Second optical connector module and optical connector system

Abstract

A second optical connector module 3 according to the present disclosure comprises: a second optical transmission path 50; and a second optical connector 31 attached to the second optical transmission path 50. The second optical connector 31 has a part 311b to be positioned used for positioning the second optical connector 31 with respect to the second optical transmission path 50. The second optical transmission path 50 has a substrate 51, a second optical waveguide part 52 laminated on the substrate 51, and a positioning core 53 disposed inside the part 311b to be positioned. In a width direction crossing the extension direction of the positioning core 53, a first center position P1 of the positioning core 53 and a second center position P2 of the part 311b to be positioned are different from each other.

Description

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

[0001] This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-007026, filed on January 19, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a second 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 achieves high positioning accuracy with a simple structure. 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 accuracy.

[0004] JP 2019-164287 A

[0005] A second optical connector module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a second optical connector module including a second optical transmission line and a second optical connector attached to the second optical transmission line. The second optical connector has a positioned portion used to position the second optical connector relative to the second optical transmission line. The second optical transmission line has a base, a second optical waveguide portion stacked on the base, and a positioning core disposed inside the positioned portion. In a width direction intersecting an extension direction of the positioning core, a first center position of the positioning core and a second center position of the positioned portion are different from each other.

[0006] An optical connector system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes the second optical connector module described above, and a first optical connector module connected to the second optical connector module. The first optical connector module is 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, and has a first optical connector connected to the second optical connector via an optical member.

[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 top view of the second optical transmission path alone in FIG. 1. It is an external perspective view showing the first optical connector module alone in FIG. 1 that holds 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 that holds 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 having a 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 an external perspective view showing the second optical connector alone in FIG. 11 in a bottom view. It is a front view schematically showing a part of the configuration of the second optical connector module in FIG. 1. It is a cross-sectional view taken along the XVI-XVI arrow line in FIG. 1. It is a cross-sectional view taken along the XVII-XVII arrow line in FIG. 1. It is a front view corresponding to FIG. 15 schematically showing a part of the configuration of the second optical connector module according to a modification example. It is an enlarged top view showing the second optical transmission path alone according to a modification example.

[0008] In the optical connector described in Patent Document 1, the optical connector is positioned relative to the optical transmission line by point contact between the recesses on both sides of the protrusion, with the center position of the protrusion located on the optical transmission line aligned with the center position of the recess located on the optical connector. In such cases, due to manufacturing tolerances of the optical connector and the protrusion, it is generally not easy to achieve the shape precision for point contact between the recess and the protrusion. As a result, it is not easy to achieve ideal point contact when the optical connector is positioned, and it is not easy to achieve high positioning precision.

[0009] According to the second optical connector module and optical connector system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce the shape precision required for a configuration that contributes to the positioning of the optical connector relative to the optical transmission line.

[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 in Figures 1 to 19 are consistent between different drawings.

[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-and-down direction. The "extension direction of the positioning core 53" includes, for example, the front-to-rear direction. The "width direction intersecting the extension direction of the positioning core 53" includes, for example, the left-to-right direction. The "first optical connector module 2 side" includes, for example, the front side. The "opposite side to 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 to 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 to 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 has a second optical transmission line 50, and a second optical connector 31 and a housing 32 attached to the second optical transmission line 50. The second optical transmission line 50 has a base 51, a second optical waveguide section 52 laminated on the base 51, and a positioning core 53 arranged relative to the second optical connector 31.

[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 includes, for example, 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 disposed 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 disposed 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 a single mode or a 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 positioning core 53 has a front first portion 531 having a first width in the left-right direction and a rear second portion 532 having a second width in the left-right direction that is wider than the first width. The first portion 531 and the second portion 532 of the positioning core 53 are arranged continuously in the front-rear direction. The front end surface of the first portion 531 is arranged to coincide with the front end surface of the base 51 in the front-rear direction. The first portion 531 is divided into three linear portions in the front-rear direction along a width direction intersecting the extension direction of the positioning core 53. The front end surface of the second portion 532 is arranged to coincide with the rear end surface of the first portion 531 in the front-rear direction. The second portion 532 is divided into three linear portions in the front-rear direction along a width direction intersecting the extension direction of the positioning core 53.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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.

