Optical Coupler Support Layout for Thermal Axis Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical couplers face axis deviation issues due to thermal expansion caused by nearby electronic components, leading to potential misalignment of optical axes.
Innovation Solution
The optical coupler design includes a first optical member with condensing lenses, a fixing unit for optical fibers, and a support member with specific portions arranged to minimize overlap and maximize fixation, reducing thermal expansion-induced deformation by applying counteracting forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If electronic components are placed around the optical coupler, then functional integration is improved, but thermal expansion causes optical axis deviation
Solution Approach 1:
The support member is divided into multiple portions (first portion, second portion, third portion) that are spatially separated in the Z-axis direction. This segmentation allows different components (optical coupler, electronic components) to be positioned at different heights, enabling functional integration while preventing thermal interference with the optical axis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the Z-axis dimension (vertical direction) to separate components that would otherwise occupy the same horizontal space. By arranging the optical coupler and electronic components at different Z-axis positions, the patent achieves three-dimensional spatial separation, allowing functional integration without thermal expansion-induced optical axis deviation.
2Manufacturing precision
If components are arranged to minimize overlap, then thermal expansion effects are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support for the optical coupler, positions electronic components at different heights, and acts as a thermal isolation structure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, thereby limiting device complexity while achieving optical axis stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the support structure and component mounting structure into a single integrated support member. The first portion, second portion, and third portion are all part of the same support member, merging structural support and component positioning functions into one element, thus reducing overall device complexity.
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 configuration effectively reduces the likelihood of optical axis shift, maintaining alignment even under temperature changes from nearby electronic components.
Implementation Method 1
a first optical member including one or more condensing lenses that concentrate light traveling in an X-axis direction
Implementation Method 2
there is a possibility that a temperature of the optical coupler rises due to heat generated from an electronic component. In this case, the inventor of the present application has noticed that there is a possibility that a deviation is caused in the optical axis of the optical coupler due to thermal expansion of the optical coupler
Data Source
AI summary
An optical coupler that includes: a first optical member including one or more condensing lenses that concentrate light traveling in a positive direction of an X-axis; a fixing unit that fixes one or more optical fibers; and a support member having a first portion extending in the X-axis direction, a second portion extending in the X-axis direction, and a third portion extending in a Y-axis direction orthogonal to the X-axis direction. The third portion, the first optical member, and the fixing unit are arranged at intervals in this order in a positive direction of an X-axis. The third portion, the first optical member, and the fixing unit are positioned between the first portion and the second portion as viewed in the Z-axis direction. The third portion, the first optical member, and the fixing unit are fixed to the first portion and the second portion.