Optical transmission path formation technique

An optical fiber array manufacturing method, comprising:

• (a) preparing at least one optical fiber, an optical fiber holder having at least one optical fiber holding hole corresponding to a respective one of the optical fiber and at least either one of positioning pin inserting hole or positioning pin formed on one end surface, an optical fiber fixing plate having an optical fiber fixing hole corresponding to a respective one of the optical fiber holding holes formed to pierce one main surface of the optical fiber fixing plate to another main surface a sidewall of each optical fiber fixing hole having a smooth tapered curve which allows the respective optic fiber to be inserted into the optical fiber fixing hole without contacting any sharp edges, and either one of a positioning pin in correspondence with the positioning pin inserting hole formed on the one end surface of the optical fiber folder or positioning pin inserting hole formed on the another main surface in correspondence with the positioning pin formed on the one end surface of the optical fiber folder and a reinforcement layer between the optical fiber holder and the optical fiber fixing plate having at least one optical fiber hole corresponding to a respective one of the optical fiber holding holes;
• (b) attaching the optical fiber fixing plate to the one end surface of the optical fiber holder by fitting the positioning pin into the positioning pin inserting hole;
• (c) inserting the optical fiber to the corresponding optical fiber holding hole of the optical fiber holder and the corresponding optical fiber fixing hole of the optical fiber fixing plate from the another end surface of the optical fiber holder in a condition that the optical fiber fixing plate is attached to the optical fiber holder;
• and
• (d) fixing the optical fiber to the optical fiber fixing plate in a condition that the optical fiber fixing plate is attached to the one end surface of the optical fiber holder by fitting the positioning pin into the positioning pin inserting hole and the optical fiber is inserted to the corresponding optical fiber holding hole of the optical fiber holder and the corresponding optical fiber fixing hole of the optical fiber fixing plate.

An optical fiber array, comprising:

• n optical fibers, n being an integer greater than or equal to 1;
• an optical fiber holder having n optical fiber holding holes, each optical fiber holding hole receiving a respective one of the optical fibers such that each optical fiber extends through the optical fiber holder, a sidewall of each optical fiber holding hole having a smooth tapered curve which allows an optic fiber to be inserted into the optical fiber fixing hole without contacting any sharp edges;
• an optical fiber fixing plate having n optical fiber fixing holes, each optical fiber fixing hole corresponding to a respective one of the optical fiber holding holes, a sidewall of each optical fiber fixing hole having a smooth tapered curve which allows an optic fiber to be inserted into the optical fiber fixing hole without contacting any sharp edges;
• a reinforcement layer between the optical fiber holder and the optical fiber fixing plate having n optical fiber holes corresponding to a respective one of the optical fiber holding holes;
• and
• a fixing device that fixes the optical fiber to the optical fiber fixing plate.

An optical fiber array, comprising:

• n optical fibers, n being an integer greater than or equal to 1;
• an optical fiber holder having n optical fiber holding holes, each optical fiber holding hole receiving a respective one of the optical fibers;
• an optical fiber fixing plate having n optical fiber fixing holes, each optical fiber fixing hole corresponding to a respective one of the optical fiber holding holes;
• a reinforcement layer between the optical fiber holder and the optical fiber fixing plate having n optical fiber holes each corresponding to a respective one of the optical fiber holding holes, the reinforcement layer being integrally formed on the optical fiber fixing plate;
• and
• a fixing device that fixes the optical fiber to the optical fiber fixing plate.

An optical fiber holding array, comprising:

• an optical fiber holder having a plurality of optical fiber holding holes, each optical fiber holding hole adapted to receive a respective one of a plurality of optical fibers;
• an optical fiber fixing plate having at least one an optical fiber fixing hole, each optical fiber fixing hole corresponding to a respective one of the optical fiber holding holes;
• a reinforcement layer between the optical fiber holder and the optical fiber fixing plate having at least one optical fiber hole corresponding to a respective one of the optical fiber holding holes, the reinforcement layer is integrally formed on the optical fiber fixing plate;
• and
• a fixing device adapted to fix the optical fiber to the optical fiber fixing plate.