Optical fiber connection component and method for manufacturing optical fiber connection component

Abstract

This optical fiber connection component comprises: a plurality of optical fibers; and a holding member that has a first surface and a second surface aligned with the first surface in a first direction intersecting the first surface, extends from the first surface toward the second surface, and has a plurality of holes which are two-dimensionally arranged on the first surface and into which the plurality of optical fibers are respectively inserted. The center of each of the plurality of optical fibers is eccentric from the center thereof by an eccentricity D in a second direction parallel to the first surface. When the maximum eccentricity in a state in which the center of each of the plurality of optical fibers is maximally eccentric in the second direction is defined as Dmax, the eccentricity D is equal to or greater than Dmax∕ 10 and less than or equal to Dmax.

Description

Optical fiber connection component and method of manufacturing the same

[0001] This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-101107, filed on June 24, 2024, and incorporates by reference the entire contents of said Japanese application.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an optical connecting component including a plurality of optical fibers and a holding member having a plurality of insertion holes provided corresponding to the plurality of optical fibers. In this optical connecting component, the plurality of optical fibers are arranged two-dimensionally, thereby realizing a high density and multi-core arrangement of the optical fibers.

[0003] International Publication No. 2023 / 119925

[0004] An optical fiber splicing component according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a plurality of optical fibers, and a holding member having a first surface and a second surface aligned with the first surface in a first direction intersecting the first surface, extending from the first surface toward the second surface and having a plurality of holes arranged two-dimensionally on the first surface, into which the plurality of optical fibers are respectively inserted. In this optical fiber splicing component, the centers of the plurality of optical fibers are offset from the centers of the plurality of holes in a second direction parallel to the first surface by an eccentricity amount D. In this optical fiber splicing component, when the maximum eccentricity when the centers of the plurality of optical fibers are maximally offset in the second direction is defined as Dmax, the eccentricity amount D is equal to or greater than Dmax / 10 and equal to or less than Dmax.

[0005] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an optical fiber splicing component according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view of the optical fiber splicing component shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of a holding member. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the eccentricity of the center of an optical fiber. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a method for manufacturing an optical fiber splicing component. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which an optical fiber has been inserted into a hole. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a procedure for pressing down the optical fiber. FIG. 8A is a front view showing a modified hole. FIG. 8B is a front view showing a modified hole. FIG. 8C is a front view showing a modified hole.

[0006] [Problem to be Solved by the Present Disclosure] In the optical connecting component described in Patent Document 1, a sufficient clearance (gap) may be provided between the optical fiber and the insertion hole to prevent breakage of the optical fiber when the optical fiber is inserted into the insertion hole. The larger the clearance, the more likely it is that the positions of the centers of the multiple optical fibers relative to the centers of the multiple insertion holes will vary. From the viewpoint of preventing an increase in connection loss when connecting the optical connecting component to an optical device, it is desirable to reduce such variation.

[0007] [Effects of the Present Disclosure] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent an increase in connection loss.

[0008] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] First, the contents of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. [1] An optical fiber splicing component according to one embodiment includes a plurality of optical fibers, and a holding member having a first surface and a second surface aligned with the first surface in a first direction intersecting the first surface, extending from the first surface toward the second surface and having a plurality of holes arranged two-dimensionally on the first surface, into which the plurality of optical fibers are respectively inserted. In this optical fiber splicing component, the centers of the plurality of optical fibers are offset by an eccentricity amount D from the centers of the respective holes in a second direction parallel to the first surface. In this optical fiber splicing component, when the maximum eccentricity when the centers of the plurality of optical fibers are maximally offset in the second direction is defined as Dmax, the eccentricity amount D is equal to or greater than Dmax / 10 and equal to or less than Dmax.

[0009] In this optical fiber splicing component, the centers of the multiple optical fibers are offset from the centers of the multiple holes by an eccentricity amount D in a second direction parallel to the first surface. Furthermore, when the maximum eccentricity amount when the centers of the multiple optical fibers are maximally offset in the second direction is Dmax, the eccentricity amount D is greater than or equal to Dmax / 10 and less than or equal to Dmax. This allows the centers of the multiple optical fibers to be offset in the same direction from the centers of the multiple holes, while keeping the eccentricity amount within a certain range. Therefore, even if sufficient clearance is provided between the optical fibers and the holes to prevent breakage of the optical fibers, for example, variation in the positions of the centers of the multiple optical fibers relative to the centers of the multiple holes can be reduced. Therefore, this optical fiber splicing component makes it possible to prevent an increase in connection loss.

