Light-Transmitting Layer Adhesion for Optical Modules

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for adhering light-blocking members using light curing adhesives are complex and time-consuming, requiring precise control of light irradiation and temperature to achieve sufficient adhesion strength, which can be operationally restrictive and difficult to execute effectively.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a light-transmitting member interposed between two light-blocking members, where the adhesive is applied and cured using light of a specific wavelength, allowing for efficient adhesion by scattering and refracting light to ensure thorough curing of the adhesive, thereby simplifying the adhesion process and enhancing adhesion strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a delayed curing adhesive is irradiated with light before bonding light-blocking members, then the curing reaction is initiated, but the adhesive cures too quickly during the bonding operation, preventing sufficient adhesion strength

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesion strengthVSAvoidoperation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies light to the delayed curing adhesive before bonding the light-blocking members, initiating the curing reaction in advance. This preliminary action allows the adhesive to maintain optimal bonding properties during the bonding operation while progressively curing, ultimately achieving sufficient adhesion strength without restricting the bonding time window

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent controls the curing rate by adjusting light irradiation parameters (intensity, duration, wavelength) to match the bonding operation timeline. By changing these parameters, the adhesive cures at a controlled rate that allows sufficient operation time while ensuring complete curing and strong adhesion

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If light irradiation and temperature control are used to control adhesive curing rate, then controllability is improved, but the operation becomes complex and difficult to execute

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrollability of curing rateVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and utilizes the inherent light-sensitive properties of the delayed curing adhesive itself to control the curing rate, rather than requiring external temperature control systems. This approach simplifies the overall control system while maintaining excellent controllability of the curing process through light irradiation parameters alone

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 approach enables easy and quick adhesion of light-blocking members with sufficient strength, facilitating the manufacturing of optical modules with improved operational efficiency and reduced processing time.

Implementation Method 1

allowing for efficient adhesion by scattering and refracting light to ensure thorough curing of the adhesive

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight scattering: Scattering

Implementation Method 2

allowing for efficient adhesion by scattering and refracting light to ensure thorough curing of the adhesive

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight refraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 3

an adhesive containing a light curing resin composition (hereinafter also referred to as a 'light curing adhesive')

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotopolymerisation: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentEP2360218B1Method for producing optical module, and optical module
Publication Date: 2018.12.12 OMRON CORP
  • EP2360218B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2360218B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP2360218B1 patent drawingFigure 7~9

AI summary

A first light-blocking member (10) and a second light-blocking member (30) are adhered to each other by forming a light-transmitting layer having a light-transmitting composition (21) serving as a base material and a light-transmitting filler (22) different in index of refraction from this light-transmitting composition (21) on a front surface of the first light-blocking member (10), applying a liquid light curing adhesive to a front surface (20a) of the light-transmitting layer (20), arranging the second light-blocking member (30) on the front surface (20a) of the light-transmitting layer (20) to which the liquid light curing adhesive has been applied, curing the liquid light curing adhesive by irradiating the light-transmitting layer (20) with light having a prescribed wavelength laterally from a side of the light-transmitting layer (20) so as to adhere the light-transmitting layer (20) and the second light-blocking member (30) to each other. By doing so, in adhering the light-blocking members to each other by using a light curing adhesive, an adhesion operation can easily and quickly be performed while ensuring sufficient adhesion strength.