Optical Device Holder Assembly with Bonding Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical device positioning systems fail to reliably maintain optical devices at desired positions due to degradation of adhesives caused by humidity and temperature changes, leading to unwanted repositioning of the devices.
Innovation Solution
A positioning apparatus comprising a housing with slot regions and a holder assembly with flange members that allows for precise movement and alignment of optical devices in multiple directions, with a bonding material applied to secure the holder assembly within the housing, preventing movement even if adhesive strength degrades over time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If adhesive bonding is used to fix the holding component to the support element, then the optical device can be positioned at the desired location, but the bonding strength degrades over time due to humidity and temperature changes
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning system is divided into three main segments: the support element with slot region, the holding component with flange members, and the bonding material. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the mechanical fit provides immediate positioning while the bonding material provides long-term stability, resolving the contradiction between initial positioning accuracy and long-term bond durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The flange members are designed with dimensions that preliminarily establish the correct positioning of the holding component within the slot region before bonding occurs. The parallel surfaces and spaced dimensions create a pre-positioned mechanical fit that maintains alignment even if the adhesive degrades over time, addressing both immediate positioning and long-term reliability.
2Manufacturing precision
If the holding component is made movable to adjust position, then the optical device can be positioned precisely, but the assembly becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static fixed-position design to a dynamic adjustable design. The holding component is made movable along the longitudinal axis of the slot region, allowing precision positioning during assembly. After positioning, the component becomes fixed through bonding, providing the benefits of adjustability without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The bonding material acts as an intermediary that transforms the movable holding component into a fixed assembly. This intermediary element allows the system to achieve both states - movable during positioning and fixed during operation - without requiring complex mechanical locking or adjustment mechanisms, thus maintaining simplicity while achieving high positioning accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for positioning an optical device includes (i) a holder assembly for holding an optical device and for limiting movement of the optical device within the holder assembly to movement in the Z-direction and (ii) a housing for permitting limited movement of the holder assembly in the X-direction, for supporting and optionally permitting movement of the holder assembly in the Y-direction, for supporting and for substantially preventing movement of the holder assembly in the Z-direction. When the holder assembly optionally holding the optical device is positioned within the housing to obtain a desired position of the optical device, a bonding material may be used for fixing the location in the X-direction, and optionally the Y-direction, of the holder assembly within the housing. A method of operating the apparatus for obtaining a desired position of an optical device is further provided.