Optical connector and method for manufacturing optical connector

1. An optical connector comprising:

an optical waveguide having a plurality of cores for propagating light arranged in a width direction;

a connector body including a distal end reference surface that contacts a distal end of the optical waveguide, a first reference surface that contacts a first surface of the optical waveguide, a lens array that face the plurality of cores, and an opening; and

a positioning member that is mounted to the opening, the positioning member including a pressing part that contacts a second surface of the optical waveguide and presses the optical waveguide to the first reference surface, and a first positioning part that contacts a first side of the optical waveguide in the width direction.

2. The optical connector as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first positioning part includes an inclined surface formed on a distal end thereof.

3. The optical connector as claimed in claim 1 ,

wherein the positioning member includes a second positioning member that contacts a second side of the optical waveguide that is opposite to the first end with respect to the width direction.

4. The optical connector as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the second positioning part includes an inclined surface formed on a distal end thereof.

5. The optical connector as claimed in claim 1 ,

wherein the connector body includes a second reference surface that contacts a second side of the optical waveguide opposite to the first end in the width direction.

6. The optical connector as claimed in claim 1 ,

wherein the connector body includes a second reference surface that contacts a second side of the optical waveguide opposite to the first end, and a guide surface facing the second reference surface, and

wherein a space between the second reference surface and the guide surface becomes narrower toward the distal end reference surface.

7. The optical connector as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the pressing part is configured to press a part of the optical waveguide in which the plurality of cores are not provided therein.

8. The optical connector as claimed in claim 1 ,

wherein the positioning member includes an air-vent groove to be provided between a sidewall of the opening, that leads from an installation space of the optical waveguide to the outside of the connector body.

9. A method for manufacturing an optical connector, the optical connector including an optical waveguide, a connector body, and a positioning member, the method comprising:

mounting the optical waveguide to the connector body, so that a distal end of the optical waveguide contacts a distal end reference surface of the connector body and a first surface of the optical waveguide contacts a first reference surface of the connector body; and

defining a position of the optical waveguide by inserting a jig into an opening of the connector body;

wherein the jig includes a pressing part that contacts a second surface of the optical waveguide and presses the optical waveguide to the first reference surface, and a first positioning part that contacts a side end part of the optical waveguide in a width direction of the optical connector.

10. An optical connector to which an optical waveguide is connected, the optical connector comprising:

a connector body that includes a first reference surface that contacts a distal end of the optical waveguide, a second reference surface that contacts a first surface of the optical waveguide and an opening; and

a positioning member mounted to the opening, the positioning member including a pressing part that contacts a second surface of the optical waveguide opposite to the first surface and presses the optical waveguide to the second reference surface, and a first positioning part that contacts a side of the optical waveguide in its width direction.