Optical Assembly Securing Block Lens Position Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In optical communication systems, the use of high-magnifying-power lenses and collimating lenses in hermetic packages with epoxy resin leads to thermal expansion and moisture sensitivity, causing positional deviations and assembly challenges, particularly in small packages where cutting angles can result in difficult lens handling and low operational consistency and reliability.
Innovation Solution
An optical assembly comprising a carrier plate, a light emitting element, a lens component, and a securing block with a light-passing portion, where the lens component is secured via a connecting portion to the securing block, allowing for precise adjustment and bonding without direct contact with the carrier plate, thereby controlling glue layer thickness and preventing contamination, and enabling three-dimensional adjustment for optimal coupling or collimation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If epoxy resin is used for securing the lens, then the lens can be fixed in position, but the high coefficient of thermal expansion and moisture sensitivity cause significant positional deviation
Solution Approach 1:
A supporting member is introduced as an intermediary component between the lens and the base plate. The supporting member has a first surface that contacts the lens and a second surface that contacts the base plate, acting as a mediator that isolates the lens from direct contact with epoxy resin, thereby preventing thermal expansion and moisture sensitivity from causing positional deviation.
Solution Approach 2:
The lens is extracted from direct contact with the epoxy resin by using the supporting member as an intermediary. The lens is secured to the supporting member rather than directly to the base plate, removing the harmful interaction between the epoxy resin and the lens position.
2Manufacturing precision
If a high-magnifying-power lens or collimating lens is used with TEC, then optical coupling or collimation can be achieved, but temperature changes cause lens position deviation
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting member serves as a thermally stable intermediary between the lens and the TEC platform. By placing the lens on the supporting member rather than directly on the TEC, the design isolates the optical component from thermal expansion effects while maintaining precise optical coupling.
Solution Approach 2:
The material properties of the supporting member are selected to have low thermal expansion characteristics, changing the thermal parameter profile of the system. This allows the lens position to remain stable despite temperature changes in the TEC platform.
3Volume of moving object
If the lens size is reduced for small packages, then package size is minimized, but cutting the lens side creates problematic angles that make grasping difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The lens assembly is segmented into two parts: the lens itself and the connecting portion with the gripping structure. The gripping structure is provided on the connecting portion rather than directly on the lens, allowing easy handling without interfering with the lens optical surface or requiring larger lens dimensions.
4Device complexity
If the lens is directly bonded to the carrier plate, then assembly is simplified, but glue layer thickness cannot be controlled and contamination may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting portion acts as an intermediary between the lens and the carrier plate, providing a dedicated bonding interface. This intermediary structure allows for controlled glue application and thickness management while preventing glue from contaminating the lens optical surface.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical assembly includes a carrier plate, a light emitting element and a lens component disposed on the carrier plate, and a securing block. The securing block has a first surface and a light-passing portion that are located on an optical path of an output light from the light emitting element. The lens component includes a lens portion and a connecting portion. The lens portion is located on the optical path. The connecting portion has a second surface facing the first surface of the securing block. A bottom surface of the securing block is bonded to the carrier plate. The lens component is secured onto the carrier plate by means of bonding between the second surface and the first surface of the securing block. A clearance space is present between the lens portion and the light-passing portion so that the lens portion does not contact the securing block.