Optical module

Abstract

An optical module (1) according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises an optical waveguide substrate (10) and a housing (20). The optical waveguide substrate (10) comprises a substrate (11), an optical waveguide (12), and a guide pin (13). The guide pin (13) protrudes in a first direction from an end of the substrate (11) in the first direction. The housing (20) comprises an insertion hole (21) and a groove (22). An optical connector (30) is inserted into the insertion hole (21), the optical connector (30) having, in a front end surface (32) thereof, a pin hole (321) through which the guide pin (13) is inserted, and a protrusion (33), on a side surface thereof, that protrudes in a second direction. The groove (22) is located on an inner wall surface of the insertion hole (21) in the second direction and extends in the first direction. The groove (22) comprises a first groove (221) located on the optical connector (30) side and a second groove (222) located on the substrate (11) side. A depth of the second groove (222) in the second direction is shallower than a depth of the first groove (221) in the second direction.

Description

Optical module

[0001] This disclosure relates to an optical module.

[0002] In optical waveguide substrates, high-precision positioning is required when connecting to optical connectors in order to reduce coupling loss.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses an optical transmission module comprising an optical plug having guide pins and an optical receptacle having pin holes into which the guide pins are inserted. The optical plug and the optical receptacle are positioned by the guide pins and pin holes.

[0004] International Publication No. 2014 / 157363

[0005] An optical module according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises an optical waveguide substrate and a housing. The optical waveguide substrate comprises a substrate, an optical waveguide, and guide pins. The substrate has a first surface parallel to a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The optical waveguide is located on the first surface, with its tip located at the end of the substrate in the first direction. The guide pins protrude in the first direction from the end of the substrate in the first direction. The housing comprises a through hole and a groove. The through hole extends along the first direction. An optical connector is inserted into the through hole, having a pin hole on its tip surface through which the guide pins are inserted, and a protrusion on its side that protrudes in the second direction. The groove is located on the inner wall surface of the through hole in the second direction and extends along the first direction. The groove comprises a first groove located on the optical connector side and a second groove located on the substrate side. The depth of the second groove in the second direction is shallower than the depth of the first groove in the second direction.

[0006] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an example configuration of an optical module according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 is a front view showing an example configuration of the tip surface of an optical connector. Figure 3 is a plan view showing an example configuration of a housing according to the first embodiment. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an example configuration of a housing according to the first embodiment. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the optical module in a cross section perpendicular to the third direction. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the VI-VI line shown in Figure 5. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the optical module in a cross section perpendicular to the third direction. Figure 8 is a plan view showing an example configuration of a housing according to the second embodiment. Figure 9 is a plan view showing an example configuration of a housing according to the third embodiment. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view showing an example configuration of a housing according to the fourth embodiment. Figure 11 is a perspective view showing an example configuration of an optical waveguide substrate according to the fifth embodiment.

[0007] In conventional optical modules, when a positioning method using guide pins and pin holes is employed, for example, if guide pins are provided on the optical connector and pin holes are provided on the optical waveguide substrate, there is a risk that the guide pins and the optical waveguide may come into contact when connecting the optical connector to the optical waveguide substrate, potentially damaging the optical waveguide. There is also a risk that the guide pins may be damaged.

[0008] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide an optical module that can reduce the risk of damage to the optical waveguide and guide pins.

[0009] The embodiments for implementing the optical module according to this disclosure (hereinafter referred to as "Embodiments") will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, this disclosure is not limited by these embodiments. Furthermore, each embodiment can be combined as appropriate, provided that the processing content is not inconsistent. Also, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals in each of the following embodiments, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0010] Furthermore, in the embodiments described below, expressions such as "orthogonal" or "parallel" may be used, but these expressions do not require strict "orthogonal" or "parallel" alignment. In other words, each of the above expressions allows for deviations such as manufacturing accuracy and installation accuracy.