[0028] The first optical connector module 2 has a first optical connector 21 attached to the second optical connector module 3 side of a 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.

[0029] 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 fitting 23 and the front end of the second 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 first optical connector module 2 has an optical member 27 arranged on an end face S of the first optical connector 21 that is located on the second optical connector module 3 side.

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] The first housing 221 has a second protruding wall 221i that extends in the left-right direction and protrudes upward from the rear of the outer surface of the ceiling portion 221a1. The first housing 221 has accommodation portions 221j that are located in corner regions on both the left and right sides of the front of the outer surface of the ceiling portion 221a1. The accommodation portions 221j have a space 221k that accommodates the second coil spring 26 and walls 221m that surround the space 221k from four directions, i.e., front-rear, left-right, and right-hand.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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 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 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.

[0043] 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.

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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 .

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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.

[0052] 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.

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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.

[0055] 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.

[0056] 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.

[0057] 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.

[0058] 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.

[0059] 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.

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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.

[0062] 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.

[0063] 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.

[0064] 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.

[0065] 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.

[0066] 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.

[0067] 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.

[0068] 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.

[0069] 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.

[0070] 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.

[0071] FIG. 11 is an external perspective view showing the second optical connector module 3 alone of FIG. 1 having 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 arrows 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. FIG. 14 is an external perspective view showing the second optical connector 31 alone of FIG. 11 as viewed from below. An example of the configuration of the second optical connector module 3 will be mainly described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 14 .

[0072] 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, and has a second optical connector 31 connected to the first optical connector 21 via an optical member 27. The second optical connector module 3 is spaced apart from the second optical connector 31 and has a housing 32 attached to the base 51.

[0073] 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.

[0074] 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.

[0075] 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 from the inside to the outside in the connection direction toward the base 51. 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-rear direction of the first base 311.

[0076] 13 and 14 , the second optical connector 31 has a positioned portion 311b formed by cutting out a substantially semicircular portion upward from the bottom surface of the first base portion 311. The positioned portion 311b is a recess having a substantially semicircular cross section. The positioned portion 311b is used to position the second optical connector 31 relative to the second optical transmission line 50. For example, the positioned portion 311b is used to position the second optical connector 31 in the width direction intersecting the extension direction of the positioning core 53.

[0077] The height of the surface of the positioned portion 311b that comes into contact with the second optical transmission path 50 can be adjusted in the vertical direction in order to align the second optical waveguide portion 52 with the second lens portion 314. For example, when molding the second optical connector 31 in a mold, the height of the surface of the positioned portion 311b that comes into contact with the second optical transmission path 50 can be designed taking into account half the height of the positioning core 53, thereby making it possible to align the center of the second lens portion 314 with the center position of the second optical waveguide portion 52.

[0078] The positioned portion 311b includes a first positioned portion 311b1 and a second positioned portion 311b2 that is disposed at a position spaced apart in the width direction from the first positioned portion 311b1. The first positioned portion 311b1 and the second positioned portion 311b2 are disposed at both ends in the left-right direction of the first base portion 311. The first positioned portion 311b1 and the second positioned portion 311b2 are disposed so as to sandwich the second lens portion 314 (described later) from both sides in the left-right direction.

[0079] 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 opening 312a is formed by cutting out the second base 312 from the bottom surface to the rear surface. The opening 312a is adjacent to the second lens unit 314 (described below) at its lower side. The opening 312a is adjacent to the rear end of the second lens unit 314 at its lower side on the rear surface of the second base 312. The opening 312a is arranged so as to be continuous with the rear end of the second lens unit 314 in the up-down direction. The opening 312a has an inclined surface that slopes more inward from the bottom to the top of the second base 312 so that the front-to-back width gradually decreases from the bottom to the top. The opening 312a is arranged so that the front-to-back width is widest at the bottom and narrowest at the top.

