CN113219599B - Optical module and optical communication equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

The embodiment of the application discloses an optical module and optical communication equipment, which comprise an optical interface, an electrical interface component, a light source and a circuit board; the light source is electrically connected with the circuit board; the optical interface and the light source are coupled; the electric interface assembly comprises a fixed seat and a floating piece, the fixed seat is fixed relative to the circuit board, the floating piece is movably arranged on the fixed seat, the floating piece is electrically connected with the circuit board, and the floating piece can float relative to the circuit board; the floating piece is used for supplying power to the light source. The optical module and the optical communication device have the advantage of high plugging and unplugging precision of the optical interface.

Description

Optical module and optical communication equipment

Technical Field

The present application relates to the field of optical communications, and in particular, to an optical module and an optical communications device.

Background

The optical module is an optical-electrical signal interface device which is very important in optical fiber communication.

One end of the traditional optical module is used as an optical interface to be connected with an external optical fiber, and the other end of the traditional optical module is used as an electrical interface to be connected with external communication equipment. The optical module can convert optical signals and electric signals. The traditional optical module is divided into three parts, namely a front end, a middle end and a rear end. The front end comprises a pull ring assembly and an optical interface which are used for locking and unlocking the equipment, and the optical interface faces to the front end; the middle end comprises functional components such as a laser chip, a receiver chip, a wave combining and/or distributing component and the like; the rear end comprises an electrical interface for interconnecting electrical signals with the equipment; the front end of the pull ring component is an operation end for plugging and butting the optical module and the equipment, and the operation end is exposed outside the panel of the equipment after plugging and unplugging. The electric interface is arranged at the rear end of the optical module and distributed at the two ends of the optical module together with the front end of the optical module arranged by the pull ring assembly, and when the pull ring assembly of the optical module is in butt joint with the equipment in a plugging mode, the electric interface at the rear end of the optical module can be in butt joint with the equipment at the same time. The pull ring component is arranged on the electric interface at different ends of the optical module, when the optical module is in butt joint with equipment through the pull ring component, the electric interface can be in synchronous butt joint with the equipment, the mode saves the plugging times for the system, and saves the system cost.

In a communication docking system, the requirement of optical signal docking accuracy is far higher than the electrical signal docking accuracy. In the process of inserting and broadcasting the traditional optical module, an electrical interface is firstly butted, and an optical interface with better precision requirement is arranged in additional operation for secondary butting, so that the plugging precision is low.

Disclosure of Invention

In view of the above, it is desirable to provide an optical module and an optical communication device to improve the problem of the plugging accuracy of an optical interface.

In order to achieve the above purpose, the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application is implemented as follows:

an optical module applied to optical communication equipment comprises an optical interface, an electrical interface component, a light source and a circuit board;

the light source is electrically connected with the circuit board; the optical interface is coupled to the light source;

the electric interface assembly comprises a fixed seat and a floating piece, the fixed seat is fixed relative to the circuit board, the floating piece is movably arranged on the fixed seat, the floating piece is electrically connected with the circuit board, and the floating piece can float relative to the circuit board;

the floating piece is used for supplying power to the light source.

Further, the optical module comprises a flexible conductive piece, the floating piece is electrically connected with the circuit board through the conductive piece, and the conductive piece can eliminate mechanical stress of the floating piece through flexible deformation.

Further, the conductive member is a flexible circuit board; or the conductive piece is a multi-core flat cable; or the conductive piece is a plurality of flexible wires.

Further, the electrical interface assembly comprises an elastic piece, the floating piece is inserted into the fixing seat, the elastic piece is arranged between the floating piece and the fixing seat, and the end face of the floating piece is telescopic relative to the fixing seat.

Furthermore, the front end face of the floating piece, which is far away from the fixed seat, is a smooth transition curved surface.

Further, the optical interface faces the same direction as the floating member.

Further, the optical module comprises a pull ring and a shell assembly with an accommodating cavity, the shell assembly comprises a top cover and a base, and the circuit board is fixedly arranged in the accommodating cavity; the pull ring is arranged at one end of the base far away from the optical interface.

