First optical connector module and optical connector system

Abstract

A first optical connector module 2 according to the present disclosure is connected to a second optical connector module 3. The first optical connector module 2 comprises: a first optical connector 21; an elastic member 23 disposed with respect to the first optical connector 21; and a lock member 24 attached to the first optical connector 21 and having a lock part 248. The elastic member 23 presses the first optical connector 21 toward the second optical connector module 3 on both sides in a first direction crossing a connection direction in a connected state, and an optical axis A of the first optical connector 21 is located within the width W1 of the elastic member 23 in a second direction crossing the connection direction and the first direction. The lock part 248 is located within the width W1 of the elastic member 23 and constitutes a lock structure with the second optical connector module 3 in a connected state.

Description

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

[0001] This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-101549, filed on June 24, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

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

[0003] Optical connector systems for optically coupling optical transmission lines have been known. For example, Non-Patent Document 1 discloses an optical connector system in which a clip is disposed on the side of a second optical connector attached to a second optical transmission line having a base, the clip pressing a first optical connector attached to a first optical transmission line toward the second optical connector. For example, Non-Patent Document 2 discloses an optical connector system in which a locking member constituting a locking structure with a second optical connector module on the base side is disposed above a coil spring in the first optical connector module.

[0004] Tymon Barwicz et al., “Automated, high-throughput photonic packaging,” Optical Fiber Technology, Vol. 44, August 2018, pp. 24-35Nicholas Psaila et al., “Detachable Optical Chiplet Connector for Co-Packaged Photonics,” Journal of Lightwave Technology, Vol. 41, Issue 19, 01 October 2023

[0005] A first optical connector module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a first optical connector module to be connected to a second optical connector module, comprising: a first optical connector; an elastic member disposed relative to the first optical connector; and a locking member attached to the first optical connector and having a locking portion. In a connected state in which the first optical connector module and the second optical connector module are connected to each other, the elastic member presses the first optical connector toward the second optical connector module on both sides in a first direction intersecting a connection direction. In the connection direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction, an optical axis of the first optical connector is located within a width of the elastic member, and the locking portion is located within a width of the elastic member to form a locking structure with the second optical connector module in the connected state.

[0006] An optical connector system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes the above-described first optical connector module, and a second optical connector module connected to the first optical connector module. The first optical connector module has the first optical connector attached to an end of a first optical transmission line having a plurality of first optical waveguide portions on the second optical connector module side. The second optical connector module has a second optical connector attached to a second optical transmission line having a base and second optical waveguide portions stacked on the base, and connected to the first optical connector.

[0007] 6 is an external perspective view showing a connected state of an optical connector system according to an embodiment, as viewed from above. FIG. 7 is an external perspective view showing a disconnected state of an optical connector system according to an embodiment, as viewed from above. FIG. 8 is an external perspective view showing a second optical transmission line alone of FIG. 1 . FIG. 9 is an external perspective view showing a first optical connector module alone of FIG. 1 holding a first optical transmission line, as viewed from above. FIG. 10 is an external perspective view showing an exploded top view of the first optical connector module alone of FIG. 4 . FIG. 9 is an external perspective view showing a second optical connector module alone of FIG. 1 attached to a second optical transmission line, as viewed from above. FIG. 6 is an external perspective view showing a housing alone of FIG. 6 . FIG. 7 is an external perspective view showing a bottom view of the housing alone of FIG. 6 . FIG. 8 is an external perspective view showing a top view of the second optical connector alone of FIG. 6 . FIG. 9 is an external enlarged top view of a portion of the optical connector system of FIG. 2 . FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrows XI-XI of FIG. 2 . FIG. 11 is an external enlarged top view of a portion of the optical connector system of FIG. 1 . FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrows XIII-XIII of FIG. 1 .

[0008] Generally, in order to achieve an optical connection between a first optical connector and a second optical connector so that the optical axis is stable, it is necessary to press the first optical connector toward the second optical connector in the connected state so that they butt against each other.

[0009] For example, as in the optical connector system described in Non-Patent Document 1, when a component that generates a pressure load on the first optical connector is placed on a housing such as a metal lid on the base side, a misalignment occurs between the direction of the pressure load and the optical axis due to the inclination of the housing relative to the base. The inclination of the housing relative to the base occurs when the housing is mounted on the base. As a result, it has not been easy to obtain a stable optical connection.

[0010] For example, consider a case where the axis of the load connecting the position where the locking structure is obtained with respect to the portion of the first optical connector where pressure is applied is misaligned with the optical axis perpendicular to the connection surface, as in the optical connector system described in Non-Patent Document 2. In this case, a moment load is generated that interferes with the posture of the first optical connector for stable optical connection. When the first optical connector and the second optical connector are optically connected directly without an intervening lens member or the like, the load required to maintain the posture of the first optical connector is large, and the moment associated with the misalignment of the axis of the pressing load also tends to be large.

[0011] According to the first optical connector module and optical connector system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a stable optical connection can be obtained.

[0012] An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the directions of front, back, left, right, and up and down refer to the directions of arrows in the drawings. The directions of the arrows are consistent between different drawings in Figures 1 to 13.

[0013] In the present disclosure, the "connection direction" corresponds to, for example, the front-to-rear direction. The "first direction intersecting the connection direction" corresponds to, for example, the left-to-right direction. The "second direction intersecting the connection direction and the first direction" corresponds to, for example, the up-to-down direction. The "first optical connector module 2 side" corresponds to, for example, the rear side. The "opposite side to the first optical connector module 2" corresponds to, for example, the front side. The "second optical connector module 3 side" corresponds to, for example, the front side. The "opposite side to the second optical connector module 3" corresponds to, for example, the rear side.

