Optical Module Adapter With Conductive Shell For EMI Shielding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical modules face issues with weak structural strength, high manufacturing costs, and poor electromagnetic shielding due to the use of flexible circuit boards and complex metal spring pieces, which affect the positional accuracy and performance of optical devices.
Innovation Solution
An optical module design featuring a printed circuit board with an adapter formed through insert molding, including a metal and plastic part, and a conductive shell that is electrically connected to the metal part, eliminating the need for flexible circuit boards and enhancing electromagnetic shielding by forming a sealed metal chamber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If flexible circuit board is used to connect optical portion and electrical portion, then the optical module can be assembled, but the structural strength becomes weak and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the optical portion and electrical portion into a unified structure where the optical assembly is directly mounted on the printed circuit board. This eliminates the need for separate flexible circuit boards and multiple connection interfaces, thereby strengthening the overall structure while reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the flexible circuit board component from the traditional optical module structure. By eliminating this weak link in the structural chain, the design achieves both stronger overall structure and reduced manufacturing cost, as the flexible circuit board was both structurally weak and expensive to manufacture.
2Manufacturing precision
If flexible circuit board is used, then the optical module can be assembled, but the positional accuracy of optical devices deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the optical assembly directly onto the printed circuit board, the patent eliminates the intermediate flexible circuit board that caused positional inaccuracies. This direct mounting approach ensures precise positioning of optical devices while simplifying the overall assembly structure.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If thin metal spring piece is used for electromagnetic shielding, then the structure can be compact, but the electromagnetic shielding effectiveness becomes poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the electromagnetic shielding function into the adapter structure itself, creating an integrated shielding chamber. This unified design provides effective electromagnetic shielding while simplifying the overall structure by eliminating separate shielding components like the thin metal spring piece.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter is designed as a composite structure combining metal shielding materials with plastic housing. This composite approach provides superior electromagnetic shielding effectiveness compared to thin metal spring pieces, while the integrated design keeps the overall structure compact and simple.
4Strength
If optical assembly is mounted directly on printed circuit board, then structural strength improves, but mounting accuracy deteriorates due to board deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the adapter as an intermediary component between the optical assembly and the printed circuit board. This adapter provides a stable mounting interface that is not affected by PCB deformation, thereby maintaining high mounting accuracy while preserving the structural strength benefits of direct mounting.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical module includes: an optical assembly, including a light receiving assembly and/or a light transmitting assembly; a printed circuit board, on which the optical assembly is mounted; an adapter, used for docking with external connectors, wherein the adapter is configured to fit the optical assembly and to be fixed to the printed circuit board, and the adapter includes a metal part and a plastic part; and a conductive shell, used for accommodating the printed circuit board, the optical assembly, and the adapter, the conductive shell being electrically connected to the metal part of the adapter.