[0080] The second optical connector 31 has a groove 312b recessed in a substantially semicircular shape on the inner surface of the second base 312 facing the base 51. The groove 312b is arranged concentrically with, for example, the positioned portion 311b and a through-hole 315 (described later). The groove 312b is a substantially semicircular recess having a radius larger than the radius of the substantially semicircular shape in the cross section of the positioned portion 311b and the radius of the circle in the cross section of the through-hole 315. While the positioned portion 311b is recessed in a substantially semicircular shape facing upward, the groove 312b is recessed in a substantially semicircular shape facing downward. The groove 312b is arranged contiguous with the positioned portion 311b and the through-hole 315. The groove 312b is recessed along the arc of the lower half of the rear opening end of the through-hole 315 so as to be positioned below the arc. The groove 312b is recessed adjacent to the lower side of the arc at the front end of the positioned portion 311b.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 12 , the second optical connector 31 has a notch 313 formed by cutting out the outer surface, i.e., the front surface, of the second base 312 up to the first side surface A1. The notch 313 is arranged in a concave shape. The second optical connector 31 has a second lens unit 314 arranged on the first side surface A1, which constitutes a part of the notch 313. The second lens unit 314 optically acts on the signal light propagating between the first optical connector module 2 and the second optical connector module 3. As also shown in FIG. 14 , the second lens unit 314 is arranged across substantially the entire second base 312 in the left-right direction. The second lens unit 314 is arranged continuously from the front surface to the rear surface near the center of the second base 312 in the up-down direction. The second lens unit 314 has a plurality of second lenses 314 a arranged in a row in the left-right direction on the front surface of the second base 312. The spacing in the left-right direction between the multiple second lenses 314a is approximately the same as the spacing in the left-right direction between the cores 521 of the second optical waveguide portion 52 of the second optical transmission line 50 of the second optical connector module 3. The second lens portion 314 is made of a light-transmitting resin material.

[0082] The second optical connector 31 has through holes 315 located on both left-right sides of the second base 312 and penetrating 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 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. The front open end of the through hole 315 is located on the front surface of the second base 312. The rear open end of the through hole 315 is located on the rear surface of the second base 312 and adjacent to the groove 312b above.

[0083] 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.

[0084] 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.

[0085] 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.

[0086] 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.

[0087] 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.

[0088] 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.

[0089] 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.

[0090] 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.

[0091] 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.

[0092] 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.

[0093] 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.

[0094] 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.

[0095] 1 is a front view schematically illustrating a portion of the configuration of the second optical connector module 3 of FIG. 1. Fig. 15 mainly illustrates, among the configuration of the second optical connector module 3, configurations that contribute to positioning of the second optical connector 31 relative to the second optical transmission line 50. In the present disclosure, the "configuration that contributes to positioning" includes, for example, the positioned portion 311b disposed on the first base 311 of the second optical connector 31 and the positioning core 53 disposed on the substrate 51 of the second optical transmission line 50. With reference to Fig. 15, among the configuration of the second optical connector module 3, configurations that contribute to positioning of the second optical connector 31 relative to the second optical transmission line 50 will be described in more detail.

[0096] The positioning core 53 is disposed inside the positioned portion 311b. The positioning core 53 includes a first positioning core 53a disposed relative to the first positioned portion 311b1 and a second positioning core 53b disposed relative to the second positioned portion 311b2. For example, a first portion 531 of the first positioning core 53a is housed inside the first positioned portion 311b1. A first portion 531 of the second positioning core 53b is housed inside the second positioned portion 311b2. In the first portion 531, a first convex portion having the narrowest width, a second convex portion having the widest width, and a third convex portion having a width between them are arranged in this order from the outside to the inside in the width direction intersecting the extension direction of the positioning core 53.

