Optical Fiber Connection Component for Reflow Mounting Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional reflow mounting technology for optical devices on BGA packages is hindered by long pigtail optical fibers, which lack heat resistance and complicate high-speed, mass-productive mounting due to inaccurate alignment and fiber connection issues.

Innovation Solution

An optical fiber connection component with fiber guide holes and grooves for precise alignment and adhesive fixation, allowing optical fibers to be inserted after initial alignment and reflow mounting, enabling high-speed, cost-effective assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If reflow mounting technology is used for high-speed automated assembly, then productivity and mass productivity are improved, but the long pigtail optical fiber lacks heat resistance and cannot withstand the reflow furnace temperature

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemass productivityVSAvoidheat resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The optical fiber connection is divided into two separate stages: (1) connection of the optical fiber to the planar lightwave circuit before reflow mounting, and (2) connection of the pigtail optical fiber to the connector after reflow mounting. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized independently, resolving the contradiction between heat resistance requirements and automated assembly speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The optical fiber is connected to the planar lightwave circuit in advance (before reflow mounting) using precise alignment and UV adhesive bonding. This preliminary action ensures that the heat-sensitive pigtail optical fiber is not exposed to reflow furnace temperatures, while still enabling high-speed automated assembly of the BGA package.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If long pigtail optical fiber is used for connection, then ease of operation is improved, but the fiber hinders automated mounting operation and reduces productivity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection easeVSAvoidmounting speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The optical fiber connection is divided into two separate stages: (1) connection of the optical fiber to the planar lightwave circuit before reflow mounting, and (2) connection of the pigtail optical fiber to the connector after reflow mounting. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized independently, resolving the contradiction between heat resistance requirements and automated assembly speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The optical fiber is connected to the planar lightwave circuit in advance (before reflow mounting) using precise alignment and UV adhesive bonding. This preliminary action ensures that the heat-sensitive pigtail optical fiber is not exposed to reflow furnace temperatures, while still enabling high-speed automated assembly of the BGA package.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If conventional UV adhesive bonding is used for optical fiber connection, then manufacturing precision is improved, but the process complexity increases and mass productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment accuracyVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The optical fiber connection is divided into two separate stages: (1) connection of the optical fiber to the planar lightwave circuit before reflow mounting, and (2) connection of the pigtail optical fiber to the connector after reflow mounting. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized independently, resolving the contradiction between heat resistance requirements and automated assembly speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The optical fiber is connected to the planar lightwave circuit in advance (before reflow mounting) using precise alignment and UV adhesive bonding. This preliminary action ensures that the heat-sensitive pigtail optical fiber is not exposed to reflow furnace temperatures, while still enabling high-speed automated assembly of the BGA package.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Facilitates fully automated, high-speed mounting of optical devices with reduced costs and improved mass productivity while maintaining optical characteristics comparable to conventional methods.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of fiber guide holes into which optical fibers are insertable at intervals equal to intervals of a plurality of optical waveguides of a planar lightwave circuit; and grooves for demarcating an area provided with the plurality of fiber guide holes and an area coated with an adhesive in an end surface to be joined with the planar lightwave circuit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS11422321B2Optical fiber connection component and optical device manufacturing method
Publication Date: 2022.08.23 NIPPON TELEGRAPH & TELEPHONE CORP
  • US11422321B2 patent drawing
  • US11422321B2 patent drawing
  • US11422321B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Provided is an optical fiber connection component in which an optical waveguide of a planar lightwave circuit and an optical fiber can be connected after a process using SMT and reflow mounting technology. The optical fiber connection component includes: a plurality of fiber guide holes into which optical fibers are insertable at intervals equal to intervals of a plurality of optical waveguides of the planar lightwave circuit; and grooves for demarcating an area provided with the plurality of fiber guide holes and an area coated with an adhesive in an end surface to be joined with the planar lightwave circuit. The plurality of optical waveguides and the plurality of fiber guide holes are respectively aligned and fixed to the planar lightwave circuit with the adhesive in advance.