[0011] Furthermore, in the drawings referenced below, for the sake of clarity, mutually orthogonal X, Y, and Z axis directions are sometimes defined, and a Cartesian coordinate system is shown with the Z axis direction being vertically upward.

[0012] <First Embodiment> First, the configuration of the optical module 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 1. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the optical module 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the optical module 1 according to the first embodiment comprises an optical waveguide substrate 10, a housing 20, and an optical connector 30.

[0013] The optical waveguide substrate 10 includes a substrate 11, an optical waveguide 12, and a plurality (in this case, two) of guide pins 13.

[0014] The substrate 11 may have, for example, a rectangular plate shape in plan view. The substrate 11 has a first surface 111. The first surface 111 is a surface parallel to a first direction (here, the direction along the Y-axis) and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction (here, the direction along the X-axis). An optical waveguide 12 is mounted on the first surface 111. The substrate 11 may be, for example, an organic substrate. Alternatively, the substrate 11 may be a semiconductor substrate.

[0015] The optical waveguide 12 transmits optical signals. The optical waveguide 12 is located on the first surface 111 of the substrate 11. The tip of the optical waveguide 12 is located at the end of the substrate 11 in the first direction (in this case, the end on the negative Y-axis side). The optical waveguide 12 may be composed of, for example, multiple optical fibers. In the first embodiment, the optical waveguide 12 is composed of, for example, nine optical fibers aligned at equal intervals. The optical waveguide 12 is connected to the optical fiber 31 of the optical connector 30, which will be described later.

[0016] The optical waveguide 12 can be formed, for example, by pattern printing a core layer that functions as an optical fiber and a cladding layer that surrounds the optical fiber onto the first surface 111. Specifically, the optical waveguide 12 can be formed on the first surface 111 by coating a resin for forming the optical fiber and cladding layer with a film thickness and curing the resin with heat or light.

[0017] The other end of the optical waveguide 12 is optically connected to, for example, a photoelectric conversion element (not shown). The photoelectric conversion element is an element that includes a photoelectric conversion circuit. For example, the photoelectric conversion element converts an optical signal transmitted through the optical waveguide 12 into an electrical signal. The photoelectric conversion element also converts an electrical signal transmitted through wiring (not shown) into an optical signal.

[0018] The guide pins 13 protrude in a first direction from the end of the substrate 11 in a first direction. The guide pins 13 may have, for example, a cylindrical shape. The guide pins 13 may be located on one side and the other side in a second direction of the optical waveguide 12, respectively. That is, the optical waveguide 12 may be located between the two guide pins 13 along the second direction. The guide pins 13 may be made of metal. Alternatively, the guide pins 13 may be formed of, for example, an insulating and heat-resistant synthetic resin material.

[0019] The guide pin 13 is inserted into the pin hole 321 of the optical connector 30 (see Figure 2 for details), which will be described later. With the optical waveguide substrate 10 having the guide pin 13, the optical waveguide 12 and the optical connector 30 can be connected in a state of relative alignment. This makes it possible to connect the optical waveguide 12 and the optical connector 30 while reducing the coupling loss between them. The specific configuration of the optical connector 30 will be described later.

[0020] The optical waveguide substrate 10 may have a receptacle 14 for protecting the tip of the optical waveguide 12. The receptacle 14 may be positioned on the first surface 111 of the substrate 11 so as to cover the tip of the optical waveguide 12 from above. The receptacle 14 may have fixing claws 141 for physically connecting the optical waveguide substrate 10 and the optical connector 30. The receptacle 14 may be formed of an insulating and heat-resistant synthetic resin material.

[0021] As shown in Figure 1, the fixing claws 141 of the receptacle 14 may be located on one side and the other side in the second direction of the optical waveguide 12, respectively. More specifically, the fixing claws 141 may be located, for example, outside the guide pin 13 along the second direction. When the optical waveguide substrate 10 is viewed from above in a plan view, the fixing claws 141 may protrude in the first direction from the end of the substrate 11 in the first direction. The fixing claws 141 are fitted into the fixing groove 34 of the optical connector 30. This physically connects the optical connector 30 to the optical waveguide substrate 10.