[0014] "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.

[0015] 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 .

[0016] 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.

[0017] 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.

[0018] 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 matches the horizontal spacing between the cores 521 of the second optical transmission line 50, which will be described later.

[0019] 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 .

[0020] Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the second optical transmission line 50 alone as viewed from above in Fig. 1. The configuration of the second optical transmission line 50 will be mainly described with reference to Fig. 3.

[0021] The second optical transmission line 50 includes a base 51 formed of a rigid printed wiring board and a second optical waveguide section 52 laminated on the upper surface of the base 51. The second optical waveguide section 52 is continuously disposed up to the front-rear end faces of protruding sections 51 a that protrude from both sides in the front-rear direction of the base 51 to be optically coupled to the first optical waveguide section 41. The front-rear end faces of the second optical waveguide section 52 may be flush with the front-rear end faces of the protruding sections 51 a of the base 51. The waveguide mode of the second optical waveguide section 52 may be either single mode or multimode.

[0022] The second optical waveguide section 52 has a core 521 that is laminated on the base 51 in a lamination direction that is perpendicular to the base 51. More specifically, the core 521 of the second optical waveguide section 52 is laminated directly on the upper surface of the base 51.

[0023] 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 are made of an appropriate material such as quartz-based glass. The refractive index of the cores 521 is higher than the refractive index of the substrate 51. In the following, the second optical waveguide section 52 will be 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.

[0024] 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.

[0025] The second optical transmission line 50 is manufactured using photolithography, etc. The manufacturing method of the second optical transmission line 50 includes a step of stacking the cores 521 that constitute the second optical waveguide portion 52 on the upper surface of the base 51 in a stacking direction perpendicular to the base 51.

[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. 4 is an external perspective view showing, as viewed from above, the first optical connector module 2 alone of Fig. 1 holding the first optical transmission line 40. Fig. 5 is an external perspective view showing, as viewed from above, the first optical connector module 2 alone of Fig. 4 disassembled. An example of the configuration of the first optical connector module 2 will be mainly described with reference to Figs. 4 and 5 .

[0028] The first optical connector module 2 has a first optical connector 21 attached to the tip of the first optical transmission path 40, which has a plurality of first optical waveguide portions 41, on the second optical connector module 3 side, and a housing 22 arranged to surround the first optical connector 21. The first optical connector module 2 has an elastic member 23 arranged with respect to the first optical connector 21. The first optical connector module 2 has a locking member 24 attached to the first optical connector 21 via the housing 22. The first optical connector module 2 has a connecting member 25 attached to the first optical connector 21.

[0029] The first optical connector 21 is made of, for example, a resin material. The first optical connector 21 includes a rectangular first base 211 that constitutes the second optical connector module 3 side half of the first optical connector 21. The first base 211 is located in the rear half of the first base 211 and has a wide portion 211a that is wider on both sides in the up-down direction and the left-right direction compared to the front half. The first base 211 is located in the front half of the first base 211 and has a narrow portion 211b that extends continuously forward from the wide portion 211a. The first optical connector 21 includes locking portions 211c located at the left-right ends of the wide portion 211a, where the locking portions 211c are stepped in the front-to-rear direction relative to the narrow portion 211b. The first optical connector 21 includes first receiving surfaces 211d located at the left-to-right ends of the rear end surface of the wide portion 211a.

[0030] The first optical connector 21 has a second base 212 that protrudes rearward in a rectangular shape from the center of the rear end surface of the wide portion 211a of the first base 211. The first optical connector 21 has guide portions 213 that are located on both left and right sides of the first optical connector 21 and serve as through holes that penetrate the entire wide portion 211a and the narrow portion 211b in the front-to-rear direction. A connecting member 25 is inserted into the guide portions 213. The guide portions 213 position the connecting member 25 that is connected to the second optical connector module 3.

[0031] 5 , the first optical connector 21 has a holding portion 214 located in the center in the left-right direction of the first optical connector 21, as a through-hole that penetrates the entire second base portion 212 and the first base portion 211 in the front-rear direction. The number and positions of the holding portions 214 correspond to the number and positions of the first optical waveguide portions 41 that are arranged in a row in the left-right direction in the first optical transmission line 40. The tip ends of the first optical waveguide portions 41 are inserted into the holding portions 214, respectively, to hold the first optical transmission line 40.

[0032] The pair of connecting members 25 are positioned so as to sandwich the plurality of holding portions 214 arranged in the left-right direction from both sides in the left-right direction. The connecting members 25 are configured as cylindrical pins with a circular cross section. The connecting members 25 inserted into the guide portions 213 are configured as pins that protrude from the guide portions 213 toward the second optical connector module 3.

[0033] The housing 22 is, for example, an injection-molded member made of an insulating and heat-resistant synthetic resin material. The housing 22 has a bottom wall 221 that forms the bottom of the rear portion of the first optical connector module 2. The housing 22 has a rear wall 222 that protrudes upward from the rear edge of the bottom wall 221. The housing 22 has second receiving surfaces 222a located on both left-right ends of the inner surface of the rear wall 222 in the front-to-rear direction.

[0034] The housing 22 has a notch 223 cut out from the center of the rear wall 222 in the left-right direction. The housing 22 has a pair of side walls 224 that protrude upward from both left and right edges of the bottom wall 221. The housing 22 has locking projections 225 that protrude from each of the pair of side walls 224 toward the second optical connector module 3.