Further, the light source comprises a plurality of light emitting ends; wherein, it is a plurality of the perpendicular to is followed to the luminous end the axial horizontal direction of circuit board from left to right sets up side by side the one end of circuit board, perhaps, a plurality of the luminous end is followed the axial of circuit board is in from the front to the vertical setting in back the one end of circuit board, perhaps, a plurality of the luminous end is arranged respectively on the tow sides of the one end of circuit board.

An optical communication device comprises the optical module, the optical connector and the electric connector; the optical connector is detachably connected with the optical interface; the electric connector is connected with the floating piece in a plugging and pulling mode.

Furthermore, the end surface of the floating piece is a smooth transition curved surface; the electrical connector includes a planar pad that electrically interfaces with an end surface of the floating member.

An optical module and an optical communication device of the embodiment of the application are provided with an optical interface, an electrical interface component, a light source and a circuit board. The optical interface is coupled with the light source; the optical interface is used for outputting continuous light energy emitted by the light source; the electric interface assembly comprises a fixed seat and a floating piece; the floating piece is electrically connected with the circuit board; the light source is electrically connected with the circuit board, and the floating piece is used for supplying power to the light source; the floating part is movably arranged on the fixed seat; the float member may float relative to the circuit board. Therefore, the optical module is inserted in the optical communication equipment, the mechanical stress generated by inserting and pulling the floating piece is released through the floating of the floating piece, so that the mechanical stress is prevented from being transmitted to the optical interface through the circuit board, the optical interface can be coupled under the condition that the external interference is as small as possible, and the aim of improving the coupling precision of the optical interface is fulfilled.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is an assembly view of an optical module and an optical communication device according to an embodiment of the present application, in which a top cover of a housing assembly is omitted;

fig. 2 is a top view of an optical module according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 3 is a top view of a light module according to another embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a light source of the present application;

fig. 5 is a schematic view illustrating an assembly of an electrical interface assembly and a conductive member according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the electrical interface assembly of FIG. 5;

fig. 7 isbase:Sub>A sectional viewbase:Sub>A-base:Sub>A of fig. 5.

Detailed Description

It should be noted that, in the case of conflict, the technical features in the examples and examples of the present application may be combined with each other, and the detailed description in the specific embodiments should be interpreted as an explanation of the present application and should not be construed as an improper limitation of the present application.

In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the "up", "down", "left", "right", "front", "back" orientation or positional relationship is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in fig. 1, it is to be understood that these orientation terms are merely for convenience of description and simplicity of description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element being referred to must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore, should not be considered as limiting the present application.

As shown in fig. 1 to 7, an optical module applied to an optical communication device includes a housing assembly 1, anoptical interface 2, anelectrical interface assembly 3, alight source 4, and acircuit board 5.

The housing assembly 1 includes a receiving cavity (not shown) open at both ends for receiving other components. Thecircuit board 5 can be fixedly arranged in the accommodating cavity after assembly is completed, and the outer side of the shell component 1 can be in plug-in fit with an external optical fiber, optical communication equipment and the like so as to realize the functions of photoelectric conversion of the optical module and transmitting/receiving optical signals.

Theoptical interface 2 is coupled with thelight source 4; theoptical interface 2 is used for outputting continuous light energy emitted by thelight source 4; theelectrical interface assembly 3 comprises afixed mount 31 and afloat member 32.

Thefixing seat 31 is fixed relative to thecircuit board 5, specifically, thefixing seat 31 may be directly fixed on thecircuit board 5 so that the fixing seat and the circuit board are kept relatively fixed; thefixing base 31 may also be fixed to the housing assembly 1, so that thefixing base 31 can be fixed relative to thecircuit board 5 fixed in the housing assembly 1.

