First optical connector module and optical connector system

Abstract

A first optical connector module (2) according to the present disclosure is connected to a second optical connector module (3), said first optical connector module (2) comprising: a first optical connector (21) that is connected to the second optical connector module (3); a first housing (221) that covers the first optical connector (21); an elastic member (26) that is attached to the first housing (221); and a second housing (222) that covers the first housing (221) and the elastic member (26), wherein the elastic member (26) is in a reference state when a relative positional relationship between the first housing (221) and the second housing (222) is a first relationship which serves as a reference, and, when the relative positional relationship is a second relationship in which the relative positional relationship deviates from the first relationship in the connection direction in which said first optical connector module (2) and the second optical connector module (3) are connected to each other, the elastic member (26) contracts from the reference state in the connection direction.

Description

First optical connector module and optical connector system CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-007023, filed on January 19, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a first optical connector module and an optical connector system.

[0003] Conventionally, optical connector systems for optically coupling optical transmission lines have been known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an optical connector that can easily achieve a miniaturized housing attached to a printed board. Generally, in optical connector systems, in order to reduce coupling loss between the optical transmission lines, it is necessary to position and connect a first optical connector attached to a first optical transmission line and a second optical connector attached to a second optical transmission line with high precision.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-112218

[0005] A first optical connector module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a first optical connector module to be connected to a second optical connector module, comprising: a first optical connector connected to the second optical connector module, a first housing covering the first optical connector, an elastic member attached to the first housing, and a second housing covering the first housing and the elastic member, wherein the elastic member is in a reference state when a relative positional relationship between the first housing and the second housing is in a first relationship serving as a reference, and contracts from the reference state in the connection direction when the relative positional relationship is in a second relationship deviated from the first relationship in the connection direction in which the first optical connector module and the second optical connector module are connected to each other.

[0006] An optical connector system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes the above-described first optical connector module and a second optical connector module connected to the first optical connector module. The first optical connector module has the first optical connector attached to the tip on the second optical connector module side in a first optical transmission path having a plurality of first optical waveguide portions. The second optical connector module is attached to a second optical transmission path having a base body and a second optical waveguide portion laminated on the base body, and has a second optical connector connected to the first optical connector.

[0007] It is an external perspective view showing the connection state of the optical connector system according to an embodiment in a top view. It is an external perspective view showing the non-connection state of the optical connector system according to an embodiment in a top view. It is an external perspective view showing an enlarged view of the second optical transmission path alone in FIG. 1 in a top view. It is an external perspective view showing the first optical connector module alone in FIG. 1 holding the first optical transmission path in a top view. It is an external perspective view showing a part of the first optical connector module alone in FIG. 4A in a top view. It is an external perspective view showing a further part of the first optical connector module alone in FIG. 4A in a top view. It is an external perspective view showing the first optical connector module alone in FIG. 1 holding the first optical transmission path in a bottom view. It is an external perspective view showing the first optical connector module alone in FIG. 4A disassembled in a top view. It is a rear view of the first optical connector module alone in FIG. 4A. It is a front view of the first optical connector module alone in FIG. 4A. It is an external perspective view showing the second housing alone in a top view. It is a cross-sectional view taken along the X-X arrow line in FIG. 4A. It is an external perspective view showing the second optical connector module alone in FIG. 1 attached to the second optical transmission path in a top view. It is an external perspective view showing the second optical connector in a top view with the illustration of the housing omitted in FIG. 11. It is a cross-sectional view taken along the XIII-XIII arrow line in FIG. 1. It is a cross-sectional view taken along the XIV-XIV arrow line in FIG. 1. It is a cross-sectional view taken along the XV-XV arrow line in FIG. 1. It is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 15 showing the first state of the first optical connector module. It is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 15 showing the second state of the first optical connector module. It is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 15 showing the third state of the first optical connector module.

[0008] In conventional optical connector systems, sufficient consideration was not given to reducing contact between the optical connector module having a first optical connector and the connection surface of the second optical connector with the first optical connector when connecting and disconnecting the optical connector module, thereby reducing damage to these components.

[0009] According to the first optical connector module and optical connector system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, damage to the configuration of the optical connector system can be reduced.

[0010] An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the directions of front, back, left, right, and up and down refer to the directions of arrows in the drawings. The directions of the arrows are consistent between different drawings in Figures 1 to 18.

[0011] In the present disclosure, the "connection direction" includes, for example, the front-to-rear direction. The "width direction intersecting the connection direction" includes, for example, the left-to-right direction. The "height direction intersecting the connection direction" includes, for example, the up-to-down direction. The "first optical connector module 2 side" includes, for example, the front side. The "opposite side of the first optical connector module 2" includes, for example, the rear side. The "second optical connector module 3 side" includes, for example, the rear side. The "opposite side of the second optical connector module 3" includes, for example, the front side. The "base 51 side" includes, for example, the lower side. The "opposite side of the base 51" includes, for example, the upper side.

[0012] "Inside" corresponds to, for example, the direction toward the center of the first optical connector module 2 or the second optical connector module 3. For example, the inside in the front-to-back direction corresponds to the direction toward the center in the front-to-back direction of the first optical connector module 2 or the second optical connector module 3. This is not limited to this, and the inside does not have to be a direction completely toward the center in the front-to-back direction, but may correspond to a direction toward the center at a slight angle. The same applies to other directions. "Outside" is the opposite of inside.

[0013] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the external appearance of an optical connector system 1 according to an embodiment, showing a connected state from above. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the external appearance of an optical connector system 1 according to an embodiment, showing a non-connected state from above. The configuration and functions of the optical connector system 1 will be outlined with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 .

[0014] The optical connector system 1 includes a first optical connector module 2 and a second optical connector module 3 connected to the first optical connector module 2. In a connected state in which the first optical connector module 2 and the second optical connector module 3 are connected to each other, the optical connector system 1 connects the first optical connector 21 of the first optical connector module 2 and the second optical connector 31 of the second optical connector module 3 to each other.

[0015] The first optical connector module 2 holds a first optical transmission line 40 having a plurality of first optical waveguide sections 41. The first optical waveguide section 41 is composed of a single optical fiber. The first optical transmission line 40 is composed of a plurality of optical fibers as the plurality of first optical waveguide sections 41 arranged in a row in the left-right direction. The first optical waveguide section 41 has a core, a cladding, and, if necessary, a coating.

[0016] The waveguide mode of the first optical waveguide portion 41 may be either single mode or multimode. The first optical waveguide portion 41 may be configured with any type of optical fiber, such as a general-purpose single mode fiber, a dispersion-shifted single mode fiber, or a step-index multimode optical fiber. The multiple first optical waveguide portions 41 may be bundled so as to be covered with a sheath, or may not be bundled. The horizontal spacing between the cores of the multiple first optical waveguide portions 41 held by the first optical connector module 2 substantially matches the horizontal spacing between the cores 521 of the second optical transmission line 50, which will be described later.

[0017] The second optical connector module 3 is attached to a second optical transmission line 50 having a base 51 and a second optical waveguide portion 52 laminated on the base 51 .

[0018] Fig. 3 is an external perspective view showing an enlarged top view of the second optical transmission line 50 alone in Fig. 1. The configuration of the second optical transmission line 50 will be mainly described with reference to Fig. 3.

[0019] The second optical transmission line 50 has a base 51 formed of a rigid printed wiring board, a second optical waveguide section 52 laminated on the upper surface of the base 51, and a positioning core 53 laminated on the upper surface of a cladding 522 (described later) of the second optical waveguide section 52. The second optical waveguide section 52 is arranged so that its front-rear end face coincides with the front-rear end face of the base 51 in order to be optically coupled to a second optical connector 31 (described later). The front-rear end face of the second optical waveguide section 52 is arranged in a plane along the front-rear end face of the base 51. The waveguide mode of the second optical waveguide section 52 may be either single mode or multimode.

[0020] The second optical waveguide section 52 has a core 521 and a clad 522 that are stacked on the base 51 in a stacking direction perpendicular to the base 51. More specifically, the second optical waveguide section 52 has a clad 522 that is stacked directly on the upper surface of the base 51, and a core 521 that is stacked on the clad 522.

[0021] The cores 521 are arranged in a plurality at predetermined intervals in the left-right direction. Each core 521 extends in the front-rear direction. The cores 521 and the clad 522 are made of an appropriate material such as silica-based glass. The refractive index of the cores 521 is higher than the refractive index of the clad 522. In the following description, the second optical waveguide section 52 is described as an optical waveguide in which the cores 521 are exposed, as an example, but is not limited to this. The second optical waveguide section 52 may be an appropriate type of optical waveguide, such as a slab type, an embedded type, or a semi-embedded type.

[0022] When the waveguide mode of the second optical waveguide portion 52 is a single mode, the core size of the core 521 is, for example, within the range of 5 μm to 15 μm. When the waveguide mode of the second optical waveguide portion 52 is a multimode, the core size of the core 521 is, for example, within the range of 35 μm to 62.5 μm. In the present disclosure, the "core size" includes, for example, the actual size of the core 521, rather than the mode field diameter. The refractive index of the core 521 is, for example, 1.6.

