Optical module, optical fiber connecting plug, and optical coupler equipped with the same

Abstract

The present invention provides an optical module, a plug for connecting an optical fiber, or an optical coupler provided with a configuration that permits the connection of an optical fiber without using a ferrule. For this purpose, the optical module, the plug for connecting an optical fiber, or an optical coupler equipped with the same is provided with: a substrate ( 14 ); an optical device ( 16 ) mounted on the substrate; a connecting optical fiber ( 18 ), one end of which is positioned with respect to the optical device, and the distal end of a transmitting optical fiber to be connected is positioned with respect to the other end thereof; and a guide ( 26 ) for guiding the distal end of the transmitting optical fiber to be connected. The distal end of the transmitting optical fiber is positioned with respect to the first end of a connecting optical fiber by disposing the distal end of the transmitting optical fiber in the guide.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A plug for connecting an optical fiber, which comprises an optical device and a connecting optical fiber mounted on a mounting portion so that one end thereof is positioned with respect to the optical device, and which is attached to a distal end portion of a transmitting optical fiber so as to connect the transmitting optical fiber to an optical module disposed such that a portion on the other end of the connecting optical fiber juts out of the mounting portion; wherein: 
 the plug for connecting the optical fiber comprises a holder member having a through hole which permits a portion on the other end of the connecting optical fiber to be inserted therein from one end thereof and permits a distal end portion of the transmitting optical fiber to be inserted therein from the other end thereof, and    when the portion on the other end of the connecting optical fiber is inserted from one end of the through hole of the holder member and the distal end portion of the transmitting optical fiber is inserted from the other end of the through hole of the holder member, the distal end portion of the transmitting optical fiber is positioned with respect to the portion on the other end of the connecting optical fiber in the through hole.    
     
     
         2 . A plug for connecting an optical fiber according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the portion on one end of the through hole is provided with a diverging portion that diverges outwardly.    
     
     
         3 . An optical coupler comprising an optical module equipped with an optical device, and a plug which is attached to a distal end portion of the transmitting optical fiber to connect the transmitting optical fiber to the optical module and which is coupled to the optical module; wherein: 
 the optical module is comprises a connecting optical fiber installed to a mounting portion such that one end thereof is positioned with respect to the optical device, and a portion on the other end of the connecting optical fiber is disposed such that it juts of the mounting portion;    the plug comprises a holder member having a through hole which permits a portion on the other end of the connecting optical fiber to be inserted therein from one end thereof and permits a distal end portion of the transmitting optical fiber to be inserted therein from the other end thereof; and    the distal end portion of the transmitting optical fiber is positioned with respect to the portion on the other end of the connecting optical fiber in the through hole by inserting the portion on the other end of the connecting optical fiber and the distal end portion of the transmitting optical fiber in the through hole.    
     
     
         4 . An optical coupler according to  claim 3 , wherein: 
 a portion on one end of the through hole comprises a diverging portion that diverges outwardly.    
     
     
         5 . An optical coupler according to  claim 4 , wherein: 
 the holder member has a cylindrical shape; and    a receiving portion comprises a pair of opposed concave surfaces that can be placed in contact with the outer periphery of the holder member.    
     
     
         6 . An optical module comprising an optical device and a connecting optical fiber installed to a mounting portion such that one end thereof is positioned with respect to the optical device, wherein the optical module is disposed such that a portion on the other end of the connecting optical fiber juts out of the mounting portion and is connected to a plug for connecting an optical fiber, the plug being installed such that a distal end portion of a transmitting optical fiber juts out of a holder attached to a housing; wherein: 
 the optical module further comprises a sleeve having a through hole which permits a distal end portion of the transmitting optical fiber to be inserted therein from the other end thereof and permits a portion on the other end of the connecting optical fiber to be inserted therein from one end thereof; and    when the distal end portion of the transmitting optical fiber is inserted from the other end of the through hole of the sleeve, and the portion on the other end of the connecting optical fiber is inserted from one end of the through hole of the sleeve, the portion on the other end of the connecting optical fiber is positioned with respect to the distal end portion of the transmitting optical fiber in the through hole of the sleeve.    
     
     
         7 . An optical module according to  claim 6 , wherein: 
 the other end of the through hole comprises a diverging portion that diverges outwardly.    
     
     
         8 . An optical coupler comprising an optical module provided with an optical device and a connecting optical fiber installed to a mounting portion such that one end thereof is positioned with respect to the optical device, the optical coupler being disposed such that a portion on the other end of the connecting optical fiber juts out of the mounting portion; and a plug which is installed such that a distal end portion of the transmitting optical fiber juts out of a holder mounted on a housing to connect a transmitting optical fiber to the optical module, and which is coupled to the optical module; wherein: 
 the optical module comprises a sleeve which comprises a connecting optical fiber installed to a mounting portion such that one end thereof is positioned with respect to the optical device, and which comprises a through hole that permits a distal end portion of the transmitting optical fiber to be inserted therein from the other end and permits a portion on the other end of the connecting optical fiber to be inserted therein from one end thereof; and    the distal end portion of the transmitting optical fiber is positioned with respect to the portion on the other end of the connecting optical fiber in the through hole by inserting the portion on the other end of the connecting optical fiber and the distal end portion of the transmitting optical fiber in the through hole.    
     
     
         9 . An optical coupler according to  claim 8 , wherein: 
 the portion on the other end of the through hole comprises a diverging portion that diverges outwardly.    
     
     
         10 . An optical coupler according to  claim 8 , wherein: 
 the distal end portion of the transmitting optical fiber is tapered, while the portion on the other end of the connecting optical fiber is machined to be a plane.    
     
     
         11 . An optical coupler comprising: 
 an optical module provided with an optical device and a connecting optical fiber having one end thereof positioned with respect to the optical device; and    a plug which is installed to a distal end portion of a transmitting optical fiber to connect the transmitting optical fiber to the optical module and which is coupled to the optical module; wherein:    one of the optical module and the plug is provided with a guide in which one of a portion on the other end of the connecting optical fiber and a distal end portion of the transmitting optical fiber is disposed, and which is able to accommodate the other of the portion on the other end of the connecting optical fiber and the distal end portion of the transmitting optical fiber; and    the distal end portion of the transmitting optical fiber is positioned with respect to the portion on the other end of the connecting optical fiber by placing the other of the portion on the other end of the connecting optical fiber and the distal end portion of the transmitting optical fiber in the guide.