[0010] In addition, in this optical fiber connecting component, a plurality of holes into which a plurality of optical fibers are respectively inserted are arranged two-dimensionally on the first surface of the holding member, thereby enabling a high-density arrangement of optical fibers.

[0011] [2] In the optical fiber splicing component of [1] above, the holding member may be connected to the plurality of holes by connecting portions and may have a tapered portion opening at the second surface. The tapered portion may be formed so that its width narrows as it approaches the connecting portion from the second surface. The tapered portion may have a first portion opening at the second surface and a second portion connected to the first portion. The taper angle of the first portion may be larger than the taper angle of the second portion. In this case, the optical fiber can be guided to the second portion by aligning it with the inner surface of the first portion. Then, the optical fiber can be guided into the hole by aligning it with the inner surface of the second portion. This allows the optical fiber to be smoothly inserted into the hole, thereby preventing breakage of the optical fiber due to the optical fiber coming into contact with the holding member.

[0012] [3] In the optical fiber splicing component of [2] above, when the diameter of each of the plurality of optical fibers is A1 and the maximum width of each of the plurality of holes is A2, the arithmetic mean roughness of the inner surface of each of the plurality of holes may be smaller than (A2-A1) / 10. The arithmetic mean roughness of the inner surface of the tapered portion may be smaller than (A2-A1) / 10. In this case, friction between the optical fiber and the inner surface of the hole, and friction between the optical fiber and the inner surface of the tapered portion can be reduced. This makes it possible to prevent breakage of the optical fiber due to contact of the optical fiber with the holding member.

[0013] [4] The optical fiber splicing component of [2] or [3] above may further include a coating member that coats at least a portion of each of the optical fibers excluding their respective tip portions. The tip portions of each of the optical fibers may be exposed from the tip surface of the coating member and inserted into each of the multiple holes. The tip surface of the coating member may be located inside the tapered portion. In this case, the coating member protects the optical fiber, thereby preventing unnecessary contact between the optical fiber and the inner surface of the tapered portion. This makes it possible to prevent breakage of the optical fiber due to contact of the optical fiber with the holding member.

[0014] [5] In the optical fiber splicing component according to any one of [1] to [4] above, the surfaces of the optical fibers may be treated with a primer, which can reduce friction between the optical fibers and the holding member (for example, the inner surface of the hole).

[0015] [6] In the optical fiber splicing component according to any one of [1] to [5] above, the cross-sectional shape of each of the plurality of holes may be circular, elliptical, or polygonal. In this case, it is easy to make the optical fiber eccentric.

[0016] [7] In any one of the optical fiber splicing components [1] to [6] above, the holding member may be a glass plate. In this case, the heat resistance of the holding member can be improved. In addition, since the holding member has high ultraviolet transmittance, the optical fiber can be bonded to the holding member using an ultraviolet-curing adhesive. Furthermore, when the holding member is mounted on a silicon substrate, the linear expansion coefficients of the glass plate holding member and the silicon substrate are similar, making it less susceptible to thermal expansion.

[0017] [8] The optical fiber splicing component of any one of [1] to [7] above may further include a support member, and each of the plurality of optical fibers may have a tip portion extending along the first direction and a bent portion connected to the tip portion and bent relative to the tip portion, and the tip portion of each of the plurality of optical fibers may be inserted into each of the plurality of holes, and the support member may reinforce each of the bent portions of the plurality of optical fibers. In this case, the overall height of the optical fiber splicing component in the first direction can be lowered compared to a case in which the optical fibers do not have bent portions. Furthermore, by reinforcing the bent portions with the support member, the durability of the bent portions can be improved.

[0018] [9] In one embodiment, a method for manufacturing an optical fiber connection component is a method for manufacturing an optical fiber connection component according to any one of [1] to [8] above, and includes the steps of inserting a plurality of optical fibers into a plurality of holes, and pressing the plurality of optical fibers in a second direction using a pressing mechanism.

[0019] In this method of manufacturing an optical fiber splicing component, the plurality of optical fibers are pressed in the second direction by the pressing mechanism. This makes it easy to offset the centers of the plurality of optical fibers from the centers of the plurality of holes in the second direction, and makes it easy to set the amount of offset D to be between Dmax / 10 and Dmax. Therefore, this method of manufacturing an optical fiber splicing component makes it easy to manufacture the above-mentioned optical fiber splicing component.