[0023] The positioning core 53 is laminated on the upper surface of the cladding 522 using, for example, the same material as the core 521. A pair of positioning cores 53 are arranged, for example, to sandwich the second optical waveguide section 52 from both left and right sides. The positioning cores 53 are arranged, for example, parallel to the second optical waveguide section 52 along the front-rear direction. The positioning cores 53 are arranged, for example, to extend a predetermined length in the front-rear direction. The positioning cores 53 are arranged, for example, so that the overall width in the front-rear direction changes in a stepped manner depending on the position in the front-rear direction.

[0024] The second optical transmission line 50 is manufactured using photolithography or the like. For example, the manufacturing method is performed in the following order: the clad 522, the core 521, and the positioning core 53. The manufacturing method for the second optical transmission line 50 includes a step of stacking the clad 522 that constitutes the second optical waveguide unit 52 on the upper surface of the base 51 in a stacking direction perpendicular to the base 51. The manufacturing method for the second optical transmission line 50 includes a step of stacking the core 521 that constitutes the second optical waveguide unit 52 on the upper surface of the clad 522. Similarly, the manufacturing method for the second optical transmission line 50 includes a step of stacking the positioning core 53 on the upper surface of the clad 522 that constitutes the second optical waveguide unit 52.

[0025] Referring again to Figures 1 and 2, when the first optical connector module 2 and the second optical connector module 3 are connected to each other, the first optical transmission path 40 and the second optical transmission path 50 are optically coupled to each other.

[0026] FIG. 4A is an external perspective view of the first optical connector module 2 of FIG. 1 alone, as viewed from above, holding the first optical transmission line 40. FIG. 4B is an external perspective view of a portion of the first optical connector module 2 of FIG. 4A alone, as viewed from above. FIG. 4C is an external perspective view of a further portion of the first optical connector module 2 of FIG. 4A alone, as viewed from above. FIG. 5 is an external perspective view of the first optical connector module 2 of FIG. 1 alone, as viewed from below, holding the first optical transmission line 40. FIG. 6 is an external perspective view of the first optical connector module 2 of FIG. 4A alone, exploded, as viewed from above. FIG. 7 is a rear view of the first optical connector module 2 of FIG. 4A alone. FIG. 8 is a front view of the first optical connector module 2 of FIG. 4A alone. FIG. 9 is an external perspective view of the second housing 222 alone, as viewed from above. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow XX in FIG. 4A. An example of the configuration of the first optical connector module 2 will be mainly described with reference to FIGS. 4A to 10.

[0027] The first optical connector module 2 has a first optical connector 21 attached to the tip of a first optical transmission path 40 on the second optical connector module 3 side, the first optical transmission path 40 having a plurality of first optical waveguide portions 41, and a housing 22 arranged to surround the first optical connector 21. The first optical connector module 2 has a first metal fitting 23 arranged from below the first optical connector 21. The first optical connector module 2 has a second metal fitting 24 arranged from above the first optical connector 21.

[0028] The first optical connector module 2 has a first coil spring 25 positioned so as to be sandwiched between the front end of the first metal fitting 23 and the front end of the second metal fitting 24. The first optical connector module 2 has a second coil spring 26 positioned between the first housing 221 and the second housing 222. The second coil spring 26 corresponds to the "elastic member" recited in the claims. The first optical connector module 2 has an optical member 27 arranged on the end face S of the first optical connector 21 located on the second optical connector module 3 side.

[0029] 4C and 6 , the first optical connector 21 has a rectangular base 211 that constitutes more than half of the exterior of the first optical connector 21. The base 211 has wide portions 211a at its front end that are wider on both left and right sides compared to other portions of the base 211. The base 211 extends rearward from the wide portions 211a and has narrow portions 211b that are narrower on both left and right sides than the wide portions 211a. The first optical connector 21 has a holding portion 212 that protrudes forward in a rectangular shape from the center of the front end face of the base 211.

[0030] The first optical connector 21 has guide portions 213 as through holes that are located on both left and right sides of the first optical connector 21 and penetrate the base portion 211 in the front-rear direction. The first optical connector 21 has connecting members 214 as pins that are inserted into the guide portions 213 and protrude from the guide portions 213 on both the front and rear sides.

[0031] The guide portion 213 positions the connecting members 214 that connect to the second optical connector module 3. The pair of connecting members 214 are positioned to sandwich the optical member 27 from both left and right sides while being spaced apart from the optical member 27. The connecting members 214 are fabricated as cylindrical pins with a circular cross section. At the front end, the connecting member 214 has notches 214a, which are cut out symmetrically around the entire circumference in a predetermined area of ​​the surface from the outer side toward the center in the radial direction. The connecting member 214 has a retaining portion 214b that is arranged contiguous with the notches 214a at the front end of the connecting member 214.

[0032] 6 , the housing 22 is made of, for example, an insulating and heat-resistant synthetic resin material. The housing 22 has a first housing 221 that covers the first optical connector 21, which holds the first optical transmission line 40, from above and both left and right sides. The housing 22 has a second housing 222 that is disposed outside the first housing 221 and that, together with the first housing 221, covers the first optical connector 21 from above and both left and right sides.

[0033] The first housing 221 has a base 221a that covers from above and both left and right sides the first optical connector 21 that holds the first optical transmission line 40. The base 221a has a ceiling 221a1 that covers the first optical connector 21 from above, and left and right side wall portions 221a2 that protrude toward the second optical connector module 3 beyond the ceiling 221a1.

[0034] The first housing 221 has a protrusion 221b that protrudes from the base 221a toward the second optical connector module 3 along the connection direction. The protrusion 221b protrudes linearly rearward from the center in the left-right direction on the rear surface of the ceiling 221a1 of the base 221a. The protrusion 221b protrudes further toward the second optical connector module 3 than the side wall 221a2 of the base 221a. The rear end of the protrusion 221b is located rearward of the rear end of the side wall 221a2. The entire center of the protrusion 221b is cut out, forming a U-shape.

[0035] The first housing 221 has a locked portion 221c formed by a cutout portion of the protruding portion 221b. The first housing 221 has a locked surface 221d that forms part of the locked portion 221c and includes the front surface of the cutout portion of the protruding portion 221b. The first housing 221 has a tip surface 221e that is rounded at the rear tip of the protruding portion 221b.

[0036] The first housing 221 has a pair of locking portions 221f that protrude outward in the left-right direction from the outer surface of the side wall portion 221a2. The first housing 221 has a first protruding wall 221g that is located at a front lower corner of the outer surface of the side wall portion 221a2. The first protruding wall 221g is located so as to protrude outward in the left-right direction while extending linearly in the front-to-rear direction. The first housing 221 has a recessed portion 221h that is recessed inward with a predetermined front-to-rear and left-to-right width in the front-to-rear center of the side wall portion 221a2 so as to protrude outward in the left-to-right direction.

[0037] The first housing 221 has a second protruding wall 221i that extends left and right and protrudes upward from the rear of the outer surface of the ceiling portion 221a1. The second protruding wall 221i corresponds to the "protruding wall" described in the claims. The first housing 221 has a storage portion 221j that is located in the corner regions on both the left and right sides of the front of the outer surface of the ceiling portion 221a1. The storage portion 221j has a space 221k that stores the second coil spring 26 and walls 221m that surround the space 221k from four directions: front, back, left, and right.

[0038] The second housing 222 has a base 222a that covers the first optical connector 21, which holds the first optical transmission path 40, from above and both left and right sides together with the base 221a of the first housing 221. The base 222a is located outside the base 221a and covers the base 221a and the first optical connector 21 from the outside. The base 222a has a ceiling 222a1 that covers the ceiling 221a1 and the first optical connector 21 from above, and left and right side wall portions 222a2 that extend downward from the ceiling 222a1 while bending.

[0039] The second housing 222 has a protrusion 222b that protrudes from the base 222a toward the second optical connector module 3 along the connection direction. The protrusion 222b protrudes linearly rearward from the center in the left-right direction on the rear surface of the ceiling 222a1 of the base 222a. The entire center of the protrusion 222b is cut out, making it bifurcated.

[0040] 9 , the second housing 222 has a guide surface 222c that slopes diagonally downward toward the rear at the rear tip of the protruding portion 222b. The second housing 222 has a curved surface 222d that smoothly bends in an S-shape at the inner edge of the protruding portion 222b in the width direction intersecting the connection direction. The second housing 222 has a supported portion 222e that extends along the connection direction at the outer edge of the protruding portion 222b in the width direction intersecting the connection direction. The end face of the supported portion 222e facing the base 51 is located on the opposite side from the base 51 than the end face of the protruding portion 222b facing the base 51.

[0041] The second housing 222 has a recess 222f recessed over a predetermined area in the center of the inner surface of the side wall portion 222a2. The second housing 222 has a first protruding wall 222g extending in the left-right direction and protruding downward at the rear of the inner surface of the ceiling portion 222a1. The first protruding wall 222g corresponds to the "second protruding wall" recited in the claims. The second housing 222 has a second protruding wall 222h extending in the left-right direction and protruding downward at the center of the inner surface of the ceiling portion 222a1. The second protruding wall 222h corresponds to the "first protruding wall" recited in the claims. The second housing 222 has a third protruding wall 222i extending in the left-right direction and protruding downward at the front of the inner surface of the ceiling portion 222a1.

[0042] The first metal fitting 23 is formed by stamping a thin plate of any metal material into the shape shown in Fig. 6. The method for processing the first metal fitting 23 includes a step of punching and then bending the plate in the thickness direction. However, the method is not limited to this, and the method for processing the first metal fitting 23 may include only a step based on punching.