[0035] The elastic member 23 includes, for example, a coil spring. The elastic member 23 has a first member 23a disposed on one side in a first direction intersecting the connection direction, and a second member 23b disposed on the other side in the first direction. The first member 23a and the second member 23b may be independent components. The spring characteristics of the first member 23a and the second member 23b may be the same or similar to each other. For example, the first member 23a and the second member 23b may have the same shape and material. In the following description, in which the first member 23a and the second member 23b are common to each other, they will be collectively referred to as the "elastic member 23."

[0036] The elastic member 23 is a spring that expands and contracts in accordance with changes in the relative position between the first optical connector 21 and the housing 22 in the front-to-rear direction, such as when the first optical connector module 2 is attached to or detached from the second optical connector module 3. The elastic member 23 is sandwiched in the front-to-rear direction between the first optical connector 21 and the housing 22. The elastic member 23 is positioned and held between the first optical connector 21 and the housing 22. For example, the elastic member 23 is held by the first optical connector 21 and the housing 22 by being accommodated in a space along the front-to-rear direction between the first receiving surface 211d of the first optical connector 21 and the second receiving surface 222a of the housing 22.

[0037] The locking member 24 is formed by stamping a thin plate of any metal material having spring elasticity into the shape shown in Figure 5. The method for processing the locking member 24 includes a step of punching the plate and then bending it in the plate thickness direction. The locking member 24 is a component having a shape corresponding to the shape of the housing 22.

[0038] The locking member 24 has a ceiling wall 241 that forms the ceiling at the rear of the first optical connector module 2. The locking member 24 has a rear wall 242 that protrudes downward from the rear edge of the ceiling wall 241. The locking member 24 has a notch 243 that is formed by cutting out the center of the rear wall 242 in the left-right direction. The locking member 24 has a pair of side walls 244 that protrude downward in a U-shape from the left and right edges of the ceiling wall 241.

[0039] The locking member 24 has a base 245 disposed adjacent to each of the pair of side walls 244 on the inside in the left-right direction. The base 245 of the locking member 24 is located on the opposite side of the second optical connector module 3 from a locking portion 248 (described later). The base 245 extends from the left-right edge of the rear wall 242 toward the second optical connector module 3. The base 245 extends horizontally forward from the left-right edge of the rear wall 242 and is disposed in a straight line with a front-to-rear width that is substantially the same as the front-to-rear width of the top wall 241. The base 245 extends horizontally along the front-to-rear direction with a uniform vertical width from the left-to-right edge of the rear wall 242 to the front end of the top wall 241.

[0040] The locking member 24 has a first connecting portion 246 that extends obliquely upward from the front edge of the base 245 toward the second optical connector module 3. The first connecting portion 246 extends obliquely and linearly from the base 245 with a vertical width that is substantially the same as the vertical width of the base 245. The locking member 24 has a second connecting portion 247 that extends horizontally from the upper half of the front edge of the first connecting portion 246 toward the second optical connector module 3. The second connecting portion 247 is narrower in the vertical direction than both the base 245 and the first connecting portion 246. The second connecting portion 247 extends obliquely inward in the left-right direction from the first connecting portion 246 while remaining horizontal, and then extends linearly along the front-rear direction toward the second optical connector module 3 with the left-right width of the locking member 24 reduced.

[0041] The locking member 24 is located at the tip of the second coupling portion 247 on the second optical connector module 3 side and has a locking portion 248 that protrudes horizontally outward in the left-right direction. The locking portion 248 has an engaging protrusion 248a that protrudes horizontally from the lower edge of the second coupling portion 247 at the front end of the second coupling portion 247 while bending outward in the left-right direction. The engaging protrusion 248a protrudes in a plate-like shape with a predetermined front-to-rear width from the outer left-to-right surface of the front end of the second coupling portion 247 outward in the left-to-right direction. The engaging protrusion 248a is configured to taper in the front-to-rear direction so that the left-to-right width gradually decreases from the rear to the front. The left-to-right edge of the engaging protrusion 248a extends linearly in the front-to-rear direction at the rear end and slopes diagonally inward in the left-to-right direction forward of the rear end.

[0042] In the first optical connector module 2, for example, with the elastic member 23 housed between the first receiving surface 211d of the first optical connector 21 and the second receiving surface 222a of the housing 22, the locking protrusion 225 of the housing 22 locks with the locking portion 211c of the first optical connector 21. In this state, the locking member 24 is attached to the housing 22 from above. As a result, the locking member 24 having the locking portion 248 is attached to the first optical connector 21. The connecting member 25 is inserted into the guide portion 213 of the first optical connector 21 from the front. As a result, the connecting member 25 is attached to the first optical connector 21.

[0043] When the first optical connector module 2 is assembled in the above manner, the elastic member 23 is in a contracted state from a free state in which it is not elastically deformed, in order to press the locking portion 211c of the first optical connector 21 from rear to front against the locking protrusion 225 of the housing 22. The elastic member 23 is slightly contracted from its free state in the front-to-rear direction. The first member 23a and the second member 23b of the elastic member 23 are arranged in a state in which they sandwich the second base 212, which holds the first optical transmission line 40, from both sides in the first direction.

[0044] When the first optical connector module 2 is assembled, the first optical transmission path 40 held by the multiple holding portions 214 is arranged in a state where it is sandwiched in the vertical direction between the notch 243 of the locking member 24 and the notch 223 of the housing 22. On the inside of the rear wall 222 and the rear wall 242 in the front-to-rear direction, the first optical transmission path 40 is covered from both vertical sides by the ceiling wall 241 of the locking member 24 and the bottom wall 221 of the housing 22.