[0020]

[10] A method for manufacturing an optical fiber splicing component according to [3] above may include the steps of: heating a holding member that is a glass plate so that the temperature of the inner surfaces of each of the plurality of holes and the inner surface of the tapered portion is equal to or higher than the glass transition temperature; inserting a plurality of optical fibers into each of the plurality of holes; and pressing the plurality of optical fibers in a second direction using a pressing mechanism. In this case, it is easy to make the arithmetic mean roughness of the inner surfaces of the holes smaller than (A2-A1) / 10 and the arithmetic mean roughness of the inner surfaces of the tapered portion smaller than (A2-A1) / 10. This reduces friction between the optical fiber and the inner surfaces of the holes and between the optical fiber and the inner surfaces of the tapered portion, thereby preventing breakage of the optical fiber.

[0021]

[11] A method for manufacturing an optical fiber splicing component according to [3] above may include the steps of polishing the inner surfaces of each of the plurality of holes and the inner surface of the tapered portion, inserting a plurality of optical fibers into each of the plurality of holes, and pressing the plurality of optical fibers in a second direction using a pressing mechanism. In this case, it is easy to make the arithmetic mean roughness of the inner surfaces of the holes smaller than (A2-A1) / 10 and the arithmetic mean roughness of the inner surfaces of the tapered portion smaller than (A2-A1) / 10. This reduces friction between the optical fiber and the inner surfaces of the holes and between the optical fiber and the inner surfaces of the tapered portion, thereby preventing breakage of the optical fiber.

[0022] [Details of the embodiments of the present disclosure] Specific examples of optical fiber splicing components and methods for manufacturing optical fiber splicing components according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same elements or elements having the same functions will be designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted. The present invention is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0023] An example of an optical fiber splicing component according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the optical fiber splicing component according to an embodiment. Figure 2 is a front view of the optical fiber splicing component shown in Figure 1. The optical fiber splicing component 1 includes a plurality of optical fibers 2, a coating member 3, a holding member 4, and a support member 5. Note that while Figure 2 shows a state in which a plurality of optical fibers 2 are arranged in two rows, Figure 1 only shows a state in which a plurality of optical fibers 2 are arranged in one row for ease of explanation, and the optical fibers 2 arranged in another row are not shown.

[0024] Each of the multiple optical fibers 2 is a cable that transmits an optical signal and has a tip portion 21 and a bent portion 22. The cross-sectional shape of each of the multiple optical fibers 2 is circular. The tip portion 21 is a portion that includes the tip surface of each of the multiple optical fibers 2 and extends along the X-axis direction (first direction). The tip portion 21 may extend at an angle with respect to the X-axis direction, or may extend straight along the X-axis direction. In the example of FIG. 1 , the tip portion 21 is inclined at approximately 8 degrees with respect to the X-axis direction. The bent portion 22 is a portion that is bent relative to the tip portion 21. A portion 23 of the optical fiber 2 excluding the tip portion 21 and the bent portion 22 extends along the Y-axis direction (second direction) that is perpendicular to the X-axis direction. The bent portion 22 is bent so as to connect the tip portion 21 and the portion 23.

[0025] The coating member 3 is a member that protects the multiple optical fibers 2 and coats at least a portion of the tip portion 21 of each of the multiple optical fibers 2, excluding the tip portion 21b. The material of the coating member 3 is, for example, a resin material. In the example of FIG. 1 , the coating member 3 coats the bent portion 22 and a portion 23 of the optical fiber 2 (a portion extending along the Y-axis direction). The portion of the coating member 3 that coats the bent portion 22 is bent to follow the shape of the bent portion 22. The tip portion 21b of the optical fiber 2 is exposed (protrudes) from the tip surface 3a of the coating member 3. The tip portion 21b corresponds to the portion of the tip portion 21 that is exposed from the tip surface 3a of the coating member 3. The coating member 3 is formed so that the tip portion 21b is exposed by removing the portion that coats the tip portion 21b. The tip surface 3a is the end face of the coating member 3 that is formed when the portion that coats the tip portion 21b is removed.

[0026] The holding member 4 is a member that holds a plurality of optical fibers 2. The material of the holding member 4 is, for example, a glass material such as synthetic quartz or aluminosilicate glass. In other words, the holding member 4 is a glass plate. The material of the holding member 4 may also be a resin material. The shape of the holding member 4 is, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped.

[0027] The holding member 4 has a first surface 41, a second surface 42, and a plurality of holes 43. The second surface 42 is located on the opposite side of the first surface 41 in the X-axis direction. In other words, the second surface 42 is aligned with the first surface 41 in the X-axis direction. In this embodiment, the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction are parallel to the first surface 41. The optical fiber connecting component 1 is connected to another optical device so that the first surface 41, which is the front surface, faces the optical device. The plurality of holes 43 are holes into which the plurality of optical fibers 2 are inserted. The plurality of holes 43 extend from the first surface 41 to the second surface 42. The holes 43 may extend at an angle with respect to the X-axis direction, or may extend straight along the X-axis direction. In the example of FIG. 1 , the holes 43 are inclined at approximately 8 degrees with respect to the X-axis direction, similar to the tip 21 of the optical fiber 2. Note that "extending along the X-axis direction" as used herein includes such an inclination.