[0043] The first fitting 23 has a bottom plate portion 231 that forms its lower end portion. The first fitting 23 has side wall portions 232 that protrude upward from both left and right edges of the bottom plate portion 231. The side wall portions 232 extend rearward beyond the rear edge of the bottom plate portion 231. The first fitting 23 has a pair of locking portions 233 that are arranged on a portion of the side wall portion 232 that extends rearward beyond the rear edge of the bottom plate portion 231 and a portion that overlaps with the bottom plate portion 231. The locking portions 233 protrude upward from the side wall portions 232 of the first fitting 23 and are arranged by cutting out a rectangular portion of the plate thickness of the first fitting 23.

[0044] The first fitting 23 has a notch 234 that is disposed between the pair of locking portions 233 in the side wall portion 232 and that narrows the side wall portion 232 in the vertical direction. The notch 234 cuts out the thickness of the side wall portion 232 from top to bottom to a depth that is approximately half the depth of the side wall portion 232. The first fitting 23 has an extension portion 235 that extends upward while bending in an L shape from both ends in the horizontal direction at the front edge of the bottom plate portion 231.

[0045] The second metal fitting 24 is formed by stamping a thin plate of any metal material into the shape shown in Fig. 6. The method for processing the second metal fitting 24 includes a step of punching and then bending the plate in the thickness direction. However, the method is not limited to this, and the method for processing the second metal fitting 24 may include only a step based on punching.

[0046] The second fitting 24 has a ceiling portion 241 that forms its upper surface. The second fitting 24 has locking portions 242 that extend while bending downward from both left and right edges of the rear half of the ceiling portion 241. The second fitting 24 has extending portions 243 that extend in a U-shape while bending downward from both left and right ends of the front edge of the ceiling portion 241. The second fitting 24 has a receiving portion 243a that protrudes in a plate-like shape in the up-down direction in front of the extending portion 243. The second fitting 24 has a connecting portion 243b that extends in a plate-like shape in the up-down direction in the rear of the extending portion 243. The second fitting 24 has a notch 243c that is a circular notch cut out from part of the plate thickness of the connecting portion 243b.

[0047] The first coil spring 25 is a spring that expands and contracts in accordance with changes in the relative position between the first fitting 23 and the second fitting 24 that accompany, for example, the attachment and detachment of the first optical connector module 2 to the second optical connector module 3 .

[0048] The second coil spring 26 is a spring that expands and contracts in accordance with a change in the relative position between the first housing 221 and the second housing 222, which occurs when the first optical connector module 2 is attached to or detached from the second optical connector module 3. The second coil spring 26 is attached to the first housing 221 by being housed in the space 221k of the housing portion 221j.

[0049] The optical member 27 is made of, for example, a light-transmitting resin material, similar to the first optical connector 21. The optical member 27 is made of a material having a refractive index that is close to the refractive index of the core of the first optical waveguide portion 41. The optical member 27 is made in a rectangular shape.

[0050] 7 , the optical member 27 has a first lens portion 271 that optically acts on the signal light propagating between the first optical connector module 2 and the second optical connector module 3. The first lens portion 271 is arranged across substantially the entire optical member 27 in the left-right direction. The first lens portion 271 is arranged continuously from the front surface to the rear surface near the center of the optical member 27 in the up-down direction. The first lens portion 271 has a plurality of first lenses 271a arranged in a row in the left-right direction on the rear surface of the optical member 27. The spacing between the plurality of first lenses 271a in the left-right direction substantially matches the spacing between the cores of the plurality of first optical waveguide portions 41 held by the first optical connector module 2 in the left-right direction.

[0051] The optical member 27 has an opening 272 disposed on a surface of the first optical connector 21 facing the end face S located on the second optical connector module 3 side. The opening 272 is disposed adjacent to the first lens portion 271 at a position facing the end face S, for example. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 10 , the opening 272 is disposed on the front surface of the optical member 27 adjacent to the front end of the first lens portion 271 below. The opening 272 is disposed in the center of the front surface of the optical member 27 in the left-right direction. The opening 272 is disposed by cutting out the front surface of the optical member 27 rearward. The lower end of the opening 272 is cut out from the front surface of the optical member 27 to a position close to the rear surface. The portion of the opening 272 located above the lower end is cut out from the front surface of the optical member 27 to the center. When viewed from the front side of the optical member 27, the opening 272 is disposed so that its lower end is deeper toward the rear of the optical member 27.

[0052] 5 , the optical member 27 has a notch 273 disposed in at least one location on the side wall of the optical member 27. The notch 273 is disposed, for example, in a pair of lower corners at both ends in the left-right direction on the front surface of the optical member 27. The notch 273 is formed by cutting out each of the pair of corners of the optical member 27 in a tetrahedral shape, and is configured as a triangular surface that slopes obliquely inward in the front-rear and left-right directions of the optical member 27. The notch 273 is formed by cutting out the optical member 27 inward at each of the pair of corners to increase the space between the end face S of the first optical connector 21 and the pair of corners of the optical member 27.

[0053] The first optical connector module 2 may have a refractive index matching agent filled at least in the optical path of the signal light between the first lens portion 271 of the optical member 27 and the end face S of the first optical connector 21. The refractive index matching agent adjusts the refractive index of the space between the first lens portion 271 of the optical member 27 and the end face S of the first optical connector 21. For example, the refractive index matching agent matches the refractive index of the space to both the refractive index of the first lens portion 271 of the optical member 27 and the refractive index of the first optical waveguide portion 41. The refractive index matching agent is made of a material having a refractive index that is approximately the same as the refractive index of the first lens portion 271 of the optical member 27 and the refractive index of the first optical waveguide portion 41.

[0054] The refractive index matching agent may also function as an adhesive. As described above, a space is provided between the first lens portion 271 of the optical member 27 and the end face S of the first optical connector 21. The refractive index matching agent is filled from below through the opening 272 of the optical member 27 so as to fill the space. At this time, the refractive index matching agent bonds the front surface of the optical member 27 and the end face S of the first optical connector 21 to each other. The optical member 27 is bonded to the end face S of the first optical connector 21 by the refractive index matching agent. The first optical connector 21 and the optical member 27 are fixed to each other by the refractive index matching agent.

[0055] 7 , the optical member 27 is arranged so that the end of the guide portion 213 located on the end surface S of the first optical connector 21 is exposed. For example, the optical member 27 is arranged in a position where the end of the guide portion 213 located on the end surface S of the first optical connector 21 can be seen when the first optical connector module 2 is viewed from the side of the second optical connector module 3. For example, the optical member 27 is narrower than the end surface S of the first optical connector 21 in the width direction intersecting the connection direction in which the first optical connector module 2 and the second optical connector module 3 are connected to each other.

[0056] The first optical connector 21 has a pair of guide parts 213 with a pair of ends located at both ends in the width direction on the end surface S. The optical member 27 is disposed between the pair of guide parts 213 in the width direction. The optical member 27 is disposed so that both sides in the width direction are sandwiched between a pair of connecting members 214 that are inserted into the guide parts 213 from the pair of ends.

[0057] The following mainly describes the function of the first optical connector module 2 in a non-connected state where the first optical connector module 2 and the second optical connector module 3 are not connected to each other.

[0058] 4C and 6 , the second fitting 24 is placed from above on the first optical connector 21 that holds the first optical transmission line 40. The second fitting 24 is attached to the first optical connector 21 by the locking portion 242 locking onto the wide portion 211a of the first optical connector 21 and sandwiching the wide portion 211a in the front-to-rear direction together with the connecting portion 243b of the extending portion 243. The ceiling portion 241 of the second fitting 24 covers part of the top surface of the first optical connector 21 from above.

[0059] The connecting portion 243b of the extending portion 243 of the second metal fitting 24 holds the connecting member 214 in the notch 214a of the connecting member 214. For example, the notch 243c of the extending portion 243 of the second metal fitting 24 is located around the portion of the connecting member 214 of the first optical connector 21 that is exposed forward from the guide portion 213. The notch 214a of the connecting member 214 is included in the exposed portion of the connecting member 214 that is located on the side of the first optical connector 21 opposite the second optical connector module 3. The notch 243c is located in the notch 214a of the connecting member 214 and is arranged so as to surround the periphery of the narrow portion of the connecting member 214 where the notch 214a is located. The diameter of the notch 243c is slightly larger than the diameter of the narrow portion of the connecting member 214 and smaller than the diameter of the retaining portion 214b. As a result, the notch 243c allows the portion of the connecting portion 243b located around the notch 243c to come into contact with the retaining portion 214b, thereby reducing the likelihood of the connecting member 214 coming off rearward.

[0060] 10 , the receiving portion 243a of the extending portion 243 of the second fitting 24 positions the first coil spring 25 between it and the extending portion 235 of the first fitting 23. The first coil spring 25, which is positioned between the receiving portion 243a and the extending portion 235, is elastically deformed in the contracting direction. The receiving portion 243a receives the rear end of the first coil spring 25, which is attached between the extending portion 235 and the receiving portion 243a, in a contracted state from a free state in which it is not elastically deformed. As a result, the receiving portion 243a receives a first biasing force in the rearward direction from the elastically deformed first coil spring 25.

