrule 20G has a configuration similar to that of the ferrule 20E shown in Figures 15A to 15F, that is, the ferrule 20G has an upper end surface 21G, a rear end surface 22, an arrangement hole 23G, a communication hole 24, two guide holes 25G, protrusions 26G1 and 26G2, an inclined surface 27G, and a mirror 28.

[0133] The top end surface 21G faces upward in the height direction, and the rear end surface 22 faces rearward in the longitudinal direction. The arrangement hole 23G penetrates between the top end surface 21G and the rear end surface 22. That is, the arrangement hole 23G is bent by approximately 90 degrees within the ferrule 20G. The internal shape of the arrangement hole 23G in the portion that houses the multi-optical transmission sheet 10 approximately matches the external cross-sectional shape of the multi-optical transmission sheet 10, and is, for example, rounded. At least one end of the multi-optical transmission sheet 10 is housed in the arrangement hole 23G.

[0134] The guide holes 25G are formed on both sides of the arrangement hole 23G in the width direction in the upper end surface 21G. The guide holes 25G are formed by injection molding when the ferrule 20G is produced or by machining after injection molding, and are formed with high precision in position relative to the arrangement hole 23G and the communication hole 24. The guide holes 25G are an example of a position reference portion.

[0135] The protrusions 26G1 and 26G2 are provided in the arrangement hole 23G and protrude into the arrangement hole 23G. The protrusion 26G1 is located on the side of the arrangement hole 23G that is away from the rear end surface 22 of the portion extending in the longitudinal direction. The end surface of the multi-optical transmission sheet 10 abuts against the protrusion 26G1. The protrusion 26G2 is located on the portion of the arrangement hole 23G that extends in the height direction.

[0136] Furthermore, guide holes 26G2a are provided on the side of the protruding portion 26G2 facing the upper end surface 21G of the ferrule 20G, on both sides of the arrangement hole 23G in the width direction (see FIG. 18D).

[0137] The inclined surface 27G is provided as part of the inner wall surface midway through the placement hole 23G, and forms an angle of approximately 45 degrees with respect to the optical axis of the core region 11 extending in the longitudinal direction of the placement hole 23G. The mirror 28 is provided on the inclined surface 27G.

[0138] Lens element 50 is attached to protrusion 26G2 (see Figures 18E and 18F).

[0139] 15A to 15F, when the lens element 50 is attached to the protruding portion 26G2, the position of the two positioning holes 52 of the lens element 50 is adjusted to match with the two guide holes 26G2a of the protruding portion 26G2. By adjusting the position of the two positioning holes 52 to match with the two guide holes 26G2a, each of the lenses of the array lens 51 of the lens element 50 is optically coupled with each of the core regions 11 of the multi-optical transmission sheet 10 with high precision.

[0140] When manufacturing an optical assembly 100G having such a configuration, similar to the case of optical assembly 100F shown in Figures 16A and 16B, device 1000A performs the position reference portion imaging step, adjustment image generation step, storage step, core region imaging step, position adjustment step, and fixing step to achieve the state shown in Figures 18C and 18D, and then, similar to the case of optical assembly 100E shown in Figures 15A to 15F, for example, a step of attaching lens element 50 and electronic board 40D to ferrule 20G is performed.

[0141] According to the above manufacturing method, as in the cases of Embodiments 1 to 7, it is possible to realize an optical assembly 100G in which misalignment of the core region 11 with respect to the guide hole 25G, the lens element 50, and the photoelectric element 41B is suppressed. Furthermore, the optical assembly 100G can be made smaller than when the photoelectric element 41 is mounted by wire bonding, and is suitable for transmitting and receiving high-frequency signals.