[0028] The holes 43 are arranged two-dimensionally on the first surface 41. In the example of Fig. 2, the holes 43 are arranged in two rows and eight columns when viewed along the X-axis direction. The holes 43 are open on the first surface 41. The cross-sectional shape of each of the holes 43 is circular.

[0029] 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the holding member 4. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the holding member 4 is connected to the plurality of holes 43 by first connecting portions P1 and further has tapered portions 44 that open on the second surface 42. For example, the holding member 4 has at least one tapered portion 44 for the plurality of holes 43 (the plurality of holes 43 in each row) arranged along the Z-axis direction, which is perpendicular to both the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. The tapered portions 44 are formed so that their width narrows as they move from the second surface 42 toward the first connecting portions P1.

[0030] The tapered portion 44 has a first portion 61 and a second portion 62. The first portion 61 opens at the second surface 42 and is connected to the second portion 62 at a second connecting portion P2. The second portion 62 is located between the first portion 61 and the hole 43 and is connected to the first portion 61 and the hole 43. The first portion 61 is formed so that its width narrows as it moves from the second surface 42 toward the second connecting portion P2. The second portion 62 is formed so that its width narrows as it moves from the second connecting portion P2 toward the first connecting portion P1.

[0031] The first taper angle T1 of the first portion 61 is greater than the second taper angle T2 of the second portion 62. The taper angle refers to the angle formed by a line tangent to the inner surface of the first portion 61 or the inner surface of the second portion 62 in a cross section CS perpendicular to the Z-axis direction. In other words, the width of the second portion 62 gradually narrows compared to the width of the first portion 61. The first portion 61 and the second portion 62 are each formed asymmetrically with respect to a line parallel to the X-axis direction. When the hole 43 extends straight along the X-axis direction, the first portion 61 and the second portion 62 may also be formed symmetrically with respect to a line parallel to the X-axis direction. In the example of FIG. 3 , the inner surfaces of the first portion 61 and the second portion 62 extend linearly in the cross section CS, but the inner surfaces may also be curved in the cross section CS.

[0032] 1 and 2 , the tip portion 21 of the optical fiber 2 is inserted into the hole 43, and the tip surface 21 a of the tip portion 21 is located on the same plane as the first surface 41. The tip surface 3 a of the coating member 3 is located inside the tapered portion 44. The center C1 of each of the optical fibers 2 is eccentric (separated) from the center C2 of each of the holes 43 by an eccentricity amount (distance) D radially outward (toward the lower side in FIG. 2 ) along the Y-axis direction. In other words, the center C1 of each of the optical fibers 2 is eccentric in the same direction along the Y-axis direction (a direction parallel to the first surface 41) from the center C2 of each of the holes 43. For example, the center C1 of the optical fiber 2 and the center C2 of the hole 43 are located on the same straight line parallel to the Y-axis direction.

[0033] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the eccentricity D of the center C1 of the optical fiber 2. When the maximum eccentricity Dmax is the maximum eccentricity when the center C1 of the optical fiber 2 is maximally eccentric outward in the radial direction along the Y-axis direction, the eccentricity D is greater than or equal to Dmax / 10 and less than or equal to Dmax. The state in which the center C1 of the optical fiber 2 is maximally eccentric outward along the Y-axis direction refers to a state in which the center C1 of the optical fiber 2 is eccentric (moved) outward in the Y-axis direction along a straight line passing through the center C2 of the hole 43 and parallel to the Y-axis direction until the surface 2a of the optical fiber 2 reaches the inner surface 43a of the hole 43 and cannot be eccentric (moved) any further. In FIG. 4 , the position of the optical fiber 2 in this state is indicated by a two-dot chain circle. The maximum eccentricity Dmax corresponds to the maximum distance between the center C1 of the optical fiber 2 and the center C2 of the hole 43 when the surface 2a of the optical fiber 2 is in contact with the inner surface 43a of the hole 43. In the example of FIG. 4, when the diameter of the optical fiber 2 is A1 and the diameter of the hole 43 is A2, Dmax=(A2 / 2)-(A1 / 2).

