Optical fiber array

Details Optical fiber array Optical fiber array

1999-03-25

2001-04-10

Palmer, Phan T. H. (Department: 2874)

Optical waveguides

Accessories

External retainer/clamp

C385S049000, C385S089000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06215945

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND RELATED STATEMENT
The present invention relates to an optical fiber array in which optical fibers are inserted and arranged in V-shaped grooves.
Due to the increasing density of optical fibers, more and more fibers are used for planar waveguides (PLC). To avoid the increase in size of waveguide elements associated with the increasing number of fibers and to further increase the density, efforts are being made to reduce the conventional standard type waveguide pitch.
FIG. 12
shows an example of a conventional standard optical fiber array. In this figure, an optical fiber array comprises a lower substrate
1
including V-shaped groove in its surface, a fiber presser substrate
3
located over the V-shaped grooves in the lower substrate
1
to press non-covered (bare) optical fibers
2
in the V-shaped grooves, and a covered fiber housing substrate
5
that presses covered optical fibers
4
. Covered optical fibers
4
are inserted through a covered housing groove
6
formed in the covered fiber housing substrate
5
so that bare optical fibers
2
are aligned in the V-shaped grooves, thereby constituting the optical fiber array
7
.
The optical fiber array is configured as described above, and a normal method for aligning and fixing the optical fibers
2
to the lower substrate
1
is to place cores of the bare optical fibers
2
in the V-shaped grooves from above, to place the fiber presser substrate
3
thereon, and to use an adhesive to fix the fibers. In this case, as shown in
FIG. 13
, when the optical fibers
2
are placed in the V-shaped grooves
8
, they may collide against the tip edges
10
of protruding portions
9
formed between the plurality of V-shaped grooves
8
and may be damaged or cut, resulting in an open circuit. In addition, the tip edges
10
of the protruding portions
9
in the lower substrate may also be cut to cause an open circuit or an insufficient fiber arrangement accuracy.
In addition, if, for example, the optical fiber array is used for a fiber core selection apparatus, the fibers may be moved among the plurality of V-shaped grooves in the lower substrate.
When the fibers are moved among the V-shaped grooves in this manner, similarly as the above description the fibers
2
may be damaged or cut or the tip edges
10
in itself of the protruding portions
9
each formed between the V-shaped grooves
8
may be cut to cause an open circuit or an insufficient fiber arrangement accuracy.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been achieved in view of the conventional problem, and its object is to provide an optical fiber array that can prevent optical fibers from being damaged or cut while preventing substrates from being cut when the fibers are placed in V-shaped grooves for alignment.
This invention also provides an optical fiber array wherein if fibers are moved from one V-shaped groove to its adjacent V-shaped groove as in a fiber core selection apparatus, they can be easily moved and are prevented from being damaged or cut while the substrates are prevented from being cut.
According to this invention, this object can be attained by an optical fiber array comprising an upper substrate and a lower substrate in which V-shaped grooves are formed, optical fibers being inserted and arranged in the V-shaped grooves, wherein the tips of a plurality of protruding portions formed between the plurality of V-shaped grooves are shaped like planes.
In the optical fiber array according to this invention, the tips of the plurality of protruding portions are preferably located at the same height, and a lower substrate is formed so that its top surface is located higher than the tips of the plurality of protruding portions.
In addition, if a flat portion is formed outside the V-shaped groove at each end, a step is preferably provided between the flat portion and the top surface of the lower substrate, and the tips of the plurality of protruding portions and the flat portion are more preferably located at the same height. The structure of this invention is preferably applicable if the fibers are moved from one V-shaped groove to its adjacent V-shaped groove.
Furthermore, if the lower substrate has on the respective sides of the plurality of V-shaped grooves, guide fixing grooves into which a guide pin is inserted, planar portions are preferably provided on the respective sides of the guide fixing grooves.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5717803 (1998-02-01), Yoneda et al.
patent: 5991492 (1999-11-01), Ota et al.

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