[0097] In this case, the first center position P1 of the positioning core 53 and the second center position P2 of the positioned portion 311b are different from each other in the width direction intersecting the extension direction of the positioning core 53. In the present disclosure, the "first center position P1" corresponds to, for example, the center position of the entire width of the positioning core 53 in the width direction. The first center position P1 is, for example, the center position of the entire width including the first convex portion, the second convex portion, and the third convex portion, which are divided into three in the first portion 531, and is the center position of the entire width from the outer end face of the first convex portion to the inner end face of the third convex portion in the width direction. The "second center position P2" corresponds to, for example, the center position of the entire width of the positioned portion 311b in the width direction. The second center position P2 is, for example, the center position of the approximately semicircular cross-sectional shape of the positioned portion 311b.

[0098] In the present disclosure, the phrase "the first center position P1 and the second center position P2 are different from each other" is defined, for example, based on the measurement limit of a measurement device that measures the difference between the first center position P1 and the second center position P2. For example, the first center position P1 and the second center position P2 are different from each other when the difference is equal to or greater than the measurement limit. The first center position P1 and the second center position P2 are identical to each other when the difference is smaller than the measurement limit. The "measurement limit" may be any value depending on the measurement device, and may be, for example, 0.5 μm, a value greater than 0.5 μm, or a value less than 0.5 μm.

[0099] At least one of the ends of the positioning core 53 in the width direction is separated from the positioned portion 311b. For example, the outer end face and corner in the width direction of the first convex portion of the first positioning core 53a are separated from the side wall portion of the first positioned portion 311b1. The inner end face and corner in the width direction of the third convex portion of the first positioning core 53a are separated from the side wall portion of the first positioned portion 311b1. For example, the outer end face and corner in the width direction of the first convex portion of the second positioning core 53b are separated from the side wall portion of the second positioned portion 311b2. The inner end face and corner in the width direction of the third convex portion of the second positioning core 53b are separated from the side wall portion of the second positioned portion 311b2.

[0100] In the width direction, the difference in the center position between the first positioning core 53a and the first positioned portion 311b1 is the same as the difference in the center position between the second positioning core 53b and the second positioned portion 311b2. The left-right distance between the first center position P1 and the second center position P2 is the same on both sides of the first positioning core 53a and the second positioning core 53b. The amount of deviation of the first center position P1 from the second center position P2 of the first positioning core 53a is approximately the same as the amount of deviation of the first center position P1 from the second center position P2 of the second positioning core 53b.

[0101] In the width direction, the direction of deviation of the first center position P1 from the second center position P2 is opposite between the first positioning core 53a and the second positioning core 53b. The direction of deviation of the first center position P1 from the second center position P2 of the first positioning core 53a and the direction of deviation of the first center position P1 from the second center position P2 of the second positioning core 53b are opposite to each other in the width direction. For example, the first center position P1 of the first positioning core 53a is shifted to the right of the second center position P2 of the first positioned portion 311b1. On the other hand, the first center position P1 of the second positioning core 53b is shifted to the left of the second center position P2 of the second positioned portion 311b2.

[0102] For example, the first center position P1 of the positioning core 53 is shifted in opposite directions by the same difference on both the left and right sides of the second optical connector 31 with respect to the second center position P2 of the positioned portion 311b. The center position in the width direction between the pair of first center positions P1 coincides with the center position in the width direction between the pair of second center positions P2. The center position in the width direction between the pair of first center positions P1 may coincide with the center position in the width direction of the first base portion 311 of the second optical connector 31. The configurations that contribute to positioning in the second optical connector 31 and the second optical transmission line 50 are line-symmetrical in the width direction.

[0103] Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow line XVI-XVI in Fig. 1. Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow line XVII-XVII 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. 16 and 17.

[0104] 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.