[0034] When the cross-sectional shape of the hole 43 is circular, the diameter A2 of the hole 43 corresponds to the maximum width of the hole 43. The maximum width of the hole 43 refers to the maximum length of a line segment connecting any two points on the outer edge of the hole 43. When the maximum width of the hole 43 is also referred to as A2, the arithmetic mean roughness Ra of the inner surface 43a of each of the multiple holes 43 is smaller than (A2-A1) / 10, for example, 0.1 μm or less. The arithmetic mean roughness Ra of the inner surface 44a of the tapered portion 44 is smaller than (A2-A1) / 10, for example, 0.1 μm or less. The inner surface 44a of the tapered portion 44 includes the inner surface of the first portion 61 and the inner surface of the second portion 62.

[0035] By making the arithmetic mean roughness Ra of the inner surface 43a of the hole 43 and the inner surface 44a of the tapered portion 44 relatively small, it is possible to reduce friction between the optical fiber 2 and the inner surface 43a of the hole 43, and between the optical fiber 2 and the inner surface 44a of the tapered portion 44. The arithmetic mean roughness Ra of the inner surface 43a of the hole 43 and the inner surface 44a of the tapered portion 44 may be smaller than (A2-A1) / 100, in which case the friction can be further reduced. From the viewpoint of reducing the friction, the surface 2a of the optical fiber 2 (the surface of the tip portion 21b) may be subjected to a primer treatment. In this case, the surface 2a of the optical fiber 2 is coated with, for example, a low-viscosity liquid silane coupling agent.

[0036] The eccentricity D, the maximum eccentricity Dmax, the radius (A1 / 2) of the optical fiber 2, and the radius (A2 / 2) of the hole 43 are measured, for example, by a two-dimensional coordinate measuring machine. The diameter A1 of the optical fiber 2 is measured, for example, by a laser diameter measuring machine. The diameter A2 of the hole 43 is measured, for example, by a pin gauge. The arithmetic mean roughness Ra of the inner surface 43a of the hole 43 and the inner surface 44a of the tapered portion 44 is measured, for example, by a surface roughness measuring machine based on JIS B0601 (2001).

[0037] 1 , the support member 5 is a member that reinforces the bent portion 22 of each of the plurality of optical fibers 2. The support member 5 is attached to the second surface 42 of the holding member 4 and the coating member 3.

[0038] [Manufacturing Method of Optical Fiber Splicing Component] A manufacturing method of the above-mentioned optical fiber splicing component 1 will be described with reference to Figures 5, 6 and 7. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the manufacturing method of the optical fiber splicing component 1. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the optical fiber 2 has been inserted into the hole 43. Figure 7 is a diagram showing the procedure for pressing the optical fiber 2.

[0039] First, an optical fiber 2 coated with a coating member 3 with at least the tip portion 21b of the tip 21 exposed (protruding) from the tip surface 3a of the coating member 3, and a holding member 4 made of a glass plate are prepared (step S1). Next, the arithmetic mean roughness Ra of the inner surface 43a of the hole 43 and the inner surface 44a of the tapered portion 44 are reduced (step S2). In step S2, the holding member 4 is heated so that the temperatures of the inner surface 43a of the hole 43 and the inner surface 44a of the tapered portion 44 are equal to or higher than the glass transition temperature. This changes the glass composition of the holding member 4, reducing the surface roughness of the holding member 4. The holding member 4 is made of, for example, CO ２ The holding member 4 is heated by a laser. The glass composition of the holding member 4 is measured by, for example, Raman spectroscopy. In step S2, the inner surface 43a of the hole 43 and the inner surface 44a of the tapered portion 44 may be polished.

[0040] Next, the optical fiber 2 is inserted into the hole 43 (step S3). In step S3, the optical fiber 2 is guided to the hole 43 by aligning the optical fiber 2 along the inner surface 44a of the tapered portion 44. The optical fiber 2 is inserted into the hole 43 so that a portion 24 of the optical fiber 2 is exposed (protruding) from the hole 43. The portion 24 of the optical fiber 2 extends from the first surface 41 to the outside of the holding member 4. The portion 24 of the optical fiber 2 is a portion to be removed in step S6, which will be described later, and together with the tip portion 21b, forms the portion of the optical fiber 2 that is exposed from the coating member 3. In step S3, a support member 5 may be attached to the second surface 42 of the holding member 4 and the coating member 3.

[0041] Next, the optical fiber 2 is pressed in the Y-axis direction using the pressing mechanism 10 (step S4). The pressing mechanism 10 is, for example, a mechanism including a plate-shaped member. As shown in Fig. 7 , immediately after the optical fiber 2 is inserted into the hole 43, the center C1 of the optical fiber 2 may not be eccentric in a certain direction. In step S4, the portion 24 of the optical fiber 2 is pressed from above and below along the Y-axis direction, so that the center C1 of the optical fiber 2 is offset by an eccentricity amount D outward from the center C2 of the hole 43 along the Y-axis direction.