[0061] The rear surface of the connecting portion 243b of the extending portion 243 of the second metal fitting 24 contacts the front surface of the wide portion 211a of the first optical connector 21. Meanwhile, as also shown in Figures 4B and 4C, the outer tip of the receiving portion 243a of the second metal fitting 24 is positioned along the cutout portion 234 of the first metal fitting 23, and its upper portion is housed in the recess 221h of the first housing 221. In this state, the receiving portion 243a of the second metal fitting 24 is disposed relative to both the first metal fitting 23 and the first housing 221. The rear surface of the receiving portion 243a abuts against a portion of the first metal fitting 23 that is positioned at the rear edge of the cutout portion 234. Similarly, the rear surface of the receiving portion 243a abuts against the inner surface facing forward of the recess 221h. The first housing 221 and the first metal fitting 23 are attached in a fixed state to each other. Therefore, the rear surface of the connecting portion 243b contacts the front surface of the wide portion 211a, while the rear surface of the receiving portion 243a abuts against the first metal fitting 23 and the first housing 221, thereby maintaining the front-to-back position of the first optical connector 21 relative to the first housing 221 and the first metal fitting 23.

[0062] 4C and 6 , the first metal fitting 23 is placed from below relative to the first optical connector 21 that holds the first optical transmission line 40. At this time, as shown in FIG. 10 , the bottom plate portion 231 of the first metal fitting 23 does not overlap in the vertical direction with the base portion 211 of the first optical connector 21 to which the second metal fitting 24 is attached. The bottom plate portion 231 only slightly overlaps with the front end of the holding portion 212 of the first optical connector 21, but does not overlap in the vertical direction with substantially the entire first optical connector 21. The extension portion 235 of the first metal fitting 23 receives the front end of the first coil spring 25 that is attached between the extension portion 235 and the receiving portion 243 a of the second metal fitting 24 in a contracted state from a free state in which it is not elastically deformed. As a result, the extension portion 235 receives a forward biasing force from the elastically deformed first coil spring 25.

[0063] 4B and 6 , the first housing 221 is arranged from above relative to the first optical connector 21, the first metal fitting 23, the second metal fitting 24, and the first coil spring 25. The first housing 221 covers the first optical connector 21. At this time, the first metal fitting 23 is fixed to the first housing 221 by the locking portion 233 locking with the locking portion 221f of the first housing 221. This maintains the vertical position of the first housing 221 relative to the first optical connector 21, the first metal fitting 23, and the second metal fitting 24.

[0064] When the first housing 221 is attached to the first metal fitting 23, as shown in Fig. 5, the rear end of the protrusion 221b of the first housing 221 is positioned closer to the second optical connector module 3 than the rear end of the first optical connector 21. The rear end of the first optical connector 21 is the rear end of the connecting member 214 exposed rearward from the guide portion 213. As shown in Fig. 10, the thickness of the protrusion 221b in the vertical direction is smaller than the thickness of the protrusion 222b in the vertical direction. The protrusion 221b has spring elasticity and is elastically deformable in the vertical direction.

[0065] 4A and 4B , the second housing 222 is placed from above the first optical connector 21, first housing 221, first metal fitting 23, second metal fitting 24, first coil spring 25, and second coil spring 26, which are attached to one another. The second housing 222 covers the first housing 221 and the second coil spring 26. At this time, the portion of the first housing 221 where the recess 221h is located that protrudes outward in the left-right direction fits into the recess 222f of the second housing 222 shown in FIG. 9 . In this way, the second housing 222 is attached to the first housing 221. The second housing 222 is attached so as to be movable forward relatively to the first housing 221.

[0066] 5 , when the second housing 222 is attached to the first housing 221, the tip of the protrusion 222b of the second housing 222 is located closer to the second optical connector module 3 than the tip of the protrusion 221b of the first housing 221 in the connection direction. The front end of the side wall 222a2 of the second housing 222 is located directly above the first protruding wall 221g of the first housing 221. The rear tip of the protrusion 222b of the second housing 222 is located closer to the second optical connector module 3 than the rear tip of the first optical connector 21, i.e., the rear tip of the connecting member 214 exposed rearward from the guide portion 213. In the connection direction, the tip of the housing 22 is located closer to the second optical connector module 3 than the tip of the first optical connector 21.

[0067] 10 , when the second housing 222 is attached to the first housing 221, the curved surface 222d of the second housing 222 is located behind the tip surface 221e of the first housing 221, and the two surfaces overlap in the vertical direction. The first protruding wall 222g of the second housing 222 is located behind the second protruding wall 221i of the first housing 221, and the two surfaces overlap in the vertical direction. The second protruding wall 222h of the second housing 222 is adjacent to the rear of the second coil spring 26 arranged in the accommodation portion 221j of the first housing 221, and the two surfaces overlap in the vertical direction. The third protruding wall 222i of the second housing 222 is adjacent to the front of the second coil spring 26 arranged in the accommodation portion 221j of the first housing 221, and the two surfaces overlap in the vertical direction.

[0068] 7 and 8, when the first optical connector module 2 is assembled as described above, the first optical connector 21 is supported only by the first metal fitting 23 and the second metal fitting 24 without contacting the housing 22. The top surface of the first optical connector 21 and the inner surface of the first housing 221 that faces the top surface are spaced apart. Both left-right side surfaces of the first optical connector 21 and the inner surfaces of the first housing 221 that face the both side surfaces are spaced apart.

[0069] 5, substantially the entire lower surface of the first optical connector 21 is exposed downward without overlapping in the up-down direction with the bottom plate portion 231 of the first fitting 23. The bottom plate portion 231 of the first fitting 23 is spaced apart from the first optical connector 21 in a height direction intersecting the connection direction in which the first optical connector module 2 and the second optical connector module 3 are connected to each other, and exposes the first optical connector 21 in the height direction.

[0070] Fig. 11 is an external perspective view showing the second optical connector module 3 alone of Fig. 1 attached to the second optical transmission line 50, as viewed from above. Fig. 12 is an external perspective view showing the second optical connector 31, as viewed from above, with the housing 32 omitted from Fig. 11. Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow XIII-XIII in Fig. 1. For the purpose of simplifying the illustration, Fig. 13 shows only the components of the second optical connector module 3, and the components of the first optical connector module 2 are omitted. An example of the configuration of the second optical connector module 3 will be mainly described with reference to Figs. 11 to 13.

[0071] The second optical connector module 3 is attached to a second optical transmission path 50 having a base 51 and a second optical waveguide portion 52 laminated on the base 51, and has a second optical connector 31 connected to the first optical connector 21. The second optical connector module 3 has a housing 32 attached to the base 51 and spaced apart from the second optical connector 31.

[0072] The second optical connector 31 is made of, for example, a translucent resin material and has an L-shape in a side view in the left-right direction. The second optical connector 31 is made of a material having a refractive index similar to that of the core 521 of the second optical waveguide portion 52.

[0073] The second optical connector 31 has a first base 311 extending in the front-to-rear direction. The second optical connector 31 has a second base 312 protruding forward from the first base 311. The second base 312 protrudes forward from the first base 311 and is disposed so as to be continuous with the first base 311. The second base 312 is disposed so as to protrude downward from the first base 311. When the second optical connector 31 is attached to the second optical transmission line 50, the second base 312 faces the base 51 of the second optical transmission line 50 in the connection direction.

[0074] 12, the second optical connector 31 has an inclined surface 311a located in the left-right center at the rear of the top surface of the first base 311. The inclined surface 311a of the second optical connector 31 is located at the end opposite the first optical connector module 2, and is inclined toward the base 51 from the inside to the outside in the connection direction. The inclined surface 311a is a surface that is inclined from the front to the rear, and is inclined from the inside to the outside in the front-to-back direction of the first base 311. As shown in FIG. 13, the second optical connector 31 has a positioned portion 311b that is a semicircular notch cut out from the bottom surface of the first base 311.

[0075] The second optical connector 31 has an opening 312a located in the center in the left-right direction at the bottom of the second base 312. The second optical connector 31 has a semicircular groove 312b recessed into the inner surface of the second base 312 facing the base 51. As shown in Fig. 12, the second optical connector 31 has a notch 313 cut out from the outer surface, i.e., the front surface, of the second base 312 down to the first side surface A1. The notch 313 is arranged in a concave shape.

[0076] The second optical connector 31 has a second lens portion 314 disposed on the first side surface A1 that constitutes part of the cutout portion 313. The second lens portion 314 has a plurality of second lenses 314a arranged in a row in the left-right direction. The spacing between the plurality of second lenses 314a in the left-right direction substantially matches the spacing between the cores 521 of the second optical waveguide portion 52 of the second optical transmission line 50 to which the second optical connector module 3 is attached in the left-right direction. The second lens portion 314 is made of a light-transmitting resin material.

[0077] The second optical connector 31 is located on both left-right sides of the second base 312 and has through-holes 315 that penetrate the second base 312 in the front-rear direction. The pair of through-holes 315 are located so as to sandwich from both left-right sides the multiple second lenses 314a that are arranged in a row in the left-right direction. The through-holes 315 are arranged in a cylindrical shape so that their cross sections are circular.

[0078] The housing 32 is fabricated as, for example, a metal fitting. The housing 32 is formed by using a progressive die (stamping) to form a thin plate of any metal material into the shape shown in Figures 11 and 13. The processing method for the housing 32 includes a step of punching and then bending the plate in the thickness direction. However, the processing method for the housing 32 is not limited to this, and may include only a step based on punching.