[0022] The housing 20 is positioned to cover the optical waveguide substrate 10 from above. The housing 20 may be, for example, a lid-shaped member with an open bottom. The housing 20 includes an insertion hole 21 and a groove 22.

[0023] The insertion hole 21 extends along a first direction at the end of the housing 20 on the optical connector 30 side. The insertion hole 21 is positioned to surround the guide pin 13 and the retaining claw 141 described above. In other words, the guide pin 13 and the retaining claw 141 are located inside the insertion hole 21. The optical connector 30 is inserted through the insertion hole 21.

[0024] The groove 22 is located on the inner wall surface of the insertion hole 21 in the second direction and extends along the first direction. Specifically, the groove 22 may be provided, for example, on one inner wall surface and the other inner wall surface of the insertion hole 21 in the second direction, at the end of the insertion hole 21 opposite to the substrate 11 side (here, the negative Y-axis direction side). When the housing 20 is attached to the optical waveguide substrate 10, the groove 22 is located further from the substrate 11 than the tip of the guide pin 13. The protrusion 33 located on the side of the optical connector 30 is inserted through the groove 22.

[0025] In the optical module 1 according to the first embodiment, the optical connector 30 and the optical waveguide substrate 10 are connected with the protrusion 33 inserted into the groove 22 of the housing 20. This allows the guide pin 13 and the pin hole 321 to be aligned with each other, making it easier to insert the guide pin 13 into the pin hole 321. In other words, the two can be connected while reducing misalignment between the guide pin 13 and the pin hole 321.

[0026] For example, if the position of the guide pin 13 is misaligned with the position of the pin hole 321, the guide pin 13 may come into contact with the optical fiber 31, potentially damaging the optical fiber 31. There is also a risk that the guide pin 13 itself may be damaged. According to the optical module 1 of the first embodiment, the optical waveguide substrate 10 and the optical connector 30 can be connected while reducing damage to the guide pin 13 and the optical fiber 31. The detailed configuration of the housing 20 will be described later with reference to Figures 3 and 4.

[0027] The optical connector 30 has multiple optical fibers 31, multiple (two in this case) pin holes 321, and multiple (two in this case (see Figure 2)) protrusions 33. The optical connector 30 may also have multiple (two in this case (see Figure 5)) fixing grooves 34. The optical connector 30 is, for example, an MT ferrule.

[0028] Multiple optical fibers 31 are arranged in a line along a second direction inside the optical connector 30. The tips of the multiple optical fibers 31 are located on the tip surface 32 of the optical connector 30. Figure 2 is a front view showing an example of the configuration of the tip surface 32 of the optical connector 30. As shown in Figure 2, the tips of the multiple optical fibers 31 may be located at equal intervals from each other in the center of the tip surface 32. The optical fibers 31 are connected to the optical waveguide 12 of the optical waveguide substrate 10. In the first embodiment, the optical connector 30 has, for example, nine optical fibers 31.

[0029] The pin holes 321 are located on the end face 32 of the optical connector 30. The pin holes 321 may be respectively located on one side and the other side of the plurality of optical fibers 31 in the second direction. That is, along the second direction, the plurality of optical fibers 31 may be located between the two pin holes 321. The guide pins 13 of the optical waveguide substrate 10 are inserted into the pin holes 321.

[0030] The protruding portion 33 is located on a side surface of the optical connector 30. Specifically, the protruding portion 33 protrudes toward the second direction from the side surface of the optical connector 30 in the second direction. The protruding portion 33 may extend along the first direction. The protruding portion 33 is inserted through the groove portion 22 of the housing 20.

