Holder Element With Integrated Optical Arrangement To Offset Light Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical transceivers face challenges in reducing component costs while maintaining performance and adhering to standards, particularly due to space constraints, thermal management, and insertion loss, especially in high-demand applications like 100G CWDM4 transceivers.
Innovation Solution
A holder element that couples an optical coupling receptacle to a substrate using integrated optics to redirect light paths, allowing for indirect coupling and reducing the overall footprint by enabling the substrate to be positioned close to the transceiver housing without reserved space for the receptacle, utilizing reflective surfaces within a cavity to offset light paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the substrate is positioned close to the transceiver housing to reduce footprint, then space utilization improves, but the optical path alignment becomes misaligned due to receptacle space constraints
Solution Approach 1:
A mirror is introduced as an intermediary optical element within the holder element to redirect the optical path. The mirror receives light from the optical coupling receptacle and reflects it to the optical component on the substrate, enabling the substrate to be positioned close to the housing while maintaining proper optical alignment through the reflected light path.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical path is redirected from a direct linear path to a reflected path that utilizes the vertical dimension within the holder element. By positioning the mirror at an angle within the holder's cavity, the light path bends to accommodate the offset between the receptacle and substrate positions, effectively using three-dimensional space to resolve the alignment issue.
2Adaptability or versatility
If standard optical coupling receptacle spacing is maintained, then compatibility with standards is ensured, but thermal management efficiency deteriorates due to increased distance from housing
Solution Approach 1:
The holder element with integrated mirror serves as an intermediary structure that decouples the thermal and optical functions. It allows the substrate to be positioned close to the housing for improved thermal management while the mirror maintains the optical path alignment, enabling standard compliance without compromising thermal efficiency.
3Temperature
If the substrate is moved closer to the housing, then thermal management improves, but the receptacle cannot be properly positioned without reserved space
Solution Approach 1:
The holder element merges multiple functions into a single integrated structure: it provides mechanical support for the substrate, houses the optical coupling receptacle, and incorporates the mirror for optical path redirection. This consolidation allows the substrate to be positioned close to the housing for thermal management while accommodating the receptacle and maintaining optical alignment without requiring additional reserved space.
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 solution reduces the overall footprint of the substrate and holder element, enabling compliance with various housing standards and improving thermal management while maintaining high performance and reducing component costs.
Implementation Method 1
The optical element includes at least first and second reflective surfaces disposed substantially parallel relative to each other... The first and second reflective surfaces provide a light path therebetween that extends substantially transverse relative to the input and output light paths such that light incident the first reflective surface from the input light path gets offset/redirected to the output light path.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is generally directed to a holder element, also generally referred to herein as a welding element, configured to couple an optical coupling receptacle to a substrate and provide an integrated optical arrangement to redirect light received from the optical coupling receptacle along a receive light path to an output light path that is offset from the receive light path.