[0079] The housing 32 has a base 321 that covers the second optical connector 31. The base 321 covers the second optical connector 31 attached to the second optical transmission line 50 from above and both left and right sides. The base 321 has a ceiling 321a that covers the second optical connector 31 from above, and left and right side wall portions 321b that extend downward from the ceiling 321a. The side wall portions 321b are arranged in a rectangular shape when viewed from the side in the left and right direction.

[0080] The side wall 321b has a first side wall 321b1 that covers the first base 311 of the second optical connector 31 from the outside in the left-right direction on the base 51. The side wall 321b has a second side wall 321b2 that protrudes forward from the first side wall 321b1 and is arranged to be continuous with the first side wall 321b1. The second side wall 321b2 protrudes slightly downward from the first side wall 321b1. The second side wall 321b2 covers the second base 312 of the second optical connector 31 from the outside in the left-right direction forward of the end face of the base 51.

[0081] The tip of the ceiling portion 321a in the connection direction is located closer to the first optical connector module 2 than the tip of the second optical connector 31 in the connection direction. Similarly, the tip of the side wall portion 321b in the connection direction is located closer to the first optical connector module 2 than the tip of the second optical connector 31 in the connection direction.

[0082] The housing 32 has a guide portion 322 located on the opposite side of the base 51 from the second optical connector 31. The guide portion 322 extends while bending toward the base 51 from a ceiling portion 321a of the base 321 that faces the second optical connector 31 on the opposite side of the base 51. The guide portion 322 extends downward from the ceiling portion 321a while bending in a crank shape. The guide portion 322 has a first portion 322a that extends downward while bending from the ceiling portion 321a, and a second portion 322b that extends inward in the left-right direction while bending from the first portion 322a. A plurality of guide portions 322 are arranged spaced apart from each other along the connection direction. A plurality of guide portions 322 are arranged spaced apart from each other along the width direction that intersects the connection direction. The housing 32 has four guide portions 322 that are spaced apart from each other in the front-rear and left-right directions.

[0083] The housing 32 is disposed on the ceiling portion 321a of the base portion 321, and has a reinforcing portion 323 located between one guide portion 322 and an adjacent guide portion 322 that are spaced apart along the connection direction. The reinforcing portion 323 extends across the entire ceiling portion 321a in the left-right direction. The housing 32 has a guide portion 324 that protrudes from the reinforcing portion 323 toward the first optical connector module 2, and whose tip on the first optical connector module 2 side extends obliquely toward the side opposite the base 51. The tip of the guide portion 324 extends obliquely upward and forward.

[0084] The housing 32 has a U-shaped locking portion 325 extending downward in the center of the ceiling portion 321a. The housing 32 has support portions 326 extending rearward from each of the two rearmost guide portions 322 out of the four guide portions 322. The support portions 326 extend obliquely upward toward the rear.

[0085] The housing 32 has a mounting portion 327 that extends linearly downward from the lower end of the first side wall portion 321b1. A plurality of mounting portions 327 are arranged spaced apart from one another along the connection direction. A plurality of mounting portions 327 are arranged spaced apart from one another along the width direction that intersects with the connection direction. The housing 32 has four mounting portions 327 that are spaced apart from one another in the front-rear and left-right directions.

[0086] In the housing 32 having the above structure, the mounting portion 327 is soldered to the pads C arranged on the mounting surface of the base 51. As described above, the mounting portion 327 is mounted on the base 51, and thereby the housing 32 is mounted on the base 51. Components other than the second optical connector 31 and the housing 32, such as a semiconductor chip and a heat sink, are mounted on the mounting surface of the base 51.

[0087] The housing 32 is placed on the solder paste on the pad C with its position shifted forward, for example, by about half the front-to-back width of the mounting portion 327. At this time, the front-to-back position of the mounting portion 327 relative to the pad C is shifted forward from the center by about half the front-to-back width of the mounting portion 327. The front-to-back position of the second side wall portion 321b2 relative to the front end face of the base 51 is shifted forward by about half the front-to-back width of the mounting portion 327 from its position when the housing 32 is mounted on the base 51. When the solder is melted by reflow in this state, the mounting portion 327 placed on the solder paste is naturally moved to a position where the surface tension of the solder balances the forces, and the housing 32 accurately moves to a predetermined relative position with respect to the base 51. At this time, the mounting portion 327 moves to the center of the pad C in the front-to-back direction.

[0088] As described above, the housing 32 can reproduce the same desired arrangement on the base 51 as long as the conditions, such as the amount and arrangement of solder applied to the pads C on the base 51, are the same. The housing 32 can be positioned and fixed with high precision so that the second side wall portion 321b2 is close to the front end surface of the base 51.

[0089] The pad C includes, for example, a gold pad. As shown in Fig. 12, the pad C is exposed from an opening that is made by cutting out a part of the cladding 522 when the second optical transmission line 50 is manufactured using photolithography or the like. The opening is positioned with precision based on the manufacturing method, such as photolithography, used when manufacturing the second optical transmission line 50. Therefore, the pad C exposed from the opening is also positioned with similar precision. As a result, the housing 32 mounted on the pad C is also positioned with high precision.

[0090] When the second optical connector module 3 is assembled as described above, the second optical connector 31 is disposed on the second optical transmission path 50 without contacting the housing 32. More specifically, the top surface of the second optical connector 31 is spaced apart from the ceiling portion 321a, guide portion 322, and lock portion 325 of the housing 32. Both left and right side surfaces of the second optical connector 31 are spaced apart from the side wall portions 321b of the housing 32.

[0091] Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along the XIV-XIV arrow line in Fig. 1. Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along the XV-XV arrow line in Fig. 1. The configuration and function of the optical connector system 1 in a connected state will be mainly described with reference to Figs. 14 and 15.

[0092] 2, when the first optical connector module 2 is connected to the second optical connector module 3, the protrusion 222b of the housing 22 located closest to the second optical connector module 3 in the first optical connector module 2 is inserted into the housing 32. This roughly determines the relative position of the first optical connector 21 with respect to the second optical connector 31.

[0093] At this time, the guide portion 324 of the housing 32 guides the protrusion 222b, which is inserted horizontally or from diagonally above, into the interior of the housing 32. For example, the tip of the guide portion 324 extending diagonally upward comes into contact with the guide surface 222c located at the rear tip of the protrusion 222b, thereby guiding the protrusion 222b into the interior of the housing 32. The guide portion 324 and the ceiling portion 321a of the housing 32 reduce the likelihood of the protrusion 222b slipping out upward from the housing 32 during insertion.

[0094] On the other hand, the support portion 326 of the housing 32 supports the supported portion 222e of the protruding portion 222b of the housing 22 toward the side opposite the base 51. More specifically, the guide portion 322 of the housing 32 receives the supported portion 222e of the protruding portion 222b, which is inserted horizontally or from diagonally above, with the second portion 322b and guides it to the rear support portion 326. The support portion 326 supports the supported portion 222e, which has been guided along the guide portion 322, toward the side opposite the base 51. The guide portion 322 reduces contact of the protruding portion 222b with the second optical connector 31 and the base 51, which are located below the guide portion 322, with the second portion 322b. In addition, the guide portion 322 guides further rearward movement of the protruding portion 222b with both the first portion 322a and the second portion 322b.

[0095] The guide portion 324 and the ceiling portion 321a restrict upward movement of the protrusion 222b of the first optical connector module 2, and the guide portion 322 and the support portion 326 restrict downward movement of the protrusion 222b. As a result, the attitude of the first optical connector module 2 is controlled so that it is approximately horizontal with respect to the second optical connector module 3. The pair of guide portions 322 located on both the left and right sides of the first portion 322a restrict outward movement of the protrusion 222b in the left and right directions of the first optical connector module 2. As a result, the attitude of the first optical connector module 2 is controlled while reducing angular deviation in the left and right direction with respect to the second optical connector module 3.

[0096] 15 , when the protrusion 222b moves rearward, the tip surface 221e of the protrusion 221b of the first housing 221 comes into contact with the locking portion 325 of the casing 32. Because the tip surface 221e is rounded, the protrusion 221b elastically deforms downward as the protrusion 221b moves further rearward. This causes the protrusion 221b to climb over the locking portion 325, and the locked portion 221c arranged on the protrusion 221b engages with the locking portion 325. At this time, the locked surface 221d of the locked portion 221c faces the rear surface of the locking portion 325 from behind. This completes the connection of the first optical connector module 2 to the second optical connector module 3. The locking structure including the locked portion 221c and the locking portion 325 is arranged only at the end of the optical connector system 1 opposite the base 51.

[0097] In a connected state in which the first optical connector module 2 and the second optical connector module 3 are connected to each other, the first optical connector 21 and the second optical connector 31 are connected to each other, as shown in Fig. 14 . More specifically, the connection member 214 of the first optical connector 21 is inserted into the through hole 315 of the second optical connector 31. This allows the relative position of the first optical connector 21 with respect to the second optical connector 31 to be determined with high precision. As shown in Fig. 15 , the optical member 27 is abutted against the second base portion 312 of the second optical connector 31. This causes one first lens 271a of the first lens portion 271 of the optical member 27 and one second lens 314a of the second lens portion 314 to face each other along the connection direction.