[0031] The fixing groove 34 may be located on a side surface of the optical connector 30. Specifically, the fixing groove 34 may be located, for example, on a side surface of the optical connector 30 in the second direction. More specifically, the fixing groove 34 is located on the side surface of the optical connector 30 in the second direction, closer to the distal end side of the optical connector 30 than the protruding portion 33. The fixing groove 34 may extend in a direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction (a direction along the Z axis herein). The fixing claw 141 of the receptacle 14 is fitted into the fixing groove 34.

[0032] The optical module 1 may further include an electrical socket 40 for accommodating the optical waveguide substrate 10. As shown in Fig. 1, the electrical socket 40 may have a box shape with an open side on the positive Z-axis direction and an open side on the negative Y-axis direction. For the electrical socket 40, for example, terminals such as pins made of a metal material may be provided on a box-shaped substrate made of an insulating and heat-resistant synthetic resin material. When the optical module 1 includes the electrical socket 40, the aforementioned housing 20 may be fitted to the electrical socket 40 from above. In such a case, the housing 20 and the electrical socket 40 may include a fixing mechanism (not shown) or the like, and may be fitted to each other by this means.

[0033] Next, the configuration of the housing 20 according to the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating a configuration example of the housing 20 according to the first embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 3 corresponds to a plan view of the housing 20 illustrated in FIG. 1 as viewed from below.

[0034] As described above, the housing 20 includes an insertion hole 21 and a groove portion 22 located on the inner wall surface of the insertion hole 21. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the groove portion 22 includes a first groove portion 221 and a second groove portion 222. The groove portion 22 is provided at an end portion of the insertion hole 21 on a side opposite to the substrate 11 side (here, the Y-axis negative direction side). The first groove portion 221 and the second groove portion 222 are continuous in the first direction. The first groove portion 221 is a portion of the groove portion 22 located closer to the optical connector 30 side than the second groove portion 222. In other words, the first groove portion 221 is a portion of the groove portion 22 located farther from the substrate 11 than the second groove portion 222. The second groove portion 222 is a portion of the groove portion 22 located closer to the substrate 11 side than the first groove portion 221.

[0035] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration example of the housing 20 according to the first embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 4 corresponds to a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV illustrated in FIG. 3. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the depth d of the second groove portion 222 in the second direction ２ is shallower than the depth d of the first groove portion 221 in the second direction １ . Further, when a direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction is defined as a third direction (here, a direction along the Z-axis), the width h of the second groove portion 222 in the third direction ２ may be smaller than the width h of the first groove portion 221 in the third direction １ .

[0036] As will be specifically described later, according to the housing 20 having such a configuration, when the optical connector 30 is connected to the optical waveguide substrate 10, the guide pin 13 can be easily inserted into the pin hole 321.

[0037] Next, the features of the optical module 1 according to the first embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 5 to 7. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the optical module 1 in a cross section perpendicular to the third direction. Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the optical module 1 before the guide pins 13 of the optical waveguide substrate 10 are inserted into the pin holes 321 of the optical connector 30.

[0038] As shown in Figure 5, in the optical module 1 according to the first embodiment, when the optical connector 30 is connected to the optical waveguide 12, the protrusion 33 is inserted into the groove 22 of the housing 20. As described above, the groove 22 has a first groove 221 and a second groove 222, and the depth d of the second groove 222 in the second direction ２ The depth d of the first groove 221 in the second direction １ It is shallower than that.

[0039] With the configuration in which the groove portion 22 has a first groove portion 221, a relatively large gap can be provided between the first groove portion 221 and the protrusion portion 33. This makes it possible to relatively increase the distance between the housing 20 and the optical connector 30 along the second direction on the optical connector 30 side. As a result, it becomes easier to insert the optical connector 30 into the insertion hole 21 of the housing 20.

[0040] With the configuration in which the groove portion 22 has a second groove portion 222, the gap between the second groove portion 222 and the protrusion portion 33 can be made relatively small. As a result, the distance between the housing 20 and the optical connector 30 along the second direction on the substrate 11 side can be made relatively small. This makes it possible to connect the guide pin 13 and the pin hole 321 with high precision alignment. Therefore, when connecting the optical connector 30 to the optical waveguide 12, the guide pin 13 and the optical fiber 31 are less likely to come into contact, and the optical fiber 31 is less likely to be damaged. In addition, since the contact between the guide pin 13 and the tip surface 32 of the optical connector 30 is also reduced, the guide pin 13 is less likely to be damaged.

