# US 10,120,141 B2 · Optical module

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- Number: US 10,120,141 B2
- Document ID: US10120141B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/783,361
- Filed: 2017-10-13
- Published: 2018-06-07
- Granted: 2018-11-06
- Earliest claimed: 2016-01-12
- Assignees: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited
- Applicants: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited
- Inventors: Osamu Hashiguchi
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10120141B2

## CPC

- G02B 6/4202: {for coupling an active element with fibres without intermediate optical elements, e.g. fibres with plane ends, fibres with shaped ends, bundles}
- G02B 6/421: {the intermediate optical component consisting of a short length of fibre, e.g. fibre stub}
- G02B 6/4214: {the intermediate optical element having redirecting reflective means, e.g. mirrors, prisms for deflecting the radiation from horizontal to down- or upward direction toward a device (G02B6/4246 takes precedence)}
- G02B 6/4236: {Fixing or mounting methods of the aligned elements}
- G02B 6/4248: {Feed-through connections for the hermetical passage of fibres through a package wall (see provisionally also G02B6/4428)}
- G02B 6/4292: {the light guide being disconnectable from the opto-electronic element, e.g. mutually self aligning arrangements}
- G02B 6/4204: {the coupling comprising intermediate optical elements, e.g. lenses, holograms (encapsulated active devices H01S5/02208)}
- G02B 6/423: {using guiding surfaces for the alignment}
- G02B 6/4249: {comprising arrays of active devices and fibres}
- G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS

## Abstract

An optical module includes a first optical block (OB) which is mounted on a substrate and a second OB which holds an optical fiber. When orthogonal X and Z directions are parallel to a substrate surface and a direction orthogonal thereto is a Y direction, the first OB includes a base part and two extending parts which extend in the Z direction. The second OB is configured to be accommodated between the two extending parts from the upper side of the Y direction and to be moved in the Z direction between the two extending parts. Positioning parts for positioning the second OB with respect to the first OB in the X and Y directions are formed on the second OB. An extending direction of the optical fiber held by the second OB is the Z direction and a light traveling direction between the base part and the second OB is the Z direction.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An optical module which optically connects an optical element with an optical fiber, the optical module comprising:
a first optical block; and
a second optical block which is assembled with the first optical block, wherein
the first optical block is an optical block which is to be mounted on a substrate on which the optical element is mounted,
the second optical block is an optical block configured to hold the optical fiber,
the first optical block includes
a base part, and
two extending parts which extend from the base part in a first direction which is orthogonal to an assembling direction, the assembling direction being a direction in which the second optical block is assembled with the first optical block,
the second optical block is configured to be accommodated between the two extending parts and to be moved in the first direction between the two extending parts,
positioning parts are formed on the second optical block, the positioning parts being for positioning the second optical block with respect to the first optical block in each of the assembling direction and a second direction, and the second direction being orthogonal to the assembling direction and being orthogonal to the first direction,
an extending direction of the optical fiber held by the second optical block is the first direction, and
a light traveling direction between the base part and the second optical block is the first direction.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The optical module according to claim 1, wherein
the positioning parts are four protruding parts which protrude outward in the second direction,
a first groove is formed on an inner lateral surface of each of a base end part and a front end part of one of the two extending parts,
a second groove is formed on an inner lateral surface of each of a base end part and a front end part of the other of the two extending parts,
each of the two protruding parts among the four protruding parts is accommodated in the first groove by moving the second optical block, and
each of the other two protruding parts among the four protruding parts is accommodated in the second groove by moving the second optical block.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The optical module according to claim 1, further comprising:
a retaining mechanism which prevents movement of the second optical block in the first direction after positioning of the second optical block with respect to the first optical block, wherein
the retaining mechanism includes a spring piece having a lance formed on an end thereof and a protrusion part which is hooked on the lance,
the spring piece is formed on each of the two extending parts, and
the protrusion part is formed on the second optical block.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The optical module according to claim 2, further comprising:
a retaining mechanism which prevents movement of the second optical block in the first direction after positioning of the second optical block with respect to the first optical block, wherein
the retaining mechanism includes a spring piece having a lance formed on an end thereof and a protrusion part which is hooked on the lance,
the spring piece is formed on each of the two extending parts, and
the protrusion part is formed on the second optical block.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The optical module according to claim 1, further comprising:
a retaining mechanism which prevents movement of the second optical block in the first direction after positioning of the second optical block with respect to the first optical block, wherein
the retaining mechanism includes a spring piece having a lance formed on an end thereof and a protrusion part which is hooked on the lance,
the spring piece is formed on the second optical block, and
the protrusion part is formed on each of the two extending parts.

### Claim 6 (depends on 2)

The optical module according to claim 2, further comprising:
a retaining mechanism which prevents movement of the second optical block in the first direction after positioning of the second optical block with respect to the first optical block, wherein
the retaining mechanism includes a spring piece having a lance formed on an end thereof and a protrusion part which is hooked on the lance,
the spring piece is formed on the second optical block, and
the protrusion part is formed on each of the two extending parts.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The optical module according to claim 1, wherein
a space which accommodates the optical element is formed on a surface of the base part, the surface facing the substrate in mounting of the first optical block onto the substrate,
a reflection surface which reflects light is formed on the base part, and
the reflection surface has an inclination of 45° with respect to the assembling direction.

### Claim 8 (depends on 2)

The optical module according to claim 2, wherein
a space which accommodates the optical element is formed on a surface of the base part, the surface facing the substrate in mounting of the first optical block onto the substrate,
a reflection surface which reflects light is formed on the base part, and
the reflection surface has an inclination of 45° with respect to the assembling direction.

### Claim 9 (depends on 3)

The optical module according to claim 3, wherein
a space which accommodates the optical element is formed on a surface of the base part, the surface facing the substrate in mounting of the first optical block onto the substrate,
a reflection surface which reflects light is formed on the base part, and
the reflection surface has an inclination of 45° with respect to the assembling direction.

### Claim 10 (depends on 4)

The optical module according to claim 4, wherein
a space which accommodates the optical element is formed on a surface of the base part, the surface facing the substrate in mounting of the first optical block onto the substrate,
a reflection surface which reflects light is formed on the base part, and
the reflection surface has an inclination of 45° with respect to the assembling direction.

### Claim 11 (depends on 5)

The optical module according to claim 5, wherein
a space which accommodates the optical element is formed on a surface of the base part, the surface facing the substrate in mounting of the first optical block onto the substrate,
a reflection surface which reflects light is formed on the base part, and
the reflection surface has an inclination of 45° with respect to the assembling direction.

### Claim 12 (depends on 6)

The optical module according to claim 6, wherein
a space which accommodates the optical element is formed on a surface of the base part, the surface facing the substrate in mounting of the first optical block onto the substrate,
a reflection surface which reflects light is formed on the base part, and
the reflection surface has an inclination of 45° with respect to the assembling direction.
