Flexible Optical Circuit Adhesive Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing flexible optical circuits face challenges in secure installation without bulky mechanical devices, particularly in space-constrained environments, where traditional methods require additional components like clips for fixation.
Innovation Solution
A flexible optical circuit with an adhesive bottom surface that can be readily affixed to a surface during installation, manufactured by disposing an adhesive layer on a carrier film, routing fibers on the adhesive layer, and applying a conformal coating, allowing the circuit to be securely attached without mechanical devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional mechanical devices (clips) are used to secure optical circuits, then the optical circuits can be held in place, but the space requirements increase and the installation becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical fastening devices (clips, screws) with an adhesive system. The adhesive layer is applied to the carrier film and bonds the optical circuit directly to the mounting surface, eliminating the need for mechanical hardware and reducing installation space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the carrier film and adhesive into a single integrated structure. The adhesive layer is disposed directly on the carrier film, merging the support function of the carrier with the bonding function of the adhesive, thereby eliminating separate mechanical fastening components.
2Reliability
If mechanical fastening devices are used to secure optical circuits, then the optical circuits can be fixed in place, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes mechanical fastening systems with a chemical bonding system (adhesive). This replacement simplifies the overall device by eliminating multiple mechanical components (clips, screws, mounting brackets) and reducing installation complexity to a simple adhesive bonding process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the mechanical fastening devices from the optical circuit assembly. By eliminating clips, screws, and other mechanical hardware, the patent reduces device complexity while maintaining the essential function of securing the optical circuit in place.
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 secure and space-efficient installation of optical circuits by eliminating the need for bulky mechanical fasteners, enhancing cable management and reducing operational complexity in dense infrastructure setups.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible optical circuit with an adhesive bottom surface that can be readily affixed to a surface during installation
Data Source
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AI summary
A process of manufacturing an optical flexible circuit (500) comprising: (a) disposing an adhesive layer (502) on at least a portion of a carrier film (501), said adhesive layer having a downward adhesive face and an upward adhesive face, said downward adhesive face and said carrier film being configured such that said carrier film is removable from said downward adhesive face without disruption of said downward adhesive face; (b) routing one or more fibers (503) on said upward adhesive layer; (c) coating (504) said fibers to define an optical circuit; and (d) optionally parting said carrier film to separate said optical circuit from other optical circuits on said carrier film.