Thefloat 32 is electrically connected to thecircuit board 5. It should be understood that the electrical connection here may mean that the floatingmember 32 and thecircuit board 5 are abutted by copper foil, lead or metal to realize electrical energy transmission or electrical signal transmission therebetween; in addition, the electrical connection here may also mean that the floatingmember 32 and thecircuit board 5 do not establish a physical connection therebetween, but perform electrical energy transmission or electrical signal transmission in a wireless connection manner by using an electromagnetic induction manner, specifically, thefloating member 32 may excite an electromagnetic wave that changes according to a certain rule, thecircuit board 5 is provided with an induction device that receives the electromagnetic wave and converts the changed electromagnetic wave into electrical energy, and conversely, thecircuit board 5 excites the electromagnetic wave that changes according to a certain rule, thefloating member 32 is provided with an induction device that receives the electromagnetic wave and converts the changed electromagnetic wave into electrical energy; this allows electrical or electrical energy to be transmitted between thefloat 32 and thecircuit board 5.

Thelight source 4 is electrically connected with thecircuit board 5, and thefloating piece 32 is used for supplying power to thelight source 4; i.e. thefloat 32 provides electrical energy to thelight source 4 via thecircuit board 5 to excite the optical signal. As known to those skilled in the art, in the field of optical devices, an optical module has an independent package, and thecircuit board 5 integrates necessary components for performing optical-electrical signal conversion.

For example, components such as an optical modulator (not shown), a multiplexer (not shown), a demultiplexer (not shown), etc. may be integrated on thecircuit board 5. Wherein the optical modulator is configured to load an electrical signal into the optical energy to output a signal-bearing optical signal. In particular, electrical signals are loaded into optical energy to form a particular form of optical signal, which may change its phase, amplitude, etc. The optical signals with different wavelengths can be combined by the multiplexer to form a path of optical signal. One path of optical signal containing multiple wavelengths is split into multiple optical signals with single wavelength by a demultiplexer.

Thefloating piece 32 is movably arranged on the fixedseat 31; thefloat member 32 is floatable with respect to thecircuit board 5. It should be understood that the floating herein means that the floatingmember 32 can be extended and retracted back and forth, swung left and right, or horizontally offset within a certain range with respect to thecircuit board 5 without departing from the limitation of thefixing base 31. Therefore, the optical module is plugged in the optical communication device, and the mechanical stress generated by plugging and unplugging the electrical connector 83 (mentioned below) and thefloating piece 32 is released by the floating of thefloating piece 32, so that the mechanical stress is prevented from being transmitted to theoptical interface 2 through thecircuit board 5, theoptical interface 2 can be coupled with the optical connector 82 (mentioned below) under the condition that the external interference is as small as possible, and the purpose of improving the coupling precision of theoptical interface 2 is achieved.

In one possible embodiment, as shown in fig. 1 to fig. 3, the optical module includes a flexibleconductive member 6, thefloating member 32 is electrically connected to thecircuit board 5 through theconductive member 6, one end of theconductive member 6 is connected to a copper foil (not labeled) on thecircuit board 5 or a pin interface (not labeled) of another component, where the connection position may be an end surface of thecircuit board 5 near theelectrical interface component 3, or may be two side portions of thecircuit board 5; the other end of theconductive member 6 is fixedly connected with thefloating member 32 to complete the conduction of the circuit. When theelectrical connector 83 is plugged into or pulled out from thefloating member 32 to generate mechanical stress, and theconductive member 6 is electrically connected to thefloating member 32, theconductive member 6 can eliminate the mechanical stress of thefloating member 32 through flexible deformation, so that the floating of thefloating member 32 relative to thecircuit board 5 does not affect thecircuit board 5, thereby preventing the mechanical stress from being transferred to theoptical interface 2 and improving the coupling precision of theoptical interface 2.

Theconductive member 6 may be a flexible circuit board according to design requirements; theconductive member 6 may be a multi-core flat cable; theconductive member 6 is a plurality of flexible conductive wires. Low cost, stable conductivity and can eliminate the mechanical stress of the floatingmember 32 by self-effective deformation.