[0041] As described above, the width h of the first groove 221 in the third direction １ The width h of the second groove 222 in the third direction. ２may be larger. According to this configuration, on the optical connector 30 side, the distance along the third direction between the housing 20 and the optical connector 30 can be made relatively large. Accordingly, it is possible to make it easier to insert the optical connector 30 into the insertion hole 21 of the housing 20.

[0042] As described above, the width h of the second groove portion 222 in the third direction ２ may be smaller than the width h of the first groove portion 221 in the third direction １ . According to this configuration, on the substrate 11 side, the distance along the third direction between the housing 20 and the optical connector 30 can be made relatively small. This can reduce vertical positional misalignment between the guide pins 13 and the pin holes 321, thereby further reducing contact between the guide pins 13 and the end face 32 of the optical connector 30. Therefore, damage to the guide pins 13 can be more suitably reduced.

[0043] Note that in the housing 20 according to the present embodiment, the first groove portion 221 and the second groove portion 222 have a rectangular cross-section in the XZ plane along the Y-axis direction, but the shapes of the first groove portion 221 and the second groove portion 222 are not limited thereto. For example, when the cross-sectional shape along the Y-axis direction is semicircular or triangular, the depth of the first groove portion 221 and the second groove portion 222 in the second direction may be the length of the portion having the longest distance from the openings of the first groove portion 221 and the second groove portion 222 in the second direction. Furthermore, the width in the third direction may also be the length of the longest portion of the first groove portion 221 and the second groove portion 222 in the third direction. In this case, for example, the width in the third direction may be the width in the third direction at the openings of the first groove portion 221 and the second groove portion 222.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 5, the distance L from the end face 32 of the optical connector 30 to the end of the convex portion 33 on the substrate 11 side (here, the Y-axis positive direction side) １ may be smaller than the distance L from the tip of the guide pin 13 to the boundary position between the first groove portion 221 and the second groove portion 222 ２ .

[0045] With this configuration, the guide pin 13 can be inserted into the pin hole 321 while the protrusion 33 of the optical connector 30 is inserted into the second groove 222. In other words, the guide pin 13 can be inserted into the pin hole 321 while the distance between the housing 20 and the optical connector 30 in the second and third directions is relatively small. Therefore, as described above, the optical fiber 31 and the guide pin 13 can be connected while reducing damage to both.

[0046] Furthermore, the housing 20 shown in Figure 4 has (1) a depth d of the second groove 222 in the second direction. ２ However, the depth d of the first groove 221 in the second direction １ (2) shallower than (3) width h of the second groove 222 in the third direction ２ However, the width h of the first groove 221 in the third direction １ The housing 20 may be smaller than, but not limited to, a configuration having at least one of (1) and (2).

[0047] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI shown in Figure 5. The dashed lines in Figure 6 show a perspective view of the tip surface 32 of the optical connector 30 and the pin hole 321 located on the tip surface 32. In the example shown in Figure 6, the optical connector 30 is inserted into the two grooves 22 of the housing 20 in a manner that is symmetrical in the upper, lower, left, and right directions.

[0048] As shown in Figure 6, the distance d between the second groove 222 and the protrusion 33 in the second direction ３ This is the distance d between the pinhole 321 and the optical fiber 31 in the second direction. ４ It may be smaller than this. Here, the distance d between the second groove 222 and the protrusion 33 in the second direction. ３ This could be, for example, the distance between the protrusion 33 in the second direction and the inner wall surface of the second groove 222 that faces the protrusion 33. Also, the distance d between the pin hole 321 and the optical fiber 31 in the second direction. ４ This could be, for example, the distance between the center of the pinhole 321 and the center of the optical fiber 31.

