Optical Assembly Position Adjustment via Non-Smooth Interlocking Structures

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current optical transceiver assembly methods face challenges in precisely adjusting assembly position and focus while maintaining cost-effectiveness, as both active and passive alignment techniques struggle with precision, design tolerance, and environmental resilience.

Innovation Solution

An optical assembly position adjustment device featuring a base with a non-smooth first position adjustment structure and a housing with a matching non-smooth second position adjustment structure, allowing for adjustable contact area to precisely align and focus optoelectronic devices, enhancing optical coupling efficiency and resistance to heat, shake, and shock.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If active alignment techniques are used to adjust assembly position and focus, then optical coupling efficiency can be improved, but assembly cost and time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly position and focus adjustment precisionVSAvoidassembly complexity and cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming non-smooth faces (such as grooves, ridges, or uneven surfaces) on the base and housing during the manufacturing process. These pre-formed structural features enable automatic positioning and alignment of the optoelectronic device without requiring complex active alignment procedures, thereby reducing assembly complexity while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the complex mechanical active alignment system with a passive mechanical interlocking system. Instead of using adjustable mounts, alignment tools, or complex positioning mechanisms, the invention uses the non-smooth faces to create a direct mechanical connection that self-aligns the optical components, simplifying the assembly process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of manufacture

If passive alignment techniques are used to control cost, then assembly cost is reduced, but precision of assembly position and focus adjustment deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly costVSAvoidassembly position and focus adjustment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating specific non-smooth face patterns (such as grooves, ridges, or uneven surfaces) at precise locations on the base and housing. These localized structural features provide targeted positioning capabilities that maintain high precision for assembly position and focus adjustment while keeping the overall manufacturing process simple and cost-effective.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes curved or uneven surface geometries (non-smooth faces) to achieve precise alignment. The curved or irregular surfaces create natural mechanical interlocking features that guide the optoelectronic device into the correct position and focus, providing passive alignment capability that is both precise and cost-effective.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional alignment methods are used, then design tolerance can be maintained, but resistance to heat, shake, and shock deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign toleranceVSAvoidresistance to heat, shake, and shock

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the positioning function with the structural support function by integrating the non-smooth faces directly into the base and housing structures. This integration creates a unified system where the same structural elements that provide mechanical support also serve as alignment features, thereby improving resistance to heat, shake, and shock while maintaining design tolerance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by designing the non-smooth faces to provide built-in compensation for environmental disturbances. The structural features are configured to absorb and distribute thermal expansion, vibration, and shock effects, protecting the optical alignment from degradation by heat, shake, and shock while maintaining the required design tolerance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS10330528B2Optical assembly position adjustment device

Publication Date: 2019.06.25 NIEN YI IND CORP

AI summary

The present disclosure includes an optical assembly position adjustment device. An embodiment of the optical assembly position adjustment device includes a base and at least one housing. The base includes an upper side and a lateral side. The upper side allows the setting of at least one optoelectronic device, and the lateral includes a first position adjustment structure. The at least one housing includes an interior side including a second position adjustment structure. The second position adjustment structure matches the first position adjustment structure for combination. In addition, the at least one housing includes an optical input/output window for optical transmission. The distance between the optical input/output window and the upper side can be adjusted by the increase or decrease of a contact area between the first and second position adjustment structures.