An optical module can be connected to anelectrical connector 82 on the optical communication device; further, one optical module may be connected with a plurality ofelectrical connectors 82 on the optical communication device. As shown in fig. 5 to 7, for the optical module, one or more floatingmembers 32 may be disposed on the fixingbase 31 as required, and a plurality of floatingmembers 32 may be electrically connected to thecircuit board 5 by integrating oneconductive member 6; each floatingmember 32 can be individually electrically connected to thecircuit board 5 through theconductive member 6, and in this case, theconductive member 6 can be in any one or more forms of theconductive member 6, specifically, the design.

One possible embodiment, as shown in fig. 1, 5 to 7, is that theelectrical interface assembly 3 includes anelastic member 33, the floatingmember 32 is inserted in the fixedseat 31, theelastic member 33 is disposed between the floatingmember 32 and the fixedseat 31, and theelectrical interface assembly 3 is configured such that the end surface of the floatingmember 32 is retractable with respect to the fixedseat 31, that is, the end surface of the floatingmember 32 is retractable with respect to thecircuit board 5; therefore, a male plug is formed, theelectric connector 82 is formed into a female jack, the floatingpiece 32 is inserted into theelectric connector 82 in the form of the male and female plugs to complete connection of the male and female plugs, and corresponding mechanical stress enables the floatingpiece 32 to stretch back and forth, swing left and right, or horizontally shift, and the like, so that the mechanical stress is prevented from being transmitted to theoptical interface 2, and finally the coupling precision of theoptical interface 2 is improved.

Specifically, as shown in fig. 7, the floatingmember 32 is a hollow cylinder with an opening at one end, the fixingbase 31 is formed with apositioning hole 311, the inner diameter of thepositioning hole 311 is larger than the outer diameter of the floatingmember 32, thepositioning hole 311 and the positioning hole are in clearance fit to form a clearance C, where C is greater than or equal to 0.01mm and less than or equal to 0.5mm, so that the floatingmember 32 can vertically shift up and down or horizontally shift left and right according to the mechanical stress generated when being inserted into theelectrical connector 82; the floatingpiece 32 can also swing left and right and up and down within the range of the angle B by taking one end of the floating piece as a fulcrum, B is more than or equal to 1 degree and less than or equal to 10 degrees, and under the condition of keeping the floatingpiece 32 to be electrically connected with thecircuit board 5, the mechanical stress is prevented from being transmitted to theoptical interface 2, and the coupling precision of theoptical interface 2 is finally improved.

In a possible embodiment, the floatingmember 32 may be a standard USB interface, so that the optical module can be used in the existing optical communication device, and is convenient to improve and plug into the existing optical communication device; theelectrical connector 82 corresponds to a USB socket. The mechanical stress generated when the floatingmember 32 is connected to theelectrical connector 82 causes the floatingmember 32 to stretch back and forth, swing left and right, or shift horizontally, thereby avoiding the mechanical stress from being transmitted to theoptical interface 2, and finally improving the coupling precision of theoptical interface 2.

In one possible embodiment, as shown in fig. 1 to 7, thecircuit board 5 includes apad 51, and thelight source 4 includes anelectrode 41, alight emitting terminal 42, and apin 43. Thelight emitting end 42 faces theoptical interface 2 to facilitate coupling of the two. Thepin 43 is used for connection.

Thebonding pad 51 and theelectrode 41 can be electrically connected by welding, and thebonding pad 51 and theelectrode 41 can also be electrically connected by gold wire bonding; on the premise of keeping conduction, the thermal expansion coefficient is small, and the packaging method is suitable for the packaging form of the optical module. Thelight source 4 receives electric energy through theelectrode 41 and outputs light energy.

In the prior art, one end of an optical module is connected to an external optical fiber as an optical interface, and the other end of the optical module is connected to an external communication device as an electrical interface. The optical interface and the electrical interface are respectively arranged at two ends of the optical module, the electrical interface is firstly plugged, and mechanical stress generated when the electrical interface is plugged is transmitted to the optical interface through the circuit board and influences the secondary plugging precision of the optical interface.