[0098] 10 , in the first optical connector module 2 in the disconnected state, the rear surface of the receiving portion 243 a of the second fitting 24 contacts a portion of the first fitting 23 that is located on the rear edge of the notch 234. On the other hand, referring to Fig. 15 , in the first optical connector module 2 in the connected state, the front surface of the receiving portion 243 a of the second fitting 24 contacts a portion of the first fitting 23 that is located on the front edge of the notch 234. More specifically, in the connected state, the first optical connector 21 to which the second fitting 24 is attached moves forward relatively to the housing 22 and the first fitting 23, and the first coil spring 25 compresses. The resulting strong restoring force causes the first optical connector 21 to abut against the second optical connector 31, and the first optical connector 21 is fixed in a stable state.

[0099] Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to Fig. 15 and showing a first state of the first optical connector module 2. The first state of the first optical connector module 2 refers to a state in a first stage when the first optical connector module 2 is removed from the second optical connector module 3. Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to Fig. 15 and showing a second state of the first optical connector module 2. The second state of the first optical connector module 2 refers to a state in a second stage when the first optical connector module 2 is removed from the second optical connector module 3. Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to Fig. 15 and showing a third state of the first optical connector module 2. The third state of the first optical connector module 2 refers to a state in a third stage when the first optical connector module 2 is removed from the second optical connector module 3.

[0100] The second coil spring 26 is in a reference state when the relative positional relationship between the first housing 221 and the second housing 222 is in a first relationship that serves as a reference. In the present disclosure, the "first relationship" includes, for example, a relationship in which the protrusion 221b of the first housing 221 is not elastically deformed, as shown in Figures 10, 14, 15, and 18. In this state, the tip surface 221e of the first housing 221 is adjacent to the curved surface 222d of the second housing 222 on the front side. The front ends of the first housing 221 and the second housing 222 are, for example, at the same position in the connection direction.

[0101] In the present disclosure, the "reference state" includes, for example, a state in which the second coil spring 26 housed in the space 221k of the housing portion 221j of the first housing 221 becomes the longest while the relative positional relationship between the first housing 221 and the second housing 222 changes. The reference state is, for example, a free state in which there is no elastic deformation, or a state in which there is slight elastic deformation from the free state.

[0102] In the first relationship, the second projecting wall 222h of the second housing 222 is adjacent to the second coil spring 26 in the connection direction. For example, the second projecting wall 222h is located on the second optical connector module 3 side of the second coil spring 26. In the first relationship, the second projecting wall 222h may be in contact with the second coil spring 26 or may be spaced apart from the second coil spring 26.

[0103] The second projecting wall 221i of the first housing 221 is spaced apart from the second coil spring 26 in the connection direction. The second projecting wall 221i is located on the second optical connector module 3 side relative to the second coil spring 26 housed in the housing portion 221j. The first projecting wall 222g of the second housing 222 is spaced apart from the second projecting wall 221i in the connection direction in the first relationship. The first projecting wall 222g is located on the second optical connector module 3 side relative to the second projecting wall 221i.

[0104] When the first optical connector module 2 is removed from the second optical connector module 3 in the connected state shown in FIG. 15 , the states shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 are obtained. At this time, the relative positional relationship between the first housing 221 and the second housing 222 is in a second relationship that is shifted from the first relationship in the connection direction. In the present disclosure, the "second relationship" includes, for example, a relationship in which the protrusion 221b of the first housing 221 elastically deforms most greatly as the relative positional relationship between the first housing 221 and the second housing 222 changes, as shown in FIG. 17 . At this time, the tip surface 221e of the first housing 221 is positioned below the curved surface 222d of the second housing 222. The front end of the second housing 222 is positioned on the opposite side of the front end of the first housing 221 from the second optical connector module 3 in the connection direction.

[0105] When in the second relationship, the second coil spring 26 contracts from the reference state in the connection direction. At this time, the second projecting wall 222h of the second housing 222 compresses the second coil spring 26 in the connection direction in the second relationship. For example, the second projecting wall 222h compresses the second coil spring 26 from the second optical connector module 3 side against the second coil spring 26. The wall 221m of the accommodating portion 221j of the first housing 221 receives a biasing force from the second coil spring 26 to return to the first relationship in the second relationship. For example, a portion of the wall 221m located at the front end receives a forward biasing force from the second coil spring 26. In addition, the first projecting wall 222g of the second housing 222 contacts the second projecting wall 221i in the connection direction in the second relationship. The first projecting wall 222g contacts the second projecting wall 221i from the second optical connector module 3 side.

[0106] The following mainly describes the operation of the first optical connector module 2 when the first optical connector module 2 is removed from the second optical connector module 3 in the connected state shown in Figure 15, and returns to the first relationship shown in Figure 18 after passing through the relationship shown in Figure 16 and the second relationship shown in Figure 17.

[0107] 16 , first, the second housing 222 of the first optical connector module 2 is pulled forward. As the second housing 222 moves forward, the curved surface 222d disposed on the protruding portion 222b comes into contact with the tip surface 221e of the protruding portion 221b, causing the tip surface 221e to move downward along the curved surface 222d, and the protruding portion 221b is elastically deformed downward. Therefore, the locked portion 221c no longer engages with the locking portion 325, allowing the first housing 221 to move forward.

[0108] As the second housing 222 moves forward, the second protruding wall 222h of the second housing 222 comes into contact with the second coil spring 26 arranged in the accommodation portion 221j of the first housing 221, compressing the second coil spring 26 forward. At this time, if the locked portion 221c remains engaged with the locking portion 325, the front-to-rear position of the first housing 221 does not change. Only the second housing 222 moves forward while the first housing 221 remains stationary in the front-to-rear direction. Therefore, while the second protruding wall 222h compresses the second coil spring 26 forward, the third protruding wall 222i of the second housing 222 moves forward away from the second coil spring 26.

[0109] As the second housing 222 moves forward, the first protruding wall 222g of the second housing 222 comes into contact with the second protruding wall 221i of the first housing 221. Due to this contact between the protruding walls and the compression of the second coil spring 26, the second housing 222 attempts to move the first housing 221 forward together with the second housing 222. As shown in FIG. 17 , when the locked portion 221c completely disengages from the locking portion 325, the second housing 222 moves the first housing 221 forward together. At this time, the second coil spring 26, which had been compressed by the second protruding wall 222h, returns to its original spring length while pushing the first housing 221 forward due to its restoring force. The second coil spring 26 pushes the wall 221m of the accommodation portion 221j of the first housing 221 forward, thereby pushing the entire first housing 221 forward. 18, the first housing 221 is returned to its normal position relative to the second housing 222 in the disconnected state. The relative positional relationship between the first housing 221 and the second housing 222 is restored to the reference first relationship. The second coil spring 26 is returned to its reference state. This completes the removal of the first optical connector module 2 from the second optical connector module 3.

[0110] The first optical connector module 2 and optical connector system 1 according to the embodiment described above can reduce damage to the components of the optical connector system 1. The second coil spring 26 attached to the first housing 221 is in a reference state when the relative positional relationship between the first housing 221 and the second housing 222 is in a first relationship that serves as a reference. The second coil spring 26 contracts from the reference state in the connection direction when the relative positional relationship in the connection direction is in a second relationship that is deviated from the first relationship.

[0111] This allows the first optical connector module 2, when the relative positional relationship is in the second relationship, to exert a biasing force between the first housing 221 and the second housing 222 in a direction returning the relative positional relationship to the first relationship. For example, as shown in Figures 16 to 18 , when the first optical connector module 2 is removed from the second optical connector module 3, the first optical connector module 2 can also return the position of the first housing 221 in the connection direction with respect to the second housing 222 to a fixed position.

[0112] As a result, the first optical connector module 2 can reduce damage to the components of the optical connector system 1. If the relative positional relationship between the first housing 221 and the second housing 222 remains in the second relationship, for example, as shown in FIG. 17 , the protrusion 221b on which the locked portion 221c of the first housing 221 is located remains elastically deformed. This maintains the state in which the tip of the protrusion 221b is positioned downward. If the position of the protrusion 221b does not return to its original position and the tip remains positioned downward when the first optical connector module 2 is reconnected to the second optical connector module 3, the tip of the protrusion 221b may come into contact with the second lens portion 314 of the second optical connector 31, for example. This may damage a part of the second optical connector 31, such as the second lens portion 314.

[0113] When the first optical connector module 2 is removed, the position of the tip of the protrusion 221b can be returned to an upward position by returning the position of the first housing 221 in the connection direction relative to the second housing 222 to a fixed position. This reduces damage to the configuration of the optical connector system 1 as described above. In addition, when reconnecting the first optical connector module 2 to the second optical connector module 3, the insertability of the first optical connector module 2 into the second optical connector module 3 is also improved.

[0114] The second housing 221 has a second protruding wall 222h that is adjacent to the second coil spring 26 in the connection direction in the first relationship and that compresses the second coil spring 26 in the connection direction in the second relationship. This allows the first optical connector module 2 to compress the second coil spring 26 from the reference state based on the abutment by the second protruding wall 222h in accordance with changes in the relative position between the first housing 221 and the second housing 222. Therefore, the first optical connector module 2 can easily return the position of the first housing 221 relative to the second housing 222 to its original position in the connection direction.