[0105] 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.

[0106] 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.

[0107] 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.

[0108] 17 , 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.

[0109] 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. 16 . 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. 17 , 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.

[0110] 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. 17 , 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.

[0111] 17 , when the first optical connector module 2 is removed from the second optical connector module 3, the second housing 222 of the first optical connector module 2 is first pulled forward. As the second housing 222 moves forward, the curved surface 222d disposed on the protrusion 222b comes into contact with the tip surface 221e of the protrusion 221b, causing the tip surface 221e to move downward along the curved surface 222d, and the protrusion 221b elastically deforms downward. Therefore, the locked portion 221c no longer engages with the locking portion 325, allowing the first housing 221 to move forward.

[0112] 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.

[0113] 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. 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 was 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. 10, the first housing 221 is returned to its normal position relative to the second housing 222 in the disconnected state. This completes the removal of the first optical connector module 2 from the second optical connector module 3.

[0114] The second optical connector module 3 and optical connector system 1 according to the embodiment described above enable a reduction in the geometric precision required for components that contribute to positioning of the second optical connector 31 relative to the second optical transmission line 50. In the second optical connector module 3, the first center position P1 of the positioning core 53 and the second center position P2 of the positioned portion 311b are different from each other in the width direction intersecting the extension direction of the positioning core 53. This allows a reduction in the geometric precision required for components that contribute to positioning compared to the prior art in which the center positions of the convex portion arranged on the optical transmission line side and the concave portion arranged on the optical connector side are aligned. In the second optical connector module 3, it is not necessary to precisely contact both ends of the positioning core 53 with the positioned portion 311b. Unlike the prior art, geometric precision for point contact is not required, and manufacturing tolerances are allowed for components such as the positioning core 53 and the positioned portion 311b.

[0115] At least one of the ends of the positioning core 53 in the width direction is spaced apart from the positioned portion 311b. This reduces damage to components that contribute to positioning the second optical connector 31 relative to the second optical transmission line 50. For example, the second optical connector module 3 can be configured such that the positioning core 53 is spaced apart from the positioned portion 311b at the end opposite to the direction in which the first center position P1 deviates from the second center position P2. This reduces damage to the positioning core 53 and the positioned portion 311b compared to the optical connector described in Patent Document 1, in which the recesses are in point contact with both sides of the protrusions arranged on the optical transmission line side while the center positions of the protrusions arranged on the optical connector side are aligned. As shown in FIG. 15 , for example, the effect of reducing damage is improved by spaced apart both ends of the positioning core 53 in the width direction from the positioned portion 311b.

[0116] The positioned portion 311b includes a first positioned portion 311b1 and a second positioned portion 311b2. The positioning core 53 includes a first positioning core 53a arranged relative to the first positioned portion 311b1 and a second positioning core 53b arranged relative to the second positioned portion 311b2. This enables the second optical connector module 3 to position the second optical connector 31 relative to the second optical transmission line 50 using the pair of positioning cores 53 arranged on both the left and right sides of the second optical connector 31.

[0117] In the width direction, the difference in the center position between the first positioning core 53a and the first positioned portion 311b1 is the same as the difference in the center position between the second positioning core 53b and the second positioned portion 311b2, thereby improving the accuracy of positioning the second optical connector 31 with respect to the second optical transmission line 50.

[0118] In the width direction, the direction of deviation of the first center position P1 from the second center position P2 is reversed between the first positioning core 53 a and the second positioning core 53 b, thereby improving the accuracy of positioning the second optical connector 31 with respect to the second optical transmission line 50.

[0119] The second optical connector 31 has an opening 312a located at the center in the left-right direction at the bottom of the second base 312. This facilitates the application of a refractive index matching agent. For example, the second optical connector module 3 enables application of a refractive index matching agent through the opening 312a. The second optical connector module 3 facilitates the placement of a refractive index matching agent for the optical path of the signal light between the second lens unit 314 and the second optical waveguide unit 52 using the opening 312a. For example, by injecting the refractive index matching agent through the opening 312a into the second optical connector 31 positioned relative to the second optical transmission line 50 by the above-described method, application of the refractive index matching agent and attachment of the second optical connector 31 to the second optical transmission line 50 can be easily achieved.