[0045] Fig. 6 is an external perspective view showing the second optical connector module 3 alone of Fig. 1 attached to the second optical transmission line 50, as viewed from above. Fig. 7 is an external perspective view showing the housing 32 alone of Fig. 6, as viewed from above. Fig. 8 is an external perspective view showing the housing 32 alone of Fig. 6, as viewed from below. Fig. 9 is an external perspective view showing the second optical connector 31 alone of Fig. 6, as viewed from above. An example of the configuration of the second optical connector module 3 will be mainly described with reference to Figs. 6 to 9.

[0046] The second optical connector module 3 is attached to a second optical transmission path 50 having a base 51 and a second optical waveguide portion 52 laminated on the base 51, and has a second optical connector 31 connected to the first optical connector 21. The second optical connector module 3 is spaced apart from the second optical connector 31 and has a housing 32 attached to the base 51.

[0047] The second optical connector 31 is made of, for example, a resin material and is configured to be L-shaped in a side view in the left-right direction. The second optical connector 31 has a first base 311 extending in the front-rear direction. The second optical connector 31 has a second base 312 that protrudes rearward from the first base 311. The second base 312 protrudes rearward from the first base 311 and is arranged to be continuous with the first base 311. The second base 312 is arranged to protrude downward further than the first base 311.

[0048] The second optical connector 31 has an opening 313 that penetrates the center of the second base 312 in the vertical direction with a predetermined left-right width in the front-rear direction. The second optical connector 31 has through holes 314 that are located on both left-right sides of the opening 313 of the second base 312 and penetrate the second base 312 in the front-rear direction. The through holes 314 are arranged in a cylindrical shape so that their cross sections are circular.

[0049] The housing 32 is configured as a metal member such as a metal lid that covers the mounting surface of the base 51 of the second optical transmission line 50 from above. The housing 32 is formed by molding a thin plate of any metal material into the shape shown in Figures 7 and 8 using a progressive die (stamping). The processing method for the housing 32 includes a step of bending the plate in the thickness direction after punching. However, the processing method for the housing 32 is not limited to this, and may include only a step based on punching.

[0050] The housing 32 has a ceiling portion 321 that covers substantially the entire mounting surface of the base 51 of the second optical transmission path 50 from above. The housing 32 has cutout portions 322 that are located at both ends of the ceiling portion 321 in the front-to-rear direction. The housing 32 has a facing portion 323 that is adjacent to the cutout portion 322 on the outside in the front-to-rear direction. The facing portion 323 extends a predetermined length in the left-to-right direction at the front-to-rear edge of the ceiling portion 321. The housing 32 has a locked portion 324 that bends from the ceiling portion 321 via the cutout portion 322 toward the inside of the housing 32. The locked portion 324 has an engagement groove 324a that is formed by cutting out a predetermined width in the front-to-rear direction at the lower end of the locked portion 324.

[0051] The housing 32 has mounting portions 325 formed by bending downward and inward the left-right edge of the ceiling portion 321, excluding both front-rear end portions. The mounting portions 325 are positioned one step laterally inward relative to both front-rear end portions of the left-right edge of the ceiling portion 321. The housing 32 has first abutment portions 326 formed by bending both front-rear end portions of the left-right edge of the ceiling portion 321 downward and inward the housing 32. The housing 32 has second abutment portions 327 formed by bending downward and inward the left-right center and both end portions of the front-rear end portion of the ceiling portion 321.

[0052] In the second optical connector module 3, for example, the inner surface in the front-rear direction of the portion of the second base 312 of the second optical connector 31 that protrudes downward below the first base 311 is bonded with an adhesive or the like to the front-rear end surface of the base 51 that faces the inner surface. In this way, the second optical connector 31 is attached to the second optical transmission line 50. The second optical connector 31 is bonded and fixed to the front-rear end surface of the base 51 with the adhesive.

[0053] The housing 32 is placed on the base 51 with the first abutment portion 326 abutting against the base 51 in the left-right direction and the second abutment portion 327 abutting against the base 51 in the front-rear direction. In this state, the lower surface of the mounting portion 325 of the housing 32, which extends in the front-rear direction, is bonded to the mounting surface of the base 51 with an adhesive or the like. In this way, the housing 32 is attached to the second optical transmission path 50. The housing 32 is bonded and fixed to the mounting surface of the base 51 with the adhesive.

[0054] When the second optical connector module 3 having the second optical connector 31 and the housing 32 is attached to the second optical transmission path 50 in the manner described above, the second optical connector 31 is disposed relative to the second optical transmission path 50 without coming into contact with the housing 32. At this time, as also shown in Fig. 6 , the facing portion 323 located on the ceiling portion 321 of the housing 32 faces the upper surface of the second optical connector 31 while being spaced apart in the vertical direction. The notch 322 of the housing 32 makes a part of the base 51 and a part of the second optical waveguide portion 52 visible from above. The locked portion 324 of the housing 32 comes into contact with the base 51, and an engagement hole is formed by an engagement groove 324a located at the lower end of the locked portion 324 and the mounting surface of the base 51.

[0055] The second base 312 of the second optical connector 31 arranges the protrusion 51 a of the base 51 of the second optical transmission line 50 in the opening 313 so that the protrusion 51 a protrudes from the opening 313 toward the first optical connector module 2. The pair of through holes 314 are positioned to sandwich the multiple cores 521 arranged in a row in the left-right direction from both sides in the left-right direction.

[0056] Fig. 10 is an enlarged top view of a portion of the optical connector system 1 in Fig. 2. Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow line XI-XI in Fig. 2. With reference to Figs. 10 and 11, the structural relationship between the components of the optical connector system 1 immediately before connecting the first optical connector module 2 to the second optical connector module 3 will be mainly described.

