Optical Fiber Alignment Structure for SiOB Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost and time-consuming calibration process of optical connections between silicon chips and optical fibers in Silicon Optical Bench (SiOB) products hinder efficient data transmission.
Innovation Solution
An alignment structure using a first coupling part, a second coupling part, and a guide groove between optical elements like silicon chips, cover plates, and optical fibers to facilitate rapid and accurate positioning during assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If traditional optical connection methods are used between silicon chips and optical fibers, then connection reliability is maintained, but calibration and alignment time becomes excessively long and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming guide grooves on the silicon chip and corresponding positioning structures on the optical fiber assembly before final assembly. These guide grooves are created during the chip manufacturing process, enabling automatic alignment when the optical fiber is inserted, thereby eliminating time-consuming post-assembly calibration while maintaining high alignment precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces guide grooves as an intermediary structure that mediates between the silicon chip and optical fiber. These grooves serve as a physical guide that automatically positions the optical fiber correctly during assembly, replacing the need for complex manual alignment procedures while ensuring precise positioning
2Productivity
If manual calibration and alignment procedures are used for optical connections, then positioning accuracy can be achieved, but production cost and assembly time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the alignment function into separate components: guide grooves on the silicon chip, positioning protrusions on the optical fiber assembly, and coupling structures. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently with standard processes, simplifying the overall assembly process while maintaining alignment accuracy, thereby improving productivity without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service alignment where the guide grooves and positioning structures automatically align the optical fiber with the silicon chip during assembly without requiring external calibration equipment or manual adjustment. The structures themselves provide the alignment function, enabling workers to simply assemble the components in the correct sequence, which dramatically improves assembly efficiency while keeping the structure relatively simple
Data Source
AI summary
An alignment structure of an optical element includes an optical fiber having a parallel fiber segment and a plurality of bare fiber segments, a cover plate provided with a plurality of side-by-side guide grooves and a plurality of first coupling parts, the bare fiber segments of the optical fiber being arranged in the corresponding guide grooves, cross-sectional shapes of the guide grooves being at least one of U-shaped or V-shaped, and a silicon chip provided with lines and a plurality of second coupling parts. When the cover plate is matched with the silicon chip, the first coupling parts and the second coupling parts are coupled and positioned with each other respectively, and the optical fiber is fixed between the silicon chip and the cover plate.