Immersible Optical Module UV Cured Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical modules fail to operate effectively in environments with immersion cooling due to liquids disrupting the optical path, leading to distortion or blockage of optical transmission.
Innovation Solution
An immersible optical module design featuring a substrate with an optical device, an optical assembly forming an optical path between an optical fiber and the device, and a protective cap with an injection hole for UV curable material, which is cured to seal the module and prevent liquid ingress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If immersion cooling is used to improve cooling efficiency, then cooling performance is improved, but liquid may be introduced to the optical path causing distortion or blockage of optical transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The optical module is divided into separate sealed and unsealed regions. The sealed region contains the optical path components (lens, reflector, optical fiber) and is isolated from the cooling liquid, while the unsealed region allows immersion cooling. This segmentation prevents liquid intrusion into the optical path while maintaining cooling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
A sealant is introduced as an intermediary substance between the optical components and the cooling liquid. The sealant fills the space around the optical components and creates a barrier that prevents liquid from reaching the optical path, thereby protecting optical transmission while allowing the module to be immersed in cooling liquid.
2Reliability
If the optical module is sealed to prevent liquid ingress, then optical transmission reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases due to additional sealing processes
Solution Approach 1:
The sealant is applied in advance during the assembly process, before the optical module is subjected to liquid cooling. The injection holes are formed and the sealant is injected into the sealed region, then cured to create the sealing structure. This preliminary action ensures that sealing is integrated into the manufacturing process rather than added as a complex post-processing step.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealant undergoes a phase transition from liquid to solid through UV curing. The sealant is injected in liquid form to fill the sealing space, then UV light is applied to cure it into a solid barrier. This phase transition provides an effective sealing mechanism that is relatively simple to implement compared to traditional mechanical sealing methods.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If UV curable material is injected through injection hole to seal the module, then liquid ingress is prevented, but additional manufacturing steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cap is designed with injection holes that allow the sealant to be injected into the sealed region. These holes serve as access points for the sealing material and can be sealed after injection. This approach provides a straightforward method for introducing sealant during manufacturing without requiring complex sealing mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
Traditional mechanical sealing methods (such as gaskets, O-rings, or threaded seals) are replaced with a chemical sealing approach using UV-curable sealant. The sealant is injected and cured to create a permanent seal, eliminating the need for complex mechanical sealing components and assembly steps.
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 optical module maintains functionality and prevents contamination even when immersed in liquid, ensuring reliable optical transmission by sealing the optical path with a UV curable material.
Implementation Method 1
radiating UV light to the UV curable material after coupling the protective cap to the optical assembly in a state where the substrate is coupled to the optical system and injecting the UV curable material through the injection hole
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an immersible optical module. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to an immersible optical module, comprising: a substrate including an optical device; an optical assembly coupled to the substrate and forming an optical path between an optical fiber and the optical device; and a protective cap coupled to the optical assembly and including an injection hole through which an ultraviolet (UV) curable material is injected, wherein the immersible optical module is formed by injecting the UV curable material through the injection hole and radiating UV light to the UV curable material, after the substrate is coupled to the optical assembly, and then the protective cap is coupled to the optical assembly.