[0057] When the first optical connector module 2 is connected to the second optical connector module 3, the first optical connector module 2 is positioned so as to face the second optical connector module 3 in the front-rear direction with their positions aligned in the left-right and up-down directions. At this time, the first optical connector module 2 is positioned in the left-right direction so that the second optical connector 31 is located between a pair of locking portions 248 of the locking member 24 that are spaced apart in the left-right direction, as shown in Fig. 10. As shown in Fig. 11, the first optical connector module 2 is positioned in the up-down direction so that the locking portions 248 of the locking member 24 are slightly offset upward with respect to the base 51, and the first optical connector 21 and the second optical connector 31 are in the same up-down position.

[0058] In a second direction intersecting the connection direction and the first direction, the connection member 25 connected to the second optical connector module 3 is located within the width W1 of the elastic member 23. The vertical width W2 of the connection member 25 is narrower than the vertical width W1 of the elastic member 23. The optical axis A of the first optical connector 21 is located within the width W1 of the elastic member 23 in the second direction. The optical axis A corresponds to, for example, the central axis of the optical fiber that constitutes the first optical waveguide portion 41 of the first optical transmission line 40. The optical axis A is located within the width W2 of the connection member 25 in the second direction. For example, the optical axis A coincides with the center of the elastic member 23 in the second direction. For example, the optical axis A coincides with both the center of the elastic member 23 and the central axis of the connection member 25 in the second direction.

[0059] The locking portion 248 of the locking member 24 is located within the width W1 of the elastic member 23 in the second direction. The locking portion 248 is located within the width W2 of the connecting member 25 in the second direction. For example, the locking portion 248 is located at a position slightly offset upward from the center of the elastic member 23 and the central axis of the connecting member 25 in the second direction.

[0060] In the second direction, the center of the base 245 of the locking member 24 is located within the width W1 of the elastic member 23. In the second direction, the center of the base 245 is located within the width W2 of the connecting member 25. For example, in the second direction, the center of the base 245 coincides with the center of the elastic member 23. For example, in the second direction, the center of the base 245 coincides with both the center of the elastic member 23 and the central axis of the connecting member 25.

[0061] Fig. 12 is an enlarged top view of a portion of the optical connector system 1 in Fig. 1. Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow XIII-XIII 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. 12 and 13.

[0062] When connecting the first optical connector module 2 to the second optical connector module 3, the locking portion 248 of the locking member 24 located closest to the second optical connector module 3 in the first optical connector module 2 is inserted first into the housing 32. This can be understood from Figures 10 and 11. This roughly determines the relative position of the first optical connector 21 with respect to the second optical connector 31.

[0063] When the first optical connector module 2 is inserted into the second optical connector module 3 and the locking portion 248 moves into the housing 32, the locking portion 248 of the locking member 24 engages with the locked portion 324 of the housing 32. The locked portion 324 of the housing 32 engages with the locking portion 248 in the connected state. For example, the engaging protrusion 248a of the locking portion 248 engages with the engaging groove 324a of the locked portion 324. The engaging protrusion 248a of the locking portion 248 engages with an engaging hole formed by the engaging groove 324a of the locked portion 324 and the mounting surface of the base 51. This completes the connection of the first optical connector module 2 to the second optical connector module 3.

[0064] The locking portion 248 forms a locking structure with the second optical connector module 3 in the connected state. The locking structure, which includes the engaging protrusion 248a of the locking portion 248 and the engaging groove 324a of the locked portion 324, is located within the width W1 of the elastic member 23 in the second direction. The engaging protrusion 248a of the locking portion 248 included in the locking structure is located within the width W2 of the connecting member 25 in the second direction. For example, the locking structure is disposed in a position slightly offset upward from both the center of the elastic member 23 and the central axis of the connecting member 25 in the second direction. The locking structure is located directly above the mounting surface of the base 51 of the second optical transmission line 50 and is in contact with or close to the mounting surface.

[0065] In the connected state, as shown in FIG. 12 , the locking protrusion 225 of the housing 22 is disengaged from the locking portion 211c of the first optical connector 21 and positioned closer to the second optical connector module 3 relative to the locking portion 211c. The connected state is a state in which the first optical connector module 2 and the second optical connector module 3 are connected to each other. As can be seen by comparing FIG. 10 and FIG. 12 , the front-to-back width between the first receiving surface 211d of the first optical connector 21 and the second receiving surface 222a of the housing 22 in the connected state is narrower than the front-to-back width in the disconnected state. Therefore, the amount of contraction of the elastic member 23 disposed between the first receiving surface 211d and the second receiving surface 222a in the connected state is greater than the amount of contraction in the disconnected state. The elastic member 23 is disposed between the first optical connector 21 and the housing 22 in a significantly contracted state in the connected state.

[0066] The front-to-rear position of the housing 22 relative to the second optical connector module 3 is fixed by engaging the locking portion 248 of the locking member 24 attached to the housing 22 with the locked portion 324 of the casing 32. Therefore, the elastic member 23, which is greatly contracted in the connected state, presses the first optical connector 21 toward the second optical connector module 3 while being supported in the front-to-rear direction by the second receiving surface 222a of the housing 22. In the connected state in which the first optical connector module 2 and the second optical connector module 3 are connected to each other, the elastic member 23 presses the first optical connector 21 toward the second optical connector module 3 on both sides of the first direction intersecting the connection direction.

[0067] As a result, the front end surface of the narrow width portion 211b of the first optical connector 21 abuts against the rear end surface of the protruding portion 51a of the base 51. The strong restoring force generated when the elastic member 23 is greatly compressed causes the first optical connector 21 to abut against the base 51 and be fixed in a stable state. As a result, as shown in Fig. 13, the tip of the holding portion 214 of the first optical connector 21 on the side of the second optical connector module 3 faces in the connection direction while being in contact with or close to the rear end surface of the core 521 of the second optical waveguide portion 52 located on the end surface of the protruding portion 51a.