[0042] Next, the optical fiber 2 is adhered to the holding member 4 (step S5). In step S5, for example, an ultraviolet-curing adhesive is introduced into the inside of the hole 43. Then, ultraviolet light is irradiated onto the adhesive from the outside of the holding member 4, thereby fixing the optical fiber 2 to the inner surface 43a of the hole 43.

[0043] Next, the first surface 41 of the holding member 4 is polished (step S6). In step S6, a portion 24 of the optical fiber 2 is removed. Then, the tip surface of the optical fiber 2 and the first surface 41 of the holding member 4 are polished so that the tip surface of the optical fiber 2 (tip surface 21a of the tip portion 21) is positioned on the same plane as the first surface 41 of the holding member 4.

[0044] In the optical fiber splicing component 1 described above, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 , the centers C1 of the optical fibers 2 are offset from the centers C2 of the holes 43 by an eccentricity D along the Y-axis direction. Furthermore, when the maximum eccentricity D is defined as Dmax when the centers C1 of the optical fibers 2 are offset to their maximum extent along the Y-axis direction, the eccentricity D is greater than or equal to Dmax / 10 and less than or equal to Dmax. This allows the centers C1 of the optical fibers 2 to be offset from the centers C2 of the holes 43 in the same direction, and the eccentricity D is kept within a certain range. Therefore, even if a sufficient clearance is provided between the optical fibers 2 and the holes 43 to prevent breakage of the optical fibers 2, the variation in the positions of the centers C1 of the optical fibers 2 relative to the centers C2 of the holes 43 can be reduced. Therefore, the optical fiber splicing component 1 can prevent an increase in connection loss.

[0045] 2, in the optical fiber connecting component 1, a plurality of holes 43 into which a plurality of optical fibers 2 are respectively inserted are arranged two-dimensionally on the first surface 41 of the holding member 4. This makes it possible to realize a high density and multi-core arrangement of the optical fibers 2.

[0046] 3 , the tapered portion 44 has a first portion 61 that opens at the second surface 42 and a second portion 62 that is connected to the first portion 61. The first taper angle T1 of the first portion 61 is larger than the second taper angle T2 of the second portion 62. By aligning the optical fiber 2 along the inner surface of the first portion 61, the optical fiber 2 can be guided into the second portion 62. Then, by aligning the optical fiber 2 along the inner surface of the second portion 62, the optical fiber 2 can be guided into the hole 43. This allows the optical fiber 2 to be smoothly inserted into the hole 43, thereby preventing breakage of the optical fiber 2 that may occur due to the optical fiber 2 coming into contact with the holding member 4.

[0047] 3 and 4 , when the diameter of the optical fiber 2 is A1 and the maximum width (diameter) of the hole 43 is A2, the arithmetic mean roughness Ra of the inner surface 43a of the hole 43 is smaller than (A2-A1) / 10. The arithmetic mean roughness Ra of the inner surface 44a of the tapered portion 44 is smaller than (A2-A1) / 10. This reduces friction between the optical fiber 2 and the inner surface 43a of the hole 43, and friction between the optical fiber 2 and the inner surface 44a of the tapered portion 44. This prevents breakage of the optical fiber 2 due to contact of the optical fiber 2 with the holding member 4.

[0048] In the optical fiber connecting component 1, when the difference between the diameter A1 of the optical fiber 2 and the maximum width of the hole 43 is small (the clearance between the optical fiber 2 and the inner surface 43a of the hole 43 is small), the value of (A2-A1) / 10 becomes small. That is, the arithmetic mean roughness Ra becomes smaller. Normally, the smaller the clearance between the optical fiber 2 and the inner surface 43a of the hole 43, the more likely the optical fiber 2 is to come into contact with the inner surface 43a of the hole 43. However, as described above, a smaller arithmetic mean roughness Ra can further reduce friction, so even if the optical fiber 2 is more likely to come into contact with the inner surface 43a of the hole 43, breakage of the optical fiber 2 can be prevented.

[0049] 1 , the tip surface 3 a of the coating member 3 is located inside the tapered portion 44. The coating member 3 protects the optical fiber 2, thereby preventing unnecessary contact between the optical fiber 2 and the inner surface 44 a of the tapered portion 44. This makes it possible to prevent breakage of the optical fiber 2 caused by contact of the optical fiber 2 with the holding member 4.

[0050] The surface 2a of the optical fiber 2 may be subjected to a primer treatment, which can reduce friction between the optical fiber 2 and the holding member 4 (for example, the inner surface 43a of the hole 43).