[0049] With this configuration, the guide pin 13 inserted into the pin hole 321 and the optical fiber 31 are less likely to come into contact, thus reducing the likelihood of damage to the optical fiber 31.

[0050] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, the distance h between the second groove 222 and the protrusion 33 in the third direction. ３ The distance between the end edge of the tip surface 32 of the optical connector 30 in the third direction and the pin hole 321 is h ４ It may be smaller than this. Here, the distance h between the second groove 222 and the protrusion 33 in the third direction. ３ This could also be the distance between the center of the protrusion 33 in the third direction and the inner wall surface of the second groove 222 facing the protrusion 33. Furthermore, the distance h between the edge in the third direction and the pin hole 321 is also relevant. ４ This could be, for example, the distance between the edge of the tip surface 32 of the optical connector 30 in a third direction and the center of the pin hole 321.

[0051] With this configuration, even if the pin hole 321 is misaligned with respect to the guide pin 13, the guide pin 13 is less likely to come into contact with any part of the optical connector 30 other than the tip surface 32. Therefore, unnecessary stress is less likely to be applied to the guide pin 13, and damage to the guide pin 13 is less likely to occur.

[0052] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the optical module 1 in a cross section perpendicular to the third direction. Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the optical module 1 with the optical waveguide substrate 10 and the optical connector 30 connected.

[0053] As shown in Figure 7, in the optical module 1 according to the first embodiment, the guide pin 13 is inserted into the pin hole 321, thereby connecting the optical waveguide 12 and the optical fiber 31 in a positioned manner relative to each other. In addition, the fixing claw 141 is fitted into the fixing groove 34, thereby fixing the optical waveguide substrate 10 and the optical connector 30 to each other.

[0054] <Second Embodiment> Next, the configuration of the housing 20 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 8. Figure 8 is a plan view showing an example of the configuration of the housing 20 according to the second embodiment. Specifically, Figure 8 corresponds to a plan view of the housing 20 shown in Figure 1, viewed from below.

[0055] In the first embodiment, a configuration was illustrated in which the depth of the first groove 221 and the second groove 222 in the second direction is constant along the first direction (see Figure 3). In contrast, as shown in Figure 8, in the housing 20 according to the second embodiment, the first groove 221 may have a tapered shape in which the depth in the second direction becomes shallower as it approaches the substrate 11.

[0056] With this configuration, the gap between the first groove 221 and the protrusion 33 can be reduced toward the second groove 222. In other words, the distance between the housing 20 and the optical connector 30 along the second direction can be reduced toward the second groove 222. As a result, the misalignment between the protrusion 33 and the second groove 222 at the boundary between the first groove 221 and the second groove 222 can be reduced. Therefore, the protrusion 33 can be easily inserted into the second groove 222. That is, the optical waveguide substrate 10 and the optical connector 30 can be easily connected.

[0057] Furthermore, the first groove 221 may partially have a depth that becomes shallower towards the substrate 11 in the second direction. For example, the first groove 221 may have both a portion where the depth in the second direction is constant along the first direction and a tapered portion that becomes shallower towards the substrate 11.

[0058] <Third Embodiment> Next, the configuration of the housing 20 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 9. Figure 9 is a plan view showing an example of the configuration of the housing 20 according to the third embodiment. Specifically, Figure 9 corresponds to a plan view of the housing 20 shown in Figure 1, viewed from below.

[0059] As shown in Figure 8, the second embodiment illustrates a configuration in which the first groove 221 of the housing 20 has a tapered shape. In contrast, as shown in Figure 9, the third embodiment may have a tapered shape in which the second groove 222 also has a tapered shape. Specifically, the second groove 222 may have a tapered shape in which the depth in the second direction becomes shallower as it approaches the substrate 11. In this case, as shown in Figure 9, both the first groove 221 and the second groove 222 may have a tapered shape.