[0068] 12 , when the first optical connector 21 and the second optical connector 31 are connected to each other, the connection member 25 of the first optical connector module 2 is inserted into the through-hole 314 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.

[0069] The first optical connector module 2 and optical connector system 1 according to the embodiment described above enable stable optical connection. For example, the first optical connector module 2 can stably maintain its posture in the connected state. The first optical connector module 2 has an elastic member 23 that presses the first optical connector 21 toward the second optical connector module 3 on both sides of the first direction in the connected state. A component that generates a pressing load on the first optical connector 21 is disposed on the first optical connector 21 side, not on the base 51 side. This eliminates the problem of misalignment between the direction of the pressing load and the optical axis A due to tilt of the housing 32 relative to the base 51 that occurs when attaching the housing 32 to the base 51, unlike the conventional technology described in Non-Patent Document 1. As a result, the first optical connector module 2 can achieve stable optical connection.

[0070] In the first optical connector module 2, the optical axis A of the first optical connector 21 and the locking portion 248 of the locking member 24 are each located within the width W1 of the elastic member 23 in the second direction. This allows the first optical connector module 2 to position the locking structure within the range of the pressing load applied to the first optical connector 21 by the elastic member 23. Therefore, unlike the conventional technology described in Non-Patent Document 2, in which the locking structure is located above the coil spring, the moment load that disturbs the posture of the first optical connector 21, with the locking structure as the fulcrum, is reduced. Therefore, the first optical connector module 2 can achieve a stable optical connection. Consider a case in which the first optical connector 21 and the second optical connector 31 are optically connected directly without a lens member or the like, and the load required to maintain the posture of the first optical connector 21 is large. Even in such a case, the moment that is fulcrum of the locking structure due to the axial misalignment of the pressing load is reduced.

[0071] The connecting member 25 is located within a width W1 of the elastic member 23 in the second direction. In the second direction, the optical axis A is located within a width W2 of the connecting member 25. This allows the first optical connector module 2 to bring the optical axis A closer to the center in the second direction of the pressing load applied to the first optical connector 21 by the elastic member 23. Therefore, the axial misalignment between the axis of the pressing load and the optical axis A is reduced, allowing the first optical connector module 2 to obtain a stable optical connection.

[0072] In the second direction, the locking portion 248 of the locking member 24 is located within the width W2 of the connecting member 25. This allows the first optical connector module 2 to position the locking structure achieved by the locking portion 248 in the connected state closer to the center of the pressing load applied to the first optical connector 21 by the elastic member 23 in the second direction. Therefore, unlike the prior art described in Non-Patent Document 2, in which the locking structure is located above the coil spring, the moment load that disturbs the posture of the first optical connector 21, with the locking structure as the fulcrum, is reduced. Therefore, the first optical connector module 2 can achieve a stable optical connection. Consider a case in which the first optical connector 21 and the second optical connector 31 are optically connected directly without a lens member or the like, and the load required to maintain the posture of the first optical connector 21 is large. Even in such a case, the moment that is fulcrum of the locking structure due to the axial misalignment of the pressing load is reduced.

[0073] In the second direction, the optical axis A coincides with the center of the elastic member 23. This allows the first optical connector module 2 to align the optical axis A with the center in the second direction of the pressing load applied to the first optical connector 21 by the elastic member 23. Therefore, the axial misalignment between the axis of the pressing load and the optical axis A is further reduced, allowing the first optical connector module 2 to obtain a stable optical connection.

[0074] In the second direction, the center of the base 245 of the locking member 24 is located within the width W1 of the elastic member 23. This allows the first optical connector module 2 to position the center of the base 245, which supports the locking portion 248, which is part of the locking structure, within the range of the pressing load applied to the first optical connector 21 by the elastic member 23. Therefore, the first optical connector module 2 can stably position the locking structure within the range of the pressing load. As a result, as described above, the moment load that interferes with the posture of the first optical connector 21, with the locking structure as the fulcrum, is reduced. Therefore, the first optical connector module 2 can obtain a stable optical connection.

[0075] In the second direction, the center of the base 245 of the locking member 24 is located within the width W2 of the connection member 25. This allows the first optical connector module 2 to move the center of the base 245, which supports the locking portion 248, which is part of the locking structure, closer to the center of the pressing load applied to the first optical connector 21 by the elastic member 23 in the second direction. Therefore, the first optical connector module 2 can stably position the locking structure closer to the center of the pressing load in the second direction. As a result, similar to the above, the moment load that interferes with the posture of the first optical connector 21, with the locking structure as a fulcrum, is reduced. Therefore, the first optical connector module 2 can obtain a stable optical connection.

[0076] In the second direction, the center of the base 245 of the locking member 24 coincides with the center of the elastic member 23. This allows the first optical connector module 2 to align the center of the base 245 supporting the locking portion 248, which is part of the locking structure, with the center in the second direction of the pressing load applied to the first optical connector 21 by the elastic member 23. Therefore, the first optical connector module 2 can stably position the locking structure closer to the center of the pressing load in the second direction. As a result, similar to the above, the moment load that interferes with the posture of the first optical connector 21, with the locking structure as a fulcrum, is reduced. Therefore, the first optical connector module 2 can obtain a stable optical connection.

[0077] The elastic member 23 has a first member 23a disposed on one side in the first direction and a second member 23b disposed on the other side in the first direction. This makes it easy for the first optical connector module 2 to adjust the pressing load applied to the first optical connector 21 by the elastic member 23 so that it is approximately equal on both sides in the first direction. Therefore, the first optical connector module 2 can reduce imbalance in the first direction of the pressing load in the connection direction to the first optical connector 21 and reduce tilt of its posture in the first direction. Therefore, the first optical connector module 2 can obtain a stable optical connection.

