Heater Mounting Pads for Optical Device Thermal Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical devices like WSS and LIDAR face challenges in maintaining a constant temperature, mechanical coupling, and thermal isolation within limited size and cost constraints, as direct mounting of pads on heating elements results in unreliable mechanical coupling and decreased thermal isolation.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating mounting pads arranged in openings within the heating element, which mechanically couple the inner box to the outer box while providing thermal isolation, and optimizing their design to satisfy thermal, dynamic, and opto-mechanical requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If mounting pads are directly mounted on the heating element, then mechanical coupling is simplified, but mechanical coupling reliability decreases and thermal isolation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is segmented by creating openings in it, allowing mounting pads to be positioned both on and through the heating element. This segmentation enables the mounting pad to serve dual purposes: providing mechanical coupling through the opening and maintaining thermal isolation by being anchored on the heating element surface, thereby resolving the contradiction between simplified mounting and reliable coupling.
2Ease of manufacture
If mounting pads are directly mounted on the heating element, then installation is easier, but thermal isolation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the heating element with openings, the mounting pad can extend through the heating element while remaining anchored on its surface. This segmentation allows the mounting pad to conduct minimal heat through its portion in the opening while maintaining easy installation, thus preserving thermal isolation without compromising ease of manufacture.
3Volume of moving object
If the optical device size is minimized, then space efficiency improves, but thermal management and mechanical coupling become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting pad structure merges multiple functions into a single component: it provides mechanical coupling between boxes, maintains thermal isolation by being anchored on the heating element, and utilizes the heating element's openings for positioning. This merging allows compact device design while maintaining reliable thermal management and mechanical coupling.
4Volume of moving object
If the optical device size is minimized, then space efficiency improves, but mechanical coupling reliability becomes compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is segmented with openings that accommodate mounting pads extending through them. This segmentation allows the mounting pad to engage both the inner and outer boxes through the heating element, providing strong mechanical coupling in a compact configuration without compromising coupling strength.
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
This design enhances the reliability of mechanical coupling and thermal isolation, allowing for size and cost minimization while maintaining a constant temperature within the optical device.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element on a surface of the inner box, wherein the heating element includes one or more openings
Data Source
AI summary
An optical device may include an outer box. The optical device may include an inner box within the outer box. The optical device may include a heating element on a surface of the inner box. The heating element may include one or more openings. The optical device may include one or more mounting pads. A mounting pad of the one or more mounting pads may be arranged in an opening of the one or more openings and mechanically couple the inner box to the outer box through the opening.