[0115] The second protruding wall 222h is located on the second optical connector module 3 side with respect to the second coil spring 26. This allows the first optical connector module 2 to compress the second coil spring 26 from the reference state based on the second protruding wall 222h abutting against the second optical connector module 3 side in accordance with a change in the relative position between the first housing 221 and the second housing 222.

[0116] The second housing 222 has a first protruding wall 222g that is spaced apart from the second protruding wall 221i in the connection direction in the first relationship and that contacts the second protruding wall 221i in the connection direction in the second relationship. This allows the first optical connector module 2 to move the first housing 221 forward together with the second housing 222 based on the first protruding wall 222g abutting against the second protruding wall 221i in response to changes in the relative positions between the first housing 221 and the second housing 222. Therefore, the first optical connector module 2 can easily be unlocked from the connected state by disengaging the locked portion 221c from the locking portion 325, as shown in FIGS. 16 to 18 . The first optical connector module 2 enables such unlocking based solely on the forward movement of the second housing 222. This facilitates the removal of the first optical connector module 2 from the second optical connector module 3. The ease of removing the first optical connector module 2 from the second optical connector module 3 is improved.

[0117] The first protruding wall 222g is located closer to the second optical connector module 3 than the second protruding wall 221i. This allows the first optical connector module 2 to move forward based on the first protruding wall 222g hitting the second optical connector module 3 side in accordance with a change in the relative position between the first housing 221 and the second housing 222.

[0118] The first housing 221 has an accommodating portion 221j having a space 221k that accommodates the second coil spring 26 and a wall 221m that receives a biasing force from the second coil spring 26 to return the second housing 221 to the first relationship. This allows the first optical connector module 2 to attach the second coil spring 26 to the first housing 221. The first housing 221 can receive a biasing force from the second coil spring 26 via the wall 221m to return the first relationship in accordance with a change in the relative position between the first housing 221 and the second housing 222. Therefore, the first optical connector module 2 can easily return the position of the first housing 221 relative to the second housing 222 to its original position in the connection direction.

[0119] As shown in Fig. 12 , the second optical connector 31 is located at the end opposite the first optical connector module 2, and has an inclined surface 311a that slopes toward the base 51 from the inside to the outside in the connection direction. This reduces interference between the protrusion 221b and the second optical connector 31, even when the protrusion 221b of the first housing 221 is elastically deformed downward, for example, as shown in Fig. 17 . Even when the first optical connector module 2 is removed from the second optical connector module 3, the optical connector system 1 can reduce contact between the protrusion 221b, which is elastically deformed downward during removal, and the second optical connector 31. This reduces damage to the components of the optical connector system 1, including the second optical connector 31 and the first housing 221.

[0120] The first optical connector module 2 and the optical connector system 1 reduce problems in attaching the optical member 27 to the first optical connector 21. In the first optical connector module 2, as shown in FIG. 7 , the optical member 27 is positioned so that the end of the guide portion 213 located on the end face S is exposed. In the first optical connector module 2, there is no need to provide a component such as a hole for inserting the connecting member 214 in common with the guide portion 213 of the first optical connector 21 on the optical member 27. This reduces the problem of the prior art of the infiltration of the refractive index matching agent into the guide portion 213 of the first optical connector 21. As a result, problems that arose in the prior art, such as misalignment of the optical member 27 with respect to the first optical connector 21 and difficulty in inserting the connection pin, are also resolved.

[0121] In the first optical connector module 2, the end of the guide portion 213 is exposed at the end face S of the first optical connector 21, which makes it easy to measure the angular deviation of the optical member 27 with respect to the first optical connector 21 after assembly, for example, by visually checking the end of the guide portion 213 and using it as a reference. The first optical connector module 2 makes it easy to perform various measurements related to the arrangement of the optical member 27.

[0122] Unlike conventional methods, the first optical connector module 2 enables the implementation of a method for aligning the optical member 27 and the first optical connector 21 while propagating light and checking the detection signal. The conventional method involves making the optical member 27 and the first optical connector 21 the same width and aligning the guide holes with a common connection pin. This allows the first optical connector module 2 to perform alignment with a higher degree of freedom, without relying on limitations in alignment accuracy based on tolerances of the components of the optical member 27 and the first optical connector 21.

[0123] The optical member 27 is adhered to the end face S of the first optical connector 21 by a refractive index matching agent. This allows the first optical connector module 2 to easily attach the optical member 27 to the end face S of the first optical connector 21 with high precision. The first optical connector module 2 improves the degree of freedom in aligning the optical member 27 with the end face S based on a method of aligning the optical member 27 and the first optical connector 21 while propagating light and checking a detection signal.

[0124] The optical member 27 has an opening 272 disposed on a surface facing the end face S. This facilitates the application of a refractive index matching agent. For example, the first optical connector module 2 enables application of a refractive index matching agent through the opening 272. In the first optical connector module 2, the opening 272 makes it easy to arrange a refractive index matching agent in the optical path of the signal light between the first lens unit 271 and the first optical connector 21. For example, after aligning the optical member 27 and the first optical connector 21 while propagating light and checking the detection signal, the refractive index matching agent can be injected through the opening 272, thereby easily applying the refractive index matching agent and attaching the optical member 27.

[0125] The optical member 27 has a notch 273 disposed in at least one location on the side wall of the optical member 27. This allows the optical member 27 to be temporarily fixed to the first optical connector 21 during the application of the refractive index matching agent. For example, the first optical connector module 2 allows the optical member 27 to be temporarily fixed by filling the notch 273 with adhesive. For example, after aligning the optical member 27 and the first optical connector 21 while propagating light and checking the detection signal, the optical member 27 can be temporarily fixed by filling the notch 273 with adhesive before attaching the optical member 27 with the refractive index matching agent. This allows the refractive index matching agent to be applied while the optical member 27 is temporarily fixed, thereby reducing misalignment of the optical member 27 during application of the refractive index matching agent. This improves the accuracy of aligning the optical member 27 with the first optical connector 21.

[0126] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms other than the above-described embodiments without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Therefore, the foregoing description is illustrative and not limiting. The scope of the disclosure is defined not by the foregoing description but by the appended claims. All modifications within the range of equivalents of any modifications are intended to be embraced therein.

[0127] For example, the shape, pattern, size, arrangement, orientation, type, and number of each of the above-mentioned components are not limited to the above description and the illustrations in the drawings. The shape, pattern, size, arrangement, orientation, type, and number of each component may be configured arbitrarily as long as the function can be realized. The components of the illustrated first optical connector module 2 and optical connector system 1 are functional concepts. The specific form of each component is not limited to that shown in the drawings.

[0128] In the above embodiment, the first relationship has been described as including the relationship when the protrusion 221b of the first housing 221 is not elastically deformed, for example, as shown in Figures 10, 14, 15, and 18, but is not limited to this. The first relationship may also include any other relationship that can define the reference state of the second coil spring 26. For example, the first relationship may also include the relationship when the protrusion 221b of the first housing 221 is slightly elastically deformed.

[0129] In the above embodiment, the second relationship has been described as including, for example, the relationship when the protrusion 221b of the first housing 221 elastically deforms to the greatest extent as the relative positional relationship between the first housing 221 and the second housing 222 changes, as shown in FIG. 17 , but is not limited to this. The second relationship may also include any other relationship that can define another state different from the reference state of the second coil spring 26. For example, the second relationship may include any other relationship when the protrusion 221b of the first housing 221 elastically deforms as the relative positional relationship between the first housing 221 and the second housing 222 changes.

[0130] In the above embodiment, the second housing 222 has been described as having the second projecting wall 222h that is adjacent to the second coil spring 26 in the connection direction in the first relationship and that compresses the second coil spring 26 in the connection direction in the second relationship, but is not limited to this. Instead of or in addition to the second projecting wall 222h, the second housing 222 may have another configuration that compresses the second coil spring 26 in the connection direction in the second relationship.

[0131] In the above embodiment, the second protruding wall 222h is described as being located on the second optical connector module 3 side with respect to the second coil spring 26, but this is not limiting. The second protruding wall 222h may be located on the opposite side of the second coil spring 26 from the second optical connector module 3.

[0132] In the above embodiment, the first housing 221 has been described as having the second projecting wall 221i spaced apart from the second coil spring 26 in the connection direction, but this is not limited thereto. The second housing 222 has been described as having the first projecting wall 222g spaced apart from the second projecting wall 221i in the connection direction in the first relationship and in contact with the second projecting wall 221i in the connection direction in the second relationship, but this is not limited thereto. Instead of or in addition to the second projecting wall 221i and the first projecting wall 222g, the first housing 221 and the second housing 222 may have any other structure that allows the first housing 221 to move together with the second housing 222 to release the lock in the connected state.

[0133] In the above embodiment, the first projecting wall 222g is described as being located on the second optical connector module 3 side with respect to the second projecting wall 221i, but this is not limiting. The first projecting wall 222g may be located on the opposite side of the second projecting wall 221i from the second optical connector module 3.

[0134] In the above embodiment, the first housing 221 has been described as having the accommodation portion 221j including the space 221k that accommodates the second coil spring 26 and the wall 221m that receives the biasing force from the second coil spring 26 to return to the first relationship from the second relationship. However, this is not limited to this. The accommodation portion 221j of the first housing 221 may have any other structure that can attach the second coil spring 26 to the first housing 221 and receive the biasing force. For example, the accommodation portion 221j may be a recessed portion recessed in the surface of the ceiling portion 221a1 of the first housing 221.