[0142] 19A to 19F are diagrams illustrating a schematic configuration of an optical assembly that is a co-molded multi-optical transmission sheet assembly according to a ninth embodiment, and a manufacturing method thereof. FIG. 19A is a cross-sectional view of optical assembly 100H along the longitudinal direction and passing through the center of the ferrule in the width direction, and FIG. 19B is a top view of optical assembly 100H as viewed in the height direction. FIGS. 19C to 19F are diagrams illustrating a manufacturing method of optical assembly 100H. Optical assembly 100H has a configuration in which ferrule 20G of optical assembly 100G shown in FIGS. 18A to 18F is replaced with ferrule 20H, and further, lens element 50 is removed and lens element 60 is added.

[0143] The ferrule 20H has a similar configuration to the ferrule 20G shown in Figures 18A to 18F. That is, the ferrule 20H has an upper end surface 21H, a rear end surface 22, an arrangement hole 23H, a communication hole 24, two guide holes 25H, a protrusion 26H, an inclined surface 27H, and a mirror 28. The upper end surface 21H, the rear end surface 22, the arrangement hole 23H, the communication hole 24, and the guide holes 25H are similar to the corresponding elements in the ferrule 20G, and therefore will be described as appropriate.

[0144] The protrusion 26H is provided in the arrangement hole 23H and protrudes into the arrangement hole 23H. The protrusion 26H is located on the rear end surface 22 side of the arrangement hole 23H in the longitudinal direction relative to the inclined surface 27H. The end surface of the multi-optical transmission sheet 10 abuts against the protrusion 26H.

[0145] The inclined surface 27H is provided as part of the inner wall surface midway through the placement hole 23H, and forms an angle of approximately 45 degrees with respect to the optical axis of the core region 11 extending in the longitudinal direction of the placement hole 23H. Furthermore, guide holes 27Ha are provided on both sides of the inclined surface 27H in the width direction relative to the mirror 28 (see FIG. 19D).

[0146] Lens element 60 is attached to inclined surface 27H with mirror 28 sandwiched between them. Lens element 60 has a triangular prism-shaped main body 61, array lenses 62 and 63 provided on each of the mutually perpendicular optical surfaces of main body 61, and two positioning holes 64 provided on the optical surface on which array lens 63 is provided and positioned with high precision relative to array lenses 62 and 63 (see FIG. 19F ). Positioning holes 64 are an example of a positioning portion, and lens element 60 is an example of a part equipped with a positioning portion.

[0147] When the lens element 60 is attached to the inclined surface 27H, the position of the two positioning holes 64 of the lens element 60 is adjusted to coincide with the two guide holes 27Ha of the inclined surface 27H. By adjusting the position of the two positioning holes 64 to coincide with the two guide holes 27Ha, the lenses of the array lenses 62, 63 of the lens element 60 are optically coupled with the core regions 11 of the multi-optical transmission sheet 10 with high precision.

[0148] When manufacturing the optical assembly 100H having such a configuration, the same process as that for the optical assembly 100G shown in FIGS. 18A to 18F can be carried out.

[0149] According to the above manufacturing method, as in the first to eighth embodiments, even if the core region 11 is misaligned in the coating 13, misalignment of the core region 11 with respect to the guide hole 25H, the lens element 60, and the photoelectric element 41B is suppressed, thereby realizing an optical assembly 100H in which an increase in connection loss is suppressed. Furthermore, the optical assembly 100H can be made more compact than when the photoelectric element 41 is mounted by wire bonding, and is suitable for transmitting and receiving high-frequency signals. In the ninth embodiment, two lens elements 50, for example, as shown in FIGS. 18A to 18F, may be used instead of the lens element 60. In this case, each of the two lens elements 50 is provided at a position corresponding to each of the array lenses 62 and 63. Furthermore, although the lens element 60 and the mirror 28 are separate entities in the ninth embodiment, the lens element 60 and the mirror 28 may be integrated.

[0150] 20 is a schematic diagram of an optical assembly that is a unibody molded multi-optical transmission sheet assembly according to embodiment 10. The optical assembly 100I has a configuration in which the ferrule 20H of the optical assembly 100H is replaced with a ferrule 20I, and further the electronic board 40D is replaced with an electronic board 40I.

