Compact Optical Demultiplexer With Elastic Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
The production of optical demultiplexers is costly and complex due to the need for precise adjustment of filters and mirrors to effectively split optical signals into individual channels, resulting in large and expensive devices.
Innovation Solution
A demultiplexer design featuring a focussing member with a fibre stop and an elastic connecting element to the detector plate, allowing for simplified adjustment and a more compact structure, with the focussing and carrier plates directly mounted on the detector plate, reducing alignment costs and increasing compactness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional demultiplexer design with separate adjustment of filters and mirrors is used, then signal separation function is achieved, but production cost increases and device size enlarges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the carrier plate with focussing elements and detector elements into a single integrated component. This merging eliminates the need for separate adjustment of filters and mirrors, as all elements are pre-aligned on the same plate. The integration directly reduces production cost and simplifies manufacturing while maintaining the signal separation function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a rotatable adjustment mechanism that divides the adjustment process into discrete, controlled steps. The carrier plate can be rotated in predetermined angular increments (e.g., 15 degrees), allowing precise alignment without complex continuous adjustment. This segmentation makes the adjustment process simpler and more manufacturable.
2Manufacturing precision
If precise adjustment of multiple optical elements is performed, then signal splitting accuracy is improved, but device dimensions increase
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the carrier plate, focussing elements, and detector elements into a compact unified structure, the patent achieves precise alignment without requiring large device dimensions. The merged design allows all optical elements to be positioned accurately relative to each other on a small footprint area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes angular rotation of the carrier plate as an additional degree of freedom for adjustment. Instead of requiring large linear displacements for alignment, the system achieves precise positioning through rotational movement in the angular dimension, reducing the overall device area required.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design simplifies the adjustment process, reduces production costs, and achieves a more compact and efficient optical demultiplexer structure, maintaining high angular accuracy even under temperature changes.
Implementation Method 1
the wavelength-sensitive element and the focussing elements are arranged such that at least one part of an optical signal input via the input connection first strikes the wavelength-sensitive element and then a focussing element, and a further part first strikes the wavelength-sensitive element and then a different focussing element
Implementation Method 2
By focussing element is meant any element which can bring incident parallel light beams together substantially at one point, the so named focal point or focus
Implementation Method 3
the focussing member is connected to the carrier plate or preferably to the detector or signal-generator plate by an elastic connecting element
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a multiplexer/demultiplexer with a connection for inputting and/or outputting an optical signal which has signal components of different wavelengths, a carrier plate (8) with at least one wavelength-sensitive element (11), a focussing member (13) with at least two focussing elements (14, 14′) as well as a detector or signal-generator plate (1), on which at least two detectors (4) or signal generators are arranged. To achieve this object, it is proposed according to the invention that both carrier plate (8) and focussing member (13) are connected to the detector or signal-generator plate (1).