[0078] The first member 23a and the second member 23b may be independent components. This allows the elastic member 23 to be aligned with the first optical connector 21 in the first and second directions on both sides of the first optical connector 21 in the first direction. This makes it easy to align the center of the elastic member 23 with the optical axis A in the second direction.

[0079] The first member 23 a and the second member 23 b may have the same shape and material. This allows the pressure loads of the first member 23 a and the second member 23 b to be adjusted equally. Therefore, it is easy to adjust the pressure load applied to the first optical connector 21 by the elastic member 23 equally on both sides in the first direction.

[0080] The housing 32 of the second optical connector module 3 has a locked portion 324 that engages with the locking portion 248 in the connected state. This allows the optical connector system 1 to realize a locking structure based on the locking portion 248 of the locking member 24 of the first optical connector module 2 and the locked portion 324 of the housing 32 of the second optical connector module 3.

[0081] 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.

[0082] For example, the shape, pattern, size, arrangement, orientation, type, and number of each of the above-mentioned components are not limited to the above description and the illustrations in the drawings. The shape, pattern, size, arrangement, orientation, type, and number of each component may be configured arbitrarily as long as the function can be realized. The components of the illustrated first optical connector module 2 and optical connector system 1 are functional concepts. The specific form of each component is not limited to that shown in the drawings.

[0083] In the above embodiment, the connection member 25 of the first optical connector module 2 is described as being located within the width W1 of the elastic member 23 in the second direction, but this is not limiting. The connection member 25 may be located outside the width W1 of the elastic member 23 in the second direction. Instead of or in addition to the configuration having the connection member 25 attached to the first optical connector 21 and connected to the second optical connector module 3, the first optical connector module 2 may be connected to the second optical connector module 3 by any other connection mechanism.

[0084] In the above embodiment, the optical axis A of the first optical connector 21 is located within the width W2 of the connecting member 25 in the second direction, but this is not limiting. In the second direction, the optical axis A may be located within the width W1 of the elastic member 23 but outside the width W2 of the connecting member 25.

[0085] In the above embodiment, the locking portion 248 of the locking member 24 is described as being located within the width W2 of the connecting member 25 in the second direction, but is not limited to this. In the second direction, the locking portion 248 may be located within the width W1 of the elastic member 23 but outside the width W2 of the connecting member 25.

[0086] In the above embodiment, the optical axis A of the first optical connector 21 is described as coinciding with the center of the elastic member 23 in the second direction, but this is not limiting. In the second direction, the optical axis A does not have to coincide with the center of the elastic member 23 as long as it is located within the width W1 of the elastic member 23.

[0087] In the above embodiment, the center of the base 245 of the locking member 24 is described as being located within the width W1 of the elastic member 23 in the second direction, but this is not limiting. The center of the base 245 may be located outside the width W1 of the elastic member 23 in the second direction.

[0088] In the above embodiment, the center of the base 245 of the locking member 24 is described as being located within the width W2 of the connecting member 25 in the second direction, but this is not limiting. The center of the base 245 may be located outside the width W2 of the connecting member 25 in the second direction.

[0089] In the above embodiment, the center of the base 245 of the locking member 24 coincides with the center of the elastic member 23 in the second direction, but this is not limiting. The center of the base 245 does not have to coincide with the center of the elastic member 23 in the second direction.

[0090] In the above embodiment, the elastic member 23 has been described as having the first member 23 a and the second member 23 b, but is not limited to this. The elastic member 23 may be composed of one member or three or more members as long as it can press the first optical connector 21 toward the second optical connector module 3 on both sides in the first direction in the connected state.

[0091] In the above embodiment, the second optical connector module 3 is attached to the second optical transmission line 50 and has a housing 32 having a locked portion 324 that engages with the locking portion 248 in a connected state, but this is not limited to this. The structure that engages with the locking member 248 of the first optical connector module 2 may be located elsewhere instead of or in addition to the locked portion 324 of the housing 32. For example, the structure that engages with the locking member 248 of the first optical connector module 2 may be located in the second optical connector 31 instead of the housing 32.

[0092] In the above embodiment, the first optical connector 21 and the second optical connector 31 are directly optically connected without a lens member or the like in the optical connector system 1, but the present invention is not limited to this. The first optical connector 21 and the second optical connector 31 may be indirectly optically connected via a lens member or the like.

[0093] In the above embodiment, the housing 32 is described as being configured as a metal member such as a metal lid, but is not limited to this. The housing 32 may be configured of a material other than metal as long as it can be configured as a housing that covers the mounting surface of the base 51 of the second optical transmission line 50 from above.

[0094] In the above embodiment, the mounting portion 325 of the housing 32 is described as being adhered to the mounting surface of the base 51 with an adhesive or the like, but this is not limited to this. Instead of or in addition to the mounting portion 325, the housing 32 may have a mounting portion that is mounted on the surface of the base 51 as a mounting surface by soldering or the like.

[0095] In the above embodiment, the connecting member 25 is described as a pin, but is not limited to this. The connecting member 25 may have any other configuration different from a pin as long as it is compatible with the guide portion 213.

[0096] 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 25 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 first base portion 211. For example, the guide portion 213 may be a recessed or protruding portion disposed on the surface of the first base portion 211.

[0097] In the above embodiment, the first optical connector 21 has been described as having a pair of guide portions 213, but is not limited to this. The first optical connector 21 may have only a single guide portion 213, or may have three or more guide portions 213.