[0120] The second optical connector 31 has a groove 312b that is recessed in a substantially semicircular shape on the inner surface of the second base 312 that faces the substrate 51. This reduces the infiltration of the refractive index matching agent that is injected from the opening 312a into the through hole 315 when the second optical connector 31 is attached to the second optical transmission line 50.

[0121] For example, if the groove 312b were not provided, the refractive index matching agent injected through the opening 312a could move through the space between the rear surface of the second base 312, where the second lens portion 314 is arranged, and the front end surface of the substrate 51 and the front end surface of the second optical waveguide portion 52, and enter the through hole 315 of the second optical connector 31 from behind. This could cause the refractive index matching agent to adhere to the inner circumference of the through hole 315 and solidify, preventing the insertion of the connecting member 214 into the through hole 315. As a result, it would be difficult to connect the first optical connector 21 to the second optical connector 31.

[0122] The second optical connector module 3 also makes it possible to guide the refractive index matching material into the groove 312b by arranging the groove 312b around the rear opening end of the through hole 315 in the second optical connector 31. This reduces the infiltration of the refractive index matching material into the through hole 315, and solves the above-mentioned problem.

[0123] 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.

[0124] 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.

[0125] 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.

[0126] 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.

[0127] 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.

[0128] 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.

[0129] 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.

[0130] 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 second optical connector module 3 and optical connector system 1 are functional concepts. The specific form of each component is not limited to that shown in the drawings.

[0131] In the above embodiment, the positioned portion 311b has been described as including two components, the first positioned portion 311b1 and the second positioned portion 311b2, but this is not limited thereto. The positioned portion 311b may include only one component, or three or more components. Similarly, the positioning core 53 has been described as including two components, the first positioning core 53a and the second positioning core 53b, but this is not limited thereto. The positioning core 53 may include only one component, or three or more components, corresponding to the positioned portion 311b.

[0132] In the above embodiment, the difference in the width direction between the first positioning core 53a and the first positioned portion 311b1 and the difference in the width direction between the second positioning core 53b and the second positioned portion 311b2 are the same, but this is not limiting. The difference in the width direction between the first positioning core 53a and the first positioned portion 311b1 and the difference in the width direction between the second positioning core 53b and the second positioned portion 311b2 may be different from each other.

[0133] In the above embodiment, the direction of deviation of the first center position P1 from the second center position P2 in the width direction is reversed between the first positioning core 53 a and the second positioning core 53 b, but this is not limiting. The direction of deviation of the first center position P1 from the second center position P2 in the width direction may be the same between the first positioning core 53 a and the second positioning core 53 b.

[0134] In the above embodiment, the positioned portion 311b is described as a recess having a substantially semicircular cross section, but is not limited to this. The positioned portion 311b may be a recess having any shape other than a substantially semicircular cross section, such as a rectangular or triangular cross section. The positioned portion 311b may be a protrusion rather than a recess. Correspondingly, the positioning core 53 may be arranged as a recess rather than a protrusion on the upper surface of the clad 522.

[0135] Fig. 18 is a front view corresponding to Fig. 15 and schematically illustrating a portion of the configuration of a second optical connector module 3 according to a modified example. Fig. 19 is a top view showing an enlarged view of the second optical transmission line 50 according to a modified example. In the above embodiment, in the first portion 531 of the positioning core 53, the narrowest first convex portion, the widest second convex portion, and the third convex portion having a width therebetween are arranged in this order from the outside to the inside in the width direction. However, this is not limited to this. The number of divisions in the first portion 531 and the width relationship of each divided component may have any other embodiment.