[0135] In the above embodiment, the second optical connector 31 is located at the end opposite to the first optical connector module 2 and has the inclined surface 311a that slopes toward the base 51 from the inside to the outside in the connection direction, but is not limited to this. The second optical connector 31 does not need to have the inclined surface 311a as long as damage to the configuration of the optical connector system 1 can be reduced.

[0136] In the above embodiment, the connecting member 214 is described as a pin, but is not limited to this. The connecting member 214 may have any other configuration different from a pin as long as it is compatible with the guide portion 213.

[0137] In the above embodiment, the guide portion 213 is described as a through hole, but is not limited to this. The guide portion 213 may have any other configuration different from a through hole as long as it is possible to place the connection member 214 for connecting the first optical connector module 2 to the second optical connector module 3. For example, the guide portion 213 does not have to penetrate the base portion 211. For example, the guide portion 213 may be a recessed or protruding portion disposed on the surface of the base portion 211.

[0138] In the above embodiment, the optical member 27 is described as being narrower than the end face S in the width direction intersecting the connection direction, but is not limited to this. The optical member 27 may be wider than the end face S in the width direction as long as the end of the guide portion 213 located on the end face S is exposed.

[0139] In the above embodiment, the first optical connector 21 has been described as having a pair of guide portions 213, but this is not limiting. The first optical connector 21 may have only a single guide portion 213, or may have three or more guide portions 213. In addition, the optical member 27 does not have to be disposed between the pair of guide portions 213 in the width direction. For example, when the first optical connector 21 has only a single guide portion 213, the optical member 27 may be disposed adjacent to the single guide portion 213 in the width direction.

[0140] In the above embodiment, the optical member 27 has been described as having the first lens portion 271 that optically acts on the signal light propagating between the first optical connector module 2 and the second optical connector module 3, but this is not limiting. The optical member 27 does not have to have a lens structure such as the first lens portion 271. The optical member 27 may have any other structure that optically acts on the signal light instead of or in addition to the first lens portion 271. For example, the optical member 27 may have a mirror structure, a beam splitter structure, a prism structure, or the like.

[0141] In the above embodiment, the optical member 27 has been described as having the opening 272 disposed on the surface facing the end face S, but this is not limited thereto. The optical member 27 does not necessarily have to have the opening 272. For example, the optical member 27 may have a recess instead of the opening 272.

[0142] In the above embodiment, the optical member 27 has been described as having the notch 273 disposed at the corner of the optical member 27, but this is not limiting. The optical member 27 may have the notch 273 at a position on the sidewall of the optical member 27 other than the corner, may have the notch 273 at a position other than the sidewall, or may not have the notch 273 at all.

[0143] In the above embodiment, the cutouts 273 are formed by cutting out a pair of corners of the optical member 27 in a tetrahedral shape, and are configured as triangular surfaces that are inclined obliquely inward in the front-rear and left-right directions of the optical member 27. However, the cutouts 273 are not limited to this. The cutouts 273 may be formed by cutting out the optical member 27 in any other shape, such as a concave shape or a stepped shape.

[0144] In the above embodiment, the housing 22 has been described as including the first housing 221 and the second housing 222, but is not limited thereto. The housing 22 may be configured with only one housing, or may be configured with three or more housings.

[0145] Some embodiments of the present disclosure are described below. However, it should be noted that the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to these. [Supplementary Note 1] A first optical connector module to be connected to a second optical connector module, comprising: a first optical connector connected to the second optical connector module; a first housing covering the first optical connector; an elastic member attached to the first housing; and a second housing covering the first housing and the elastic member, wherein the elastic member is in a reference state when a relative positional relationship between the first housing and the second housing is in a first relationship that serves as a reference, and contracts from the reference state in the connection direction when the relative positional relationship is in a second relationship that is deviated from the first relationship in a connection direction in which the first optical connector module and the second optical connector module are connected to each other. [Supplementary Note 2] A first optical connector module according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the second housing has a first protruding wall that is adjacent to the elastic member in the connection direction in the first relationship and that presses and contracts the elastic member in the connection direction in the second relationship. [Supplementary Note 3] The first optical connector module according to Supplementary Note 2, wherein the first protruding wall is located on the second optical connector module side with respect to the elastic member. [Supplementary Note 4] The first optical connector module according to any one of Supplements 1 to 3, wherein the first housing has a protruding wall that is spaced apart from the elastic member in the connection direction, and the second housing has a second protruding wall that is spaced apart from the protruding wall in the connection direction in the first relationship and that comes into contact with the protruding wall in the connection direction in the second relationship. [Supplementary Note 5] The first optical connector module according to Supplementary Note 4, wherein the second protruding wall is located on the second optical connector module side with respect to the protruding wall.[Supplementary Note 6] The first optical connector module according to any one of Supplements 1 to 5, wherein the first housing has an accommodating section having a space for accommodating the elastic member and a wall that receives, from the elastic member, a biasing force that returns the optical connector to the first relationship in the second relationship. [Supplementary Note 7] An optical connector system comprising: the first optical connector module according to any one of Supplements 1 to 6; and a second optical connector module connected to the first optical connector module, wherein the first optical connector module has the first optical connector attached to an end of a first optical transmission line having a plurality of first optical waveguide portions on the second optical connector module side, and the second optical connector module has a second optical connector attached to a second optical transmission line having a base and second optical waveguide portions stacked on the base, and connected to the first optical connector.

[0146] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Optical connector system 2 First optical connector module 3 Second optical connector module 21 First optical connector 211 Base 211a Wide portion 211b Narrow portion 212 Holding portion 213 Guide portion 214 Connecting member 214a Notch portion 214b Anti-detachment portion 22 Housing 221 First housing 221a Base 221a1 Ceiling portion 221a2 Side wall portion 221b Protrusion 221c Locked portion 221d Locked surface 221e Tip surface 221f Latching portion 221g First projecting wall 221h Recess 221i Second projecting wall (projecting wall) 221j Storage portion 221k Space 221m Wall 222 Second housing 222a Base 222a1 Ceiling portion 222a2 Side wall portion 222b Protruding portion 222c Guide surface 222d Curved surface 222e Supported portion 222f Recessed portion 222g First projecting wall (second projecting wall) 222h Second projecting wall (first projecting wall) 222i Third projecting wall 23 First fitting 231 Bottom plate portion 232 Side wall portion 233 Locking portion 234 Notch portion 235 Extension portion 24 Second fitting 241 Ceiling portion 242 Locking portion 243 Extension portion 243a Receiving portion 243b Connection portion 243c Notch portion 25 First coil spring 26 Second coil spring (elastic member) 27 Optical member 271 First lens portion 271a First lens 272 Opening 273 Notch 31 Second optical connector 311 First base 311a Inclined surface 311b Positioned portion 312 Second base 312a Opening 312b Groove 313 Notch 314 Second lens portion 314a Second lens 315 Through hole 32 Housing 321 Base 321a Ceiling 321b Side wall 321b1 First side wall 321b2 Second side wall 322 Guide 322a First portion 322b Second portion 323 Reinforcement 324 Guiding portion 325 Locking portion 326 Support portion 327 Mounting portion 40 First optical transmission path 41 First optical waveguide portion 50 Second optical transmission path51 Base 52 Second optical waveguide section 521 Core 522 Clad 53 Positioning core A1 First side surface C Pad S End surface

Claims

1. A first optical connector module connected to a second optical connector module, comprising: a first optical connector connected to the second optical connector module; a first housing covering the first optical connector; an elastic member attached to the first housing; and a second housing covering the first housing and the elastic member, wherein the elastic member is in a reference state when the relative positional relationship between the first housing and the second housing is in a first relationship serving as a reference, and shrinks from the reference state in the connection direction when the relative positional relationship deviates from the first relationship to a second relationship in the connection direction in which the first optical connector module and the second optical connector module are connected to each other. First optical connector module.

2. The first optical connector module according to claim 1, wherein the second housing has a first protruding wall that is adjacent to the elastic member in the connection direction in the first relationship and presses and shrinks the elastic member in the connection direction in the second relationship. First optical connector module.

3. The first optical connector module according to claim 2, wherein the first protruding wall is located on the second optical connector module side with respect to the elastic member. First optical connector module.

4. The first optical connector module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first housing has a protruding wall that is spaced apart from the elastic member in the connection direction, and the second housing has a second protruding wall that is spaced apart from the protruding wall in the connection direction in the first relationship and contacts the protruding wall in the connection direction in the second relationship. First optical connector module.

5. The first optical connector module according to claim 4, wherein the second protruding wall is located on the second optical connector module side with respect to the protruding wall. First optical connector module.

6. The first optical connector module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first housing has a housing portion having a space for accommodating the elastic member and a wall that receives a biasing force for returning to the first relationship from the elastic member in the second relationship. First optical connector module.

7. A first optical connector module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, a second optical connector module connected to the first optical connector module, and the first optical connector module includes a first optical connector attached to a tip on the second optical connector module side in a first optical transmission path having a plurality of first optical waveguide portions, and the second optical connector module is attached to a second optical transmission path having a substrate and a second optical waveguide portion laminated on the substrate, and has a second optical connector connected to the first optical connector, an optical connector system.

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