Optical Circuit Board Guide Structure for Edge Connector Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical waveguides face challenges in accurate mounting due to poor formation of connector guides at the edge of the substrate, leading to potential peeling issues.
Innovation Solution
The optical circuit board design includes a guide structure with specific protruding portions on a lower cladding, allowing for precise alignment and connection of an optical connector, even at the edge of the board, by using a guide structure with protruding portions that fit into recessed portions of the connector.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional connector guide is formed at the edge of the substrate, then the optical connector can be connected to the board, but the guide structure is poor and peeling occurs leading to mounting inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The guide structure is divided into multiple portions (first portion, second portion, third portion, fourth portion) with different configurations. The first and second portions extend from the edge toward the center, while the third and fourth portions extend from the center away from the edge, creating segmented regions that distribute mechanical stress and prevent peeling while maintaining positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide structure extends in multiple directions (first portion and second portion from edge to center, third portion and fourth portion from center away from edge), utilizing two-dimensional spatial arrangement to enhance structural stability and prevent peeling at the board edge while maintaining precise connector alignment.
2Measurement precision
If the guide structure extends from the outer edge to the center, then alignment is improved, but the structure becomes vulnerable to peeling at the edge
Solution Approach 1:
The guide structure is segmented into multiple portions with different orientations. The first and second portions provide alignment from the edge toward the center, while the third and fourth portions extend from the center away from the edge, creating a balanced structure that maintains alignment precision while distributing mechanical stress to prevent peeling.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide structure employs asymmetric configuration where the first and second portions extend from the edge toward the center, while the third and fourth portions extend from the center away from the edge. This asymmetric design optimizes both alignment precision and structural strength by creating a balanced stress distribution pattern.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical circuit board according to the present disclosure includes a wiring board, a lower cladding located on the wiring board and having a first region and a second region, an optical waveguide located on the first region and including a core and an upper cladding, and a guide structure located on the second region and adjacent to the optical waveguide. The guide structure includes at least a first portion and a second portion extending adjacent to each other from an outer edge side to a center side of the wiring board in a plan view, a third portion extending from an end portion of the first portion on the center side away from the second portion, and a fourth portion extending from an end portion of the second portion on the center side away from the first portion.