Lens Device Alignment Using Adjustment Lens and Preliminary Action

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Solution Overview

Problem

The alignment of lenses with respect to optoelectronic components in optoelectronic devices is costly and inefficient, requiring precise positioning to optimize light alignment and data transmission.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the use of optical free-space beams and adjustment lenses to align lens devices with optoelectronic components, where the lens device is moved along specific directions to position optical elements in front of access ports, utilizing predefined distances and measurement values to streamline the alignment process, potentially aided by an autonomous alignment apparatus.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If traditional alignment methods are used to position lens devices with respect to optoelectronic components, then precise positioning can be achieved, but the alignment process becomes costly and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidalignment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining the distance between the adjustment lens and the optical element, and pre-positioning the lens device at an initial aligned position where the adjustment lens focuses the optical free-space beam. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need for time-consuming iterative adjustments during the alignment process, thereby reducing alignment time while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustment lens serves as an intermediary element in the alignment process. By using the adjustment lens to focus the optical free-space beam and establish an initial aligned position, the system creates a reference point that simplifies the subsequent positioning of the optical element. This intermediary mechanism enables more efficient alignment compared to direct positioning methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If traditional alignment methods are used to position lens devices with respect to optoelectronic components, then precise positioning can be achieved, but the alignment process becomes complex and costly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidalignment process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reduces alignment process complexity by performing preliminary positioning actions: the lens device is pre-positioned at an initial aligned position where the adjustment lens focuses the optical free-space beam, and the distance between the adjustment lens and optical element is pre-defined. This eliminates the need for complex real-time adjustment mechanisms and simplifies the overall alignment procedure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustment lens acts as an intermediary that simplifies the alignment process. By establishing an initial aligned position through the adjustment lens's focusing action, the system creates a simplified reference framework that reduces the complexity of positioning the optical element relative to the access port, compared to direct alignment methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If the lens device is positioned to optimize light alignment, then data transmission efficiency is improved, but the positioning requires precise measurement and adjustment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission efficiencyVSAvoidpositioning measurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining the distance between the adjustment lens and the optical element, and pre-positioning the lens device at an initial aligned position. This preliminary setup provides a known reference framework that reduces the measurement precision requirements during final positioning, as the system only needs to adjust from a known good starting point rather than achieving absolute precision from scratch.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 method reduces the complexity and cost of lens alignment by using predefined distances and measurement values to accurately position optical elements, enhancing the efficiency of light alignment and data transmission in optoelectronic devices.

Implementation Method 1

a lens device having an adjustment lens that is configured to focus radiation in only a second direction that lies in a plane perpendicular to the first direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical focusing: Lens

Data Source

PatentEP3153902B1Lens device
Publication Date: 2021.06.02 FINISAR GERMANY
  • EP3153902B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3153902B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3153902B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method of aligning a lens device includes: coupling an optical free-space beam that propagates along a first direction into an access port of an optoelectronic component, the first, a second, and a third direction being mutually perpendicular; positioning the lens device inside a free-space beam path, the lens device having an adjustment lens configured to focus radiation in only the second direction; moving the lens device along the second direction to align the adjustment lens with respect to the access port at an initial aligned position at which the optical free-space beam is one-dimensionally focused by the adjustment lens and at least a portion of a resulting one-dimensionally focused beam is input into the access port; and starting from the initial aligned position, moving the lens device in the second and/or third directions to position an optical element of the lens device in front of the access port.