[0060] With this configuration, the gap between the second groove 222 and the protrusion 33 can be reduced toward the substrate 11. In other words, the distance between the housing 20 and the optical connector 30 along the second direction can be reduced toward the substrate 11. This makes it possible to connect the guide pin 13 and the pin hole 321 with less misalignment between them. As a result, contact between the guide pin 13 and the optical fiber 31 and contact between the guide pin 13 and the tip surface 32 of the optical connector 30 can be more effectively reduced. Consequently, damage to the optical fiber 31 and the guide pin 13 can be more effectively reduced.

[0061] Furthermore, the second groove 222 may partially have a depth that becomes shallower towards the substrate 11 in the second direction. For example, the second groove 222 may have both a portion where the depth in the second direction is constant along the first direction and a tapered portion that becomes shallower towards the substrate 11.

[0062] <Fourth Embodiment> Next, the configuration of the housing 20 according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 10. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the housing 20 according to the fourth embodiment. Specifically, Figure 10 is a diagram corresponding to the cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV shown in Figure 3.

[0063] As shown in Figure 10, the housing 20 according to the fourth embodiment may have rounded corners located on the bottom surface of the groove 22. With this configuration, compared to the case where the corners are not rounded, the end faces of the protrusions 33 are less likely to come into contact with the bottom surface and sides of the groove 22. As a result, damage to the groove 22 and the protrusions 33 is less likely to occur, and the housing 20 and the optical connector 30 are less likely to deteriorate.

[0064] <Fifth Embodiment> Next, the configuration of the guide pin 13 according to the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 11. Figure 11 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the optical waveguide substrate 10 according to the fifth embodiment.

[0065] As shown in Figure 11, in the fifth embodiment, the guide pin 13 may have a tapered shape. With this configuration, compared to the case where the guide pin 13 is cylindrical, it is easier to insert the guide pin 13 into the pin hole 321. Therefore, it is easier to connect the optical waveguide substrate 10 and the optical connector 30.

[0066] <Other Embodiments> In the optical module 1 according to the first to fifth embodiments, an example was described in which the housing 20 has two grooves 22 and the optical connector 30 has two protrusions 33. However, the optical module 1 may also have a configuration in which, for example, the housing 20 has one groove 22 and the optical connector 30 has one protrusion 33. Even with such a configuration, if the groove 22 has a first groove 221 and a second groove 222, the optical waveguide substrate 10 and the optical connector 30 can be connected while reducing damage to the guide pins 13 and optical fibers 31.

[0067] Furthermore, in the optical module 1 according to the first to fifth embodiments, an example was described in which the groove portion 22 has a first groove portion 221 and a second groove portion 222. However, the optical module 1 is not limited to this, and the groove portion 22 may have further groove portions such that the portion closer to the substrate 11 is shallower.

[0068] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail above, this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and improvements are possible without departing from the gist of this disclosure.

[0069] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. Indeed, the embodiments described above can be embodied in a variety of forms. Furthermore, the embodiments described above may be omitted, replaced, or modified in various ways without departing from the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

