Hybrid Optical-Electrical Interconnection Device Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing interconnection devices face signal attenuation due to misalignment of electrical wires or optical fibers at optical-electrical mating interfaces, exacerbated by increasing signal speeds and bandwidth requirements, and require stricter manufacturing tolerances as devices shrink in size.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid optical-electrical interconnection device with a lens module and securing devices, featuring an aperture set for electrical contacts, a lens array for optical signals, and fiber alignment cavities to precisely position and align optical fibers with lenses, ensuring accurate alignment and reduced signal loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the physical size of interconnection devices is reduced, then device compactness is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements become more stringent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces alignment features including alignment pins and alignment grooves as intermediary elements between the first and second connectors. These alignment features serve as mediators that establish precise relative positioning between the connectors, enabling accurate alignment of electrical contacts and optical fibers even when the overall device size is reduced. The alignment features compensate for the reduced tolerance margins inherent in compact designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment features are pre-configured in the connector structures before mating occurs. The alignment pins and grooves are precisely formed during manufacturing to establish predetermined geometric relationships. This preliminary action ensures that when connectors are mated, the alignment is automatically achieved without requiring post-assembly adjustment, thereby maintaining high precision in compact form factors.
2Speed
If signal speed and bandwidth requirements increase, then data transmission capability is improved, but signal attenuation due to misalignment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment features act as intermediary elements that ensure precise positioning of electrical contacts and optical fibers at the mating interface. By mediating the alignment between connectors, these features minimize misalignment-induced signal attenuation, thereby enabling high-speed signal transmission without excessive energy loss even as signal speeds and bandwidth requirements increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs optical fibers for signal transmission, replacing traditional electrical conductors. This substitution leverages optical transmission principles where light carries signals through dielectric waveguides, enabling higher bandwidth and speed with reduced attenuation compared to electrical signals, particularly over longer distances or in high-frequency applications.
3Manufacturing precision
If alignment precision of optical fibers and electrical wires is improved, then signal transmission quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment features including pins and grooves serve as simple intermediary geometric elements that facilitate precise alignment without requiring complex active control systems. These passive mechanical features provide robust alignment through straightforward geometric constraints, achieving high alignment precision while minimizing added structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment features are designed to provide self-aligning functionality during connector mating. The geometric constraints of the pins and grooves automatically guide the connectors into proper alignment positions without requiring external alignment equipment or complex adjustment mechanisms. This self-service alignment reduces the need for additional complex components while maintaining high alignment precision.
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 solution effectively reduces signal attenuation by precisely aligning optical and electrical signals, meeting stringent tolerance requirements and enhancing data transmission efficiency in smaller form factors.
Implementation Method 1
a lens array adjacent the aperture set for providing an optical signal interface, the lens array including one or more lenses respectively coupled to one or more optical fibers
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a hybrid optical-electrical interconnection device. The device may include an enclosure for providing an optical-electrical mating interface. The device may further include a securing device positioned at opposing ends of the mating interface. The device may further include a lens module positioned within the enclosure for providing the mating interface for optical-electrical signals. The lens module may include an aperture set, a lens array adjacent to the aperture set, and one or more fiber alignment cavities having grooves dimensioned to align an end of the respective one or more optical fibres with a corresponding lens of the lens array.