[0098] 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 first optical connector module to be connected to a second optical connector module, comprising: a first optical connector; an elastic member arranged relative to the first optical connector; and a locking member attached to the first optical connector and having a locking portion, wherein the elastic member presses the first optical connector toward the second optical connector module on both sides of a first direction intersecting a connection direction in a connection state in which the first optical connector module and the second optical connector module are connected to each other, and in a second direction intersecting the connection direction and the first direction, an optical axis of the first optical connector is located within a width of the elastic member, and the locking portion is located within a width of the elastic member to form a locking structure with the second optical connector module in the connection state. [Supplementary Note 2] The first optical connector module described in Supplementary Note 1, comprising a connection member attached to the first optical connector and located within the width of the elastic member in the second direction, and connected to the second optical connector module, wherein the optical axis is located within the width of the connection member in the second direction. [Supplementary Note 3] The first optical connector module described in Supplementary Note 2, wherein the locking portion is located within the width of the connection member in the second direction. [Supplementary Note 4] The first optical connector module described in Supplementary Note 2 or 3, wherein the optical axis coincides with the center of the elastic member in the second direction. [Supplementary Note 5] The first optical connector module described in any one of Supplements 2 to 4, wherein the locking member has a base located on the opposite side from the second optical connector module than the locking portion, and wherein the center of the base is located within the width of the elastic member in the second direction. [Supplementary Note 6] The first optical connector module according to Supplementary Note 5, wherein the center of the base is located within the width of the connection member in the second direction.[Supplementary Note 7] The first optical connector module according to Supplementary Note 5 or 6, wherein a center of the base coincides with a center of the elastic member in the second direction. [Supplementary Note 8] The first optical connector module according to any one of Supplements 1 to 7, wherein the elastic member has a first member arranged on one side in the first direction and a second member arranged on the other side in the first direction. [Supplementary Note 9] An optical connector system comprising: the first optical connector module according to any one of Supplements 1 to 8; and a second optical connector module connected to the first optical connector module, wherein the first optical connector module has the first optical connector attached to a tip of a first optical transmission line having a plurality of first optical waveguide portions on the second optical connector module side, and the second optical connector module has a second optical connector attached to a second optical transmission line having a base and second optical waveguide portions stacked on the base, and connected to the first optical connector. [Supplementary Note 10] The optical connector system according to Supplementary Note 9, wherein the second optical connector module is attached to the second optical transmission line and has a housing having a locked portion that engages with the locking portion in the connected state.

[0099] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Optical connector system 2 First optical connector module 3 Second optical connector module 21 First optical connector 211 First base 211a Wide portion 211b Narrow portion 211c Locking portion 211d First receiving surface 212 Second base 213 Guide portion 214 Holding portion 22 Housing 221 Bottom wall 222 Rear wall 222a Second receiving surface 223 Notch portion 224 Side wall 225 Locking projection 23 Elastic member 23a First member 23b Second member 24 Locking member 241 Ceiling wall 242 Rear wall 243 Notch portion 244 Side wall 245 Base 246 First connecting portion 247 Second connecting portion 248 Locking portion 248a Engagement projection 25 Connecting member 31 Second optical connector 311 First base portion 312 Second base portion 313 Opening portion 314 Through hole 32 Housing 321 Ceiling portion 322 Notch portion 323 Facing portion 324 Locked portion 324a Engagement groove 325 Mounting portion 326 First abutment portion 327 Second abutment portion 40 First optical transmission path 41 First optical waveguide portion 50 Second optical transmission path 51 Base 51a Protrusion portion 52 Second optical waveguide portion 521 Core A Optical axis W1 Width W2 Width

Claims

1. A first optical connector module to be connected to a second optical connector module, comprising: a first optical connector; an elastic member arranged relative to the first optical connector; and a locking member attached to the first optical connector and having a locking portion, wherein the elastic member presses the first optical connector toward the second optical connector module on both sides of a first direction intersecting the connection direction when the first optical connector module and the second optical connector module are connected to each other, and in a second direction intersecting the connection direction and the first direction, the optical axis of the first optical connector is located within the width of the elastic member, and the locking portion is located within the width of the elastic member to form a locking structure with the second optical connector module in the connected state.

2. A first optical connector module as defined in claim 1, comprising a connecting member attached to the first optical connector and connected to the second optical connector module, the connecting member being positioned within the width of the elastic member in the second direction, and the optical axis being positioned within the width of the connecting member in the second direction.

3. A first optical connector module according to claim 2, wherein the locking portion is positioned within the width of the connecting member in the second direction.

4. A first optical connector module according to claim 2 or 3, wherein in the second direction, the optical axis coincides with the center of the elastic member.

5. A first optical connector module according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the locking member has a base located on the opposite side of the locking portion from the second optical connector module, and the center of the base is located within the width of the elastic member in the second direction.

6. A first optical connector module according to claim 5, wherein the center of the base is located within the width of the connection member in the second direction.

7. A first optical connector module according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the center of the base coincides with the center of the elastic member in the second direction.

8. A first optical connector module according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the elastic member has a first member arranged on one side in the first direction and a second member arranged on the other side in the first direction.

9. An optical connector system comprising: a first optical connector module according to any one of claims 1 to 8; and a second optical connector module connected to said first optical connector module, wherein said first optical connector module has said first optical connector attached to the tip of said second optical connector module side of a first optical transmission line having a plurality of first optical waveguide sections; and said second optical connector module has a second optical connector attached to a second optical transmission line having a base and second optical waveguide sections laminated on said base, and connected to said first optical connector.

10. An optical connector system according to claim 9, wherein the second optical connector module is attached to the second optical transmission line and has a housing having a locked portion that engages with the locking portion in the connected state.

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