[0051] 2 and 4, the cross-sectional shape of each of the plurality of holes 43 is circular, which makes it easier to make the optical fiber 2 eccentric.

[0052] In the optical fiber connecting component 1, the holding member 4 is a glass plate, which improves the heat resistance of the holding member 4. Also, since the holding member 4 has high ultraviolet transmittance, the optical fiber 2 can be bonded to the holding member 4 using an ultraviolet-curing adhesive. Furthermore, when the holding member 4 is mounted on a silicon substrate, the linear expansion coefficients of the glass plate holding member 4 and the silicon substrate are similar, which makes it less susceptible to the effects of thermal expansion.

[0053] 1, the optical fiber 2 has a bent portion 22 that is bent relative to the tip portion 21. The optical fiber splicing component 1 is provided with a support member 5 that reinforces the bent portion 22 of the optical fiber 2. In this case, the overall height of the optical fiber splicing component 1 in the X-axis direction can be made lower than when the optical fiber 2 does not have the bent portion 22. Furthermore, by reinforcing the bent portion 22 with the support member 5, the durability of the bent portion 22 can be improved.

[0054] In the manufacturing method of the optical fiber splicing component 1 described above, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, a plurality of optical fibers 2 are inserted into the plurality of holes 43, respectively, and the plurality of optical fibers 2 are pressed in the Y-axis direction using the pressing mechanism 10. At this time, a portion 24 of the optical fiber 2 exposed (protruding) from the hole 43 is pressed. It becomes easy to make the center C1 of each of the plurality of optical fibers 2 eccentric along the Y-axis direction from the center C2 of each of the plurality of holes 43, and it becomes easy to set the eccentricity amount D to be equal to or greater than Dmax / 10 and equal to or less than Dmax. Therefore, according to the manufacturing method of the optical fiber splicing component 1, the above-described optical fiber splicing component 1 can be easily manufactured.

[0055] In the manufacturing method of the optical fiber connecting component 1, the holding member 4, which is a glass plate, is heated so that the temperatures of the inner surface 43a of the hole 43 and the inner surface 44a of the tapered portion 44 become equal to or higher than the glass transition temperature. Alternatively, the inner surface 43a of the hole 43 and the inner surface 44a of the tapered portion 44 are polished. This makes it easy to make the arithmetic mean roughness Ra of the inner surface 43a of the hole 43 smaller than (A2-A1) / 10 and the arithmetic mean roughness Ra of the inner surface 44a of the tapered portion 44 smaller than (A2-A1) / 10.

[0056] The optical fiber connection components and the method for manufacturing the optical fiber connection components according to the present disclosure have been described in detail above, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be applied to various embodiments and modifications.

[0057] In the above embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of each of the multiple holes 43 is circular. However, as shown in Figures 8A, 8B, and 8C, the cross-sectional shape of each of the multiple holes 43 may be elliptical or polygonal. Figure 8A shows an elliptical hole 43A elongated in the Y-axis direction, Figure 8B shows a square hole 43B, and Figure 8C shows a regular pentagonal hole 43C. In the modified examples of Figures 8A, 8B, and 8C, the state in which the center C1 of the optical fiber 2 is maximally eccentric along the Y-axis direction refers to a state in which the surface 2a of the optical fiber 2 is in contact with two points on the inner surfaces 43a of the holes 43A, 43B, and 43C. In the case of Figure 8A, the maximum width of the hole 43A corresponds to the major axis of the ellipse, and in the cases of Figures 8B and 8C, the maximum widths of the holes 43B and 43C correspond to the length of the longest diagonal of the polygon.

[0058] In the above embodiment, the holding member 4 has at least one tapered portion 44 for each of the plurality of holes 43 (the plurality of holes 43 in each row) arranged along the Z-axis direction, but the holding member 4 may have a plurality of tapered portions connected to each of the plurality of holes 43. In the above embodiment, the tapered portion 44 has the first portion 61 and the second portion 62 having different taper angles, but the tapered portion 44 may be formed so that the taper angle is constant. The tapered portion 44 may also be omitted.

[0059] In the above embodiment, the tip surface 3 a of the covering member 3 is located inside the tapered portion 44, but the covering member 3 does not have to be inserted inside the tapered portion 44. The covering member 3 does not have to cover the bent portion 22.

[0060] In the above embodiment, the optical fiber 2 has the bent portion 22, but the optical fiber 2 does not have to have the bent portion 22. In other words, the entire optical fiber 2 may extend along the X-axis direction. In this case, the support member 5 may be omitted.

[0061] The holding member 4 may have guide holes or guide pins that are used for alignment when connected to an optical device.

