1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to an optical module assembly, and more particularly to a connecting mechanism.
2. Description of Related Art
With the rapid development of modern science and technology, an optical waveguide is used as a medium for transmitting optical signal in more and more fields. However, certain considerations such as process technologies, material properties, etc., lead to limited selections on the length of the optical waveguide. Therefore, it is needed to use other components to achieve the connection of multiple optical waveguides with an ultimately desired length.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,212,698, issued on May 1, 2007, discloses an optical module assembly including a PCB having a first surface and an opposite second surface, plural optical waveguides located on the PCB, and a plurality of lenses for coupling an optical signal transmitted through the optical waveguides from the first surface to the second surface. The lenses have a plurality of staggered reflectors disposed on the first surface and a plurality of staggered convex lenses disposed on the second surface. The design aims at decreasing the spacing between waveguides, thereby increasing waveguide density.
In view of the above, a new optical module assembly that overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages is desired.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide optical module assembly having a simple configuration, an easy assembling process and low cost.
In order to achieve the object set forth, an optical module assembly comprises a first optical module and a second optical module. The first optical module comprises a first ferrule comprising a first planar surface, a second surface opposite to the first planar surface and at least one first connecting mechanism exposed on the second surface of the first ferrule, a first optical waveguide mounted on the first planar surface, and a first light guide device coupling to the first optical waveguide and disposed on the first ferrule. The second optical module comprises a second ferrule including a third planar surface, a fourth surface opposite to the third planar surface and at least one second connecting mechanism exposed on the fourth surface of the second ferrule, a second optical waveguide mounted on the third planar surface, and a second light guide device coupling to the corresponding second optical waveguide and disposed on the second ferrule, an optical signal transmitted between the first optical module and the second optical module by the first and second light guide device. And wherein the first optical module is engaged with the second optical module by the first and second connecting mechanisms mating with each other for transmitting an optical signal between the first optical module and the second optical module by the first and second light guide device.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to
The first ferrule 11 includes a first planar surface 111, a second surface 112 opposite to the first planar surface 111, and at least one first connecting mechanism 113 exposed on the second surface 112. The second ferrule 21 includes a third planar surface 211, a fourth surface 212 opposite to the third planar surface 211, and at least one second connecting mechanism 213 exposed on the fourth surface 212. Each of first and second ferrules 11, 21 comprise a pair of flanges 10 extending outwardly from two lateral sides of the corresponding second and fourth surface 112, 212, a receiving passage 20 formed between the two flanges 10 and disposed on the corresponding second and fourth surfaces 112, 212, respectively, and a pair of first posts 30 extending outwardly from the corresponding first and third planar surface 111, 211. And both of the first and second optical waveguides 12, 22 comprise a pair of mounting holes 40 for mating with the corresponding first posts 30 for precisely and accurately positioning the first and second optical waveguides 12, 22. The first and second optical waveguides 12, 22 are manufactured by polymer material. Compared to the prior art, it is not need to increase the tolerance level of the overall width of the optical waveguide and it is easier to manufacture.
In this embodiment, there are two first connecting mechanisms 113 located on the corresponding flanges 10 of the first ferrule 11, and there are two second connecting mechanisms 213 located on the corresponding flanges 10 of the second ferrule 21. In some instances, each of the first and second optical modules can have one or three and even more connecting mechanisms. Each of the first connecting mechanisms 113 comprises a second post 1131 and a first recess 1132 spaced apart from the second post 1131 in a front-to-back direction, and each of the second connecting mechanisms 213 comprises a third post 2131 and a second recess 2132 spaced apart from the third post 2131 in a front-to-back direction. When the first optical module 1 is engaged with the second optical module 2, the second post 1131 of the first mechanism 113 mated with the second recess 2132 of the second mechanism 213, the first recess 1132 of the first mechanism 113 mated with the third post 2131 of the second mechanism 213. Such design not only increasing the transmitting distance of the optical signal, but also the process of connection is simple.
The first guide device 13 of the first optical module 1 includes a first reflector 131 protruded out of the first planar surface 111 of the first ferrule 11, a first convex lens array 132 protruded out of the second surface 112 of the first ferrule 11. And the second light guide device 23 of the second optical module 2 includes a second reflector 231 protruded out of the third planar surface 211 of the second ferrule 21, and the second convex lens array 232 protruded out of the fourth surface 212 of the second ferrule 21. The first reflector 131 has an incident surface 1311 used for changing the transmitting direction of the optical signal and transmitting into the first convex lens array 132. An angle is formed between the incident surface 1311 of the first reflector 131 and the first planar surface 111. The second reflector 231 has an output surface 2311 used for outputting the optical signal. An incident light forwardly coming out from the first optical waveguide 12 and parallel to the first planar surface 111 of the first ferrule 11 is firstly reflected by the incident surface 1311 of the first reflector 131 downwardly, and secondly focused by the first convex lens array 132, then entering the second optical module 2 and being focused by the second convex lens array 232, and thirdly reflected by the output surface 2311 of the second reflector 231. It could reduce the loss of the light in the transmission by the first and second convex lens arrays. When the first optical module 1 is connected with the second optical module 2, the second surface 112 of the first ferrule 11 mated with fourth surface 212 of the second ferrule 21. A space is formed by the receiving passage 20 disposed on the first ferrule 11 and the second ferrule 21 for receiving the first and second lens array 132, 232.
It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrated only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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102102292 | Jan 2013 | TW | national |