[0136] For example, as shown in FIG. 18 , the widths of the first convex portion, the second convex portion, and the third convex portion may all be the same. For example, as shown in FIG. 19 , the first portion 531 may be integrally formed with zero divisions. Alternatively, the positioning core 53 may be arranged in any other shape. For example, instead of being arranged so that the overall width in the left-right direction changes stepwise depending on the position in the front-rear direction, the positioning core 53 may be arranged so that the overall width in the left-right direction between the first portion 531 and the second portion 532 gradually changes depending on the position in the front-rear direction. For example, the positioning core 53 may have a tapered portion in which the overall width in the left-right direction gradually narrows from the second portion 532 to the first portion 531. For example, the positioning core 53 may be formed by only a pair of convex portions arranged on both sides in the width direction. More specifically, the positioning core 53 may be configured so that it has only an outermost wall and an innermost wall in the width direction, with a simple space between the outermost wall and the innermost wall.

[0137] In the above embodiment, the positioning core 53 is laminated on the upper surface of the clad 522 using the same material as the core 521, but this is not limiting. The positioning core 53 may be laminated on the upper surface of the clad 522 using a material different from that of the core 521.

[0138] In the above embodiment, as can be seen from Figure 12 and other figures, only the first portion 531 of the positioning core 53 is disposed inside the positioned portion 311b of the second optical connector 31, and the second portion 532 is disposed outside the positioned portion 311b. A portion of the positioning core 53 is exposed from the positioned portion 311b. However, the second optical connector module 3 is not limited to this configuration. At least a portion of the second portion 532 of the positioning core 53 does not have to be exposed from the positioned portion 311b, and may be disposed inside the positioned portion 311b. For example, the entire positioning core 53 may be disposed inside the positioned portion 311b.

[0139] 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.

[0140] 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.

[0141] 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.

[0142] 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.

[0143] 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.

[0144] 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.

[0145] 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.

[0146] 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.

[0147] In the above embodiment, the second optical connector 31 has been described as having the second lens portion 314 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 limited to this. The second optical connector 31 does not have to have a lens structure such as the second lens portion 314. The second optical connector 31 may have any other structure that optically acts on the signal light instead of or in addition to the second lens portion 314. For example, the second optical connector 31 may have a mirror structure, a beam splitter structure, a prism structure, or the like.

[0148] In the above embodiment, the second optical connector 31 has been described as having the opening 312a that is disposed adjacent to the second lens portion 314 from the lower surface to the rear surface of the second base portion 312, but is not limited to this. The second optical connector 31 does not necessarily have to have the opening 312a.

[0149] In the above embodiment, the second optical connector 31 has been described as having the groove 312b arranged continuously with the positioned portion 311b and the through hole 315, but is not limited to this. The second optical connector 31 does not need to have such a groove 312b at a position continuous with the positioned portion 311b and the through hole 315 as long as the infiltration of the refractive index matching agent into the through hole 315 is reduced.

[0150] 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.

[0151] Some embodiments of the present disclosure are exemplified below. However, it should be noted that the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to these. [Supplementary Note 1] A second optical connector module including a second optical transmission line and a second optical connector attached to the second optical transmission line, wherein the second optical connector has a positioned portion used to position the second optical connector relative to the second optical transmission line, and the second optical transmission line has: a base; a second optical waveguide portion stacked on the base; and a positioning core disposed inside the positioned portion, wherein a first center position of the positioning core and a second center position of the positioned portion are different from each other in a width direction intersecting an extension direction of the positioning core. [Supplementary Note 2] A second optical connector module according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein at least one of both ends of the positioning core in the width direction is separated from the positioned portion. [Supplementary Note 3] The second optical connector module according to Supplementary Note 1 or 2, wherein the positioned portion includes a first positioned portion and a second positioned portion arranged at a position spaced apart from the first positioned portion in the width direction, and the positioning core includes a first positioning core arranged relative to the first positioned portion and a second positioning core arranged relative to the second positioned portion. [Supplementary Note 4] The second optical connector module according to Supplementary Note 3, wherein a direction of deviation of the first center position from the second center position of the first positioning core and a direction of deviation of the first center position from the second center position of the second positioning core are opposite to each other in the width direction, and an amount of deviation of the first center position from the second center position of the first positioning core and an amount of deviation of the first center position from the second center position of the second positioning core are substantially the same. [Supplementary Note 5] The second optical connector module according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 4, wherein the positioned portion is a recess having a substantially semicircular cross section.[Supplementary Note 6] An optical connector system comprising: a second optical connector module according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 5; and a first optical connector module connected to the second optical connector module, wherein the first optical connector module is attached to a tip of a first optical transmission path having a plurality of first optical waveguide portions on the second optical connector module side, and has a first optical connector connected to the second optical connector via an optical member.