[0062] In the above embodiment, the optical fiber 2 is pressed down using the pressing mechanism 10 including a plate-shaped member, but the optical fiber 2 may also be pressed down using a pressing mechanism including a member having a hole into which the optical fiber 2 is inserted. For example, the optical fiber 2 may be pressed down by inserting a portion of the optical fiber 2 extending outside the holding member 4 into the hole and shifting the member and the holding member 4 relative to each other along the Y-axis direction. In the above embodiment, the portion extending from the first surface 41 to the outside of the holding member 4 (part 24 of the optical fiber 2) is pressed down, but the portion extending from the second surface 42 to the outside of the holding member 4 may also be pressed down.

[0063] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...optical fiber connecting part 2...optical fiber 2a...surface 3...coating member 3a...tip surface 4...holding member 5...support member 10...pressing mechanism 21...tip portion 21a...tip surface 21b...tip portion 22...bent portion 23...portion 24...part 41...first surface 42...second surface 43, 43A, 43B, 43C...hole 43a...inner surface 44...tapered portion 44a...inner surface 61...first portion 62...second portion A1...diameter A2...diameter C1...center C2...center CS...cross section D...eccentricity amount Dmax...maximum eccentricity amount P1...first connecting portion P2...second connecting portion T1...first taper angle T2...second taper angle

Claims

1. An optical fiber connecting component comprising: a plurality of optical fibers; and a holding member having a first surface and a second surface aligned with the first surface in a first direction intersecting the first surface, the holding member extending from the first surface toward the second surface and having a plurality of holes arranged two-dimensionally on the first surface, into which the plurality of optical fibers are respectively inserted; wherein the centers of the plurality of optical fibers are offset from the centers of the respective holes in a second direction parallel to the first surface by an eccentricity amount D, and when the maximum eccentricity when the centers of the plurality of optical fibers are maximally offset in the second direction is defined as Dmax, the eccentricity amount D is equal to or greater than Dmax / 10 and equal to or less than Dmax.

2. An optical fiber connecting part as described in claim 1, wherein the holding member is connected to the plurality of holes by connecting portions and has a tapered portion opening on the second surface, the tapered portion is formed so that its width narrows as it approaches the connecting portion from the second surface, the tapered portion has a first portion opening on the second surface and a second portion connected to the first portion, and the taper angle of the first portion is larger than the taper angle of the second portion.

3. An optical fiber connecting component according to claim 2, wherein, when the diameter of each of the plurality of optical fibers is A1 and the maximum width of each of the plurality of holes is A2, the arithmetic mean roughness of the inner surface of each of the plurality of holes is smaller than (A2-A1) / 10, and the arithmetic mean roughness of the inner surface of the tapered portion is smaller than (A2-A1) / 10.

4. An optical fiber connecting part according to claim 2 or claim 3, further comprising a coating member that coats at least a portion of each of the plurality of optical fibers excluding their tip portions, wherein the tip portions of each of the plurality of optical fibers are exposed from the tip surface of the coating member and are inserted into each of the plurality of holes, and the tip surface of the coating member is located inside the tapered portion.

5. An optical fiber connecting component according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the surfaces of the plurality of optical fibers are treated with a primer.

6. An optical fiber connecting part according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the cross-sectional shape of each of the plurality of holes is circular, elliptical or polygonal.

7. An optical fiber connecting part according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the holding member is a glass plate.

8. An optical fiber connection part according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a support member, wherein each of the plurality of optical fibers has a tip portion extending along the first direction and a bent portion connected to the tip portion and bent relative to the tip portion, the tip portion of each of the plurality of optical fibers being inserted into each of the plurality of holes, and the support member reinforces the bent portion of each of the plurality of optical fibers.

9. A method for manufacturing an optical fiber connection component according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising the steps of: inserting the plurality of optical fibers into the plurality of holes, respectively; and pressing the plurality of optical fibers in the second direction using a pressing mechanism.

10. A method for manufacturing an optical fiber connection component as described in claim 3, comprising the steps of: heating the holding member, which is a glass plate, so that the temperature of the inner surface of each of the plurality of holes and the inner surface of the tapered portion becomes equal to or higher than the glass transition temperature; inserting the plurality of optical fibers into the plurality of holes, respectively; and pressing the plurality of optical fibers in the second direction using a pressing mechanism.

11. A method for manufacturing an optical fiber connection component according to claim 3, comprising the steps of: polishing the inner surface of each of the plurality of holes and the inner surface of the tapered portion; inserting the plurality of optical fibers into the plurality of holes, respectively; and pressing the plurality of optical fibers in the second direction using a pressing mechanism.

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