[0070] Furthermore, this technology can also take the following configuration: (1) An optical module comprising an optical waveguide substrate and a housing, wherein the optical waveguide substrate comprises a substrate having a first surface parallel to a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, an optical waveguide located on the first surface with its tip located at the end of the substrate in the first direction, and a guide pin protruding in the first direction from the end of the substrate in the first direction, the housing comprises a through hole extending along the first direction through which an optical connector is inserted, having a pin hole on its tip surface through which the guide pin is inserted and a protrusion on its side surface protruding in the second direction, and a groove located on the inner wall surface of the through hole in the second direction and extending along the first direction, the groove comprising a first groove located on the optical connector side and a second groove located on the substrate side, the depth of the second groove in the second direction being shallower than the depth of the first groove in the second direction. (2) The optical module according to (1), wherein the distance from the tip surface of the optical connector to the substrate-side tip of the protrusion in the first direction is smaller than the distance from the tip of the guide pin to the boundary position between the first groove and the second groove. (3) The optical module according to (1) or (2), wherein, when the direction perpendicular to the first and second directions is taken as the third direction, the width of the second groove in the third direction is shorter than the width of the first groove in the third direction. (4) The optical module according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the tip of the optical fiber is located on the tip surface of the optical connector, and the distance between the second groove and the protrusion in the second direction is smaller than the distance between the pin hole and the optical fiber in the second direction. (5) The optical module according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the optical waveguide substrate is provided with the guide pins on one side and the other side in the second direction of the optical waveguide, the optical connector is provided with a plurality of optical fibers arranged in the second direction and the pin holes on one side and the other side of the plurality of optical fibers in the second direction, and the housing is provided with the grooves on the inner wall surface on one side and the inner wall surface on the other side in the second direction of the insertion hole.(6) The optical module according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the first groove has a tapered shape, with the depth decreasing towards the substrate. (7) The optical module according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the second groove has a tapered shape, with the depth decreasing towards the substrate. (8) The optical module according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein the distance between the second groove and the protrusion in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions is smaller than the distance between the edge of the tip surface of the optical connector in the third direction and the pin hole. (9) The optical module according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein the corner located at the bottom surface of the groove is rounded. (10) The optical module according to any one of (1) to (9), wherein the guide pin has a tapered shape.

[0071] 1 Optical module 10 Optical waveguide substrate 11 Substrate 12 Optical waveguide 13 Guide pin 14 Receptacle 20 Housing 21 Through hole 22 Groove 30 Optical connector 31 Optical fiber 32 Tip surface 33 Protrusion 34 Fixing groove 40 Electrical socket 111 First surface 141 Fixing claw 221 First groove 222 Second groove 321 Pin hole

Claims

1. An optical module comprising an optical waveguide substrate and a housing, wherein the optical waveguide substrate comprises a substrate having a first surface parallel to a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, an optical waveguide located on the first surface with its tip located at the end of the substrate in the first direction, and a guide pin protruding in the first direction from the end of the substrate in the first direction, the housing comprises a through hole extending along the first direction through which an optical connector is inserted, having a pin hole on its tip surface through which the guide pin is inserted and a protrusion on its side surface protruding in the second direction, and a groove located on the inner wall surface of the through hole in the second direction and extending along the first direction, the groove comprising a first groove located on the optical connector side and a second groove located on the substrate side, the depth of the second groove in the second direction being shallower than the depth of the first groove in the second direction.

2. The optical module according to claim 1, wherein the distance from the tip surface of the optical connector to the substrate-side tip of the protrusion in the first direction is smaller than the distance from the tip of the guide pin to the boundary position between the first groove and the second groove.

3. The optical module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, when the direction perpendicular to the first and second directions is defined as the third direction, the width of the second groove in the third direction is shorter than the width of the first groove in the third direction.

4. The optical module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the tip of the optical fiber is located on the tip surface of the optical connector, and the distance between the second groove and the protrusion in the second direction is smaller than the distance between the pin hole and the optical fiber in the second direction.

5. The optical module according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the optical waveguide substrate is provided with the guide pins on one side and the other side in the second direction of the optical waveguide, the optical connector is provided with a plurality of optical fibers arranged in the second direction, and the pin holes are provided on one side and the other side of the plurality of optical fibers in the second direction, and the housing is provided with the grooves on the inner wall surface on one side and the inner wall surface on the other side in the second direction of the insertion hole.

6. The optical module according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first groove has a tapered shape, with the depth decreasing towards the substrate.

7. The optical module according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second groove has a tapered shape, with the depth decreasing towards the substrate.

8. The optical module according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the distance between the second groove and the protrusion in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions is smaller than the distance between the edge of the tip surface of the optical connector in the third direction and the pin hole.

9. The optical module according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the corners located at the bottom surface of the groove are rounded.

10. The optical module according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the guide pin has a tapered shape.

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