[0152] 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 221j Storage portion 221k Space 221m Wall 222 Second housing 222a Base 222a1 Ceiling portion 222a2 Side wall portion 222b Protruding portion 222c Leading surface 222d Curved surface 222e Supported portion 222f Recessed portion 222g First projecting wall 222h Second 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 27 Optical member 271 First lens portion 271a First lens 272 Opening 273 Notch portion 31 Second optical connector 311 First base portion 311a Inclined surface 311b Positioned portion 311b1 First positioned portion 311b2 Second positioned portion 312 Second base portion 312a Opening 312b Groove portion 313 Notch portion 314 Second lens portion 314a Second lens 315 Through hole 32 Housing 321 Base portion 321a Ceiling portion 321b Side wall portion 321b1 First side wall portion 321b2 Second side wall portion 322 Guide portion 322a First portion 322b Second portion 323 Reinforcement portion 324 Guiding portion 325 Lock portion 326 Support portion 327 Mounting portion 40 First optical transmission path 41 First optical waveguide portion50 Second optical transmission path 51 Base 52 Second optical waveguide section 521 Core 522 Clad 53 Positioning core 53a First positioning core 53b Second positioning core 531 First portion 532 Second portion A1 First side surface C Pad P1 First center position P2 Second center position S End face

Claims

1. A second optical connector module comprising a second optical transmission line and a second optical connector attached to the second optical transmission line, wherein the second optical connector has a portion to be positioned used for positioning the second optical connector with respect to the second optical transmission line, and the second optical transmission line has a base body, a second optical waveguide portion laminated on the base body, and a positioning core disposed inside the portion to be positioned, and in a width direction intersecting with an extending direction of the positioning core, a first center position of the positioning core and a second center position of the portion to be positioned are different from each other. A second optical connector module.

2. The second optical connector module according to claim 1, wherein at least one of both ends of the positioning core in the width direction is spaced apart from the portion to be positioned. A second optical connector module.

3. The second optical connector module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the portion to be positioned includes a first portion to be positioned and a second portion to be positioned disposed at a position spaced apart from the first portion to be positioned in the width direction, and the positioning core includes a first positioning core disposed with respect to the first portion to be positioned and a second positioning core disposed with respect to the second portion to be positioned. A second optical connector module.

4. The second optical connector module according to claim 3, wherein a direction of deviation of the first center position of the first positioning core with respect to the second center position and a direction of deviation of the first center position of the second positioning core with respect to the second center position are reversed from each other in the width direction, and an amount of deviation of the first center position of the first positioning core with respect to the second center position and an amount of deviation of the first center position of the second positioning core with respect to the second center position are substantially the same as each other. A second optical connector module.

5. The second optical connector module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the portion to be positioned is a concave portion having a substantially semicircular cross section. A second optical connector module.

6. The second optical connector module according to claim 1 or 2, and a first optical connector module connected to the second optical connector module, comprising: the first optical connector module is 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, and has a first optical connector connected to the second optical connector via an optical member. An optical connector system.

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