Electronic Assembly Glass Waveguide for Component-Level Current Measurement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring current flow in electronic assemblies, particularly in power electronics modules, are limited to external measurements, lacking the ability to measure currents at individual components within the module.
Innovation Solution
An electronic assembly design that integrates a thin glass plate with a recess and an optical waveguide, allowing for near-chip current measurement by utilizing the optical Faraday effect to deflect polarized laser light, which is then measured by a photodiode to determine current intensity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If external measurement methods (shunt resistors or Hall effect converters) are used to measure current, then current measurement is possible, but component-level current measurement capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the measurement system into individual component-level units by integrating optical waveguides directly at each electronic component. This segmentation allows independent measurement of current at each component rather than measuring total current externally, enabling component-level current measurement capability while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical waveguide is nested within or integrated into the glass plate structure that is itself integrated into the electronic assembly. This nested configuration allows the measurement function to be embedded at the component level without adding external measurement devices, thus achieving both precise measurement and component-level adaptability.
2Measurement precision
If a glass plate with optical waveguide is integrated into the assembly, then component-level current measurement is enabled, but assembly space is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a thin glass plate (typically between 200 μm and 1 mm thick) as the substrate for integrating the optical waveguide. This thin-film approach enables component-level current measurement functionality while minimizing the additional space required in the assembly, as the glass plate can be made very thin and integrated into existing planes without significant volume increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical waveguide is structured within the glass plate in a way that utilizes the third dimension (depth/thickness) rather than requiring additional horizontal space. The waveguide can be configured to extend through the thickness of the glass plate or utilize vertical routing, allowing measurement functionality to be added without significantly increasing the footprint area of the assembly.
3Loss of information
If multiple current-carrying contacts are measured, then comprehensive current monitoring is achieved, but measurement system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The glass plate with integrated optical waveguide serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical support, acts as a substrate for the waveguide, and enables optical measurement of current at multiple contacts simultaneously. This multi-functional design allows comprehensive current monitoring of multiple contacts without proportionally increasing system complexity, as the same basic structure (glass plate with waveguide) is used for each measurement point.
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
Enables precise, component-level current measurement within power electronics assemblies with minimal space increase, facilitating targeted control and integration into larger systems.
Implementation Method 1
This magnetic field, utilizing the optical Faraday effect, deflects polarized laser light passing through the waveguide integrated into the glass plate
Implementation Method 2
An optical waveguide is also structured into the glass plate, wherein the glass plate has optical connection points for the optical waveguide, by means of which polarized laser light can be coupled into and out of the waveguide
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to an electronic assembly (2) comprising at least one electronic component (4) and at least one printed circuit board (8), wherein the component (4) and the printed circuit board (8) extend horizontally relative to each other in different planes (E1, E2... En) within the assembly (2), and wherein the contacts (10) of the electronic component (4) extend vertically within the assembly (2). The invention is characterized in that a glass plate (12) is inserted into the assembly (2) in a horizontal installation position, the glass plate having a horizontal recess (14) through which at least some of the contacts (10) are guided, an optical waveguide (16) being structured into the glass plate (12), and the glass plate having two optical connection points (32, 34) to the waveguide (15) by means of which polarized laser light (20) can be coupled into and out of the waveguide (16).