In the present application, the influence of mechanical stress on theoptical interface 2 can be effectively reduced by arranging the floatingmember 32 of theelectrical interface assembly 3 relative to thecircuit board 5, so that the coupling precision of theoptical interface 2 is high.

In one possible embodiment, as shown in fig. 1 to 7, theoptical interface 2 is oriented in the same direction as thefloat 32. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that theoptical interface 2 and thefloat member 32 each have an open orientation for interfacing with other devices. Specifically, theoptical interface 2 and thefloat member 32 face in the same direction, which means that the opening directions of the optical interface 203 and the electrical interface 204 face in the same direction.

Theoptical interface 2 and the floatingpiece 32 are used for being simultaneously inserted into theoptical connector 82 and theelectrical connector 83 of the optical communication device, or theoptical interface 2 and the floatingpiece 32 are used for being simultaneously pulled out from theoptical connector 82 and theelectrical connector 83 of the optical communication device, so that the connection between the optical module and the optical communication device is completed quickly, the optical module is prevented from being repeatedly inserted and pulled out on the optical communication device, and the wiring time and cost are reduced. It will be understood that thefloat 32 is plugged with theoptical interface 2 into theoptical connector 82 and theelectrical connector 83 of the optical communication device; both are plugged for the first time, so that the influence of the second plugging on the coupling precision of theoptical interface 2 is avoided; meanwhile, the floatingmember 32 can reduce the influence of mechanical stress on theoptical interface 2 by floating relative to thecircuit board 5, and finally improve the coupling precision of theoptical interface 2.

As shown in fig. 1, theoptical interface 2 and the fixingbase 31 may be disposed on a base 13 (mentioned below) of the housing assembly 1 with the opening aligned with the rear end. Theoptical interface 2 and theholder 31 may now be arranged side by side left and right.

In other cases, theoptical interface 2 and the fixingbase 31 may be disposed on thecircuit board 5, may be disposed side by side in the left-right direction and aligned with the rear end, or may be disposed on the surface of thecircuit board 5 in the up-down direction and aligned with the rear end, respectively.

1-3, the light module comprises apull ring 7 and a housing assembly 1 having a receiving cavity (not shown), the housing assembly 1 comprising a top cover (not shown) and a base 13. Thecircuit board 5 is fixedly arranged in the accommodating cavity. Theoptical interface 2, theelectrical interface component 3 and thelight source 4 may be arranged on a base 13. Thepull ring 7 is arranged at an end of the base 13 remote from thelight interface 2. Thepull ring 7 can be provided with alocking device 71, which is convenient for locking the optical module when the optical module is plugged into or pulled out from the optical communication device.

In one possible embodiment, as shown in fig. 1-3, thelight source 4 includes a plurality of light emitting ends 42; each of the light emitting ends 42 functions as an independent light source to emit light separately.

The plurality of light-emitting ends 42 may be disposed at one end of thecircuit board 5 side by side from left to right along a horizontal direction perpendicular to an axial direction of thecircuit board 5, or the plurality of light-emitting ends 42 may be disposed at one end of thecircuit board 5 vertically from front to back along the axial direction of thecircuit board 5, or the plurality of light-emitting ends 42 may be disposed on both sides of one end of thecircuit board 5. The design is the standard.

An optical communication apparatus includes the optical module of each of the above embodiments, anoptical connector 82, and anelectrical connector 83; theoptical connector 82 is detachably connected to theoptical interface 2; theelectrical connector 83 is connected to thefloat 32 by plugging. In addition, the optical communication device further includes acage 81 that can at least partially accommodate the optical module, so as to facilitate insertion and removal of the optical module.

Thecage 81 can be provided with alocking device 12 matched with the lockingdevice 71, when the optical module is inserted into thecage 81, theoptical connector 82 is butted with theoptical interface 2, and theelectric connector 83 is connected with the floatingpiece 32; the optical module and thecage 81 are locked and prevented from being separated by the lockingdevice 71 and thelocker 12.

The lockingdevice 71 may be a resilient snap-in board and thelocker 12 may be a snap-in slot.