[0151] The electronic board 40I has a configuration in which the photoelectric element 41B of the electronic board 40D is replaced with a photoelectric element 41, and the board body 43D is replaced with a board body 43I. The board body 43I is a flat, rigid board. The photoelectric element 41 is wire-bonded to the electric element 42. The ferrule 20I differs from the ferrule 20H in that a recess 29I is provided in the upper end surface 21H and that the ferrule members 20I1 and 20I2 are joined together. The recess 29I accommodates the photoelectric element 41 and the electric element 42.

[0152] When manufacturing such an optical assembly 100I, first, the multi-optical transmission sheet 10 and the ferrule member 20I1 are positioned and fixed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Then, the ferrule member 20I1 and the ferrule member 20I2, to which the mirror 28 and the lens element 60 have already been attached, are aligned and fixed. This alignment may be performed using, for example, a two-view camera or a mechanical alignment mechanism such as a guide pin. Then, the ferrule 20I and the electronic board 40I are aligned and fixed. This alignment may be performed using, for example, a two-view camera or a mechanical alignment mechanism such as a guide pin.

[0153] When manufacturing the optical assemblies according to the seventh, eighth, and ninth embodiments shown in Figures 16A, 16B, 18A to 18F, and 19A to 19F, if the ferrule is composed of two ferrule members, as in the optical assembly 100D according to the fifth embodiment shown in Figures 14A to 14F, the optical assembly can be manufactured using the apparatus 1000 shown in Figure 6, similar to the optical assembly 100D. Furthermore, for example, if the optical assembly includes a lens element, one of the ferrule members may be formed from a transparent material such as polyetherimide and integrated with the lens element. In this case, a separate lens element and position adjustment of the lens element are not required.

[0154] In the first embodiment, for example, the ferrule 20 is a ferrule compatible with an MT ferrule. However, the ferrule is not limited to this. For example, the ferrule may be compatible with a ferrule used in an MPO connector conforming to the JIS C5982 standard for F13-type multi-core optical fiber connectors or the IEC 61754-7 standard, or it may be compatible with a ferrule used in a PMT connector conforming to the JPCA-PE03-01-07S standard.

[0155] Furthermore, for example, in the second embodiment, the board body 43 of the electronic board 40 is a rigid board, but it may be a flexible board.

[0156] Furthermore, for example, in the eighth embodiment, the placement hole 23F is bent by approximately 90 degrees, but the angle of bending is not limited to this.

[0157] In the above embodiment, a boot, which is a flexible member for preventing excessive bending of the optical sheet 10, may be provided on the rear end face of the ferrule.

[0158] In the above manufacturing method, the position reference portion imaging step, the adjustment image generating step, the accommodation step, the core region imaging step, the position adjustment step, and the fixing step are performed in this order, but the order in which the steps are performed is not limited to this. For example, the accommodation step may be performed before the adjustment image generating step.

[0159] Furthermore, for example, in the above-described ninth embodiment, the positioning hole 64 may have a configuration other than a hole such as a marker.

[0160] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. The present invention also includes configurations in which the above-described components are appropriately combined. Furthermore, further effects and modifications can be easily derived by those skilled in the art. Therefore, the broader aspects of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible.