In a possible embodiment, when theoptical interface 2 and the floatingmember 32 face the same direction, that is, theoptical interface 2 and theelectrical interface component 2 are at the same end of the base 13, theelectrical connector 83 and theoptical connector 82 of the optical communication device may be integrated optical electrical connectors, so as to reduce the number of plugging and unplugging operations and improve the coupling precision of theoptical interface 2.

In a possible embodiment, as shown in fig. 5 to 7, the front end face 321 of the floatingmember 32 away from the fixedseat 31 is a smooth transition curved surface; theelectrical connector 83 includes a planar pad (not shown) that electrically interfaces with the end face of thefloat 32; to facilitate the transfer of electrical energy.

In a possible embodiment, the light module further comprises an optical function (not shown), and light emitted by thelight source 4 enters thelight interface 4 through the optical function. The optical function device comprises a lens and/or an array lens and/or a collimating sleeve and/or an optical fiber, in particular a design.

The various embodiments/implementations provided herein may be combined with each other without contradiction.

The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present application and is not intended to limit the present application, and various modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement and the like made within the spirit and principle of the present application shall be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims (10)

1. An optical module applied to optical communication equipment is characterized by comprising an optical interface (2), an electrical interface component (3), a light source (4) and a circuit board (5);

the light source (4) is electrically connected with the circuit board (5); the optical interface (2) and the light source (4) are coupled;

the electric interface assembly (3) comprises a fixed seat (31) and a floating piece (32), the fixed seat (31) and the circuit board (5) are relatively fixed, the floating piece (32) is movably arranged on the fixed seat (31), the floating piece (32) is electrically connected with the circuit board (5), the floating piece (32) can float relative to the circuit board (5), and mechanical stress generated by plugging and unplugging is released through the floating of the floating piece (32);

the float (32) is used for supplying power to the light source (4).

2. Optical module according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a flexible electrically conductive member (6), said floating member (32) being electrically connected to said circuit board (5) by means of the electrically conductive member (6), said electrically conductive member (6) being adapted to relieve mechanical stress of said floating member (32) by means of flexible deformation.

3. A light module as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that said electrically conductive member (6) is a flexible circuit board; or,

the conductive piece (6) is a multi-core flat cable; or,

the conductive piece (6) is a plurality of flexible conducting wires.

4. Optical module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the electrical interface package (3) comprises a resilient member (33), the floating member (32) being inserted in the fixation seat (31), the resilient member (33) being arranged between the floating member (32) and the fixation seat (31), the end face of the floating member (32) being retractable with respect to the fixation seat (31).

5. The light module according to claim 4, characterized in that the front end face (321) of the floating member (32) remote from the fixed seat (31) is a smooth transition curve.

6. A light module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the light interface (2) faces in the same direction as the float (32).

7. The light module according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the light module comprises a pull ring (7) and a housing assembly (1) having a receiving cavity, the housing assembly (1) comprising a top cover and a base (13), the circuit board (5) being fixedly arranged in the receiving cavity;

the pull ring (7) is arranged at one end of the base (13) far away from the optical interface (2).

8. A light module as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the light source (4) comprises a plurality of light emitting ends (42);

wherein, it is a plurality of luminous end (42) is along the perpendicular to the axial horizontal direction of circuit board (5) from left to right sets up side by side the one end of circuit board (5), perhaps, a plurality of luminous end (42) is followed the axial of circuit board (5) is vertical from the front to the back setting is in the one end of circuit board (5), perhaps, a plurality of luminous end (42) is arranged respectively on the tow sides of the one end of circuit board (5).

9. An optical communication device, characterized by comprising an optical module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, an optical connector (82) and an electrical connector (83); the optical connector (82) is detachably connected with the optical interface (2); the electric connector (83) is connected with the floating piece (32) in a plugging and unplugging manner.

10. The optical communication device according to claim 9, wherein the end surface of the floating member (32) is a smooth transition surface; the electrical connector (83) includes a planar pad that electrically interfaces with an end surface of the float (32).

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