[0161] 10, 10A, 10B, 10C: multi-optical transmission sheet 11: core region 12: cladding region 13: coating portion 20, 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D, 20E, 20F, 20G, 20H: ferrule 20D1, 20D2, 20E1, 20E2: ferrule member 21: front end face 21D, 21E, 21F, 21G, 21H: upper end face 22: rear end face 23, 23A, 23C, 23D, 23E, 23F, 23G, 23H: arrangement hole 23D1, 23E1: hole 23D2, 23E2: recess 23Fa: opening 24: communication hole 25, 25D, 25D1, 25E1, 25F, 25G, 25H, 26Ca, 26E2a, 26G2a, 27Ha: Guide holes 25D2, 25E2: Guide portions 26A: Step portions 26C, 26E1, 26E2, 26G1, 26G2, 26H: Protrusions 27D, 27E, 27F, 27H: Inclined surfaces 28: Mirror 29I: Concave portions 30: Instant adhesive 40, 40B, 40D, 40I: Electronic substrates 41, 41B: Photoelectric element 42: Electric element 43, 43B, 43D, 43I: Substrate body 43Bb, 43Db: Optical coupling holes 43a, 52, 64: Positioning holes 50, 60: Lens elements 51, 62, 63: Array lens 100: Cable 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 100E, 100F, 100G, 100H, 100I: Optical assembly 1000, 1000A: Apparatus 1100, 1100A: Position adjustment device 1110: Base 1111, 1112: Mounting section 1120: Stage 1121: Mounting groove 1130, 1130A: Two-field camera 1131, 1131A: Optical section 1131a, 1131b, 1131Aa, 1131Ab: Objective lens 1132, 1132A: Camera section 1200: Processing device 1210: Display section 1211: Screen C : Container IA : Adjusted image I1, I2, I10, I11, I25, IR : Image L1 : Center line R : Reference structure R1 : Reference position marker R2 : Core position marker

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a uni-molded multi-optical transmission sheet assembly comprising: a sheet-like covering portion made of plastic; a plurality of optical transmission regions provided inside the covering portion so as to extend along the extension direction of the covering portion, each of the optical transmission regions having a core region made of plastic and a cladding region made of plastic surrounding the outer periphery of the core region, the plurality of optical transmission regions being arranged in a row substantially parallel to one another along a main surface of the covering portion; and a container member having one end of the uni-molded multi-optical transmission sheet housed in an arrangement hole, the method comprising the steps of: capturing an image of a position reference portion provided in the container member arranged at a first position; and a reference structure arranged at a second position different from the first position, the reference structure including a reference position marker corresponding to the position reference portion and a core position marker indicating each ideal position of the core region relative to the position reference portion; an adjustment image generating step of generating an adjustment image in which an image of the reference position marker and an image of the position reference portion are superimposed so as to coincide with each other; A manufacturing method for a unibody molded multi-optical transmission sheet assembly, comprising: an accommodating step of accommodating one end of the unibody molded multi-optical transmission sheet in the placement hole of the accommodating member; a core area imaging step of imaging the core area exposed at an end surface at the one end of the unibody molded multi-optical transmission sheet accommodated in the placement hole; a position adjusting step of adjusting a relative position of the unibody molded multi-optical transmission sheet with respect to the accommodating member so that the position of each image of the captured core area coincides with the position of each of the core position markers corresponding to each of the core areas; and a fixing step of fixing the unibody molded multi-optical transmission sheet after the position adjustment has been completed to the accommodating member.

2. The method for manufacturing a monoblock multi-optical transmission sheet assembly according to claim 1, wherein the arrangement hole extends in one direction within the housing member.

3. A method for manufacturing a unibody molded multi-optical transmission sheet assembly as described in claim 1, wherein the placement hole is bent within the accommodating member, and in the core area imaging step, an image of the core area exposed to the end face and reflected in a mirror provided within the placement hole is captured.

4. A method for manufacturing a unibody molded multi-optical transmission sheet assembly as described in claim 1, comprising the steps of: adjusting the relative position of a component having a positioning portion with respect to the accommodating member so that the positioning portion is in an attachment position with respect to the position reference portion; and attaching the component to the accommodating member.

5. The method for manufacturing a unibody molded multi-optical transmission sheet assembly according to claim 4, wherein the part includes a lens.

6. The method for manufacturing a unibody molded multi-optical transmission sheet assembly according to claim 4, wherein the components include a substrate body having the positioning portion and attached to the housing member, and a photoelectric element flip-chip mounted on the substrate body.

Images